 |
Witchcraft Glossary And Dictionary of Craft Terms |
|
|
Witchcraft Glossary And Dictionary of Craft Terms |
|
| 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 festivals; also called Lughnasadh, Martinmas and St. Martin's Eve. Also see NOS CALON AWST.
LATITUDE: used in Astrology; Latitude ON EARTH is distances North & South from the Equator. However CELESTIAL LATITUDE is the distances North & South of the ECLIPTIC.
LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY, THE: This is an often repeated corollary to the other laws of Paganism. It simply means that if you inadvertantly violate someones free will or harm them in any way, you will accept responsibility for your actions and seek to make restitution. This, of course, does not apply in cases where you have used magick to protect yourself from someone seeking to harm you. Also see "Pagan Rede".
LEMNISCATE: a mathematical symbol for 'infinity'; it is a horizontal figure 8, that is the #8 lying on its side... this term comes up in reference to Tarot, & traditionally found on the cards: I.Magician, XI.Strength, & the 3rd time, on the II.Pentacles which formerly was the 'key' card bearing the deck maker's signature. This no longer holds true, on newer, revised decks.
LEVEZ DEW: Blessingupon (this)
LIA FAIL: "The Stone of Destiny" which was used in the crowning of the High Kings of Ireland. Many regard it as the Irish equivelant of Excaliber from the Arthurian Myths.
LIBATION: A portion of food or drink ritually given to a deity, nature spirit, or discarnate.
LIGATURE: magickal binding of a person.
LINKING: tieing together symbols and their power.
LIVEWOOD: refers to a tree in which a DRYAD or Wood Sprite type Being, is believed to dwell.
LIVESTONE: refers to stones, mountains, cliffs, etc. in which a nature Being is believed to dwell.
LORD: a sometimes used term for a Priest. THE LORD: is the God.
LUCK, GOOD: a person's ability to make timely, correct decisions or perform right actions; or place oneself in positive situations.
LUCK, BAD: 1) An unwillingness to accept self-responsibility. 2) opposite of good luck.
LUGHNASADH: the festival celebrated Aug. 1, or August eve Sabbat. Also see NOS CALON AWST. marking the first harvest of winter food and ebbing of the Sun's (God's) energies and days grow short. A time to remember the bounty of food we eat and each meal an attunement to Nature. Also called: Aug. Eve, Lammas, and Feast of Bread. Pronounced: LOO n'sar.
LUSTRAL BATH: bath of symbolic purification for the soul and spirit which is taken prior to a ceremony. Usually salt is added for consecration and blessing.
MABON: the festival celebrated around Sept. 21, on the Autumnal Equinox, marking the second harvest and change of Autumn toward Winter, when Nature prepares for the time to come. A time of thanks and reflection by many old & new civilizations. Named for a Welsh God associated with the Arthurian myth cycles. This Sabbat celebrates the second harvest, wine, and balance.
MANTLE: A cloak worn by the Celts whose color, fabric, and condition was often an outward sign of a persons rank or positon in society. Also a vestment of power, hence the Celtic expression "inheriting the mantle." A mantle is often reffered to as a kersey in Scotland.
MAGE: Old English for the singular, 'Magus' and plural, 'Magi'; meaning a wise person. Can be a term of respect for a personal with great talent in a specific branch of magick; Herb Mage, Tarot Mage, etc.
MAGIC: the sleight of hand tricks, having 'physical', as opposed to 'psychic' exercise. NOTE: the word 'magic' is English from the Greek 'magos', and the Persian 'magus'. The words mean a Seer or Wizard.
MAGICIAN: used in reference to one following a system of Ceremonial or High Magick. To the public it often means the same as a Witch; one who practices slight of hand or illusion.
MAGICK: 1) art of bringing about changes in the physical world by the use of the power of the mind; action in accordance with will. 2) the movement of natural energies to create needed change. 3) the process of building up the natural energies of certain objects for a purpose, then releasing it. 4) a natural practice of mind over matter.
MAGICK, CANDLES: the practice of directing the energies emitted by burning candles to create needed change.
MAGICK, CIRCLE: see Circle.
MAGICK, CRYSTAL: the practice of using energy from crystals or minerals, to create needed change.
MAGICK, HERBS: the practice of directing the energies found in herbs to create needed change.
MAGIC, KNIFE: see Athame & Bolline.
MAGUS: (pl. magi)...pronounced MAY-GUS, MY-JI (as in eye). Archaic meaning: a hereditary priest of Medes or Persia. General meaning is a magician or sorcerer. Most often used to refer to one advanced in magickal practice.
MAIDEN: 1) the 1st aspect of the Threefold Goddess, symbolic for creation & beginnings. 2) a virgin. 3) in some traditions, she is the female assistant HPs. Traditionally linked to the Waxing Moon phase, & from Imbolc to Beltane.
MAJORCA: One of the Balaric Islands off the coast of Spain. Famous for several historical footnotes. This island is where Robert Graves, author of the White Goddess, came to spend his last days. This is also where Rhuddlwm Gawr, author or The Quest, The Way and The Word, met his teacher, Sarah.
MATRIX: a word in Crystal Magick that refers to the base of a crystal cluster, the main 'lump' part.
MEAN TIME: is the time our clocks show as compared to TRUE SOLAR TIME.
MEASURE: length of cord used to measure a Witch's height at the time of initiation.
MEDITATION: 1) reflection, contemplation, the turning inward to Self or outward to Diety. 2) quiet time used to dwell on certain thoughts, symbols or to let thoughts come as they will. 3) a method of observing the mind through relaxation.
MEGALITHS: The large standing stones of the Celtic countries which were probably erected as holy sites or for astronomical observation points. Stonehenge, on Englands Salisbury Plain is the best known example of a surviving megalith.
MENHIRS: The standing stones from Celtic countries wich are made of single stones or a circular series of stones. Menhir literally means "long stone," and surviving ones range in height from a few feet tall to as high as 64 feet tall. Brittany and England are famed for their many menhir circles.
METAPHOR: is a symbolic thought; a figure of speech which when said implies another, though not literally alike thing or thought. Ex.: "Sticks as close as a tick to a hound dog!" implies a very close attachment.
METAPHYSICAL: a 'catch-all' term referring to subjects of transcendental, or supernatural (hate THAT word!) reality.
MIDSUMMER: the festival celebrated about June 21, on the Summer Solstice. An excellent time for magick and is the height of the God's (Sun) strength and power, being the longest day of the year. Also called Litha, bonfire leaping encouraged fertilty, purity, health and love. Fire being the symbol of the God. Alban Hefin - Litha Sabbat; also see NOS GALON GAEOF.
MIGHTY ONES: Beings, Deities, unseen Presences usually Invoked during rituals/ceremonies. Sometimes linked to the Elements.
MILESIANS: A cousin race of the Celts who came to Ireland from Spain, via Scotland, as early as 1500 BCE.
MIND, CONSCIOUS: the controlled, intellectual part of mind that does everyday work. The rational part that thinks.
MIND, PSYCHIC: the subconscious, or unconscious, mind in which we receive psychic impulses. The psychic mind is at work when we sleep, dream, and meditate.
MONOTHEISM: The belief in one supreme deity who has no other forms and displays no other aspects. Judaism and Islam are both monotheism.
MONOTHEISTIC: the belief of honoring Divine Unity.
MOTHER: one of the aspects of the Triple Goddess, in this aspect She rules from Beltane to Lughnasadh.
