AKASHA - The fifth occult element, the omnipresent power
which permeates the universe. It embraces the other elements (earth,
air, fire, water) which are said to stem from it. Some consider it the
"other" of the two worlds that a witch walks between.
ALEXANDRIAN - That tradition of Witchcraft descended
from the teachings of Alex Sanders.
ALTAR - A flat surface used for religious and magickal
rituals, preferably of natural materials such as wood or stone.
AMULET - An object that is charged with specific
energies to protect the bearer. It is often a natural object such as a
feather, shell or stone.
ANKH - Egyptian "Cross of Life" which represents the
union of male and female and was regarded as a universal life charm. The
symbol is a cross with a looped, oval top. Also called the Key of the
Nile.
ARADIA - Daughter of the Goddess Diana and Lucifer, God
of the Sun (sometimes said to be her brother), Aradia is called the
Queen of Witches. Though used in many Wiccan traditions, she is central
to the Italian witchcraft tradition, Strega.
ARCANA - A deck of Tarot cards is divided into two
halves or arcanas. The Major Arcana has 22 cards representing dominant
events and forces in life. The Minor Arcana (lesser Arcana) has 56 suit
cards representing smaller and/or more mundane events in life.
ARCHETYPES - Universal symbols that speak to us in the
language of the subconscious. They are the ideal images of deities and
other powers that embody concepts such as knowledge and beauty, and
allow us to communicate such concepts to the subconscious in order to
perform magick, divination and other rituals.
ASTRAL PLANE - The invisible "other" world that is
unseen from our material/temporal world, another dimension of reality.
ASTRAL PROJECTION - The process of separating oneself
(or one's self) from the physical body in trance states in order to
visit other planes, times or locations.
ATHAME - A black-handled, double edged knife used in
rituals to cast and open circles, serving the same function as the
magickal sword. It is the Witch's ceremonial knife, never to be used for
mundane purposes (cutting anything on the material plane).
BANE - An archaic word for bad, evil, destructive.
BANISH - To magically send away or repel negative
energies or entities from the person, home, or ritual area.
BESOM - The witches' broomstick. Often used to sweep
away negative energies from a space before casting a circle there.
BALEFIRE - The traditional bonfire of the sabbats, still
used in many pagan celebrations.
BELTANE - An ancient Celtic Fire Festival celebrated on
May 1. The modern version still celebrates the marriage of the Goddess
and the God, and the passage of the Goddess from Maiden to Mother.
Fertility rituals are commonly a part of this Sabbat. Also spelled
Bealtaine and Beilltaine.
BIND: To magically restrain something or someone.
BLACK MAGICK - Any negative magick performed to harm or
manipulate people or situations in a negative way. Practitioners of
black magick are said to be on the "left hand path."
BLOOD OF THE MOON - A woman's menstrual cycle and her
most powerful time, especially if it occurs on a Full or New Moon.
BOOK OF SHADOWS - A book of spells, rituals, recipes,
and other guides and materials written by a witch or coven. It is often
hand-written, though today many witches write their book on computers.
Also, traditionally, the book was kept secret, either by the individual
witch or the coven, though many such books are now published on the
internet (never with all of the secrets however). Also called the Book
of Lights and Shadows or grimoire.
BURNING TIMES - Reference to the period during the
Middle Ages when many people were executed by the church or by public
officials for practicing witchcraft. Some estimates suggest as many as
nine million were killed while other estimates are far more
conservative. Also, it is unlikely that they were all witches in that
this became a favored means for officials to get rid of personal enemies
or any unwanted person in the community. While burning was the method of
execution in Scotland and some parts of Europe, in other areas the
convicted "witches" were hanged. You can find more information about the
Burning Times on our burning times page.
CANDLEMAS - The Celtic Fire Festival, held on February
1, commemorating the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the
Maiden again. The festival, also called Imbolc, celebrates the passing
of winter and the coming of spring.
CALL - To invoke divine forces, as when one calls the
Guardians of the Watchtowers before casting a circle.
