Post by bluefedish on Jan 10, 2008 14:56:13 GMT -5
Some Magickal Jargon - Learning to Speak the Lingo
Adept: An individual who through serious study and accomplishments is considered highly proficient in a particular magickal system. A person can be an adept at Egyptian magickal practices, but a total failure at practical kitchen magick.
Akashic records: In the early part of this century the famed psychic Edgar Cayce brought to general society the thought form of Akashic records. Supposedly, there is a giant data base somewhere that can be accessed for information on subjects such as past lives, healing, and other magickal/spiritual practices. This record system can't be accessed by material equipment, such as a PC networking with a larger computer. In this case, the mind of the psychic or witch accesses the data through Universal connections.
Altar: A special, flat surface set aside exclusively for magickal workings or religious acknowledgement.
Amulet: Usually considered an object of protection that has been charged to deflect specific negative energies or thought forms. Amulets can be made of feathers, plants, beads, etc. The horseshoe and the 4-leaf clover are 2 examples of amulets.
Ankh: An Egyptian hieroglyphic that is widely used as a symbol for life, love, and reincarnation. It's depicted as a cross with a looped top.
Aradia: A champion Italian Goddess sworn to protect her people against the aggression of masculine faith and its persecutors during the reign of medieval terror. The original Aradia was a female Christ figure in Italy who taught around 1353. She was imprisoned more than once, escaped several times and eventually disappeared. The 2nd Aradia you will hear about is Leland's Aradia, a book detailing information from an Italian Gypsy Witch. The 3rd is the daughter of Diana and Lucifer (God of the Sun). She is considered the Queen of Witches.
Arcana: The 2 halves of a Tarot deck. The Major Arcana consists of 22 trumps depicting dominant occurrences in our lives. The Minor Arcana consists of 56 suit cards (sometimes called the lesser Arcana) that assist in fleshing out the trump situations, or indicate smaller occurrences in our lives. See also Tarot cards.
Astral: This word conjures lots of definitions. To keep it simple, let's descibe it as another dimension of reality. It's also been referred to as "dream-time," which is an excellent label. This reference is from the Australian Aboriginal people and their teachings, which are well worth your further study.
Astral Travel/Projection: The process of separating your astral body from your physical one to accomplish travel in the astral plane or dreamtime.
Athame: A cleanesed and consecrated ceremonial knife used in ritual work by witches. The knife is never used for blood-letting, and rarely used for cutting anything on the material plane.
Balefire: You don't get to see too many of these today. In country settings its function was both magickal and practical. Holidays at which you would most likely see this type of celebration are Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh and Mabon.
Bane: Another word for bad, evil, destructive.
Banish: To magickally end something or exorcise unwanted entities. To rid the presence of.
Bi-location: This is an interesting practice. You use a type of astral projection to travel in everyday reality by retaining the capability to be aware of your present surroundings. Synonymous terms are 'over-looking' and 'mind-travel'.
Bind: To magickally restrain something or someone.
Book of Shadows/Grimoire: A relatively new term for the collection of information in book form for a witch's reference.
Bolline: A curved, white-handled knife used for practical magickal purposes such as cutting. For instance, the knife can be used to harvest herbs, cut a branch for a wand, inscribe candles, etc.
Cabala: Also seen as Kabbala(h) and Qabala. The ancient Hebrew magickal system.
Chakras: 7 major energy vortexes found in the human body. Each is usually associated with a color. These vortexes are: crown - white or violet; forehead (3rd eye position) - indigo; throat - blue; chest - pink or green; navel - yellow; abdomen - orange; groin - red. Smaller vertexes are located in the hands and feet, as well.
Channeling: This is a New Age practice wherein you allow a disincarnate entity to "borrow" your body to speak to others either through automatic writing or verbally. Channeling doesn't have a very good track record simply because it's difficult to prove an dthe information imparted is usually not about things that can be "tested". Subjects normally involve distant prophecy, what the after-life is like, the structure of other dimensions, words of wisdom that everybody really needs to know before it's too late, etc. Channeling is the new buzz-word for mediumship. The best known and most accurate medium within our present century was the late Edgar Cayce. Most book stores still carry some of his material and it's well worth the read. Channeling isn't the same as contacting the dead for information or help.
