Select the first letter of the word from the
list above to jump to appropriate section of the glossary. If the
term you are looking for starts with a digit or symbol, choose
the '#' link.
- Adept
An individual who through serious study is considered
proficient in their chosen magickal system. This can
included Wiccan, High Magick, Egyptian, Celtic, etc.
- Alraun
- Talismanic image made from rowan
wood.
- Altar
- Has two meanings. The first is a
special flat surface used in Magickal workings, and soley
for that. It can be a table, a flat rock, a tree stump,
anything that provides the "center" of a
Magickal circle. Usually contains symbols of the five
elements - Air, Fire, Water, Earth & Spirit, Goddess
and God candles, book of magick/shadows, and special
tools depending upon the type of magick being worked.
- Second meaning is more closely to
that in convential religions. An Altar can be a place set
aside in a house, yard, etc. for the acknowledgement of
dieties. It may hold symbolic representations of the
dieties, special seasonal decorations, candals, amulets,
tailsmans, etc.
- Amulet
- An object of protection that has
been charged to deflect specific negative energies or
thought forms. They can be made of almost anything. A
horseshoe and a 4-leaf clover are examples of amulets.
- Athame
- A cleansed and consecrated
ceremonial knife or sword used in ritual work by Witches.
Traditionally it is double bladed, with the edges dulled
-- for it is used for cutting in the astral plane and not
in the physical realm.
-
- Balefire
- These are bonfires that were lit
with sacred woods during the fire sabbats of Samhain,
Beltain & Midsummer. For example, two balefires would
be lit side by side, and cattle would be driven between
the fires. It was felt the bale fires would protect them
in the coming year from harm. Balefires are also lit
where Witches would jump over the flames, defying death
thus confirming life. These are not seen much anymore
- Bane
- Poisonous or destructive thing. Can also be a curse applied to a person.
Banishing exorcism, often applied to a herb.
- Barrow
- An elven or Celtic burial mound.
- B.C.E.
- Before Common Era, the
non-religious equivalent of Before Christ. Also means before
the common calendar was placed into use.
- Besom
- The witches' broomstick. European
forklore tells of witches riding their brooms through the
sky. It is used as a tool to "sweep" away
negative influences of a sacred area, a circle, a home,
etc.
- Bind
- To magickally restrain something or
someone. Usually used to protect a person from harming
themselves or others.
- Book
of Shadows
- A term for a collection of
information in book form that a Witch uses for reference.
Much akin to a "Magickal cook book." Some say
the term derived from the practice during the burning
times of hiding any Magickal books from persecution -
thus "in the shadows." Another name for a BOS
is grimoire.
- Bolline
- A curved, white handled knife used
for magickal cutting in the physical realm. Examples are
candle carving, inscribing runes on wands, gathering
herbs, etc. Has an edge, unlike an Athame which is usually dulled.
- Burning
Times
- A historical time from about 1000
B.C. through 1700 A.D. when hundred of thousands of
people were tortured or burned by the church over chages
of witchcraft. The Burning Times reached a peak with the
issuance of "The Malleus Maleficarum" of
Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger. This was the famous
"Witches Hammer" that provided guidelines in
the detection, arrest, interrogation and killing of
witches. On December 9, 1484 the Pope Innocent VIII
issued his famous Bull that authorized Kramer and
Sprenger as inquisitors granting them exceptional
authorization in the persucation of Witches.
- Cauldron
- This is a goddess image that is
used like a chalice or cup in rituals. In ancient times,
it was practical because the cooking pot could be used
for cooking & washing as well as making brews and
magick potions. In Witta, the cauldron of death and
rebirth is in possession of the crone in Tir-na-nog.
- C.E.
- Common Era; the non-religious
equivalent of A.D. or after the start of the common calender.
- Censer
- An incense burner, usually a
heat-proof container where powdered incense is smoldered
in during a ritual. Associated with the element of Air.
- Charge,
The
- Originally written by Doreen
Valiente, it is a message from the Goddess to Her
Children.