MOTION, DIRECT & RETROGRADE: these Astrological terms refer to the apparent movement of planets through the Zodiac... Direct = FORWARD / Retrograde = BACKWARDS / at the time between Direct & Retrograde, the planet is said to be STATIONARY or IN ITS STATION.
MUNDANE: refers to the everyday, such as Mundane or 'civil' 'Name' would be your birthname of JOHN; nickname JOHNNY; Magick Name SEAHAWK. Goes for other items as well, a Priest's mundane 'job' would be a carpenter, for example. The UNmagickal things & side of one's existence.
MUSIC MAGICK: Also known as Bard Magick. This is a spell created in song, a popular method used by the Celts.
MYSTERIES: profound, metaphysical facts which underlie life, death, the nature of the world and the universe. Such truths must be perceived not only with the intellect but with the deepest part of the subconscious as well.
NATURAL FIBER: in reference to clothes, bags, etc; these would be cotton, linen (from flax plant), silk & wool.
NECROMANCY: calling up the dead by Magick.
NECROMONICON: was the literary invention of writer, H.P.Lovecraft. This author is reknown for his wonderful fiction HOWEVER, he lost the rights to this work and others turned this fictional work into a 'religion' for the gullible. PERHAPS after these many years of 'worship', it can now be entitled to the title of religion. But only by a VERY LONG STRETCH of that definition! As such, it deals with altering & predicting life by use of 'entities' from other planes. And deals with 'portals' in time & dimensions. All kinds of nifty role-playing, fantasy & sci-fi stuff! It's also deals with all kinds of gruesome things - which is so sickening & repulsive to this person, as to make me wonder what kind of people would involve themselves in this. Though so far my encounters with 'practitioners' of necromancy, have been young persons. And they seem oblivious to the fact they are making some money-mongers VERY HAPPY! I most wholeheartedly urge everybody to STAY AWAY from this subject. To those who think they know better, good luck. The arguments FOR this practice only cause more REVULSION, and show the ignorant arrogance involved with it.
NEMED: The name of one of the invader races of Ireland; also an old Irish word meaning "sacred space." The word is derived from the better known Gualish word nemeton.
NIAM-LANN: A metallic headpiece worn like a thin crown or headband around the forehead. Often the front peice, which rested just above and between the eyes, cattied some emblem of religious significance.
NINE: A Celtic sacred number which represents the beggining and ending of all things. The square root of nine is three, the basic sacred number of the Celts.
93 (ninety-three) The number of the word of the Law that is Thelema, used as a greeting by on-line Crowleyists and people who want to solicit a "huh?" Confused? See my advice under, Law, Crowley's.
NEED FIRE: Elf Fire
NEO-GARDNERIAN TRADITION: A tradition founded on published Gardnerian materials rather than on Gardnerian initiatory linage. See also GARDNERIAN.
NEOPAGAN: or 'new' Pagan; a member of newly formed religions now forming worldwide. NOTE: all Wiccans are Pagan - but not all Pagans are Wiccan.
NEOPHYTE: a term used for beginner participants of pagan activities, sometimes incorrectly used in a derogatory manner.
NEW FAIRY TRADITION: Wiccan practice derived from the books and/or the teachings of Starhawk. See also Fairy Tradition.
NEW REFORMED, ORTHODOX ORDER OF THE GOLDEN DAWN (NROOGD): A Wiccan tradition founded in 1967 by Aidan Kelly and others. The ritual material is all original poetry, but the basic approach and ritual style was heavily influenced by Gardnerian Wicca. Most of the covens in this family are avowedly Neo-Pagan, but at least one adopted very British Tradition attitudes and went underground for a few years. The tradition has nothing whatsoever to do with The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
NEW WICCAN CHURCH: An association of British Traditional Wiccan Covens. "British Traditional" in this case refers to Gardnerian Wicca and very closely related traditions, e.g., Kingstone, Silver Crescent, Taran, Alexandrian, and similar branches of the craft.
NITWITCH, NITWITCHERY: a showoff & braggart; one who is inconsiderate & insulting; one who is self-aggrandizing at the expense of other's feelings, even one who is exploitive of their knowledge & their practices.
NODES: 1) in Astrology, NODES are the places where a planet or the Moon crosses the ECLIPTIC. An ASCENDING NODE is a crossing from south to north; & DESCENDING NODE crosses north to south. 2) Power Nodes are power points in the Earth, usually along Ley Lines 3) Power Nodes also refer to the energy points that have been prepared using crystals, in creating a PSYCO/SEXUAL MATRIX
NOS GWYL AWST: the Welsh Festival of Lugh; beginning Sundown, July 31; this is the Feast of Lugh, the festival of the Great Sun God Llew. This is the God of the Grain Harvest, the God of Death and Rebirth suitable for the end of Summer.
NOS GWYL FAIR: this is the Welsh Candlemas Sabbat; begins sundown, February 2; This is the Festival of the Waxing Light. Branwen, the virgin fertility goddess is invoked at this time.
NOS GALON GAEOF: This is the Welsh Samhain Sabbat; begins Sundown, October 31; the Welsh fire festival of Samhain, now generally called Halloween, represents the summer's end, when the Earth Goddess Cerridwen turns over her reign to the Horned God Cernunnos.
NOS GALON-MAI: The Welsh Beltane or May Eve Sabbat; beginning Sundown, April 30; Observed as a spring festival everywhere in Europe, the United States, and Canada, and in certain European countries.
NUMBERING OF HOURS: this is an Astrology term; the start of SIDEREAL TIME bigins the exact moment when the beginning of the ZODIAC is midway between rising & setting. This is called, "0h 0ms 0s" with the 'h', 'm', & 's' written little & up like a degree symbol is...and this means 'no hours, no minutes, no seconds of ST at the location concerned. The NUMBERING OF HOURS of MEAN TIME starts at MEAN Midnight which is 12 hours earlier than MEAN Noon; when the Sun would be halfway fron setting to rising IF it kept mean rather than solar time. This then is '0h 0m 0s of LOCAL MEAN time at the location involved.
NYMPH: 1) a nature spirit 2) derogatory slang for a woman who loves sex anytime anywhere from anyone.
OBJECT LINK: something belonging to a person; used in spells of Magick as the object link.
OCCULT: to conceal and hide away knowledge from the uninitiated. Latin: occulere; The secret knowledge of the ancients is considered hidden from the profane. You are very very very close now.
OFFICER male assistant to the high priest; also called candlebearer or summoner.
OFFIERIADE/SS: Priest or Priestess
OGHAM: a cipher language used by the Druids to communicate Occult or Hidden knowledge. Consisted of a series of marks in relationship to a center line. ie ///// It is used today for both sacred writings and for divination.
OIMELC: Imbolc, Candlemas
OLD ONES: 1) a term used to encompass all aspects of the God and Goddess. 2) Alternative to Mighty ones, archetypal Witch gods. Also 3) those beings which visited earth in the distant past.
OLD RELIGION: 1) Witchcraft and Paganism; so called because they are either by lineage or spiritually, a system of beliefs which existed long before the Judeo-Christian religions 2) another 'Craft' term, which fits that song, "Give me that Old Time Religion' much better than the Christian use of it!
ONCE-BORN: one who has not been initiated into the Old Religion.
ORDAINS:: the traditional laws found in the Gardnerian Book of Shadows and The Thirteen Treasures of Y Dynion Mwyn; 2) often used to refer to the offshoots of those laws, often found in other traditions of Wicca. 3) Laws of the Craft, some for individuals & others for covens.
