Terminology
The terms listed here have been compiled through several books and webpages that I frequent. I have tried to include some of the more obscure terms that most people might not be familiar with. I have also tried to convert the definitions into plain English so that someone that is not familiar with metaphysical terms will understand them.
Some of the books used to define terms include (but are not limited to) To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf, The Witches Bible by Janet and Stuart Farrar, Living Wicca by Scott Cunningham, Witta by Edain McCoy, and Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland.
~A~
ABRED ~ In the Irish tradition this is the innermost of three separate circles. This concept was expanded upon by the Druids who used it to create a model of the universe.
ADEPT ~ An individual who through serious study and accomplishments is considered highly proficient in a particular magickal system.
AKASHA ~ The omnipresent fifth element and spiritual power. It is the energy out of which the Elements were formed and which embraces the other four- earth, air, fire, and water; and from which they stem.
ALTAR ~ A special flat surface set aside exclusively for magickal workings or religious acknowledgment.
AMULET ~ Usually considered an object of protection that has been charged to deflect specific negative energies or thought forms. Amulets are objects found in nature, such as stones and are not to be confused with manmade talismans.
ASTRAL ~ Simply put, another dimension of reality. A parallel world unseen in our own world of from. Sometimes referred to as "dreamtime".
AURA ~ A low level energy field that surrounds living things.
~B~
BALEFIRE ~ A traditional fire built for Sabbat Festivals. (Each book I referred to listed different sabbats for use, so it is my impression that they can be used whenever you would like to use them)
BANE ~ That which destroys life. Another word for bad, evil, destructive, dangerous.
BANISH ~ To magickally end something or exorcise unwanted entities. To rid the presence of.
BIND ~ To magickally restrain something or someone.
BOOK OF SHADOWS ~ Also called Book of Lights and Shadows, this is a spell book, diary, ritual guide, and general source of information used by an individual or by a coven. Some say the name came from having to hide the workings from church authorities, while other say it means that an unworked spell or ritual is a mere shadow, not taking form until worked by a witch.
~C~
CHAKRAS ~ Seven major energy vortexes found in the human body. Each is usually associated with a color. These vortexes are: crown-white or indigo; forehead (third-eye position)-violet; throat-blue; chest-green; navel-yellow, abdomen-orange, groin-red. Smaller vortexes are also located in the hands and feet.
CHARGE ~ The act of empowering herbs, stones, or other magickal objects with one's own energies.
CHARGE OF THE GODDESS ~ Originally written in modern form by Doreen Valiente, it is a story of the message from the Goddess to her children.
CONSECRATION ~ The act of blessing an object or place by instilling it with positive energy.
COVEN ~A group of witches working together.
COVENSTEAD ~ the meeting place of the coven, also called a temple.
~D~
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.
DEOSIL ~ a clockwise movement, following the Sun and Moon's motion in the sky. It represents positive energy. Standard direction of movement within a WICCAN ritual area or consecrated circle.
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.
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON ~ A ritual used during the Full Moon by Witches to empower themselves and unite their essence with a particular deity, usually the Goddess. Another ritual is used for the god call "Drawing Down the Sun"
~E~
ELEMENTS ~ Usually counted as four: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Many Witches add Spirit or Akasha to this category as well. Each element has a direction within a magick circle: East = Air ; South = Fire ; West = Water ; North = Earth ; Center = Spirit or Akasha.
EMPATH ~ a person who can feel the emotions of other entities.
ENERGY ~ the natural vibration or power that we tap into or raise, in our spells & rituals. There are those who think of the energy as something they raise or generate, while others think this energy is there for the trained person to tap into & direct.
EVOCATION ~ calling up elemental forces; call up spirits or other nonphysical entities, either to visible appearance or invisible attendance.
EXORCISM ~ traditionally, the process of driving out negativity or unwelcome spirits. Or, in herb magick, a powerful purification.
~F~
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.
FASCINATION ~ A mental effort to control another animal or person's mind. Also referred to as mind-bending. Considered unethical by most Wiccans/Pagans.
FOLK MAGIC ~ the practice of combining Personal Power with Natural Energies, to create a specific purpose.
~G~
GREAT RITE ~ Symbolically the union between the god and goddess or the physical union of a priest and a priestess for ritual purposes. In some traditions, the great rite is a large part of a third degree initiation. Usually the great rite is enacted symbolically only. Wine and Cakes is an example of the great rite in a very simple form.
GROUNDING ~ the act of releasing emotions and energies from the physical body.
GUARDIANS ~ Ceremonial Magicians use the "guardians of the watchtowers" or "guardians of the four quarters" Most witches also use them now. Different people visualize the guardians as different things. Some envision the guardians directly as the element from their quarter, other envision them as archangels. It's really up to the witch.
~H~
HANDFASTING ~ Wiccan, Pagan, or Gypsy wedding. In some traditions, handfastings can be done for only a year and a day to serve as an engagement period. Other handfastings are for lifetime, or lifetime and beyond.
HERBALISM~ the practice of growing, gathering, and using plants for magickal purposes.
HEXAGRAM ~ six-pointed star or six-sided figure used in talismanic Magick.
HYPNOSIS ~ a method of making close contact with the subconscious mind.
~I~
INITIATE ~ a witch, pagan or magician who has been formally inducted into the practice or priesthood of Wicca, Paganism or Ritual Magick.
INITIATION ~ An experience that so transforms the individual that their concept of personal and worldly reality has been altered. The term initiation is also the name of the formal ritual admittance of a new member into a group.
INTUITION ~ a term describing psychic information that unexpectedly reaches the Conscious Mind.
INVOCATION ~ The calling down of a higher power.
~J~
~K~
~L~
LABRYS ~ the double-headed ax, symbol of an ancient Creten Goddess.
LADY ~ a term of respect for a Priestess, usually one who leads a group of other Wicca practitioners. Not to be confused with The Lady, meaning the goddess.
LEMNISCATE ~ a symbol for infinity. It is a horizontal figure 8.
LORD ~ a term of respect for a Priest. Not to be confused with The Lord, meaning the male god aspect.
~M~
MAGICIAN ~ used in reference to one following a system of Ceremonial or High Magick.
MAGICK ~ the act of using one's will to affect the forces of nature to reach a desired outcome. (my personal definition) -- 1) art of bringing about changes in the physical world by the use of the power of the mind; action in accordance with will. 2) The movement of natural energies to create needed change. 3) The process of building up the natural energies of certain objects for a purpose, then releasing it. 4) A natural practice of mind over matter.
MAGUS ~ Original meaning: a hereditary priest of Medes or Persia. General meaning is a magician or sorcerer. Most often used to refer to one advanced in magickal practice.
MAIDEN ~ the 1st aspect of the Threefold Goddess, symbolic for creation & beginnings. In some traditions, she is the female assistant High Priestess.
MEDITATION ~ reflection, contemplation, the turning inward to Self or outward to Deity. Quiet time used to dwell on certain thoughts, symbols or to let thoughts come as they will. A method of observing the mind through relaxation.
MEGALITH ~ a huge, stone monument such as Stonehenge.
MONOTHEISTIC ~ the belief in only a single aspect of the god form.
MOTHER ~ The Second aspects of the Triple Goddess, She rules from Beltane to Lammas.
MUNDANE ~ The unmagickal things and side of one's existence.