Magickal Definitions
Absent Healing - healing directed to a person distant from the healer in which the healer deliver information through thought form.
Abdunance - The ability to have/create whatever experiences or things that you need when you need them. It is always there even though you may not know it.
Accelerate - A change in vibrational levels in consciousness that is more cognizant.
Acknowledge - To recognize our own. "We create our reality by what we believe".
Air - In most magickal traditions this corresponds with East, the colour yellow, the mind, intelligence and imagination.
Airts or Arts - The art of causing change through systematic use of the will and other natural forces. Some common goals in magic are healing, guidance, protection, and insight.
Aka - Cord between the physical and astral bodies.
Akasha - Spirit, the fifth point of the pentagram, the omnipresent spiritual power that permeates the universe. It is the energy out of which the Elements are formed
Alchemy - A medieval chemical art and science. Also a speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of base metals into gold. Also to discovery of a universal cure for disease and the discovery of indefinitely prolonging life.
Altar - It is usually a raised structure with a flat surface that serves as a center of worship or ritual. A flat surface on which all ritual tools, symbols and objects are placed that will be used in the spells, rituals and other items, such as the ritual tools. Also used to consecrate items and burn incense in offering and worship.
Amulet - Often it is a charm inscribed with a magickal incantation or symbol for protection or aid. Wards off negative energies or thought forms. A small object, usually strange or unusual, natural, not man-made. Also, a magickal object the purpose of which is to avert danger and evil influence from its possessor. Generally, it is worn or carried as a protective object. (Compare with Talisman.)
Animism - The belief that natural objects, and Nature itself, are alive and conscious; or the belief that an immaterial force animates the Universe.
Ankh - A symbol of life, love and reincarnation.
Ardaynes - See Laws of Witchcraft. Aspect - A form, facet, face or persona of Deity. A manifestation of the Goddess or the God having its own name, appearance, qualities, attributes, and mythology.
Asperger - A ritual tool used to sprinkle water for purification purposes. It can be a crafted artifact or something as simple as a pinecone or a twig with leaves and needles.
Astral - A higher or parallel dimenstion of reality. Achieved through meditation and reaching your "higher consciousness".
Astral Projection - The act of projecting your consciousness to the astral plane.
Athame - The double edge symbolizes equality. This tool is generally used for magick work only, not to be used to cut anything on the physical plane. Athame - A ritual knife. It usually has a double-edged blade and a black handle. The athame is used to direct Personal Power during Ritual workings. Depending on the magickal tradition followed, it is either a symbol for Air or Fire. The term is of obscure origin, has many variant spellings, and an even greater variety of pronunciations. It's pronounced as: "Ah-THAM-ee" (to rhyme with "whammy"); "ATH-ah-may" and "ah-THAW-may".
Attunement - An activity which brings the minds, emotions, and psyches of a group into harmoney prior to ritual: chanting, singing, guided meditation, and breathing excercises are common ways to attune.
Aura - Defined as "the atmosphere of a thing", the aura is the field that surrounds our bodies, subtle light surrounding a person or object. The energy field of the human body, and especially that radient portion visible to the third-eye or psychic vision. The aura can reveal information about an individual's health and emotional state.
Aware - The incorporation & integration of levels of consciousness and focus.
Balancing - A special technique utilizing color, aromas, sound and/or visualization to induce harmony and creative visualization.
Balefire - A fire lit for magickal purposes, usually outdoors. Balefires are traditional on Yule, Beltane and Midsummer.
Bane - That which destroys life, which is poisonous, destructive, evil, dangerous. Negative energies, bad, evil, source of harm, destruction or woe. Bane is also a term for coven or other magickal group, and also a verb meaning "to gather together for ritual". (See Casting the Circle and Magick Circle.)
Banish - To magickally drive out, ward off or rid the presence of unwanted energies.
B.C.E. - Before Common Era. Synonymous with B.C. without religious bias.
Belief System - A persons personal journey. It is one of three aspects of self, the other two are emotion and thought.
Bell - In some traditions, a bell is rung to alert the Quarters prior to invoking the elemental powers. It is usually a small hand bell.
Beltane - A Wiccan festival celebrated on April 30th or May 1st (traditions vary). Beltane is also known as May Eve, Roodmas, Walpurgis Night, Cethsamhain. Beltane celebrates the symbolic union, mating or marriage of the Goddess and God, and links in with the approaching summer months.
