|
many thanks to nastasya Amulet- an object left in it's virgin state, unaltered. consecrated so as to protect the holder from negative vibrations. Astral- refers to the level of awareness in the world generally referred to as "the ether" [note: i am not sure of this one. let me know if you think i am mistaken] Athame- a black handled, double-bladed edge used to cast magickal circles and to store or direct energy during rituals. Bell- a bell used as a magickal talisman, fertility charm, summoner to a deity, and as a musical instrument used during a ritual. Some Witches use a bell to signify the beginning or end of a ritual. Beltane- sometimes spelled Bealtaine, it is the Sabbat celebrated on April 30th (May Eve) in honor of the fertile young goddess. Besom- a straw broom used in certain ceremonies such as Handfasting (Wiccan wedding) and the Sabbat of Candlemas. Witches sometimes would straddle the broom and jump up and down to show the crops how high to grow. Bewitchment- the act of gaining power over another. Binding- a magickal spell performed to control the actions of another or to render a sorcerer or sorceress magickally powerless. This is usually used to prevent evil, negativity, or disaster or some kind from occurring. Bindrunes- a magickal talisman, made from metal or wood, inscribed or painted w/ 2+ different symbols. Sometimes placed on ritual tools, candles, and jewelry. Bolline- a white-handled knife with a sharp blade used for cutting during rituals, or to carve symbols. Book of Shadows- a secret diary of magickal spells and potion recipes kept by an individual Witch or coven. Bune Wand- a nickname to the Witches' broomstick, or any object supposedly used by Witches as a flying instrument. Burin- a special engraving tool used to mark runes or symbols ritually on athames, swords, bells, and other magickal tools. Cakes For the Dead- small white cakes or cookies, one would be consumes for each deceased loved one being honored in the Samhain ritual. Candle Magick- a form of magick that involves candles corresponding to the purpose of the spell.(listed in the corresponding section f my page) Cauldron- a small, black, cast-iron that represents the womb of the Goddess and is used to burn incence, brewing potions, and holding charcoal or herbs. Censer- a fireproof incense burner used in magickal rituals, and symbolic of the ancient element of air. Cernunnos- Celtic horned nature-god of wild animals, hunting and fertility. Consort of the Great Mother. Chakras- the seven major centers of energy in the human body Chalice- cup or goblet used to hold consecrated wine or water, and symbolising the element of water. Charm- highly magickal object that works as an amulet or talisman, can be consecrated and charged with magickal energy for whatever purpose needed. also can be a spoken word or chant of magickal intent. Circle- the sphere of energy created psychically by the witch. S/he should not break the line of the circle as it will weaken it. it protects all that is within it from harmful energies. Cone of Power (Casting of)- the ritual act of visualizing a colorful spiraling light in the shape of a cone directed to a specific goal. Consecration- the act of making something sacred, or atuning it to yourself, and to rid the object of negative energies with incence and "holy" water. NOTE: you can bless distilled water yourself by certain chants. Countercharm- a magickal charm used to neutralize or reverse the effects of another charm or spell. Counterspell- a magickal spell to neutralize or reverse to effects of another spell or charm. Coven- group of practioners, usually less than thirteen but at least three to work magick and perform ceremonies at Sabbats or Esbats. Cowan- among Witches, a person who isn't a Witch. The Craft- Witchcraft, Wicca, the Old Religion, the practice of folk magick. Deosil- clockwise, symbolizes life and movement. Dianic- type of Wicca that thinks of the God as secondary to the Goddess. Many Dianic covens exclude males, and some are lesbainic. Divination- discovering the unknown and foretelling events of the future by interpreting omes or vaious types of seeing the future. (crystal balls, Tarot cards, Ouija boards...) Drawing Down the Moon- the ritual invocation of the Goddess spirit-force into the High Priestess of a coven by the High Priest who uses his male polarity to conjure foth the divine essence in the female polarity of the High Priestess. Drawing Down the Sun- the ritual invocation of the Horned God spirit-force into the High Priest of a coven by the High Priestess who uses her female polarity to conjure forth the divine essence in the male polarity of the High Priest. Elementals- spirit-creatures that personify the four ancient elements. (Fire: Salamanders; Water: Undines; Air: Sylphs; Earth: Gnomes) Elemental signs- Fire-enery, individuality, identity. Water-life, love, spirit. Air-mind. Earth-strength, fertility. Enchantment- magick, the act of bewitching, or the act of casting a spell. Esbat- a meeting held by a coven at least 13 times a year, generally at the full moon. Familiar- a witch's pet. (sometimes...a cat, lizard, snake, hare, toad, or another small animal) The Goddess- the female aspect of the Divine, consort to the Horned God. She has many names throughout various cultures. Gray Magick- the art of magick that is not white nor black. It borders on being black magick, but is not neccessarily performed with evil or malicious intent. (Love spells, death spells of the sickly, self-defense spell...) Great Rite- Ritual intercourse performed either actually or symbolically as a religious experience. This is performed by the High Priest and High Priestess of a coven who draw down into themselves the Goddess and the Horned God, respectively, and experience a divine union that is both spiritual and physical. It also can be performed with the High Priest plunging his athame (symbolic of the phallus and male energy) into the High Priestess' wine-filled chalice (symbolic of the vagina and female energy). Green Witch- a nickname for a Witch who is skilled in herb magick. Handfasting- a pagan wedding. Often involves jumping over the Besom. Imbolc- sometimes called Imbolg. It is one of the Sabbats, celebrated on February 2nd to honor the bride goddess and the promise of Waxing Light. Initiation- the ritual process one goes through to symbolize the beginning of their spiritual life. Lughnasadh- one of the Sabbats. It is in honor of the first harvest. It is celebrated on August 1st. Mabon- the Autumn Equinox. One of the Sabbats, celebrated on or around September 21st. It is to celebrate the full bounty of the harvest. Midsummer- also called Litha, it is one of the Sabbats, celebrated on or around June 21st, celebrating the beginning of summer, and the longest day of the year. Pentacle- a symbol of the element of earth, it is generally a pentagram (five-pointed star) inscribed on a round disc. Pentagram- a five pointed star. The five points represent a number of things, but the basic idea is the top point (facing up in Wicca, down in Satanism) represents the spirit, and the other four represent the four elements, air, fire, water, earth. Poppet- a human shaped doll used to represent an actual individual in a ritual. Reincarnation- the idea that when a person dies, it is to be reborn again on the earth, or some variation of that theme. Ritual- a magickal ceremony. Runes- ancient alphabets, often ascribed to tiles and used as a divination device. Sabbat- the eight festivals throughout the year celebrated by witches and other pagans. Samhain- on of the Sabbats, celebrated on October 31st (November Eve). It is the festival of the dead, honoring the crone goddess and the dead god as he passes through the veil to the world of the dead. It is believed that his passage through this veil weakens it temporarily, and therefore Samhain is considered the best time to attempt communication with spirits. Scrying- a form of divination performed by gazing into a black mirror or crystal ball. Shade- the spirit of a dead person Sigil- a personal magickal seal/symbolic figure inscribed on a witch's tools to imbue them with her power. Wand- the symbol of air (sometimes of fire), used for directing energy. One of the main four working tools of a witch, along with the chalice, pentacle, and athame. Wicca- a current and popular name for Witchcraft, introduced by people such as Gerald Gardner and others. Widdershins- counterclockwise motion Yule- the Winter Solstice Sabbat, celebrated on or around December 21st. It is generally looked upon as the time of the God's rebirth, and often the beginning of the Pagan Year ÆÆ back questions? comments? email indy. |