OSTARA: the festival occuring at the Spring Equinox, about March 21, marking the start of Spring. This fire festival celebrates the Mother Earth's fertility and return of the God (Sun). A time of new beginnings and reproduction. Also known as Eostra. The Sabbat observed at the Vernal Equinox, and often referred to as the Spring Equinox. This Sabbat celebrates balance and life renewed, but it was not a Sabbat for the old Celts until Saxons brought it to their attention around 600 CE. Ostara is named for the Teutonic Goddess Eostre and is symbolized by the egg.
OTHERWORLD: Also known as Annwyn, Annwfn, Summerland, and Land of the Dead. Each Celtic tradition had its own euphemisms for this place. See names given above for more detail.
OUTER CIRCLE/OUTER COURT: 1) composed of those in the beginning stages of the craft such as a Pagan Way group; 2) some Covens place their neophytes or beginners in an Outer Court group until they show sufficient promise to initiate into the Inner Circle.
PACT: 1) binding oath of the written type between a Pagan or Witch and the coven or grove. 2) Christian word meaning a Christian who contracts to sell his/her soul to one of their deities, Lucifer or Satan.
PANTHEISM: The belief in many deities who are really one because they are all merely aspects of the single creative life source. Celtic Paganism is pantheistic.
PANTHEON: The major deities in any religios system which make up the "whole" deity, or the complete power source.
PASSING OVER: A ritual observed when a loved one has died. Depending upon ones tradition this ceremony includes keening and candle lighting, feasting and revelry, sitting up with the body, ritualized farewell speeches, drinking, and storytelling. Also known or referred to as Wake.
PAGAN: 1) the word Pagan is derived from the Latin Paganus, "peasant," "from the fields" and "hut dweller", deriving, in turn, from the Latin pagus, "village." 2) They are also many groups of Priests and Priestesses practicing what we call "Paganism" or "Neo (from the Greek word for new) Paganism". 3) Pagan religions are "natural" religions both in origin and in mode of expression as opposed to artificially created ideological religions. 4) General term for magic embracing religions, such as Wicca, Druid, Shaman. Sometimes used interchangably with NeoPagan.
PAGAN REDE, THE: This is the basic tenet of witchcraft. "As ye harm none, do what thou will." The rede prohibits Pagans from doing any living creature harm, or from violating ones free will. It's origin is unknown. See also Witches Rede, The Law, The Law of The Cymry, etc.
PAGANING a term for the exercise of 'presenting' a newborn to one's Circle or Coven...see WICCANING or SAINING.
PAGAN WAY: an organization of Neo-Pagans started in the late sixties and early seventies. Many current Wiccan and Pagan organizations owe their existence to the work done by Ed Fitch and others.
PALLOMANCY: divining with a pendulum. SEE RADIESTHESIA.
PALMISTRY: is the 'reading' of palm features to explain personalities & divine futures of the person. This interesting subject involves much more than just reading 'The Lines', there is shapes of the hand & fingers to consider; how they are held; 7 mounts of Venus, Moon, Mars, Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, & Saturn; nail shapes; there are 'lines' for: affection, fate, head, heart, life, & sun; there are fans, islands, stars, triangles, grilles & branches & NOT ALL STARS ARE GOOD! Some hands carry the Cross of Intuition' or the rarer 'Ring of Solomon' or maybe just a pinker Moon Mount.
PANTHEISTIC: the belief, meaning to see the Divine as everywhere & in everything. Sometimes explained as PANTHEISM is believing that 'God' & Nature are the SAME thing.
PASSAGES: an exercise of a significant transition: birthdays, getting over that lost love, initiations, moving to a new house, etc. A big change!
PATHWORKING: any of the archetypal guided journeys undertaken in inner-plane travel.
PENDULUM: a divinitory tool, consisting of a device hanging from a string; and the deciphering of its movement. This tool contacts the Psychic Mind.
PENTACLE / PENTAGRAM: 1) It is an ancient symbol with multiple meanings. It is always seen with its apex up. It can represent the four elements headed by the fifth element of spirit, or it can represent a human with its arms and legs spread to represent the creative principle over all creation. Satanic Cults often use the pentagram in an upside down fassion to show matter over spirit in much the same way that they pervert the meaning of the Christian cross; used as protection or for invoking or banishing magickal forces and entities. Symbolic of humankind made perfect. 2) The basic 5 point star is worn by Wiccans or Witches with one point up, and enclosed by a Circle; The symbol represents the Wicca Religion: the 5 senses; the Elements; and the human body; and a protective symbol known from the times of Babylon. 3) Symbol of power and/or protection when hung over doors and windows. Represents the Element - Earth. A tool for summoning the Goddess. 4) PENTACLE: is the article of jewelry or altar piece, etc. 5) PENTAGRAM: is the drawing. Also, penagram, pentangle. 'Pente' meaning 5, and gram/me meaning line; Greek. 6) Pentagram is a material object charged with psychic power and used for concentrating psychic power; 7) symbol of a man/woman standing with spread legs and outstretched arms; a miniature symbol of the Universe, the points representing the elements. 8) In Latin PENTACULUM. The points & center can stand for: Birth, initiation, love, repose, death & transformation. Sex, self, passion, pride, power & timelessness. Beginning, adolescence, adulthood, elderly, ending & power to move, change, and transform. And the common meaning, but arguable: Earth, Air, Fire, Water & Spirit. NOTE: the early Christians often wore pentacles, for to them it represented the 5 wounds of Christ on the cross AND the parts of the human body; that is: head, arms, & legs. Sir Gawain used it as an emblem on his shield!
PENTON: pendant or neck-piece worn during ceremony for devotional and/or magickal purposes. Usually it is a variant of the pentacle design.
PICTS: A small, dark people who came to Scotland and northern Ireland before 2000 BCE. Their artwork and metal smithing was the basis for the crafts among the Celts.
PLANE, MENTAL: the thought process, conscious and unconscious.
PLANE, PHYSICAL: the physical body and its workings, through coordination with the mental plane.
PLANE, SPIRITUAL: a person's perception of life's existence, consisting of belief or lack of belief in the Divine.
PLEDGE: the Pagan self-dedication to live by established Pagan morality.
POBEL VEAN: The Cornish name for faery folk. The words literally mean "small people."
POLARITY: Polarity means that everything has two sides or two forces within it that are not wholly seperate. For example, we can draw power from our Gods for either good or evil as these diverse powers are not contained in two separate entities, but in one.
POLYTHEISM: The belief in the existence of many unrelated deities each with their own domination and interests who may have no spiritual or familial relationships to one another. Paganism is often erroneously characterized as polytheistic, but polytheism does not acknowledge a single source or force of creation, as most Pagans do.
POLYTHEISTIC: the belief of honoring the Divine through various God and Goddess forms or aspects.
POMMADE: see ENFLEURAGE.
POND SCUM: The lowest ranking in the Magickal order. Beginner. Novice. Neophyte.
POWER, PERSONAL: the energies which sustain the body and are used in Magick.
POWER OBJECT: a material object charged Witch energy and transferred into a subjects presence to effect a certain result. See crystal.
POWER POINT: the center point of a Circle or of a Pentagram; also a point on the earth where water is moving up or down in the earth; also a point at which ley lines intersect.
PRECOGNITIVE: is the act of knowing something before the event. Opposite of
RETROCOGNITIVE: knowing something after the event or in the present. That 'knowing' that something has happened.
PRIEST: a male initiate of the Craft.
PRIESTESS: a female initiate of the Craft.
