GLOSSARY OF TERMS COMMONLY USED IN WICCA
Copyright 1992 by Rowan Moonstone and Durwydd MacTara
AKASHA- the spiritual ether (or Aether); the omnipresent fifth occult
element which embraces the other four- earth, air, fire, and water; and from
which they stem. This is the realm of "pattern" or causality, from which the
realm the normally thought of "five senses manifests. Some define it is the
"other" of the "two worlds" that the witch or magician walks between.
ARADIA- Daughter of the Goddess Diana, and a name for the Goddess used by
Italian Witches or Strega, commonly used in many Wiccan traditions today.
ASPECTING- Any advanced magickal activity in which a practitioner manifests
a particular aspect of the Goddess or God, in thought, feelings, behavior,
appearance, etc.; Often as a direct result of a "Drawing Down". Often a
minor variation of this phenomena occurs with the selection of a "Magical
Name", of Craft Name.
ASPECTS- Forms, facets, or personas of Deity: for example, Brighid,
Iseult,Eos, and Kore are all aspects of the Maiden, and the Maiden is an
aspect of the Goddess.
ATHAME- black handled, double edged dagger. Principally used to cast and
dissolve the circle, for which purposes it is interchangeable with the magic
sword. A tool of the "Element" of Fire in the Georgian Tradition and some
others.
BELTANE- May Eve festival. One of the Ancient Celtic "Fire Festivals." on
this night, the cattle were driven between two bonfires to protect them from
disease. Couples wishing for fertility would " jump the fires" on Beltane
night. Also the traditional Sabbath where the rule of the "Wheel of the
Year" is returned to the Goddess. This Festival also marks the transition
point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Maiden to Mother.
BOOK OF SHADOWS- Traditionally hand copied book of rituals, recipes,
training techniques, guidelines, and other materials deemed important to a
Witch or a coven. Each tradition has it's own standard version of the Book
and each Witch's book will be different as he or she adds to it with time
from many different sources. Only another Witch can see your book of
shadows. Also, traditionally, it may never leave your hands or possession
until death, when it should be destroyed, or (in some traditions) returned
to the coven to be disposed of.
BURNING TIMES- a term used by some Witches for the period of persecution in
the Middle Ages and later. It is in fact a misnomer in some places, as
Witches were only burned in Scotland, and on the continent of Europe. In
England and the U.S., they were hanged.
CANDLEMAS- Festival held on Feb. 1.
One of the 4 Celtic "Fire Festivals. Commemorates the changing of the
Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates the first signs of Spring.
Also called "Imbolc" (the old Celtic name). This is the seasonal change
where the first signs of spring and the return of the sun are noted, i.e.
the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the Crocus flowers etc. In
other words, it is the festival commemorating the successful passing of
winter and the beginning of the agricultural year.This Festival also marks
the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone
to Maiden.
CARDINAL POINTS- North, South, East, and West, marked in the Georgian
Tradition by candles of green, red, yellow, and blue, respectively. The
Circle is drawn to connect these four points.
CHALICE- one of the tools of the Witch. Placed on the altar to represent the
element of Water.
CHARGE OF THE GODDESS- The Traditional words of the Goddess to her
followers, or "hidden children". Normally declaimed by the HPS at every
coven Circle.
CIRCLE- the area in which the magickal worship and spells takes place. Can
also be used to designate a particular group of Witches or Pagans such as
"Silver Acorn Circle".
CONE OF POWER- power raised in the circle by the Witches assembled, and sent
out into the world to work magick, is usually visualized as being retained
and built in the form of a "cone" prior to release.
COVEN- an organized group of Witches, led by a High priestess and/or a High
Priest who meet regularly for worship and fellowship. The traditional
membership is 13, but in fact most covens number considerably less. 3 is the
minimum in the Georgian Tradition. In Middle English, "Covin" a group of
confederates; In Old French "Covine" a band or group with a single purpose;
Latin "Com"-together, "Venire"-to come or move.
COVENSTEAD- regular meeting place for a coven. Usually the home of the High
Priestess or High Priest.
COWAN- a non-Witch. Formerly used in a very derogatory manner. Still used
in Masonic Ritual to indicate the non initiate and/or pretender to "real
craft". Not often used today among most Witches.
COYOTE ENERGY- trickster
energies. Named for the American Indian Trickster, Coyote, who tricks man
into learning what he needs to learn. Applies to one who constantly jokes
and clowns. Also applies to the concept of "Holy Fool" in many traditions.
CROSS QUARTER DAYS- The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of
Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas.
DEOSIL- clockwise, or sunwise. Traditional direction for working "building"
magick.
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON- Ritual invocation of the spirit of the Goddess into
the body of the High Priestess by the High Priest.
DIVINATION- magical method of exploration or inquiry into a situation via
such methods as Tarot cards, runestones, I- Ching, etc.
ELEMENTS- Earth, air, fire, and water, plus spirit, which includes them all.
These are regarded as realms or categories of nature (both material and
non-material) and are not to be confused with the physicists table of
elements, which the modern witch, of course, accepts.
ESBAT- weekly or biweekly meeting of a coven. Traditionally held either on
the full moon or the new moon.
