These are definitions of the words and phrases commonly used in the Witchcraft religion.
Adept: An individual who through serious
study and accomplishments is considered highly proficient in a particular
magickal system. A person can be adept at Egyptian magickal practices,
but a total failure at practical kitchen magick.
Akashic Records: In the early part of
this century the famed psychic Edgar Cayce brought to general society the
thought form of Akashic records. Supposedly, there is a giant data base
somewhere that can be accessed for information on subjects such as past
lives, healing, and other magickal/spiritual practices. This record system
cannot be accessed by material equipment, such as PC networking with a
larger computer. In this case, the mind of the psychic or Witch accesses
the data through Universal connections.
Altar: Any special, flat surface set
aside exclusively for magickal workings or religious acknowledgment.
Amulet: Usually considered an object
of protection that has been charged to deflect specific negative energies
or thought forms. Amulets can be made of feathers, plants, beads, etc.
The horseshoe and the four-leaf clover are two examples of amulets.
Ankh: An Egyptian hieroglyphic that
is widely used as a symbol for life, love, and reincarnation. It is depicted
as a cross with a looped top.
Aradia: A champion Italian Goddess sworn
to protect her people against the aggression of masculine faith and its
persecutors during the reign of medieval terror. The original Aradia was
a female Christ figure in Italy who taught around 1353. She was imprisoned
more than once, escaped several times and eventually disappeared. The second
Aradia you will hear about is Leland's Aradia, a book detailing information
from an Italian Gypsy Witch. The third Aradia is the daughter of
Diana. She is considered the Queen of the Witches.
Arcana: The two halves of a Tarot deck.
The Major Arcana consists of 22 trumps depicting dominant occurrences in
our lives. The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards (sometimes called the
lesser Arcana) that assist in fleshing out the trump situations, or indicate
smaller occurrences in our lives.
Astral: This word conjures lots of definitions.
To keep it simple, let's describe it as another dimension of reality. Also
referred to as "Dreamtime".
Astral Travel/ Projection: The process
of separating your astral body from your physical one to accomplish travel
in the astral plane or dreamtime.
Athame: A cleansed and consecrated ceremonial
knife used in ritual work by Witches. The knife is never used for blood-letting,
and rarely used (if at all) for cutting anything on the material plane.
Balefire: You don't get to see too many
of these today. In country settings its function was both magickal and
practical. Holidays at which you would most likely see this type of celebration
are Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh and Mabon.
Bane: Another word for bad, evil, destructive.
Banish: To magically end something or
exorcise unwanted entities. To rid the presence of.
Bi-Location: This is an
interesting practice. You use a type of astral projection in everyday reality
by retaining the capability to be aware of your present surroundings. Synonymous
terms are overlooking and mind-travel.
Bind: To magically restrain something
or someone.
Blood of the Moon: A woman's menstrual
cycle. If this cycle occurs over a full or New Moon, she is far more powerful
during this time than any other time of the month, as long as she acknowledges
this strength within herself. For too many years women have been told that
they must regard their cycle with an unkind eye, calling it a curse when
actually it is a boon. Society has so dictated this to them that they feel
weak, tired and disoriented because they are supposed to. Wrong. If a woman
can rearrange her thinking on this matter, the Blood of the Moon can pack
a powerful wallop for her. If a woman does feel spacey, she should try
grounding.
Book of Shadows: A relatively new term
for the collection of information in book form for a Witch's reference.
Much akin to a magickal cookbook. Another name for this text would be grimoire.
((BOS))
Bolline: A curved, white handled knife
used for practical magickal purposes such as cutting. For instance, the
knife can be used to harvest herbs, cut a branch for a wand, inscribe candles,
etc.
Burning Times: You will hear this often.
It is in reference to a historical time around 1000 CE through the 17th
century when it is said that over nine million people were tortured and
burned by church and public officials on the assumption that they were
the Christian version of Witches. This turned into an extremely profitable
venture, as all land and property was seized from the accused individual
and portions given to the accuser (in reward fashion) and the remainder
seized by the church officials. Historians indicated that the majority
of people tortured and murdered were women and children.
Cabala: Also seen as Kabbala(h) and
Qabala. The ancient Hebrew magickal system.
Call: Invoking divine forces.
Chakras: Seven major energy vortexes
found in the human body. Each is usually associated with a color. These
vortexes are: crown -- white; forehead (third eye position) -- purple;
throat -- blue; chest -- pink or green; navel -- yellow; abdomen -- orange;
groin -- red. Smaller vortexes are located in the hands and feet, as well.
Charge: The Originally written in modern
form by Doreen Valiente, it is a story of the message from the Goddess
to Her Children.
Channeling: This
is a new age practice wherein you allow a disincarnate entity to "borrow"
your body to speak to others either through automatic writing or verbally.
