Amulet: An object worn for protection, usually jewelry.

Ankh: Egyptian symbol of life. It looks like a cross with a loop at the top.

Athame: Ceremonial knife, used in magic and rituals.

B

Book of Shadows: A witch's handwritten book of spells and magical information. See grimoire.

C

Charm: A magical object, action, or incantation that effects magic or averts evil or danger.

Correspondences: Everything is connected and correspondences are the links. Knowledge of these associations is used to effect magic.

Coven: A group of 13 (or less) witches who practice and worship together. They are lead by a High Priest/Preistess, and traditionally convene at full moon.

The Craft: Witchcraft, the practice of Magic.

Croning: Ceremony marking a woman's transition from Mother to Crone, the final phase of a woman's life.

Crystallomancy: Divination by crystals, usually a crystal ball.

D

Divination: Any practice that reveals the future or unknown things. Tarot cards, runes and crystal balls are all used in divination.

E

Eclectic: A witch who worships in more than one mythological tradition.

Esbat: The four lesser celebrations of witches during the year:

Spring Equinox
Summer Solstice
Autumn Equinox
Winter Solstice.

F

Faery: Alternate spelling for fairy, often used to distinguish it as a belief system.

Familiar: An animal, often a cat, with whom a witch establishes a special psychic/magical relationship. Familiars offer help, companionship, protection, and usually unconditional love as well.

Flying ointment: A paste, usually containing herbs, that is applied to the skin to aid in astral projection.

G

Grimoire: A book of spells. See Book of Shadows.

H

High Priest/Priestess: A witch who leads a coven.

K

Karma: Something carried over from previous lives. It may be good or bad, depending what sort of lives you have lead.

M

Mage: One who is adept at magic, but not a witch.

N

Necromancy: Form of divinination using the spirits of the dead.

P

Pentacle: Magical symbol, a 5-pointed star inside a circle.

Pentagram: A pentacle that is drawn, painted or printed.

R

Reincarnation: Rebirth in another body after death.

S

Sabbat: The four greater celebrations of witches during the year:

Imbolc or Candlemas,February 2
Beltaine or May Eve, April 30
Lughnasadh or Lammas Eve,July 31
Samhain or Halloween, October 31

Scrying: Divination by means of gazing into water or a bowl of black ink.

Shaman: A priest and medicine man. Shamanic practice includes magic, healing and divination.

Shamanka: A female shaman.

Shapeshifting: Practice, often aided by drugs, of mentally assuming animal form, used by shamans.

Sigil: A paper talisman.

Skyclad: Nude.

Sorcerer / sorceress: One who practices black magic, often with the aid of malevolent spirits.

Solitary: A witch practicing alone, without a coven.

Summerlands: The place where we rest after death, between incarnations.

T

Talisman: A magical object. A talisman is usually made or carved at an astrological moment suitable to its purpose.

W

White witch: A witch who only practices white magic.

Widdershins: Counter-clockwise.

Wizard: One who practices magic but is not a witch.

Y

Yule: 12-day celebration lasting from Winter Solstice to New Year.