- Circle
Casting
- The process of moving positive
energy out of the body, (which comes from the Wiccan
her/him self, or drawn from the divinity) and into a
circle of protection about a sacred space. Circle casting
usually begin each Wiccan ritual. This is also known as
creating sacred space, or "laying the circle."
- Circle,
Magick
- A sphere constructed that is a
space out of time, and not in this world. If constructed
correctly, the circle "barrior" will create a
sphere which will keep out all negative entities &
energies, while allowing the elementals & positive
energies to enter. It extends above and below as far as
it extends to the sides. Almost all rituals take place
within a circle of "sacred space."
- Clockwise
- The traditional form of movement of
positive magick within ritual. Also known as Deosil.
- Cone
of Power
- Psychic energy raised and focused
by either an individual or group (coven) to achieve a
definite purpose.
- Cleansing
- The act of removing any negative
energy, vibrations or images from an object or place by
utilizing positive, psychic energy.
- Consecration
- The act of blessing an object or
place by instilling it with positive energy.
- Coven
- A group of thirteen or fewer
Witches that work together in an organized fashion for
positive magickal endeavors or to perform religious
ceremonies. The covenstead is the
meeting place of the Witches, and is often a fixed
building or place where the Witch can feel safe and at
home.
- Days
of Power
- These are days which are considered
powerful days for the working of Magick. This includes
the 8 Sabbats, the Esabbats, plus special days like a
Witches dedication anniversary, birthday, or even during
a woman's menstral cycle.
- Dedication.
- The day an individual accepts the
"call to the path" and dedicates themselves to
the service of a particular diety or dieties, and vows to
learn all they can and reach adeptship in a given
tradition.
- Deosil
- Clockwise movement within a ritual
or circle. Considered the direction of empowering,
growth, change, positive.
- Divination
- The art/science of using magickal
tools and symbols to gather information from the
Collective Unconscious on the nature of people, places,
things, events in the past, present or future. Examples
of divination tools are tarot cards, runes, pendulum,
etc.
- Dolmen
- Elven structure of stone.
Megalithic monument.
- Earth
magick
- A practical form of magick wherein
the powers and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct
magickal workings or celebrations. Usually an itmem
associated with Earth or nature hold particular
significance in the ritual or spell.
- Elder
- An elder in a coven
usually is a person who has obtained a degree of skill in
the tradition, but may not serve in the position of High
Priest or Priestess. This person may have obtained their
skill by education, training, apprentiship, or
experience.
- Elements
- In ancient times, it was believed
that all matter was made of four elements -- Earth, Air,
Water and Fire. Witches honor this basic belief in ritual
with each element has a direction within the circle.
Earth=North, Air=East, Fire=South and Water=West. Some
witches also recognize a fifth element. Spirit=Center of
the circle.
- Empowering
- The act of moving energy into an
object.
- Elf fire
- Need fire or Wildfire. Flame to
light coven balefire produced without the use of metals.
- Esbat
- A Wiccan ritual that occurs on a
day other than the 8 Sabbats. Esbats are commonly
considered the full and new moons.
- Evocation
- To call something out from within.
-
- Familiar
- An animal who has a spiritual bond
with a Witch; often a family pet. In Indian beliefs, a
familiar may be your Totem animal in which you have a
special bond.
- Folk
Magick
- Practice of magick using a
Witches/Wiccan's personal power and natural tools in a
non-religious framework to bring about positive change.
Folk Magick may be bits of magick handed down in
"family" traditions.
- God
- Generally, in Wicca, God is the
male manifestation of the diety, and the
complement/consort of the Goddess. He's often identified
with the Sun or the Skye (hence my name for God - Skye
Father). In the 8 Sabbats, Wiccan's celebrate the God's
birth, growth, union with the Goddess and his death.
There are many, many different Gods depending upon the
Panthelon studied.
- Goddess
- Creatress of the Universe, who
gives birth to the God. Often associated with the Moon,
the Earth (hence my name for the Goddess - Earth Mother),
fertility, wisdom, love, compassion, & healing power.
