| Acolite |
As used in many P* notes, means a 'novice'. |
| Affirmations |
This is a belief often employed by Wiccans; that repetitive
"Positive Assertive Thoughts" will influence people and reality. Use to be called "Positive Thinking." |
| Akasha |
The 5th element, the omnipresent spiritual power that permeates
the universe. It is the energy out of which the Elements formed. |
| Alchemy |
1) Pseudo chemistry of transmuting metals.
2) Transmutation of Inner Self to a higher more spiritual plane. See
Alchemy Art & Science. |
| Allah |
'God' in Islamic theology; originally 'Al-Lat', the Moon. |
| Altar |
A table of sorts, on which is done magick. Sometimes round to
Symbolize the Goddess, or square and represents the Elements. Best made of wood, and facing East
toward the rising of both Sun and Moon. The left 1/3 is for the Goddess, center for both Deity and
right 1/3, for the God, Suggested layout (S. Cunningham / Solitary Practitioner): See my Altar notes...
|
| Altar Cloths / Tapestry Cloths |
Historically, altar cloths have been used in ritual for protection
of the sacred space. The altar is a very important part of Pagan ritual. The ritual altar is most
often the focal point, the place to make offerings and do honor to the God and/or Goddess, as well
as a place to gather ones tools and to practice magick. The altar may be ANY flat surface, either
specially designed for that purpose or not. The altar cloths are also used as decoration, as a
mood enhancer for workings, and to keep the ritual items unaffected by energies left over from
the altars daily use as say, a coffee table. Many Pagan altars have served dual purposes and the
altar cloth helps to keep the items on the alter free of these other energies. |
| Amulet |
A magically empowered object that deflects (sends away) specific,
usually negative, energies. Generally, a protective object. *Compare with Talisman. |
| Anaphrodisiac |
A substance, such as camphor, that reduces sexual desires. |
| Anglo-Saxon |
English of c.5th - llth centuries. |
| Anima / Animus |
Jungarian concept that Anima, is the buried feminine element in
a man's psyche & that ANIMUS is the buried masculine element in the female. This then fits to
the Pagan views that Self and/or Soul, is both male & female, and with the concepts of reincarnation.
|
| Animistic |
The belief that all forms of Nature has a Divine Spirit within. |
| Anointing Stick |
A piece of greenwood, with one end mashed, used to apply oil to things. |
| Aphorism |
A sparsely worded, and direct little saying. Ex.: 'As above, So below.' |
| Aphrodisiac |
A substance that produces sexual excitement. |
| Aradia |
Was the Goddess daughter of Diana, & the Goddess of choice of
those of Italian (Strega) traditions. |
| Aromatherapy |
Use of various flower, herb, oil and incense fragrances and smells.
Holistic Aromatherapy: uses massage and smell. Magickal Aromatherapy: uses smell and visualization.
See Aromatherapy Index
for more information. |
| Aspects |
Qualities or characteristics of something or Deity, etc. Ex.:
Luna is an aspect of the Moon Goddess. Orion is an aspect of the antlered or Horned God. |
| Aspecting |
This is when a person in magickal exercise, manifests ASPECTS
of a God/dess, with/in themselves. |
| Asperger |
A bundle of fresh herbs or a perforated object, used for purificatory
purposes to sprinkle water during or proceeding ritual. |
| As Above, So Below |
This saying means that universal & natural laws apply to inner
& outer consciousness. That everything is connected and is part of one another. |
| Astral |
Other existing dimensions of reality. |
| Astral Projection or AP |
The act of separating the consciousness from the physical body
and moving it about at will. |
| Astrology |
The belief that the relative positions of planets & other
Space Bodies, influence events & behavior surrounding us; & is the exercise in calculating
these related happenings. Astronomy is the hard science. See Zodiac.
|
| Astrology, Natal |
Refers to calculating the planetary influences at the time of
the subject's birth. |
| Atavism, Atavistic |
These terms refer to characteristics of all living organisms,
that has a hereditary characteristic trait or deformity, etc.; that shows up after having
skipped a generation or more. It's the reversion to the original type, like if you plant a hybrid
seed but it grows up like its wild ancestor. |
| Athame |
Also known as the Right-handed knife, black-hilted knife, Sorcerer's
knife, the Blade, Dagger, air dagger, skytooth, and many other names. A personal knife, usually made
of steel (but can be made of iron, copper, or silver) and is double bladed or edged; with a black
handle (hilt). Size varies from about 8 to 16 inches. Double edged to Symbolize that power works
both ways: healing & harming, creation & destruction; light & dark. Both sides necessary
& both sides needing controlled. The black because it absorbs power. The owner often engraves
magick symbols into the metal. A magickal tool associated with change makes it the symbol of the
Element - Fire, and its phallic nature links it to the God. The Athame is never used as a weapon and
some believe it must never be tainted with blood. It can be used instead of a wand, hand, sickle,
sword, boline, or staff during rituals.
|
| Aura |
The colored, low energy field that surrounds living tissue.
 |
| Avatar |
An advanced soul, who chooses to return to a physical body, in
order to teach less evolved souls. Ex.: Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, & Zoraster. |
| Balefire |
A fire lit, usually outdoors, for magickal purposes and traditionally
on Yule, Beltane & Midsummer. |
| Bane / Baneful |
That which destroys life. Poisonous, dangerous, destructive. |
| Banish |
The magickal act of driving away evil or negativity. A strong
purification, sometimes associated with the removal of 'spirits'. |
| Beastie |
1) one's pets.
2) small house entities or spirits.
See end of glossary for more on 'Beasties.' |
| BCE |
Before-Common-Era is the non-religious equivalent of BC. |
| Bell |
An altar tool, symbol of the Goddess and rung during ritual to
invoke Her. Also rung to ward off negative or evil and for the opposite, to evoke good energies.
Or to signal the beginning and/or end of a spell. Can symbolize the motion of the Elements and
its swinging to and fro, represent the extremes of good and evil; positive and negative. |
| Beltane |
The festival celebrated on April 30th or May 1st. It celebrates
the maturity of the God to manhood and the union of the God and Goddess, and her fertility. Also
called May Day, the old English May Pole tradition was of a phallic symbol, marking the return
of vitality, passion and consummated hopes. Pronounced b' YALt'n.
|
| Besom |
The broom, usually the round type. Symbol of the Element Water. |
| Biddy |
A 'doll' made from the last sheaf from the last harvest....
See corn dolly.
2) The little c.4" doll was made from material scraps. |
| Beyond the Veil |
Is a term pertaining to those things beyond our 'normal'
5 senses, such as angels, fairies, ghosts, etc. & things like channeling. |
| Bigotry |
Willful ignorance. |
| Biorhythm / Circadian Rhythm |
This is the study of 3 physical, intellectual, & emotional
vibrations or components, that start when we are born or at conception; opinions vary. These then
are tracked to predict high & low days in a person's life. More simply put - these are our
Internal Clocks, doing things like changing our temperature & blood pressure throughout the day...
Physical: state of the body, strength, vigor, pain, etc.
Intellectual: state of the mind, logical
thinking, problem solving ability, etc.
Emotional: state of personality, happy, irritated, angry,
sad, elated, etc.
|
| Birthstone or Sunstone |
The crystal assigned to one's birth month, representing the Sun aspect.
A natalstone. |
| Bolline / Boline |
A white handled knife, single edged to reflect it's working nature,
and used in ritual purposes of cutting herbs, or engraving candles, etc. It is a working tool as
opposed the magickal Athame. The white is to tell it apart from the black handle. Sometimes
pictured as a miniature scythe, a curved bladed tool.
|
| Book of Shadows |
A Wiccan book of rituals, spells and other magickal lore. Best
when handwritten. This is another very personal item, some say it should be destroyed at the '
passing over' of its owner, preferably by their Coven or Circle members. Some may hand it down to
their offspring to be built upon by the next generation.
|
| Book, Mirror |
A diary record of personal magickal events. |
| Bouquet |
In perfumery, a blend of natural or synthetic scents which produce
a specific odor. |
| Breed |
This is a mis-spelling of the phonetic sounding 'Bride', another
name for Brigid, etc. and refers to the Goddess as well as the holiday of Imbolc, Candlemas, etc...
