POTMC Pagan Definitions

A Vocabulary of Commonly Used Pagan Terms
As collected by Lady Susannah Ravenswing

The definitions listed below reflect only Lady Susannah's tradition and would not necessarily be agreed upon by members of other Traditions, nor by all of the members of Winston-Salem Open Community Circle. They are here simply to provide an overview of generally accepted Pagan terminology.

A

Altar - A votive structure which serves as a focus of energy during a ritual, upon which are placed magical tools, votive images, and other items of significance. An altar may be a table, stone, or anything which functions as needed. Many traditions place the altar in the north, the direction symbolic of Earth.

Amulet - A magically consecrated object, often worn, created for a particular purpose.

Anoint - To ritually mark with a consecrated liquid, generally oil, water or wine, generally done as an act of protection or blessing.

Asperge - To ritually sprinkle with a consecrated liquid, generally water, as an act of purification.

Athame - A ritual knife, traditionally with a black handle and double-edged blade, used by Witches to direct energy, but not for cutting; also symbolic of the phallus. In most traditions, the Athame is the magickal tool of Air.

Avalon - The traditional seat of the worship of the Great Goddess in Britain; also, a term for the land of the dead (heaven).

B

Banish - To erase or remove energies through an act of Magick.

Banishing the Circle - The process of releasing the energies which defined and were gathered within a sacred space or Circle.

Beltane - (Bell-tan) A Greater Sabbat traditionally held on April 31-May 1 and celebrating the Sacred Marriage and fertilization of the land.

Besom - A broom used in Wiccan rituals to energetically cleanse a space or as a fertility symbol.

Black Magick - A term referring to any magick worked with selfish or evil intent. Such magick is totally at odds with Pagan ethics and guarantees negative karma.

Blessing - The act of consciously directing benevolent energy.

C

Cakes and Wine - A ritual celebrating the life-sustaining gifts of the God and Goddess; the precursor of Christian Holy Communion. Food and drink are blessed and shared. This term may also refer to a period of socializing during a ritual.

Casting the Circle - The process of establishing and aligning the energies to create a sacred space or Circle.

Cauldron - A large bowl, pot or wide-mouthed container, traditionally of black cast iron, used for the preparation of potions, meals, and scrying; also represents the womb. Large cauldrons can also function as portable fireplaces.

Celts - (Kelt) - A group of people who settled and ruled western Europe and the British Isles prior to the Roman conquest of those lands; in particular, the term refers to the people of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Brittany and Iberia.

Celtic - (Kel-tik) - Pertaining to the culture of the Celts.

Cense - To ritually cleanse and bless with the smoke of certain resins or herbs, typically burned in a fire-proof container upon charcoal.

Centered - A state of calm and balanced openness entered into in preparation for a ritual or magickal act; a general state of well-being in everyday life.

Ceremonial Magick - A school of magickal practice within the Western Mystery Traditions derived from Egyptian, Chaldean, Atlantean, and Kabbalistic lore, whose focus is the control and mastery of Powers, Elements and ultimate union with the Divine.

Ceremony - A ritual or celebration by one or more individuals for the purpose of worship, healing, the gaining of personal insight or the working of magick.

Chalice - The magical tool of the West, a consecrated goblet or cup, also symbolic of the Womb.

Circle - A term used to describe the consecrated space within which Pagans worship and work magick; also, may refer to a celebratory group, as in "my Circle meets tomorrow."

Circlet - A crown, often in silver and ornamented by a crescent moon, work by a High Priestess during rituals as a mark of her rank.

Clergy - Those members of the Pagan community who, following extensive study and ordination, serve their community as ministers, spiritual councellors, and ceremonial officiants.

Cone of Power - The vortex of life-force energy generated during a ritual by the participants and directed toward a particular purpose.

Consecration - To bless or make Sacred an object, space or relationship.

Coven - A congregation of Wiccans/Witches, traditionally twelve in number, and headed by a High Priest/ess. Members may be all-female, male-and-female, or all-male, according to the tradition practiced. The word derives from the same root as "convene", meaning "to come together."

Covenor - A member of a Coven.

Covenstead - The home base of a particular Coven, a home, temple or grove.

Crone - A term of respect referring to a post-menopausal woman, one who retains her wise blood; also, the Elder aspect of the Goddess, as expressed in Cerriddwen and Hecate.

Croning - A rite of passage honoring a woman's ascension to the status of Elder, often conducted by the women of her coven, tribe or community, and followed by feasting and general celebration.

D

Dedication- A rite through which one states one's intention and committment to a path of study or to the service of a particular diety. An individual may dedicate him/herself.

Degree - A rank or skill level within certain Pagan traditions, attained by the completion of an appropriate initiation or Mystery.

Deocil - In a sun-wise direction; clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere; the direction of invoking or creating. (Traditionally pronounced "Jesh-el.)

Dianic - A tradition of Witchcraft worshiping the Goddess Diana and typically exclusively feminine.

Divination - The process of intuiting information, often through such traditional tools as the Tarot, rune stones, scrying or other method.

