Common Pagan terms...

Altar:
A sacred object on which ritual tools are placed during a ceremony. The place of prayer, ritual, and spell casting. The first altars were stones or tree stumps.

Amulet:
An object worn or carried for a magickal purpose. Typically made of metal, which differs from a Talisman.

Animism:
The attributing of a consiousness to natural objects or to Nature itself. Derived from the Latin word anima a word used to denote the soul or principle of life.

Astrology:
The science of stellar influences and how they affect personality, character, and future events. First developed in Egypt.

Athame:
A ritual dagger traditionally comprised of a black handle with a steel blade. Often symbols are engraved on the handle.

Aura:
An energy field surrounding living beings and inanimate objects.

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B

Bell:
A symbol of the creative force. Often used in ritual to call forth spirits or the four quarters.

Blessed Be:
A phrase used in both greeting and parting. It is derived from the ritual verse in which blessings are given to all in attendance. Often a simple well-wishing between kindred spirits.

Book of Shadows:
A term used to refer to the ritual and magickal book of a Witch of Wicca. Within are traditionally written the rituals, laws, and spells of a particular Witch/Wiccan tradition. In the case of a solitary Witch it is most often a collection of personal spells, symbols, and personal notes.

Broom:
A ritual tool used in modern Wicca/Witchcraft for more than one purpose. Used in wedding/handfasting ceremonies when the bride and groom jump over it to start fresh. Also used to sweep/cleanse an area before preforming a ritual or prayer.

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C

Candle Magick:
The use of candles to perform spells or other works of magick.

Cauldron:
A symbol of transmutation, germination, transformation, and the womb. Often used in spellwork, mixing oils, teas, and other natural suppliments.

Chakra:
A term for an energy zone of power residing in or near a living being. Human beings possess seven chakras.

Chalice:
One of four elemental tools used in Wicca. Symbolic of containment and often represents the womb of the Goddess. Used to hold wine or water during Wiccan rituals and sits on the altar.

Coven:
A group of people, traditionally thirteen in number, who join together to practice Wicca/Witchcraft. In modern times three or more people can constitute a coven. Very much like families and form intamite bonds with one another.

Craft:
Modern term used to refer to Wicca/Witchcraft as both a spiritual and magickal system: the Witches' Craft.

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D

Divination:
The art of foretelling future events by various means. The most common methods are astrology, tarot cards, palmistry, tea leaf reading, and rune casting.

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E

Earth:
One of the four creative elements in magick. The element of form, binding, and manifestation. Considered to be the lowest vibratory rate of the four elements. Mostly considered feminine.

East:
The quarter associated with the element of Air. Known as the portal of beginnings and the direction of enlightenment.

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F

Fire:
One of the four creative elements of magick and is linked to the color red. Sometimes known as the living element and the most ancient symbol of divinity.

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G

God and Goddess:
The Divine Totality personified into masculine and feminine aspects, an important part of Wiccan/Witchcraft theology. The two halves of the Whole.

Grimoire:
A book of ceremonies, rituals, and spells, usually dating from the Middle Ages. A few have been written in modern times.

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H

Herbs:
Medicinal and magickal plants that may be employed in Wicca and Witchcraft.

High Priest:
An office held by a man who, in most Wicca/Witchcraft Traditions, has reached the third-degree level of training. He assists the High Priestess within the ritual circle, and serves as a support to her work with the coven. In ritual settings he represents the Horned God.

High Priestess:
A office held by a woman who, in most Wicca/Witchcraft Traditions, has reached the third-degree level of training. Most Wicca/Witchcraft Traditions are matriarchal in structure and the rold of the High Priestess is the hightest "authority." In ritual circle she represents the Great Goddess.

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I

Incense:
A fragrant mixture used in ritual and magickal work. The smoke is often used in cleasing rituals, and the smell aids in conditioning the mind during meditation or other similar events where concentration is key.