Cleansing: The act of removing any negative energy, vibrations or images from an object or place by utilizing positive, psychic energy.
Coven: A group of 13 or less witches that work together in an organized fashion for positive magickal endeavors or to perform religious ceremonies. The covenstead is the meeting place of the witches, and is often a fixed building or place where the witch can feel safe and at home.
Deosil: Clockwise movement. Most rituals and ceremonies, even spells, call for deosil movement at some point in their construction.
Divination: The art of using magickal tools and symbols to gather information from teh Collective Unconscious on the nature of people, places, things, and events in the past, present, and future.
Dowsing: The art/science of using a pendulum or stick to find the actual location of a person, place thing or element. Dowsing can also be used to answer yes or not questions, and quite a science has developed by holding a pendulum over a specially designed chart to answer specific questions on life patterns.
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.
Earth Magick: A practical form of magick wherein the powers and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct magickal workings or celebrations. Usually items associted with the Earth and nature hold a particular significance in the ritual or spell.
Elder: Many Pagan or Wiccan organizations have a group or board of Elders who oversee the operations of the coven(s) and its variety of functions. These people have usually gained their positions through a combination of their abilities which may include education, experience, magickal adeptship and counseling.
Elements: Usually counted as 4: Earth, Air, Water, & Fire. However, many witches add Spirit or Akasha to this category as well. Each element has a direction within a magick circle or working: East = Air; South = Fire; West = Water; North = Earth; Center = Spirit or Akasha.
Evocation: To call something out from within.
Familiar: An animal who has a spiritual bond with a you; often is the family pet. Familiars can also be entities who are created to protect you home from the astral.
Handfasting: Celtic marriage ceremony.
Invocation: To bring something in from without
Karma: The belief that one's thoughts and deeds can be either counted against them or added to their spiritual path during several life times. In Sanskrit it means "action". Follows the law of cause and effect.
Magick: The art and science of focusing your will and emotions to effect change both in the world around you and the world within you. Magick is neither good nor evil, positive nor negative. It is the use of the power that determines the path it will take.
Magick Circle: A circular boundary drawn in visionaly white light that protects the witch from outside forces while conducting ritual magick. One must never step outside the circle while performing a ritual unless the appropriate precaustions have been takento cut a door. Nor should anyone step in during a ritual, unless they are following a pathway made for them. The door is usually cut with the athame or wand. This circle should never be left hanging after your ritual is over. This means that it must be closed just as ceremoniously as it was opened. The magick circle is considered the doorway between the worlds and allow us to move between the two. Some draw the circle in the physical, either permanently on the floor or for temporary use with herbs, sand, salt, chalk or a 9 foot cord. The circle is still cast with white light by the High Priestess/Priest or individual designated to do so.
New Age: Usually refers to mixing metaphysical practices with a structured religion.
Pagan/Neopagan: Follower of a nature-based religion. The term Neopagan means "new Pagan" adn is not a popular term. It seems to be a direct result of the New Age lingo.
Pantheon: A collection or group of Gods and Goddesses in a particular religious or mythical structure. Examples: Greek pantheon, Roman pantheon, Egyptian pantheon, etc.
Pentagram: A circle surrounding a 5-pointed, upright star. Worn as a symbol of a witch's belief and used a specific meaning; Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.
Priestess: A female dedicated to both the service of her chosen deity(ies) and humankind. A High Preistess is the feminine leader of a coven and plays the role of Goddess in certain ceremonies. A solitary witch can be a Priestess by dedicatng herself to a particular God or Goddess.
Priest: A male dedicated to both the service of his chosen deity(ies) and humankind. A High Priest is the male leader of a coven and plays the role of the God in certain ceremonies.
~ Note: The High Priest and Hight Priestess are equal and in a coven environment should work as a balanced team.
Reincarnation: The belief that one has lived before in another lifetime.
Ritual: A focused mental/physical ceremony to either honor or thank one's chosen pantheon, or to perform a specific magickal working or act.
