| Glossary of terms commonly used |
AKASHA- the spiritual ether (or Aether); the omnipresent fifth occult element 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.
AMULET- An object worn or carried to bring luck or attract certain vibrations or people.
ARADIA- Daughter of the Goddess Diana, and a name for the Goddess used by Italian Witches or Strega, commonly used in many Wiccan traditions today.
ASPECTING- Any advanced magickal activity in which a practitioner manifests a particular aspect
of the Goddess or God, in thought, feelings, behavior, appearance, etc.; Often as a direct result of a 'Drawing Down'. Often a minor variation of this phenomena occurs with the selection of a 'Magical
Name', of Craft Name.
ASPECTS- Forms, facets, or personas of Deity: for example, Brighid, Iseult, Eos, and Kore are all aspects of the Maiden, and the Maiden is an aspect of the Goddess.
ATHAME- black handled, double edged dagger. Principally used to cast and dissolve the circle,
for which purposes it is interchangeable with the magic sword. Traditionally, a tool of the 'Element'
of Fire in the Georgian Tradition and some others.
BALEFIRE- An open-air fire, a bonfire lit for magical purposes.
BANE- That which destroys life.
BANEFUL- see 'Bane'.
BANISH- To drive away an influence by magical means.
B.C.E.- Before Common Era; the non-religious equivalent of B.C.
BELTANE- 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.
BESOM- An old word meaning broom. The Witch's broom is often called a Besom.
BLESSING- the act of conferring positive energy upon a person, place, or thing. It is usually a spiritual or religious practice.
BOOK OF SHADOWS- 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. For some Witch's, only another Witch can see your book of
shadows. Also, it may never leave your hands or possession until death, when it is either destroyed,
returned to the coven to be disposed of or given to another.
BURNING TIMES- 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.
CANDLEMAS- 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.
CARDINAL POINTS- 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.
C.E.- Common Era.. the non-religious equivalent of A.D.
CENSER- a vessel of brass, copper, clay, etc.in which incense is burned. Any object that is used in
this manner.
CHALICE- one of the tools of the Witch. Placed on the altar to represent the element of Water.
CHARGE- to infuse with magical power or a specific magical purpose.
CHARGE OF THE GODDESS- The Traditional words of the Goddess to her followers, or
'hidden children'. Normally declaimed by the HPS at every coven Circle.
CHARGING- see 'Empowering'.
CHARM- a spell or incantation. A magically empowered object carried to attract positive energies.
CHARM BAG- a magical sachet.
CIRCLE- 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'.
CLAIRVOYANCE- literally, 'clear seeing'. This is the ability to perceive facts, events, and other
data by other then the five 'normal' senses. Often refered to as intuition.
CLEAR- to drive out evil and negativity, especially from a place.
CLOCKWISE- see 'Deosil'.
CONE OF POWER- 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.
CONSCIOUS MIND- the analytical, material-based, rational half of our consciousness. Compaire
with 'Psychic Mind'.
CONSECRATE- to make pure, holy or sacred.
COVEN- an organized group of Witches, led traditionally by a High priestess and/or a High Priest
(or group of equal Witch's) who meet regularly for worship, fellowship, and magick. The traditional
membership is 13, but in fact most covens number considerably less. In Middle English, 'Covin' agroup of confederates; In Old French 'Covine' a band or group with a single purpose; Latin
'Com'-together, 'Venire'-to come or move.
COVENSTEAD- regular meeting place for a coven. Traditionally, the home of a High Priestess or High Priest.
COWAN- 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.
COYOTE ENERGY- 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.
CRAFT- an art, especially that made with the hands. In Magical terms, tha act of Witchcraft. See
also 'Spell Craft'.
CROSS QUARTER DAYS- The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc,
Beltane, and Lammas.
CURSE- a concentration of negative and destructive vibrations, deliberately formed and directed to a person, place, or thing.
DEOSIL- clockwise, or sunwise. The direction in which all ositive and benificial actions are done in
magick.
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON- Ritual invocation of the spirit of the Goddess into the body of the High Priestess by the High Priest.
DIVINATION- the art of finding things out by other then 'normal' means, ie. magick. Can be
carried out via such methods as Tarot cards, runestones, I-Ching, etc.
