H-R
S-Z
Ch-Cz, D, E, F, G
CHALICE : One of the tools of the Witch. Placed on the altar to represent the element of Water.
CHANNELING: 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." Channeling is the new buzz-word for mediumship. The best known and most accurate medium within our present century was the later Edgar Cayce. Channeling is not the same as contacting the dead.
CHARGE OF THE GODDESS : The Traditional words of the Goddess to her followers, or "hidden children". Normally declaimed by the High Preist/Preistess at every coven Circle.
CHARMS: Can either be an amulet or talisman that has been charged by saying an incantation over it and instilling it with energy for a specific task.
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".
CIRCLE, MAGIC : A sphere of magical energies in which Wiccan rituals are usually practiced. The area inside the circle is seen as being sacred ground in which Wicca and their deities may meet.
CLEANSING: The act of removing any negative energy, vibrations or images from an object or place by utilizing positive, psychic energy.
CONE OF POWER : Power raised in the circle by the Witches assembled, and sent out into the world to work magic, is usually visualized as being retained and built in the form of a "cone" prior to release.
CONSECRATION: The act of blessing an object or place by instilling it with positive energy.
COVEN : 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.
COVENSTEAD : Regular meeting place for a coven. Usually the home of the 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.
CRAFT, THE : Witchcraft, Wicca.
CROSS QUARTER DAYS: Modern name for Celtic's Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas.
DAYS OF POWER: Although usually referred to as Sabbats, these are other days throughout the year that can be considered days of power. These days can be triggered by astrological occurrences, your birthday, a woman's menstrual cycle (also know 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.
DEOSIL : In northern hemisphere, clockwise. Counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Direction of motion for creative magic.
DIVINATION : Magical method of exploration or inquiry into a situation . The art of peering into the unknown by interpreting random patterns or symbols. Incorrectly referred to as "fortune telling". examples include: tarot cards, rune stones, staring (scrying) into water or fire, etc.
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 not 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 MAGIC: A practical form of magic wherein the powers and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct magical workings or celebrations. Usually items associated with the Earth and nature hold a particular significance in the ritual or spell.
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.
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, magical adeptship and counseling.
ENCHANTMENT: A magical object that must be kept absolutely secret and hidden from all human eyes ands affects a hidden aura. Enchantments must be charmed first. Gems and magical writing are good items for this.
ESBAT : Weekly or biweekly meeting of a coven. Any Wiccan religious celebration held which is not a sabbat, commonly held on full moons in honor of the goddess.
EVOCATION: To call something out from within.
FAMILIARS : Either a Witch's pet animal which has been trained to be a magical helper, or an artificially created "elemental" which performs the same functions as the animal friend.
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.
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."
GAEA/GAIA: Greek Goddess, now meaning Earth Mother or Mother Earth.
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. GOD, THE : Loving father to all and the perfect compliment to the Goddess. He is viewed as co-creator of the universe. Often Identified with the sun, sky deserts, forests, agriculture, and wild animals.
GODDESS, THE : Definitions differ but Generally the universal mother of all who created the universe with the god. Often associated with the Moon, ocean, earth, fertility, birth and death.
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.
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 ugly little biddies, such as lizards, dragons, etc. But some envisions them as the angels Michael, Ariel, Raphael and Gabriel.