Book Of Shadows

The Wiccan faith is a nature-based religion and in many ways its ideals make it a close cousin to Native American spirituality. Founded in the 1940s by British civil servant Gerald Gardner, Wicca's components are based on ceremonial magic and seasonal days of celebration.

While Wiccans tend to believe that there is an omnipotent god or goddess that controls the universe, the relationship they have with that deity is much different from that of Christian religions. As opposed to having a god-worshipper relationship, Wiccans believe they have more of a partnership with the god or goddess, one where the deity needs them just as much as they need it.

Often mistaken as being a form of Satanism, Wicca actually does not recognize Satan, an evil deity who actually belongs more in the realm of Christianity and Islam than Wicca. Satanists and Wiccans actually have very different views about God, rules for ethical behavior and entirely different views of the universe.

Since Wiccans are very close with nature and are highly concerned about its preservation, they often prefer to perform their rituals outdoors. Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede "A'in it harm none, do what thou wilt," meaning that as long as it harms no one, including yourself, one is free to do what one wishes.

1. Gods and Goddesses

2. Elements

3. The Wiccan Rede

4. Rituals

5. Moon Phases

6. Tools

7. Spells

Gods and Goddesses

Goddesses

Adsullata - A Continental Celtic Goddess of spring; may be equated with Sul, the Sun Goddess of another pantheon.

Aeife - She was among the instructors of Cu Chulainn, whom he married for a year and bore him a son. She was condemned to be a demon of the air as punishment.

Aibheaog - In the County of Donegal, she was worshipped at Tover Breda. The well's waters were held to be an effective remedy against toothache, so long as the petitioner left a little white stone beside the well as a substitue for the sore tooth. It is believed that she was also an ancient Fire Goddess.

Aige - Turned into a fawn and plunged into the bay now named after her.

Aine - This is the Bright Faery Goddess to whome the mountain Knock Aine on the shores of Lough Gur is dedicated, and she is one of the great goddesses of ancient Ireland. Daughter of the Tuatha king, Egogabal, and a shapeshifter, her alternate form is that of a swan and a red mare. Also as a Moon Goddess, patron of crops and cattle. Her name is derived from Adeh (fire) and could also be identified with Bridget. The Mid-summer festivals were in her honor prior to St. John's Day. Her energy is the "Big Sun" between Beltain to Samhain.

Airmed - Tuatha who had great magickal powers, especially in herblore.

Amatersu - Goddess of the Sun. Latin Amator - Lover.

Anath - Goddess of Mars. Greek Anathema - Devoted to evil.

Andarta - (Andrasta) The Goddess of Victory invoked by the Celtic Queen Boadicea.

Anna - Goddess of the Dark Moon. Psychic work, healing and protection.

Anu - (Anann) Deae Matronae of Ireland, Goddess of fertility, prosperity and abundance. Anann is worshipped in Munster Ireland as a goddess of Plenty.

Aoibhinn - Queen of the Faery of North Munster, Ireland.

Aphrodite - (Venus) Goddess of love, young and beautiful, planet Venus, element Water. Aphrodite was concieved from the ocean foam said that when Cronos castrated Uranus and threw the member in the ocean, Aphrodite walked forward.

Aradia - Goddess of Air, protection.

Arianhod - Welsh Goddess of Air.

Artimis - (Diana) Goddess of the new moon. Healing and protection. As Diana, Goddess of Mars and the Full Moon then ruling psychic work, healing and protection. On Earth, she is Goddess of the woods and the Hunt. In the Sky she is Phobe (Selene) Goddess of the Moon; in the Underworld she is Hecate.

Asherah - Goddess of love. Planet Venus.

Astarte - (Ashtoeth)Goddess of love. Planet Venus. Queen of Heaven with cresent horns. Ashtoreth, in hebrew.

Aynia - A Faery Queen of Ulster, Ireland.

Ban-Chuideachaidh Moire - The midwife to the Virgin Mary, and a title given to St. Bridget

Banfathi - The Goddess who accompanies troops into battle, of strategy.

Ban Naomha - (Banna Naomha) A fish Goddess

Bast - Goddess of the Sun

Becuna Cneisgel - Fertility Goddess

Beltis - Goddess of love. Planet Venus. The Black Virgin - The Goddess worshipped by the Dryadesses of Sena on the Isle D'e Sein. One of their major religious sites later became the Chartres Cathedral.

Blathnat - Daughter of Midir, King of the Gaelic Underworld. She helped Cu Chulainn steal her father's magick cauldron.

Boadicea - (Boudiga) Queen of the Iceni tribe who personally led a rebellion against the Romans in 61 A.D. Boudiga occurs a a name of a Goddess meaning Victory.

Boand - The Divine Ancestress of the Celtic Boii tribe. Her name means "white cow"

Branwen - Goddess of love

Bridget - (Brigid) Goddess of Fire, ruling Mars and the Moon. She is the triple goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft. Psychic work and protection.

