Pagan Glossary
The A-Z of everything Pagan
"A year and a day" - A historical reference to Welsh brehon law documented before 1000 AD in oral lore. A contract was taken for "a year." The time of "and a day" was a period given to discontinue, reestablish, or modify the original contract while it was still active. Modernly, it is used by NeoPagans as a spoken contract between student-teacher, initiate-initiator, neophyte-adept, participant-group, as a period of time where the 'contractee" takes the responsibilities and benefits of an active member while still not being of the group contracted to. This is an arbitrary amount of time, often close to the Gregorian calendric date of "A year and a day" used for the contractee-contractor(s) to see if all expectations have been met on all sides. At then end of this contract, the contractee is then accepted into the group, or moves on, with no onus to contractee or contractor(s).
Adept - A person that has become highly proficient in a particular magickal art(s) through dedication, much study, and practice.
Akasha - What some deem the fifth Element, Spirit. It is the ever-present spiritual energy inherent in all parts of the universe. It occupies the top point of the Pentacle and is considered the center of the Cardinal directions and their reference Elements.
Akashic Records - Records kept on the Astral plane of each and every human life and all our past lives. It is believed you can access these records to look into you past lives and the future. The popular psychic, Edgar Cayce, derived the thought of the Akashic records, and delivered the notion to society. Allegedly, there is a vast collection of information somewhere that can be accessed for information such as magickal workings, past lives, healing abilities, ect. The records are accessed through using the mind to "tap into" universal energies, and the information is attained from there.
Alexandrian- That tradition of Witchcraft descended from the teachings of Alex Sanders.
Altar - A flat surface used exclusively for magickal practices or religious observations. The lay out of the altar various widely with Tradition, and even further with individual.
Amulet - A magickally enhanced object designed to deflect specific types of energy, usually negative.
Ankh - An Egyptian hieroglyph used as a symbol of love, life, reincarnation, and a few other positive energies. It is essentially a cross with a loop as the top.
Aradia - Daughter of the Goddess Diana and Lucifer, God of the Sun (sometimes said to be her brother), Aradia is called the Queen of Witches. Though used in many Wiccan traditions, she is central to the Italian witchcraft tradition, Strega.
Arcana - A deck of Tarot cards is divided into two halves or arcanas. The Major Arcana has 22 cards representing dominant events and forces in life. The Minor Arcana (lesser Arcana) has 56 suit cards representing smaller and/or more mundane events in life.
Archetypes - Universal symbols that speak to us in the language of the subconscious. They are the ideal images of deities and other powers that embody concepts such as knowledge and beauty, and allow us to communicate such concepts to the subconscious in order to perform magick, divination and other rituals.
Astral Plane - The plane that interpenetrates and reflects our physical plane, but operates on a higher frequency. Magickal workings are done in the Astral plane to effect the physical plane. When casting a circle you do soon the Astral Plane to protect you on both the Astra and Physical planes.
Astral Projection - Projecting your Astral body (Soul/Spirit) out from the physical body. This is sometimes done in dreams where the dreamer has dreams of flying that seem "Sooooooo real"
Athame - A ceremonial magickal knife used to aid in the channeling of energy during ritual and spell casting. It usually has a black handle and a double edged blade, and is almost never used for physical cutting. It is used to direct energy and occasionally to scribe runes and other symbols into candles. It is also used to dip into water to represent the union of the Goddess and the God in the great rite.
Balefire - A fire lit for a magical purpose.
Bane - Bad. That which destroys life.
Bane or baneful - That which is negative, destructive, evil, dangerous
Banish - To magically send away or repel negative energies or entities from the person, home, or ritual area.
Beltane, Beltaine, Beiltane - An ancient Celtic Fire Festival celebrated on May 1. The modern version still celebrates the marriage of the Goddess and the God, and the passage of the Goddess from Maiden to Mother. Fertility rituals are commonly a part of this Sabbat. Also spelled Bealtaine and Beilltaine.
Besom - A witches broom, usually round. Over which a couple jump during a handfasting or used to "sweep" away bad energy. It is never used to actually sweep the floor it instead sweeps negativity away.
