Glossary of Terms
Note: Terms in ALL CAPS refer to cross-references within this glossary.
Affirmation: A statement designed as a message to YOUNGER SELF that, repeated at frequent intervals, aids in self-transformation.
Air: One of the classic four ELEMENTS representing the mind, intellect, or imagination; it often corresponds to the east and the colors light blue and yellow.
Akashic Records: A record of all that is, was, and will be; usually considered to reside on one of the astral planes and accessible through TRANCEWORK and MEDITATION.
Alchemy: A philosophical system that flourished during the Middle Ages and sought to purify and perfect the practitioner while symbolically creating chemical experiments on the material plane; modern chemistry is an offshoot, though it no longer includes the spiritual elements.
Altar: A flat surface designed to hold ritual tools and symbols; in many magickal traditions it is placed in the east.
Amulet: A small item of a natural material such as wood, stone, or shell, charged for a magickal purpose such as protection and either carried or worn as a pendant.
Anima: The feminine spirit that exists within males.
Animals: Present in magick as familiars (companions and helpers), power animals (animal spirits that guide, protect, and empower individuals), totem animals (those spirits that guide, protect, and empower clans or tribes), and Huna YOUNGER SELF aspects (the subconscious identified with a particular mammal).
Animus: The masculine spirit that exists within females.
Asana: A position of the entire body having spiritual significance, from yoga. See also MUDRA.
Aspecting: Any advanced magickal activity in which the practitioner manifests a particular aspect of Goddess or God in thought, feelings, behavior, speech, and appearance. Also called “Drawing Down the Moon” or “assuming the godform.”
Aspects: Forms, facets, or personas of Deity: for example, Artemis, Persephone, and Kore are aspects of the Maiden, and the Maiden is an aspect of Goddess. Helios, Ra, and Apollo are all solar aspects of God. “All goddesses are one Goddess, all gods are one God; God and Goddess are One.”
Asperger or Aspergillum: A device used to sprinkle water for purification at the beginning of RITUALS. Some are constructed of brass or silver, but a spray of evergreen, a pine cone, or fingers will do as well.
Asperging: Cleansing the ritual space before casting the circle.
Assuming the Godform: See ASPECTING.
Astral Temple: A mind-created construct on the astral plane, created as a sacred place where members of a lodge or COVEN, or solitary magicians, may go in their spirit-forms to rest, heal, learn, or communicate.
Astrology: The study of the relationships and movements of the planets as they relate to human qualities and events.
Athame: A black-handled, double-edged, knifelike tool used by WITCHES to channel energy, as in CASTING THE CIRCLE, but not used to cut anything material. It may be marked with the owner’s name in RUNES and with other symbols, including the PENTAGRAM, and may symbolize either the Fire or the Air ELEMENTS (different traditions vary on this point).
Attunement: An activity that brings the minds, emotions, and psyches of a group into harmony prior to RITUAL; chanting, singing, guided meditation, and breathing exercises are common ways to attune.
Aura: The energy field of the human body, especially that radiant portion visible to the third eye or psychic vision, which can reveal information about an individual’s health and emotional state.
Banishing: Causing to depart; used by some traditions as the procedure for releasing the elemental spirits of the QUARTERS at the end of a RITUAL.
Bell: A bell or gong can be used early in the RITUAL to “alert the QUARTERS,” that is, to prepare YOUNGER SELF to operate in the modes of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.
Bindrune: Several RUNES combined into one glyph in order to harness the energy of all of them toward one purpose.
Bolline: A white-handled knife used by WITCHES for cutting, carving, or inscribing things in the course of a RITUAL—CANDLES, TALISMANS, CORDS, etc. It is usually single-edged and sometimes has a sickle-shaped blade. Used in HERBCRAFT to harvest herbs.
Book of Shadows: A magickal journal kept by each WICCAN initiate, in which SPELLS, INVOCATIONS, ritual notes, herbal recipes, dreams, DIVINATION results, and material from the COVEN book can be recorded. Some people write it in Theban script or in other alphabets to keep it from prying eyes. Some keep a disk of shadows.