Feb. 1st. |
| Brew |
See infusion, as an herbal blend steeped in water, tea. |
| Burin |
An engraving tool, often made with wooden handle carved by user and
a sharpened nail.
|
| Burning Times, The |
This refers to the period of history called the 'Middle Ages",
when an arguable number of persons were put to death, supposedly for witchcraft. Burning was
hardly the only manner of death, & witchcraft hardly the only reason. The Christian Church,
during this time stamped out religious practices they didn't understand, & added a great deal
of wealth to their coffers; as did landowners greedy of their neighbors.
 |
| Cabochon |
A cut and polished stone, with one rough edge.
 |
| Cape |
An outer garment, thrown back behind the shoulders to cover the
back; like Superman's cape. |
| Cardinal Point |
North, East, South, & West. These are often marked in the
Circle, by candles or other items. I use candles, crystals, & herbs. |
| Cartomancy |
The act of reading cards in divination work. See Tarot. |
| Catharsis |
Is from Cathartic, which is a purgative; sort of like intestinal
flu! Catharize: means to clean & purify, then
Catharsis: also means to purify but usually
thought of as emotional rather than physical, like calming music or a pretty picture; it clears
the mind, soothing the emotions, etc. |
| Catholic |
With a small 'c', means: open to all', a generic name borrowed
by the first Christians to entice people into their churches. |
| Cauldron |
An iron, fire proof pot or kettle. Usually having 3 claw feet and
a handle, this is from the Celtic stories of Kerridwen, whose cauldron had three powers:
inexhaustibility, regeneration, and inspiration. It's use is for cooking or brewing and is the
symbol of the Goddess, the Element Water, and reincarnation, immortality and inspiration.
 |
| CAW / Church of All Worlds |
Run by Morning Glory & Otter, who also run the Pagan adult
magazine Green Egg & child magazine HAM (How About Magick). |
| CE |
Common Era is the non-religious equivalent of AD. |
| Censer |
1) A heat-proof container in which incense is smoldered; an
incense burner or any similar object.
2) Symbol of the element Air. |
| Centering |
The act of feeling solid, balanced and focused emotionally. |
| Chakra |
The term encompassing the Power Points of the body; these are
spinning 'wheels' of energy:
- About 2" 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:
- Such the ones the center of your hand palms.
- Soles of the feet.
- Behind each eye.
- In front of ears, where the jaw bone hinge is.
- Above each breast.
- Behind the knees.
However, the one behind the knees or a separate one (?) is about 2" above the knee, then about 1"
toward the inside of the leg; if your press & release several times (don't rub!), you can
neutralize leg pain sometimes. |
| Chalice |
A Water Element symbol. A symbol of marriage, abundance, and
inexhaustible sustenance; see Cauldron for same qualities. An altar tool. |
| Channeling, physical |
Is the action of psychic impulses on a physical level; such as
using a tarot deck. |
| Channeling, mental |
Is the action of psychic impulses on a mental level; such as
clairvoyance. A term often used by authors wishing to sell their books, as this was quite a 'fad'
for several years... it's the exercise where a person 'channels' the thoughts of a person
considered 'dead'. This includes spirit entities, 'angels', & deceased persons. |
| Charge of the Goddess |
Not an exercise but a well-known literary work. Doreen Valiente
did it for Gardner but I don't know if she is the original writer of it or not. The High Priestess
intones these words, as the Goddess to her 'hidden children' during ritual. |
| Charging / To charge |
To infuse an object with your personal power. |
| Chatoyancy |
The property of some stones such as Tiger's Eye or Moonstone;
of showing apparent movement, illumination or opalescence, within it. |
| Cheiromancy |
The act of reading palms, or Palmistry; in divination work. Pronounced,
kie ro mancy. |
| Circadian Rhythms |
Is the same thing as biorhythms. |
| Circle |
1) Sphere of magick, either personal or coven.
2) Looser group
of Wiccans, not part of a Coven. |
| Claimer |
Granny term. Action of consciously/unconsciously of seeing an
object you want VERY much, & placing a psychic 'mark' on it, that holds the item until you can
get it... also called 'Marking It.' |
| Clairvoyance |
The ability to see things not normally perceptible to sight;
means clear seeing.
Clairvoyant: is the person with this ability.
Clairaudience: means
'clear hearing'. Clairsentience: means 'clear sensing' or empathy. |
| Cleopatra's Needle |
An obelisk shaped crystal, used as a collector of negative and
pent-up energy. Usually placed in a flower pot or sea sand to ground. |
| Cloak |
An outer garment that sits across the shoulders covering the
back & coming across to cover the front, with a clasp at the neck. |
| Cloak, Witch or Traveler's |
Same as the Cloak above, but with a hood. When used as a
Witch's garment, best make it of natural fibers; include secret pockets for tools such as herbs
or crystals; and include protective herbs in the linings. This is a personal item, DON'T let others
wear your cloak! A symbol of dignity and invisibility. Opinions vary on color meaning: dark for
protection or black for absolute evil. Opinions vary on this latter definition, many feel black
is a lack of color; drawing & absorbing & storing energy. NOTE: there is much disagreement
on the proper definition of cloak, many will say the weight or material defines it. But the ones
I've given here make the most sense to the most people. NOTE: Never approach unannounced, a person
in a black; Some wearers are not very nice & carry weapons! |
| Comehither |
Granny term. The act of 'calling' something or someone to get in
touch with you. Sometimes used in reference to an item that wants a person. Such as a crystal, that
you feel compelled to buy; or a person you feel compelled to phone. Goes both ways. |
| Cone of Power |
Some raise power during ritual, then form it into CONE shape &
send it out on the world in a magickal spell. |
| Consecration |
1) A ritual of sanctification or purification.
2) A ritual of dedication. |
| Cords of Life |
Is a Starhawk ritual. Using decorated & colored cords, the
purpose is to get an idea of 'you reap what you sow.' |
| Corn dolly |
A human shaped formed from braided grain (not corn husks) stocks,
with grain heads where the head is located. Represents the Mother Earth's fertility. Often made
from the last of the harvest...See Biddy. |
| Coven |
An organized group of Wiccans led by a Priestess, Priest or
both, and joined through initiation.
Covenstead: the home of the coven.
Covendom: is a circle
around the Covenstead, traditionally 3 miles across.
Latin: Venire & Com = together & to
come or move.
Middle English: Covin = a group of confederates.
Old French: Covine = group with
a single purpose. |
| Cowen |
A person, not of Wiccan beliefs. It use to refer, as a derogatory
term for a 'fake' or 'gameplayer'
Pagan; a Fool who doesn't know what they are talking about. |
| Coyote |
A tricky, prankster, perverse or clowning person named after
the Native American 'Coyote', who tricks man into learning needed lessons. |
| Craft, The |
Another name for the Wicca Religion. |
| Crone |
1) Third aspect of the Mother Goddess.
2) A Witch of 50 or 56
yrs, or post menopause.
3) A term of respect. Croning, then is the ritual which celebrates a
person reaching this status. The Crone Goddess rules from Lughnasadh to Samhain, when the God
aspects take over. The male counterpart can be a Sage or Seer depending on tradition. |
| Cross-Quarters |
These are the 4 holidays that fall between the Quarter holidays,
They are the midpoints of the season or Quarters & relate to lambing, harvest,
planting, & slaughter times. As opposed to Solar dates of Quarters, these being the 4 holidays
that recognize Solstices & Equinoxes. |
| Crystal |
Any of the many types of crystals, gems, minerals and rocks,
which are used according to their characteristic vibrations or qualities in Earth Magic. |
| Crystal Ball |
Though many types of crystal can be bought in sphere (round) form,
this term is almost exclusively a reference to the clear quartz type, used for scrying and
divination. Its round shape makes it a Goddess symbol, which is why periodic moonbaths will
keep it clear of negative energies and enhance its psychic powers. |
| Cup |
An altar tool that often looks like a cauldron on a stem. Symbol
of the Goddess and fertility; and of the Element Water. |
| Curse |
A conscious direction of negative energy toward a person, place,
or thing. |
| Days of Power |
See Sabbat. |
| Death |
Is reference to the physical body NOT the Soul or Spirit, which
is usually believed to go on to another body in the exercise of Reincarnation.
Deathing: is
the exercise of sitting with a 'dying' person as comforter or can be the ritual exercised to
ease the soul 'over' into its new existence.
Death In Service: meaning service to life; is
the natural death such as from illness, old age, child birth, rescue attempts or self sacrifice
to help another. BUT does NOT include murder, execution, suicide, war, torture deaths, etc.