CARDINAL POINTS - North, South, East, and West, often
marked by candles of green, red, yellow, and blue.
CAULDRON - A favorite tool of witches, this three-legged
cooking pot has many uses. It may be used to cook potions, for scrying,
and as a censer. On an altar, the cauldron symbolizes the Goddess.
CHAKRAS - Seven major intersections of energy located on
the vertical axis of the body. Each is associated with a color and an
area of the body. They are also associated with life experiences such as
love and may be used when meditating on those experiences. Starting from
the tailbone, they are Root (Red), Sexual/Generative (Orange), Solar
Plexus (Yellow), Heart (Green), Throat (Blue), 3rd Eye (Indigo), and
Crown (Violet).
CHALICE - A witch's tool which can be used to represent
the element of water and may also be used to hold the juice or wine for
the offering.
CHANNELING - A New Age word for mediumship, channeling
involves allowing a spirit entity to speak through the channeler. The
process is virtually impossible to prove and therefore does not enjoy a
particularly good reputation.
CHARGE OF THE GODDESS- Originally written by Doreen
Valiente, the charge gives the story of the message from the Goddess to
Her children. The High Priestess often recites the charge at the Full
Moon Esbat.
CHARMS - May be a gemstone, amulet, talisman or other
object that has been charged with power for a specific task.
CIRCLE- The sacred space in which ritual and magickal
workings takes place. A circle may also refer to a loosely organized
group of Witches or Pagans choosing to work together in a somewhat less
formal manner than a coven.
CONE OF POWER- Energy or power raised within a circle by
either an individual or group for a specific purpose. After the power is
raised and visualized it is released to work the magick.
CLEANSING - The process of removing negative energy from
an object or place. May be accomplished through replacing negative
energy with positive energy, sweeping with a besom, burning sage sticks
and other means.
CONSECRATION - The act of cleansing and blessing an
object or place by charging it with positive energy.
CORRESPONDENCES - Sets of ideas, concepts or objects
that are regularly associated in a particular way. Most magickal
workings involve the use of correspondences. For example, the Moon is
associated with Monday, moonstones, the color white, and purity, among
other things.
COVEN- An organized group of Witches, usually thirteen
or fewer, who meet regularly for religious rituals.
COVENSTEAD- The meeting place for a coven.
CROSS QUARTERS - The modern name for the Celtic Fire
Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas, the Sabbats that do
not fall on the solstices or equinoxes.
DAYS OF POWER - See SABBATS
DEDICATION - A ritual in which a Witch dedicates herself
to the Craft and vows to remain steadfast to the path she has chosen.
DEGREE - Levels of achievement in a particular
tradition. Many traditions have three degrees.
DEOSIL- Clockwise or sunwise movement of actions in a
ritual.
DIANIC - Tradition emphasizing the Goddess Diana.
Leadership is generally female, though males may be members.
DIVINATION - The use of magickal tools and means to seek
information on events, people and situations in the past, present and
future. Examples are runes and Tarot cards.
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON - A ritual used during the Full
Moon in which Witches invoke the power of a Moon Goddess to increase
their power.
EARTH MAGICK - A form of magick in which the powers of
the Earth are sought and used to conduct ritual and magickal workings.
ELEMENTS- Earth, air, fire, and water, plus spirit, or
Akasha. Each is associated with a direction and a color (among other
things): Earth (north, green), Air (east, yellow), Fire (south, red),
and Water (west, blue), plus Spirit (center, white).
EQUINOX - One of the two times a year when the sun
crosses the equator and the day and night are approximately the length.
Spring Equinox approximately March 21st-22nd, Fall Equinox September
21st-22nd.
ESBAT - Meeting of Witches on the Full Moon or the New
Moon usually to perform rituals. Esbat rituals may also be performed by
solitary Witches.
FAMILIAR - An animal, either a pet or a spiritual
entity, who serves the Witch as a magickal helper.
