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Witchcraft Glossary And Dictionary of Craft Terms |
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Witchcraft Glossary And Dictionary of Craft Terms |
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Select the first letter of the word from the list above to jump to the appropriate section of the glossary.
ABERFFRAW- The ancient royal seat of Wales on the isle of Ynys Mon (Anglesey). Today, some Celtic witches like to ust the name as a synonym fot the Other-world.
ABORIFACIENT- Herb which brings on an abortion. Usually must be taken in very large, nearly toxic doses. WARNING. Aborifacient herbs are dangerous to be taken without a physician's advice.n called Avalon in England.
ACOLYTE: 1) a beginner or "novice" as used in many magickal orders. 2) sometimes used to denote the lowest rank in the group. See POND SCUM.
ADBERTOS - Literally means "sacrifice" and was part of the Celtic religious and community world-view. Rather than the negative connotation given to its English counterpart, adbertos was a positive idea denoting the giving to others, to the clan, and to the larger community as well as the deities. The Celts saw the giving or receiving of sacrifice as being inherent in every living moment. This is a very old word which came to the British Isles and Brittany from Celtic Gual.
ADEPT: 1) a master of the magickal arts. A skilled occult practitioner. 2) One who has reached true enlightenment. In some Craft traditions, it designates a particular stage of initiation.
AFFIRMATIONS: 1) a belief that repetitive "Positive Assertive Thoughts" will influence people & reality. 2) Also known as "Power of Positive Thinking."
AILEACH - A ruined fortress in Ulster which is said to have been built by the Tuatha De Danann.
AKASHA: 1) the omnipresent fifth occult element and omnipresent spiritual power that permeates the universe. It is the energy out of which the Elements formed and 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.- the spiritual ether (or Aether)
AKASHIC RECORDS 1) the plane where all time and space meet, where one may find the answer to all things. 2) the source of "past life" memories.
ALBA - A name for the land which is now known as Scotland.
ALBION - An lold Greco-Celtic name for Britain, one which is still used poetically today. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word albus meaning "white" and reffering to the famous cliffs of Dover.
ALCHEMY: 1) Science of transmuting metals. 2)transmutation of Inner Self to a higher more Spiritual plane.
ALEXANDRIAN TRADITION: A Wiccan religious tradition which traces its linage to Alex Sanders of England, who died in 1988. Alex and Maxine Sanders were the founders; The Alexandrian tradition is an offshoot of Gardnerian Wicca, but also includes traces of Ceremonial Magick, Egyptian & Classical religions, Qabala, and the teachings of Aleister Crowley. This tradition has become the most popular in England because of its openness which makes it more accessible to seekers.
ALGARD TRADITION: A Wiccan religious tradition founded by Mary Nesnick, of N.Y. City, in late 70's. Their Book of Shadows includes a combination of Gardnerian and Alexandrian components.
ALLAH: 'God' in Islamic theology; originally 'Al-Lat', the Moon.
ALL-POWER - A term which is used when reffering to the great power, or life source, of which the Goddess and God are both a part.
ALRAUN: a talismanic image made of rowan wood.
ALTAR: a table or sometimes any flat surface used to hold the symbols and tools during the performance of religious and magickal rituals. Sometimes the altar is round to Symbolize the Goddess, or square to represent the Elements. Best made of wood, and facing North East toward the rising of both Sun and Moon. Druid Altar is a flat stone laying across two upright stones. A Ceremonial Altar is wood and is constructed of two or three cubes stacked. Traditionally, the left 1/3 is reserved for the Goddess, the center for both Dieties, and the right 1/3, for the God.
AMERICAN TRADITION: This Wiccan tradition is an offshoot of Gardnerian Wicca, founded by Ed Fitch and several Southern Californian Gardnerians in the late 70's. The tradition includes Gardnerian material and additional material supplied by the founders. This tradition is sometimes known as Mohsian, after two of the founders whose last name was Mohs.
AMULET: a magically empowered object that deflects (sends away) specific, usually negative, energies. Generally, a protective object. See Talisman.
ANAPHRODISIAC: a substance, such as camphor, that reduces sexual desires.
ANGLESEY - An Island off the north coast of Wales which was a major Druidic center at the peak of Celtic domination in Britain.
ANGLO-SAXON: English of c.5th - 11th 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 have a Divine Spirit within.
ANNWYN OR ANNWFN - Another name for the Welsh/Celtic Otherworld, sometimes ofte
APHORISM: a sparsely worded, and direct little saying. Ex.: 'As above, So below.'
APHRODISIAC: a substance that produces sexual excitement. Similar to Viagra.
ARADIA: 1) was the Goddess daughter of Diana, & the Goddess of choice of Italian (STREGA) traditions. 2) A book by Charles Leland, purporting to be an actual “book of Shadows of an Italian Witch. Commonly used in many Wiccan traditions today.
ARCADIAN TRADITION: A Male oriented worship of the Horned God, less sexist than Dianic Wicca, as most Arcadian groups admit women.
ARCANA: 1) Secret knowledge. 2) used to denote a classification of the cards in a TAROT deck of cards. The Major Arcana being the "trumps" numbered from 0 to 21, the Minor Arcana being the 56 "court" cards.
ARCHETYPES: extremely basic forms within the human psyche; the archaic "racial memories"
ARD-RI - An Irish or Scottish High King. Also spelled Ard-Righ and Ard-Ridh.
ARMOR - The original Celtic name for Brittany which means "on the sea."
ARMORICA - The Latin name for Brittany.