Broom, also called a Besom: The magickal STAFFS of WITCHES during the Middle Ages may have been disguised as brooms as a safety measure against the agents of the Inquisition, who would persecute anyone known to own magickal paraphernalia. A besom may be used to sweep the ritual space clear of impurities, as a form of ASPERGING before CASTING THE CIRCLE.
Cakes and Wine: After the magickal work and before the circle is opened, WICCANS and some other groups share food and drink. This custom is a sacrament of thanks for the gifts of Mother Earth, a way of earthing excess psychic energy, and sometimes a time for socializing and merriment.
Calling the Quarters: Invitation for the spirits of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth (from the east, south, west, and north, respectively, in many traditions) to attend a RITUAL and lend their powers to its success. It is also a means of fully engaging the mind, will, emotions, and body in the magickal working.
Candles: These are used frequently in SPELLS. Their colors and the oils they are anointed with, as well as the shapes and inscriptions carved on them, all have a symbolic purpose. See also LAMPS OF ART.
Casting: In DIVINATION, tossing stones, RUNES, or sticks on the ground or on a special board or cloth and gaining insights from their patterns and relationships.
Casting the Circle: The psychic creation of a sphere of energy around the area where RITUAL is to be performed, both to concentrate and focus the power raised and to keep out unwanted influences and distractions. The space enclosed exists outside ordinary space and time.
Cauldron: In RITUAL, a symbol of rebirth from Celtic mythology, and sometimes used to cook food for a SABBAT feast or burn small items as part of a magickal SPELL.
Censer: A container in which INCENSE is burned. See THURIBLE.
Centering: The process of moving one’s consciousness to one’s spiritual or psychic center, leading to a feeling of great peace, calmness, strength, clarity, and stability.
Ceremonial Magick: A style of magick usually involving complex RITUALS and elaborate tools, apparel, and temple decorations; usually refers to the Western system of magick exemplified by the Order of the Golden Dawn.
Chakras: The nexi or focal points of the human energy field; there are seven major chakras in a line from the top of the head to the base of the spine, as well as many smaller ones. Being able to sense and influence the chakras is an important aspect of HEALING.
Chalice: A goblet or cup, usually holding wine, which is shared around the circle in Wiccan RITUAL. It is both a female and a Water symbol and can be used for SCRYING.
Chanting: The harmonious vocalization of key words, names, or phrases for ritual purposes. Chanting can be used for ATTUNEMENT, CENTERING, RAISING POWER, going into trance, or celebration.
Charcoal: Often INCENSE is burned on a charcoal briquet, placed in a THURIBLE or on a stone. Self-igniting charcoal disks are sold in metaphysical supply stores and are very convenient to use.
Charge: To intentionally imbue with energy, as “to charge a TALISMAN with healing energy.” See RAISING POWER. The energy can be transferred from a distance or during physical contact with the object.
Charm: A magick SPELL either chanted or recited; an INCANTATION; also another word for an AMULET or TALISMAN.
Chord: An invisible line of force extending from one being or object to another, through which they influence one another; all things are connected by energy chords, but major chords have a powerful effect and their understanding and use is a key part of magick.
Cingulum: See CHORD.
Circle: See CASTING THE CIRCLE.
Cone of Power: The energy raised during magick is visualized as a cone, which at its peak of power is released toward a specific goal.
Consecration: To solemnly dedicate or devote someone or something to a sacred purpose and/or to the service of a deity; for example, to consecrate a ritual tool to the purpose of protection, or to consecrate a priestess to the service of Artemis.
Cord: Either a heavy string used in binding and releasing magick, or it can refer to the piece of apparel circling the magician’s waist (also called a “girdle” or “cingulum”). In many COVENS and magickal lodges, the color of the cord indicates the wearer’s degree of attainment.
Correspondence: Something that magickally symbolizes or replaces another thing; for example, the color silver corresponds to the moon or moon goddesses; the god Apollo corresponds to healing, music, and the sun.