Black Magick - Any negative magick performed to harm or manipulate people or situations in a negative way. Practitioners of black magick are said to be on the "left hand path."
Blood of the Moon - A woman's menstrual cycle and her most powerful time, especially if it occurs on a Full or New Moon.
Bolline or Boline - A white handled knife used to cut herbs and other plants for ritual work, the Working knife.
Book Of Shadows or Grimoire - (B.O.S) The book which contains all the magical information, spells, rites, procedures, herbal information, herbal recipes of a Witch. Many individuals have their own Book, as do many Covens. Sometimes called a Grimoire. This has been replaced by Computer folders and disks (F.O.S, D.O.S) in some cases.
Burning Times, The - A historical reference to the era around 1000 CE through the 17th century when over nine million people were tortured and burned by church and public authorities under the accusation of being Witches (the Christian, Satan worshipping stereotype of a witch, not for being actual witches). This killing spree became quite profitable, as the individual who turned in a witch got a part of the accused's property (reward money), while the rest was diverted to the Church. Records and historians show that most of the people murdered were women and children.
Cairn - A pillar of rocks. Usually 9 or 11.
Call - Invoke
Candlemas - The Celtic Fire Festival, held on February 1, commemorating the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden again. The festival, also called Imbolc, celebrates the passing of winter and the coming of spring.
Cardinal Directions or Cardinal Points - The four familiar directions of the compass and their relative Elements. Many Crafters utilize the Cardinal directions to attune with the elements of the universe. The directions and their reference Elements are:
North = Earth
East = Air
South = Fire
West = Water
Center= Akasha
Cauldron - A favorite tool of witches, this three-legged cooking pot has many uses. It may be used to cook in, for mixing recipes or potions, for scrying, and as a censer. On an altar, the cauldron symbolizes the Goddess.
Censer - A heat-proof container that holds burning incense during ritual. Primarily used to represent the Element of Air.
Chakra - "Wheel of light" Seven major intersections of energy located on the vertical axis of the body, each associated with a color. Smaller channels are also found in other areas of the body, including the hands and feet. They are also associated with life experiences such as love and may be used when meditating on those experiences.
Crown = White
Forehead = Purple
Throat = Blue
Chest = Pink or Green
Navel = Yellow
Abdomen = Orange
Groin = Red
Chalice - A witch's tool which can be used to represent the element of water and may also be used to hold the juice or wine for the offering. Representative of the Goddess as well.
Charm - An amulet or talisman that has been instilled with energy for a specific purpose through incantation or other magickal enhancement.
Channeling - A New Age word for mediumship, channeling involves allowing a spirit entity to speak through the channeler. The process is virtually impossible to prove and therefore does not enjoy a particularly good reputation.
Charge of the Goddess- Originally written by Doreen Valiente, the charge gives the story of the message from the Goddess to Her children. The High Priestess often recites the charge at the Full Moon Esbat.
Circle - A protected area where ritual work takes place. A spherical boundary of energy used to protect the magick person from outside influences that may disrupt the ritual. Some also use a physical boundary to assist in the establishing and maintaining of the sphere. Wiccans and Ceremonial Magicians use Magick Circles all the time, while Tradcrafters use them not at all.
Clairaudience - Being able to hear messages
Clairsentient - Being able to "feel" or "Know" messages (Also called the power of Prophecy). Sometimes a Clairsentient person can perceive smells, taste or touch.
Clairvoyant - Being able to see messages through inner sight.
Cleansing - Removing negativity, either on the Astral (using white light etc.) or on the physical (Using Salt etc.) Cleansing
The use of positive energy to remove negativity from an object or place.
Cone of Power - The energy that is raised in a Magick Circle. It is done by chanting/singing/drumming/walking etc. The energy is focused on a goal, and then built up and then sent out through the top of the circle into the Astral to work it's power.
Consecration - A process of cleansing an object and blessing it in the names of the Goddess and/or God for Magickal/religious use.
Corn dolly - A dolly made from corn husks (some books I have read say that American "Corn" is actually wheat). A symbol of the Goddess, especially at Beltane.
Correspondences - Sets of ideas, concepts or objects that are regularly associated in a particular way. Most magickal workings involve the use of correspondences. For example, the Moon is associated with Monday, moonstones, the color white, and purity, among other things.
