Terms - Glossary

A

Agnosticism: the belief that the existence of God can not be proved or disproved. (Thomas Huxley first used the word)

Air: A masculine element representing the East and the color Yellow. Rules Intellect, memory, tests, travel, spells, divination and psychic power.

Athame: Used to direct energy during ritual. A knife usually having a dark handle an a double edged blade.

Atheism: The belief that there is no God or supreme being. The term comes from the greek word atheos, meaning "without God".

B

Bane: That which is evil, poisonous, or destructive, or dangerous. That which destroys life.

B.O.S.: Book of Shadows, also refered to as a Grimoire. A book, usually handwritten, containing rituals, spells, charms, and/or whatever is realavent to it's owner.

C

Candlemas: Also known as Imbolc, Imbolg, Imbolic. February 2nd. Candlemas is not a strictly Pagan Festival, it is also a Christian Festival that celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Candlemas for Pagans is one of eight festivals in the Wheel of the Year.

Chakras: Seven major energy points on the human body.

Cauldron: The cauldron has long been associated with Witchcraft, although not all Witches use or even have a cauldron. When they are used, they are used for scrying.

D

Deosil: Sunwise or Clockwise

Devil Worship: (Satanism)Devotion to Satan or the Devil, the entity considered to be absolute evil by Judeo-Christian traditions. Not to be confused with Neo-Paganism or Witchcraft (Wicca) since these groups worship pre-Christian Gods.

Divination: Learning what is unknown. Some divination techniques are Scrying(cauldron, candle flame, crystal ball, smoke, etc), and Tarot Cards.

E

Earth: A feminine element representing North and the color Green. Rules fertility, money, health, jobs, stability, and ecology.

Esbat: A Full Moon ritual.

F

Fire: A masculine element representing the South, and the color red. Rules illness, legal matters, protection, sex, success, strength, competition, and health or healing spells.

G

H

Handfasting: The wedding ceremony of a Wiccan, Pagan or Gypsy.

I

J

K

L

Lammas: Also known as Lughnasadh. On or about August 1st. On of the Sabbats.

M

Mabon: Or Autumn Equinox. On or about September 21st. One of the eight Sabbats.

Malleus Maleficarum: from 1482, means "Hammer for Witches. It was a document that asserted Witchcraft as existing, and any other view as heretical. It supported the use of torture get confessions from those who were accused of Witchcraft, as well as the exceptance of accusations from unreliable sources. This document was a big part of the cause of the witch-burning that lasted for the next two centuries throughout Europe. This resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, most of them being women.

May Day: Also known as Beltane, is celebrated on May 1st on average. A celebration of Spring. One of the eight Sabbats.

Mid Summer: Or Summer Solstice. Usually about June 21st. On of the eight Sabbats. (Click here to learn more)

Muses: Patrons of the sciences and arts. They were nine Goddesses.

N

O

Ostara: Or Spring Equinox. Usually celebrated March 21st. One of the eight Sabbats In the Wheel of the Year. (Click here to learn more.)

P back

Pentacle: A five pointed star inside a circle, usually carved or painted onto something and worn as a protective object or used in ritual. It corresponds to the element of Earth.

Q

R

Ragnarok: The time when the Scandinavian God's and Goddesses would battle all evil at the end of the world. "Doom of the Divine Powers".

Rede: The word rede means to advise. (Click here to see the Wiccan Rede.)

S

Sabbats: There are eight Sabbats. Ostara, Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain, Mabon, Imbolc, Midsummer and Yule.

Salem Witch Trials: held in 1692 in the Salem Massachusetts Bay Colony. These trials led to the hanging of 19 people, and many others were imprisoned. In May a few young girls made accusations against some of the women in the community. Even the Governor's wife was implicated as it turned into a mass hysteria. In October doubt was cast on the evidence and those who had been imprisoned were released. Only one of the three judges admitted wrong doing in a public statement.

Samhain: Also known as Halloween. October 31st. One of the eight Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. (Click here to learn more about Sabbats)

Scry(Scrying): A form of divination. A way of looking into the past or future. Not an easily attained talent.

Sky-clad: Nude

T

Titans: Children of Uranus. They were rebelliant giants.

U

V

W

Water: A feminine element the West, and the color Blue. Rules love, friendship, child-birth, healing, dreams, meditation, clairvoyance and purification.

Widdershins: counterclockwise

X

Y

Yule: or Winter Solstice. About December 20-22nd. One of the Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year.

Z

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This information has been gathered from multiple sorces over many years, I'm sorry I cannot give accurate credit on where I learned what from.