PROSELYTIZING: the act of trying to convert another from their religion to your own. Vigorous, annoying, and attacking Christian proselytizers are called Thumpers (Bible thumping), and Fundies (Fundamentalists).
PSYCHISM: describes the state in which information from the psychic mind is available to the conscious mind. Greek: 'psyche', the soul. NOTE: a 'Psychic Assault' or attack, is when a person tries to impose and intervene THEIR will, over another's.
PSYCHOKINESIS: the act of mind over matter, or mind controlling matter by mind alone.
PSYCHOMETRY: the ability to receive & interpret vibrations from inanimate places & things. See: Empath.
QUARTERS: 1) see CROSS-QUARTERs..these are dates (2 Solstices and 2 Equinoxes). 2) north, east, south, west quadrants of a magickal circle or ritual area.
QUEENING: goes with KINGING, & is a Z.Budapest practice for mature women.
RADIESTHESIA: the use of a pendulum for divination work... but SEE below & PALLOMANCY.
RADIONICS: is any of several divinatory methods, where a message is received as in RADIO, through the air; but here meaning of an intuitive exercise.
RATH: A circular earthen fortress sometimes outlined with rocks. These ancient sites, found all over the Celtic lands, are sacred to the faeries and even today most natives of the region will not disturb them.
REDE, WICCA: 1) rule or law. The Wiccan Rede:"...an yea harm none, do as yea will." 1) refers to a twenty-six line poem called the Wiccan Rede. Also called: "The Long Version" 2) refers to a eight line poem called The Wiccan Rede. Also called: The Short Version. 3) this is a moral code: Meaning no harm to another person or thing, with an unwritten but understood meaning, no harm to Self, either. REDE: means advice or council, not law. Though Wiccans tend to take it as an absolute lifestyle. It should be taken even further: that one actively do good works, as well.
REGRESSION: by hypnosis or other means, to cause the mind to remember or re-experience details of the past, or previous lifetimes.
REINCARNATION: 1) the doctrine of rebirth of the spirit. 2) the process of repeated incarnations (lives), in physical form to allow the evolution of the soul.
RHUDDLWM GAWR: an American Witch High Priest, Elder and author of the Welsh Tradition who has done much to promote the Craft in the United States and Europe. wrote The Quest, The Way, The Word, and Celtic Crystal Magick to name only a few. Rhuddlwm lives in North Georgia.
RIGHT ASCENSION / RA: an astrology term referring to the distance in the sky measured along a parallel to the Earth's Equator, like longitude lines but starting at the Zodiac beginning. As the Earth rotates on its axis each day, this celestial 'equator' & ecliptic is carried along with the Earth's Equator from 0 degree geographical longitude to 180 degree west & then back around to 0 degree again.
RISTING: the act of drawing a rune shape or letter, in the air.
RITE: a prescribed form of ceremony.
RITUAL: 1) (noun) a system of rites, the order prescribed for a ceremony. (adjective) relating to rites. General usage: refer to Sabbats such as "The Rites of Spring". Ritual is used more often when referring to Magickal practices. 2) A ceremony or festival. 3) A spell. 3) Specific movements and manipulations to produce desired effects. In religeon, its purpose is to unite Self with the Divine. But in magick, it's to allow the person to move energy in desired ways.
RITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS: the alternate state of mind, needed to successfully practice magick. This is the attunment of both the Conscious Mind and the Psychic Mind. At this time the senses will be heightened and awareness expanded, beyond the physical world to the energies of Nature and forces of the Dieties.
RUNES: 1) divination tools, remnant of ancient Teutonic alphabets. Used to divine current status of person or question, placed before them. The adept user can do spells and other works with runes. 2) letters of ancient alphabet used in Magick.
RUNE, WITCH'S: this is a poem chanted to raise power.
SABBAT: 1) A Wiccan festival which celebrates the changing of the seasons.. A time of rejoicing and celebration, when no work is done, except in an emergency. 2) One of 8 holy celebrations of the Wiccan religeon. 3) Wiccan celebration of an aspect of the Sun (God) as opposed to Esbat, the celebrations of the Moon (Goddess). There are 4 Greater Sabbats: Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain. These are associated with agriculture and animal husbandry (domestic like cow, sheep). The 4 Lesser Sabbats are: Mabon, Midsummer, Ostara and Yule. These are connected to astronomical occurences of Sun and related daylight hours.
SACHET: a cloth bag, usually of natural fibers; filled with herbs.
SACRAMENT: food, drink or sexual love which is partaken in the honor of the deity in either a formal or informal rite.
SAGE: a sometimes used term for a male 'Crone'. SAGING: is the ritual for a man reaching this status.
SAINING: naming and presentation of an infant before the Gods by the parents, usually assisted by high priestess and high priest. This is customarily done between an infant's third and thirteenth month of life.
SAINT JOHNS EVE: Also see Midsummer Sabbat.
SAMHAIN: This is the Sabbat celebrated at what is now called Halloween, October 31. The Wiccan New Year. It marks the 'death' of the Sun God into Summerland (Land of the Young), where He awaits His Rebirth. Samhain marked the beginning of winter for the Celts and was also their New Years Day. As Wiccans bid the God a temporary farewell, they reflect at this time, over the past year. It is a day to honor the Crone Goddess and the dying God who will be reborn at Yule. Samhain also marks the end of the harvest season. Pronounced: SOW wen / SEW wen / SAHM hain / SAHM ain / SAV een. Also called: Nov. Eve, Hallowmas, Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, Feast of Soul's, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples. November Eve Witch Sabbat. Also see NOSWYL CALAN GAEF.
SAMHRADH: Means summer in Irish GAelic, one ot the two recognized Celtic seasons. It begins at Beltaine.
SATAN: 1) means an opponent or adversary in Hebrew. Ha-satan designates a supreme evil entity; Greek: diabolos. 2) This is a Christian concept. The Prince of Darkness; Evil incarnate; The negative side of the Good/Evil duality; Pagans and Witches do not believe in this being, nor do they worship such a concept.
SATANIST: This is a person who has decided to identify with evil, negativity, and worships the dark forces of nature; This is a Christian Heresy and has nothing to do with Paganism and/or Witchcraft.
SAXON TRADITION: A Germannic tradition practiced by the people of Saxony. The Saxon path also shares some common elements with the Celtic traditions, including a veneration of trees. Their invasion of southern England brought their Pagan influence in contact with the Celts.
SCA / SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE ANACHRONISM: this group historically recreates ancient battles and lifestyles; much like those that participate in Civil War enactments. Use authentic dress & weapons.
SCRY / SCRYING: 1) the act of gazing into an object to still Conscious Mind, allowing contact with Psychic Mind. 2) to practice divination by crystal ball, mirror or other transparent/reflective surface. See DIVINATION.
SCRYING STONE: a stone or crystal used to see the future.
SEAL: representation of an entity, physical or non-physical.
SEALING: this term is used when a spell is 'sealed' by gestures or chant, etc; this to contain the raised energy into the spell.
SEANACHAI: An Irish and Scottish word meaning "storyteller". The traveling seanachai was an integral part of the social structure of old Ireland, and was largely responsible for the survival of the oral traditions.
SEAX WICCA: is a very modern reconstruction of the Saxon Tradition, founded by Raymond Buckland who originally helped bring the Gardnerian tradition to the U.S. It is derived from the Pictish tradition of Scotland and the Saxon tradition of England.
SECULAR: material & worldly as opposed to spiritual; thus ANYTHING not religious.
SELF: with a capital 'S' is reference to one's entirety of person, the spirit & soul, if you will.
