Definitions

ALTARS

Any raised place or structure on which sacrifices may be offered
of incense burned as an act of worship.

ATHAME

Black handled, double edged dagger. Principally used to cast and dissolve
the circle, for which purposes it is interchangeable with the magic sword. A tool
of the "Element" of Fire in the Georgian Tradition and some others.

BANISH

To release or drive away a conjured spirit from the power of the magick circle.

BINDING

A magickal spell which usually involves the tying of knots on a cord, and is
performed to control the actions of another. There is much controversy
over the ethical and morality of binding spells.

BOLLINE

A practical working knife used by Witches to harvest herbs, cut wooden wands,
slice bread, and carve magickal symbols in candles and talismans.

BOOK OF SHADOWS

Traditionally hand copied book of rituals, recipes, training techniques, guidelines,
and other materials deemed important to a Witch or a coven. Each tradition
has it's own standard version of the Book and each Witch's book will
be different as he or she adds to it with time from many differen sources.
Only another Witch can see your book of shadows. Also, traditionally, it
may never leave your hands or possession until death, when it should be
destroyed, or (in some traditions) returned to the coven to be disposed of.

BURNING TIMES: A term used by some Witches for the period of persecution in the
Middle Ages and later. It is in fact a misnomer in some places,
as Witches were only burned in Scotland, and on the continent of Europe.
In England and the U.S., they were hanged.

CANDLE MAGICK

A form of magick that uses colored candles to represent things and people
at which the spells are directed. Each color symbolizes a different attribute,
influence and emotion.

CARDINAL POINTS: North, South, East, and West, marked in the Georgian Tradition by candles
of green, red, yellow, and blue, respectively. The Circle is drawn to connect
these four points.

CAULDRON

A black pot usually cast iron) used by witches that symbolically represents
the womb of the Goddess, and it is used for various purposes..
including burning incense, and holding herbs.


CHALICES: One of the tools of the Witch. Placed on the altar to represent
the element of Water.


CHARGE OF THE GODDESS: The Traditional words of the Goddess to her followers, or "hidden children".
Normally declaimed by the HPS at every coven Circle.

CHARMS

A magickal object that works like an amulet or talisman to keep away misfortune.

CIRCLES; The area in which the magickal worship and spells takes place. Can
also be used to designate a particular group of Witches or Pagans
such as "Silver Acorn Circle".

CONE OF POWER: Power raised in the circle by the Witches assembled, and sent out into the
world to work magick, is usually visualized as being retained and built in
the form of a "cone" prior to release.

CONSECRATION

The act of making something sacred. The removal of negative
influences from ritual tools, the magick circle, etc.

COVEN

An organized group of Witches, led by a High Priestess and/or a High
Priest who meet regularly for worship and fellowship. The traditional
membership is ++++13, but in fact most covens number considerably less.
3 is the minimum in the Georgian Tradition. In Middle English, "Covin" a
group of confederates; In Old French "Covine" a band or group with a
single purpose; Latin "Com"-together, "Venire"-to come or move.

COVEN STEAD

Regular meeting place for a coven. Usually
the home of the High Priestess or High Priest

DEITY

A supreme or diving being; a God or Goddess.

DEOSIL

Clockwise, or sun wise. Traditional direction for working
"building" magick.

DRAGONS BLOOD

The Resin from the palm tree Daemonorps draco is used by witches as
a magickal incense for various spells. Is a highly valued herb
for protection, and dispelling of negativity.

DRAWING DOWN THE MOON

Ritual invocation of the spirit of the Goddess into the body
of the High Priestess by the High Priest.

DIVINATION

Magical method of exploration or inquiry into a situation via
such methods as Tarot Cards, Rune stones, Crystal glazing, etc.

ELEMENTS: Earth, air, fire, and water, plus spirit, which includes them all.
These are regarded as realms or categories of nature (both
material and non-material) and are not to be confused with the
physicists table of elements, which the modern witch,
of course, accepts.

ELEMENTALS
Also known as "Guardians of the Watchtowers" or the four directional points of a magickal circle. The Elements are perceived by Witches as magickal spirits of the four ancient elements. Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Earth/North/Green Air/East/Yellow Fire/South/Red Water/West/Blue

ESBAT

A regular meeting of a Witches coven or circle that is
traditionally held during the full moon approx. 13 times a year.

FAMILIARS

Either a Witch's pet animal which has been trained to be a magickal helper,
or an artificially created "elemental" which performs the same functions as
the animal friend.

FIVEFOLD KISS

The Witches' ritual salute, with kisses; (1) on each foot, (2) on each knee,
(3) above the pubic hair, (4) on each breast, and (5) on the lips- really
8 kisses in all. It is only used within the Circle, but the words
that go with it are the origin of "Blessed Be."