There are many, many different Goddesses, depending upon
the Panthelon studied.
- Guardians
- Ceremonial magicians use the Guardians of
the Watchtowers or the Guardians
of the Four Quarters. Some witches (like
myself) uses them too.These are entities that guard the
sacred space within a consecrated circle from the 4
directions from evil entering during a ritual. The
Guardians take on many forms - they can be angels,
dragons, lizards, spirits, faries, etc. depending upon
the need of protection and/or the tradition evoking them.
- Handfasting
- A Wiccan or a Pagan marriage
ceremony. In Celtic traditions, a handfasting was
performed on Beltane and was good for "a year and a
day." Thus, a couple who wanted to stay married,
renewed their vows every Beltane. If they didn't, the
marriage ended the following day. The Druid /Priest who
performed the ceremony often tied the couples hands
together with a spell cord -- thus the term, handfasting.
- High
Priest
- In a coven, He is usually the male
leader of the group who co-leads with the High Priestess.
A High Priest has obtained a level of proficiency through
years of study in his chosen tradition, and has been
initiated and passed several "rites of
passage." In Wiccan, neither the High Priest, or the
High Priestess are dominant, they are joint leaders and
equals.
- High
Priestess
- In a coven, she is usually the
female leader of the group who co-leads with the High
Priest. A High Priestess has obtained a level of
proficiency through years of study in her chosen
tradition, and has been initiated and passed several
"rites of passage." In Wiccan, neither the High
Priest, or the High Priestess are dominant, they are
joint leaders and equals.
- Initiation
- Usually a ritual which formally
recognizes a person as a member of a coven. Most
initiates say it is the most profound experience of their
life. Initian ceremonies differ depending upon the
tradition, and the coven.
- Invocation
- To bring something forth from
without.
-
- Karma
- The law of cause and effect. Also
called the "Three Fold Law." It is the belief
that if you do good, you will receive good. If you do
evil, you will receive evil. The happens within a
lifetime, or over several lifetimes.
- Left-Hand
path
- Being left handed, I've never liked
this term. It's common meaning is a person who follows
the left-hand path, is following a path of darkness or
"black" magick. Practioners DO NOT follow the
Rede, and believe it is ok to harm others for the good of
themselves. I DO NOT follow this path! I
have always tried to "walk in the light." But
BEWARE, there are those out there that do.
- Magick
- The art and science of focusing
your will and emotions to effect change both in the world
around you and the world within you. Magick is neither
good or evil, positive or negative. It is the use of the
power that determines the path it will take.
- Magick
circle
- A circular boundary drawn by the
Witch that protects the participants from outside forces
while conducting ritual magick. The circle is created in
a number of ways. By a circle drawn on the ground or
floor, either temporarily or permanently. By salt, sand,
and/or spices sprinkled in a circle. By
"drawing" a circle, visioning it being created
with purple fire, etc. from an athame or wand. And
although it may be represented 2-dimentionally with a
circle of salt, for instance, it is really a sphere that
completely surrounds the Witch(es) with sacred space.
- One must NEVER step outside the
circle while performing magick, instead a door is cut
using the athame, and re-sealed before work is done.
- The circle should never be left
hanging after a ritual, and should be taken down with the
same care used to erect it. In some covens, the High
Priest/Priestess may draw the circle, but there may be 4
people who are in charge of "the quarters" who
take care of cleaning, consecrating, and make sure
supplies are ready in their quarter.
- Magickal
Systems
- Also known as sects, pantheons,
denominations or traditions. It is a basic set of
guidelines the defines that partiular system. This
includes, but not limited to, dieties, sabbats, practices
to honor the gods, rituals, tools, altar decorations,
initiation ceremonies, etc. that would be unique for that
system. Examples of systems are Celtic, Egyptian,
Teutonic, Greek, Norse, etc.
- Magus
- Male practitioner of magic, wizard.
-
- Need
fire
- See Elf
fire.
-
- Pagan
- Follower of a nature-based
religion.