Coven - A religious group of earth-based spiritualists. Generally, a circle group of Witchcraft practitioners; specifically, a group of a specific Witchcraft Tradition where the members more strongly dedicate time and effort to the group, more than a general circle group. . Traditionally 13 individuals who get together for Esbats and other rituals/meetings. Usually led by a female (High Priestess) and a male (High Priest).
Covenstead - The meeting place of a coven (if not outdoors), or the High Priestess's house.
Cowan - One who is not of the pagan paths; one who does not practice magick. A mundane.
Cross Quarters - The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane,and Lammas, the Sabbats that do not fall on the solstices or equinoxes.
Cult - A cult, by 'Webster's II New Riverside Dictionary is defined as 1) A system of religious worship. 2) Obsessive and faddish devotion to a principle or person. Cults seek converts, exercise control over their followers etc. Wicca is not a 'cult'. In fact, most cults are based on Christianity or an Eastern Religion.
Days of Power - See SABBATS
Dedication - A ritual in which a Witch dedicates herself to the Craft and vows to remain steadfast to the path she has chosen.
Degree - Levels of achievement in a particular tradition. Many traditions have three degrees.
Deosil - A clockwise motion, symbolic of positive, constructive energies. Also called "Sunwise" The direction the sun travels in the sky. Often used in ritual to "produce" positive energies in the surrounding environment.In the Northern Hemisphere it is Clockwise, in the Southern hemisphere it is counter-clockwise.
Deity - A Divine entity (God or Goddess) honored in a religious "doctrine."
Dianic - Tradition emphasizing the Goddess Diana. Leadership is generally female, though males may be members.
Divination - The magickal art of interpreting the patterns of energies, often displayed through tools as mediums such as tarot, tea leaves, runes, etc. in order to discover the unknown.
Divining - The use of Divination (ie. "He was Divining using his Tarot cards)
Dowsing -The divination art of using a pendulum or stick to locate something or someone. Can also be used to answer questions utilizing charts
Drawing Down the Moon - A ritual used during the Full Moon in which Witches invoke the power of a Moon Goddess to increase their power.
Earth Magick- A form of magick in which the powers of the Earth are sought and used to conduct ritual and magickal workings.
Earth Mother - The identification as the Earth being the bringer of life, hence the idea of "Mother Earth."
Earth Religion - "A religion wherein the worshipper strives to be in harmony with the Earth and with all life-forms. These religions are opposed to the Christian view that the world is a resource to be subdued and exploited; or that humans have the right to dominate and / or subjugate other life-forms."
Eclectic -A person (or the practice of a person) who combines attributes from various traditions to create a unique spiritual blend of Wicca, Paganism, or Witchcraft that suits them best.
Elements -The four traditional elements that make up our universe. Everything that exists or has the potential to exist, is a product of an Element or combination of Elements. of their energies. They are Earth, Fire, Air, and Water (Many also add Akasha to make a fifth element.) Also see Cardinal Directions and Akasha.
Elementals - the personification of the Elements. Earth = Gnomes, Fire = Salamanders (Some books have said they are fire spirits some have said they are the lizards..) Water = Undines (Mermaids and Mermen), Air = Sylphs. For Grecco-Romans they are the 4 Winds, and for Ceremonials they are the 4 Archangels.
Equinox - One of the two times a year when the sun crosses the equator and the day and night are approximately the length. Spring Equinox approximately March 21st-22nd, Fall Equinox September 21st-22nd.
Esbat - A Witches gathering that is not on a Sabbat, usually occurring on a full or dark moon. Aslo a term for the monthly meeting of a Wiccan Coven, usually held during the full of the moon. (There are about 13 full moons each year.) Some groups also meet at the dark or new moon.
Ether - AKA Aether. An intangeable material substance as opposed to a spiritual substance. It often refers to an unseen vaporous substance, as well as the occult counterpart of an atmosphere. Sometimes called "Spirit"
Etheric - Composed of Ether
Evocation - Calling up spirits. (Not an Invocation)
Familiar - An animal, either a pet or a spiritual entity, who serves the Witch as a magickal helper.