Besom - Broomstick traditionally made from Ash, Birch and Willow. It is also a male phallic symbol.
Bind - To magickally restrain or confine something or someone.
Blood of the Moon - A woman's menstrual cycle. Should this cycle occur over a Full Moon 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.
Bolline - Sickle shaped knife, usually white handled and can be used for mundane purposes. It is used in magick and Wiccan ritual for carving or cutting materials necessary for ritual or healing. It is also sometimes used for harvesting herbs, and will ahve a small silver sickle-shaped blade. (Compare with Athame.)
Book of Shadows - The name given by modern witches to the book in which they write their ritual, invocations, and charms. It is the keeper of written tradition. Books of Shadows are personal books of all the spells one has derived in one's lifetime. Book of Shadows - A Witches' book of rituals, spells, dreams, herbal recipies, magickal lore and so forth. Once hand copied on Initiation, the BoS is now photocopied or typed in some Covens. No one "true" Book of Shadows exists; all are relevant to their respective users.
Burning Times - The period of European history roughly between 1200 and 1700 CE, during which the Church of Rome launched the Inquisition, an organized campaign of extermination against Jews, heretics, Pagans, and homosexuals. The most conservative estimate is that 60 000 may have been killed; estimates range as high as 9 million.
Burning Times - Reference to a historical time from around 1000 C.E. through the 17th century when it is said that up to nine million people were tortured and burned by church and public officials on the assumption that they were the Christian version of Witches. This turned into an extremely profitable venture, as all land and property was seized from the accused individual and portions given to the accuser (in reward fashion) and the remainder seized by the church officials. Historians indicate that the majority of people tortured and murdered were woman and children.
Call - To invoke or petition for help from Divine forces.
Candle Magick - Burning candles of special colors, shapes and aromas to achieve magickal ends. Candles - In addition to illuminating the altar, candles are sometimes used to mark each of the four Quarters, and can also be used in spellworking. They are often annointed with oil and inscribed with magickal symbols.
Cardinal Points - The four direction: North, South, East and West. The four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. These are four of the five points in a pentagram.
Casting Stones - Several systems of divination call for small stones to be cast upon the ground, or on a special board or cloth. These stones may be marked with runes, or their colour may indicate their meaning. Also called Lithomancy.
Casting the Circle - The psychic creation of a sphere of energy around the area where a ritual is to be preformed, both to consentrate and focus the power raised, and to keep out unwanted influences or distractions. The space enclosed exists outside of ordinary space and time.
Cauldron - Usually made of metal with four feet. This is used to burn incense or can be used during a spell. Cauldron is used to make brews, contain a ritual fire, used for scrying. Can be four-legged or three-legged. It represents the womb of the Goddess, as in Cerridwen's cauldron named Aven, or the source of all plenty, as in the Dagda's cauldron. Most modern practitioners use it either as a symbol, to cook in for sabbat feasts, to burn things in as part of a spell, for scrying, etc.
C.E. - Common Era. Synonymous with A.D. but without religious bias.
Censer - This is a heatproof container in which incense is smoldered. An incense burner, it symbolizes the Element of Air. Centering - The process of moving one's consciousness to one's spiritual centre, leading to a feeling of great peace, calmness, strength, clarity and stability.
Ceremonial Magick - A highly codified magickal tradition based upon Kabbala, the Jewish-Gnostic mystical teachings.
Chakras - Seven energy vortexes on the human body associated with a color. Crown-white, Forehead-purple, Throat-blue, Chest-pink or green, Navel-yellow, Abdomen-orange, Groin-red. The Chakras are nexi, focal points of the human energy field. Energy centres, sometimes described as 'organs in the spiritual body' and awakening them is a process of spiritual enlightenment. There are traditionally seven major chakras, as well as many smaller ones. Being able to sense and influence the chakras is an important form of healing.
Chalice - The chalice or cup as a ritual tool represents water and the West. It is also representation of the feminine principle of creation. This is used to consecrate drinks during rituals, such as The Simple Feast. It is both a symbol of Water and the womb.
Channelling - Is the process of communicating messages from a discarnate source. Communicating with your higher self and spirit guardians. A New Age practice wherein you allow a discarnate entity to "borrow" your body to speak to others either through automatic writing or verbally.
Chant - This can be a rhyme, sometimes called a rune, intoned rhythmically to raise power. Such rhymes can be simple and repetitive, it makes them easier to remember, but it is not a requirement.