Brizo - Moon Goddess, psychic work, healiing and protection.

Buana - Which means Good Mother. Irish Goddess as a cow, similar to that of Hathor or Hera.

Cally Berry - Ulster Ireland's Goddess, who has been reduced from a nature spirit, the personification of winter and the guardian of the wild deer, to a malignant supernatural Hag. Her name is derived from the Indian Goddess Kali-Ma, Goddess of birth and destruction.

Calliope - "Beautiful One" Muse of epic poetry.

Canola - Goddess of Music

Cardea - Goddess of Air

Carman - Wexford, Ireland Goddess, Gaelic name of Wexford is Lock Garman (Loch gCarman). May have a Phoenician or Greek connection.

Carravogue - Hag of winter. Gabhog & Ghaereagain

Cebhfhionn - A Goddess of inspiration who stood next to the Well of Knowledge constantly filling a vessel with its water and pouring it out without letting wisdom-seeking humans taste it.

Ceithlenn - The Crooked Tooth; Wife of Balor, the old God who appears in legend as the King of the Formorians

Ceridwen - Goddess of the Cauldron of life. Moon Goddess. Psychic work, healing and protection.

Ceres - (Demeter) Mother Earth. Searched the Earth for her other half, her daughter is Persephone.

Cetnenn - A great warrior in Irish legend

Clio - Muse of History.

Cliodna of the Fair Hair - Irish Goddess of great beauty

Coventina - Goddess who was patron of healing wells and springs

Crobh Dearg - Red claw, ancient Goddess who was said to be the sister of Latiaran.

Cybele - (Rhea) The mother Goddess. Planet Saturn. Psychic workings.

Demeter - (See Ceres)

Derbforgaille - A swan maiden, who fell in love with Cu Chulainn, and was wounded by him.

Diana - (See Artimis)

Dil - Cattle Goddess of ancient Ireland

Domnu - Goddess of the Fir Domnann; the goddess brought in with the wave of the Firbolg invasion of Ireland

Dornoll - Warrior Goddess who was among the Amazon instructors of Cu Chulainn, and whose sexual advances he refused.

Druantia - A Fir-Tree Goddess

Dubh Lacha - A Sea Goddess

Eadon - A Goddess of poetry and inspiration

Ebhlinne - (Ebhlenn) The Goddess worshipped in the county of Tipperary, Ireland. Her home was the 12 mountains of Ebhlenn, the daughter of Guaire from Brugh na Boine, and married to a king of Cashel.

Echtghe Aughty - Daughter of the God Nuada. She may be an ancient form of Anu.

Eithne - (Ethniu) Daughter of Danu and Balor, wife of Mackinely or Cian, Mother of Lugh. May be equated with the Welsh Arianrhod.

Ele - (Eile) The sister of Queen Maeve

Eorann - Goddess of the woods, married to Suibhne

Erato - "Beloved One" Muse of erotic poetry or mime.

Eri - Mother of Bres

Ernmas - Which means murder. She is the mother of the Morrigu

Ess Euchen - A War Goddess killed by Cu Chulainn when avenging the death of her three sons, whom he had killed

Estiu - A Warrior and Bird Goddess

Etrange - Mother of the Goddess Macha

Euterpe - Muse of lyric poetry.

Fachea - Goddess of Poetry and Inspiration

Fand - Goddess of healing and pleasure, lover of Cu Chulainn, and wife of Manannan mac Lir. Her name is analogous with the Latin Venus and Norse Vanir

Fea - War Goddess wife of Nuada, King of Tara and the Tuatha

Feithline - A seer who lived in the Cruachen (gateway to hell), hill in western Ireland and appeared to Queen Maeve, attired in a gold crown with seven burnt-gold braids hainging down on her shoulders to fortell the queen's death.

Findabair - Daughter of Queen Medb who died of shame

Flaithius - Was a Kundry, who originally appears as a repulsive Hag, and then once kindness has been given her, turns into a beautful woman.

Flidhais - Woodland Goddess, ruler of beasts. She rode a chariot pulled by deer. Her husband was Adammair, or Fergus.

Freia - Goddess of love, planet Venus

Gaea - Mother Earth rules money and healing. That which is earth herself.

Garbh Ogh - Ancient ageless giantess, whose cart was drawn by elks

Gillagriene - Daughter of the Sun in Irish Legend

Gwyddynod of Gloucester - Warrior goddesses who are rarely mentioned in literature, and who possibly connected to the smith-God, Gwydion

Hathor - Egyptian Goddess, Moon Goddess and of Venus. Psychic work, protection and healing

Hebe - (Juventas) Goddess of Healing, Youth and Beauty. Married Hercules

Hecate - (Brimo, Diana) Goddess of the Underworld, the Dark Moon. Planet Saturn, Psychic, divinations, healing and protection by means of destroying.

