Hearthkeeper November, 2010
Pagan Terminology
Adept
A person that has become highly proficient in a particular magickal art(s)
through dedication, much study, and practice.
Akasha
What some deem the fifth Element, Spirit. It is the ever-present spiritual energy
inherent in all parts of the universe. It occupies the top point of the Pentacle and
is considered the center of the Cardinal directions and their reference Elements.
Akashic Records
Allegedly, there is a vast collection of information somewhere that can be accessed for information such as magickal workings, past lives, healing abilities, ect. The records are accessed through using the mind to “tap into” universal energies, and the information is attained from there.
Altar
A flat surface used exclusively for magickal practices or religious observations.
The lay out of the altar various widely with Tradition, and even further with
individual.
Astral Projection
The process of separating your astral body from your material body allowing
motion through astral (non-physical) planes.
Bolline
Another knife used by Wiccans in ritual, unlike the Athame, however, this white
handled blade is used to perform the physical purposed of cutting.
Book of Shadows
A new term for a collection of Craft references. It often includes ritual
procedures, herb lore, definitions, recipes, ect. Many individuals have their own
Book, as do many Covens. (Also called Grimoires.)
Cardinal Directions
See elements
The four familiar directions of the compass and their relative Elements. Many
Crafters utilize the Cardinal directions to attune with the elements of the
universe. The directions and their reference Elements are:
North = Earth
East = Air
South = Fire
West = Water
Center= Akasha
Chakras
There are seven prominent energy channels in the body, each associated with
a color. Smaller channels are found in the hands and feet. The major channels
and their colors are:
Crown = White
Forehead = Purple
Throat = Blue
Chest = Pink or Green
Navel = Yellow
Abdomen = Orange
Groin = Red
Circle
A spherical boundary of energy used to protect the magick person from outside
influences that may disrupt the ritual. Some also use a physical boundary to
assist in the establishing and maintaining of the sphere. Wiccans and
Ceremonial Magicians use Magick Circles all the time, while Tradecrafters use
them not at all.
Cleansing
The use of positive energy to remove negativity from an object or place.
Consecration
Charging a object or space with positive energy.
Coven
“A group of Wiccans, who meet to work or worship in an organized fashion. Said
to be usually limited to 13 members or less.”
Craft, The
“Another name for the practice of magick, esp. Witchcraft.”
Deosil
A clockwise motion, symbolic of positive, constructive energies. It is the Sun’s
apparent motion “around” the Earth in the Northern Hemisphere. Often used in
ritual to “produce” positive energies in the surrounding environment.
Deity
A Divine entity (God or Goddess) honored in a religious “doctrine.”
divination
The magickal art of interpreting the patterns of energies (often displayed
through tools as mediums) in order to discover the unknown.
Earth Mother
The identification as the Earth being the bringer of life, hence the idea of
“Mother Earth.”
Earth Religion
“A religion wherein the worshipper strives to be in harmony with the Earth and
with all life-forms. These religions are opposed to the Christian view that the
world is a resource to be subdued and exploited; or that humans have the right
to dominate and / or subjugate other life-forms.”
Elements, The Four
The four traditional elements that make up our universe. Everything that exists or
has the potential to exist, is a product of an Element or combination of Elements.
of their energies. They are Earth, Fire, Air, and Water (Many also add Akasha to
make a fifth element.) Also see Cardinal Directions and Akasha.
Esbat
“This is a Wiccan term for the monthly meeting of a Wiccan Coven, usually held
during the full of the moon. (There are about 13 full moons each year.) Some
groups also meet at the dark of the moon. (note: not observed by tradcrafters.)”
Goddess, The Trinity
The concept of the Goddess having three aspects: The Maiden, The Mother,
and The Crone. (This belief predates the similar Christian Trinity.)
Guardians of the Four Quarters (Watchtowers)
Astral entities associated with the Elements of the four Cardinal Directions. The
Guardians are used by Ceremonial Magicians and many Wiccans to watch
over a ritual and provide protection at the Four Quarters of the Magick Circle.
Guardian Spirits
Spirits that are present in our lives, and serve as protectors of our person and
spirit. It is believed that everyone has Guardian Spirits, though very few are
aware of the role they play.
Handfasting
A Pagan marriage ceremony.
Horned God, The
“The Horned God is an ancient symbol predating Judaism (and therefore
Christianity.) The Horned God has NOTHING in common with ‘Satan’ (a
Judaeo-Christian Deity) except for his ‘horns’. Actually the horns are antlers, not
little pointy things. ”
Karma
The belief that one’s spiritual path can be affected multiple times by the
intentions within thoughts and actions. The center principle is cause and effect,
all energy one sends out are returned to that person equally. (“For every action
there is an equal and opposite reaction.) Also see Polarity.
Magick
“Spelt with a ‘k’ to differentiate it from the ‘Magic of David Copperfield’; this word
means the conscious focusing of will, often with attendant ritual, to accomplish
a goal.”
