| ABSENT HEALING
| A form of faith healing that involves the projection of positive healing energy
to an ill person by a healer who is not present at the time of the healing.
|
| ACOLYTE
| Beginner or "novice" in many magickal orders. Sometimes used to denote
the lowest rank in the group.
|
| ADEPT
| It refers to the person who is considered highly proficient in a particular
magickal system after undergoing serious studies and accomplishments.
|
| AFTERWORLD
| The world of the dead, the place where human souls go to after death. Also see:
Summerlands
|
| AIR
| One of the four ancient elements, which corresponds to the East Watchtower of the
magic circle. It has become apparent that some groups rather associate Air with North, but this is a personal choice. Also see: Earth
|
| AIR SIGNS
| In astrology, the three signs of the zodiac attributed to the element of Air -
Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra.
|
| AKASHA
| Element of Spirit, the fifth element, the omnipresent spiritual power that
permeates the universe. It is the energy out of which the Elements formed. Usually envisaged as violet in color. It embraces the other four elements - earth, air, fire, and water. 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)
|
| AKASHIC RECORDS
| The "recordings" left in the Akasha by every event. Advanced occultists
develop the gift of retrieving past events by "reading the Akashic Records". Psychic Edgar Cayce brought the thought that the mind of the psychic or Witch can access a giant data base for
information on subjects (past lives, healing, and other magickal/spiritual practices) through Universal connections.
|
| ALEXANDRIAN WITCHES
| Initiated by (or stemming from those initiated by) Alex and Maxine Sanders. An
offshoot of Gardnerian witchcraft, though founded independently in the 1960's
|
| ALL HALLOWS EVE
| Another name for Samhain, a Pagan festival which is celebrated on the last day of
October.
|
| ALTAR
| Any table or structure on which candles, incense, etc. are burned, tools of magic
are kept etc. Arrangement varies from one Witch to another.
|
| AMULET
| A magically Charged object which deflects specific, usually negative energies.
Generally worn as a protective object. Can also be object inscribed with magickal symbols to protect, attract good luck, etc. (See Talisman.)
|
| ANAPHRODISIAC
| A substance, such as camphor, that reduces sexual desires.
|
| ANIMA
| The buried feminine elements in a man's psyche
|
| ANIMISM
| It is the belief that natural objects, and Nature itself, are alive and
conscious.
|
| ANIMISTIC
| The belief that all forms of Nature have a Divine Spirit within.
|
| ANIMUS
| The buried masculine elements in a woman's psyche
|
| ANKH
| An ancient Egyptian symbol resembling a cross with a loop at the top. Also called
the crux ansata or looped cross. Egyptian hieroglyph for "life" and "cosmic knowledge". Widely used as an occult symbol of the Life Principle.
|
| AN-SHET
| Another word for a Witch's magical wand.
|
| APHORISM
| A sparsely worded saying. Ex. “As above, So below.”
|
| APHRODISIAC
| Substance that generates sexual excitement.
|
| APPARITION
| The appearance of a phantom seen in a dream or trance or waking state as the
result of astral projection.
|
| AQUARIUS
| The 11th sign of the zodiac. It is symbolized by the Water Bearer, is an Air
sign, and is ruled by Uranus.
|
| ARADIA
| Daughter of the Goddess Diana, and a name for the Goddess used by Italian witches
or Strega. Believed to have been derived from the Tuscan witches' usage as recorded in C.G. Leland's Aradia.
|
| ARCANA
| The two halves of a Tarot deck. The Major Arcana are 22 cards depicting dominant
occurrences or "trumps". The Minor Arcana is made up of 56 suit or "court" cards. (also called the Lesser Arcana.)
|
| ARIANRHOD
| A Welsh Goddess-name much used by witches. The name means `Silver Wheel'. Caer
Arianrhod (Castle of Arianrhod), symbolizes the resting-place of souls between incarnations.