Chaplet - A crown for the head usually made of flowers and worn at Beltane.
Charge - To magickally imbue with power, whether a person, place or thing.To infuse an object with Personal Power. "Charging" is an act of Magick.
Charms - Used as amulets and/or talismans, magickally charged for a specific purpose or has been charmed by saying an incantation over it and instilling it with energy for a specific task.
Circle - Sacred space wherein all magick is to be worked and all ritual contained. It both holds ritual energy until the witch is ready to release it, and provides protection for the witch.
Cleanse - Cleansing - To remove negative energy from person, place or thing, usually by positive or psychic energies.
Collective Unconsciousness - Term used to describe the sentient connection of all living things, past and present. See also Akashic Records.
Coming of Age Ritual - At age 13 for boys, and at the time of a girl's first menses, Pagan children are seen as spiritual adults. The ritual celebrates their new maturity. Generally this is the age when they are permitted membership in covens.
Conditioning - The acceptance by the unconscious level of psychic material of a belief, emotion or thought.
Cone of Power - The energy raised during magick that is visualized in the form of a cone, where at its peak it is reaching for a specific goal.
Conscious Mind - The analytical, materially-based, rational half of our consciousness. The part of our mind that is at work while we balance our checkbooks, theorize, communicate, and perform other acts related to the physical world.
Consecrate - The act of purifying an object, usually an object to be used for magickal practices. Aslo to charge an object with positive energy.
Consecration - Consecration means dedication to some sacred purpose. This is usually done to the ritual tools as a method of cleansing them.
Conscious Mind - The analytical, materially based rational half of our consciousness. The mind at work when we compute our taxes, theorizes or struggle with ideas. Compare with Psychic Mind.
Cord - It's also called a girdle, or cingulum. In many traditions, the colour signifies a degree. It may also be used in knot magick, as well as in binding and loosening spells.
Correspondences - A system of symbolic equivalences used in magick.
Corn Dolly - A figure, often human-shaped, created by plaiting dried wheat or other grains. It represents the fertility of the Earth and the Goddess in early European agricultural rituals and is still used in Witchcraft. Corn dollies aren't made from cobs or husks; corn originally refered to any grain other than maize and still does in most English-speaking countries, except the United States.
Coven - This is a group of Wiccans or Witches, usually initiatory and led by one or two leaders. They range in size from three to twenty or more, though most covens limit their size to thirteen or fewer. Covens are self-governing and vary widely in their styles and interests. Some covens are affiliated with a particular tradition of the Craft, while others are exlectic.
Coven Council - a council selected by the High Priest and/or High Priestess of a Coven. It is convened due to a complaint made by them or a member of the Coven against them or a member of the Coven.
Covenstead - Is a meeting place, everyone there feels safe to conduct themselves as they choose.
Cowan - Anyone who is not a Witch, Wiccan or Pagan. Craft, the - Another word for Witchcraft, or folk magick.
Crone - Aspect of the Goddess represented by the old woman. Symbolized by the waning moon, the carrion crow, the cauldron, the color black. Her Sabbats are Mabon and Samhain.
Cross-Quarter Days - The way the Sabbats fall across from each other.
Days of Power - See Sabbats. They can also be days triggered by astrological occurrences - your birthday, a woman's menstrual cycle, your dedication/initiation anniversary.
Dedicant - A non-initiated student of the Craft; sometimes called a neophyte, seeker, student, or candidate.
Dedication - The process where an individual accepts the Craft as their path and vows to study and learn all that is necessary to reach adept ship. It is a conscious preparation to accept something new into your life and stick with it, regardless of the highs and lows that may follow.
Degrees - Levels of initiation representing spiritual or magickal development as well as skill, knowledge, and experience.
Deosil - Clockwise or sun wise. When casting a circle, begin in the East and end at the North. Doesil means sunwise, the direction of the Sun's apparent motion in the sky. In Northern Hemisphere magick and religion, doesil movement is symbolic of life, positive energies, good. It is much used in spells and rituals; i.e. "walk doesil around the Circle of Stones." Most magickal groups below the equator, notably in Australia, have switches from doesil to widdershins movements in their rituals, for the Sun "moves" in an apparent counter-clockwise motion from this vintage point. (See also Widdershins.)