Runes: A set of symbols that are used both in divination and magickal workings. There are several types of runes with different origins. A few are the Norse, Scandinavian and Germanic runes. Unlike the Tarot, they are an integral part of a magickal system with its own patheon, should you care to use it. They can function as an alphabet and are useful in vision questing, dream recal and controlling your environment.
Scrying: A divination method using specific tools such as a bowl of inked water, a mirror, crystal ball, etc., where the diviner "sees" either normal visual pictures, mental visual pictures, or information without any pictures at all.
Sigil: A magickally oriented seal, sign, glyph, or other device used in a magickal working. hte most powerful sigils are those that you create yourself. Sigils can be used on letters, packages, clothing, on paper tucked in your pocket, etc.
Skyclad: In soem traditions, it is the act of celebrating or doing a magickal working in the nude. this should not be misconstrued with sexual contact. There are many solitaries that prefer to work skyclad, feeling that the absence of clothing leaves their energy unhindered during the ceremony.
Spell: Extended mental and emotional energy spoken aloud, written, spoken to oneself, drawn or even danced. To work, it should be clear, concise, focused and emotional. The need must be present to bring any spell to a successful culmination.
Talisman: An object that has been magickally charged in order to bring something to the bearer. Such an item could be a gemstone to win a court case, or a drawing to put in your pocket that will bring good luck.
Tarot Cards: A set of 78 cards which carry pictures and symbols used to connect the diviner with the collective unconscious. The cards can be used to determine the past, present and future of an event or person and can become powerful tools in magickal workings and rituals.
Vision Questing: Using astral projection, bi-location, or dreamtime to accomplish a specific goal. Also called pathworking.
Webweaving: Networking with other magickal people through conversation, in writting, or by computer to gather information to mutually assist each party in their studies and life goals.
Wheel of the Year: One full cycle of the seasonal year.
Widdershins: Counterclockwise motion used in some magickal workings or ceremonies.
Working: As in magickal working. The process of using magick to reach a desired positive goal.
Selected Source:
To Ride A Silver Broomstick - New Generation Witchcraft
By: Siver RavenWolf
Adept: An individual who through serious study and accomplishments is considered highly proficient in a particular magickal system. A person can be an adept at Egyptian magickal practices, but a total failure at practical kitchen magick.
Akashic records: In the early part of this century the famed psychic Edgar Cayce brought to general society the thought form of Akashic records. Supposedly, there is a giant data base somewhere that can be accessed for information on subjects such as past lives, healing, and other magickal/spiritual practices. This record system can't be accessed by material equipment, such as a PC networking with a larger computer. In this case, the mind of the psychic or witch accesses the data through Universal connections.
Altar: A special, flat surface set aside exclusively for magickal workings or religious acknowledgement.
Amulet: Usually considered an object of protection that has been charged to deflect specific negative energies or thought forms. Amulets can be made of feathers, plants, beads, etc. The horseshoe and the 4-leaf clover are 2 examples of amulets.
Ankh: An Egyptian hieroglyphic that is widely used as a symbol for life, love, and reincarnation. It's depicted as a cross with a looped top.
Aradia: A champion Italian Goddess sworn to protect her people against the aggression of masculine faith and its persecutors during the reign of medieval terror. The original Aradia was a female Christ figure in Italy who taught around 1353. She was imprisoned more than once, escaped several times and eventually disappeared. The 2nd Aradia you will hear about is Leland's Aradia, a book detailing information from an Italian Gypsy Witch. The 3rd is the daughter of Diana and Lucifer (God of the Sun). She is considered the Queen of Witches.
Arcana: The 2 halves of a Tarot deck. The Major Arcana consists of 22 trumps depicting dominant occurrences in our lives. The Minor Arcana consists of 56 suit cards (sometimes called the lesser Arcana) that assist in fleshing out the trump situations, or indicate smaller occurrences in our lives. See also Tarot cards.
Astral: This word conjures lots of definitions. To keep it simple, let's descibe it as another dimension of reality. It's also been referred to as "dream-time," which is an excellent label. This reference is from the Australian Aboriginal people and their teachings, which are well worth your further study.