Five Fold Kiss - The Witches' ritual salute performed in the Circle, with kisses; (1) on each foot, (2) on each knee, (3) above the pubic hair, (4) on each breast, and (5) on the lips
Gaia or Gaea- The Greek Goddess, the protective spirit of the Earth. Often used in environmental activist campaigns.
Gardinerian - A tradition of Witchcraft descended from the teachings of Gerald Gardner.
Geomancy - The art of reading the earth's energy and aligning yourself and your works to take best advantage of it.
Grimore - A work book containing ritual formulae, information and magical properties of natural objects and preparation of ritual equipment. Some people call their spell, ritual and magical information books "Books Of Shadows" and the herbal information a "Herbal Grimore". Other people call the whole lot a Book Of Shadows, or the whole lot a Grimoire.
Goddess, The Trinity - The concept of the Goddess having three aspects: The Maiden, The Mother, and The Crone. (This belief predates the similar Christian Trinity.)
Great Rite - Part of the third degree initiation as well as some festivals, the Great Rite symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess, and thus all creation. It is usually performed symbolically by placing a knife into a chalice, though it may be performed by the physical union of a man and woman.
Green Man - Another name for the God, particularly in His aspect of God of fertility.
Grounding - Clearing and releasing excess energy. To focus back into the physical after Magickal and Psychic workings.
Guardians of the Four Quarters (Watchtowers) - Another name for the Elementals. Astral entities associated with the Elements of the four Cardinal Directions. The Guardians are used by Ceremonial Magicians and many Wiccans to watch over a ritual and provide protection at the Four Quarters of the Magick Circle.
Guardian Spirits - Spirits that are present in our lives, and serve as protectors of our person and spirit. It is believed that everyone has Guardian Spirits, though very few are aware of the role they play.
Handfasting - A pagan wedding. Couples are "handfasted" together for a specified number of days/years (Usually a year and a day) After which a "handparting" may take place if they wish to part or another handfasting for another period of time. Some people have a registered Marriage Celebrant perform the Handfasting so that it will be a legally binding marriage in the eyes of the law.
Handparting - A pagan form of divorce. The couple who had been handfasted are now released.
Horned God, The - "The Horned God is an ancient symbol predating Judaism (and therefore Christianity.) The Horned God has NOTHING in common with 'Satan' (a Judaeo-Christian Deity) except for his 'horns'. Actually the horns are antlers, not little pointy things. "
HPS - Shortened version of High Priestess. The Female leader of a Coven.
HP - The shortened version of High Priest. The Male leader of a Coven.
Imbolc- Celtic name for Candlemas
Intent - Your goal or purpose. You focus on this before doing a spell or ritual, in the hope of making it happen.
Invocation - An appeal or petition to a higher power. A prayer. Invocation is a method of establishing conscious ties with those aspects of the Goddess and God that dwells within us. To invoke.
Joss Stick - Incense in a stick form.
Karma - Divine justice. For every action there is a reaction. A good action will bring good, a bad one will bring bad.The belief that one's spiritual path can be affected multiple times by the intentions within thoughts and actions. The center principle is cause and effect, all energy one sends out are returned to that person equally. ("For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.) Also see Polarity.
Labrys - An ancient Crete symbolization of the Goddess through a double-headed ax, portraying the "crescent moon" shapes in the blades. Still used by some Wiccans as a ritual tool.
Lammas - The Celtic festival also called Lughnassadh. It is the first of three harvest festivals and takes place on August 1.
Left Hand Path - Also known as the Dark Path, this is the path taken by those who would oppose Nature and seek to harm others for their own benefit.
Litha - Sabbat celebrated on the Summer Solstice when the Sun is strongest and accordingly the God is celebrated for His strength.
Mabon- The second harvest festival, held on the Autumn Equinox. It celebrates wine and balance.
Magic - Illusions done by a modern magician for entertainment purposes such as slight of hand or pulling a rabbit from a hat.
Magick -Spelled with a 'k' to differentiate it from slight of hand as in the 'Magic of David Copperfield'; this word means the conscious focusing of will, often with attendant ritual, to accomplish a goal.