AROMATHERAPY: 1) use of various flower, herb, oil and incense fragrances and smells. 2) HOLISTIC AROMA: uses massage and smell. 3) MAGICKAL AROMA: uses smell and visualization.
”AS ABOVE, SO BELOW.”: this saying means that universal & natural laws apply to inner & outer consciousness. That everything is connected and is part of everything else.
ASPECTS: qualities or characteristics of something or Diety, etc. Ex.: Luna is an aspect of the Moon Goddess. Orion is an aspect of the antlered or Horned God.
ASPECTING: when a person during a ritual or 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.
ASSOCIATION OF CYMRY WICCAE: One of the oldest Witchcraft associations in the U.S. Founded in 1967, it provides member Churches, Covens or Groves with Federal I.R.S. Tax Exempt status. It has included every major Wicca tradition in its membership at one time or another. It consists of member Witch and Wiccan churches whose traditions derive most of their religious philosophy from Celtic sources. See also WELSH TRADITION and Y Dynion Mwyn.
ASTRAL: 1) a realm of existence parallel to physical reality but slightly apart from it. In this realm, both time and space may be traversed by the nonmaterial body. A wide variety of entities inhabit the astral; elementals, phantasms, ghosts and the conscious or dreaming presences of living individuals.
ASTRAL BODY: a duplicate of and existing within the physical body, but made of a substance not physical. However, this body can sometimes leave the physical body, and in some cases can temporarily create a separate physical body.
ASTRAL PLANES: various worlds of other dimensions which are co-existent with the earth plane.
ASTRAL PROJECTION: Out-of-Body-Experience (OOBE); transferring the consciousness from the physical body to the Astral Body. The act of separating the consciousness from the physical body and moving it about at will.
ASTROLOGY: 1) the belief that the relative positions of planets, planetoids and stars, can influence events & behavior surrounding us. 2) the method used in calculating these related happenings. ASTRONOMY is the hard science.
ASTROLOGY, NATAL: refers to calculating the planetary influences at the time of the subject's birth.
ATAVISM, ATAVISTIC: refers to characteristics of all living organisms, that has a hereditary characteristic trait or deformity which shows up after having skipped a generation or more. The reversion to the original type, like if you plant a hybrid seed but it grows up like its wild ancestor.
ATHAME: "a-THAY-me" the Witch's traditional magical tool, the consecrated, black-handled dagger. It is never used to cut, but can be used to defend; a personal knife, usually made of steel and is double bladed or edged; with a black handle. Double edged to Symbolize that power works both ways: healing & harming, creation & destruction; light & dark. Both sides necessary & both sides needing to be controlled. The black 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. It's direction is the South.
AURA: the colored, low level energy field that surrounds living tissue.
AUTUMN EQUINOX SABBAT: Alban Elfed - Mabon Sabbat; also see GWYL HYDREF.
AVATAR: an advanced soul, who chooses to return to a physical body, in order to teach less evolved souls. Ex.: Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, & Zoraster.
AWD GOGGIE: A Nursery Bogie (one used to scare young children) A protector of fruit most often found in woods and orchards.
BACULUM: Witches rod, staff, wand or "broomstick" used in divination and certain fertility spells.
BRYTHONIC- One of the Celtic language groups; also a name used to refer to the Pagan tradtions of Wales, Cornwall, and England.
BALEFIRE: a ritual fire built for a outdoor Sabbat Festival. The Balefire is used for magickal purposes and is traditionally lit on Yule, Beltaine & Midsummer. The name comes from the Anglo Saxon word Boon meaning "gift" or something extra.
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'.
BARD: An ancient teacher who taught by the use of poems and song. They were a class of Druid who were the poets and singers that kept alive valuable oral traditions through song. These songs were called "cetel in Ireland and lay in Brittany. They could also be used as magickal spells to curse or bless those who they were directed at.
BARDIEN: Welsh plural for Bards.
BARDIC TRADITION: A tradition derived from Celtic Druidism (see Druids)
BARROW: an elvin or Celtic burial mound often used by covens for Sabbats.
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 Baucan 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.)
BEASTIE: a 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 mischievious if you don't acknowledge them from time to time. There is no way to command their loyality or bonding with you; however, earnest 'willing' and 'calling' for such will generally bring one to you. Negative magick and exercises on YOUR part, will drive one away. 1) one's pets. 2) small house entities or spirits.
BCE: BeforeCommonEra is the nonreligeous equivalent of BC.
BELL:: 1) An altar tool, symbol of the Goddess and rung during ritual to invoke Her. Also rung to ward off negative or evil and to evoke good energies. 2) 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 OR BEALTAINE- This Sabbat is celebrated on May 1st. It is rife with fertility rituals and symbolimsm, and is a celebration of the sacred marriage of the Goddess and God. the festival celebrated on April 30th or May 1st. It also celebrates the maturity of the God to manhood and the union of the God and Goddess, and her fertility. Also the traditional Sabbath where the rule of the "Wheel of the Year" is returned to the Goddess. Also called May Day, the old English May Pole tradition was of a phallic symbol, marking the return of vitality, passion and consumated hopes. 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. This Festival also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Maiden to Mother Pronounced b' YALt'n. Also see NOSWYL MAI.
BESOM: broom, usually the round type. Symbol of the Element Water.
BEYOND THE VEIL: is a term pertaining to those things beyond our 'normal' 5 senses, such as angels, fairies, ghosts, etc. & things like channeling.
BIDDY: 1) a 'doll' made from the last sheaf from the last harvest....SEE CORN DOLLY. 2) the little 4" doll was made from material scraps.
BIGOTRY: willful ignorance.
BIND: To cast a spell upon, also to practice ligature.