GNOMES

An "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the plane of Earth
or is associated with the EARTH Element.


GREAT RITE: The rite which is the main feature of the third degree initiation,
and which is also laid down for certain festivals. It is sexual
in nature, but may be `actual' (and private to the couples
concerned) or symbolic, as the participants wish.

HALLOWS

Name used by some traditions for Samhain, or Halloween.

HANDFASTINGS: Wiccan equivalent of a wedding. It can be made legal if the Priestess
and/or Priest are registered as clergy with the local authorities, or it
may only be considered binding within the coven.

HIGH PRIEST/ESS: Technically speaking, a Witch who has received the 3rd. degree initiation.
More usually, the male and female leaders of a coven.

INCANTATIONS

The ritual recitation of words of power or special phrases,
usually rhymed, in order to produce a magickal effect.

INVOCATION

The ritual "calling-in" of an entity (or energies) higher than human, either
for communication with the caller through a medium or by visible
manifestation or else to enter into a human body as in the
Drawing Down the Moon. In some traditions, a Prayer.
: KARMA

The law of cause and effect that applies to all of our actions

and their consequences either in this life or in future incarnations.
The law of cause and effect that applies to all of our actions
and their consequences either in this life or in future incarnations.

LAMMAS

August 1st. Witch Festival. The Old Celtic name for this festival is Lughnasadh.
It is the Festival of the First Fruits, and is the first of the 3 harvests.
This festival also marks the change of the Threefold Goddess energies
from that of Mother to Crone.

MAIDEN: An appointment held by one of the women of the coven. She is virtually
the assistant High Priestess. This term is also
the descriptive term used to describe the first of the aspects
of the Threefold Goddess Energies (Maiden, Mother,
and Crone). It is traditionally associated with the Waxing Moon, and the
period from Imbolc (Candlemas) to Beltane (May eve) where the energies
are those of initiating, beginning, and creation.

MEDITATION

A technique of mind control that produces a feeling of tranquility
and peacefulness, and often leads to transcendental awareness.
Meditation, is an ideal tool for both self-improvement
and spiritual growth.

MOJO BAG

A small leather or flannel bag filled with a variety of magickal items
such as herbs, stones, feathers, bones, etc. Carried and worn as
a charm to attract or dispel certain influences.

OLD RELIGION

Another name for the Craft.

PAGANING: Presentation of an infant to the Circle and to the Gods.

PENTACLE: A disc shaped talisman; in particular, the metal disc which represents
the earth element among the witch's working tools.
: PENTAGRAM
: The five-pointed star. With a single point uppermost,
it represents the human being. Inverted, with two points uppermost,
it can have Satanist associations; but not necessarily. Some traditions of
Wicca use the inverted pentagram to signify an initiate of the second degree.

POLYTHEISM

The belief in or worship of more than one God or Goddess.

QUARTERS: The North, East, South, and West parts of a magickal circle or
other ritual area. (See also "Watchtowers")

REINCARNATION

A rebirth of the soul in successive bodies; also, the belief in such rebirth.

SABBAT
One of the Eight festivals or high holy days of Wicca.

SCRYING: Divination, usually using such methods as crystal gazing, or divination
via incense smoke, or water as opposed to tarot or other manipulative means.

SPELL: A prayer, or verbal direction of magickal energies toward
the accomplishment of some goal.

SUMMONER
The male officer of the coven who corresponds to the Maiden. He is the assistant High Priest.

TRADITIONS: Any of the various "sects" of Wicca such as
Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Georgian, Seax, etc.

WAND: A rod or staff that is prepared so that it may be used for magickal
or psychic purposes, usually to project some form of power.


WARLOCK: A term coined in the Burning Times . It was used to denote a traitor
to the Craft, or one who had betrayed the followers of the Old Religion.
It's origin is Scottish. Because of the negative connotations, it is not used
by most Wiccans today.

WATCH TOWERS: Originally from the Enochian branch of Ceremonial Magick, now
incorporated into many "Traditions" of Wicca, these are the four
elemental "directions" or "quarters" (corresponding to the
appropriate points on the compass) called to protect the Circle during its
establishment. Each of them have a correspondence between the compass point,
an element, and (varying amongst different traditions) color associated with them.

WICCA: The name most modern day Witches use for the Craft. It comes
from the Anglo-Saxon word Wicce, meaning to bend or to shape.
This is the root word from which we get wicker.


WIDDERSHINS: Counter clock wise. Used for "tearing down" OR BANISHING magick.


WHITE HANDLED KNIFE: The working knife of a Witch. It is used to carve candles, and for
fashioning the other tools. Traditionally, it can only be used in a Circle.

Merry Meet...Merry Part...

Merry Meet Again