FIVEFOLD KISS - The Witches' ritual salute performed in
the Circle, with kisses; (1) on each foot, (2) on each knee, (3) above
the pubic hair, (4) on each breast, and (5) on the lips.
GAEA - The Earth Mother or Mother Earth. The name has
recent significance for Environmental action groups.
GARDNERIAN - A tradition of Witchcraft descended from
the teachings of Gerald Gardner.
GREAT RITE - Part of the third degree initiation as well
as some festivals, the Great Rite symbolizes the union of the God and
Goddess, and thus all creation. It is usually performed by placing a
knife into a chalice, though it may be performed by the physical union
of a man and woman (privately, of course).
GREEN MAN - Another name for the God, particularly in
His aspect of God of fertility.
GUARDIANS - Ceremonial magicians and some Witches call
the Guardians of the Watchtowers to guard the sacred circle during
rituals. These are the guardians of the four quarters, though they may
be envisioned quite differently, from gargoyles to angels.
HANDFASTING - A Wiccan or Pagan marriage ceremony.
IMBOLC- Celtic name for Candlemas
INVOCATION - A ritual to call energies into oneself from
outside, sometimes in the form of a deity. The purpose may be ritual or
magickal workings. Also refers to the words, often a poem, used to
achieve this.
INVOKE- To call energies into oneself from outside, as
in calling a Goddess or drawing down the Moon.
KABALLAH - Mystical teachings from the Jewish-Gnostic
tradition which formed the basis of ceremonial magick and the
Alexandrian tradition. An elaborately structured Tree of Life is central
to the system of study. Also Qabala and Cabala.
KARMA - In Hindu belief where the term originated, it is
the idea that the good and evil a person does will return either in this
life or in a later one. Among Pagans, the theory is that whatever
negative or positive energies one sends out will come back to the sender
in like kind. The "Three Fold Law" is a version of this belief.
LAMMAS - The Celtic festival also called Lughnassadh. It
is the first of three harvest festivals and takes place on August 1.
LEFT HAND PATH - Also known as the Dark Path, this is
the path taken by those who would oppose Nature and seek to harm others
for their own benefit.
LITHA - Sabbat celebrated on the Summer Solstice when
the Sun is strongest and accordingly the God is celebrated for His
strength.
MABON- The second harvest festival, held on the Autumn
Equinox. It celebrates wine and balance.
MAGIC - Illusions done by a modern magician for
entertainment purposes.
MAGICK - The act of focusing will, emotion and energy to
effect change within yourself and in the world. Whether it is good or
evil depends on the intentions of the magician.
MAIDEN - The first aspect of the Triple Goddess which
symbolizes new beginnings and creation.
METAPHYSICAL - Pertaining to realities which are outside
those of science, such as cosmology and ontology.
MYSTICISM - The belief that one can achieve direct
consciousness of God or truth through meditation and intuition. In
mystic practices, one attempts to merge with God or the source of
creation.
NEW AGE - Modern term for a variety of metaphysical
practices, often combined and redefined to fit the contemporary world.
OCCULT - Literally, occult means "hidden" and is applied
to a range of beliefs and activities that are outside of the mainstream
philosophies and religions. It may also imply something that is secret,
magickal, or supernatural.
OLD RELIGION - Another name for Wicca. Also, Old Path or
Old Ways.
OSTARA- The Sabbat celebrated at the Vernal Equinox, the
second festival of spring. Symbolized by the egg, it is a time to
celebrate new life and sexuality.
PAGAN - Among those who are not Pagans, the term refers
to anyone who is not Christian, Islamic or Jewish, and may have the
negative meaning of heretic. Among Pagans, the term refers to anyone who
follows an earth or nature religion.
PENTACLE- A pentagram surrounded by a circle. It may be
a disc placed on an altar, a pendant to be worn, or any such
representation.
PENTAGRAM- The five-pointed star often representing the
five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit (the upper point).
It may also represent a person with arms and legs spread. Pentagrams are
used in many pagan rituals for either positive workings such as invoking
or negative ones such as banishing. Inverted the pentagram may represent
the Horned God, though it also has Satanist associations.
