Meditations - Mental, stress-relieving exercises used to draw body, mind, and spirit into a single focus, in order to enhance the quality of life. Daily meditation practices help to promote a healthier outlook on life. Daily meditation practices help to promote a healthier outlook on life and can facilitate healing in the sick.
Moon Void of Course - An astrological term. At the end of each passage of the Moon through a sign (usually every two or three days) the Moon leaves behind her last aspect (sharing energy with another planet) and prepares to enter a new sign. At this point she is said to be "Void of Course" -- that is, without a course, or direction. This stage lasts from a few hours to a few days, during which strange things can happen. Avoid making major decisions or planning important events.
Pentacle - A magickal symbol consisting of a pentagram - a five-pointed star -- pointing upward and enclosed by a circle. Worshipped by the ancients, its meaning is "life" or "health". It is worn as a symbol of a Witch's belief and used in magickal workings and ceremonies. Each point on the star relates to the five magickal Elements - Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. The Pentacle has never indicated anything evil, and if a person uses a pentacle and does nasty things it is a sure sign that they haven't a clue what they are doing.
Phases of the Moon - The stages of our Moon's journey around the Earth. One complete orbit of the Moon around the Earth is called a lunar cycle and takes just under a month. During its journey the Moon passes from New to Full and back to New, going through various stages in between, such as a Crescent Moon. There are eight Moon phases or stages (spread across four quarters) per cycle, and thirteen lunar cycles per year.
Planetary Hour - Also called a magickal hour. Divisions of night and day that are guided by astrological influences and the energies of the various planets. Most serious Craft books and astrological texts carry this information.
Quarters of the Moon -- Astronomical measurement of the Moon's cycle as it journeys around the Earth. The first and second quarters encompass the stages from New to Full Moon, while the third and fourth quarters represent the journey back from Full to New.
Sabbat -- A Witchcraft ceremony of honor acknowledging the eight segments of the Wiccan year, the cycle of the seasons, and the influence of Spirit in our lives. There are eight Sabbats, also called High Holy Days.
Sacred Space - An area cleansed by the four elements and used for religious purposes. You can also create sacred space around your bed if you have trouble sleeping, are in a sick room, and so on.
Sacred Spiral - A Wiccan symbol that represents "coming into being" - death and rebirth and the cycle of life. Single and double spirals were among the most sacred signs of Neolithic Europe, and the spiral still plays an important part in magickal workings.
Scrying Mirror - A mirror used for divination purposes. It is painted black on one side and dipped or painted with an herbal wash to enhance the power of its reflective surface. The mirror may also feature magickal sigils.
Sigil -- A type of symbol. A magickally oriented seal, sign, glyph (sculptured character or symbol) 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, paper, or tucked in your pocket.
"So Mote It Be" - A much-used expression in WitchCraft. "Mote" means "must" in Old English, so the expression is saying: "As I will, it must be done."
Spell - A kind of prayer, spoken or unspoken, that may also use a variety of physical tools (herbs, string, candles, and so on) to help the practitioner's mind to focus on their desire.
Spirit - Your personal concept of God/dess -- the energy-force that "runs" the universe.
Talisman - An object - a gemstone, a drawing, whatever - that has been magickally charged and is then carried in order to help the bearer in some way. The charging of the talisman is most important; it can be discharged under running water. The word "talisman" is said to come from the Arabic words talis ma, or "magick writing". Talismans work under planetary influences.
Waning Moon - After a Full Moon, the Moon's shining disk gradually decreases in size as it heads toward the phase called the New Moon. This is known as the period of the Waning Moon, and as the disk decreases, so the Moon's power also fades. This is a good time for performing banishing magick.
Waxing Moon - As the New Moon makes its journey toward the Full Moon phase, its disk of light grows larger, or waxes. This is a good time for magick that involves growing and building.
Widdershins - Moving in a counter-clockwise direction.
Wicca -- It is thought that this term was originally coined by Selena Fox of the Circle Sanctuary in an effort to describe the modern religion of WitchCraft (as begun by Gerald Gardner in England in the 1950's). There is NO difference between Wicca and WitchCraft. Anyone who tells you there is a difference is experimenting in the theory of Occum's Razor.
Wheel of the Year -- One full cycle of the Wiccan year. The year is divided into eight segments or seasons, each of which is marked by a festive celebration (also called a Sabbat). The first such celebration of the year is known as Samhain (Sow-win). This celebratory holiday lasts from October 31 through November 11 and is the Wiccan New Year.