SEPTAGRAM: a 7 point star symbol used in ceremonial magick, representing 7 tenets of: Balance, Harmony, Humility, Learning, Reincarnation, Tolerance, Trust. (Don't know the correct order.) Once it represented 7 angels who became 7 planets (the ones then known), called the Mystic Star. Other 7's include Days of the Week, Deadly Sins, Mounts of the Hand, Pillars of Wisdom, Sacraments, Virtues, & Wonders of the World.
SEVEN PLANES OF EXISTENCE: some people follow the belief: that you reincarnate at least 7 times within 7 Basic Soul Stages. The stages are: infant, baby, youth, mature, old, transcendental, & infinite. The 7 ROLES: sage, artisan, priest, slave, king, warrior, scholar.
SHAMAN: 1) a practitioner of SHAMANISM. Person who has obtained knowledge of the subtler aspects of the World by periods of alternate states of consciousness. Native Americans are quite adamant that only an 'Indian' can truly practice such with any real knowledge & others are just fakes & game players, who 'practice' at the expense of respect & truth of what Shamanism is really about. 2) A title given to either a male or female initiate of a religious priesthood usually associated with native American, African, Asian or Australian traditions. Pagan rather than Wiccan. 3) Comes from the extinct Ural-Altaic language called Tungus. They are the priests and medicine men of old tribal societies worldwide. Shamans or Shamankas, the feminine form, practiced in every known culture, and many are still active today. In many vernaculars the native word for shaman roughly translates into "walker between the worlds." In Celtic terms, Shamanic traditions are thought to relate to the stellar, or heavenly/planetary deities, as opposed to the deities of the earth and her functions.
SHAMANIC TRADITION: a very individualistic tradition of Wicca as typified by the practice of Shan of the House of the Goddess in London, England. Chanting, Drumming, and simple dance is their way of expressing love for the Goddess. Most Shaman Traditions take their ideas from various sources: Tibet, Finland, North America, South America and Celtic to name a few. They incorporate these aspects into their own rituals. Some groups use natural hallucinogenics such as marihuana and peyote. This path needs an expert teacher if natural intoxicants are involved.
SHAPE-SHIFTING: the ability of a person to change into animal form or otherwise altar one's physical features, either physically or as seen by others. It is a magickal technique of great antiquity.
SIDERAL TIME / ST: an astrology term, this is the apparent movement of the sky as a whole but which movement is caused by theEarth rotating. 360 degree of RA pass over a location in 24 SIDEREAL HOURS (which equals 1 SIDEREAL DAY);1 hour of sidereal time equals 15 degree of RA; 1 degree of RA equals 4 minutes of time.
SIDERITE: lodestone or meteorite.
SIGHT: refers to SECOND SIGHT, or CLAIRVOYANCE.
SIGIL: old word for seal; those written symbols related to spirits, etc. of each planet.
SIMPLE FEAST: a ritual meal of sharing with the God and Goddess.
SITH AND SIDHE: Literally means, "faerie." Also Daoine Sidhe and Sidhe. This name is generally applied to all the faery races of Ireland and Scotland. The original word Sidhe meant piece, and Celtic faeries are sometimes euphemistically called "The People of Piece."
SKY CLAD: a term meaning naked, usually referring to state of undress while doing rituals.
SOLSTICE: occur twice a year, midway between the 2 EQUINOXES, producing a day with the shortest light & longest dark hours in Dec. & a day of longest light & shortest dark hours in June; both occur about the 21st in their months.
SORCERER: see Magician or Wizard.
SORTILEGE: noun, having to do with 'sorcery', may be the easiest way to understand this word.
SOUND MAGICK: has to do with energy raised by musicle notes, or pitchs, etc.
SPELL: 1) A way of working some type of Magick; to make things happen by paranormal means. 2) a magical ritual or an act wherin a person actively bends & gives directive to natural energies for a needed purpose.
SPINNING: archaic means by which raw fiber is spun into thread with a distaff or spindle. In archaic times, it was figuratively believed that the Great Goddess spun all of existence from raw chaos into reality. Spinning Magick was used among the ancient Norse and Germans as a solitary or group ritual. The Norns, the crone-goddesses of north and east Europe, were said to spin fates and destinies.
SPIRITS OF THE STONES: the naturally inherent elemental energies, of the four corners of a Circle, personified. They are linked to the Elements.
SPIRIT SUBJECTS: other words having to do with Spirit or Soul, are WRAITH (Raith) which is Spirit ECTOPLASM; ETHEREAL which is Spirit Matter or Ectoplasm. A Spirit emits these substances when it manifests in this dimension.
SPIRITUALISM: is the belief that the spirits (or 'dead' people) can talk to us in this dimension.
SPRING EQUINOX FESTIVAL: Alban Elfed, Eostar Sabbat, Also see GWYL GWENWYNOL.
STAFF: a magickal tool, traditionally made of well-seasoned hardwood, straight, and owners height in length. Sometimes, chakra crystals are inbedded at the appropriate heights. A phallic and Solar symbol. If entwined with a vine, such as ivy or ribbons, and surmounted by a pine cone; then this tool is a THYROS.
STANG: Pagan staff, forked at one end.
STARS, FIXED / WANDERING: in Astrology; a Fixed Star is a regular star like makes up the constellations but a Wandering Star was a term meant for planets & our moon. Some Astrologers & horoscopes still refer to these as 'The Stars', which is just a romanticism now.
STAR OF DAVID: this well known Jewish symbol, represents the united male & female. Consisting of 2 triangles, the one pointing up is the 'male' & the downward pointing one, represents the 'female'; thus overlapping to form the 'Star', it represents ELOHIM (God).
STAR/ING ONESELF: a Self Blessing exercise that one does by taking Projective Hand & making a Pentacle motion, touching yourself: forehead, left breast, right shoulder, left shoulder, right breast, forehead. Resembles the Blessing exercised by Catholics. You want to visualize yourself protected & 'Blessed' during this exercise.
STAR, 7 POINT...see SEPTAGRAM.
STREGA OR STREGHA: the Italian tradition of the Craft, derived from Etruscan Tradition; also used as an Italian word for Witch...SEE ARADIA
SUCCUBUS: 1) an oversexed female demon or spirit. 2) said to be a female wraith form projected for the purpose of sexual intercourse. In historical writings these Succubi seem to be associated with Christians who have psycho/sexual problems.
SUMMONER: in some Traditions, this is a male who is the counter- part of the MAIDEN. He is the assistant HP. See CANDLEBEARER
SUN WHEEL: ancient eight-spoked wheel which symbolized the year, each spoke symbolizing one of the seasonal or cross-quarter festivals. It also bespoke the cyclical nature of all things. The sun wheel is still used as a protective talisman with many metaphysical meanings.
SWORD: used to refer to any magickal sword used by a Pagan, Witch or magician, in conjuration or ceremonial work.
SYMPATHETIC MAGICK: Magick that makes use of the rule that anything owned or used by a person retains a magickal link even when separated from the person.
TABARDS: ritual robes.
TABOO: forbidden object or exercise.
T'AI CHI: is an exercise to learn how to regulate one's breathing, relax, and meditate. It calms.
TALISMAN (tahl-is-man) 1) Charm: an object empowered with magickal energy to attract a specific force or energy. Opposite of Amulet. Something worn with a Magickal property. Religious: A Symbol or item sacred for religious reasons. Totemic: A relic of your family/clan's animal protector or your animal guide. 2) an object with protective powers or the ability to affect chance or luck, usually worn as a necklace.