Dirk - Ritual knife of the Scottish tradition
Divination - The ability to see, hear or feel extraordinary things from the past or future using various tools. The magickal art of discovering the unknown through the use of tools and symbols. Also to gather information about yourself, others and situations in the past, present or future. Divination contacts the Psychic Mind by drowsing the Conscious Mind through Ritual and observation or of manipulation of tools. Divination isn't necessary for those who can easily attain communication with the psychic mind, though they may practice it.
Divine Power - The unmanifested, pure energy that exists within the Goddess and the God. The life force, the ultimate source of all things. Compare with Earth power and Personal Power.
Dowsing - The divinatory art of using a pendulum or stick to find the actual location of a person, place, thing, or element.
Drawing Down the Moon - A ritual performed during the Full Moon by witches to empower themselves and unite their essence with a particular deity, usually the Goddess.
Drawing Down the Sun - Lesser-known and lesser-used companion ritual to Drawing Down the Moon in which the essence of the Sun God is drawn into the body of a male witch.
Drum - Drums are used by manyas a means of raising power during ritual, as well as for trancework and entertainment. many different sizes and kinds of drums are used, from the bodhran to the tambour, it is a matter of individual preference.
Duality - The opposite of polarity. When used as a religious term, it separates two opposites such as good and evil and places those characteristics into two completely separate God-forms.
Earth - In many magickal traditions, the element corresponds to the North; the colours black, yellow, brown and forest green; and foundation, stability, the human body, all solid material things, and prosperity.
Earthing - Sending excess energy into the Earth; done in ritual after power has been raised and sent to its goal. (See Grounding.)
Earth Magick - Magick where power and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct magickal workings or celebrations.
Earth Mother - The female aspect of the universal conscious mind.
Earth Plane - Metaphor for your normal waking consciousness, or for the everyday, solid world we live in.
Earth Power - That energy which exists within the stones, herbs, flames, wind and other natural objects. It is manifested Divine Power and can be utilized during Magick to create needed change. (Compare with Personal Power.)
Elder - One who is recognized as an experienced leader, teacher, and counselor.
Elements, the - The elements are Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. These four essences are the building blocks of the universe. Everything that exists (or that has the potential to exist) contains one or more of these energies. The elements hum within us and are also "at large" in the world. They can be utilized to cause change through Magick. The elements formed from the primal essence or power - Akasha. (See listings for each element.)
Elementals - Archetypical spirit beings associated with one of the four elements. Elementals are sometimes called Faeries.
Enchant - To influence by or as if by charms, incantations to attract and move deeply.
Enchantment - A magickal object that must be kept absolutely secret and hidden from all human eyes and affects a hidden aura. They must be charmed first. Gems and magickal writing are good items to use.
Enlighten - The effect that occurs when unconscious forgotten awareness is re-remembered.
Eostre's Eggs - Colored, decorated eggs of Ostara; named for the Teutonic Goddess Eostre
Esbat - The monthly meeting of a witches group, usually occurring on the Full Moon, but can also be held on the new moon. A Wiccan ritual, usually occurring on the Full Moon. A common time for covens to meet.
Ets Chayyim - It is also called the Tree of Life. It is a kind of diagram of manifestation, starting with purest energy, descending to physical form. It is composed of ten Sephiroth (singular Sephira) or spheres and the twenty-two paths that interconnect them. Each Sephira represents a certain energy or stage in the process of becoming or an aspect of being - so the Tree of Life is kind of a map of the Universe. Like a blueprint of the process of any activity or situation, or a chart of the make up of an individual.
Evoke - To call or conjure from withing yourself.
Evocation - Lower order of spirits being invited into a circle or magickal area, such as fairies. The act of summoning the presence of friendly spirits or elements into your circle or home. Calling up spirits or other non-physical entities, either to visible appearance or invisible attendance. Compare with Invocation.
Faerie Burgh - Mound of earth which covers a faerie colony's underground home.
Familiars - Discarnate human being, elemental spirit, or a small animal. An animal companion trained to assist in magickal workings. Little is known about the original functions of familiars, though the Inquisitors had their own warped ideas. Nowadays most have animal friends or pets, but few are trained as familiars.
Fire - In many traditions, the element corresponds to the South, the colour red, energy, will, passion, determination, purpose, ambition and spirituality.
First Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing. Here the Moon is Maiden/Mother. Full Moon The visible Moon is fully illuminated by direct sunlight. Here the Moon is Mother.
Folklore - Traditional sayings, cures, faerie tales, and folk wisdom of a particular locale which is separate from their mythology.