Channeling does not have a very good track record simply because it is
difficult to prove and the information imparted is usually not about things
that can be "tested". Subjects normally involve distant prophecy, what
the after-life is like, the structure of other dimensions, words of wisdom
that everyone really needs to know before it is too late, etc. Channeling
is the new buzz-word for mediumship. The best known and most accurate medium
within our present century was the late Edgar Cayce. Most bookstores will
carry some of his material. Channeling is not the
same as contacting the dead for information
and help.
Charms: Can either be an amulet or talisman
that has been charmed by saying an incantation over it and instilling it
with energy for a specific task.
Cone of Power: Psychic energy raised
and focused by either an individual or group mind (coven) to achieve a
definite purpose. The most interesting cone of power raised in recent history
was that of the Witches of England who stood together, despite their differences,
to turn Hitler back from the shores of their beloved country.
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 13 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: Although usually referred
to as Sabbats, there are other days throughout the year that can be considered
days of power. These days can be triggered by astrological occurrences,
your birthday, a women's menstrual cycle (also known as the Blood of the
Moon), or your dedication/initiation anniversary.
Dedication: Unlike the initiation ceremony
that brings one into an order, the dedication of a Witch is that process
where the individual accepts the Craft as their path, and vows to study
and learn all that is necessary to reach adeptship in a given tradition.
In a dedication, you consciously prepare yourself to accept something new
into your life and stick with it, regardless of the highs and lows this
action may produce.
Deosil: Clockwise movement. Most rituals
and ceremonies, even spells, call for deosil movement at some point in
their construction.
Divination: The art of using magickal
tools and symbols to gather information from the Collective Unconscious
on the nature of people, places, things, and events in the past, present
and future.
Dowsing: The art/science of using a
pendulum or stick to find the actual location of a person, place, thing
or element. Dowsing can also be used to answer yes or no questions, and
quite a science has developed by holding a pendulum over a specially designed
chart to answer specific questions on life patterns.
Drawing Down the Moon: A ritual used
during the Full Moon by Witches to empower themselves and unite their essence
with a particular deity, usually the Goddess.
Earth Magick: A practical form of magick
wherein the powers and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct magickal
workings or celebrations. Usually items associated with the Earth and nature
hold a particular significance in the ritual or spell.
Elder: Many Wiccan organizations have
a group or board of Elders who oversee the operations of the church and
its variety of functions. These people have usually gained their positions
through a combination of their abilities which may include education, experience,
magickal adeptship and counseling.
Elements: Usually counted as four: Earth,
Air, Water and Fire. However, many Witches add Spirit or Akasha to this
category, as well. Each element has a direction within a magick circle
or working: East = Air; South = Fire; West = Water; North = Earth; Center
= Spirit or Akasha.
Enchantment: A magickal object that
must be kept absolutely secret and hidden from all human eyes and affects
a hidden aura. Enchantments must be charmed first. Gems and magickal writing
are good items to use for Enchantments.
Evocation: To call something out from
within.
Familiar: An animal who has a spiritual
bond with a Witch; often is the family pet. Familiars can also be entities
who are created to protect your home from the astral.
Fascination: A mental effort to control
another animal or person's mind. It has been referred to as "mind-bending".
Although the technique of fascination runs a borderline when considering
humans, it should not be totally trashed. Using it for a love spell would
be unethical, and much like committing psychological rape. But if you found
yourself in an unsafe situation where you (or friend or family member)
are in real physical danger, use all the tools and skills available to
you.
Gaea/Gaia: Greek Goddess, now meaning
Earth Mother or Mother Earth. Environmental action groups use this term
almost as much as we do, if not more these days.
Green Man: Another name for the God,
as in his kingdom of the forest.
Guardians: Ceremonial magicians use
the Guardians of the Watchtowers or Guardians of the Four Quarters.
Some Witches use them, too. There are those that see these guardians as
lizards, dragons, etc. Or, some envision them as Angels.
Handfasting: A Wiccan or Pagan marriage
ceremony.
Initiation: An experience that so transforms
the individual that their concept or personal and worldly reality has been
altered. A dedication ceremony should not be confused with an initiation.
Invocation: To bring something in from
without.
Karma: The belief that one's thoughts
and deeds can be either counted against them or added to their spiritual
path during several life times. In Sanskrit it means "action". Follows
the law of cause and effect.
Left-Hand Path: It is a term that points
to those people who feel they are justified in using magick for purposes
that are not constructive to other human beings. It is a reference that
they are possibly a self-serving individual. Conversely, the right-hand
path is considered positive in nature.
Macrocosm: The world around us.
Microcosm: The world within us.
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 nor evil, positive nor negative.
It is the use of power that determines the path it will take.