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J

K

L

Labyrinth:
An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one's way. It is associated with the Great Goddess, symbolozing the womb, or the gateway of life. Is often interchanged or associated with the spiral, a symbol seen in the oldest religions and societies ever recorded. This particular symbol is one of the most important in any Pagan tradition. It is interlaced within almost every aspect of human spirituality, thought, and nature. It is also a common theme throughout history in almost every part of the world.

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M

Magick:
The art and metaphysical science of manifesting personal desires through the collection and direction of energy. The letter "K" has traditionally been added to the word to distinguish it from sleight-of-hand stage magic.

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N

North:
One of the four quarters. Percieved to be a place of great power, and many Wiccans place their altar so it faces North.

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O

Occult:
A word meaning "secret" or "hidden."

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P

Palmistry:
The occult science of foretelling the future through observation of the markings on the palm of the hand.

Pentacle:
A round, solid disc, often made of wood, with a five-pointed star engraved upon it. Used on the altar to symbolize the element of Earth.

Pentagram:
A five-pointed star image, often with the lines interlaced and typically enclosed within a circle.

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Q

R

Rede:
A code of conduct that states "and as it harm none, do as thou will." It is the cornerstone of modern Wiccan philosophy, and is one of the few laws that is universal within all Wiccan Traditions.

Reincarnation:
The return of the soul to another physical body after death of the flesh. The soul is considered to enter into many physical lives in order to gain knowledge and wisdom.

Ritual:
A ceremony employing symbolic gestures, chants, invocations, prayers, colored robes, and candles. Most rituals are executed within a ritual circle.

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S

Sabbat:
A term for the eight seasonal festivals of the Wiccan year. See [What are the Sabbats?]

Salt:
A natural purifying agent.

Scrying:
A word used to describe the art of divination by magickal gazing. Can be performed using a crystal ball or a dark liquid or dark glass surface. The latter is often referred to as a magick mirror.

Shaman:
A term originally borrowed by anthropologists from the Tungusian language to indicate a medicine-man figure. Among modern Witches/Wiccans the word "shaman" is used to indicate either a man or a woman who employs a simplistic and intuative form of magick. One of the primary focuses of the shaman is to heal mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Skyclad:
A term used to indicate ritual nudity.

So Mote It Be:
A phrase used in Wicca to declare a magickal intent is in place. It is spoken at the end of a spell or work of magick and affirms that one's magick took effect.

South:
The elemental quarter of fire in most Wiccan/Witchcraft traditions. In ancient occultism it is the quarter of astral forces and is associated with elemental beings know as Salamanders.

Spell:
A simple and basic act of magick that incorporates the use of raised power or drawn power.

Spiral:
The symbol of transformation. As such it is linked to the Labyrinth design. Like the Labyrinth it is symbolic of the inner journey to the center of one's being.

Summerland:
Is, in Wiccan theology, the abode of the departed soul. Depicted as a Pagan paradise in which it is always summer and everything is in abundance. Here the departed soul rests and is renewed as it prepares for rebirth into the material world.

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T

Talisman:
An object believed to possess magickal powers. Often they are suggestive of a connective source of power, such as bear claws for strength, or a roadrunner's feather for swiftness. In this way they differ from amulets.

Tarot:
A system of divination employing 78 cards with pictures that incorporate various symbols. Was invented in Italy during the lat 15th century.

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U

V

W

Wand:
One of the four tools used in Wicca/Witchcraft. Depending on the tradition it represents either Fire or Air. Usually seen on an altar.

Warlock:
A term used in modern Wicca to indicate an oath breaker or someone who misuses the Craft in some manner.

Water:
One of the four creative elements, and is associated with the West quarter. Water is a symbol of regeneration, renovation, and dissolution. Symbolized by the chalice.

West:
Most often associated with the element of Water, and is also the portal or gateway to the Underworld or the Summerland.

Wicca:
A religion of veneration of Nature and the worship of Divinity as containing both feminine and masculine aspects. First came to public attention in the 1950s through the efforts of Gerald Gardner.

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X

Y

Z