AKASHA/AKASHA PRINCIPLE - the spiritual ether (or Aether); the omnipresent
fifth occult element which embraces the other four- earth, air, fire,
and water; and from which they stem. This is the realm
of "pattern" or causality, from which the realm the
normally thought of "five senses manifests. Some define it is
the "other" of the "two worlds" that the witch or
magician walks between.
ALEXANDRIANS - Contemporary Witches who recieve their initiation into
an Alexandrian tradition, and who, in general, adhere to their principles.
ANKH - The crux ansata or looped cross, the ancient hieroglyph for Life,
widely used as a symbol of occultism in genderal. When combined with
a five-petalled rose it is a badge of the Alexandrians (q.v.),
ARADIA- Daughter of the Goddess Diana, and a name for the Goddess used
by Italian Witches or Strega, commonly used in
many Wiccan traditions today.
ASPECTING - Any advanced magickal activity in which a practitioner manifests a
particular aspect of the Goddess or God, in thought, feelings,
behavior, appearance, etc.; Often as a direct result of a
"Drawing Down". Often a minor variation of this phenomena
occurs with the selection of a "Magical Name", of Craft Name.
ASPECTS - Forms, facets, or personas of Deity: for example, Brighid,
Iseult,Eos, and Kore are all aspects of the Maiden, and the Maiden is
an aspect of the Goddess.
ASTRAL BODY - The psychic 'double' of the physical body, consisting of
substance more tenuous than matter, but having denser than the mind
or spirit.
ASTRAL PLANE - The level of being and consciousness on which tge astral
body (q.v.) functions. It covers a broad spectrum, the 'lower astral'
corresponding closely to the physical plane, the 'upper astral'
approaching the purely mental.
ASTRAL PROJECTION - The art of transferring consciousness from the
physical to the astral body (q.v.), so that one perceives and moves
about in the astral plane (q.v.) while the physical body remains inert.
ATHAME - The Witches black-handled
knife, double edged dagger. It is used purely as a ritual tool.
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.
BELTANE - May Eve festival. One of the Ancient Celtic "Fire
Festivals." on this night, the cattle were driven between two
bonfires to protect them from disease. Couples wishing for fertility
would " jump the fires" on Beltane night. Also the
traditional Sabbath where the rule of the "Wheel of the
Year" is returned to the Goddess. This Festival also marks the
transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of
Maiden to Mother.
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 different 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.
CABALA - The ancient Hebrew system of esoteric philosophy
centering around the Tree of Life. Probably the biddest single
influence on the Western Occult Traditions. (Also spelled Kabbala,
Qabala, etc.)
CANDLEMAS - Festival held on Feb. 1. One of the 4 Celtic "Fire
Festivals". Commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the
Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates the first signs of Spring. Also
called "Imbolc" (the old Celtic name). This is the seasonal
change where the first signs of spring and the return of the sun are
noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the
Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the festival commemorating
the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the
agricultural year. This Festival also marks the transition point of
the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden.
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.
CHALICE - 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 or God to
her or His followers, or "hidden children". Normally
declaimed by the HPS at every coven Circle.
CIRCLE - 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 - The collective 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.
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, (ideally 6 women, 6 men and the HPs)
but in fact most covens number considerably less. 3 is the minimum in
the Georgian Tradition. In Middle English, "Covin" a group
of confederates; In Old French "Covine" a band or group
with a single purpose; Latin "Com"-together,
"Venire"-to come or move.
COVENSTEAD - regular meeting place for a coven. Usually the home of the High
Priestess or High Priest.
COWAN - a non-Witch. Formerly used in a very derogatory manner. Still used
in Masonic Ritual to indicate the non-initiate and/or pretender to
"real craft". Not often used today among most Witches.
COYOTE ENERGY - trickster energies. Named for the American Indian
Trickster, Coyote, who tricks man into learning what he needs to
learn. Applies to one who constantly jokes and clowns. Also applies
to the concept of "Holy Fool" in many traditions.
CROSS QUARTER DAYS - The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of
Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas.
DEOSIL - clockwise, or sunwise. Traditional direction for working
"building" magick. 'White' Circles are alays cast and
banished deosil, in the Northern Hemisphere at least. South of the Equator, where the sun
moves anti-clockwise, there are good arguments for casting and
banishing anti-clockwise. (see also Widdershins.)
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, runestones, I- Ching, 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.
ESBAT - weekly or biweekly meeting of a coven. Traditionally held either on
the full moon or the new moon.
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, FIVEFOLD SALUTE - 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."
GARDNERIANS - Tradition of Witchcraft descended from the teachings of Gerald Gardner.
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 participantswish.
HALLOWS - name used by some traditions for Samhain, or Halloween
HANDFASTING - 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.
IMBOLC - Celtic name for Candlemas.
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.
LAMMAS - August 1st. Witch Festival. The Old Celtic name for this festival
is Lughnassadh. 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.
OLD RELIGION/OLD WAYS - another name for the Craft.
PAGANING/WICCANING - 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.
QUARTERS - The North, East, South, and West parts of a magickal circle or
other ritual area. (See also "Watchtowers")
REDE - rule or law.
SABBAT - one of the Eight festivals or high holy days of Wicca.
SALAMANDER - an entity that dwells in the realm of Fire.
SAMHAIN - The festival of remembrance for the dead, held on the eve of Nov.
1st. It is the last of the three harvests. This festival also marks
the transition of rulership of the "Wheel of the Year from that
of the Goddess to that of the God.
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.
SYLPH - an "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the
plane of Air or is associated with the AIR Element.
TRADITIONS - any of the various "sects" of Wicca such as Gardnerian,
Alexandrian, Georgian, Seax, etc.
UNDINE - an "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the
plane of Water or is associated with the WATER Element.
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, and, "Wise
One.". This is the root word from which we get wicker.
WIDDERSHINS - counter clock wise. Used for "tearing down" i.e. 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.