Folk Magick - The Practice of projecting personal power, as well as the energies within natural objects such as herbs, and crystals, to bring about needed changes.
Gaea/Gaia - Mother Earth.
God - The male personification of Deity.
Goddess - The female personification of Deity.
Great Rite - Symbolic sexual union (also sacred marriage) of the Goddess and God that is enacted at Beltane in many traditions, and other Sabbats in other traditions. It symbolizes the primal act of creation from which all life comes.
Green Man - Another name for the God
Grounding - To disperse excess energy generated during magickal work by sending it into the earth. It also means the process of centering one's self in the physical world both before and after any ritual or astral experience.
Guardians - Ceremonial magicians use the Guardians of the Watchtowers or Four Quarters. Some witches use them, too.
Grimoire - This is a magickal workbook containing ritual information, formulae, magickal properties of natural objects and preparation of ritual equipment. Many of these works include "catalogues of spirits." The most famous of the old grimoires is probably The Key of Solomon. Most first appeared in the 16th and 17th centuries, though they may be far older and contain traces of Roman, Greek, Babylonian, late Egyptian and Sumerian rites. (Compare with Book of Shadows.)
Grounding - To disperse excess energy generated during any magickal rite by sending it into the earth. It is also the process of centering one's self in the physical world before and after any ritual or astal experience. Psychically reinforcing one's connections with the Earth, by reopening an energy channel between the aura and the Earth.
Grove - An organized group of Pagans.
Handfasting - A Wiccan wedding, a contract for a year and a day or longer. A Wiccan, Pagan, or Gypsy wedding.
Healing - The goal of a great deal of magick, especially among healing-oriented spiritual traditions, is healing. Some alternative forms of healing include chakra/energy work, visualization, herbcraft, spirit journeys, crystal healing, among many others. Many Witches are professionals in the fields of healing and medicine.
Herbs - Often used in simples, extracts, oils, etc for healing, amulets, talismans, insences, etc.
Heathen - A non-Christian, from "one who dwells on the heath".
High Priest - The primary male leader within a coven. Usually a third degree initiate who either helped found the coven, was chosen by the High Priestess, or was elected by the members.
High Priestess - The primary female leader within a coven. Usually a third degree initiate who either founded the coven, or was elected by the members.
Higher Self - That part of us which connects our corporeal minds to the Collective Unconscious and with the divine knowledge of the universe.
Hiving Off - This term is used for a small coven which splits off from a larger one. Sometimes this is done to keep the gatherings of a manageable size, other times covens split over philosophical differences.
Horned God - One of the most prevalent God-images in Paganism. NOT Satan or the Devil!!!
I Ching - A Chinese system of divination in which yarrow stalks, or coins are cast to create hexagrams, which are then interpreted from a standard I Ching book.
Imbolc - A Wiccan festival celebrated on February 2nd, also known as Candlemas, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Feast of Troches, Feast of the Waxing Light, Oimelc, Brigit's Day, and many other names. Imbolc celebrates the first stirrings of spring and the recovery of the Goddess from giving birth to the Sun (the God) at Yule.
Immanence - The belief that Deity exists within all things, including people, and cannot be seperated from them.
Incense - This comes in many forms, powder, cone or stick. Incense is used during a ritual to aid with the concentration or the power of the ritual. Incense are often burned in ritual magick, for purpification and as a symbol of Fire and Air. They may be in the form of sticks, cones, resins, or dried herbs. The incense chosen will depend on the nature of the magick being preformed.
Initiation - This is a process whereby an individual is introduced or admitted into a group, interest, skill, or religion. Initiations may be ritual occasions, but can also happen spontaneously.
Intention - The type of energy and belief that initates movement, action and experience. The most important factor in the experiencing of reality.
Intuition - The automatic discernment without the process of analysis.
Invocation - Higher order of spirits and deities being invited into a magickal circle. Also the act of drawing the aspect of a particular deity into ones physical self. Invocation is an appeal or petition to a higher power (or powers), such as the Goddess and God. This is as a prayer. Invocation is actually a method of establishing conscious ties with those aspects of the Goddess and God that dwell within us. In essence, then, we seemingly cause them to appear or make themselves known by becoming aware of them.
Kahuna - This is a practitioner of the old Hawaiian philosophical, scientific and magickal system.
Karma - The total effect of a person's actions during their successive incarnations, which determins their destiny. A Hindu concept.
