Dictionary of Wiccan Verbiage
Part II
Earth Magic ~ A very practical form of magick. All tools and ritual items are straight from or made from the earth. A lot of emphasis on the elements.
Elder ~ One who has been practicing for many years and has great knowledge in many different areas of the craft. Usually there is a group of elders in wiccan organizations. They oversee the happenings in that organization. They try to keep the old ways alive and because of this are slightly unsettled by the neo pagan movement. (May we all keep the old ways alive, even if new ideas are introduced)
Elements ~ Most people recognize the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. There is a fifth one recognized by most witches: AKasha or the spirit. Akasha is said to be all of the elements combined. It is the essence of the universe, and each of us have a bit of it within.
Evocation ~ This is the opposite of invoking. Evocation is to call something out from within. Projecting your personal power to heal, or in ritual.
Familiar ~ An animal that a witch has spiritual bond with (and vice versa). This can be a real animal such as the family pet, or a mythological or made- up creature which protects on the astral.
Guardians ~ In ceremonial Traditions "Guardians of the Watchtowers/Four Quarters" are used in rituals. Some witches from other trads may use them too. There are four of them used in each the four cardinal directions in the circle. They are called upon to watch over the ritual and to protect the witch's from negative astral beings/forces.
Handfasting ~ A Wiccan or Pagan marriage ceremony.
Initiation ~ Not to be confused with dedication. Initiation usually comes after the year and a day time of study. This is really only used within covens; at the initiation they are a standing part of the coven. You can use it if you are a solitary, if you need to feel that you are actually part of a specific tradition.
Invocation ~ To bring something in from without.
Karma ~ One's thoughts and deeds will count againist or for them, either in this lifetime or along the spiritual path of many lifetimes. This is why we have the Rule of Three: whatever you do will come back to you threefold ( if you do something good you will be "rewarded" by good things, if you do something bad you will be "punished" by bad things happening)
Left-hand Path ~ The people who follow this path don't care about hurting others, don't care about the rule of three, do't care about Karma, etc. They do what ever it takes (mostly using magick againist people) to get what they want.
Magick ~ Focusing your will and emotions to change the world around you and within you. You change things in the astral/spiritual world and the changes manifest in the physical world. Magick is not good and it is not evil: it is the intent of the person using it that makes it good or evil.
Magick Systems ~ Synonyms: traditions, denominations, sects, or pantheons. A basic set of guidelines refering to specific Gods/Goddesses or cultural traditions.
Neopagan ~ All the people just starting out in some nature based religion. Those who have absorbed the new ideas in paganism, still a part of the old ways but things have changed a bit.
Pagan ~ The follower of a nature based religion. A much more acceptable term rather than neopagan.
Pentacle/Pentagram ~ A pentacle is a five - pointed star symbol that is sacred to Wiccans. A pentagram is an object on which a pentacle is drawn, carved, etc. Each point of the star has a specific meaning: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. An inverted pentagram is never worn by a witch.
Priestess ~ She is the female leader of a Wiccan coven or organization. If she is a solitary she has dedicated herself to a particualar Goddess. The Priestess plays the part of the Goddess in some cermonies on Sabbats.
Priest ~ The same as the Priestess but only male. They are equals.
Quarters ~ We call the quarters in the beginning of a ritual while casting the circle to watch over and protect the ritual. This is also the Guardians of the Watchtowers. The quarters are North, South, East, and West. They each have an elememt, color and many other things which co - relate.
Reincarnation ~ The basic belief that people live more than one life. You live, you die, your essence lives on and is born again in another body in the next life.
Ritual ~ A focused ceremony done to either honor dieties or to perform a specific magickal working.
Runes ~ Runes have the same basic function as the Tarot but they are different. Runes have their own specific pantheon: Norse, Scandinavian or Germanic. They can function as a magickal alphabet in rituals, spells or your magickal writings.
Basic Runes
Scrying ~ This is a divination method in which you would use either a bowl of water, a mirror, a crystal ball, etc.
Sigil ~ A symbol or seal with a magickal purpose which you make yourself.
Spell ~ The first question to ask youself before you even plan out a spell is "do you NEED this?" The final result will not come about if it is not needed. You used extended emotional and mental energy in an organized mini ritual. The energy is physically manifested by spoken word (to yourself or aloud), written, drawn or danced. It must be clear, concise, focused and emotional. Be careful what you say and how you say it. If you wanted a spell to pay bills, you wouldn't want it to end up by getting inheritance for a dead family member.... Be Careful.
Spiral ~ The spiral is a symbol of " Coming into being." The spiral dance celebrates this powerful symbolism.
Talisman ~ A magickally charged object that is meant to bring something to the bearer. It would be worn to bring good luck, money, love, etc.
Tarot ~ The Tarot is one of the most popular divinatory tools. There are 78 cards total. The Major Arcana consists of 22 numbered cards (0-21). These cards are meant to represent the path through life. Most people don't go through the entire path in one lifetime. This all depends on whether you believe in reincarnation. There are 56 Minor Arcana cards. These represent more minor situations in life.
The Egyptian Tarot Deck
Tarologist ~ One who is adept at handling the Tarot.
Vision Questing ~ Using astral projection, bi-location and related things to accomplish a specific goal: such as when your searching for a magickal name for yourself or when you would like to find your familiar.
Webweaving ~ Networking with like minded people. Writing, computer, going to or hosting events. Helping others learn and learning things yourself.
Wheel of the Year ~ One full cycle of the seasonal year. The New Year is a Samhain (better known as Halloween).
Widdershins ~ A counter clockwise direction. You would walk Widdershins to close a circle for example.
Working ~ The process of using magick to reach a desired and positive goal.