EARTH MAGICK- see 'Natural Magick'.
EARTH POWER- that energy existent within stones, herbs, flames, wind, streams, and other
natural objects. In magick, Earth power is combined with 'Personal Power'.
ELEMENTS- 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.
EMPOWERING- the act of moving energy into an object.
ENCHANT- 'sing to'. Magically speaking, a declaration of magical intent.
ENERGY- a general term for the currently unmeasureable (but real) power that exists within all
natural objects - including our own bodies. It is used in 'Folk Magic'. See also 'Personal Power'.
ESBAT- weekly or biweekly meeting of a coven. Traditionally held either on the full moon or the
new moon.
EXORCISM- the act of casting out negative entities and general psychic clutter, usually from a
place or object; rarely from a person.
EVIL EYE- supposed glance capable of causing great harm or ill-luck.
EVOCATION- calling up spirits or other nonphysical entities, either to visible appearance or
invisible attendance. Compare with 'Invocation'.
FAMILIARS- 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.
FIVEFOLD KISS, FIVEFOLD SALUTE- 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.'
FOLK MAGIC(K)- the practice of magick utilizing 'Personal Power', in conjunction with natural
tools, in a non-religious framework, to cause positive change. Also see 'Natural Magick'.
GARDNERIANS- Tradition of Witchcraft descended from the teachings of Gerald Gardner.
GNOMES- an 'entity' or 'elemental' that dwells in the plane of Earth or is associated with the 'Earth' Element.
GOAL, THE- see 'Need, The'.
GREAT RITE- 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.
GRIMOIRE- a collection of spells and magical rituals.
GROUNDING- the process of temorarily shutting down 'Psychic Awareness' and reorienting the
'Conscious Mind' to the material world.
HALLOWS- name used by some traditions for Samhain, or Halloween
HANDFASTING- A Witch's wedding ceremony; 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.
HERB- any plant used in magick.
HERBALISM- the practice of cultivating, gathering, and using plants for magical, cosmetic, ritual,
and culinary purposes. Also see: 'Herb Magick'
HERB MAGIC(K)- the practice of directing energies found within plants to create needed change.
A branch of 'Magick'. Practitioners utilize 'Personal Power' as well as other forms of energy, such
as colors, candles, stones, sounds, gestures and movements.
HEX- popularly believed to be an evil spell. It is derived from the German word for Witch.
HIGH PRIEST/ESS- Technically speaking, a Witch who has received the 3rd. degree initiation
from a coven. Traditionally, the male and female leaders of a coven.
IMBOLC- Celtic name for Candlemas.
INCANTATION- a chant spoken with fierce conviction, often utilizing repetition, rhyme, or heavy
emphasis of certain words.
INCUBUS- a male demon or spirit that was believed to sexually tempt and abuse women.
Compare with 'Succubus'.
INVOCATION- A prayer or plea to a higher being, usually a God/dess. A request for a Deity's
appearance or attendance during a ritual. Also, a mystical practice that produces an awareness of
Deity within. Compare with 'Evocation'.
LAMMAS- 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.
LEECH- an old Anglo-Saxon word for 'healer'. Leeches employed herbs and magick in their work.
Known as 'leechcraft' or 'leechdom'.
'LUCK,GOOD'- an individual's ability to make timely, correct decisions, to perform correct actions
and to place her/himself in positive situations. 'Bad Luck' stems from ignorance and an unwillingness to accept self-responsibility.
LUGHNASSADH- see 'Lammas'.
MABON- a Wiccan festival celebrated on or around September 21st, the Autumnal Equinox,
which marks the second harvest. Autumn transmutes into Winter. A time of thanks and reflection.
MAGIC(K)- the manipulation of psychic forces to cause change. Within the boundries of this work,
magick is the art of tapping the hidden powers of herbs and plants and using them to produce
changes in our own lives and those of our friends and loved ones.
MAGIC(K) CIRCLE- a sphere constructed of 'Personal Power' in which Wiccan or magical rituals
are often enacted. The term refers to the circle that marks the sphere's penetration of the ground, for it extends above and below the ground. It is created through 'Visualization' and 'Magick'.
MAGICAL VOICE, THE- that which is used in pronouncing words during a 'Spell'. This is a
strong, sure voice, free of doubt and insecurity. In some cases, the magical voice may also be a
forced, powerful whisper.