TANAISTE: A successor to an Irish king who was elected during the lifetime of his predecessor, and whose duty it was to protect the throne and its holdings.
TARA: The palace and hill names Tara in the County Meath was the home of the High Kings of Ireland. A gathering place for the Druids. A spiritual center, and the seat of old Irish law. The name Tara comes from the Irish Tea-Mur meaning the "burial place of Tea," one of the Goddess who cofounded Tara.
TAROLOGIST
(tar-al-oh-gist) A tarot reader, Artist, diviner
TAPES: a
slang for the psychological conditioning received by children from adults. The "do's
& don'ts"...
TAROT: (Ta-row)a special deck of cards used for divination; a system of divination claimed to have originated in Egypt in ancient times. These cards are the ancestors of modern playing cards. Traditionally numbering 78 cards, of which 21 make up the Major Arcana & the rest are divided into 4 suits (cups, wands, pentacles, & swords) of Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana or GREATER SECRETS were lost through the efforts of the Christian clergy.
TASSEOGRAPHY: the act of 'reading' tea leaves in divination work.
TELEPATHY: the act of 'thought transference'.
THEURGY: A word meaning the magick of union of a human being with a devine force. Invocation is an example. Is usually performed when seeking devine power. Not common practice!
THREE FOLD LAW, THE: The only karmic principle of Celtic Paganism. It states that any energy released by the by the caster either positive or negative will return three times over. Also called the Pagan Rede or Law of Responsibility.
TIRN AILL: Literally means "Other Land." Another name for Tir Nan Og.
Tir Non Og: Land of the Forever Young. This is the Irish Land of the Dead, or the Otherworld. Tir Nan Og is the land to which the Irish faeries known as the Tuatha de Danann (Too-ah day Thay-nan, or Tootha day danan) flead when their lands were taken by the Milesians. In Tir Nan Og they spend their days feasting, gaming, love-making and partaking of beautiful music. The faeries can even enjoy the thrill of battle, for anyone slain is resurected the following day. It is the paradise that mortals can only dream of.
Torque: A neck piece worn by Celts of high rank. Several have been excavated and have been found to be made of precious metals and embellished with jewels and Celtic desings.
Touta: A clan which was in fact a small chiefdom. This word is used in some Druidic circles in place of the term coven or grove. It differs from a clan because those who meet regularly in a touta do not have to be related in any way.
Transcendent Deity: A God or Goddess who is seen as dwelling outside, rather than inside, humanity. A non-invocable deity.
Transmigration: The Druidic belief that the life essence or soul of a living thing would pass immediately from their old vessel into a new lifeform after their physical death.
Tree Calendar, Celtic: The system of reckoning the thirteen lunar months of the year by assigning each a sacred tree which represents the character of the month.
Triple Goddess: The one Goddess in all of her three aspects: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. This triple theme of feminine deity has been found in nearly every known culture on the planet. She is represented by the three phases of the moon; waxing, full, and waning. There are also a few known male triplicities.
Triplicity: Sometimes called a Triad, trio, triune, or triple, this is a word used to indicate a devine threesome which is really one being with three faces. Triplicities are very common amoung the Celts and are often seen in many of their philosophies.
Triscale or Triskele: A Celtic symbol used by the Druids to represent the sacred number three. It was a cirlce devided into three equal spaces separated by swirling lines which radiate out from the center.
Tuatha De Dannan: Tuatha Dé Danann, were a race of people (descended from the goddess Danu) responsible for all the tales of fairies that Ireland is famous for telling. They were said to be adept in magic and, because of this, were banished from heaven. They possessed four talismans of great power: the stone of Fal which shrieked under the true heir to the throne; the spear of Lug which made victory certain; the sword of Nuadu which slays all enemies; and the ever full cauldron of Daghda from which no man ever goes away hungry. They came to Ireland where they were forced to go into hiding when that country was invaded by the Milesians, forefathers of today's Irishmen.
THAUMATURGIC: pray for divine intervention, like 'God give us world peace.'
THEBIAN
SCRIPT: The Witches Alphabet, a common
type of writing used esp. by "traditionalist" and Gardnerian Wiccans.
THELEMA (Thel-ih-ma,
or Theh-lame-a) See 93, Crowley's Law
THELEMIC (thel-ay-mic)
Of, pertaining to or like Thelema, also used to refer to any magickal/metaphysical system
centered around LOVE and WILL.
THELEMITE: (Thel-im-mite or Thelame-ite) What most Crowleyists PREFER to
be called.
THEALOGY (Thea low
gee) Feminine form of Theology
THEOLOGY: is
Greek, meaning the 'Study of God and the religion and cultures effected by them. . Thealogy: new usage & spelling, the 'Study of Goddess'.
THEURGIC: pray for yourself, like 'God give me more understanding with others'
THIRD EYE: this is the sensitive area between the eyes & up on the forhead about an inch. Site of a Major Chakra, the Pineal gland. It relates to intuitive input to the Conscious Mind & is often called The Mind's Eye.
THREE FOLD
LAW: a belief that we receive in return
three times whatever good or evil we do. A variation of the Karmic law were the
retribution ratio is 3 to 1.
THREE
PATHS, THE The three choices we are
given in "how to live." See Left Hand Path, Right Hand Path, Center Path.
THRICE BORN: an Initiate; a true Witch; born once from their mother, once from the Cauldron, and once from the God/dess.
THURIBLE: an incense burner that hangs from a chain, and swung by a carrior, to spread its smoke (Air Element symbol). Used during rituals to cleanse the space within the magic Circle. Fire Element symbol.
TINCTURE: a liquid produced by soaking plant parts (herbs), in ethyl alcohol or vinegar, to produce a scented liquid.
TOMTEN: Scandinavian farm Elf. These tiny beings, with a long beard and colorful cap; sees to the well-being of the farm animals. His nightly rounds of the farm brings fertility, success, prosperity, and good luck.
TOOLS, PHYSICAL: the instruments, empowered with magick; used by Pagans. These would include runes, tarot, candles, crystals, wand, censor, etc. Tools should be physically cleaned, consecrated and even engraved, prior to use for ceremonial purposes.
TOOLS, NONPHYSICAL: the three most generally used are: music, dance and gestures. These raise power, alter consciousness and serve to unite Self, with Diety.
TOUCHED
BY THE GODS Insane.
TRUMP a single card of
the major Arcana, of the TAROT deck
TRUMP, TO (As a die-hard fan of Roger Zelazny's Amber novels, I nearly
fainted when someone used this word this way in front of me, although that person had
never read a single Amber book, I know that Amber MUST be from whence this came.) To use a
Tarot Card (or picture) as a focus for telepathic communication, also called
"Photomentalism" or "Photopathy."
TRAD Tradition
TRADITIONAL: Many branches of the craft claim to be pre-Gardnerian. These usually call themselves Traditional. This covers a lot of territory and depends on the area of origin (i.e. Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Basque, etc.).
TRADITIONS: A sect or division within Paganism/Wicca/Magick. The use of tradition as "sect" is not a new use, nor is "new tradition" an oxymoron. Systems of training in the Craft: Some traditions are: Gardnerian, Celtic Traditionalist, Welsh Traditionalist, Y Dynion Mwyn, Alexandrian, Continentalist, Stregha, Fairy, Feminist, Dianic, etc.
TRADITION, WICCAN: a specific branch or SECT of Wiccan religion, with its own structured practices.
TRANSCENDENT: means 'it'...surpasses all, is supreme in excellence, & is beyond all human knowledge.