TO ME...Death is that state of existence consisting of change, evaluation, planning, &
forgetting...DenElder |
| Dedication |
Is like a solemn promise or vow, like dedicating yourself to
Wicca before being actually initiated. Pledging yourself, would be a dedication. |
| Degrees |
This varies between traditions but a DEGREE is a level of
expertise recognized by a more adept person. Sometimes these are meaningless, self vanities but
usually a 1st Degree person can work in rituals; 2nd Degree maybe could lead the ritual; and
3rd Degree can teach & do initiations. Some groups talk about dozens of Degrees, etc. &
other people don't have any but are still just as qualified. It can get very confusing! As with
most Wicca exercises, the person must ask to be Degreed, however I don't know what happens if
there is nobody TO ask... Some High Priest/esses can recite their linages, that is: 'my degree
from so & so, who got theirs from so & so', etc. |
| Deosil |
A clockwise circle, following the Sun and Moon's motion in the
sky. It represents positive energy & a building up of, or creation of energy & exercise.
Opposite of Widdershins. |
| Divination |
1) The ritual process designed to contact the psychic mind.
2) The magickal act of discovering the unknown.
3) The act (divining) of contacting the psychic
mind by tricking, or drowsing, the Conscious Mind through ritual & observation of, or manipulation
of, tools.
NOTE: this isn't necessary for those who can easily attain communication with the
psychic mind, though they may practice it. |
| Divine Powder |
The Life Force or Energy, which exist in the God and Goddess
and the ultimate source of all things. |
| Donutting Clouds |
Granny term... this is a mental exercise which purpose is to lay
outside on your back, get comfortable, & as a slow moving cloud passes over, 'drill' a hole
through it to blue sky using mind power. |
| Dowser |
A person who is adept at using pendulum type devices; often
though, it's the Water Dowser that comes to mind, but this is only one aspect. |
| 'Drawing Down the Moon' |
The bringing of Goddess Power into one's Self, especially
during ritual. Physical changes such as voice pitch or aura brilliance can occur. |
| Earth Power |
The manifested Divine Power found in natural things. Can be
utilized by magick for needed change. |
| Eclectic |
A mixture of beliefs borrowed from various Traditions and
Theologies, as opposed to one Tradition or Theology and its set mode of ritual and belief. |
| Elements |
Earth (North), Air (East), Fire (South), Water (West).
These 4 essences are the building blocks of the Universe. Everything that exists, or has the
potential to exist contains one or more of these energies. These 4 elements formed from Primal
Essence or power, Akasha. AND for the Practitioner who wonders, "What the HECK are those people
talking about?"...
| ELEMENTS |
| Element |
Fire |
Air |
Water |
Earth |
| God Name |
Elohim |
Jehovah |
Cheieh |
Agla |
| Archangel |
Michael |
Raphael |
Gabriel |
Uriel |
| King |
Djin |
Paralda |
Nichsa |
Ghob |
| Elemental |
Salamander |
Sylphs |
Undines |
Gnomes |
I'm informed that the above goes with Quabbalah, Necromancy, RPing, & several other things!
I don't know!?! |
| Elf Lights |
Are made of little cairns of stone, with inside room for a small
candle in its glass holder. The stones are staggered so that when lit, the light shines through.
A loose stone covers the top a few inches above the flame. These are wonderful little garden lights!
|
| Elixir |
The liquid made by placing a gem or crystal, in a glass of water
for a specified length of time, then drank. Take the crystal out first! |
| Elohim |
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated to 'God'.
However this is incorrect, or maybe only partially true! ELO - is feminine; while HIM - is masculine.
'Elohim' then, is a divine being existing in 1 entity of both masculine & feminine OR can be
a reference in the plural meaning. See: Genesis 2:26' Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR
likeness....' (Note: vs27, then 'So God created man in his OWN image...' Just another little Bible
& scholarly reason to debate religions over! Elohim would apparently represent Nature in
Balance, you can't separate the masculine & feminine. Like you have both positive &
negative, etc. TWO SIDES to make ONE WHOLE. |
| Empath |
A person who can feel the emotions of other animate (living)
entities, such as human, plant or animal. Some include inanimate objects as well under this
word. NOTE: See Psychometry: inanimate objects. |
| Empower / Empowering |
The movement of personal energies into herbs, stones, and
other objects. These tools, or objects, are then used for magick. In herbs, empowering aligns
the energies within the herbs with magical goals. |
| Energy |
This is the natural vibration or power that we tap into or raise,
in our spells & rituals.
1) There are those who think of the Energy, as something they raise
or generate.
2) Others think this Energy is there for the trained person to tap into & direct.
|
| Enfleurage |
A French perfumery term describing the process of extracting
essential flower oils, with purified fat. Also known as Pommade. |
| Ephemeris |
An astrology term, it refers to a collection of precise dates
& calculations, of when certain planets were where & when. |
| Equinox |
Twice a year, VERNAL (Spring) & AUTUMNAL; the Sun is exactly
over the Earth's middle or EQUATOR. This produces for one day the equal number of light & dark
hours all over the world. Esbat: A ritual occasion celebrating the Full Moon. |
| ESP / Extra Sensory Perception |
1) beyond the senses.
2) An awareness of events or emotions not
present to the physical senses.
Usually included is 4 types: telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition,
and psychokinesis. |
| Essential Oil |
The fragrant 'blood' or liquid of a plant, usually a flower. |
| Ethereals |
See Essential Oil. |
| Evil |
Is not a word or thought used much by Wiccans. And more associated
with the Christian & Satan beliefs. |
| Evocation |
Calling up spirits or other non-physical entities, either to
visible appearance or invisible attendance. Opposite of Invocation. |
| Exorcism |
1) Traditionally, the process of driving out negativities
or spirits (demons).
2) In herb magick, a powerful purification. |
| Familiar |
A magickal equal but animal partner, it shows unusual psychic &
intelligent qualities with its human counterpart. Not merely a pet. And sometimes a created Being
from the Will of the person. |
| Fetch |
1) The spiritual or ghostly double of an animal or person.
2) An apparition. |
| Fey |
A Welsh term for fairy-like qualities, usually of clairvoyant nature. |
| Five-Fold Kiss |
This goes with the 'Blessed Be..' blessings & you kiss what
you are blessing...
(1) Each foot
(2) Each knee (3) Above 'private area'
(4) Each breast
(5) Lips...
which really gets you 8 kisses but in 5 areas. |
| Flame Dancing |
Granny term... An exercise in Mind Control attempting to control
from a distance, a candle flame; to make it burn steady & still, or 'dance'. The ultimate goal
being to snuff the candle. |
| Folk Magic |
The practice of combining Personal Power with Natural Energies,
to create a specific purpose. |
| Frith |
Old Norse word meaning 'Peace'. (Wizard) |
| Fundamentalist or Fundy |
A politically right-wing religious conservative. They are the
'know-it-alls' of the Christian belief structure & very aggressive. Disrespectful & ignoring
of others rights to freedom of religion, they disapprove even of other Christians. The Bible is
IT! Literally, & no discussion about it.. |
| Gaian |
A term which recognizes the Earth Goddess Gaia, as a living,
breathing organism. Then everything else, is PART of it, rather than APART from it. |
| Gardnerians |
Are followers of the Tradition of Witchcraft created from the
teachings of Gerald Gardner. |
| Geomancer |
Is someone who practices the art of Geomancy, which is a system of
divination that consists of making a random number of marks either on paper or a shallow box
filled with earth, then constructing a pattern of dots from those marks, which are then interpreted
for the answer. If you would like to know more about how this is done, The Golden Dawn by Israel Regardie
has a chapter about it. It's a rather complicated system, and it's used mostly in connection with
ceremonial magic.. |
| Gesture |
The hand or arm movement, that is the silent counterpart to spoken
words or music. |
| God |
The divine equal and counterpart to the Goddess. Often depicted
as the Green God of Summer and the Horned God of Winter. He is seen as the Sun, without which
we couldn't survive. His life, then is honored through the passing seasons of the year. Wild animals
are his special concern and His aspect of the Horned God, with antlered helmet was the Christian
source of titling Pagans as Satan worshippers. The God's domains are the untouched natural lands
whether mountain or desert or forest. The stars, too are his. And his symbols include: sword, horns,
spears, wand, knife, arrow, and sickle. |
| Goddess |
The divine Universal Mother, source of fertility, wisdom
and love. Often depicted in 3 in 1 aspects of: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Her gift is Life
and She is all Nature. The moon is her symbol, as are the cauldron, mirror and five-petaled
flowers, to name but a few. Also called the Goddess Mother. The 4th Face of the Goddess: is
that which is never seen, the dark side of the moon; the Face of Death. Some say the source
of Her power. |
| Grave goods |
Is NOT stuff dug up from graves!!! or grave stones!!! This is
a collection of memorabilia, collected for someone who has just passed over, often then
contained in a bag, then buried or cremated when the person is done. It can be things like
pictures or herbs to 'good wishes' & spells of an easy transformation. |
| Great Rite, The |
Is the main part of a 3rd Degree Initiation of some Traditions. |
| Grimoire |
A magical workbook with information on rituals, magickal properties
of natural objects, preparation of ritual equipment. Many include a, 'catalog of spirits'. One of
the most famous is 'The Key of Solomon'. |
| Greenwich Time |
A term used in Astrology, Greenwich is where the meridian passes
over & when the British set up a standard to make time worldwide, uniform; they started here
at the time the Sun passed over. From this start, Time Zones were set up to cover large areas &
Daylight Savings used to utilize sunlit hours but these are artificial times of convenience
for human use.. |
| Grounding |
The act of dispelling negative emotions and energies from the
physical body. |
| Hand, Projective |
The right hand, which emits energies. NOTE: Switch if left-handed! |
| Hand, Receptive |
The left hand, which receives energies. NOTE: Switch if left-handed!. |
| Handfasting |
1) The Wiccan, Pagan, & Gypsy wedding.