Coven: A group of WITCHES who gather regularly to celebrate their faith and work magick. A coven may range in size from three to twenty or more, though most groups limit their size to thirteen or fewer. Covens are self-governing and vary widely in their styles and interests. Some covens are affiliated with a particular tradition (denomination) of the Craft, while others are eclectic.
Craft, the: See WICCA.
Crescent: A lunar symbol popular with many WICCANS and other magicians; the moon goddess rules magick and symbolizes the powers of women. In many traditions of WITCHCRAFT, the high priestess wears a silver crescent on her tiara or headband.
Cunning Man: The male equivalent of the WISE WOMAN; knowledgeable in the ways of nature, HERBCRAFT, and the hunt. One who uses NATURE MAGICK.
Dark of the Moon: The part of the cycle during which the moon is not visible from Earth. This is traditionally the best time in the cycle to do DIVINATION (SCRYING, TAROT, reading the RUNES, etc.).
Deosil: (jesh’-ul) Clockwise or “sunwise.” This is the direction the priestess or priest moves when CASTING THE CIRCLE and calling the QUARTERS; it is the direction of attraction, creation, and growth. See WIDDERSHINS for the opposite.
Deva: A spirit, usually the collective nature spirit of a variety of plant life. For example, the chamomile deva is the essence of all chamomile plants, and when planting, tending, harvesting, or using chamomile, many nature-oriented magicians will communicate with its deva.
Diana’s Bow: That phase of the moon, approximately three days after the DARK OF THE MOON, when the first slender CRESCENT or bow of the moon is visible low in the western sky just around sunset. A good time to do magicks for beginnings and preparations.
Dismissing the Quarters: Releasing or saying farewell to the spirits of the ELEMENTS. See also BANISHING.
Divination: The art or practice of foreseeing future trends or discovering hidden knowledge by using such tools as the TAROT, the I CHING, RUNES, CASTING stones, or a SHOWSTONE. Useful prior to RITUAL magick.
Drawing Down the Moon: See ASPECTING.
Dreamwork: Any conscious work with dreams, such as recording dreams in a dream journal, dream analysis, and lucid or directed dreaming.
Drumming: Used to raise power for casting a SPELL, for trance induction, or to change consciousness or an emotional state.
Earth: The ELEMENT corresponding to north in many magickal traditions, as well as the body, the material world, health, strength, and prosperity, and the foundation of all things material and solid; and often the colors black, brown, olive green, and yellow.
Earthing: Sending excess energy into the earth; done in RITUAL after RAISING POWER and SENDING it to its goal.
Element: In classical magick, Earth, Air, Fire, or Water, each of which represents a class of energies within the universe, and all of which together (along with Spirit) make up the reality we know. See listings in this section for each element.
Elemental: An entity or spirit expressing the energy of one of the four ELEMENTS. Air elementals are called sylphs, Fire are salamanders, Water are undines, and Earth elementals are gnomes.
Esbat: A gathering of WITCHES to celebrate a certain phase of the moon (the FULL MOON, DARK OF THE MOON, or DIANA’S BOW, usually), work magick, and socialize; from a French word meaning “to frolic.”
Evocation: In medieval magick, to summon a “lesser spirit” to do one’s bidding; among modern magicians, to draw any particular spiritual or psychic energy from within your own psyche.
Familiar: An animal companion trained to assist in magickal workings.
Fire: The ELEMENT corresponding to south, energy, will, passion, determination, ambition, and the colors red or red-orange and gold.
Full Moon: That phase in the lunar cycle when the moon is at her brightest, and perfectly round; a high point of lunar power when WITCHES traditionally gather to work magick for HEALING and abundance, and to celebrate Goddess. In “The Charge of the Goddess,” she says, “Once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, ye shall gather and adore me . . .”
Girdle: See CORD.
Grimoire: A book of magickal SPELLS and techniques. Although some of the medieval grimoires seem very mysterious and romantic, often they are merely collections of magickal “recipes” that are ineffective in the hands of anyone but a trained magician.