|
| ARIES
| The 1st sign of the zodiac. It is symbolized by the Ram, is a Fire sign, and is
ruled by Mars.
|
| AROMATHERAPY
| Therapeutically (heal, relax, purify, etc.) using flowers, herbs, oils, incense
or anything else that has an aroma.
|
| ASPECT
| A form, facet, or persona of Deity.
|
| ASPERGER
| A bundle of fresh herbs or a perforated object used to sprinkle water during or
preceding Ritual, for purification purposes
|
| ASPERGERING
| The act of sprinkling water for purification purposes during or preceding Ritual.
|
| ASTRAL BODY
| The psychic "double" of the physical body, consisting of substance more
tenuous than matter, but grosser than mind or spirit. (See also Etheric.)
|
| ASTRAL PLANE
| Realm of existence parallel to physical reality. In this realm, the nonmaterial
body may traverse both time and space. A wide variety of entities inhabit the astral, such as ghosts and the conscious or dreaming presence of living individuals.
|
| ASTRAL PROJECTION
| The transferring of consciousness from the physical to the astral body, so that
one perceives and moves about on the astral plane as the physical body remains inert. Also called and out-of-body-experience or astral travel.
|
| ASTRAL TRAVEL
| See: Astral Projection
|
| ASTROLOGY
| This is an ancient science and practice of divination by studying the Sun, Moon,
planets and stars. Each of these heavenly bodies directly reflects the course of human affairs depending on which section the zodiac they are in. Also called Stargazing.
|
| ATHAME
| A ritual dagger with a double-edged blade, used by Witches to draw their magic
circles and to store and direct energy during magical rituals. It is interchangeable with the magic sword. It is never used for drawing blood of any kind. It is never used for actual cutting of
anything. The only traditional exception to this rule being a handfasting cake. Corresponds with the element Air.
|
| ATTUNEMENT
| An activity which brings the mind, emotion and psyche of an individual into
harmony.
|
| AURA
| The colored field which surrounds any living thing including the human body. The
aura is visible to sensitives, who can learn from its color, size and structure about the person's health and spiritual status.
|
| AUTUMN EQUINOX
| One of the eight Sabbats celebrated on the first day of Autumn, which is on or
near September 23rd. Also known as Alban Elfed and the Second Festival of Harvest.
|
| AVATAR
| An advanced soul, who returns to a physical body to teach less evolved souls. Ex.
Buddha, Jesus.
|
| BALEFIRE
| A fire lit for magical purposes, usually outdoors. Balefires are traditional on
Yule, Beltane and Midsummer.
|
| BANE
| That which is poisonous, evil, destructive, dangerous, negative, etc. Paired to
indicate the negative as in "wolfbane","hensbane" and "baneberry".
|
| BANISH
| To drive away that which is unwanted by using magick or ritual.
|
| BANISHING RITUAL
| A ritual performed to remove negative or evil influences from the circle.
|
| BELL
| Used to summon deities and as instruments for sacred music.
|
| BELTANE
| May Eve festival (on or around 1 May). 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 Sabbat 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.
|
| BESOM
| A broom used by Witches for the ritual cleansing of an area. Contrary to popular
belief it is not used for flying.
|
| BINDING
| A magickal spell, which usually involves tying of knots on a cord, to restrain
something or someone. Usually this is performed to stop something or someone from harming another or themselves.
|
| BINDRUNES
| A powerful magical talisman, normally made from wood or metal, and inscribed with
two or more different rune symbols which are combined into an aesthetically pleasing way.
|
| BLACK MASS
| A deliberate and obscene travesty of the Christian Mass for evil (black) magic
purposes, which strictly speaking can only be performed by an unfrocked or corrupt priest. This is not a Pagan term, but rather a Christian or the rebels of Christianity born term.
|
| BLACK MIRROR
| Tool used for divination and dark aspect meditations.
|
| BLESSED BE
| An all purpose greeting, response and farewell among Witches. It reminds us that
everything and everyone is sacred. Pronounced as three syllables.