Hera - (Juno) Greek Goddess, Queen of the Heavens, presided over marriages and births. A stately Matron bearing the symbol of the crown. Argus, a peacock is at her side. Her holiday is Matronalia Festival.

Hestia - (Vesta) Goddess of Fire.

Hygenia - Goddess of health and healing

Ilat - Goddess of the Sun

Inanna - Goddess of the Planet Venus and of fertility, some accounts say the Moon.

Inghean Bhuidhe - Yellow-haired girl, who was the sister of Latiaran. She was honored in Pagan Ireland on May 6th with rituals around a sacred well.

Iseult - (Isolde, Esyllt, Essyllt Vyngwen) Fine hair, Goddess connected with healing,

Ishtar - Mother Goddess of love and fertility

Isis - Moon Goddess, Hers is the spirit and ether, psychic healing, love and protection

Juno - (See Hera)

Kali - East Indian Goddess of Fire, birth and destruction - Shiva is her partner.

Kore - (See Persephone)

Lachesis - One of the three fates. She rolls the thread of mortal lives on the spindle.

Latiaran - A Harvast Goddess. She had two sisters, Lasiar (flame) ruled spring, and Inghean Bhuidhe (yellow hair) ruled summer.

Leanan-Sidhe - Mistress of Peace; the spirit of life. Goddess of inspiration tothe poet and singer. In exchange for her spirit, she burns them up; living off their life spirit so that their earthly life is brief.

Levenah - Moon Goddess

Liban - Irish Goddess of healing and pleasure.

Libanie - Beauty of women. Mermaid Goddess associated with Lough Neagh

Logia - The Goddess worshipped at the Lagan River in Ireland

Luna - (Selene) Moon Goddess, see Artimis

Maat - Goddess of Communication

Mab - (Maeve) Fairy Queen, whose name meant mead.

Mah - Earth Goddess

Mal - The Goddess of Hag's Head.

Mariamne - Goddess of Love

Mari - Full Moon Goddess

Melpomone - Muse of Tragedy

Metis - Goddess of Wisdom

Mia - Goddess of Love

Mnemosyne - Mother of the muses, Goddess of Memory

Moingfhion - (Mongfhinn) White-haired one. She is associated with Samhain; the crone, Goddess of Winter

Morgan le Fay - She is derived of an earlier Goddess of Fate - Fata Morgana.

Moirae - Are the three fates bearing mortal fate.

Morrigan - Goddess of War.

Muireartach - Eastern Sea, Goddess of the stormy ocean. A one-eyed crone who lived beneath the waves.

Munanna - Bird Goddess, crying "revenge, revenge" on the Scandanavian sea pirates

Nair - (Nar) Fertility, Earth Goddess. Any King who apparently slept with her died.

Nessa - Ungentle. Originally Assa, or gentle one. Warrior Goddess of Ulster Ireland who defeated King after King.

Niamh - Goddess of great beauty, Lir's Daughter, chose Ossian to be her lover.

Nike - Goddess of Victory, shown as a winged figure carrying a palm or wreath. Guiding the horses of victors into war, or writing their name on a shield.

Nimue - New Moon Goddess

Nuit - Goddess of Air, Heavens, her animal representation is the cat.

Pasiphae - Moon Goddess, married to Dionysus every year. She has given birth to the Minotaur. Pasiphae rules dreams.

Pele - Goddess of Fire

Persephone - (Kore) Earth Goddess, she resides in both realms. Half of which she resides with Hades

Phobe - Moon Goddess

Polyhymnia - Muse of Sacred Poetry

Pomona - Nymph of the gardens and fruits, holding the horn of plenty.

Prithivi - Earth Goddess

Rhiannon - Earth Goddess

Scathach - War Goddess and prophetess from Alba, Scotland, who taught the martial arts to Cu Chulainn, who's name means woman who strikes fear.

Sekhment - Sun Goddess

Selene - Goddess of the moon

Sequana - Divine Ancestress of the Sequani tribe of France.

Shekinah - The Goddess of Spirit/Ether

Sinnan - Granddaughter of the Sea God Lir. Nymph of a river now known as Shannon.

Tea - Goddess of Tara.

Tethys - Daughter of Uranus and Terra. Married Oceanus and gave birth to three thousand nymphs; Oceanids. She is pictured riding a shell chariot followed by dolphins; Tritons.

Terpsichore - Muse of Dance

Thalia - Muse of Comedy, seen holding a mask

Themis - Goddess of equality, peace and law. She sat by Zeus and aided as a counselor of justice. Her attribute is the scales and a sword. We also see her blindfolded as a sign of the partiality of a judge.

Turrean - Wolfhound Goddess

Uairebhuidhe - Bird Goddess

Urania - Muse of astronomy. Wears a starred gown and holds a globe.

Venus - (See Aphrodite)

Gods

Adonis - Earth God of Love and Money. Hebrew is Tammuz.