Grounding: Psychically reinforcing one’s connections with the earth by reopening an energy channel, often visualized as a golden cord or taproot, between your AURA and the earth.
Healing: The goal of a great deal of magick, especially among healing-oriented spiritual traditions such as WICCA. Healing may be accomplished by the laying-on of hands, mental manipulation of psychic energies, VISUALIZATION, spirit journeys, crystal work, HERBCRAFT, or other means. Ideally, it is performed only with the informed consent of the patient.
Herbcraft: Herbs may be used for HEALING in a very direct and mundane way, using teas, poultices, and tinctures, or in a magickal RITUAL through their CORRESPONDENCES. The WISE WOMEN and CUNNING MEN of old Europe were often skilled herbalists and may have been attacked by the Inquisition because they were seen as competition with the emerging patriarchal medical trades.
Hermetic Magick: A blending of magick and philosophy, in which knowledge and the practice of magick together lead to a knowledge of the divine.
High Magick: See THEURGY.
High Priest: Often the male leader of a COVEN, his duties traditionally include interacting with the outside world on behalf of the coven, and often the initiation of female WITCHES.
High Priestess: Often the female leader of a COVEN, her duties include the spiritual welfare of the members of the coven, and often the initiation of male WITCHES.
Higher Self: That part of the tripartite Self that is in direct contact with Deity, and therefore able to manifest that which MIDDLE SELF desires, when powered by the cooperation of YOUNGER SELF. Often considered to be a male and female pair of souls present in the human psyche. See chapter 5.
I Ching: A Chinese tradition of DIVINATION in which yarrow stalks or coins are CAST and counted to form figures called hexagrams; these are interpreted according to the book of that name.
Incantation: See CHANTING.
Incense: Material burned for its fragrance, which comes in sticks, cones, powders, resinous chunks, and herbal or floral mixtures, and can be purchased or made. The incense used depends on the purpose of the RITUAL and on the energies being invoked, but frankincense and sandalwood are two all-purpose favorites that can be used for almost any ritual.
Initiation: A profound spiritual experience in which one’s unity with Deity and the universe is realized; also, the RITUAL by which such an experience is celebrated and/or one is welcomed as a full member of a particular religious tradition or magickal group.
Inner Magick: A style of magick that achieves results through mental concentration and other inner processes without the use of RITUAL tools, costumes, props, movement, or sound. A subset of INTRINSIC MAGICK.
Intoning: See VIBRATING NAMES.
Intrinsic Magick: A style of magick that achieves results through the use of the body and mind alone, without the use of external tools and trappings. The mind, senses, breathing, noises, MUDRAS and ASANAS, VISUALIZATION, and movement may all be employed.
Invocation: Calling on a “higher spirit,” Deity, or divine aspect to manifest; also an invocatory prayer or INCANTATION.
Jewelry: Special pendants, rings, bracelets, necklaces, torques, tiaras, garters, or other forms of jewelry are often worn by magicians to symbolize their spiritual path, totem, or chosen aspect of Deity; to hold an energy charge; or to serve as a trigger for altered states of consciousness.
Kitchen Witch Magick: A style of magick focused on home management and other practical matters of daily living (see THAUMATURGY), often using ordinary household items as ritual tools.
Lamps of Art: Two CANDLES on the ALTAR that provide illumination and may represent Goddess and God (Spirit), made preferably of beeswax, although paraffin will do. Choose natural color or white, or use colors based on the season or on the nature of the magick being done.
Law of Contagion: A magickal principle stating that once an object has been part of another object, or even in contact with it, it remains linked by energy CHORDS and can be used magickally to influence it. See OBJECT LINK.
Law of Return: Whatever energy is sent out, positive or negative, is returned to the sender multiplied. Some traditions say it is multiplied by three and therefore call this principle the “Threefold Law.”
Libation: Wine or other beverage that is ceremonially poured upon the earth in token of gratitude for the blessings of Deity. Often done after the CHALICE has been passed around the circle in RITUAL.
Lodge: A group of people who gather together to practice magick, usually within a Western ceremonial magickal tradition.