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, trength, 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 birthmonth, representing the Sun aspect. A natalstone.
BLESSED BE: a traditional greeting among Witches. Pronounced as three syllables.
BODHRAN: The traditional goat skin drum used in Celtic music and ritual.
BOGGART: Another Brownie type Faerie quite akin to a poltergeist. A Yorshire 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.
BOLLINE: 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; a magickal sickle, used to cut herbs and mistletoe.
BOOK OF SHADOWS: (1) a compendium of Witch rituals, spells, training techniques, procedures, guidelines, and other materials important to a Witch and/or coven. There are many types of these books in existence, a large number of them have been published even though most witches consider the contents a secret. (2) a Wiccan book of rituals, spells and other magickal lore. Best when handwritten. This is a very personal item, some say it should be destroyed at the 'passing over' of its owner, preferably by their Coven or Circle members. (3)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.
BOOK, MIRROR: a diary record of personal magickal events.
BOUQUET: in perfumery, a blend of natural or synthetic scents which produce a specific odor.
BRAZIER: a thurible or incense burner. Usually ceramic or metal and often designed to be suspended or swung by a chain; usually ornate. The Brazier is often partly filled with sand so that incense sticks may be inserted or charcoal briquettes placed inside to burn. Catholics call this a Censer.
BREED: 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. See GWYL FAIR
BREHON: Called Breithamhain in Old Irish, these were the judges of the old Celtic world whose decisions were held in high regard. The Brehon Laws were the law codes which governed old ireland.
BREIZ: The native name of the Bretons' Celtic language, also called Brezonek.
BRETAGNE: The French name for Brittany.
BRETON: The name for a person from Brittany, that Celtic part of France where the population has always considered itself more Celtic than French.
BREW: see infusion.
BREZONEK: The Celtic/Brythonic language of Brittany still spoken today as a first or second language of over a million Bretons.
BRIGID: also see Candlemas, a Sabbat Festival customarily held on February 2 eve. Also see GWYL FAIR:
BRITISH TRADITION: This tradition of Wicca actually has two sub divisions: 1. Any of the old traditions closely related to the Gardnerian Craft but excluding family traditions and other British traditions dissimilar to Gardnerian Wicca. 2.) Any of the old British traditions, including the old family and Bardic traditions.
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.
BURGH- The grassy hillocks of Ireland, Scotland, and Man under which the faeries live.
BURIN: an engraving tool, often made with wooden handle carved by user and a sharpened nail.
BURNING TIMES- Refers to the times from the Spanish Inquisiton through the last outburst of persecution and witch killings in the mid nineteenth century. This was the period of history called the 'Middle Ages", when an arguable number of persons were put to death, suposedly 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. 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.Although the murderous persecutions began as early as the twelfth century. The last known capital sentance for witchcraft in the West took place in Scotland in the early 1800s. Figures vary on how many were killed during this hysteria, estimates range anywhere from fifty thousand to as many as nine million.
CABALA (ALSO SPELLED KABBALAH or QABBALAH): collection of Jewish theological and philosophical learning commonly used as the basis for the Western Ceremonial Magickal Tradition.
CABOCHON: a cut and polished stone, with one rough face.
CAIlEACH: In Scots and Irish Gaelic tis literally means Old Woman. At one time it was a term used reverently to refer to the Crone Goddess.
CAIRN: The stone burial mounds used by the Celts. They were honored at Mabon. So sacred were these mounds that a breed of dog, the Cairn Terrier was developed to protect them.
CALEDONIA: The old Roman name for Scotland, still used poetically today.
CANDLE DRESSING: candle should be held pointing north-south. It is massaged with oil proper to the ritual to be done; or use pure virgin olive oil. Massage from the center of the candle toward each end.
CANDLEMAS: also see Brigid. also see NOS GWYL FAIR:
CANTREF: similar to tribal lands or country.
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 of green, red, yellow, and blue, respectively. You can use candles, crystals, & herbs.
CARMINA GADELICA: A collection of Gaelic lyric poetry and lore with a Pagan emphasis, collected from oral sources in the late nineteenth century by musicologist and folklorist Alexander Carmichael. It is also a primary source for knowledge about Celtic folk magick. This work compares with the famous Carmina Burana in scope.
CARTOMANCY: the act of reading cards in divination work.
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: inexhautibility, 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. Linked to witchcraft in popular mind, this is a primal Goddess image used like a chalice or cup. In many of the mythological stories of Ireland and Britain the cauldron is symbolic of the womb of the Mother Goddess in which all life begins, ends, and regenerates. The Irish word is coire and Welsh is pair.
CAW / CHURCH OF ALL WORLDS: neo-pagan church founded by Otter (Oberon) G’Zell, who also publishes the Pagan adult magazine Green Egg & child magazine HAM (How About Magick).
CEILIDH: A Scottish or Irish dance. The word literally means visit.
CELTIC LANDS: The areas of the world which are still populated by the decendants of the Celts are well known to most: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. Before and during their scattered migration to these places the Celts had flourishing Kingdoms in numerous places in Europe and the Middle East. Gual, in western coastal Europe, is the best known of these. Other strongholds included Galatia in central Turkey, Galacia in northwestern Spain, Gallia Cisalpina nestled between the Alps and the Appennine mountains in central Europe, and numerous smaller settlements in what are now the countries of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and southern France.