Aesculapius - Son of Apollo who brought the dead back to life. Father of Physicians and healing.

Agni - God of Fire.

Akasha - God of the Spirit/Ether.

Ambisagrus - (See Jupiter)Continental Celtic, equated with Jupiter.

Amergin - Bard and spokesman of the Milesian invaders. He granted the daughters of the Dagda their wishes. He is said to be buried under Millmount hill in Drogheda.

Anubis - God of the planet Mercury, communication.

Apollo - God of the Sun and healing. He rode a chariot of the sun in eternal youth. Also God of music and arts, medicine and poetry. He is seen as a young boy with a bow and arrow.

Ares - (Mars) God of war. Always accompanied by Victory. represented as a uniformed young man armed with helmet pike and a buckler. Tuesday was consecrated to Mars.

Athos - Earth God.

Atlas - Moon God.

Baccus - (Dionysus) Son of Zues. Taught men to grow the vine, represented riding on a barrel, crowned with two hornes, he is an earth God. Ever Dying God.

Balor - The old God who appears in legend as King of the Formors. Husband of Dana or Ceithlenn, father of Eithne and granddfather of Lugh. Welsh called him Beli.

Bel - God of the planet Jupiter.

Bith - Myth has it he is the son of Noah and father of Cesara, His wife was Birren. First to occupy Ireland.

Boreas - Is the North Wiind, seen as a white haired old man.

Bormanus - Early Celtic God.

Borvo - (to boil) Celt God of hot springs, in which he placed Sirona, his mother. Equated with Roman Apollo.

Bran - God of the planet Saturn.

Bres - Son of Formorian father and a Tuatha De Danann mother, he married Brighid, Daughter of the Dagda. He became king of the Tuatha but lost his title.

Bussumarus - (Large lipped) Celtic God, parallel to Romans Jupiter.

Camulos - A King of the Tuatha De Danann, fused with some earlier god; he merges Cumhal, warrior king father of Finn, and origin of King Cole rhyme.

Cerebrus - Pluto's three-headed dog, ws the keeper of the gates of hell. His job was to prevent the dead fromescaping and the curious out.

Cernnunos - (Herne) God of the Earth and of Love. Celt Horned God. His name appears on the altar of Nautes, now in the Cluny Museum in Paris. He appears everywhere, from 4th Century rock carvings in Italy to the famous Gundestrup Cauldron which was found in a pet bog in Denmark. He wears or has looped on his horns the torc (circlet) of Celt nobility.

Charon - Son of Erebus and Nox. He carried the dead across the river, without money he would not take them. Those who were not buried could not cross.

Cian - Son of Dianchecht, and father by Eithne of Lugh. Equated with Mac Kinely.

Coeus - God of the planet Mercury, communication.

Credne - God of crafts and smithcrafts. Bronze-worker hero of the De Danann who, with the smith Goibniu and the woodworker Luchtain, made the weapons with which the De Danann defeated the Formors.

Crius - God of the planet Mars, war.

Crom Cruaich - (The bowed one of the Mound) Also known as Cenn Cruaich, the Lord of the Mound, and Crom Dubh, the Black Bowed One. Ancient sacrificial God associated with Lughnasadh. The last sunday in July is still called Domhnach Chrom Dubh (Crom Dubh's Sunday), even tho it has been christianized as the day of the spectacular pilgimage up St. Patrick's Mountain.

Cronos - (Saturn) Meaning time. Son of Terra. He devoured all his sons at birth, time consumes our lives. Rhea saved Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto and Juno. His festivals are called Saturnilia. He is seen as an old man bent with age, holding a sickle. His consecrated day is Saturday.

Cuchulain - God of Protection.

Cupid - (Eros) Son of Venus. God of Love. He is seen as a winged child with a bow and arrow. He had a violent passion for Psyche and married her.

The Dagda - Protection. Whose Daughters are Brighid, Queens of De Danann, Eire, Fodhla and Banbha.

Delbaeth - Son of Oghma Grainaineach. Father of the trile goddess Badb (Neman, Macha and the Morrigan). Also father of Boann, so some accounts say.

Diancecht - God of Healing. The Healer of De Danann. His son Miach and daughter Airmid made the silver hand which replaced the one lost by Nuada at the first Battle of Maigh Tuireadh.

Dionysys - (See Baccus)

Dogstar - (Sirus) Name meaning a scorching and sirus marks the season of the greatest heat. He was feared and offered sacrifices.

Donn - Irish Lord of the Dead.

Dylan - God of Water.

Ea - God of Water.

Enlil - God of Air.

Eros - (See Cupid).

Essus - (Esus) Celt agricultural God, worshipped by the Essuvi. His consort may have been the bear-goddess Artio.

Eurus - East wind, seen as a flying youth, violent and disorderly.

Eurymedon - God of the planet Jupiter.