Maiden - The first aspect of the Triple Goddess which symbolizes new beginnings and creation.
Malleus Maleficarum - "The Witches Hammer" or "Hammer for Witches" A document used in the Witch trials. Containing sections on how to test if a victim was a Witch and torture methods.
Megalith - A huge stone structure or monument. Stonehenge is the best known example of this.
Metaphysical - Pertaining to realities which are outside those of science, such as cosmology and ontology.
Mysticism - The belief that one can achieve direct consciousness of God or truth through meditation and intuition. In mystic practices, one attempts to merge with God or the source of creation.
New Age - Modern term for a variety of metaphysical practices, often combined and redefined to fit the contemporary world. Also the Age of Aquarius.
Neo-Pagan - "New Pagan". One who practices Neo-Paganism. All Wiccans are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccan.
Neo-Paganism - "A modern Earth Religion which adapts aspects of the pre-Christian Pagan religions; (most often from the ancient Norse traditions) and couples these practices with additions from contemporary religious thinkers."
Occult - Literally translated it means "hidden" or "unknown" Of or pertaining to supernatural phenomena or influences.' This word is also used to denote the study of secret practices. It may also imply something that is secret, magickal, or supernatural.
Ols Religion - Another name for Wicca. Also, Old Path or Old Ways.
Outer Court -People generally interested in being loosely connected to a Coven but not members. They may attend Sabbats but usually not Esbats, and they may attend classes that are open to non-initiates.
Ostara or Oestre- The Sabbat celebrated at the Vernal Equinox, the second festival of spring. Symbolized by the egg, it is a time to celebrate new life and sexuality.
Pagan - Latin for " A country dweller". According to the Dictionary it is used to describe any religion which isn't Christian, Muslim or Jewish based. General term for followers of Wicca and other Shamanistic, and Polytheistic Earth based religions. Also used to refer to pre-Christian religious and magickal systems.
Panthenon - A grouping of deities associated with a particular culture or time.
Patron deity - A particular Goddess or God you feel most comfortable working with
Pendulum - A tool of divination in which a string (16" to 18") is attached to a weight. The free end is held in the hand and the elbow steadied. The swing of the weight determines the answer to the posed question.
Pentacle - A 5 pointed star surrounded by a circle. Also - A circular piece of wood, metal, clay or other material onto which a Pentagram had been inscribed. The symbol of a five-pointed star (Pentagram) etched, inscribed, or painted on a circular surface. To some it represents the Element of Earth. To others it embodies all the Elements (including Akasha), and the equality of the points symbolizes the balance of the Elements within the universe. The Pentacle is often used in ritual by Wiccans, and occasionally by other Traditions. Some incorrectly use Pentacle and Pentagram interchangeably. Items are often placed on the pentacle during a ritual to consecrate them.
Pentagram - A 5 pointed star. Each point represents an element : Earth, Air, Fire, Water and the fifth element, Ether or Spirit. It is the symbol of the horned God when turned upside down( nose, ears and horns make up the points). It is not the symbol of Satanism, as some believe. It is a symbol of protection, and many Wiccans and Pagans wear one as a symbol of their religion and for protection. It can be scribed into or drawn on objects to protect them. The upside down (inverted) version is a "banishing" pentagram, and the right way up, the "invoking" pentagram. The Pentagram was used by many religions (including Christians) as a symbol of truth and Protection before it was said to symbolise "Evil". The symbol apparently was used until the inquisition as a positive symbol, and then its meaning was reversed. Some say that the upright pentagram shows Spirit/Divinity being first... it comes above everything else, and that the inverted pentagram shows Divinity at the bottom, and thus placed after everthing else. Which is said to be why Satanists use the inverted symbol, not becuase of it's associations with the devil. See the Magickal information page for more details)
Polarity - The notion of equal and opposite energies. Polarity implies balance: Good/Evil, Light/Dark, Positive/Negative, Sun/Moon, Hot/Cold, ect. (An excellent example is the Yin Yang symbol.)