Labrys - A double-headed axe that symbolizes the Goddess in ancient Crete, still used by some Wiccans for this same purpose. The labrys may be placed on or leaned against the left side of the altar.
Lamps of Art - Candles used to illuminate the altar at a ritual; they may be white, or coloured to correspond with the sabbat being celebrated or to the magickal work being done.
Last Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing. Here, the Moon is Crone.
Law of Return - Whatever energy is sent out returns to the sender multiplied. Some traditions say it is multiplied by three, and therefore call this principle the "Threefold Law".
Laws of Witchcraft - A list of rules for Witches, focusing on individual conduct and coven opperations. They are sometimes called the 'Ordains' or 'Ardaynes'. Several versions exist. Their orgins are unclear: they may be from the Burning Times, or recent, or a pastiche of ancient and modern.
Libation - Ritually given portion of food or drink to a deity, nature spirit, or ghost.
Lughnasadh - A Wiccan festival celebrated on August 1st, also known as August Eve, Lammas, Feast of Bread. Lughnasadh marks the first harvest, when the fruits of the Earth are cut and stored for the dark winter months, and when the God is also mysteriously weakens, as the days grow shorter.
Lunar Cycle - It's roughly a 29-day cycle during which the visible phase of the Moon waxes from dark to full and wanes to dark again. Much magick is geared to the energies present at certain phases.
Macrocosm - The world that is around us.
Magick - Causing changes in the physical plane due to force of human will. The projection of natural energies (such as personal power) to being about needed change. Energy exists in all things: us, plants, stones, colors, sounds, movements, words. Magick is the process of raising this energy, giving it purpose, and releasing it. Magick is a natural, not supernatural, practice, but is little understood. Magick is neither black nor white. It simply is. What the magician decides to do with the magick is another matter...
Magick Circle - A sphere constructed of personal power in which rituals are usually performed. Within it the witch is protected from outside forces. The sphere extends both above and below the surface of the ground.
Magickal System - The basic set of guidelines relating to the worship of specific Gods and Goddesses or cultural traditions.
Male Mysteries - Pagan study which attempts to reclaim the power and mystery of the old Gods for today's Pagan males.
Matrifocal - Term used to denote pre-patriarchal life when family clans centered around and lived near or on clan matriarch.
May Pole - Sexual symbol of Beltane representing the phallus.
Meditation - Reflection, contemplation- turning inward toward the self, or outward toward Deity or nature. A quiet time in which the practitioner may either dwell upon particular thoughts or symbols, or allow them to come unbidden.
Metaphysics - Philosophical belief system in that all things are a part of one main source - "know thyself" - and that each thing, animate or inanimate should be respected.
Megalith - A huge stone monument or structure. Stonehenge is the best-known example of a megalith.
Menhir - A huge stone probably erected by early peoples for religious, spiritual, or magickal reasons.
Microcosm - The work that is within us.
Monotheism - Belief in one supreme deity who has no other forms and/of displays no other aspects.
Mother - The aspect of the Goddess representing motherhood, mid-life, and fertility. She is represented by the full moon, the egg, the colors red and green. Her Sabbats are Midsummer and Lughnasadh.
Myth - Cycles Body of lore about any land or people that makes up their mythology.
Mysticism - A belief that direct knowledge of spiritual truth or ultimate reality can be attained through intutition, insight or divination.
New Age - The mixing of metaphysical practices with a structured religion.
New Religion - Pagan term used in reference to Christianity.
Nursery Rhyme - Cute doggerel or poems supposedly written for the amusement of children. Much Pagan lore was hidden in these ditties during the years of witch persecutions.
Occult - Literal meaning is "hidden" and is broadly applied to a wide range of metaphysical topics which lie outside the accepted realm of mainstream theologies.
Occultist - One who practices and or studies a variety of occult subjects.
Ogham - Celtic equivalent of the Teutonic runes. The ancient alphabet of the Celtic people.
Old Ones - The A term which refers to all aspects of the Goddess and God.
Old Religion - A name for Paganism as it pre-dates Christianity by at least 20,000 years.
Pagan/Neo-Pagan - Means from the heath, the country. General term for followers of Wicca and other magickal, shamanistic, and polytheistic Earth-based religions. Also used to refer to pre-Christian religious and magickal systems.
Paganing - When a baby is presented in circle to the Goddess and God, and given a craft name which s/he will keep until about 13 and can choose their own at their Coming of Age celebration.
