which embraces the other four-
earth, air, fire, and water; and from which they stem.
This is the realm of pattern" or causality, from
which the realm the normally thought of "five senses
manifests. Some define it is the "other" of the
"two worlds" that the witch or magician walks
between.- the spiritual ether (or Aether); the
omnipresent fifth occult element
black handled, double edged dagger.
Principally used to cast and dissolve the circle, for
which purposes it is interchangeable with the magic
sword. A tool of the "Element" of Fire in the
Georgian Tradition and some others.
May Eve festival. One of the
Ancient Celtic "Fire Festivals." on this night,
the cattle were driven between two bonfires to protect
them from disease. Couples wishing for fertility would
" jump the fires" on Beltane night. Also the
traditional Sabbath where the rule of the "Wheel of
the Year" is returned to the Goddess. This Festival
also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess
energies from those of Maiden to Mother
Traditionally hand copied book of
rituals, recipes, training techniques, guidelines, and
other materials deemed important to a Witch or a coven.
Each tradition has it's own standard version of the Book
and each Witch's book will be different as he or she adds
to it with time from many different sources. Only another
Witch can see your book of shadows. Also, traditionally,
it may never leave your hands or possession until death,
when it should be destroyed, or (in some traditions)
returned to the coven to be disposed of
a term used by some Witches for the
period of persecution in the Middle Ages and later. It is
in fact a misnomer in some places, as Witches were only
burned in Scotland, and on the continent of Europe. In
England and the U.S., they were hanged.
Festival held on Feb. 1. One of the
4 Celtic "Fire Festivals. Commemorates the changing
of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates
the first signs of Spring. Also called "Imbolc"
(the old Celtic name). This is the seasonal change where
the first signs of spring and the return of the sun are
noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting
of the Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the
festival commemorating the successful passing of winter
and the beginning of the agricultural year.This Festival
also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess
energies from those of Crone to Maiden.
North, South, East, and West,
marked in the Georgian Tradition by candles of green,
red, yellow, and blue, respectively. The Circle is drawn
to connect these four points
the area in which the magickal
worship and spells takes place. Can also be used to
designate a particular group of Witches or Pagans such as
"Silver Acorn Circle".
power raised in the circle by the
Witches assembled, and sent out into the world to work
magick, is usually visualized as being retained and built
in the form of a "cone" prior to release.
an organized group of Witches, led
by a High priestess and/or a High Priest who meet
regularly for worship and fellowship. The traditional
membership is 13, but in fact most covens number
considerably less. 3 is the minimum in the Georgian
Tradition. In Middle English, "Covin" a group
of confederates; In Old French "Covine" a band
or group with a single purpose; Latin
"Com"-together, "Venire"-to come or
move.
a non-Witch. Formerly used in a
very derogatory manner. Still used in Masonic Ritual to
indicate the non initiate and/or pretender to "real
craft". Not often used today among most Witches.
trickster energies. Named for the
American Indian Trickster, Coyote, who tricks man into
learning what he needs to learn. Applies to one who
constantly jokes and clowns. Also applies to the concept
of "Holy Fool" in many traditions.
Earth, air, fire, and water, plus
spirit, which includes them all. These are regarded as
realms or categories of nature (both material and
non-material) and are not to be confused with the
physicists table of elements, which the modern witch, of
course, accepts.
Either a Witch's pet animal which
has been trained to be a magickal helper, or an
artificially created "elemental" which performs
the same functions as the animal friend.
The Witches' ritual salute, with
kisses; (1) on each foot, (2) on each knee, (3) above the
pubic hair, (4) on each breast, and (5) on the lips-
really 8 kisses in all. It is only used within the
Circle,but the words that go with it are the origin of
"Blessed Be."
The rite which is the main feature
of the third degree initiation, and which is also laid
down for certain festivals. It is sexual in nature, but
may be `actual' (and private to the couples concerned) or
symbolic, as the participants wish.
Wiccan equivalent of a wedding. It
can be made legal if the Priestess and/or Priest are
registered as clergy with the local authorities, or it
may only be considered binding within the coven.
The ritual "calling-in"
of an entity (or energies) higher than human, either for
communication with the caller through a medium or by
visible manifestation or else to enter into a human body
as in the Drawing Down the Moon. In some traditions, a
Prayer.
August 1st. Witch Festival. The Old
Celtic name for this festival is Lughnassadh. It is the
Festival of the First Fruits, and is the first of the 3
harvests. This festival also marks the change of the
Threefold Goddess energies from that of Mother to Crone.
An appointment held by one of the
women of the coven. She is virtually the assistant High
Priestess. This term is also the descriptive term used to
describe the first of the aspects of the Threefold
Goddess Energies (Maiden,Mother, and Crone). It is
traditionally associated with the Waxing Moon, and the
period from Imbolc (Candlemas) to Beltane (May eve) where
the energies are those of initiating, beginning, and
creation.
The five-pointed star. With a
single point uppermost, it represents the human being.
Inverted, with two points uppermost, it can have Satanist
associations; but not necessarily. Some traditions of
Wicca use the inverted pentagram to signify an initiate
of the second degree.
The festival of remembrance for the
dead, held on the eve of Nov. 1st. It is the last of the
three harvests. This festival also marks the transition
of rulership of the "Wheel of the Year from that of
the Goddess to that of the God.
a term coined in the Burning Times
. It was used to denote a traitor to the Craft, or one
who had betrayed the followers of the Old Religion. It's
origin is Scottish. Because of the negative connotations,
it is not used by most Wiccans today.
Originally from the Enochian branch
of Ceremonial Magick, now incorporated into many
"Traditions" of Wicca, these are the four
elemental "directions" or "quarters"
(corresponding to the appropriate points on the compass)
called to protect the Circle during its establishment.
Each of them have a correspondence between the compass
point, an element, and (varying amongst different
traditions) color associated with them.
the name most modern day Witches
use for the Craft. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon word
Wicce, meaning to bend or to shape. This is the root word
from which we get wicker.