Poppet - (No I didn't spell it wrong.....not puppet) A doll to represent a person. It is used in a healing spell, love spells, Hexes (although pins ARE NOT poked into it, that is Voodoo) etc. It can be wrapped in a ribbon or similar in a binding spell, it may be tied to another poppet for a love binding spell, there are different uses for poppets in different spells. Can be made from cloth, wax, clay etc.
Priest/Priestess - A person (term depends on gender) dedicated to the service of a chosen deity or group of deities, and helping mankind. Note: Neither gender has a dominating position in Paganism
Projective Energy - The energy that one sends out either intentionally or unintentionally. In magick, it is the energy that is put into an object or thought-form to achieve one's goals. It is also the energy of power objects that repel negative forces by sending out positive energy.
Projective Hand - The hand you use for manually transferring energy. The Right hand in most people. This is the hand which gives out energy. Opposite to Receptive hand, which receives energy.
Psychism - The act of being consciously psychic. When your conscious mind and your psychic mind are linked in perfect harmony.
Psychometry - Divination by holding an object belonging to another person
Quabala - (Also spelled Kabala, Quabalah, Cabalah, Kabalah). An ancient Jewish system for spiritual knowledge. Often used in ceremonial Magick.
Receptive Energy - The energy that attracts or is magnetic. Gemstones carried to draw in love or wealth have receptive energy.
Receptive Hand - In a Right Handed person this is the Left hand. It is the hand through which energy is received.
Rede - "To advise or counsel" The Wiccan rede is a passage of advise for a Wiccan... found here
Reincarnation - Rebirth. A cycle of repeated incarnation in the human form to provide time for the timeless soul to progress toward perfection.
Ritual - A set of movements, words, actions designed to accomplish a variety of effects. Ritual can involve Magick, honoring a diety, communion with nature, etc. Rituals need not be mechanically planned, spontaneous rituals filled with joy are often more effective than pre-planned, repetitive, and bland performances.
Runes - Line figures used in a variety of magickal practices, including Divination. Many are similar (or taken directly from) to ancient alphabets.
Sabbat - One of the eight seasonal Wiccan festivals equally spaced during the year, celebrated by individuals and covens of Wiccans. There are 2 solstice celebrations, 2 Equinox celebrations and several celebrations to mark season changes. Samhain, Litha, Lammas, Yule, Beltane, Imbolc, Maybon, Ostara. The 4 grand/major Sabbats are feminine Sabbats - Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnassadh. The 4 lesser Sabbats are masculine Sabbats - The Solstices and Equinoxes. (I don't think of them as being lesser and greater though)
Samhain - The Sabbat now celebrated on Halloween (October 31). This celebration marks the New Year and is a time for remembering the dead and honoring the Crone Goddess. It is also the final festival of the harvest season.
Satanism - Based on being a perversion of the Judaeo-Christian religion, Satanism is NOT a pagan religion. If anything, it is a 'reverse Christianity'. Satanists believe in the existence of the Judaeo-Christian deities, Yaweh, as well as his great adversary Satan. Pagans do not acknowledge either.
Scry - A divination method in which one gazes at or into an object. (ie steam, pool of water, fire, etc.) The relaxation of the mind opens the conscious to the surrounding energies which can be interpreted to understand parts of the future. Items commonly used are Crystal Ball, Bowl of water, Mirror or a candle flame, etc.
Scrying -to scry
Scurge - A scurge is a whip, used in rituals by "traditional" witches (being those who practise Gardnarian or Alexandrian, or variants of those forms of Wicca). It is not used much (if at all) today. I have never seen or heard of anyone actually having one, much less using one.
Shaman - A person (male or female) that possesses knowledge of the subtle energies of the world. Many Shaman were considered "Wise Men" (or Women) within their cultures. Their understanding of the subtle energies allowed them to perform magick.
Shamanism - The act of practicing Shamanistic abilities. Some times a religious practices, sometimes magickal, and at times both.
Sigil - A magickal seal or sign that is used during a magickal work. They can be used to tranfser, carry, or magnify energy, and have a large variety of applications
Skyclad - "Clad only in the sky". Ritual nakedness. Some include not wearing jewellery, hair adornments and makeup as being skyclad. Many people believe that when you perform rituals naked you are free from restrictions and falsehood. Some say magick is more powerful when performed in this way. It is common in some traditions such as the Alexandrian, as well as among many solitary practitioners. Working skyclad does not imply anything sexual, but rather is an attempt to remove all barriers to the energies with which one is working.