2) can also refer to a solemn betrothal.
There are 3 basic marriage handfasting: a year & a day;
lifetime; and time & eternity. Unlike a marriage until 'death do you part', a handfasting
will stop, if the love stops (usually).
 |
| Heathen |
A person who dwells on the heath. |
| Henotheist |
One who worships one 'God' but does not deny the existence or
value of other 'Gods'. Some Dianics are Henotheists. |
| Herb |
A plant used in cooking as seasoning, cosmetics, medically
and/or in magick. Herbalism: the practice growing, gathering & using herbs. |
| Hera |
1) A Greek Goddess.
2) A female her'o'. |
| Hex |
See Curse. |
| High Priestess / HPS |
A high status, female practitioner. One who has passed several
tests and initiations. |
| High Priest / HP |
The counterpart of the High Priestess. |
| Horoscope |
Is the computation of Astrology, & presented in a Chart.
It is erroneous to lump blanket predictions, such as found in the daily newspaper;
under this term. |
| Horoscope, To Cast |
Is the exercise of computing the Horoscope. |
| Iconoclasm |
First, icon is like a statue of a Goddess; 'OCLASM' is the
act of breaking icons, or religious images. It can also refer to the act of attacking the beliefs
of another; such as those we call Thumpers. |
| Imbolc |
The festival celebrated Feb. 2nd marking the first stirrings of
Spring as the Goddess recovers from giving birth to the God. Also called: Candlemas, Lupercalia,
Feast of Pan, Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Light, Oimelc, Brigit's Day, Snowdrop Festival,
among others. Often a traditional time for self dedication or initiation. Pronounced: IM bulk.
 |
| Immanent |
Means something abiding in, inherit of, a natural & inborn quality. |
| Incense, Combustible |
Self-burning incense containing potassium nitrate, usually in
cone, block or stick form. NOTE: incense is an Air Element symbol. |
| Incense, Non-Combustible |
Incense without potassium nitrate, requiring heat to release the
scent. |
| Incubus |
An oversexed male demon or spirit. |
| Infusion |
A liquid produced by soaking herbs in very hot water (not
boiling!). A tea, brew, or potion. |
| Initiation |
The introductory process, or admitting; of a new member into a
group (coven). |
| Intuition |
A term describing psychic information that unexpectedly reaches the
Conscious Mind. |
| Invocation |
1) An appeal or petition to a higher power/s.
2) a prayer.
3) a request for a Deity's appearance or attendance during ritual.
4) the practice that produces an awareness of Deity within. |
| King |
In Celtic/Druid magicking, there is the Holly King of the waning
year & his twin, Oak King of the waxing year. They switch at Summer Solstice, Oak from Holly.
I'm told the poem 'Who Killed Cock Robin?' has it's originals in this myth rather than English
political history.
(?) Kinging: some Wicca use this ritual for a man of middle age. See Queening.
|
| Labrys |
The double-headed axe, symbol of an ancient Creten Goddess.
It's by or against the left side of the altar. |
| Lady |
A term of respect for a Priestess, usually one who leads a
group of other Wicca practitioners. The Lady: means the Goddess. |
| Latitude |
Used in Astrology; Latitude ON EARTH is distances North &
South from the Equator. However Celestial Latitude is the distances North & South of
the Ecliptic. |
| Lemniscate |
A mathematical symbol for 'infinity'; it is a horizontal figure
8, that is the #8 lying on its side... this term comes up in reference to Tarot, &
traditionally found on the cards: I. Magician, XI. Strength, & the 3rd time, on the II. Pentacles
which formerly was the 'key' card bearing the deck maker's signature. This no longer holds true,
on newer, revised decks. |
| Livewood |
Refers to a tree in which a Dryad or Wood Sprite-type Being, is
believed to dwell. |
| Livestone |
Refers to stones, mountains, cliffs, etc, in which a Nature Being
is believed to dwell. |
| Lord |
A sometimes used term for a Priest. The Lord: is the God. |
| Luck, Good |
A person's ability to make timely, correct decisions or perform
right actions; or place oneself in positive situations. |
| Luck, Bad |
1) An unwillingness to accept self-responsibility.
2) Opposite of good luck. |
| Lughnasadh |
The festival celebrated Aug. 1, marking the first harvest of
winter food and ebbing of the Sun's (God's) energies and days grow short. A time to remember
the bounty of food we eat and each meal an attunement to Nature. Also called: Aug. Eve, Lammas,
and Feast of Bread. Pronounced: LOO n'sar. |
| Mabon |
The festival celebrated around Sept. 21, on the Autumnal
Equinox, marking the second harvest and change of Autumn toward Winter, when Nature prepares
for the time to come. A time of thanks and reflection by many old & new civilizations.
 |
| Mage |
Old English for the singular, 'Magus' and plural, 'Magi'; meaning
a wise person. Can be a term of respect for a personal with great talent in a specific branch of
magick; Herb Mage, Tarot Mage, etc. |
| Magic |
The sleight of hand tricks, having 'physical', as opposed to
'psychic' exercise. NOTE: the word 'magic' is English from the Greek 'magos', and the Persian
'magus'. The words mean a Seer or Wizard. |
| Magick |
1) The movement of natural energies to create needed change.
2) The process of building up the natural energies of certain objects for a purpose, then releasing it.
3) A natural practice of mind using matter. |
| Magick, Candles |
The practice of directing the energies emitted by burning candles
to create needed change.
 |
| Magick, Circle |
See Circle. |
| Magick, Crystal |
The practice of using energy from crystals or minerals, to create
needed change.
 |
| Magick, Herbs |
The practice of directing the energies found in herbs to create needed
change.
 |
| Magick, Knife |
See Athame & Bolline. |
| Maiden |
1) The 1st aspect of the Threefold Goddess, symbolic for creation
& beginnings.
2) A virgin.
3) In some traditions, she is the assistant HPs.
Traditionally
linked to the Waxing Moon phase, & from Imbolc to Beltane. |
| Matrix |
A word in Crystal Magick that refers to the base of a
crystal cluster, the main 'lump' part. |
| Mean Time |
Is the time our clocks s how as compared to True Solar Time. |
| Meditation |
1) Reflection, contemplation, the turning inward to Self or
outward to Deity.
2) Quiet time used to dwell on certain thoughts, symbols or to let thoughts
come as they will.
 |
| Megalith |
A huge, stone monument such as Stonehenge.
 |
| Menhir |
A single standing stone, lifted into place in ancient times. Many can
still be seen in England.
 |
| Metaphor |
Is a symbolic thought; a figure of speech which when said implies
another, though not literally alike thing or thought. Example: "Sticks as close as a tick to a hound
dog!" implies a very close attachment. |
| Metaphysical |
A 'catch-all' term referring to subjects of transcendental, or
supernatural (hate THAT word!) reality. |
| Midsummer |
The festival celebrated about June 21, on the Summer Solstice.