Fergus - Name of several legendary characters, tho this one's virility was such that when his wife, a woodland goddess and ruler of beasts, Flidais, was away, he needed seven ordinary women to satisfy him.

Fergus Mac Roi - King of Ulster who loved Nessa, mother of Conchobar; he suffered exile for her sake, and Conchobar inherited his throne. Later became tutor to Cu Chulainn, Conchobar's nephew; but he took Queen Maeves side in her war with Ulster.

Fintaan - Husband of Noah's granddaughter Cesara, first occupier of Ireland in the Mythological Cycle. He was her lesser consort.

Fionn Mac Cumhal - Son of Cumhal, King of the De Danann. As a child, he burned his finger on the Salmon of Knowledge, sucked it and thus acquired all knowledge. Became leader of the Fiana.

Gavida - A smith God, Brother of Mac Kinely. Equivalent of Gobniu, and the Welsh Govannon.

Gebann - Druid of the De Danann. Father of the South Munster goddess Cliona of the Fair Hair, renowned for her great beauty and O'Keefe family.

Gwydon - God of psychic work.

Goibniu - Smith of the De Danann, who with Credne and Luchtain made the weapons with which the Tuatha defeated the Formors. Uncle of Lugh. Equivalent to Gavida and the Welsh Govannon.

Grannos - Celt God of mineral springs. An inscription to him was found at Musselburgh, near Edinburgh.

Hades - (Pluto, Dis) Third son of Saturn, he swells in the underworld. He is said ugly and stole Persephone and made her his queen. His is the cypress tree, Lord of the Dead. The pomegrante is persephone's fruit.

Helios - (Sol) The sun, seen as a man driving a chariot of fire-breathing horses and sunbeams crowned upon his head.

Hephaestus - (Vulcan) God of fire, son of Jupiter, ugly but most industrious. He made jewels, thunderbolts, weapons. God of Iron, brass, gold and silver. Father of blacksmiths He holds a hammer in his right hand and pinchers in his left. His name derived from poets isolating him on the rocky volcanic mountains.

Hercules - Son of Zeus, he is a mortal, Juno put him on twelve tasks. When he died he was given Hebe for a wife.

Hernes - (Toth, Mercury, Hermes, Cernnunos) Son of Zeus, Patron of travellers, and merchants even the mischievious. God of Knowledge, communiccation and occult sciences. He is seen with a winged helmet and feet, messenger of the gods, as Mercury. Holds a rod entwined with snakes, as an emblem of his magic power, His consecrated day is Wednesday.

Horus - God of Fire.

Hymen - God or marriage. Shown as a handsom youth crowned with flowers. Holding a torch in one hand and a yellow veil in the other for his bride.

Hyperion - God of the Sun.

Hypnos - (Somnus) God of Sleep.

Lao - God of the spirit, of ether.

Luchar - Son of the Goddess, Anu and grandson of Balor. Married a daughter of the De Danann.

Janus - King of Italy, housed jupiter and so was given the gift to see the past and future. Often seen with two faces, one past and one looking ahead.

JHVH - (Jehovah) God of the spirit and ether.

Jupiter - (Zeus)Son of Saturn. He dethrowned his father. Zeus married Juno. In his right hand is lightning bolts and the other is victory. His symbol is the Eagle.

Khephera - God of Air.

Khonsu - God of the Moon.

Lares - (Penates) Gods of the hearth. Spirits of the Dead ancestors, were thought they could still play part in domestic affairs. Represented by small statues and taken when moved.

Legba - God of the Sun.

Leucetios - Celt God of Thunder.

Litavis - Celt God, possibly Breton in origin; Llydaw is the Welsh name for Brittany.

Lir - Both Welsh and Irish God. Father of Manannan Macc Lir, and also King of the Tuatha De Danann; first wife was Aebh, by whom fathered Fionuala and three sons, Hugh, Fiacha and conn. Second wife Aoife, who turned the four children into swans.

Llyre - God of Water.

Loki - Norse God of deception, trickery.

Lugh - God of the Sun.

Mac Cecht - Son of the Plough, or whose God was the Plough. Husband of Fodhla, the mother aspect of the triple Goddess. He represents the element of Earth.

Mac Cuill - Son of the Hazel, or whose God was the Sea. He ws husband of Banbha, the crone aspect of the triple Goddess. He represents the element of Water.

Mac Greine - Son of the Sun, or whose God was the Sun. Husband of Eire, the Maiden aspect of the triple Goddess. His is Fire.

Mackinely - Son of Balor and Cethlenn, father by Eithne of Lugh. Equated with Cian.

Marduk - Earth God. Seen as a winged bull. in creation myth he slays Tiamat whom splits in half.

Mars - (See Ares)

Math - God of Psychic work.

Mercury - (See Hernes)

Miach - Son of Diancecht, father of medicine and himself a physician. Healing Grasses grew on his grave.

Moccos - (Moccus) Celt Pig God, or god of a pig totem clan. He is identified woth Roman Mercury.