Low Magick: See THAUMATURGY.
Lunar Cycle: The roughly twenty-eight-day cycle during which the moon waxes from dark to full and wanes to dark again; much magickal work is geared to the energies of the different phases of the moon.
Magician: One who uses magick to accomplish their purposes.
Magick: See Chapter 1 for definitions.
Magick Mirror: A dark or black mirror in which a magician may see images with their THIRD EYE or psychic vision; interpretation of these images provides information about distant or likely future events, or insights into the magician’s own nature. See SCRYING.
Magickal Journal: A book in which a magician writes notes and observations regarding magickal workings and SPELLS, CHARMS, INCANTATIONS, and other resources. See BOOK OF SHADOWS.
Magister: A formal title for a medieval magician.
Magus: A formal title for a medieval magician.
Meditation: A focused, disciplined form of contemplation or reflection in which the practitioner may alter their emotional state, achieve self-insight, or merge consciousness with another being, object, or process.
Middle Pillar: An exercise in which the major CHAKRAS are serially illuminated or massaged by INTONING names of Deity, and cleansed by running energy through them. Also the middle column of sephiroth in the Qabalistic TREE OF LIFE.
Middle Self: That part of the tripartite Self that works with thought, rationality, logic, and judgment; the part in which most of us operate most of the time; the ego. Also called Talking Head Self or Talking Self. In magick, it is the part that usually decides the desired outcome and plans the RITUAL or SPELL to enlist the aid of YOUNGER SELF, in order to communicate with HIGHER SELF. See chapter 5.
Moon: Symbol of the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, and Crone) in the WICCAN faith, and of feminine powers of intuition and magick, and of female physiological cycles which are attuned to her.
Moon Void-of-Course: An astrological term for the interval when the moon has left her last conjunction in one astrological sign, but not yet made her first conjunction in the next sign; traditionally not a good time in which to do RITUAL work or launch any new project.
Mudra: A gesture or position of the hands and arms that has sacred meaning.
Nature Magick: Magick which focuses on divine powers manifested in nature; uses the energies of the earth, MOON, and SUN; works in cooperation with nature spirits or DEVAS; and uses simple tools such as stones, sticks, or shells.
Necromancy: Communication with discarnate humans, which is to say the spirits of the dead; traditionally practiced at SAMHAIN.
Neopagan: See PAGANISM.
New Moon: See DARK OF THE MOON.
Object Link: An object once associated with someone or something the magician wishes to psychically influence and which is still connected to it with an energy CHORD. Also called a witness.
Occult: Knowledge or information that is supposedly hidden from the eyes or the understanding of anyone but adepts, usually referring to magickal principles or techniques. In fact, information formerly considered to be “occult” is freely available to anyone dedicated enough to seek it out in books or from teachers (most of the information in this book, for example).
Offering: A gift to Deity or a particular divine aspect given in gratitude for blessings received or expected. In Neopagan religions today, this might include the burning of INCENSE, a libation of wine, work toward a worthy cause, or providing food for wildlife—but never blood sacrifices.
Opening the Circle: Gathering in the sphere of energy that was CAST at the beginning of the RITUAL, thus returning the space to its mundane state. Sometimes called banishing the circle.
Paganism: 1. A collection of mostly pre-Christian, earth- or nature-based religions originating in Europe sometimes called Neopaganism: Asatru, WICCA, Shamanism, etc., based on the old pagan religions but incorporating modern techniques and materials. 2. Any religion apart from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Pen of Art: A special pen that is reserved only for entries into the BOOK OF SHADOWS or for other RITUAL uses. This can be an old-fashioned dip pen or quill pen, but any favored or special writing implement may be assigned this role.
Pentacle: This is a disk of metal, ceramic, or wood with a PENTAGRAM and other symbols inscribed on it. It is a symbol of the ELEMENT of Earth, originally designed to be used in RITUALS of protection as a magickal shield. Today Pagan ritualists sometimes place food upon it; see CAKES AND WINE.