Astral Travel/Projection: The process of separating your astral body from your physical one to accomplish travel in the astral plane or dreamtime.
Athame: A cleanesed and consecrated ceremonial knife used in ritual work by witches. The knife is never used for blood-letting, and rarely used for cutting anything on the material plane.
Balefire: You don't get to see too many of these today. In country settings its function was both magickal and practical. Holidays at which you would most likely see this type of celebration are Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh and Mabon.
Bane: Another word for bad, evil, destructive.
Banish: To magickally end something or exorcise unwanted entities. To rid the presence of.
Bi-location: This is an interesting practice. You use a type of astral projection to travel in everyday reality by retaining the capability to be aware of your present surroundings. Synonymous terms are 'over-looking' and 'mind-travel'.
Bind: To magickally restrain something or someone.
Book of Shadows/Grimoire: A relatively new term for the collection of information in book form for a witch's reference.
Bolline: A curved, white-handled knife used for practical magickal purposes such as cutting. For instance, the knife can be used to harvest herbs, cut a branch for a wand, inscribe candles, etc.
Cabala: Also seen as Kabbala(h) and Qabala. The ancient Hebrew magickal system.
Chakras: 7 major energy vortexes found in the human body. Each is usually associated with a color. These vortexes are: crown - white or violet; forehead (3rd eye position) - indigo; throat - blue; chest - pink or green; navel - yellow; abdomen - orange; groin - red. Smaller vertexes are located in the hands and feet, as well.
Channeling: This is a New Age practice wherein you allow a disincarnate entity to "borrow" your body to speak to others either through automatic writing or verbally. Channeling doesn't have a very good track record simply because it's difficult to prove an dthe information imparted is usually not about things that can be "tested". Subjects normally involve distant prophecy, what the after-life is like, the structure of other dimensions, words of wisdom that everybody really needs to know before it's too late, etc. Channeling is the new buzz-word for mediumship. The best known and most accurate medium within our present century was the late Edgar Cayce. Most book stores still carry some of his material and it's well worth the read. Channeling isn't the same as contacting the dead for information or help.
Cleansing: The act of removing any negative energy, vibrations or images from an object or place by utilizing positive, psychic energy.
Coven: A group of 13 or less witches that work together in an organized fashion for positive magickal endeavors or to perform religious ceremonies. The covenstead is the meeting place of the witches, and is often a fixed building or place where the witch can feel safe and at home.
Deosil: Clockwise movement. Most rituals and ceremonies, even spells, call for deosil movement at some point in their construction.
Divination: The art of using magickal tools and symbols to gather information from teh Collective Unconscious on the nature of people, places, things, and events in the past, present, and future.
Dowsing: The art/science of using a pendulum or stick to find the actual location of a person, place thing or element. Dowsing can also be used to answer yes or not questions, and quite a science has developed by holding a pendulum over a specially designed chart to answer specific questions on life patterns.
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.
Earth Magick: A practical form of magick wherein the powers and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct magickal workings or celebrations. Usually items associted with the Earth and nature hold a particular significance in the ritual or spell.
Elder: Many Pagan or Wiccan organizations have a group or board of Elders who oversee the operations of the coven(s) and its variety of functions. These people have usually gained their positions through a combination of their abilities which may include education, experience, magickal adeptship and counseling.
Elements: Usually counted as 4: Earth, Air, Water, & Fire. However, many witches add Spirit or Akasha to this category as well. Each element has a direction within a magick circle or working: East = Air; South = Fire; West = Water; North = Earth; Center = Spirit or Akasha.
Evocation: To call something out from within.
Familiar: An animal who has a spiritual bond with a you; often is the family pet. Familiars can also be entities who are created to protect you home from the astral.
Handfasting: Celtic marriage ceremony.
Invocation: To bring something in from without
Karma: The belief that one's thoughts and deeds can be either counted against them or added to their spiritual path during several life times. In Sanskrit it means "action". Follows the law of cause and effect.
Magick: The art and science of focusing your will and emotions to effect change both in the world around you and the world within you. Magick is neither good nor evil, positive nor negative. It is the use of the power that determines the path it will take.
