GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY OF TERMS COMMONLY USED IN WICCA

AKASHA- 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.

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.

ATHAME- black handled, double edged dagger. Principally used

to cast and dissolve the circle, for which purposes it is

interchangeable with the magic sword. A tool of the

"Element" of Fire in the Georgian Tradition and some others.

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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.

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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

to her 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- 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,

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.

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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.

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."

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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

participants wish.

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.

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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- another name for the Craft.

PAGANING- Presentation of an infant to the Circle and to the

Gods.

PENTACLE- a disc shaped talisman; in particular, the metal

disc which represents the earth element among the witch's

working tools.

PENTAGRAM- The five-pointed star. With a single point

uppermost, it represents the human being. Inverted, with two

points uppermost, it can have Satanist associations; but not

necessarily. Some traditions of Wicca use the inverted

pentagram to signify an initiate of the second degree.

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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.

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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) colour associated with them.

WICCA- the name most modern day Witches use for the Craft.

It comes from the Anglo-Saxon word Wicce, meaning to bend or

to shape. This is the root word from which we get wicker.

WIDDERSHINS- counter clock wise. Used for "tearing down"

OR BANISHING magick.

WHITE HANDLED KNIFE- the working knife of a Witch. It is

used to carve candles, and for fashioning the other tools.

Traditionally, it can only be used in a Circle.

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Copyright 1991 by Rowan Moonstone and Durwydd MacTara.

Permission to reprint for educational purposes at no cost is hereby granted

to all and sundry, provided the text is not altered in any way.