Drop, the - The act of falling to the ground after raising a cone of power to release the energies to their purpose; literally, grounding.

E

Earth Working - The art of earth accupuncture, using sacred ritual and stone structures to affect the Earth's energy field. Examples: Stonehenge, Great Serpent Mound, Avebury.

Ecstatic State - A heightened state of awareness achieved through ritual, sex, consciousness- altering substances or through some other intense experience, such as a runner's high.

Embolc, Embolg - (Em-bolk) A Greater Sabbat traditionally celebrated on Feb. 2, which honors the fertility and latent promise of the land. Also called Candlemas and Brighid's Day.

Elemental - Of or pertaining to the five Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Spirit, especially in reference to their guardians : Gnomes (Earth), Undines (Water), Salamanders (Fire), Sylphs (Air.)

Elements - The Elemental forces or Powers which are the building blocks of Magick.

Enchantment - An altered state of consciousness brought about by an act of magick.

Eostara - (E-star-rah) A Lesser Sabbat celebrating the Spring Equinox and honoring the awakening land.

Esbats - Rituals traditionally held in conjunction with the New and Full Moons.

Essential Oils - The potent, fragrant essences of various plants, used in both healing and magickal work.

G

God - The masculine aspect of Divinity.

Goddess - The feminine aspect of Divinity.

Green Magick - A type of magick which involves conscious and active interaction with the forces of Nature, as in a Shaman's relation with the healing plants which are his Spirit Guides.

Green Witch - A follower of Wicca who uses plants in magick and healing.

Grounded - A state of physical, emotional and energetic stability.

Guided Meditation - Imagery typically narrated by another, which is internally experienced and observed, often while in a deeply relaxed, trance-like state.

H

Handfasting - The traditional Pagan rite joining two or more individuals in a committed relationship, typically celebrated by a Priest and/or Priestess. Handfasting may be for a set term or for life. Some Pagan clergy are able to perform Rites of Union which are also legal marriages.

I

Initiation - A Rite of Passage marking the entry of an individual into the Mysteries. Many Pagan groups require students to attain certain levels of skill and knowledge prior to initiating them into full membership in an Inner Circle. Not the same as a Dedication.

Incense - Fragrant herbs and resins combined according to their individual properties and made into a powder, stick or cone, then burned alone or over charcoal in a censer to remove negative energy, invoke other energies or carry prayers to the spirit world.

Intent - The motive or goal of a ritual, spell or other ceremony.

K

Karma - The consequence of one's actions, generally an experience through which one is given an opportunity to learn the impact and/or error of one's actions.

L

Litha - (Li-thuh) A Lesser Sabbat celebrating the Summer Solstice or longest day, and the peak of the God's power. Traditionally observed by a ritualized battle between the Holly and Oak Kings, two individuals representing the triumph of the Dark half of the year and the death of the sun king.

Lughnasadd - (Lu-nah-saah) - A Greater Sabbat traditionally celebrated Aug. 2, which marks the first fruits of harvest. Also called Lammas.

Lunar Cycle - the monthly waxing and waning phases of the Moon and the accompanying tides of energy.

M

Mabon - (Ma-bon) A Lesser Sabbat celebrating the Autumn Equinox and honoring the Lord of the Wild Hunt; the second Harvest Sabbat.

Magic - The Art of Illusion, as in "stage magic", ie., pulling rabbits out of hats.

Magician - A practitioner of Ceremonial Magic; also, a practitioner of stage magic.

Magick - The Art of using Will and Intent to shape or alter reality.

Magickal Ethics - The benevolent and responsible use of the Magickal Arts.

Maiden - Refers to the virginal, innocent, pre-pubescent aspect of the Goddess; expressed in Kore, Persephone, Artemis, Diana, among others.

Man-making - A Rite of Passage marking a boy's puberty and assention into Manhood, often conducted by the men of his coven, tribe or community, and followed by feasting and general celebration.

Monotheistic - The belief in a single, all-powerful Deity.

Moontime - A woman's menstrual period, a time of great psychic openness and insight, traditionally observed by quiet meditation in the company of other women.

Mother - Refers to the fertile, creative, productive and sexual aspects of the Goddess; expressed in Aphrodite, Venus, Hera, Demeter, Isis, Mary and Hathor, among others.

O

Occult - The word means "Hidden" and generally refers to the Western Mystery Traditions.

P

Pagan - A believer in a Nature-based spiritual tradition.

Pantheon - The Gods and Goddesses worshiped by a culture, from the Greek words "pan theos", meaning "all gods." Most Pagans worship a particular pantheon primarily.

Pentacle - The magical tool of Earth; a wood or metal disc decorated with the Pentagram.

Pentagram - An ancient protective symbol, comprised of a five-pointed star, point-up, enclosed by a circle, worn by many Wiccans and Pagans for safe-keeping and mutual recognition.

Polythiestic - The belief in multiple Gods.

Priestess, Priest - A trained and (generally) initiated individual who facilitated the rituals and ceremonies of a Coven, a member of the Pagan clergy. In some traditions, this means anyone beyond the First Degree level. A High Priest/ess is one who has earned and attained a more notable level of skill and insight, and therefore leads a Coven. In some traditions, such individuals are respectfully addressed as "Lord" or "Lady so-and-So".