An excellent time for magick and is the height of the God's (Sun) strength and power, being the
longest day of the year. Also called Litha, bonfire leaping encouraged fertility, purity, health and
love. Fire being the symbol of the God.
 |
| Mighty Ones |
Beings, Deities, unseen Presences usually Invoked during
rituals/ceremonies. Sometimes linked to the Elements. |
| Mind, Conscious |
The controlled, intellectual part of mind that does everyday
work. The rational part that thinks. |
| Mind, Psychic |
The subconscious, or unconscious, mind in which we receive psychic
impulses. The psychic mind is at work when we sleep, dream, and meditate. |
| Monotheistic |
The belief of honoring Divine Unity. |
| Mother |
One of the aspects of the Triple Goddess, in this aspect She
rules from Beltane to Lughnasadh. |
| Motion, Direct & Retrograde |
These Astrological terms refer to the apparent movement of planets
through the Zodiac... Direct = Forward / Retrograde = Backwards / at the time between Direct &
Retrograde, the planet is said to be Stationary or In Its Station. |
| Mundane |
Refers to the everyday, such as Mundane or 'civil' 'Name'
would be your birth name of John; nickname Johnny; Magick Name SeaHawk. Goes for other items
as well, a Priest's mundane 'job' would be a carpenter, for example. The Unmagickal things
& side of one's existence. |
| Natural Fiber |
In reference to clothes, bags, etc; these would be cotton, linen
(from flax plant), silk & wool. |
| Necronomicon |
Was the literary invention of writer, H. P. Lovecraft. This author
is renown for his wonderful fiction. However, he lost the rights to this work and others turned
this fictional work into a 'religion' for the gullible. Perhaps after these many years of 'worship',
it can now be entitled to the title of religion. But only by a very long stretch of that definition!
As such, it deals with altering & predicting life by use of 'entities' from other planes. And
deals with 'portals' in time & dimensions. All kinds of nifty role-playing, fantasy &
sci-fi stuff! It's also deals with all kinds of gruesome things - which is so sickening &
repulsive to this person, as to make me wonder what kind of people would involve themselves in this.
Though so far my encounters with 'practitioners' of necromancy, have been young persons. And they
seem oblivious to the fact they are making some money-mongers Very Happy! I most wholeheartedly urge
everybody to Stay Away from this subject. To those who think they know better, good luck. I found
the arguments for this practice only made me more repulsed by it, and the ignorant arrogance
involved with it.
 |
| NeoPagan |
Or 'new' Pagan; a member of newly formed religions now forming
worldwide. NOTE: all Wiccans are Pagan - but not all Pagans are Wiccan. |
| Neophyte |
A term used for beginner participants of pagan activities,
sometimes incorrectly used in a derogatory manner. |
| Nitwitchery |
A showoff & braggart; one who is inconsiderate & insulting;
one who is self-aggrandizing at the expense of other's feelings, even one who is exploitive of
their knowledge & in their practices. (Ashleen O'Gaea) |
| Nodes |
In Astrology, Nodes are the places where a planet or the Moon
crosses the Ecliptic. An Ascending Node is a crossing from south to north; & Descending Node
crosses north to south. |
| Numbering of Hours |
This is an Astrology term; the start of Sidereal Time begins the
exact moment when the beginning of the Zodiac is midway between rising & setting. This is
called, "0h 0ms 0s" with the 'h', 'm', & 's' written little & up like a degree symbol is... and
this means 'no hours, no minutes, no seconds of ST at the location concerned. The Numbering of hours of
Mean Time starts at Mean Midnight which is 12 hours earlier than Mean Noon; when the Sun
would be halfway from setting to rising IF it kept mean rather than solar time. This then is
'0h 0m 0s of Local Mean time at the location involved. This all workouts to ST at Mean Noon
can be from '0h' to '24h' according to what day of the year it is. |
| Nymph |
Is a nature spirit OR can be derogatory slang for a virgin.
Hopefully not always derogatory!
 |
| Occult |
To conceal and hide away knowledge from the uninitiated.
Latin: occulere. |
| Old Ones |
A term used to encompass all aspects of the God and Goddess.
Alternative of Mighty Ones. |
| Old Religion |
Another 'Craft' term, which fits that song, "Give me that Old Time
Religion' much better than the Christian use of it! |
| Ordains |
The traditional Laws of the Craft, some for individuals &
others for covens. |
| Ostara |
The festival occurring at the Spring Equinox, about March 21,
marking the start of Spring. This fire festival celebrates the Mother Earth's fertility and
return of the God (Sun). A time of new beginnings and reproduction.
 |
| Pagan |
1) Latin: paganus / pagani = country dweller.
2) General term for magic embracing religions, such as Wicca, Druid, Shaman. Sometimes used
interchangeably with NeoPagan. |
| Paganing |
A term for the exercise of 'presenting' a newborn to one's Circle
or Coven. See Wiccaning. |
| Pallomancy |
Divining with a pendulum. See Radiesthesia. |
| Palmistry |
Is the 'reading' of palm features to explain personalities &
divine futures of the person. This interesting subject involves much more than just reading
'The Lines', there is shapes of the hand & fingers to consider; how they are held; 7 mounts
of Venus, Moon, Mars, Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, & Saturn; nail shapes; there are 'lines' for:
affection, fate, head, heart, life, & sun; there are fans, islands, stars, triangles, grilles
& branches & Not all stars are good! Some hands carry the Cross of Intuition' or the rarer
'Ring of Solomon' or maybe just a pinker Moon Mount. Fascinating subject! BUT make sure you CAN
HOLD somebody else's hand, some empaths may have trouble with this.
 |
| Pantheistic |
The belief, meaning to see the Divine as everywhere & in
everything. Sometimes explained as Pantheism is believing that 'God' & Nature are the
SAME thing. |
| Passages |
An exercise of a significant transition...Examples: birthdays,
getting over that lost love, initiations, moving to a new house, etc. Rites of Passage are
performed for various times which can also include birth, puberty, marriage (handfasting),
childbirth, menopause (croning), and death. |
| Pendulum |
A divinatory tool, consisting of a device hanging from a string;
and the deciphering of its movement. This tool contacts the Psychic Mind.
 |
| Pentacle / Pentagram |
Basic 5 point star, worn with one point up, and enclosed by a
Circle; by Wiccans. Symbol representing the Wicca Religion; the 5 senses; the Elements; and the
human body; and a protective symbol known from the times of Babylon. Symbol of power and/or
protection when hung over doors and windows. Represents the Element - Earth. A tool for summoning
the Goddess.
PENTACLE: is the article of jewelry or altar piece, etc.
PENTAGRAM: is the
drawing.
Also, penagram, pentangle. 'Pente' meaning 5, and gram/me meaning line; Greek. In
Latin PENTACULUM. The points & center can stand for: Birth, initiation, love, repose, death
& transformation. Sex, self, passion, pride, power & timelessness. Beginning, adolescence,
adulthood, elderly, ending & power to move, change, and transform. And the common meaning,
but arguable: Earth, Air, Fire, Water & Spirit. NOTE: the early Christians often wore pentacles,
for to them it represented the 5 wounds of Christ on the cross AND the parts of the human body;
that is: head, arms, & legs. Sir Gawain used it as an emblem on his shield! |
| Plane, Mental |
The thought process, conscious and unconscious. |
| Plane, Physical |
The physical body and its workings, through coordination with the
mental plane. |
| Plane, Spiritual |
A person's perception of life's existence, consisting of belief
or lack of belief in the Divine. |
| Pledge |
The Pagan self-dedication to live by established Pagan morality. |
| Polarity |
The concept of equal but opposite energies or powers. |
| Polytheistic |
The belief of honoring the Divine through various God and Goddess forms
or aspects. |
| Pommade |
See Enfleurage. |
| Power, Personal |
The energies which sustain the body and are used in Magick. |
| Precognitive |
Is the act of knowing something before the event. Opposite
of Retrocognitive: knowing something after the event or in the present. That 'knowing' that
something has happened. |
| Proselytizing |
The act of trying to convert another from their religion to
your own. Vigorous, annoying, and attacking Christian proselytizers are called Thumpers (Bible
thumping), and Fundies (Fundamentalists). |
| Psychism |
Describes the state in which information from the psychic mind
is available to the conscious mind. Greek: 'psyche', the soul. NOTE: a 'Psychic Assault' or
attack, is when a person tries to impose and intervene THEIR will, over another's. |
| Psychokinesis |
The act of mind over matter, or mind controlling matter by mind alone.
 |
| Psychometry |
The ability to receive & Interpret vibrations from inanimate
places & things. See Empath.
 |
| Quarters |
See Cross-Quarters. These are dates not coinage. Can also refer to
the Elements, such as Calling of the Quarters is Calling of the Elemental powers of North, South, East
and West during a ritual. |
| Queening |
Goes with Kinging, & is a Z. Budapest practice for mature women.
