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.




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     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. 










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     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 



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     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. 






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     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. 

























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     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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