Morpheus - Son of Somnus, God of dreams. He is surrounded by poppies, they induce dreams. Moreless Morphene and Opium

Mullo - Celt Patron God known as the patron of muleteers. Sometimes identified with Mars.

Nemed - Leader of the Early Ireland, Husband of Macha, the Celt Ulster Goddess.

Neptune - (Poseidon) God of the sea. He rode his chariout over the sea driven by horses. Shown with a long beard and holding a trident. Oceanus was the old god of the sea.

Nergal - God of the planet Mars. A winged lion to egyptians.

Ninib - God of Saturn. Shown as an eagle.

Notus - (Auster)South wind, shown holding a watering can that the south winds bring the rain.

Oceanus - Old God of the Sea.

Ogma - God of Poetry.

Oisin - (Ossian, fawn)Son of Fionn Mac Cumhal and the deer goddesss Sadhbh. He went with Niamh of the Golden Hiar to Tir na nOg, where she bore two sons and one daughter.

Orpheus - God of music.

Osirus - God of Water.

Pan - God of all the shepherds and flocks. An Earth God, his is seen as an ugly satyre with the body of a goat, horns, hair and beard.

Penates - (See Lares)

Pluto - (See Hades)

Poseidon - (See Neptune)

Proteus - A Sea God, shepherd of Neptune. Who's flocks embraced seals and all fish. He recieved the gift to prophecy. He could also assume different shapes and disappear at will. Proteus means quick in changing faces.

Ra - God of the Sun.

Robin - God of Love.

Saturn - (See Cronos)

Segomo - Celt God of war, also known as Cocidius.

Semesh - Sun God.

Set - Egyptian Prince of Darkness.

Shiva - Kali's sexual partner.

Shoney - Both Scottish and Irish, a sea God to whom libations of ale were offered til late into the 19th Century by fishermen in Ireland and the Isle of Lewis.

Shu - God of Air.

Sin - A Moon God.

Sirus - (See Dog Star)

Sol - (See Helios)

Somnus - (See Hypnos)

Tammuz - An Earth God. Hebrew 4th month in the year. October Syrian -Adonis.

Tethra - Chief of the Fomorians who was also King of Lochlann, their undersea home.

Thantos - Death. Has a heart of iron, and bowls of brass.

Thor - God of the planet Jupiter.

Thoth - (See Herne) God of knowledge and communication.

Vertumnus - God of the garden and orchards. Married Pomena. This couple grows old and young as the seasons change.

Vishnu-Krishna-Rama - Sun-Male God.

Vulcan - (See Hephaestus)

Woden - God of the planet Mercury, communication. Wednesday, Wodensday.

YHVH - God of the planet Saturn.

Zephyrus - West Wind. A sweet serene young man with butterfly wings.

Zeus - (See Jupiter)

Elements

Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.

These elemental forces are represented in most Wiccan practices by compass directions, and by the Wiccan Cross illustrated above. (The Wiccan Cross is also used to represent the seasons of the year. See the Holidays page for more information.) In most traditions in the Northern Hemisphere- Earth is to the North, Air is to the East, Fire is to the South, and Water is to the West. Spirit isn't represented by a direction, as it is contained within us all (and if represented- exists in the center). Wiccan altars are often aligned either to the North, or to the East, depending on the tradition of the Coven or Solitary. I will face my alter in either direction, depending on the environment I am working in (such as the location of doors or paths). Some traditions, especially in other parts of the world, may arrange these elements differently. In some cases, for specific kinds of rituals, the altar may be faced South or West. For example, West (the direction of the setting sun) is often associated with passing or death, so for funeral rituals- the altar may be faced West.

The four elements, and their directions, are often called Guardians or Watchtowers. During rituals, a circular temple is created (similar to the layout of the Wiccan Cross above). The individual compass points are marked in some manner, often with candles, torches, rocks, or small elemental altars. Through ritual magick- a circle is drawn connecting these points, and the ancient powers of their associated elements are called upon to protect the circle and all within from any harm. This circle creates our temple, or holy place. Because we create our temple through magick, it is not necessary for us to have "permanent" places of worship as other religions do. This is very advantageous since traditionally our rituals take place outdoors (although, in these modern times, most have been adapted for indoor use). A common incantation used in creating the circle is: "Naught but love shall enter, and naught but love shall leave." Once again, this reinforces the positive nature of Wicca. The circle itself must be large enough to hold everyone taking part in the ritual. It can be quite small for a Solitary Witch, and quite large for a Coven with many members. Some insist that it must be exactly nine feet in diameter, but in general it is up to the Solitary or Coven to decide on an appropriate size. The best measuring method is to simply have the coven stand in a circle around the altar, and cast the circle around them. That way- it is always the right size.