- Pantheon
- A collection or group of Gods and
Goddesses in a particular religious or mythical
structure. Examples are Celtic, Greek, Roman, Norse, etc.
See also Magickal
Systems.
- Pentacle
- A circle surrounding a
five-pointed, upright star (known as a pentagram.) Worn
as a symbol of the Witches belief and used in magickal
workings and ceremonies. Each point of the star has a
specific meaning: Earth, Air, Fire, Water & Spirit.
Pentacles are NEVER worn inverted in the
Craft. Many Witches would consider this a blasphemy of
their faith.
- Priestess
- A female dedicated to both the
service of her chosen diety(ies) and humankind. A High
Priestess is the feminine leader of a coven or
Wiccan organization that plays the role of the Goddess in
certain ceremonies. A solitary Witch can be a Priestess
by dedicating herself to a particular God and/or Goddess.
- Priest
- A male dedicated to to both the
service of his chosen diety(ies) and humankind. A High
Priest is the male leader of a coven or Wiccan
organization and plays the role of the God in certain
ceremonies.
Note: Neither the male or female has
dominion over the other in the Craft. The High Priest and
Priestess should work as a balanced team. On occasion they draw
in the energy of the God and Goddess respective of their sex in
order to further a positive magickal working or celebrate a
holiday. These people must be skilled in magick and ceremony, but
they also need wisdom, maturity and a great degree of humility.
They are required to be diplomatic and merciful when the
situation demands.
- Qabala
- Ancient Hebrew magickal system.
Also Cabala, Kabbala(h).
- Rath
- Celtic word for elven dwelling.
- Reincarnation
- The belief that one has lived
before in another lifetime, and will live again when they
die.
- Ritual
- A focused mental/physical ceremony
to either hor or thank one's dieties, or to perform a
specific magickal working.
- Runes
- A set of symbols that are used for
divinitation and/or magickal workings. One such set is
the Elder Futhark that were used by the druids, as shown
below:
(this is my name, Spyrit Dancer, in
Runes)
See also my Runes Page.
- Sabbat
- A great festival or observance of
the pagan year, of which there are eight. The word comes
from the Greek sabatu meaning "to rest."
- Scry
- To divine using special tools. May
be a bowl of inked water, a "crystal ball" a
mirror, etc.
- Sigil
- A magically oriented seal, sign,
glyph, or other device used in a magickal working. The
most powerful sigils are those that you create yourself.
They can be used on almost anything. Also know in some
si-fi fantasy novels as a "wizard's mark."
- Sky
Father
- Used in several Native American
beliefs, it is a deification of the sky as a male entity.
Many shamanistic systems see Sky Father as the
compliment/lover of Earth Mother.
- Spell
- Magickal workings that are the
"meat" of a ritual. Spells should be based on a
need, focused & concise. Energy can be raised by
speaking the spell, chanting, focusing mental energy, or
even dancing.
- Tailsman
- An object that has been magickally
charged to bring something to the bearer. It can bring
luck, fortune, good things, money, etc. and can be made
of almost anything.
- Thurible
- An incense burner.
- Vortex
- A cone of power in a ritual. Also
occur naturally in some sites. Vortexes can be found, for
example, in Sedona Arizona, and the Island of Hawaii.
- Vision
questing
- Using astral projecting, or
dreamtiming to acomplish a specific goal.
- Watcher
- Elemental guardians of the 4
quarters.
- Wheel
of the Year
- One full cycle of the seasonal
year, beginning with the Samhain celebration.
- Wildfire
- See Elf
Fire.
- Witch
- One skilled in ancient wisdom, and
can denote either sex.
- Wizard
- Sometimes, a male witch will be
known as a Wizard.
- Working
- As in magickal working. The process
of using magick to reach a desired positive goal.
-
-
-
-
References
Living Wicca - A Further Guide for
the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Mastering Witchcraft by Paul
Huson
To Ride A Silver Broomstick
by Silver RavenWolf -- pages 17 - 25. Many of these
definitions are quotes, or summaries of definitions she states.
Witta - An Irish
Pagan Tradition by Edain McCoy.