Can also be called Croning. A celebration of post-menopause life transition. |
| Radiesthesia |
The use of a pendulum for divination work... but see below &
Pallomancy.
 |
| Radionics |
Is any of several divinatory methods, where a message is received
as in RADIO, through the air; but here meaning of an intuitive exercise. |
| Re-Attribution of Arousal |
This term has to do with what normally feels 'painful', is 'pleasant'
during heightened sexual emotion. This can be carried too far, so complete candor between
CONSENTING adults, is a MUST! |
| Rede, Wicca |
This is a moral code: "And it harm none, do what you will."
Meaning no harm to another person or thing, with an unwritten but understood meaning, no
harm to Self, either. Rede: means advice or council, not law. Though Wiccans tend to take it
as an absolute lifestyle. I think it should be taken even further: that one actively do good
works, as well. See The Wiccan Rede. |
| Reincarnation |
1) The doctrine of rebirth of the spirit.
2) the process of repeated incarnations (lives), in physical form to allow the evolution of the soul.
And this gem of a description - 'the recycling for souls', Ashleen O'Gaea. |
| Right Ascension / RA |
An astrology term referring to the distance in the sky measured
along a parallel to the Earth's Equator, like longitude lines but starting at the Zodiac
beginning. As the Earth rotates on its axis each day, this celestial 'equator' & ecliptic
is carried along with the Earth's Equator from 0 degree geographical longitude to 180 degree
west & then back around to 0 degree again. |
| Risting |
The act of drawing a rune shape or letter, in the air. |
| Ritual |
1) A ceremony or festival.
2) A spell.
3) Specific movements
and manipulations to produce desired effects. In religion, its purpose is to unite Self with the
Divine. But in magick, it's to allow the person to move energy in desired ways. |
| Ritual Consciousness |
The alternate state of mind, needed to successfully practice
magick. This is the attunement of both the Conscious Mind and the Psychic Mind. At this time the
senses will be heightened and awareness expanded, beyond the physical world to the energies of
Nature and forces of the Deities. |
| Rule |
As in 'THE rule - a late 50's, early 60's faddish thing actually
& not New Age or Wicca... 'obey authority, conceal your feelings, fit in, & don't even
THINK about sex!' |
| Runes |
Divination tools, remnant of ancient Teutonic alphabets. Used
to divine current status of person or question, placed before them. The adept user can do spells
and other works with runes.
 |
| Rune, Witch's |
This is a poem chanted to raise power. Author unknown by me.
 |
| Sabbat |
1) A Wiccan festival. A time of rejoicing and celebration,
when no work is done, except in an emergency.
2) One of 8 holy celebrations of the Wiccan religion.
3) Wiccan celebration of an aspect of the Sun (God) as opposed to Esbat, the celebrations of
the Moon (Goddess).
There are 4 Greater Sabbats: Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.
These are associated with agriculture and animal husbandry (domestic like cow, sheep).
The 4 Lesser Sabbats are: Mabon, Midsummer, Ostara and Yule. These are connected to astronomical
occurrences of Sun and related daylight hours.
 |
| Sachet |
A cloth bag, usually of natural fibers; filled with herbs.
 |
| Sage |
A sometimes used term for a male 'crone'. Saging; is the ritual for a
man reaching this status. |
| Salt |
Salt is used in ritual to represent both Earth, and when mixed with water,
'the seed of life' or semen. It is purifying, male and grounding in this form. In some traditions, salt, or
salted water, represents the tears of the birthing Goddess, which were shed and became the sea. Another
common Wiccan belief is that salted water is the union of male and female into wholeness... the blood.
The sea is sacred to Gaia, thus salt is sacred. Salt is also a chief component, along with water, of
our body. It is also a natural crystal, as beautiful as quartz. A bowl of salt, is used to cleanse
other tools, crystals, jewelry or any other item that may pick up negative energy. A small bowl of
coarse sea salt (lake or earth salt may be substituted, if needed) is kept on the altar.
 |
| Samhain |
The festival celebrated on Oct. 31. The Wiccan New Year. It
marks the 'death' of the Sun God into Summerland (Land of the Young), where He awaits His Rebirth.
As Wiccans bid the God a temporary farewell, they reflect at this time, over the past year.
Pronounced: SOW wen / SEW wen / SAHM hain / SAHM ain / SAV een. Also called: Nov. Eve, Hallowmas,
Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, Feast of Soul's, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples.
 |
| Satan |
Means an opponent or adversary in Hebrew. Ha-Satan designates a
supreme evil entity; Greek: diabolos. |
| SCA / Society for Creative Anachronism |
This group historically recreates ancient battles and lifestyles;
much like those that do the Civil War enactments. Using authentic dress & weapons. |
| Scry / Scrying |
The act of gazing into an object to still Conscious Mind, allowing
contact with Psychic Mind. See Divination.
 |
| Sealing |
This term is used when a spell is 'sealed' by gestures or chant,
etc; this to contain the raised energy into the spell. |
| Secular |
Material & worldly as opposed to spiritual; thus anything not religious. |
| Self |
With a capital 'S' is reference to one's entirety of person, the spirit
& soul, if you will. |
| Septigram |
A 7 point star symbol used in ceremonial magick, representing 7
tenets of: Balance, Harmony, Humility, Learning, Reincarnation, Tolerance, Trust. (Don't know the
correct order.) Once it represented 7 angels who became 7 planets (the ones then known), called
the Mystic Star. Other 7's include Days of the Week, Deadly Sins, Mounts of the Hand, Pillars of
Wisdom, Sacraments, Virtues, & Wonders of the World.
 |
| Seven Planes of Existence |
Some people follow this reincarnation belief: that you reincarnate
at least 7 times within 7 Basic Soul Stages. The stages are: infant, baby, youth, mature, old,
transcendental, & infinite. The 7 ROLES: sage, artisan, priest, slave, king, warrior, scholar.
(This Role List seems like it would be backwards to me???)
 |
| Shaman |
A practitioner of SHAMANISM. Person who has obtained knowledge of
the subtler aspects of the World by periods of alternate states of consciousness. Native Americans
are quite adamant that only an 'Indian' can truly practice such with any real knowledge &
others are just fakes & game players, who 'practice' at the expense of respect & truth of
what Shamanism is really about.
 |
| Sideral Time / ST |
An astrology term, this is the apparent movement of the sky as
a whole but which movement is caused by the Earth rotating. 360 degree of RA pass over a location in
24 Sidereal Hours (which equals 1 Sidereal Day); 1 hour of sidereal time equals 15 degree of
RA; 1 degree of RA equals 4 minutes of time. |
| Sight |
Refers to Second Sight, or Clairvoyance. |
| Simple Feast |
A ritual meal of sharing with the God and Goddess. |
| Sky Clad |
A term meaning nude, usually referring to state of undress while doing
rituals.
 |
| Smudge / Smudging |
In European practices, herbs were thrown on the fire to produce
clouds of scented smoke. Smudge, which is either a bundle of herbs for burning or the ash of sacred
herbs used for anointing, is borrowed from Native American practices and can usually be held in the
hand instead of thrown on a fire. For a nice change, burn Rosemary instead of traditional Sage or
Sweetgrass. Stick incense can be used as burning smudge in a pinch, but the ash is fairly worthless.