MAGICIAN- a person of either sex who practices magick.
MAGUS- a male magician.
MAIDEN- 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.
MEDITATION- reflection, contemplation, turning inward toward the self or outward toward Deity
or Nature.
MIDSUMMER- the Summer Solstice (on or around June 21st), one of the Wiccan festivals and an
excellent night for magick. Midsummer marks the point of the year when the Sun is symbolically at
the height of its powers.
NATURAL MAGICK- the practice of using 'Personal Power' in conjunction with 'Earth Power' to cause needed change. Magick is a positive, loving, transformative process.
NEED, THE- the purpose of a 'Spell' or 'Ritual'; a vacuum or unhappy condition in the magician's
life. The need may be love, health, happiness, peace, the banishment of harmful habits or thaughts,
or one of many other changes.
OLD RELIGION- another name for the Craft.
OSTARA- a Wiccan festival occurring at the Spring Equinox (on or around March 21st), which
marks the beginning of true Spring. A festival celebrating the resurgence of Earth fertility, and an
ideal time for magick.
PAGAN- from the Latin 'paganus', a 'country dweller' or 'villager'. Today it's used as a general term for followers of 'Wicca' and other polytheistic, magic-embracing religions. Pagans aren't Satanists, dangerous, or evil.
PAGANING- Presentation of an infant to the Circle and to the Gods.
PENTACLE- a disc shaped talisman; in particular, the metal disc which represents the earth
element among the witch's working tools.
PENTAGRAM- The five-pointed star, such as the one used in the blessing of the Magic Garden.
Sometimes erroneously refered to as a 'pentacle'. The pentagram is an ancient symbol of protection.
PERSONAL POWER- that energy which sustains our bodies. We first absorb it from our
biological mothers within the womb and, later, from food, water, the Moon and Sun and other
natural objects. We release personal power during stress, exercise, sex, conception, and childbirth. 'Magick' is usually a movement of personal power for a specific goal.
POPPET- a small image of a human being or animal which is imbued with life by magical means. It
is then handled in ritual to influence a specific person or animal. The destructive 'voodoo doll' is a
popularized vulgarization of the poppet. Among witchs, the poppet is generally used to effect
healing. The doll is also called a 'fith-fath'.
POWER- see 'Energy' and 'Personal Power'.
PROJECTIVE HAND- the talent hand; that with which we write, used in magick as a channel of 'Personal Power'. Compare with 'Receptive Hand'.
PSYCHIC AWARENESS- the act of being consciously psychic, in which the 'Psychic Mind' and
the 'Conscious Mind' are linked and working in harmony.
PSYCHIC MIND- the subconscious or unconscious mind, in which we receive psychic impulses.
The psychic mind is at work when we sleep, dream, and meditate.
PSYCHISM- the act of being consciously psychic. Ritual consciousness is a form of psychism.
QUARTERS- The North, East, South, and West parts of a magickal circle or other ritual area.
(See also 'Watchtowers')
RECEPTIVE HAND- the hand that we do not write with. In magick, the hand through which
power is drawn into the human body. Compare with 'Projective Hand'.
REDE- A maxim, tenet, or rule of life. An unwritten law, often in rhyme.
REINCARNATION- the doctrine of rebirth. The process of repeated incarnations in human (and
possibly other) form to allow evolution of the sexless, ageless, (and possibly speciesless) soul.
RITE- see 'Ritual'.
RITUAL- ceremony. A specific form of movement, manipulation of objects or inner processes
designed to produce desired effects. In 'Magick', it allows the amgician to move energy toward
needed goals. A 'Spell' is magical rite.
RITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS- a specific, altered state of awareness necessary to the successful
practice of magick. The magician achieves this through the use of visualization and ritual. It denotes a state in which the 'Conscious Mind' and 'Psychic Mind' are attuned, wherein the magician senses energies, gives them purpose and releases them toward the magical goal. It is a heightening of the senses, an expansion of the awareness beyond the physical world, an interlinking with nature and with the forces behind all conceptions of Deity.
RUNES- short, rhymed chants or ancient magical symbols or a magical alphabet.