CELTIC TRADITION: 1.) Old Celtic Tradition as practiced by the late Lady Gwynne (or Gwen) Thompson d. 1987. This is a tradition similar to Welsh Traditional but which adopted rituals similar to those of Gardnerian. This Family Tradition derived from Southern Welsh sources and was brought to the U.S. through Nova Scotia. 2.) American Celtic Tradition as practiced by Lady Sheba (Jessie Bell) allegedly derived from Family traditional, Mike Howard of "The Cauldron" in Wales, and Gardnerian sources. 3.) In England, British Celtic covens are called tribes and are led by Elders instead of High Priests and High Priestesses. See WELSH TRADITION
CEOL: Irish and Scottish Gaelic word for music.
CE: Common Era is the nonreligeous 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. see BRAZIER
CENTERING: the act of feeling solid, balanced and focused emotionally.
CERNUNNOS: a much used Witches God-name. The only known name of the Celtic Horned God of Nature.
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. A ceremonial cup or goblet placed on the altar and representing water and the west, and it is also representative of the femanine principle of creation.
CHAPLET: A crown worn on the head and usually made of flowers and worn at Beltane. Chaplets can also be made of vines and other natural material.
CHARM: set of spoken, written or chanted magickal words. Also an object carried for its beneficial magickal influence.
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 wrote it for Gardner and it came from the Charge of the Goddess in Aradia, Gospel of the Witches by Charles Leland. 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.
CHTHONIC: of or pertaining to the depths of the Earth. There seem to be rather powerful chthonic magickal or psychic forces tied in with the structure of each planet. 2) a type of Magick associated with the Necronomicon of H.P. Lovecraft. Not real,
CINGULUM: Witch's girdle cord.
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. 3) should really be thought of as a globe rather than a Circle. It is a place not of this world nor of the world of the Gods, but a place between the worlds where we can meet the Gods.
CIRCLES OF BEING: In Welsh Witchcraft philosophy both the macrocosm and microcosm are devided into three circles of being. The inner circle is Abred, the middle is Gweynfyd, and the outer most is Ceugant. The inner most circle is often represented by the magick circle wherein all magick and ritual is performed.
CIRCLE DANCE: a ceremonial or recreational dance wherein the members of a grove or coven link hands and move deosil within a ceremonial area. The basic grapevine circle step is "right foot cross over, left foot sidestep, right foot cross back, left foot sidestep, etc.
CLAN: The extended family system of the Celts. Originally clans were united by being decended from a single female ancestor, but by the third century C.E. that had been largely supplanted by a male ancestor. The clan raised children, built cities, provided education, had an internal justice system connected to the larger political region in which they lived, and formed armies for mutual protection.
CLAIMING: 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.
CLAS MYRDDIN: The ancient name for Britain. It literally means "Merlins Enclosure."
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE: an obelisk shaped crystal, used as a collector of negative and pentup energy. Usually placed in a flower part 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!
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 drunkeness.
COIBCHE: An Irish word for dowry, or marriage portion.
COMING OF AGE RITUAL: At age thirteen for boys, and at the time of a girls first menstral cycle, Pagan children are considered to be spiritual adults. They join with other Pagans to celebrate their new maturity with rituals and parties and are permitted full membership in covens. This is also the time when ritual tools are given to them as gifts, or else the are allowed to choose their own.
COMEHITHER: 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...
COLOR BREATHING: a method of concentrating on breathing various colors to have a mental, emotional, and physical effect on the body.
CONCENTRATION: focusing the mind on one object or idea so that nothing else exists during the period of concentration.
CONE OF POWER: the force raised from the assembled members of the grove or coven working in the circle for a specific purpose. Some raise power during ritual, then form it into CONE shape & send it out on the world in a magickal spell.
CONJURATION: act of summoning non-physical entities.
CONJURE: to work magic, usually by setting up an altar or central concentration point and focusing the mind by chants, mantras or invocations.
CONSECRATION: 1) A ritual of sanctification or purification. 2) A ritual of dedication.
CONTACT: a non-physical being who acts as a guide and instructor.
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 Witches and/or 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. Traditionally, a coven consists of thirteen females and males. An equal number of men and women is optimum for working purposes.
COVENDOM: the area watched over by a coven.
COVENSTEAD: the meeting place of the coven, also called a temple.
COWAN: unwelcome non-Pagan intruder. Non-craft person, an outsider. Term also used by freemasons to describe the same type of person. 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 Nat.Am. 'Coyote', who tricks man into learning needed lessons.
CRAFT, THE: the Witches name for the practice of Witchcraft or Wicca craft referring to CRAFT of the Wise Ones.
CROMACH: A Scottish walking stick with a crooked handle similar to an Irish shillelagh.
CROMLECH: Welsh word for an uneven structure of stone often used by a grove as a temple.
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 is symbolized by the waning moon, the carrion crow, the cauldron, and the color black. Her Sabbats are Mabon and Samhain. She rules from Lughnasadh to Samhain, when the God aspects take over. The male counterpart can be a Sage or Seer depending on tradition.
CROSS-QUARTER DAYS: the traditional Pagan holidays which occur exactly between each Sabbat or seasonal festival; i.e., Candlemas, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain. These are the 4 holidays that fall between the Quarter holidays, see next... 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.
CRUACHAN, CAVE OF: The Irish name of the entrance to the Otherworld. In the Christian mythology of the islands this became disparagingly known as the "Gateway to Hell."
CRYSTAL: any of the many types of 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.
CUMDACH: A lavishly ornamented shrine, usually used as a resting place for sacred of illuminated books.
CUP: an altar tool that often looks like a cauldron on a stem. Symbol of the Goddess and fertility; and of the Element Water.
CURRAGH: The animal skin covered skiffs mentioned in myths and which are still used today in rural Ireland and Scotland.
CURSE: a conscious direction of negative energy toward a person, place, or thing.