|
| BLOOD OF THE MOON
| If the woman's menstrual circle occurs over a New or Full Moon it is known as the
Blood of the Moon. A woman so attuned is more powerful than during other times of the month.
|
| BODHISATTVA
| A human entity so highly developed that it no longer needs to reincarnate on
Earth but chooses to do so in order to help mankind.
|
| BOLLINE (BO-LEEN')
| Practical knife of witchcraft used for practical purposes such as cutting herbs
and inscribing objects. Traditionally this is a white handled knife but brown (wood) is also accepted. It is normally only used within the circle.
|
| BOOK OF SHADOWS
| Also known as a Witches Grimoire. Traditionally this is a hand written book of a
Witches spells, rituals, poems, recipes and inspirations. There is no one single Book of Shadows and each is individual to the writer. In most cases parts may have been copied from a covens
"standard" Book of Shadows or from the book of another adept Witch. Traditionally this book is destroyed when the owner dies or is returned to the coven for disposal. Sometimes a book is
handed down to a sibling, but this is usually only accepted if so instructed by the original owner. Some traditions have a "standard" Book of Shadows which serves as the basis for new
initiates, but the initiates book soon changes as additions are made. The name is believed to be a remainder from the burning times when witches had to remain "in the shadows".
|
| BOOMERANG EFFECT
| A popular name for the well-known occult principle that a psychic attack which
comes up against a stronger defense rebounds threefold (though this is metaphorical) on the attacker
|
| BURNING TIMES, THE
| The term refers to that period in history when people accused of Witchcraft were
hunted and executed by burning or being hanged. It is believed that actual burning only occurred in Scotland and the European continent. In other areas they were usually hanged. It is believed
red-haired women were also burned/hanged because the color of their hair indicated to Christian that they had made a pact with the devil. The Christian church sought to destroy any religion they did
not understand during this time. The term "devil worshipper" was not only stamped on Witches, but any other non-Christian religion which they did not understand.
|
| CABALA
| The ancient Hebrew system of esoteric philosophy centering upon the Tree of Life.
Also known as Qabala or Kabala.
|
| CAKES AND ALES
| This is the ritual meal shared with the Goddess and God near the end of a
religious ritual.
|
| CALL
| It is the act of invoking divine forces.
|
| CANCER
| The 4th sign in the zodiac. It is symbolized by the Crab, is a Water sign, and is
ruled by the Moon.
|
| CANDLE MAGIC
| A form of sympathetic magic that uses different colored candles to represent the
people and things at which its spells are directed.
|
| CANDLEMAS
| See Imbolc
|
| CAPRICORN
| The 10th sign of the zodiac. Symbolized by the Goat, is an Earth sign, and is
ruled by the Saturn.
|
| 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.
|
| CASTING CLOTH
| Layout cloth with appropriate markings, used for tossing the ogham fews (or for
runes).
|
| CAULDRON
| A small or large black cast-iron pot used by Witches that symbolically combines
the influences of the four elements. Represents the womb of the Goddess.
|
| CENSER
| A heat-proof container with a perforated lid in which incense is smoldered. One
of the elemental tools, representing the Air element.
|
| CENTERING
| It is the process of moving one's consciousness to one's spiritual center.
|
| CEREMONIAL MAGIC
| Involves the use of elaborate rituals, dramatic invocations of the spirit, and
mystic sacraments.
|
| CERNUNNOS
| Cerunnos The only known name of the Celtic Horned God; it is much used by
witches, in the Cernunnos form.
|
| CERRIDWEN
| A Welsh Goddess-name, much used to represent the Mother or Crone aspects.
|
| CHAKRA
| The Power Points of the body; the wheels of energy. Just above your head is a
chakra that works with your Higher Consciousness. The Seven Major Chakras - Crown / pituitary, 3rd Eye / pineal, throat / thyroid, heart / thymus, solar plexus / lyden, spine / adrenal, lumbar /
gonads. Plus various Minor Chakras - the ones the center of your hand palms, soles of the feet, behind each eye... etc.
