H-R
S-Z
A, B, C-Ce
ADEPT: An individual who through serious study and accomplishments is considered highly proficient in a particular magical system. A person can be an adept at one magical system and not another.
AKASHA (Akasba) : 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.
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 omewhere that can be accessed for information on subjects such as past lives, healing, and other magical/spiritual practices. This record system cannot be accessed by material equipment, such as a computer. In this case, the mind of the psychic or Witch accesses the data through Universal Connections.
ALTAR: A special, flat surface set aside exclusively for magical 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 : Daughter of the Goddess Diana, and a name for the Goddess used by Italian witches or Strega, commonly used in many Wiccan traditions today.
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 suit cards that assist in fleshing out the trump situations, or indicate smaller occurrences in our lives.
ARCHETYPES: Extremely basic forms within the human psyche; the archaic "racial memories." Refer to the works of Dr.Carl Jung.
ASPECTING: Any advanced magical activity in which a practitioner manifests a particular aspect of the Goddess or God, in thought, feelings, behavior, etc.; Often a minor variation of this occurs with the selection of your "Magical Name", or 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.
ASTRAL: Basicly it is another dimension of reality. Referred to as "dreamtime". This reference is from the Australian Aboriginal people and their teachings, which are well worth further study.
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 Wiccan ritual knife. Generally double edged with a black handle. This knife is seldom used for physical cutting, if at all, and need not be sharp. It is never used to draw blood and Wiccan's do not draw blood or use blood in ritual. Its primary use is as an energy directing device, much like a wand.
BALEFIRE : A fire laid and lit for magical or religious purposes, usually outdoors. Similar to the bonfire.
BANE : That which is harmful, destructive or evil.
BANISH : To make go away, To magically end something or exorcise unwanted entities. To rid the presence of, to cast out ,etc.
B.C.E : Before Common Era, non-christian version 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.
BI-LOCATION: This is an interesting practice. You use a type of astral projection to travel in everyday reality by retaining the capability to be aware of your present surroundings. Synonymous terms are Over-looking and mind-travel.
BIND : To prevent or limit. In the magical context the act of limiting a spell (ie: to ensure it will harm none) or person (ie: to prevent them from harming others). It can be consider unethical to bind people other than yourself or spells you did not cast.
BLOOD OF THE MOON: A woman's menstrual cycle. If this cycle occurs over a Full or New Moon she is far more powerful than during any other time of the month, as long as she acknowledges this strength within herself.
BOLINE : A Wiccan ritual knife used for more practical purposes, such as cutting herbs. Never to draw blood. Generally white handled with a curved blade.
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. 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. (Also Grimoire)
BURNING TIMES : A term used by some Witches for the period of persecution in the Middle Ages and later. Witches were only burned in Scotland, and Europe. In England and the U.S., they were hanged.
CABALA: Also seen as Kabbala, Kabbalah and Qabala. The ancient Hebrew magical system.
CALL: Invoking Divine Forces.
CANDLEMAS : Festival held on Feb. 1. One of the 4 Celtic "Fire Festivals. It is 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. In other words, it is the festival celebrating 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, non-christian version of A.D.
CENSER : An incense burner.