Solitary -A Pagan or Spiritual practitioner who works and worships alone.
Spell -A prayer. Mental, emotional, and/or spiritual energy expended to bring about a change in one's environment. The energy can be spoken, written, clapped, danced, or drawn, but must follow a few basic "guidelines" in order for it to be effective.
Spirit - A non-physical entity possessing thought, will, and life. Spirits are not supernatural, for they occur naturally within nature.
Sympathetic magick - Based on the principle that "Like cures like". Most spells are done this way. Items that have similar qualities can be used to effect eachother. eg. plants are green, - growing plants are green, green candles therefore symbolise growth. You use a symbolic representation of the intent, and whatever you do to it, will be reflected on the actual goal. Poppets are sympathetic magick.
Talisman - A magickally enhanced object designed to attract a specific type of energy.
Tarot Cards -A deck of (traditionally) 78 cards which hold images that connect the diviner with the energies of the universe. The cards can be used to determine energies from the past, present, and future, and can also be used as tools in ritual or magick. The specific origin is vague.
Tarologist - One who is accomplished at handling the Tarot.
Thaumaturgy - Magick done for practical reasons.. magick to obtain things such as healing, money etc.
Theurgy - Magick to evolve spiritually
Thiurible - An Incense holder that is suspended from a chain that allows you to gently swing it to release the smoke.
Tradcraft -This word is used to differentiate between the practices of traditional / hereditary witchcrafters and the practices of Wiccans.
Tradition - A "denomination" of Paganism, the path one follows. The particular branch of paganism that an individual follows, such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, etc. Tradition does no imply a recognized religion, for there are many more personal religions than there are recognized religions.
Trilithon - A stone arch made from 2 upright slabs of rock or wood, with one lying atop. Commonly used as an altar.
Triple Goddess - The one Goddess that encompasses three aspects, the Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
Tuathail - "Northward" Means Widdershins
Vibration - The rate at which energy moves. The slover the vibration - the denser the matter. The Physical plave has a low vibration, and the Astral plane has a high vibration. As energy goes from a place of low vibration to a place of high vibration it produces heat, as it moves froma place of high vibration to one of low vibration it cools.
Visualisation - Concentrating or imagining something very strongly as a visual image. The act of visualising.
Warlock- A derogatory term for a male Witch. It's original meaning, derived from the Old English "waer logga," is "oath breaker" and it was used in reference to a traitor to the Craft during the Burning Times.
Wheel of the Year - The Pagan calendar which symbolizes the eternal cycle of time. It usually begins with Samhain.
Wicca - "An earth based religion which was formed (circa 1940) by Gerald Gardner, which blended magical practices from diverse cultures with the writings of authors (such as H.P. Lovecraft,) and incorporated aspects of pagan ritual, tradcraft, as well as ancient concepts of deity. To this base, other concepts of fact and myth are added (or subtracted) to make up the various 'traditions' (in this case synonymous with 'denominations,') around which covens and individual practitioners base their practices. Some of the 'trads' of Wicca are:"
Alexandrian
Celtic
Circle
Dianic
Faerie
Gardnerian
Wiccan - One who follows the earth based religion known as Wicca; worships at least one aspect of the triple Goddess, and (sometimes) Her Consort, the Horned God. Wiccans often call themselves 'witches'. (note: few tradcrafters, who are the 'witches' of antiquity, will call themselves a witch.) A Wiccan would never dream of harming anything, be it beast, earth or mankind. In short, Wicca is a benign religion.
Widdershins -Counter clockwise motion. In the Northern Hemisphere it is opposite the Sun's movement in the sky, and would be considered to produce negative energies. It is faulty to think that any counter clockwise motion produces negative energy, the motion is simply symbolic of the energies around us.
Witch - A pagan who practices a way of life consistent with the natural rhythms of the earth. Many witches have a reverence and respect for their ancestors (lineal, collateral or adopted).
Yule- The Sabbat celebrated on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. In some traditions it celebrates the birth of the God and in others the coming birth.