R

Rank - Refers to one's level of mastery and skill within certain Orders and Traditions.

Ritual - A ceremony or rite performed in a particular way with intent.

Robe - A ritual garment worn by some Pagans during ritual, traditionally of simple cut, with a hood, and constructed of a natural fiber such as cotton, wool or silk.

S

Sabbats - The eight holy days of the Pagan year, traditionally divided into the Greater Sabbats (Imbolc, Beltain, Lughnasadd, and Samhain) and the Lesser or Solar Sabbats (The Solstices and Equinoxes.) These celebrations occur approximately every six weeks.

Sacred Space - A consecrated place for worship and the working of magick, created through will and intention; may also refer to a traditionally holy place, such as Glastonbury.

Satan - The Christian personification of evil, also refered to as the Devil or Lucifer.

Satanism - A cult focused on the worship of Satan, the Christian personification of evil, which has no associations whatsoever with Paganism or Wicca.

Samhain - (Sow-win) - The Greater Sabbat honoring the Dead, celebrated Oct 31-Nov 1. The final harvest sabbat. Also called Halloween, All-Hallows, and La Dia de los Muertes.

Sex Magic - Tantra, the ritual utilization of sexual energy to accomplish an end result.

Scrying - The process of seeking guidance through visions; water, fire and crystal gazing are common means of scrying, as is the use of a mirror.

Shaman - A traditional pratitioner of healing and magick who serves his or her tribe or community as an intercessor with the realms of the spirits. The term is Siberian in origin.

Sky-Clad - A Pagan term for nude; many Pagans consider clothing optional within community, and there is a long tradition of ritual nudity within The Old Religion.

Spell - The ritual process of using the Magickal Arts to accomplish an end result.

Spiral Dance - A traditional form of dance used to enter into an ecstatic state or to generate energy for the working of magick. May also refer to the changing seasons.

Smudge - To cleanse away negative energies by means of the smoke of certain smoldering herbs, traditionally including sage, sweetgrass or cedar, from Native American Tradition. See "Cense."

Staff - A wooden or metal rod, typically head-height, variously decorated and used by some to assist in walking, as a means of directing energy and for self-defense; also symbolic of the phallus.

Summerland - The common Pagan term for the afterlife, heaven, where souls rest between incarnations in the company of their loved ones.

Sweat Lodge - A bowl-shaped covered wood structure enclosing a pit filled with heated rocks upon which water is poured to generate steam (like a sauna) and the rituals which accompany this Native American cleansing ceremony, also called an Inipi.

Sword - This is a magickal tool of air in some Traditions, fire in others. It is sometimes used in the creation of sacred space.

T

Talisman - A magically consecrated object, often worn, created for a particular purpose.

Tantra - The Art of Sacred Sexuality, believed by some to bring great enlightenment and union with the Divine.

The Great Rite - A ritual re-inactment of the Sacred Marriage between the God and Goddess, typically symbolized by the insertion of an Athame into a Chalice. On rare occasions in some groups, this rite may be enacted by the Priest and Priestess, most typically during an interval when the other covenors have left the room. This term may also refer to sexual union in which the energies of the partners are directed to the renewal of the Earth.

Trance - Altering one's state of consciousness through the management of muscle tension, breath, and mental focus to access information unavailable in an ordinary waking state.

Triskele - An ancient Celtic motif of three spirals encompassed in a circle and representing the Goddess as Maiden, Mother and Crone.

Triquetra - An ancient Celtic motif comprised of three interlaced arcs forming three vesecas (boat shapes representing the vagina of the Goddess.)

W

Wand - The magical tool of Fire in some Traditions, Air in others. A rod which may be made of various materials, by which energy is directed; also symbolic of the phallus.

White Witchcraft - Wicca, the ancient religion of the Great Goddess, magick of a positive intent.

Wicca - The religion of the Great Goddess, also known as Witchcraft, White Magic, and the Old Religion. The word is derived from "wicce", an Anglo-Saxon term meaning both "wise" and "live". Believers are called Wiccans or Witches.

Wicanning - A rite of Passage through which a baby is blessed and presented to the God/dess and his/her community, typically celebrated by a Priestess or Priest.

Widdershins - Counter-sun-wise, the direction of banishing.

Witch - One who worships the Great Goddess, a Wiccan or practitioner of the Craft of the Wise. A Witch may practice alone or in a congregation called a coven.

Witchcraft - The Craft of the Wise, Wicca, the religion of the Great Goddess.

Womaning - A Rite of Passage celebrating a girl's first menstruation and her ascension into Womanhood, often conducted by the women of her coven, tribe or community, and followed by feasting and general celebration.

Y

Yule - (Yool) - The Lesser Sabbat honoring the Winter Solstice, shortest day of the year. Traditionally observed by a ritualized battle between the Oak and Holly Kings, two individuals representing the triumph of the Light over the Dark half of the year, followed by feasting, gifts and much joy as the Goddess gives birth to the new sun.

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