TRANSVECTION: levitation or projection of the astral body.
TREE OF LIFE, THE A diagram representing the All in Kabbalah, also the companion tree to the Tree of knowledge in the "Adam and Eve" Myth. Also Yggdrasil. The name for agave and a number of other "trees"
TRIADS: Prose writings of three lines containing morals and guides to daily living.
TRIANGLE: In Ceremonial Magick, a three sided figure used to contain a spirit, intelligence, demon, or whatever has been evoked; it is part of the method of protection for the person or persons who have evoked the entity.
TRIFORMIS (Try-form-is) The triple Goddess as Hecate, Selune and Diana/Artemis. Rare.
TRILITHON: a feature found in Stonehenge, composing of 2 upright slabs of stone, supporting 1 slab of stone crosswise to make an arch.
TRISKELION: this is a triple, overlapping triangle symbol and represents Fate(s). One side of each triangle is missing, and this gives an overall impression of movement & activity, of energy in action.
TRUE SOLAR TIME: an Astrology term; the Sum moves around its ECLIPTIC of 360 degree in 1 year, advances in the ZODIAC by 1 degree each day. NOON is the Sun's point halfway between rising & setting. SO when the ecliptic point in which the Sun was at noon yesterday, is itself halfway between rising & setting today, it is NOT yet quite noon but will be when the NEXT DEGREE of the ecliptic gets there, which NOW CONTAINS the Sun. This equates to a TRUE SOLAR DAY being a little longer than a SIDEREAL DAY, a Solar hour being longer than a sidereal hour, etc. This puts the Sidereal NOON time about 4 minutes later each day & 2 hours later each month.
TUMULUS: A particular type of cairn which contains an underground chamber and ritual space where death rituals took place. A tumulus is also referred to as a barrow.
UFOLOGIST
(you-eff-al-o-gist) One who studies UFO's.
UNCLE AL Aleister Crowley, slang.
Reactionist term to "Gardner was the father of Wicca."(If Gardner was the father
of Wicca, surely Crowley was it's uncle.
UNDERWORLD Hel,
Hades, the "waiting room" of the after life. Also see OtherWorld
VALIENTE,
DOREEN- A popular Craft author and
English High Priestess now deceased, whose poetic works
include 'The Charge of the Goddess' and 'The Witches' Rune'. Doreen Valiente was initiated
by Gerald B. Gardner (Gardnerian Tradition Founder) in 1953. She replaced much of Aleister
Crowley's work in Gardner's rituals with her own. She was a widow before her death, and
lived in Sussex. Her notable works are often misquoted and plagiarized. She contributed a
great deal to the Craft. A prolific writer, her books included these titles and more: Natural Magic, An ABC of Witchcraft
Past and Present, The Rebirth of Witchcraft, Witchcraft for Tomorrow
VENENDUM: Pagan staff for ritual work; also called stang.
VIBRATIONS: magickal radiation of all things
VIBES Feelings radiating form someone/something..."good vibes" "bad vibes."
VISUALIZATION: the process of forming clear mental images by using the imagination and memory. An important part of magical practices, and is a function of the Conscious Mind. Imagined pictures used to see the unseeable.
VITRIOL: medieval term for "sulfuric acid".
VOODOO or VODOUN: the remains of several African religions brought to the Western world by slaves and later combined with Catholicism. Similar to Santeria, Brujeria and Spiritismo. Sympathetic Magick plays an important part in the Voudoun rites.
VORTEX: the whirling forces of the cone of power.
WAKE: A quintessentially Irish Passing Over ritual still used among the Irish today regardless of their religious affiliations. It is believed the wake grew out of an older Irish ceremony called, "fled cro-lighe," the feast of the death bed. Also seen as the Irish death ritual.
WALPULGISNACHT (Varies: Val-pur-gis-noct) The night before Beltane
WAND: 1) a magickal tool, traditionally made of wood, 21" in length or length from elbow to users fingertips; and tapered base to tip. Can be plain, painted, stained and/or engraved. It's an instrument for invocation and represents the Element - Air. 2) rod or staff which is prepared so that it may be used for magickal or psychic purposes; usually to project some form of power. Traditional ceremonial Magick ascribes to it the power of control over the magickal element of fire.
WARLOCK: 1) "Oath Breaker" and "Traitor", from Scottish Gaelic dialect. Also refers to the binding of the candidate in preparation for initiation. Wiccans do NOT use this word for a 'male witch'! Its meaning is from the Old English (one source: Scottish) word: waerloga. 2)A word for an untrustworthy man, an oathbreaker, sometimes an eunuch (castrated male). It's thought to have come into usage by Witches to describe one who had betrayed them.
WATCHER: 1.) an elemental guardian, 2.) an Old One.
WATCHTOWERS, GUARDIANS OF: 1) A term used to describe the Elementals who are Energy Forms, Raiths or Spirits of the 4 Elements. 2) Originally used in the Enochian Tradition of Ceremonial Magick but whose usage is now widespread. 3) Those Entities connected to the Elements & Directions & certain attributes as follows:
North Air thought & intellect Male yellow
East Earth stable, solid, dependable Female green...
South Fire change, passion, willpower Male red.....
West Water emotions & purification Female blue....
Center Spirit intuitiveness unisexed soul
They are both visible & physical and invisible & spiritual. They are invoked during ritual as protectors of our Circle of Power & sometimes as advisors. Some 'set' these Guardians, during rituals in a more complex exercise than simply invoking the Elements.
WAY OF THE WISE Another term for Wicca or Witchcraft (even though Wicca does not mean Wise One, the phrase has taken on that meaning over the years)
WEBWEAVING "Witchy" and Feminist term for Networking
WEIR: Net placed across a small inlet to catch the fish as the tide goes out.
WELSH TRADITION: 1.) Y Dynion Mwyn, the American branch of Dynion Mwyn, brought to the U.S. by Rhuddlwm Gawr in 1966. Derived from the Tribe of Dynion Mwyn in North Wales. What distinguishes the Tradition of Y Dynion Mwyn from other traditions of Witchcraft or Wicca in general, is the emphasis on a historical linage (alleged to have been passed down from Prince Llewellyn) since 1282; a focus on religious equality (either High Priest or High Priestess may initiate or lead a coven (or grove); and the passing down of handwritten copies of books of power, which include: The Owl (a Book of Shadows), and thirteen books containing magickal philosophy, myths, legends, history, and rituals. These books were named after the Original Mythological Thirteen Treasures of Ancient Britain. The tradition includes a body of lore and ritual associated with the Welsh Mabinogion and Welsh Triads. 2.) The New York Welsh Tradition. This tradition was originally founded by Ed Buczynski with the help of Herman Slater. It is derived from The Celtic Tradition as taught by the late Gwen Thompson. 3.) A Tradition of Witchcraft derived from the teachings of the ancient Welsh Bards and practiced by Keith Morgan of Wales. 4.) A Southern Wales tradition called "Nementon", which was brought to the U.S. by the late Gwydion Penderwen, who founded the tradition in the 60's and 70's in California, and is being carried on by his initiates.
WHEEL OF THE YEAR, THE: A conceptualization of the eternal cycle of time. In Pagan mythology the Goddess turns the Wheel of the Year bringing everything to its season. The Wheel of the Year is symbolized by either a wreath, a ring, a snake holding its tail in its mouth, or an eight spoked wheel.