PROJECTIVE ENERGY - The energy that one sends out either
intentionally or unintentionally. In magick, it is the energy that is
put into an object or thought-form to achieve one's goals. It is also
the energy of power objects that repel negative forces by sending out
positive energy.
RECEPTIVE ENERGY - The energy that attracts or is
magnetic. Gemstones carried to draw in love or wealth have receptive
energy.
REINCARNATION - The belief that one has lived before in
another lifetime, and that one will live again after physical death.
RUNES - A set of symbols that are used both in
divination and magickal workings. These symbols may be engraved in small
pieces of wood for divination purposes. Runes that fit one's magickal
goals are often carved into candles for candle magick.
SABBAT- One of the eight festivals observed in the Wicca
calendar. They are: Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha,
Mabon, Lammas (Lughnasadh).
SAMHAIN - The Sabbat now celebrated on Halloween
(October 31). This celebration marks the New Year and is a time for
remembering the dead and honoring the Crone Goddess. It is also the
final festival of the harvest season.
SCRYING - A method of divination in which one gazes at
an object (crystal ball, water, candle) until prophetic visions appear.
SHAMAN - A word derived from the Tungas language of
Siberia, it is a generic term for healers and spiritual leaders in
tribal societies. Traditional shamans induced trance states through
drums, dancing, ingesting hallucinogens, self mutilation and deprivation
and virtually any means by which one might achieve an altered state of
consciousness. While in such a trance, the shaman crosses over into
another world to get information for his people such as the cause of
illnesses and other misfortunes. The shaman is the peoples' link to the
spiritworld.
SIGIL - A symbol with some occult meaning that may be
used in magickal workings. Often a seal, sign or other drawing, it may
be carried or otherwise used to control the power symbolized.
SKYCLAD - The act of doing magickal workings or rituals
in the nude. It is common in some traditions such as the Alexandrian, as
well as among many solitary practitioners. Working skyclad does not
imply anything sexual, but rather is an attempt to remove all barriers
to the energies with which one is working.
SPELL- A magickal working directed toward the
achievement of some goal such as obtaining, banishing, changing a
condition, etc. Sometimes refers to the verbal part of the ritual.
TALISMAN - An object carried for protection or other
goals that has been charged for that purpose. Examples are gemstones,
shells, drawings and virtually any small object that one may carry.
TAROT - A set of 78 cards with pictures and symbols that
are used for divination by connecting the reader to the subconscious
mind. The origin of the cards is unknown.
TRADITION - The particular branch of paganism that an
individual follows, such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, etc.
TRIPLE GODDESS - The one Goddess that encompasses three
aspects, the Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
WARLOCK- A derogatory term for a male Witch. It's
original meaning, derived from the Old English "waer logga," is "oath
breaker" and it was used in reference to a traitor to the Craft during
the Burning Times.
WHEEL OF THE YEAR - The Pagan calendar which symbolizes
the eternal cycle of time. It usually begins with Samhain.
WHITE HANDLED KNIFE - The knife used by a Witch for
Craft tasks such as carving candles, making tools, chopping herbs, etc.
Though it is not as sacred as the athame, it is reserved for Craft work
exclusively.
WICCA - A modern tradition of witchcraft based on the
old earth religions of Europe. The term comes from an Old English word
meaning "to bend" or "to have wisdom."
WIDDERSHINS - Counterclockwise motion used in magickal
workings or ceremonies. It means to go backward and is sometimes used in
banishing magick.
WITCH - The word conjures up a variety of images ranging
from the comic Halloween witch to a Satan worshipper to the pagan
practitioner of the Craft. The latter is, of course, the truer meaning,
though it is difficult to change peoples' perceptions of Witches.
Witches are Pagans and generally follow a nature religion, and usually
(though not always) practice some form of magick.
YULE- The Sabbat celebrated on the Winter Solstice, the
shortest day of the year. In some traditions it celebrates the birth of
the God and in others the coming birth.