CYFARWYDD: The Welsh word for "storyteller." The traveling cyfarwydd was an integral part of the social structure of the Celtic world, and was largely responsible for the survival of the oral traditions. Also see Seanachai.
CYMRAEG: The name of the Welsh language. It comes from the word Cymru which means Wales.
CYMRY: The Welsh name for the Welsh people.
CYWYDD: A form of native Welsh poetry which came into fashion around the fifth century and dominated Welch writing until the eighteenth century
DAGDYNE: Witch's magickal sewing needle.
DAWNSIO: To dance
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 LINEAGES, that is: 'my degree from so & so, who got theirs from so & so', etc.
(y) DEHEV--The South
DEMON: non-physical spirit; also called elemental, deva, angel. In Christian mythology this word refers to evil entities who are governed by Satan.
DEOSIL: The act of moving in 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. Standard direction of movement within a ritual area or consecrated circle. This is the traditional direction one works in for creative magick. Also called Sunwise.
DEVA: angelic or radiant beings having great intelligence. They help guide nature by their understanding of the Divine Plan. The direct energies of nature.
DEVIL: Gypsy word meaning "little god." Christians used the word to describe fallen angels who united with Lucifer. Witches and Pagans do not believe in this Christian deity.
(y) DEWIANATH CYMRY: Welsh Paganism (Witchcraft) pre-dating Christianity
DIANIC TRADITION: 1.) A feminine based craft movement, which rejects the concept of the Male God, concentrating on the worship of the Goddess. Named after Diana, virgin goddess of the hunt; a stem of the Old Religion which has all-female members. 2.) The Old Dianic Tradition. This a particular English tradition of Witchcraft honoring the Goddess Diana. It is a structured tradition and fairly similar to Gardnerian Wicca. Morgan McFarland, Mark Roberts, and Sybil Leek brought this tradition from England. It is called the Old Dianic tradition as opposed to the New Dianic tradition started by Z. Budapest. 3.) The New Dianic Tradition is a particular tradition founded by Z. Budapest and other modern feminists. It has a loose ritual structure, a small core of feminist teachings, and encourages spontaneity among its members. Most covens accept women only, some accept only lesbians, a few accept women and men. 4.) The original tradition of Shan, Clan Mother to the House of the Goddess in London, England. This tradition seems to have used a little of everything in it's formation, but primarily derives most of its teachings from the New Dianic Tradition. In the Dianic Tradition, there is much diversity in ritual and religious practice. Most covens honor the Goddess primarily or exclusively. Quite a few are Goddess Monotheistic.
DISTAFF: ancient spinning implement. In archaic times, it was figuratively said that the Great Goddess sun the Earth and all things from Her distaff. In Nordic and Central European folklore, the line linking the axis of the Earth with the north star was called the distaff.
DIVINATION: magickal method of looking into the future or the past or seeking unknown information through the use of various oracles. 1) the ritual process designed to contact the psychic mind. 2) the magickal act of dicovering 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. 4) The art of connecting with the divine, or to see a situation from a 'divine' view. 5) Often inaccurately described as 'fortune telling'. 6) Divination is a way to emotionally detach from events in order to see them more clearly. In this way past, present, and future situations can be sorted out and dealt with from a more advantageous perspective. Tools of divination vary widely and can include: Tarot cards, Runes, tea leaves, palms, dice, playing cards, omens seen in natural forms such as birds, fire, water, crystal or glass spheres, clouds, patterns in sand, eggs, entrails, faces and scalp formations, wax, etc.
DIVINE POWER: the Life Force or Energy, which exist in the God and Goddess and the ultimate source of all things.
DOLMEN: DOLMEN: The standing stones of the Celtic countries which are shaped like altars with one large capstone being upheld by two endstones. It is also called a Cromlech. An ancient structure of stone used as a burial space. Often used by a grove as a place of power.
DONUTTING OR DISSOLVING CLOUDS: 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.
DRUIDISM or DRUIDRY: one of the several religions which predominated in Gaul and the other Celtic countries from approximately 3000 B.C.E. to approximately 300 C.E. The emphasis was on worship or reverence for the Oak tree and the Mistletoe which grew thereon.
DRUID NEW MOON: six days following the astrological new moon.
DRWY Y NOS CANU: "To sing through the night."
DUALISM: in theology, usually refers to the division of all things divine into two categories, female/male, positive/negative, light/dark, cold/hot, goddess/god.
(Y) DWYRAIN: The East
DYNION MWYN (Dynyn Myn): Gentle Folk
EARTH FAIRIES: four main types which reside on the surface and underground. Surface fairies are tree spirits and garden fairies. Underground fairies are gnomes and rock fairies.
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.
EIDOLON: a wraith or fetch. Witch power formulated into semi-intangible human shapes.
ELDER: has various meanings in different branches of the Craft, but usually refers to one of advanced degree. In some traditions, it means one who has been a third degree for more than a year. 1.) In some three degree traditions, a Witch of Third degree, who has spent 3 years and 3 days in formal training. 2.) A Coven Leader. 3.) a Witch who has enough knowledge to preserve and teach their tradition to neophytes from scratch, without benefit of books. 4.) In Y Dynion Mwyn it means one who has obtained a fourth level initiation.
ELDER ONES: in Pagan mythology worldwide, it is noted that there were advanced races who either died or migrated into other lands (planes) either before the coming of mankind or very early in the history of the Earth. They were considered to have great magickal powers and high spirituality. See also Loa.