Pentagram: A star-like five-pointed figure of very ancient origin, used magickally for blessing, protection, and balance. The five points stand for the four ELEMENTS plus Spirit. WITCHES often wear a silver pentagram encircled, with one point up to symbolize Spirit guiding and balancing the Elements. Also called pentalpha, the “endless knot,” and other names.
Planetary Days: Each day of the week is special to one of the planets (or the MOON or Sun) and the energy it represents. See “The Timing of Ritual” in chapter 14.
Planetary Hours: Certain hours of the day correspond to each planet. Traditionally they begin at different times throughout the year and vary in length according to the season, so people new to magick are advised to work their rituals on the appropriate planetary day and not be too concerned with the refinement of planetary hours.
Polarity: The interaction of two differing polarity-energies can raise enormous amounts of magickal power, and this insight is incorporated into most traditions of WICCA, as well as ALCHEMY and other magickal philosophies. The female-male polarity is most commonly discussed, but of course there are others as well: Fire/Water, Yin/Yang, Darkness/Light, etc.
Poppet: A doll used in healing RITUAL to represent a particular patient.
Pranayama: A series of yogic breathing techniques that are extremely useful in magickal work as they can alter consciousness, RAISE POWER, cleanse the AURA, and more.
Quarters: A shorthand term for the four elemental powers and the directions they correspond to; the portions of the magickal circle influenced by the ELEMENTS—each quarter is centered on its direction (e.g., the north quarter [of the circle] is actually from northwest to northeast, centered on north). Some traditions call them “corners,” but circles don’t actually have corners, so the term quarters is more accurate.
Raising Power: Drawing ambient energy (or specific energies such as solar or lunar) into the circle and the AURA using techniques such as DRUMMING or CHANTING, preparatory to SENDING it to a specific goal.
Ritual: A planned series of events leading to the accomplishment of a goal through magickal means. Can be celebratory, transformative, or both.
Runes: The alphabets used in Old Norse and Teutonic languages. They are an important component in Norse magick and myth, and are still used in DIVINATION today.
Sabbat: One of the eight great holy days of the WICCAN and many other NEOPAGAN religions, celebrating themes (such as birth, fertility, or death) related to the turning of the seasons of the year. Each is known by more than one name, but one set of names is Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnassad, Mabon, and Samhain.
Sacred Space: Of course all space is sacred, but the term usually refers to the area enclosed after CASTING THE CIRCLE.
Sacred Woods: Wood from trees that were special to the Celtic peoples. Often listed are rowan, hazel, birch, holy, willow, elder, hawthorn, oak, ash, and thorn, among others. Often used to make ritual tools (wands, pentacles, besoms, athame handles) or to build ritual fires.
Salt: Rock salt symbolizes the ELEMENT of Earth, and it is mixed with water and sprinkled over things to purify them. See ASPERGING.
Samhain: The sabbat celebrated on October 31; traditionally the night when the veils between this world and the next are thinnest. See NECROMANCY.
Scrying: The art of divination by gazing into a MAGICK MIRROR, SHOWSTONE, or bowl of water; the images seen with the THIRD EYE or psychic vision can illuminate events or trends in your life.
Seal of Solomon: A protective symbol or design said to have originated with Solomon, usually consisting of two interlaced triangles (now called the “Star of David”) surrounded by the TETRAGRAMMATON and other symbols.
Sending: Usually refers to the launching of power raised during a RITUAL toward the intended goal, but can also refer to the transmission of telepathic messages or the sending of an entity to accomplish a specific task.
Shapeshifting: The assumption of an animal form or appearance by a human magician. Everyone has heard scary tales of werewolves, but usually shapeshifting is done purposefully and for entirely benign spiritual purposes by a tribal shaman.
Showstone: A “crystal ball” or other polished stone used for DIVINATION (see SCRYING). Spheres of genuine quartz crystal are comparatively rare and expensive, but balls of obsidian or even leaded glass crystal work very well.
Sigil: A design or symbol representing a specific energy (for example, a planetary sigil) or entity (such as an angelic power).