Pantheon - A collection or group of Gods and Goddesses in a particular religious or mythical structure.
Pantheism - Belief in many deities who are really one because they are all merely aspects of the single creative life source. Paganism is pantheistic.
Passion Over Ritual - Ritual observed when a loved one has dies.
Past Life Regression - Act of using meditation or guided meditation to pass through the veil of linear time and perceive experiences encountered in a previous existence.
Path Working - Using astral projection, bi-location, or dream time to accomplish a specific goal. Also called vision questing.
Patriarchal - Term used to apply to the world since the matrifocal clans that worshipped Goddesses were supplanted by codified religions that honor all-male deity(s).
Pendulum - A divinatory device consisting of a string attached to a heavy object, such as a quartz crystal, root, or ring. The free end of the string is held in the hand, the elbows steadied against a flat surface, and a question is asked. The movement of the heavy object's swings determines the answer. It is a tool which contacts the psychic mind.
Pentacle - A magickal symbol consisting of a 5 pointed star, each corresponding to the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit, connected by a continusous line. A circle surrounding a five-pointed, upright star (pentagram). Worn as a symbol of a witch's beliefs. Many witches consider wearing it inverted to be blasphemy of their faith and is commonly associated with Satanism.
Pentagram - The five pointed star which has come to symbolize western Paganism. It is an ancient symbol with multiple meanings, it is always seen with its apex up. The basic interlaces five-pointed star, visualized with one point up. It represents the five elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. It is a symbol of power and protection.
Personal Power - The energy which sustains our bodies. It originates within the Goddess and God. We first absorb it from our biological mother within the womb, and later from food, water, the Moon and Sun, and other natural objects.
Polarity - The concept of equal, opposite energies. The Eastern Yin Yang is a perfect example. Yin is cold; yang is hot. Other examples: Goddess/God, night/day, Moon/Sun, birth/death, dark/light, psychic mind/unconscious mind. Universal balance.
Polytheism - Belief in the existence of many unrelated deities each with their own dominion and interests who have no spiritual or familial relationships to one another.
Poppets - Anthropomorphic dolls used to represent certain human beings in magick spells.
Projective Hand - The hand thought to be the point through which personal power is sent from the body. Normally the hand used for manual activities such as writing, dialing the phone, etc. It is also the hand in which tools such as the athame and wand are held.
Priestess - A female that is devoted to her own chosen deities.
Primacy - Paths and beliefs definitions taken on early in life, becoming important issues throught life.
Psychic - Lying outside the sphere of physcial science or knowledge, sensitive to non physical influences and perceptions .
Psychic Mind - The subconscious, or unconscious mind, in which we receive psychic impressions. It is at work when we sleep, dream, and meditate. It is our direct link with the Divine, and with the larger, nonphysical world around us.
Psychism - The act of being consciously psychic, in which the psychic mind and conscious mind are linked and working in harmony. Also known as psychic awareness.
Psychometry - The ability to obtain paranormal information from touching or hold an object.
Rede - The Basic tenet of witchcraft. "An it harm none, do what thou will. A starting place to begin learning; the Rede is like training wheels, but you must learn to expand your knowledge and grow because the Rede is a short and sweet sounding condensed version of the Pagan moral system.
Reincarnation - The process of repeated incarnations in human form to allow evolution of the sexless, ageless soul.
Ritual - An established order of words and/or actions for ceremonies in magickal workings.
Ritual Ceremony - A specific form of movement, a manipulation of objects or inner processes designed to produce desired effects. In religion ritual is geared toward union with the Divine.
Ritual Consciousness - A specific, alternate state of awareness necessary to the successful practice of magick. This state is achieved through the use of visualization and ritual. The conscious mind becomes attuned with the psychic mind, a state in which the magician senses energies, gives them purpose, and releases them toward a specific goal. It is a heightening of senses, an expanded awareness of the nonphysical world, a linking with nature and with Deity.
Ritual Tools - General name for magickal tools used by a witch or magician. They vary by tradition and usually represent one of the elements.
Runes - Set of symbols that are used in both divination and magickal workings. An integral part of a magickal system with its own pantheon.
Sabbat - A witch's festival. Meetings held at the eight major seasonal holidays: the Equinoxes and the Solstice called the Quarter Days, and at the time of each season called Cross-Quarter Days; the Cross-Quarter Days fall at or about February 2, May 1, August 2, and October 31.