ELEMENTALS: naturally created beings which have sentience and usually intelligence. These include gnomes (Earth), sylphs (air), undines (water) and salamanders (fire), plus a great number of nature elementals such as fairies, leprechauns, tree maidens, dragons, peris, djins, sylvans, satyrs, fauns, elves, dwarfs, trolls, kobolds, brownies, nixies, pixies, goblins, manikins, moss people, etc.
ELEMENTS: the four basic manifestations of matter; earth, fire, water and air; also spirit or ether. These 4 essences are the building blocks of the Universe. These are Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and the fifth element of pure spirit in, of and outside them all. Each Pagan tradition has their own tools, directions, and correspondences. 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?"
| Element | God name | Archangel | King | Elemental |
| Fire | Elohim | Michael. | Djin | Salamander |
| Air. | Jehovah | Raphael | Paralda | Sylphs |
| Water | Cheieh | Gabriel | Nichsa | Undines |
| Earth | Agla | Uriel | Ghob | Gnomes |
| Spirit | Don | Essiel | Math | Y Dynion Mwyn |
ELF FIRE: fire used to light the balefire; produced without the use of metals; also called needfire; It also describes the fire which is kept all year long by the Elders and is used to light the balefire at the end of the year which is used to light the new elf fire.
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 CRYSTAL OUT FIRST!
ELLAN VANNIN: The Manx name for the Isle of Man.
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.
ELVENFOLK: these are descendants of the Witch gods, or Mighty Ones; the Prytani or Faeryfolk.
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.
ENGLISH TRADITIONAL: See British Traditional
EPHEMERIS: an astrology term, it refers to a collection of precise dates & calculations, of when certain planets were where & when.
EQUINOX: 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. These are two Pagan high holidays.
ERIC: The quest of honor similar to the honor vow known as the geise.
ESBAT: The monthly Pagan holy time which coincides with the full moon. The word is from the French esbattre meaning to frolic. Pagan or Wiccan ceremonial time held between the high holidays and cross-quarter days; usually a full moon rite.
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. 3) acronym for extra sensory perception.
ESSENTIAL OIL: the fragrant 'blood' or liquid of a plant, usually flower.
ETHEREALS: see Essential oil.
EVIL: is not a word or thought used much by Wiccans. And more associated with the Christian & Satan beliefs.
EVIL EYE: laying a curse upon a person by looking at them.
EVOCATION: calling up elemental forces; call up spirits or other nonphysical 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.
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 Dynion Mwyn or the Daoine Sidhe. I'm sure it can be used a bit more broadly than that, but I'm biased.
FAIRY TRADITION: 1.) Wiccan tradition practiced by Victor Anderson and the late Gwydion Pendderwen, and their students. Sometimes called Old Fairy. See also Welsh Tradition. 2.) Wiccan practice derived from the teachings of Starhawk sometimes called New Fairy.
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.
FASCINATION: casting a spell on someone when in close contact by using power only.
FEALTY: dedication of service and friendship to another.
FEIS: Once meaning a gathering for Brehon judgemnet, but today means a dance contest of a Celtic games competition. A feis was often a reason for holding a fair.
FESTIVALS: times for Pagan and Witch celebrations; high holidays and cross-quarter days.
FETCH: 1) The spiritual or ghostly double of an animal or person. 2) An apparition. 3) semi-tangible human or animal shape formulated by the Witch's power sent to do the bidding of the Witch.
FEY: a Welsh term for fairy-like qualities, usually of clairvoyant nature.
FILI: The Old Irish word means "poet" or "bard", and is often erroneously used in place of the word "Druid." However, the word means a specific division of specification of Druidic practice.
FIR FER: The rules which governed Celtic battle. The Gaelic words mean "fair play."
FITH FATH: Gaelic for a small image of clay or wax formed in the image of a specific human being for the purpose of Magick.
FIVEFOLD KISS: this goes with the 'Blessed Be..' blessings & you kiss what you are blessing...(1) each foot (2) each knee (3) at 'private area' (4) each breast (5) lips... which really gets you 8 kisses but in 5 areas.
FLAME DANCING: 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.
FLEADH AISE: Literally the "Feast of Age", an annual celebration feast of the Tuatha De Danann sometimes commemorated by Irish Pagans at Lughnasadh.
FOLK MAGIC: the practice of combining Personal Power with Natural Energies, to create a specific purpose.
FOUR CITIES OF THE TUATHA: In Irish mythology these were the four cities of the Tuatha De Danann: Gorius, Falius, Findias, and Murias. While these have mystic significance, they have been the subject of many irresponsible and uninformed interpretations over the centuries by systems not related to any native Celtic magickal tradition.
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.
GAELTACHT: A modern term denoting an area of the Celtic world where the language and customs of the Celtic people is preserved and used on a regular basis.
GARDNERIAN TRADITION: a Wiccan tradition originated in the 40's and 50's by Gerald Gardner with the help of Doreen Valiente and others; This tradition is Celtic in origin, encompassing rituals as practiced in the south of England. It incorporates within its rituals and philosophy, certain ideas first published by Charles Leland (Aradia - Gospel of the Witches). It also refers to one who traces linage directly back to Gerald Gardner and one of his High Priestesses in an unbroken line. There are three known fully recognized Gardnerian lineages in the United States. In the U.S., The Long Island Line, The Kentucky Line and the Donna Cole Line are most prominent. A fourth line, the emerging California Line, is an offshoot of the Long Island Line. Gardnerians in the United States tend to be highly attentive to lineage and its traceability. Some Gardnerian Witches will not recognize the initiation of another if the initiation was through a male.
GEAS: a Magickal Obligation that a Welsh Witch places him or herself under in order to prove his or her honor for the Gods. This is a very misunderstood term. The Witch may voluntarily accept a Geas, but a Geas can also be placed upon someone whom you wish to obligate. Also, a Sacred Trust.