Smudge is used instead of censer or oil for purification purposes.
 |
| Solstice |
Occurs twice a year, midway between the 2 Equinoxes, producing a
day with the shortest light & longest dark hours in Dec. & a day of longest light &
shortest dark hours in June; both occur about the 21st in their months.
|
| Sortilege |
Noun, having to do with 'sorcery', may be the easiest way to
understand this word. |
| Sound Magick |
Has to do with energy raised by a single note, or pitch, etc. Like
'OMMMMMmmmmmmm'. |
| Spell |
A magical ritual or an act wherein a person actively bends &
gives directive to natural energies for a needed purpose. |
| Spirits of the Stones |
The naturally inherent elemental energies, of the four corners
of a Circle, personified. They are linked to the Elements. |
| Spirit Subjects |
Other words having to do with Spirit or Soul, are Wraith (Raith)
which is Spirit Ectoplasm; Ethereal which is Spirit Matter or Ectoplasm. These words are the name
of what a Spirit emits of itself. Terms are arguable! |
| Spiritualism |
Is the belief that the spirits (or 'dead' people) can talk to us in
this dimension. |
| Staff |
A magickal tool, traditionally made of well-seasoned hardwood,
straight, and owners height in length. Sometimes, chakra crystals are imbedded at the appropriate
heights. A phallic and Solar symbol. If entwined with a vine, such as ivy or ribbons, and surmounted
by a pine cone; then this tool is a Thyros.
 |
| Stars, Fixed / Wandering |
In Astrology; a Fixed Star is a regular star like makes up the
constellations but a Wandering Star was a term meant for planets & our moon. Some Astrologers &
horoscopes still refer to these as 'The Stars', which is just a romanticism now. |
| Star of David |
This well known Jewish symbol, represents the united male &
female. Consisting of 2 triangles, the one pointing up is the 'male' & the downward pointing
one, represents the 'female'; thus overlapping to form the 'Star', it represents ELOHIM (God),
see that entry.
 |
| Star/ing Oneself |
A Self Blessing exercise that one does by taking Projective Hand
& making a Pentacle motion, touching yourself: forehead, left breast, right shoulder, left
shoulder, right breast, forehead. Resembles the Blessing exercised by Catholics. You want to
visualize yourself protected & 'Blessed' during this exercise. |
| Star, 7 Point |
See SEPTAGRAM. |
| Strega |
An Italian Witch. See Aradia.
 |
| Succubus |
An oversexed female demon or spirit.
 |
| Summoner |
In some Traditions, this is a male who is the counter - part of the
MAIDEN, as is he the assistant HP, |
| T'ai Chi |
Is an exercise to learn how to regulate one's breathing, relax, and meditate.
It calms. See
T'ai Chi Chuan Therapy for more information. |
| Taboo |
Forbidden object or exercise. |
| Talisman |
An object empowered with magickal energy to attract a specific force or
energy. Opposite of Amulet.
 |
| Tapes |
A slang for the psychological conditioning received by children from
adults. The "do's and don'ts". |
| Tarot |
Is the name given to a special deck of cards used as a tool for
divinatory purpose. These cards are the ancestors of modern playing cards. Traditionally numbering
78 cards, of which 21 make up the Major Arcana & the rest are divided into 4 suits (cups,
wands, pentacles, & swords) of Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana or Greater Secrets were lost
through the efforts of the Christian clergy. The 5th suit, which causes much argument MAY have
represented Spirit or be a reference to the Major Arcana or may not have ever existed at all.
I mention it, just to make you aware of the ongoing argument.
 |
| Tasseography |
The act of 'reading' tea leaves in divination work.
 |
| Telepathy |
The act of 'thought transference'.
 |
| Thaumaturgic |
Pray for divine intervention, like 'God give us world peace.' |
| Thealogy |
New usage and spelling of Theology, meaning the 'Study of Goddess. |
| Theology |
Is Greek, meaning the 'Study of God. |
| Theurgic |
Pray for yourself, like 'God make me more understanding with other people.' |
| Third Eye |
This is the sensitive area between the eyes & up about an inch.
Site of a Major Chakra, the Pineal. It relates to intuitive input to the Conscious Mind & is often
called The Mind's Eye.
 |
| Thurible |
An incense burner that hangs from a chain, and swung by a carrier,
to spread its smoke (Air Element symbol). Used during rituals to cleanse the space within the
magic Circle. Fire Element symbol.
 |
| Tincture |
A liquid produced by soaking plant parts (herbs), in ethyl alcohol
or vinegar, to produce a scented liquid or an herbal extraction used as a health tonic. |
| Tools |
The instruments, empowered with magick; used by Pagans. These
would include runes, tarot, candles, crystals, wand, censor, etc. Tools should be physically
cleaned, consecrated and even engraved, prior to use for ceremonial purposes.
 |
| Tools, Non-Physical |
The three most generally used are: music, dance and gestures.
These raise power, alter consciousness and serve to unite Self, with Deity. |
| Tradition, Wiccan |
A specific branch or sect of Wiccan religion, with its own structured
practices. |
| Transcendent |
Means 'it'... surpasses all, is supreme in excellence, & is beyond
all human knowledge. |
| Trilithon |
A feature found in Stonehenge, composing of 2 upright slabs of
stone, supporting 1 slab of stone crosswise to make an arch.
 |
| Triskelion |
This is a triple, overlapping triangle symbol and represents Fate(s).
One side of each triangle is missing, and this gives an overall impression of movement & activity,
of energy in action. |
| True Solar Time |
An Astrology term; the Sum moves around its Ecliptic of 360 degree
in 1 year, advances in the Zodiac by 1 degree each day. Noon is the Sun's point halfway between
rising & setting. So when the ecliptic point in which the Sun was at noon yesterday, is itself
halfway between rising & setting today, it is not yet quite noon but will be when the next degree
of the ecliptic gets there, which now contains the Sun. This equates to a True Solar Day being
a little longer than a Sidereal Day, a Solar hour being longer than a sidereal hour, etc. This
puts the Sidereal Noon time about 4 minutes later each day & 2 hours later each month.
|
| Visualization |
The process of forming clear mental images. An important part of
magical practices, and is a function of the Conscious Mind. Lady Jana explains, "Since sight is so
important for most people, we talk about 'visualization,' but what we should call it is 'imagination.'
See Visualization
Therapy and Imagery Therapy
used for relaxation and health therapy.
|
| Wand |
A magickal tool, traditionally made of wood, 13 inches (the number of
full moons) in length (some may be up to 21 inches) or the length from elbow to users fingertips
(the longest finger); and tapered base to tip. A wand should always be made of wood, although whether
that wood is stripped of its bark or shaped in any way is up to its crafter. Ash, Yew, Oak, White Pine,
Apple, Hawthorne, Blackthorn, Birch, Willow and Rowan are the most common woods used in wand creation,
and the wand of lightening struck wood is supposed to be exceptional. It can be plain, painted,
stained and/or engraved. The wand may be polished with beeswax. It is an instrument for invocation
and represents the Element - Air. It can be used instead of the Athame, hand, sword, or staff in rituals.
A unique wand, the Priapic Wand, is used in the fertility festivals and Handfastings of some trads.
Its use seems to have greatly declined in the past ten years or so, but it still is the standby at
Handfastings. Its use is included in the rituals of many eclectic groups across the country. Named for
Priapus, the Roman God of Procreation, the wand is "The length of a man's arm with the last bit the
size and shape of a male member (phallus)" for this reason it is sometimes referred to as the Phallic
Wand. Other forms of the Priapic wand end with an acorn or pine cone, and are used as symbolic phalluses.
Feminist Wicca seems to prefer these alternate forms. Also called the Maypole Wand or the Male
or God's Wand.
 |
| Warlock |
Wiccan folk do NOT usually use this word for a 'male witch'! Rather
its meaning is from the Old English (one source: Scottish) word: waerloga. A word for an
untrustworthy man, an oathbreaker, sometimes an eunuch (castrated male). It's thought to have
come into usage for a Witch by other Witches, who has betrayed them. |
| Watchtowers, Guardians of |
This term is used for the Elementals, & They are Energy Forms,
raiths or Spirits of the 4 Elements. Originally used in the Enochian Tradition of Ceremonial Magick
but whose usage is now widespread. Those Entities connected to the Elements & Directions &
certain attributes:
| WATCHTOWER GUARDIANS |
| Center |
South |
East |
West |
North |
| Spirit |
Fire |
Air |
Water |
Earth |
| Intuitiveness |
Change, Passion, Willpower |
Thought, Intellect |
Emotions, Purification |
Stable, Solid, Dependable |
| Unisexed |
Masculine |
Masculine |
Feminine |
Feminine |
| Soul |
Red |
Yellow |
Blue |
Green |
They are both visible & physical but invisible & spiritual. They are invoked during ritual as
protectors of our Circle of Power & sometimes as advisors. Some 'set' these Guardians, during
rituals; in a more complex exercise than simply invoking the Elements. |
| WICCA |
1) The contemporary pagan religion pre-dating Christianity.