SABBAT- one of the Eight religious festivals or high holy days of Witches. They occur on the
Solstices anf the Equinoxes and also on Oct 31 (Samhain or Hallows), Feb 2 (Lupercalia or
Candlemas), Apr 30 (Beltane or Roodmas), and Aug 1 (Lughnasad or Lammas).
SACHET- a small cloth bag stuffed with magical herbs which slowly release energies for a specific
magical goal.
SALAMANDER- an entity that dwells in the realm of Fire.
SAMHAIN- 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.
SCRYING- divination, usually using such methods as gazing into a crystal ball, incense smoke,
mirror, water, fire, pool of ink, black surfaces (ie. stones), etc. as opposed to tarot or other
manipulative means, to awaken and summon clairvoyant powers.
SO MOTE IT BE or SO MUST IT BE- An affirmation that ends many chants and magical rhymes.
This has been in common usage among folk magicians for many years. A transliteration might be:
'So must it be', (though this isn't linguistically correct).
SPELL- A prayer, or verbal direction of magickal energies toward the accomplishment of some
goal. The mainstay of 'Folk Magick', spells are simple magical rites.
SPELL CRAFT- within the parameters of magick, it consists of the ritual creation of, and use of,
specialized magical objects.
SUCCUBUS- a female spirit or deamon once believed to sexually tempt and abuse men. It may
have been a theological explanation of nocturnal emissions. Compare with 'Incubus'.
SUMMONER- In covens, the male officer of the coven who corresponds to the Maiden. He is the
assistant High Priest.
SYLPH- an 'entity' or 'elemental' that dwells in the plane of Air or is associated with the 'Air'
Element.
TALISMAN- an object ritually 'Charged' with power to attract a specific force or energy to its
bearer. Compare with 'Amulet'.
THREE-FOLD LAW- the witch's rede that states whatever one does returns to them three-fold,
"three times ill or three times good", and thus encourages us to 'harm none', another Witch's rede.
TRADITIONS- any of the various 'sects' of Wicca such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Georgian,
Seax, etc.
UNDINE- an 'entity' or 'elemental' that dwells in the plane of Water or is associated with the
'Water' Element.
VISUALIZATION- the process of forming mental images. Magical visualization consists forming
images of needed goals during 'Magick'. It's a function of the 'Conscious Mind'.
WAND- A rod or staff that is prepared so that it may be used for magickal or psychic purposes,
usually to project some form of power.
WARLOCK- 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.
WATCH TOWERS- 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.
WICCA- A contemporary 'Pagan' religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of
reverence of neature as a manifestation of the devine (the name most modern day Witches use for
the Craft). Wicca views Diety as Goddess and God; thus it sis polytheistic. It also embraces the
practice of 'Magick' and accepts reincarnation. religious festivals are held in observance of the Full Moon and other astronomical (and agricultural) phenomena. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon word Wicce, meaning to bend or to shape. This is the root word from which we get wicker. It has no association with Satanism.
WICCAN- of or relating to 'Wicca'.
WIDDERSHINS- counter clock wise. Used for 'tearing down' or banishing magick. The direction
of negativiy.
WHITE HANDLED KNIFE- the working knife of a Witch. It is used to carve candles, and for
fashioning the other tools. Traditionally, it can only be used in a Circle.
WISE WOMAN or CUNNING MAN- the village herbalist who worked magick and often acted
as doctor, confessor, midwife, psychologist, and prist(ess).
WITCH- Anciently, a European practitioner of pre-Christian 'Folk Magick', particularly that relating to herbs, healing, wells, rivers, and stones. A male or female practicer of witchcraft. Later, this term's meaning was deliberately altered to denote demented, dangerous beings who practiced destructive magick and who threatened Christianity. This latter definition is false (some Wiccans also use the word to describe themselves).
WITCHCRAFT- the craft of the Witch. The ancient religion based on the worship of the life-force
of the universe, as personified by a god and goddess. Its beliefs include reincarnation and the
Three-Fold Law. Most Witches practice magick. While this does have spiritual overtones,
witchcraft, according to definition, isn't a religion. However, some followers of Wicca use this word to denote their religion.
YULE- A Wiccan festival celebrated on or about December 21st, marking the rebirth of the Sun
God from the Goddess. A time of joy and celebration during the miseries of Winter. Yule occurs on
the Winter Solstice.
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