GEIMHREADH: This means "winter" in Irish which is one of the two reccognized Celtic seasons. It begins at Samhain.
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.
GOBLET: cup or chalice.
GOD: male aspect which pervades all of the universe in vast interrelationships of every possible sort, providing impetus, creative spark and more. It is capable of being perceived in many ways depending on the perceiver and transcends time as well as space. Most perceptions of the great gods are valid in their own aspects and are or can be of considerable value. Pagans often choose the archetypal god of the waxing year as patron of all which is new and growing, and the god of the waning year as patron of all which ripens and declines, before the inevitable rebirth. Such perceptions enable us to form close emotional and magickal links with godhood. He is 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. She is the female aspect which pervades all of the universe in vast interrelationships of every possible sort, providing impetus, creative spark and more. It is capable of being perceived in many ways depending on the perceiver and transcends time as well as space. Most perceptions of the great goddesses are valid in their own aspects and are or can be of considerable value. Pagans often choose the archetypal maiden goddess as patroness of things fresh and new, the mother or lady as patroness of challenge, passion, creation and nurturing and the crone goddess for patroness of wisdom and judgment. Such perceptions enable us to form close emotional and magickal links with goddesshood.
(Y) GOGLEDD: The North
GOLDEN STATUE, THE: The first known law declaring universal freedom of religion, enacted in Ireland in late Celtic times.
(Y) GRLLEWIN: The West
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 The symbolic sexual union of the Goddess and the God which is enacted at Bealtaine in most traditions, and at other Sabbats in many others. It symbolizes the primal act of creation from which all life comes. The sexual union is symbolized by ritually placing the athame, inside the chalice of cauldron, a womb symbol. 2) Also known as "Sacred Marriage." An actual sexual union between high priest and high priestess, or a sexual union between a initiator and a neophyte (seeker) during initiation which passes the dormant power of the initiator into the seeker. 3) Sexual Ritual 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 convience for human use.
GROUNDING: 1) To disperse excess energy generated during a magickal rite by sending it into the earth. It can also mean the process of centering ones self in the physical world both before and after any ritual. 2) the act of dispelling negative emotions and energies from the physical body.
GROVE: 1) organized Pagan or Wiccan group similar to a coven but composed of members who are learning and being trained in worship and celebration. See OUTER COURT 2) A group of individuals who follow Druidical teachings. 3) Also refers to a group larger than thirteen.
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.
GWIDDON (Gwyddon or Gwillion)--Witch Priest/ess
GWLAD YR HAV: GWLAD YR HAV(F): 1) This is one ot the names for the Welsh Otherworld, or Land of the Dead. It translates as "The Land of Summer" and is the origin of the Wiccan Land of the Dead known as Summerland. It is also one in the same as Annwyn, of the Druidic traditions. 2) The Astral Plane
GWYL CANOL GAEAF: This is the Welsh Yule Sabbat; begins sundown (December 21 or 22) depending on the date of the Winter Solstice. This is the festival of the Sun's rebirth. At this season the powers of light battle the powers of darkness, as the light begins it's increase.
GWYL CANOL HAF: The Welsh Midsummer Sabbat; beginning Sundown, June 21 or 22; Depending on the date of the Solstice.
GWYL CANOL GWENWYNOL: The Welsh Spring Equinox Sabbat; begins sundown March 21 or 22 depending on the date of the Spring Equinox; this is the first day of Spring is also known as the Spring Equinox, Ostara, Eostre's Day, Alban Eilir, the Vernal Equinox, or Festival of the Trees. It marks the first day of true spring.
GWYL CANOL HYDREF: The Welsh Autumn Equinox Sabbat; beginning sundown, September 21 or 22 Depending on the date of the Equinox.
HALLUCINOGENIC- produces hallucinations which are defined in many
different ways such as
delirium, seeing beyond the veil, going nuts, expanding your mind, etc. opinions vary as
to whether they should be used.
HAND, PROJECTIVE: the right hand, which emits energies.
HAND, RECEPTIVE: the left hand, which receives energies.
HANDFASTING: 1) the Wiccan, Pagan, & Gypsy wedding. 2) can also refer to a solemn betrothal. In some traditions, it is a permanent joining while in others it is only for as long as both partners agree to be joined. 3) This is the Rite of Pagan marriage, traditionally contracted for a specific period of time depending on ones tradition. It is renewed only if both parties agree. In Old Irish the word for handfasting is lanamnas. 4) Within the Druidic traditions this was usually an eternal vow taken with a soul mate. 5) There are 3 basic marriage handfasting: For a year & a day; For a lifetime; and For 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 , cosmetics, medically and/or in magick.
HERBALISM: 1) the practice of growing, gathering & using herbs. 2) The art of using herbs to facilitate human needs both magickally and medicinally.
HERA: 1) a Greek Goddess. 2) a female her'o'.
HEREDITARY TRADITION: when one is born into a Craft family and trained by a parent, grandparent, etc. Family loyalty was the surest way of secrecy; Y Dynion Mwyn is derived from a Hereditary Tradition. Pockets or Families of Hereditary Witches still exist in Europe and America, carrying on the family tradition. They are usually extremely secretive, preferring to work alone or only within their family. Their form of Witchcraft is different from that known as Wicca. There are some who claim to be descendants of such families. Since Hereditary status seems to be extremely prestigious, and difficult to check, false claims do happen. Some hereditary Witches express a low opinion of Witches of the revived traditions.