Expresses reverence for Nature, viewing Deity in all natural things; uses magick; worship is
of God (Lord) and Goddess (Lady). A follower of Wicca, is a Wiccan.
2) Meaning: wise ones,
and/or to turn, bend & shape. Wicca is often termed the 'new name' for Witches, and there
seems to be some argument as to its proper use.
3) "A religion of experience rather than dogma."
NOTE: Anglo-Saxon, wicca is masculine & wicce, feminine; and means a person who Divines
information. Old English, wicce & Saxon, wych; means 'to turn, bend, and shape'. Indo-European
root word of 'wic' & 'weik'; also means 'to bend or shape'. Germanic 'wit', means knowledge,
or to know. Including 'witch' as one of its derivatives. |
| Wiccaning |
The act of parents, promising to rear their child in the Wiccan culture.
See Paganing.
 |
| Wicca Scripture |
The lessons learned by observing Nature. |
| Widdershins |
The opposite of Deosil. It is the counter-clockwise movement around a
circle, to disperse or tear down negative energy. Used in binding spells. |
| Wise Ones |
The personifications of traditional God/desses and hero/as, and
ancient teachers. |
| Witch |
1) Sometimes used name of a follower of Wicca.
2) Ancient, European practitioner of folk magick, especially that of herb and 'simple' magicks.
NOTE: Saxon for 'wych'.
 |
| Witchcraft |
The craft used by Witches, which is Magick. Especially, that
utilizing personal power with the energies of natural objects. |
| Wizard |
Old English meaning, 'one who is wise.'
 |
| Wraith |
See Spirit subjects.
 |
| Worlds, Between The |
Other aspects & dimensions of the physical, spiritual, &
psychological, etc. |
| Wort |
An ancient word meaning herb, as in mugwort. |
| Yeshua |
Is Hebrew, for - Jesus |
| Yule |
The festival celebrated about Dec. 21, on the Winter Solstice
(shortest day of year). It marks the God's rebirth from Goddess, and reminds us that Death's product
is Rebirth! The American Heritage Dictionary says modern 'yule' is from Middle English, 'yole' or
'yule'; which comes from Old English 'geol/geohhol'; from Common Germanic, 'jehwla/jegwla',
meaning unattested. However, the Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols, pg 197: 'yule', is from the
Gallic 'gule', meaning a wheel. Domi also said it was Germanic. Thanks to Thorelk, for helping
track this all down!
 |
| Zenith |
An astrology term... point when a celestial body is directly overhead.
NADIR is the exact opposite.
 |
| Zodiac |
A Greek name given to the 'belt' of stars through which the
planets APPARENTLY pass centrally through. The ECLIPTIC is the circle line on the celestial
sphere (like an Equator), which lies in the plane of the Sun's APPARENT orbit around the Earth.
The Zodiac then is divided into 12 parts called SIGNS or HOUSES: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer,
Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, & Pisces. The in between of a
House, is a CUSP. And these Houses or Signs are then part of an ELEMENT (count 1, 2, 3, 4 to place
every 4th matching) - Fire, Earth, Air, or Water. Then you have POLARITY: Fire & Air = positive /
Water & Earth = NEGATIVE. Further, Fire is opposite Air & Water, opposite Earth.
|
| Zodiac Quarters |
The Zodiac begins at the Vernal Equinoctial point or Spring,
where the ecliptic crosses the Equator south to north. The 4 quarters are divided then by solstices
& equinoxes. Each quarter is further divided by 3 Signs: Cardinal starts, Fixed persists the
process, & Mutable completes. Image below is the zodiac quarters of the moon.
 |
| Zyzygy |
An astrology term... event when 3 or more heavenly bodies (that is, planets,
etc.), align up. |
| ODD NOTES |
DEFINITION |
| g |
small grin |
| G |
big grin |
| BG |
big grin |
| VBG |
very big grin |
| AFEM |
feminine 'amen' |
| AMLABB |
All my love and bright blessings. |
| BEEG |
very, very big & large of an often exaggerated, but with humorous intent,
size |
| BTW |
By the way. |
| God/dess |
Short for God AND Goddess, saving writing space. |
| HP |
High Priest |
| HPS |
High Priestess |
| HPMS |
A derogatory reference, which I think the meaning is quite clear. |
| IMOHP |
In my own humble opinion or IMOHO |
| KISS |
Keep it simple, stupid. |
| LOL |
Laughing out loud. |
| LYLAS |
Love you like a sister! |
| NMPR |
No more public replies. |
| P* |
Prodigy |
| PMS |
No not THAT!, This one is... Patriarchal Monotheistic System |
| ROFL |
Rolling on floor laughing. |
| s/he |
Short for SHE and HE, saving writing space. |
| TTYL |
Talk to you later. |
| TTYS |
Talk to you soon. |
| BICKEN |
Bitchen Wiccan. |
| WICKEN |
Wicked Wiccan. |
| BEASTIE TYPES |
DESCRIPTION |
| BEASTIE |
DenElder's term for the little house spirits that beg for attention
by stealing your keys and driving your cat crazy! Can be overly protective, and helpful though
really mischievous if you don't acknowledge them from time to time. There is no way to command
their loyalty or bonding with you; however, earnest 'willing' and 'calling' for such will generally
bring one to you. Negative magicking and exercises on YOUR part, will drive one away. |
| HOB |
Imp or minor Nature Spirit. Love water wells, keeping the water
purified. Love cream (fat that came to the top of cow's milk). Hate cats because cats would steal
their creamed milk. |
| TOMTEN |
Scandinavian farm Elf. These tiny beings, with a long beard and
colorful cap; sees to the well-being of the farm animals. His nightly rounds of the farm brings
fertility, success, prosperity, and good luck. |
| AWD GOGGIE |
A Nursery Bogie (one used to scare young children) A protector of
fruit most often found in woods and orchards. |
| BAUCHAN |
(Buckwan) A less friendly type of brownie. One of the few types who
will not leave when seen by the human residents of his home. They mostly stay around just to play
tricks, but can be very helpful when the proper mood strikes (i.e. - Callum mor Macintosh had a
love/hate relationship with his Bauchan companion. The love side must have been stronger because
when Callum moved to the states his Bauchan came before him & cleared his plot of land for him.)
|
| BOGGART |
Another Brownie type quite akin to a poltergeist. A Yorkshire
family had a Boggart that lived in their cupboard & caused so much mischief that they felt
they were forced to move to get away from it. That is until everything was packed up & ready
to go & the boggart popped out of the butterchurn & revealed that he was coming with them. |
| BROWNIE |
The most famous of the house sprites. A Brownie will stick around
& finish extra cleaning as long as he gets food for his labor. The food must never be directly
offered to the Brownie & one must never try to see him. The breaking of either of these taboos
will cause the Brownie to become angry & leave. A well treated Brownie can be incredibly helpful,
& faithful to no end. He will often punish the servants, call for a midwife or doctor when one
is needed, & some have loved their human companion so much that they are said to have immigrated
to America with them. The best place to leave food for a Brownie is on a warm hearth. |
| CLURICAUNE |
Perhaps the most amusing of house spirits. A cousin to the
Leprechaun the Cluricaune somehow ended up lacking any of his well-known relatives industriousness.
His primary concern is wine, wine, & more wine. The only way the Cluricaune really will help you
is by scaring greedy drinkers away from your wine stock. (Doesn't really help much anyway since he
will end up drinking it all himself.) It is wise to watch your alcohol intake when you have a
Cluricaune they don't like anyone else drinking too much of "their" wine: usually a good hearty
pinch is the price for drunkenness. |
| FAERIES |
A term that in reality is used to cover many things that are of
absolutely no relation to the true faerie folk. True faeries are members of the Tylwyth Teg or
the Daoine Sidhe. I'm sure it can be used a bit more broadly than that, but I'm biased. |
| GRUGACH |
Can appear as a fair lady dressed in green, a slender male dressed
in red or green, or a small, naked hairy imp-like creature. They will do Brownie type labor or
guard cattle if you offer them milk. |
MoonDragon's Pagan Pathways - Dragon's Lair Pagan Parlor: Runes Index
PaganParenting.net: The Pagan Parenting Page