Scourge - Small device made from leather or hemp which resembles a whip and is used in flagellation rites within some traditions.
Scrying - A method of divination. To gaze at or into an object (a quartz crystal sphere, a pool of water, reflections, a candle flame) to still the conscious mind in order to contact the psychic mind. Scrying allows the scryer to become aware of events prior to their actual occurrence, as well as to perceive past or present events through other than the five senses. Divination method using such things as a bowl of inked water, a mirror or a crystal ball.
Shaman - A priest or witch doctor among some Ural-Altaic eople. The Shaman uses magick to propitiate gods and spirits, to foretell the future and heal. A man or woman who has obtained knowledge of the subtler dimensions of the Earth, usually through periods of alternate states of consciousness. Various types of ritual allow the shaman to pierce the veil of the physical world and to experience the realm of energies. This knowledge lends the shaman the power to change his or her world through magick.
Shamanism - The practice of shamans, usually ritualistic or magickal in nature, sometimes religious.
Shapeshifing - The ability to change shape and form at will.
Shillelagh - Magickal tool corresponding to the staff in other traditions. Usually made from blackthorn wood.
Sigil - Magically oriented seal, sign, glyph, or other device used in a magickal working. Ones you create yourself are the most effective. Sigils can be used on letters, packages, clothing, etc.
Simple Feast - A ritual meal shared with the Goddess and God.
Sky Father - Shamanistic in origin. It assigns deification to the sky as a male entity.
Skyclad - The act of celebrating or performing magickal works in the nude. Considered deeply spiritual, NOT sexual.
Solitary - Pagan who works and worships alone.
Spell - An act of a wishful desire, a need for the spell which is either written, spoken aloud or to oneself, danced or all of the above in which full mental energy is used.
Spiral - Symbol of coming into being. Staff: Ritual tool which corresponds to the wand or athame.
Stang - Ritual tool from Pagan Rome which resembles a two-pronged trident. Often used in place of the wand or circle.
Subconscious Mind - Part of the mind which functions below the levers we are able to access in the course of a normal working day. This area stores symbolic knowledge, dreams, the most minute details of every experience ever had by a person.
Summerland - The Pagan Land of the Dead.
Sympathetic Magick - Concept of likes attract. Most common way spells are worked.
Talisman - Object that magic has been worked on to bring you something, usually a man-made object.
Tarot Cards - Set of 78 cards which feature pictures and symbols used to conned the diviner with the collective unconscious.
Tarologist - One adept at the art and science of handling the Tarot.
Telepathy - Strong identification with a vibrational frequency that allows for attunement.
Threefold Law - Karmic principle that energy that is released is returned three times over.
Tradition - Branch of paganism followed by any individual Pagan or coven.
Trilithon - A stone arch made from two upright slabs with one lying atop these. They are featured in Stonehenge.
Triple Goddess - One Goddess in all of her three aspects: Maiden, Mother, Crone.
Twelfth Night - which occurs twelve (12) days after the Winter Solstice (Yule).
Tradition - A group of Covens having a common lineage and/or common form of practice
Virgin - Youngest aspect of the Triple Goddess. Also know as the Maiden. Represented by the waxing moon, colors white and blue. Her Sabbats are Imbolc and Ostara.
Vision Quest - Using astral projection, bi-location, or dream time to accomplish a specific goal. Also called path working.
Visualization - The process of forming mental images. Magickal visualization consists of forming images of needed goals during ritual. It is also used to direct personal power and natural energies for various purposes during magick, including charging and forming of the magick circle.
Wand - Ritual tool brought to the craft from ritual magick.
Warlock - Antiquated term misused in reference to a male Witch. It means oath-breaker or Liar. Most Pagans, Witch's find the term offensive.
Web Weaving - Networking with other magickal people via conversation, writing, e-mail, to gather information which will mutually assist each party.
Wheel of the Year - One full cycle of the seasonal year.
Wicca - A modern Pagan religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of reverence for nature. Some major identifying motifs are: reverence for both the Goddess and God; acceptance of reincarnation and magick; ritual observance of astronomical and agricultural phenomena; and the use of magickal circles for ritual purposes. A religion including diverse Traditions related to many European and Mediterranean cultural sources. This religion worships feminine and masculine deities, and pays homage to The Mighty Dead. This corporation specifically excludes the Native American Religions, Native American Shaman and Native African religions from the definition of these words.
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