HEX: to work Magick to cause bad luck, or to protect...from the German word for Witch. a Hexenmeister is one who practices hexing...in the U.S. this is found mostly among the Pennsylvania Dutch. (Also see Curse)
HEXAGRAM: six pointed star or six sided figure used in talismanic Magick.
HIBERNICA/IVERNIA: The old Roman name for Ireland, still used poetically today.
HIGH PRIESTESS / HPS: a high statused, female practitioner. One who has passed several tests and initiations. Female co-ruler of the coven and female representative of the goddess.
HIGH PRIEST / HP: the counterpart of the High Priestess. Male co-ruler of the coven; male representative of the god.
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.
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.
HUNA: 1.) the traditional Pagan religion of Hawaii 2.) a magico-religious system invented by Max Freedom Long, who is attempting to recreate what he thought the original HUNA must have been like. Most who consider themselves to be practicing HUNA are practicing the later.
HYPNOSIS: a method of making close contact with the subconscious mind which may be self induced or induced by another.
HYWEL DDA, LAWS OF: Welsh legal system equivelant to the "Brehon Laws" of Ireland, named for the tenth century king who united Wales.
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 the Christian Right, Fundis or Thumpers.
IMAGES (symbols of the Goddess or God): that which is chosen by a group or individual to represent or symbolize an aspect of the divine by its appropriateness. Such objects must be exactly right in every way. One reveres the Goddess or the God which is symbolized thereby, rather than the statue, shell, tree, horns or whatever, which is the icon.
IMBOLC: also called Oimelc, Brigid (see Candlemas). The festival celebrated Feb. 2nd marking the first stirrings of Spring as the Goddess recovers from giving birth to the God. A day which honors the Virgin, Goddess as the youthful bride of the returning Sun God. Also called: Candlemas, Imbolg, 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.
INCANTATION: spoken charm; also called a cantrip.
INCENSE, COMBUSTIBLE: selfburning incense containing potassium nitrate, usually in cone, block or stick form. NOTE: incense is an Air Element symbol.
INCENSE, NONCOMBUSTIBLE: incense without potassium nitrate, requiring heat to release the scent.
INCUBUS: an oversexed male demon or spirit. Male wraith form projected for purposes of sexual intercourse. In historical writings these Inccubi seem to be associated with Christians who have psycho/sexual problems.
INFUSION: a liquid produced by soaking herbs in very hot water (not boiling!). A tea, brew, or potion.
INITIATE: 1.) a Witch, Pagan or magician who has been formally inducted into the practice or priesthood of Wicca, Paganism or ritual Magick. 2.) a Witch or Pagan who has experienced the initiatory transformation at the spiritual hands of the Old Ones. 3.) one who has experienced the initiatory transformation at the hands of other Pagans or Witches.
INITIATION: 1.) a profound realization and understanding within the mind and soul formalized by ceremony. 2.) a formal ritual or introductory process, or admitting; of a new member into a group (coven).
INNER CIRCLE: 1) In some Covens the group is composed of initiates only; 2) in other groups the Inner Circle is composed of leaders who are initiates of the third degree or elders.
INNER PLANE TRAVEL: technique of guided imagery wherein a symbolic, archetypal tale or legend is narrated and the listener follows along with personal thoughts and imagery. These are extremely valuable since the story or myth can be experienced by the subconscious.
INTUITION: a term describing psychic information that unexpectedly reaches the Conscious Mind.
IO EVO HE: "Hail to the Great Spirit"
IONA, ISLE OF: A center of Druid teaching and gathering in the Hebrides Islands off the west coast of Scotland. In the sixth century, St. Columbus turned the island into a large center for Christian worship and study. Today many Catholics make pilgrimages to Iona to pray to St. Columbus. "In my opinion this was the emergence of Catholicism from Christianity caused by the merging of Druidism and Christianity."
ISIAN TRADITION: 1) a Wiccan tradition founded in Texas by an English Traditional Wiccan High Priestess and a Qabalistic ceremonial magician. It is Egyptian-oriented, and its training and initiatory system are based on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. 2.) a Wiccan tradition founded in Canada and consisting of a family of related covens including Isis-Artemis, Isis-Urania, and others. It is basically English Traditional in approach. 3.) a Pagan tradition founded by The Fellowship of Isis, and originating in Ireland.
INVOCATION: 1) Calling down higher powers through ritual; 2) Call on a God or Goddess to come into and control the person invoking. The act of drawing the aspect of a deity into ones physical self. The rite of drawing down the moon is an example. 3) An appeal or petition to a higher power/s. 4) a prayer. 5) a request for a Diety's appearance or attendance during ritual. 6) the practice that produces an awareness of Deity within.
I.R.A.B.: I Read A Book. A factitious description of a self styled teacher of Wicca, Magick or Paganism who reads one or several books of various accuracy, and decides to begin teaching without knowledge, credentials, or ability.
KAHUNA: a priest of Huna (See Huna).
KAMEA: the numbered square relating to a planet.
KEY OF SOLOMON: a famous grimoire, see also grimoire
KELTOI: The Greek name for the ancient Celts. Greek writings give us our first glimpse into the culture of the Celtic people dating from around 700 BCE.
KERNEWEK: A native name for the Cornish language.
KERNOW: The Cornish name for Cornwall.
KING... in Celtic/Druid magick, 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. 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...
KINGSTONE TRADITION: A conservative American form of British Traditional Wicca. It has existed in California since the 1960's. and was founded by a student of Gerald Gardner.
LABRYS: the doubleheaded axe, symbol of an ancient Creten Goddess. It's by or against the leftside 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.
LAMMAS: August eve festival; one of four high festiv