Magick Circle: A circular boundary drawn
in visionary blue flames or white light that protects the Witch from outside
forces while conducting ritual magick. One must never step outside the
circle while performing a ritual unless the appropriate precautions have
been taken to cut a door. Nor should anyone step in during a ritual, unless
they are following a pathway made for them. The door is usually cut with
the athame or wand. This circle should never be left hanging after your
ritual is over. This means that is must be closed just as ceremoniously
as it was opened. The magick circle is considered the doorway between the
worlds and allow us to move between the two. Some Witches draw the circle
in the physical, either permanently on the floor or for temporary use with
herbs, sand, salt, chalk or a nine-foot cord. The circle is still cast
with blue or white light by the High Priestess/Priest or individual designated
to do so. In some covens, the person is in charge of a particular quarter
and is responsible for preparing the area before the coven members arrive.
This includes cleaning the area, cleansing, consecrating, and making sure
all the necessary supplies have been transported to the location.
Magickal Systems: Can refer to Traditions,
denominations, sects, or pantheons. It is a basic set of guidelines relating
to specific Gods and Goddesses or cultural traditions.
New Age: Usually refers to mixing metaphysical
practices with a structured religion.
Pagan/Neopagan: Follower of a nature-based
religion. The term Neopagan means "new Pagan".
Pantheon: A collection or group of Gods
and Goddesses in a particular religious or mythical structure. Examples
are: Greek pantheon, Roman pantheon, Egyptian pantheon, Teutonic pantheon,
etc.
Pentacle: A circle surrounding a five-pointed,
upright star (known as a pentagram). Worn as a symbol of a Witch's belief
and used in magickal workings and ceremonies. Each point on the star has
a specific meaning: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. Pentacles are never
worn inverted in the Craft. Many Witches consider this blasphemy of their
faith. However, an inverted pentagram is used in some second degree initiations,
not to indicate evil, but to fulfill a function of growth.
Priestess: A female dedicated to both
the service of her chosen deity(ies) and humankind. A High Priestess is
the feminine leader of a coven or Wiccan organization and plays the role
of Goddess in certain ceremonies. A solitary Witch can be a Priestess by
dedicating herself to a particular God or Goddess.
Priest: A male dedicated to both the service of his chosen deity(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. A solitary Witch can be a Priest by dedicating himself to a particular God or Goddess.
Note: Neither
male nor female has dominion over the other in the Craft. The High Priest
and High Priestess in a coven environment should work as a balanced team.
Reincarnation: The belief that one has
lived before in another lifetime.
Ritual: A focused mental/physical ceremony
to either honor or thank one's chosen pantheon, or to perform a specific
magickal working or act.
Runes: A set of symbols that are used
both in divination and magickal workings. There are several types of runes
with different origins. A few are the Norse, Scandinavian and Germanic
runes. Unlike the Tarot, they are an integral part of a magickal system
with its own pantheon, should you care to use it. They can function as
an alphabet and are used in vision questing, dream recall and controlling
your environment.
Scrying: A divination method using specific
tools such as a bowl of inked water, a mirror, crystal ball, etc., where
the diviner "sees" either normal visual pictures, mental visual pictures,
or information without any pictures at all!
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. Sigils can be used on letters, packages,
clothing, on paper tucked in your pocket, etc.
Skyfather: Assigning deification to
the sky as the male entity. It is shamanistic in its origin and is used
by several Native American belief systems.
Skyclad: In some traditions, for example
the Alexandrian, it is the act of celebrating or doing a magickal working
in the nude. This should not be misconstrued with sexual contact. There
are many solitaries that prefer to work skyclad, feeling that the absence
of clothing leaves their energy unhindered during the ceremony.
Spell: Extended
mental and emotional energy spoken aloud, written, spoken to oneself, drawn
or even danced. To work, it should be clear, concise, focused and
emotional. The need must be present to bring any spell to a successful
culmination.
Spiral: The sacred spiral plays an important
part in magickal workings. It is the symbol of "coming into being". A spiral
dance celebrates the spiral symbolism.
Talisman: An object that has been magically
charged in order to bring something to the bearer. Such an item could be
a gemstone to win a court case, or a drawing to put in your pocket that
will bring good luck.
Tarot Cards: A set of 78 cards which
carry pictures and symbols used to connect the diviner with the collective
unconscious. No one knows the specific origin of the cards, and there are
many beautiful decks now on the market. The cards can be used to determine
the past, present and future of an event or person and can become powerful
tools in magickal workings and rituals.
Tarologist: One who is adept at the
art and science of handling the Tarot.
Vision Questing: Using astral projection,
bi-location, or dreamtime to accomplish a specific goal.
Also called pathworking.
Webweaving: Networking with other magickal
people through conversation, in writing, or by computer to gather information
to mutually assist each party in their studies and life goals.
Wheel of the Year: One full cycle of
the seasonal year, beginning with the Samhain celebration.
Widdershins: Counterclockwise motion
used in some magickal workings or ceremonies.
Working: As in magickal working. The
process of using magick to reach a desired positive goal.
These words by no means encompass all the terminology of the Craft. Various Traditions and covens have their own terminology that they do not share with those outside their circle.
Source: To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver
RavenWolf
~*~NEVER
AGAIN
THE
BURNING
TIMES~*~
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