I'm always reminded of one of my favorite movies at this point- The Fifth Element. In the movie, the fifth element of Spirit is represented by Leeloo. In the movie's climax, Leeloo stands in the center of a circle, surrounded by stones representing the four physical elements. She then uses the power of love to combine the forces of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water to use as a weapon to fight evil and save the Earth. While this it science fiction at its best (in my opinion), I feel it is actually representative of Wicca in a way. (I won't go into any more detail, but I hope if you research Wicca some more, and think about it- you will see what I mean.)

In Wicca, the five elements are often represented by the Pentacle (an encircled pentagram), which is often found on jewelry and on the altar tools of Witches. Unfortunately- thanks to some movies, television shows, books, and religious groups- the Pentacle is often considered a symbol of evil. Like any other symbol, it can be used to represent whatever a group or individual wants it to represent. For Wiccans, it is one of the primary symbols that represent our religion, akin to the Christian cross or the Jewish Star of David. For us, it certainly is not an evil symbol. Bear in mind than any symbol can be used to represent what we call evil. For example, the Christian cross is often used by some hate groups. As another example- the swastika was once simply a benign symbol used to represent the Sun. These elemental forces are represented in most Wiccan practices by compass directions, and by the Wiccan Cross illustrated above. (The Wiccan Cross is also used to represent the seasons of the year. See the Holidays page for more information.) In most traditions in the Northern Hemisphere- Earth is to the North, Air is to the East, Fire is to the South, and Water is to the West. Spirit isn't represented by a direction, as it is contained within us all (and if represented- exists in the center). Wiccan altars are often aligned either to the North, or to the East, depending on the tradition of the Coven or Solitary. I will face my alter in either direction, depending on the environment I am working in (such as the location of doors or paths). Some traditions, especially in other parts of the world, may arrange these elements differently. In some cases, for specific kinds of rituals, the altar may be faced South or West. For example, West (the direction of the setting sun) is often associated with passing or death, so for funeral rituals- the altar may be faced West.

For the record, an upside-down pentacle is often used by so-called Satanists as a symbol of their beliefs, although there are other Pagan religious groups (that are not, strictly speaking, "Satanic") that are also represented by an upside-down pentacle. An upside-down pentagram (upside-down star without a circle around it) is used in Gardnerian, Alexanderian, and other Wiccan traditions to represent a Second Degree initiate.

AIR: Direction is East. Color is Yellow. Gold is the jewel Time of day is Dawn. Season is Spring. Elemental spirit is Slyphs or Sprites. Magickal tool is Athame or Sword. Animals are Hawk, raven, and Eagle Zodiac signs Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini are associated with the element of Air.

Tools: Broom, Feather, Incense, Your own breath. Air is the element of the mind. It is intellect, inspiration, communication, imagination. It is ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes. Air is the element of new life and new possibilities and is essential to spells and rituals of travel, instruction, finding lost items, some types of divination, and freedom. Air aids us in visualization, a vital technique in magick, telepathy, memory, wisdom, prophecy, movement, speed, concentration, the ability to know and understand, and to unlock the secrets of the dead, or contact the angels, . Air is a masculine element and governs the magick of the four winds.

Easterly winds provide an excellent opportunity for spellworkings involving change, transformation, new beginnings, and fresh perspective. They also lend their power to inspirational, communicative, and creative ventures. They provide the perfect conditions for spell-writing, ritual creation, and talking things over with your Spirit Guide

FIRE: Direction is South. Color is Red. Ruby is the stone Time of day is Midday. Season is Summer. Elemental spirit is Firedrakes or Salamanders. Magickal tool is Wand or Staff. Animals: Lion, Phoenix and Dragon Tools: Candle Flame, Oil Lamp, or back yard torch Zodiac sign Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are associated with Fire.

Fire is the element of change and passion. It is creativity, motivation, will power, drive and sensuality. It is sexuality, both physical and spiritual. Fire is essential to spells and rituals of healing, purification, sex, energy, courage, the will to dare, creativity, higher self, success and refinement, the arts, transformation, loyalty, force ,breaking bad habits or destroying illness and disease. Fire is the element of authority and leadership. Fire is a masculine element and governs all candle magick.

Southerly Winds commonly used by magical practitioners for relationship spells involving love, lust, and passion, Southerly winds provide us with many other opportunities. They furnish perfect background conditions for efforts involving vitality, initiative, courage of conviction, and determination as well as those in which anger, jealousy, and selfishness need to be resolved.

WATER: Direction is West. Color is Blue. Sapphire is the stone. Time of day is Twilight. Season is Autumn. Elemental spirit is Undines or Merfolk. Magickal tool is Chalice or Cauldron. Dolphin, swan crab Tools: Holy Water, Spring water, lake or snow Zodiac signs Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio associated with Water

Water is the element of emotion and subconscious. It is love, purification, intuition, mysteries of the self, compassion and family. It is psychic ability. Water is essential in spells and rituals of friendship, marriage, happiness, fertility, healing, pleasure, and psychic abilities. Water is a feminine element and governs spells involving mirrors.