|
| CHALICE
| A sacred cup or goblet used to hold consecrated water or wine and normally kept
on the West side of the altar. It represents the element of Water. It is also used to represent the Goddess during the symbolic great rite.
|
| CHANNELING
| The spontaneous or induced act of communicating with or serving as a channel for
spirits while in a trancelike state of consciousness.
|
| CHARGE, THE
| The Traditional words of the Goddess to her followers, or "hidden
children". Normally delivered by the High Priestess at every coven Circle. Also known as "The Charge of the Goddess".
|
| CHARGE, TO
| It is the act of magickally infusing and object (usually crystal) with your
personal energy.
|
| CHARM(S)
| Objects made and infused with magical energy, and carried or placed to achieve a
goal. These objects are usually infused with specific energy for specific purposes, for example, protection.
|
| CHARM, TO
| The act of infusing energy into objects for specific purposes.
|
| CIRCLE
| A sphere created through Visualization and Magick by Personal Power, penetrating
the ground both above and below it. It is in this area where the magickal worship and spells takes place. It can also be used to designate a particular group of Witches or Pagans.
|
| CLAIRVOYANCE
| The ability to be aware of events, facts or phenomena. A person with this ability
will perceive future events in varying detail. This ability is not exclusively an ability to tell the future but also an ability to see what happened in the past without having been there. The insight
may be experienced in form which vary from voices to visions and dreams and even music. Also known as Clairsentience, Clairaudience.
|
| CLEANSING
| Understood as a ritual act to purify and object or area of negative energies
whether natural or unnatural.
|
| CONE OF POWER
| Power or energy raised in the circle by the Witches assembled, and sent out into
the world to work magick. It is usually visualized as being retained and built in the form of a "cone" prior to release. The cone would have its base at the circle of Witches and its apex
above the center of the circle.
|
| CONJURATION
| The act of evoking spirits by means of formulas or words of power. (see also
Evocation)
|
| CONSCIOUS MIND
| The analytical, materially-based, rational half of our consciousness. The mind at
work when we compute our taxes, theorize or struggle with ideas. See Psychic Mind.
|
| CONSECRATION
| The act of making something sacred, the ritual use of water and salt to exorcise
negative energies or evil influences from tools, circle, etc.
|
| CORN DOLLY
| A figure, often human-shaped, created by plaiting. Represented the fertility of
the Earth and the Goddess in early European agricultural rituals and is still used in Wicca. These aren't made from cobs or husks; corn originally referred to any grain other than maize and still does
in most English speaking countries except the United States.
|
| COVEN
| An organized group of Witches, led by a High priestess and/or a High Priest who
meet regularly for magickal workings, ceremonies, worship and fellowship. The traditional membership is 13, but in fact most covens number considerably less. 3 is the minimum in the Georgian
Tradition. In Middle English, "Covin" a group of confederates; In Old French "Covine" a band or group with a single purpose; Latin "Com"-together, "Venire"-to
come or move.
|
| COVENSTEAD
| The place where a particular coven habitually meets or sometimes the area from
which its membership is drawn.
|
| 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. Also applies to the concept of "Holy Fool" in many traditions.
|
| CRAFT, THE
| The witches' name for the religion and practice of witchcraft. Inherited from
Freemasonry.
|
| CRONE
| The 3rd aspect of the Triple Goddess. Corresponds to the waning and dark phases
of the moon. Represents maturity, wisdom and spiritual peace.
|
| CROSS QUARTER DAYS
| The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and
Lammas.
|
| CRYSTAL BALL
| A sphere of crystal or glass used for scrying. They come in all sizes and colors.
|
| CUP
| see Chalice
|
| CURSES
| Contain malevolence to the sphere of the generator of the negative energy.
|