Sorcery: Often defined as the use of magick for negative purposes, possibly with the aid of, or by controlling “evil spirits.” Not recommended; see the LAW OF RETURN.
Speculum: Another term for MAGICK MIRROR.
Spell: A pattern or series of words and/or actions performed with magickal intent, or sometimes simply a spoken INCANTATION. See CHANTING.
Spirit: The nonphysical, immortal component of an entity; the soul. With Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, one of the five basic components of all that is; represented by the top point of the PENTAGRAM. Some spirits are incarnate, that is, they have material bodies; some are discarnate, or are not presently residing in a body; and some have never had a body. There are human spirits of various kinds, nature spirits, spirits of entities on or from other planes, and “higher” or “angelic” spirits. MEDITATION can be used to communicate with spirits, and there are many other ways.
Staff: A tool carried by some magicians that can be used in place of a WAND or even an ATHAME. Traditionally a staff is made of one of the Celtic sacred woods, such as oak or ash, and in medieval times a phallic shape may have been carved on one end, then covered with broomstraw in case the Inquisitors came by (see BROOM). The staff was also used as a hiking stick when traveling on foot to the remote SABBAT sites over rugged ground, and at Beltane the dancers may have ridden staves hobby-horse style.
Stang: A magickal STAFF with a forked end at the top, symbolizing the horns or antlers of the Horn√©d Lord. Originally placed in the center of the circle, which represents the Goddess, it is not “for men” or “for women,” it is part of the religious furnishings as an altar or pentagram might be.
Starlight Vision: An intuitive, magically and psychically sensitive way of viewing the world, in which processes, things, entities, and possibilities unseen by the logical mind or absent in consensus reality become evident.
Strega: Italian WITCHCRAFT.
Sun: Not simply the star that warms and lights our world, but also a symbol of success, expansiveness, spiritual illumination, HEALING, and a powerful energy source for magick. In some religions the sun is personified as a goddess (Amaterasu Omikami, Arinna, Bast, etc.) and in some as a god (Apollo, Ra, Helios, etc.).
Sword: A sword can be used for CASTING THE CIRCLE and is considered a symbol of either Air or Fire.
Sympathetic Magick: Magick working on the principle that an object or being can be affected by influencing something like it in some way or related to it. For example, one might draw a picture of her horse successfully leaping a high fence, then charge the drawing with energy in order to help her horse become a strong jumper. See also CORRESPONDENCE.
Talisman: A drawn symbol or constructed item that is charged with a very specific energy and carried, worn as jewelry, or put in a special place. If carried on one’s person, its energy exerts a continual subtle influence on one; if placed somewhere, the emanation of its energy influences the immediate environment.
Tarot: A DIVINATION tool consisting of a deck of cards (in classic decks, seventy-eight) with powerful scenes or images representing various energies, processes, or spiritual conditions. They are divided into four suits (usually wands or rods, pentacles or disks, cups, and swords) which comprise the minor arcana (“lesser secrets”), and twenty-two other cards that comprise the major arcana (“greater secrets”). Many designs are available, some of which bear little or no resemblance to the original designs of the earliest cards from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Also a card game played using a tarot deck.
Temple: An area reserved, and sometimes decorated and equipped, specifically for religious or magickal activities; also any area consecrated as SACRED SPACE, whether or not it is normally considered so, such as a cast circle in someone’s living room.
Tetragrammaton: Another name for the four-letter word for the Name of God in Hebrew: YHVH, later anglicized to “Jehovah.” Sometimes used in Jewish- or Christian-oriented magickal traditions.
Thaumaturgy: “Low magick” used to influence things and events in everyday life: to protect your house, get a job, heal your cold, travel safely, etc.
Theurgy: “High magick” employed to connect with Deity and foster spiritual growth.
Third Eye: That CHAKRA most attuned to psychic energy and vibrations, located on the low forehead between the eyebrows.
Threefold Law: See LAW OF RETURN.
Thurible: A metal censer, dish, or burner to hold CHARCOAL and INCENSE. It can either stand on the ALTAR or swing from a chain, and it is often considered to be a symbol of Air, or of Air and Fire.