Magick Circle: A circular boundary drawn in visionaly white light that protects the witch from outside forces while conducting ritual magick. One must never step outside the circle while performing a ritual unless the appropriate precaustions have been takento cut a door. Nor should anyone step in during a ritual, unless they are following a pathway made for them. The door is usually cut with the athame or wand. This circle should never be left hanging after your ritual is over. This means that it must be closed just as ceremoniously as it was opened. The magick circle is considered the doorway between the worlds and allow us to move between the two. Some draw the circle in the physical, either permanently on the floor or for temporary use with herbs, sand, salt, chalk or a 9 foot cord. The circle is still cast with white light by the High Priestess/Priest or individual designated to do so.
New Age: Usually refers to mixing metaphysical practices with a structured religion.
Pagan/Neopagan: Follower of a nature-based religion. The term Neopagan means "new Pagan" adn is not a popular term. It seems to be a direct result of the New Age lingo.
Pantheon: A collection or group of Gods and Goddesses in a particular religious or mythical structure. Examples: Greek pantheon, Roman pantheon, Egyptian pantheon, etc.
Pentagram: A circle surrounding a 5-pointed, upright star. Worn as a symbol of a witch's belief and used a specific meaning; Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.
Priestess: A female dedicated to both the service of her chosen deity(ies) and humankind. A High Preistess is the feminine leader of a coven and plays the role of Goddess in certain ceremonies. A solitary witch can be a Priestess by dedicatng herself to a particular God or Goddess.
Priest: A male dedicated to both the service of his chosen deity(ies) and humankind. A High Priest is the male leader of a coven and plays the role of the God in certain ceremonies.
~ Note: The High Priest and Hight Priestess are equal and in a coven environment should work as a balanced team.
Reincarnation: The belief that one has lived before in another lifetime.
Ritual: A focused mental/physical ceremony to either honor or thank one's chosen pantheon, or to perform a specific magickal working or act.
Runes: A set of symbols that are used both in divination and magickal workings. There are several types of runes with different origins. A few are the Norse, Scandinavian and Germanic runes. Unlike the Tarot, they are an integral part of a magickal system with its own patheon, should you care to use it. They can function as an alphabet and are useful in vision questing, dream recal and controlling your environment.
Scrying: A divination method using specific tools such as a bowl of inked water, a mirror, crystal ball, etc., where the diviner "sees" either normal visual pictures, mental visual pictures, or information without any pictures at all.
Sigil: A magickally oriented seal, sign, glyph, or other device used in a magickal working. hte most powerful sigils are those that you create yourself. Sigils can be used on letters, packages, clothing, on paper tucked in your pocket, etc.
Skyclad: In soem traditions, it is the act of celebrating or doing a magickal working in the nude. this should not be misconstrued with sexual contact. There are many solitaries that prefer to work skyclad, feeling that the absence of clothing leaves their energy unhindered during the ceremony.
Spell: Extended mental and emotional energy spoken aloud, written, spoken to oneself, drawn or even danced. To work, it should be clear, concise, focused and emotional. The need must be present to bring any spell to a successful culmination.
Talisman: An object that has been magickally charged in order to bring something to the bearer. Such an item could be a gemstone to win a court case, or a drawing to put in your pocket that will bring good luck.
Tarot Cards: A set of 78 cards which carry pictures and symbols used to connect the diviner with the collective unconscious. The cards can be used to determine the past, present and future of an event or person and can become powerful tools in magickal workings and rituals.
Vision Questing: Using astral projection, bi-location, or dreamtime to accomplish a specific goal. Also called pathworking.
Webweaving: Networking with other magickal people through conversation, in writting, or by computer to gather information to mutually assist each party in their studies and life goals.
Wheel of the Year: One full cycle of the seasonal year.
Widdershins: Counterclockwise motion used in some magickal workings or ceremonies.
Working: As in magickal working. The process of using magick to reach a desired positive goal.
Selected Source:
To Ride A Silver Broomstick - New Generation Witchcraft
By: Siver RavenWolf