Westerly winds have a healing, cleansing quality, making them good conductors for spellwork involving issues on both the physical and emotional levels. They also offer conditions conducive to strengthening the intuition and to effort involving both mental and physical fertility and productivity. In modern Wicca, Water is symbolized by the ritual tool known as the chalice. The chalice contains either water or wine that is used for ritual or magickal purposes.

EARTH: Direction is North. Color is green. Emerald is the Stone Time of day is Midnight. Season is Winter. Elemental spirit is Gnomes. Magickal tool is Stone or Pentagram. Animals: Bear, stag and wolf Tools: Sea salt, dirt, rice, corn meal Zodiac signs Capricorn, Virgo, and Taurus are associated with the element of Earth.

Earth is the element of stability and of the body. It is wisdom, strength, growth and prosperity. It is the physical earth and the very heart of life. It is essential in spells and rituals of prosperity, mystery and growth, material abundance, combined forces of nature and it's bounty, business, fertility Birth, healing, business, industry, possessions, conservation, nature and stability. Earth is a feminine element and governs stone and knot magick.

The cold strength of northerly winds provides a suitable condition for performing efforts of a practical nature. They provide good conditions for working with financial or home management matters of issues where keeping a level head is important. When these winds blow it is a good time to plan spells you intend to work when the wind changes.

The Fifth Element "Akasha" Spirit.

Silver Centering, transformation, limits are beyond time and space as we understand them. Akasha meaning pure spirit, is the fifth element.It is the subtle spiritual essence that pervades all space. It is not ether itself, but is an ether-like substance of a spiritual rather than material nature. Essentially, Akasha is to ether what spirit is to physical matter. In ancient writings, such as the Puranas, Akasha is said to operate through sound or vibration. Thus it is identified with the element of Air, and in a spiritual sense with the "breath of god" concept in ancient Hebraic texts. Where we read in the book of Genesis that the "spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters," we can see Akasha in action through motion. In occultism, Akasha is considered to be an indispensable element of each magickal act.

Wiccan Reed

bide ye wiccan laws you must

in perfect love and perfect trust

live ye must and let to live

fairly take and fairly give

tread the circle thrice about

to keep unwelcome spirits out

to bind ye spell well everytime

let the spell be spoke in rhyme

light of eye and soft of touch

speak ye little, listen much

honor the old ones in deed and name

let love and light be our guides again

deosil go by the waxing moon

sing and dance ye wiccan rune

widdershins go when the moon doth wane

and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfs bane

when ye ladies moon is new

kiss ye hand to her times two

when ye moon rides at her peak

then ye hearts desire heat

heed the north winids mighty gale

lock the door and trim the sail

when the wind blows from the east

expect the new and set the feast

when the wind comes from the south

love will kiss thee on the mouth

when the west wind blows over thee

departed souls will restless be

nine woods 'neath the couldron go

burn them fast and burn them slow

birch into the fire goes

to respect what the lady knows

oak in the forest towers with might

in the fire it brings the Gods in sight

rowan is a tree of power

willows at the waterside stand

ready to help us to the summerland

hawthorn is burned to purify

and to draw faerie to thine eye

hazel the tree of wisdome and learning

adds it's strength to the bright fire burning

white are teh flowers of apple tree

that brings us fruits for fertility

grapes grow upon the vine

giving us both joy and wine

fir does mark the evergreen

to represent immortality seen

elder is the lady's tree

harm it not or cursed ye'll be

four times the major sabbats mark

both in the light and in the dark

as the old year starts to wane

the new begins - it's now samhain

when the time for imbolc shows

watch for flowers through the snows

when the wheel begins to turn

soon ye beltane fires will burn

as teh wheel turns to lammas night

power is brought to magick rite

four times the minor sabbats fall

use the sun to mark them all

when the wheel hath turned a yule

light the log the horned one rules

in the spring when night equals day

'tis time for ostara to come our way

when the sun has reach it's height

'tis time for oak and holly to fight

harvesting comes to one and all

when the autumn equinox does fall

heed the flower, bush, and tree

by the lady blessed ye'll be

where the rippling waters go

cast a stone the truth ye'll know

when ye have and hold a need

harken not to others greed

with a fool no season spend

or be counted as his friend

marry meet and merry part

bright the cheeks and warm the heart

when misfortune is enow

wear the star upon thy brow

true in love ye must e'er be

lest they love be false to thee

mind ye threefold law ye should

three times bad and three times good

what ye send forth comes back to thee

so ever mind the rule of three

these eight words the wiccan rede fulfill

an harm ye none do what ye will

fallow this with mind and heart

and merry ye meet and merry ye part

Falconhawkswizard & Aphrodite_Earth's Crystal Realm of Wicca

Book Of Shadows

Gods and Goddesses

Elements

Wiccan Reed