Trancework: An altered state of consciousness attained by means of breathing (pranayama), CHANTING, MEDITATING, etc., used to retrieve information not readily accessible to logical thought, communicate with discarnate entities, or for other magickal purposes.
Tree of Life: The diagram of the sephiroth and paths of the Qabala or Kabbalah, representing All That Is.
Triangle of Manifestation: A triangular space created outside the protective magick circle, into which medieval magicians would conjure “demons” to do their bidding.
Vibrating Names: Calling the name of a higher power, usually a deity or archangel, in a loud, extended, and resonant voice; either as part of INVOCATION, energy work such as the Middle Pillar exercise, RAISING ENERGY, or clearing blockages from CHAKRAS.
Vibrations: All manifestation is formed by energy vibrating at various wavelengths or frequencies; by working with frequencies unknown or unregarded by most people, a magician can accomplish unusual things—i.e., do magick.
Visualization: Creating an image in the mind, usually thought of as visual but enhanced when auditory and kinesthetic ELEMENTS are added. Imagining something very clearly.
Wand: A stick about eighteen inches long, or “from elbow to fingertips,” carved from one of the traditional SACRED WOODS and used to attract, repel, and represent Air or Fire, according to various traditions. It may be carved and decorated, with a phallic shape (acorn or crystal) on one end and a yoni on the other. Also called a baculum.
Waning Moon: The period during which the visible part of the moon shrinks from full to dark; an appropriate time for spells of banishing, release, or cleansing.
Ward: A psychic barrier set up for protection from outside influences; may be “anchored” with stones such as hematite, black onyx, or rose quartz.
Water: Mixed with salt, may be used to purify; the bowl (or large shell) containing it is kept on the ALTAR. Also the ELEMENT that corresponds to the west, emotions, love, intuition, and the colors light green, blue, and silver.
Waxing Moon: The period during which the visible part of the moon grows from dark to full; an appropriate time for spells for growth or increase.
Wicca: A nature-oriented religion that includes the practice of magick and celebration of immanent Deity, often in the forms of the Triple Goddess of the MOON and the Hornéd God of nature; also called the Old Religion, the Craft, or WITCHCRAFT. Contrary to fairy-tale stereotypes, it has nothing to do with evil magick or Satanism, but rather focuses on HEALING and spiritual growth.
Wiccan Rede: The ethics of the Craft are summed up in eight words: “An ye harm none, do as ye will,” meaning “As long as you do not harm anyone (including yourself), follow your inner guidance, your True Will.”
Widdershins: Counterclockwise, the direction a magician moves around the circle when they wish to banish, remove, or release energy; the opposite of DEOSIL.
Wise Woman: The female equivalent of CUNNING MAN, also often a midwife; one who uses NATURE MAGICK.
Witch: A priestess or priest of the Old Religion, WICCA. Real WITCHES bear no resemblance to Halloween’s cackling hags on broomsticks; that stereotype was popularized by persecutors in medieval times, for their own reasons. Real Witches look much like any of your other neighbors, and tend to be good neighbors and good citizens.
Witchcraft: See WICCA. May also refer to the magickal arts or skills associated with Wicca, aside from the spiritual ELEMENTS of the religion.
Witness: See OBJECT LINK.
Wizard: A male MAGICIAN.
Words of Power: Names of Deity or other INVOCATIONS or INCANTATIONS that have a powerful effect if properly intoned. Insofar as anything we say has an influence on YOUNGER SELF, all words are words of power. Wise magicians, therefore, use language carefully and accurately.
Younger Self: That part of the tripartite Self that is emotion, the physical body, and memory, and is in touch with HIGHER SELF. Often considered to be a mammalian soul present in the human psyche. In magick, MIDDLE SELF will select the desired outcome and design a ritual or spell to enlist the aid of Younger Self. Younger Self, in turn, sends energy to HIGHER SELF, which is connected to DEITY, which manifests the desired outcome for Middle Self. See chapter 5.