FAMILIARS- Either a Witch's pet animal which has been trained to be a
magickal helper, or an artificially created "elemental" which performs the
same functions as the animal friend.
FIVEFOLD KISS, FIVEFOLD SALUTE- The Witches' ritual salute, with kisses; (1)
on each foot, (2) on each knee, (3) above the pubic hair, (4) on each
breast, and (5) on the lips- really 8 kisses in all. It is only used within
the Circle, but the words that go with it are the origin of "Blessed Be."
GARDNERIANS- Tradition of Witchcraft descended from the teachings of Gerald
Gardner.
GNOMES- an "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the plane of Earth or is
associated with the EARTH Element.
GREAT RITE- The rite which is the main feature of the third degree
initiation, and which is also laid down for certain festivals. It is sexual
in nature, but may be `actual' (and private to the couples concerned) or
symbolic, as the participants wish.
HALLOWS- name used by some traditions for Samhain, or Halloween
HANDFASTING- Wiccan equivalent of a wedding. It can be made legal if the
Priestess and/or Priest are registered as clergy with the local authorities,
or it may only be considered binding within the coven.
HIGH PRIEST/ESS- Technically speaking, a Witch who has received the 3rd.
degree initiation. More usually, the male and female leaders of a coven.
IMBOLC- Celtic name for Candlemas.
INVOCATION- The ritual "calling-in" of an entity (or energies) higher than
human, either for communication with the caller through a medium or by
visible manifestation or else to enter into a human body as in the Drawing
Down the Moon. In some traditions, a Prayer.
LAMMAS- August 1st. Witch Festival. The Old Celtic name for this festival is
Lughnassadh. It is the Festival of the First Fruits, and is the first of the
3 harvests. This festival also marks the change of the Threefold Goddess
energies from that of Mother to Crone.
MAIDEN- An appointment held by one of the women of the coven. She is
virtually the assistant High Priestess. This term is also the descriptive
term used to describe the first of the aspects of the Threefold Goddess
Energies (Maiden, Mother, and Crone). It is traditionally associated with
the Waxing Moon, and the period from Imbolc (Candlemas) to Beltane (May eve)
where the energies are those of initiating, beginning, and creation.
OLD RELIGION- another name for the Craft.
PAGANING- Presentation of an infant to the Circle and to the Gods.
PENTACLE- a disc shaped talisman; in particular, the metal disc which
represents the earth element among the witch's working tools.
PENTAGRAM- The five-pointed star. With a single point uppermost, it
represents the human being. Inverted, with two points uppermost, it can have
Satanist associations; but not necessarily. Some traditions of Wicca use the
inverted pentagram to signify an initiate of the second degree.
QUARTERS- The North, East, South, and West parts of a magickal circle or
other ritual area. (See also "Watchtowers")
REDE- rule or law.
SABBAT- one of the Eight festivals or high holy days of
Wicca.
SALAMANDER- an entity that dwells in the realm of Fire.
SAMHAIN- The festival of remembrance for the dead, held on the eve of Nov.
1st. It is the last of the three harvests. This festival also marks the
transition of rulership of the "Wheel of the Year from that of the Goddess
to that of the God.
SCRYING- divination, usually using such methods as crystal gazing, or
divination via incense smoke, or water as opposed to tarot or other
manipulative means.
SPELL- a prayer, or verbal direction of magickal energies toward the
accomplishment of some goal.
SUMMONER- The male officer of the coven who corresponds to the Maiden. He is
the assistant High Priest.
SYLPH- an "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the plane of Air or is
associated with the AIR Element.
TRADITIONS- any of the various "sects" of Wicca such as Gardnerian,
Alexandrian, Georgian, Seax, etc.
UNDINE- an "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the plane of Water or is
associated with the WATER Element.
WAND- A rod or staff that is prepared so that it may be used for magickal or
psychic purposes, usually to project some form of power.
WARLOCK- a term
coined in the Burning Times . It was used to denote a traitor to the Craft,
or one who had betrayed the followers of the Old Religion. It's origin is
Scottish. Because of the negative connotations, it is not used by most
Wiccans today.
WATCH TOWERS- Originally from the Enochian branch of Ceremonial Magick, now
incorporated into many "Traditions" of Wicca, these are the four elemental
"directions" or "quarters" (corresponding to the appropriate points on the
compass) called to protect the Circle during its establishment. Each of them
have a correspondence between the compass point, an element, and (varying
amongst different traditions) color associated with them.
WICCA- the name most modern day Witches use for the Craft. It comes from the
Anglo-Saxon word Wicce, meaning to bend or to shape. This is the root word
from which we get wicker.
WIDDERSHINS- counter clock wise. Used for "tearing down" OR BANISHING
magick.
WHITE HANDLED KNIFE- the working knife of a Witch. It is used to carve
candles, and for fashioning the other tools. Traditionally, it can only be
used in a Circle.
Copyright 1991 by Rowan Moonstone and Durwydd MacTara.
Permission to reprint for educational purposes at no cost is hereby granted
to all and sundry, provided the text is not altered in any way.
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