Neo-Paganism
“A modern Earth Religion which adapts aspects of the pre-Christian Pagan
religions; (most often from the ancient Norse traditions) and couples these
practices with additions from contemporary religious thinkers.”
Occult
“‘Of or pertaining to supernatural phenomena or influences.’ This word is also
used to denote the study of secret practices.”
Pagan
“A word used to describe ancient people(s) who did not acknowledge the
Christian, Islamic or Judaic God as their own. The word comes from the Latin
word paganus, which meant ‘a country dweller’. This word is used in
contemporary occult parlance to denote any person or group who follows an
Earth based religion or practice.”
Pendulum
A tool of divination in which a string (16″ to 18″) is attached to a weight. The free
end is held in the hand and the elbow steadied. The swing of the weight
determines the answer to the posed question.
Polarity
The notion of equal and opposite energies. Polarity implies balance: Good/Evil,
Light/Dark, Positive/Negative, Sun/Moon, Hot/Cold, ect. (An excellent example
is the Yin Yang symbol.)
Priest/Priestess
A person (term depends on gender) dedicated to the service of a chosen deity
or group of deities, and helping mankind. Note: Neither gender has a
dominating position in Paganism.
Reincarnation
Rebirth. A cycle of repeated incarnation in the human form to provide time for
the timeless soul to progress toward perfection.
Ritual
A set of movements, words, actions designed to accomplish a variety of effects.
Ritual can involve Magick, honoring a diety, communion with nature, etc.
Rituals need not be mechanically planned, spontaneous rituals filled with joy
are often more effective than pre-planned, repetitive, and bland performances.
Sabbat
“One of the eight seasonal Wiccan festivals equally spaced during the year,
celebrated by individuals and covens of Wiccans. (note: Tradcrafters observe
“Tides” not Sabbats.)”
Shaman
A person (male or female) that possesses knowledge of the subtle energies of
the world. Many Shaman were considered “Wise Men” (or Women) within their
cultures. Their understanding of the subtle energies allowed them to perform
magick.
Shamanism
The act of practicing Shamanistic abilities. Some times a religious practices,
sometimes magickal, and at times both.
Sigil
A magickal seal or sign that is used during a magickal work. They can be used
to tranfser, carry, or magnify energy, and have a large variety of applications.
Spells
Mental, emotional, and/or spiritual energy expended to bring about a change
in one’s environment. The energy can be spoken, written, clapped, danced, or
drawn, but must follow a few basic “guidelines” in order for it to be effective.
Talisman
A magickally enhanced object designed to attract a specific type of energy.
Tarot Cards
A deck of (traditionally) 78 cards which hold images that connect the diviner
with the energies of the universe. The cards can be used to determine energies
from the past, present, and future, and can also be used as tools in ritual or
magick. The specific origin is vague.
Tradecraft
“This word is often used to differentiate between the practices of traditional /
hereditary witchs and the practices of Wiccans.”
Tradition
Can be thought of as “denomination” of Paganism, the path one follows.
Tradition does no imply a recognized religion, for there are many more personal
religions than there are recognized religions.
Wicca
“An earth based religion which was formed (circa 1940) by Gerald Gardner,
which blended magical practices from diverse cultures with the writings of
authors (such as H.P. Lovecraft,) and incorporated aspects of pagan ritual,
tradcraft, as well as ancient concepts of deity. To this base, other concepts of
fact and myth are added (or subtracted) to make up the various ‘traditions’ (in
this case synonymous with ‘denominations,’) around which covens and
individual practitioners base their practices. Some of the ‘trads’ of Wicca are:”
Alexandrian
Celtic
Circle
Dianic
Faerie
Gardnerian
Wiccan
“One who follows the earth based religion known as Wicca; worships at least
one aspect of the triple Goddess, and (sometimes) Her Consort, the Horned God.
Wiccans often call themselves ‘witches’. (note: few tradcrafters, who are the
‘witches’ of antiquity, will call themselves a witch.) A Wiccan would never
dream of harming anything, be it beast, earth or mankind. In short, Wicca is a
benign religion.”
Widdershins
Counter clockwise motion. In the Northern Hemisphere it is opposite the Sun’s
movement in the sky, and would be considered to produce negative energies.
It is faulty to think that any counter clockwise motion produces negative energy,
the motion is simply symbolic of the energies around us.
Witch
“One who practices a way of life consistent with the natural rhythms of the
earth. Witches have a reverence and respect for their ancestors (lineal,
collateral or adopted) and contrary to popular conceptions of witches, and
witchcraft; there is no blood sacrifice, worshipping of Satan, or trafficking in
abortion. In fact, most ‘witches’ go to great lengths to not stand out in their dress
or mannerisms.
Blessing until next Month
Tags: terminology, Wicca, Wiccan, words
