Magickal Terms
Adept:
An individual who through serious study and accomplishments is considered highly proficient in a particular magickal system. A person can be an adept at Egyptian magickal practices, but a total failure at practical kitchen magick.
Akashic Records :
This is a giant data base that can be accessed by the mind. The mind accesses the data through Universal connections. This data base holds information on past lives and healing, and other magickal/spiritual practices. This record system cannot be accessed by material equipment, such as a PC networking with a larger computer. In this case, the mind of the psychic or Witch accesses the data through Universal connections
Altar:
A special, flat surface set aside exclusively for magickal workings or religious acknowledgment.
Amulet :
An object of protection that has been ritually charged. These items deflect negative energies, including thoughts. These can be anything you feel appropriate : feathers, shells, beads, stones, etc.
Ankh:
An Egyptian hieroglyphic that is widely used as a symbol for life, love, and reincarnation. It depicted as a cross with a looped top.
Aradia:
A champion Italian Goddess sworn to protect her people against the aggression of masculine faith and its persecutors during the reign of medieval terror. The original Aradia was a female Christ figure in Italy who taught around 1353. She was imprisoned more than once, escaped several times and eventually disappeared. The second Aradia you will hear about is Leland's Aradia, a book detailing information from an Italian Gypsy Witch. The third Aradia is the daughter of Diana and Lucifer (God of the Sun). She is considered the Queen of the Witches.
Arcana:
The two halves of a Tarot deck. The Major Arcana consists of 22 trumps depicting dominant occurrences in our lives. The Minor Arcana consists of 56 suit cards (sometimes called the lesser Arcana) that assist in fleshing out the trump situations, or indicate smaller occurrences in our lives
Astral :
Another dimension of reality. Also known as dreamtime. This name is from the Australian Aboriginal people.
Astral Travel/Projection :
The Process of separation from your physical body. You can travel in the astral plane, also known as dreamtime.
Athame:
A cleansed and consecrated ceremonial knife used in ritual work by Witches. The knife is never used for blood-letting, and rarely used for cutting anything on the material plane.
Balefire:
You don't get to see too many of these today. In country settings its function was both magickal and practical. Holidays at which you would most likely see this type of celebration are Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh and Mabon.
Bane :
Bad, evil or destructive
Banishment:
To magickally end something or exorcise unwanted entities. To rid the presence of.
Bi-Location:
This is an interesting practice. You use a type of astral projection to travel in everyday reality by retaining the capability to be aware of your present surroundings. Synonymous terms are over-looking and mind-travel.
Bind :
To use magick to restrain someone or something
Blood of the Moon :
A woman's menstrual cycle. This is a very powerful time for us. If you acknowledge the strength within yourself, you are more powerful at this time than any other.
Book of Shadows:
A relatively new term for the collection of information in book form for a Witch's reference. Much akin to a magickal cookbook. Another name for this text would be Grimoire.
Bolline:
A curved, white-handled knife used for practical magickal purposes such as cutting. For instance, the knife can be used to harvest herbs, cut a branch for a wand, inscribe candles, etc.
Burning Times:
A reference to a historical time from around 1000 CE through the 17th century when it is said that over nine million people were tortured and burned by church and public officials on the assumption that they were the Christian version of Witches. Historians indicated that the majority of people tortured and murdered were women and children.
Cabala:
Also seen as Kabbala(h) and Qabala. The ancient Hebrew magickal system.
Call :
Invoking the Divine forces, such as "to call the quarters"
Chakras :
Seven major energy sites on the human body. Each is associated with a color
Crown - white, Forehead (third eye) - purple, Throat - blue, Chest - pink or green, Navel - yellow, Abdomen - orange, Groin- red
Charge, The:
Originally written in modern form by Doreen Valiente, it is a story of the message from the Goddess to Her children.
Channeling:
This is a New Age practice wherein you allow a disincarnate entity to "borrow" your body to speak to others either through automatic writing or verbally.
Charms:
Can either be an amulet or talisman that has been charmed by saying an incantation over it and instilling it with energy for a specific task.
Cleansing:
The act of removing any negative energy, vibrations or images from an object or place by utilizing positive, psychic energy.
Cone of Power :
Energy that has been raised and focused for a specific purpose. This action may be solitary or in a coven.
Consecration:
The act of blessing an object or place by instilling it with positive energy.
Coven:
A group of thirteen or fewer Witches that work together in an organized fashion for positive magickal endeavors or to perform religious ceremonies. The covenstead is the meeting place of the Witches, and is often a fixed building or place where the Witch can feel safe and at home.
Days of Power:
Although usually referred to as Sabbats, there are other days throughout the year that can be considered days of power. These days can be triggered by astrological occurrences, your birthday, a woman's menstrual cycle (also known as the Blood of the Moon), or your dedication/initiation anniversary.
Dedication:
The process where an individual accepts the Craft as their path, and vows to study and learn all that is necessary to reach adeptship in a given tradition. In a dedication, you consciously prepare yourself to accept something new into your life and stick with it, regardless of the highs and lows this action may produce.
Deosil :
With the sun, Movement clockwise.
Divination:
The art of using magickal tools and symbols to gather information from the Collective Unconscious on the nature of people, places, things, and events in the past, present and future.
Dowsing:
The art/science of using a pendulum or stick to find the actual location of a person, place, thing or element. Dowsing can also be used to answer yes or no questions, and quite a science has developed by holding a pendulum over a specially designed chart to answer specific questions on life patterns.
Drawing Down the Moon :
This ritual is done during a Full Moon. It is used to empower the witch performing the ritual and unite her essence with the Goddess.
Earth magick:
A practical form of magick wherein the powers and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct magickal workings or celebrations. Usually items associated with the Earth and nature hold a particular significance in the ritual or spell.
Elder:
Many Wiccan organizations have a group or board of Elders who over-see the operation of the church and its variety of functions. These people have usually gained their positions through a combination of their abilities which may include education, experience, magickal adeptship and counciling.
Elements:
Usually counted as four: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. However, many Witches add Spirit or Akasha to this category, as well. Each element has a direction within a magick circle or working: East =Air; South=Fire; West=Water; North=Earth; Center=Spirit or Akasha.
Enchantment:
A magickal object that must be kept absolutely secret and hidden from all human eyes and affects a hidden aura. Enchantments must be charmed first. Gems and magickal writings are good items to use for Enchantments.
Evocation:
To call something out from within.
Familiar:
An animal who has a spiritual bond with a Witch; often is the family pet. Familiars can also be entities who are created to protect your home from the astral.
Green Man :
Another name for the God. Since his kingdom is the woods, it is quite appropriate
Handfasting :
A Pagan or Wiccan marriage ceremony
Pantheon :
A collection or group of Gods and Goddesses in a particular mythic or religious structure. Example, the Greek pantheon
Scrying :
A method of divination, using tools such as a bowl of inked water, a mirror, crystal ball etc.
Sigil :
A seal , sign, glyph, or other device, drawn or stamped, used in magick. Use them anywhere, on anything you desire.
Spiral :
The symbol of "coming into being."
Vision Questing :
The use of astral projection, bi-location, or dreamtime to accomplish something. Also known as pathworking.
Widdershins :
Against the sun, Movement counterclockwise
(More to come later)