WICCA: 1) The contemporary pagan religeon predating Christianity. Expresses reverence for Nature, viewing Diety in all natural things; uses magick; worship is of God (Lord) and Goddess (Lady). A follower of Wicca, is a Wiccan. 2) Meaning: wise ones, and/or to turn, bend & shape. Wicca is often termed the 'new name' for Witches, and there seems to be some argument as to its proper use. 3) "A religion of experience rather than dogma." 4) from an old Anglo-Saxon word Wiccae, a masculine noun meaning "wizard"; the feminine form of the word is Wicce. 4.) the British Traditional family of Witchcraft religions derived from Gerald Gardner's tradition. 5.) any of the modern eclectic Witchcraft traditions obviously related to the Witchcraft described by Gerald Gardner in his published books. 6.) a Word which has come to mean Witch or Magick worker. 7.) the Shamans or "Medicine Men" of the Celtic Tribe or the "Witches" of the village. This was the Herb Woman or Cunning Man of the English community of medieval times. NOTE: Anglo-Saxon, wicca is masculine & wicce, feminine; and means a person who Divines information. Old English, wicce & Saxon, wych; means 'to turn, bend, and shape'. Indo-European root word of 'wic' & 'weik'; also means 'to bend or shape'. Germanic 'wit', means knowledge, or to know. Including 'witch' as one of its derivatives.
WICCA CRAFT Another term for Wicca; see below
WICCANCRAEFT: Witchcraft or the Old Religion. Word of Germanic derivation.
WICCANING: the act of parents, promising to rear their child in the Wiccan culture...SEE PAGANING or SAINING.
WICKLIER-THAN-THOU The Wiccan Equivalent of "holier than thou," someone playing games of one-upmanship.
WIDDERSHINS: 1) to move counterclockwise within a ceremonial circle or ritual area. opposite of Deosil. 2) It is the counterclockwise movement around a circle, to disperse or tear down negative energy. Used in binding spells. 3) A Teutonic word meaning to go backwards or counter clock wise. It was used to banish, diminish, or counter some negative force.
WIDDERSHINS:
WILL The Force of Self, the "fuel" of Magick. One of the cornerstones to Magick. See also, ITS, True Will, 93, Crowley's Law and Love and Will.
WINDSINGER One who "whistles up winds" an old seafarer's nickname, a Sea Druid, my Religious (non-Birth) clan. Before MacMorgan, I was Kaatryn Windsinger.
WISE ONES: the personifications of traditional God/desses and Hero/as, and ancient teachers.
WITCH: 1) Sometimes used name of a follower of Wicca. 2) Ancient, European practitioner of folk magick, especially that of herb and 'simple' magicks. NOTE: Saxon for 'wych'. 3) initiated male or female member of the Old Religion; one skilled in the ancient wisdom; practitioner of Witchcraft.
WITCHCRAFT: 1.) a family of Pagan magico-religious traditions deriving from pre-Christian Europe. 2.) European-diasporic folk Magick. 3.) Sometimes used by Wiccans as a synonym for Wicca. 4.) the practice of Magick. 5) the craft used by Witches, which is Magick. Especially, that utilizing personal power with the energies of natural objects.
WITCH WAR A dispute between coven leaders, very often silly things with episodes of "I'm gonna ward you right off this plane." No real, self-respecting Wiccan over the age of four participates in one.
WIZARD: 1) Old English meaning, 'one who is wise.' 2) practitioner of Magick, usually male, in Old English, meant wise one. Not a Witch.
WORLDS, BETWEEN THE: other aspects & dimensions of the physical, spiritual, & psychological, etc.
WORT: an ancient word meaning herb, as in mugwort.
WORT CUNNING Literally: Herb knowledge.
WORSHIP: in Paganism and Wicca, this means to become one with the gods during a group or personal rite and to endeavor to draw the essence of a goddess or god within, to see and understand from their viewpoint.
WRAITH: 1) see SPIRIT subjects. 2) an old term sometimes used to denote the astral body.
XTIAN (ex-jin) Abbreviation for Christian. The Earliest use of which I've found was in a reprint of one of H.P.Blavatsky's writings.
XYLOMANCY- divination by branch or twig formations, as in interpreting their patterns on the ground, on trees against the sky, or in a fire as they burn.
YESHUA: is Hebrew, for - Jesus.
YGGDRASIL- (varies:igg dra-sil) 1) The Scandinavian Tree of Life that holds everything together. 2) Sacred ash tree that binds Earth with 'Heaven" and the "Underworld" in Norse myths.
YULE: 1) the festival celebrated about Dec. 21, on the Winter Solstice (shortest day of year). 2) also called Alban Arthan, Jul, and the Winter Solstice. Also see GWYL CANOL GAEAF. It marks the God's rebirth from Goddess, and reminds us that Death's product is Rebirth! The American Heritage Dictionary says modern 'yule' is from Middle English, 'yole' or 'yule'; which comes from Old English 'geol/geohhol'; from Common Germanic, 'jehwla/jegwla', meaning unattested.
Y Dynion Mwyn: (Literally "The Fairy Folk" also "The Beautiful People) 1) The Faeire tradition of Wales; 2) a clan of priests and priestesses who are members of the Dynion Mwyn ("fair family") Welsh tradition; 3) brought to the U.S. by Rhuddlwm Gawr; also see WELSH TRADITION.
ZENER CARDS- deck of 25 cards,
each with one of five patterns (star, waves, square, equal armed cross, and circle) used
in parapsychology experiments
ZENITH: an astrology term...point when a celestial body is directly overhead. NADIR is the exact opposite.
ZODIAC: a Greek name given to the 'belt' of stars through which the planets APPARENTLY pass centrally through. The ECLIPTIC is the circle line on the celestial sphere (like an Equator), which lies in the plane of the Sun's APPARENT orbit around the Earth. The Zodiac then is divided into 12 parts called SIGNS or HOUSES: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, & Pisces. The in between of a House, is a CUSP. And these Houses or Signs are then part of an ELEMENT (count 1, 2, 3, 4 to place every 4th matching) - Fire, Earth, Air, or Water. Then you have POLARITY: Fire & Air = positive / Water & Earth = NEGATIVE. Further, Fire is opposite Air & Water, opposite Earth.
ZODIAC QUARTERS: the Zodiac begins at the Vernal Equinoctial point or Spring, where the ecliptic crosses the Equator south to north. The 4 quarters are divided by solstices & equinoxes. Each quarter is further divided by 3 SIGNS: CARDINAL starts, FIXED persists the process, & MUTABLE completes.
ZYZYGY: an astrology term...event when 3 or more heavenly bodies (that is, planets, etc.), line up.
ZILLS: finger cymbals used in belly dancing and in various types of dance magic.
![MoonRule[1].gif (5298 bytes)](http://www.dynionmwyn.net/tylwythteg/MoonRule1.gif)
|
|
There
have been visitors to this page since January 1, 2005
Contact us at our e-mail: http://www.dynionmwyn.net/contactus.htm
 |
Author: Gwen Boudicca Copyright © 1977, 1992, 2003, 2007 by Church of Y Dynion Mwyn. All rights reserved. Revised: 28 Nov 2011 20:26:28 -0500 |
|
For information on all individuals
and organizations listed in this website, or the name of a contact person in your area
that can give you further information on the Church of Y Dynion Mwyn, contact us at http://www.dynionmwyn.com/contactus.htm
. Let us hear from you! You may also call us at 000-000-0000 If you access our voice mail, we will call you back collect if long distance. Or, you can write to Laura at: DM, P.O. Box 673206, Marietta, GA 30006-0006 |
Return to the Welsh Witchcraft Homepage
