Besom A broom used by Witches and Wiccans. Just as a broom is used to sweep dirt away, a besom is used to cleanse an area as a type of banishing. Traditionally, a besom is made of a fairly straight stick, often an ash wood branch, with many twigs, frequently of willow, tied to the end. Unlike a modern broom where the brush tends to be narrow and wide, the brush of a besom tends to be circular. The besom is also used in some handfasting rituals with the couple jumping over the besom.

Blessed Be An expression used by some Witches and Wiccans. In ritual, it is used to mean "let this be blessed." Sometimes it is used with an officiating member stating it followed by the participants repeating it in a call-and-response fashion. Also used in farewell statements similar to the Hawaiian "Aloha" or Hebrew "Shalom." Derived from part of the Gardnerian Witchcraft Initiation ritual's "Five-fold Kiss." Abbreviated BB.

Book of Shadows In modern Wicca, the standard title for a book of Wiccan rituals and teachings. Traditionally each Witch was required to copy out his or her own Book of Shadows by hand from the copy owned by his or her initiator. This is still commonly done in the more traditional covens, although many modern Wiccans and other Pagans use published books for the bulk of their ritual and instructional work…

The term "Book of Shadows" does not occur in Western occult lore or the literature of Witchcraft before Gardner introduced it sometime around 1950. The title may have been borrowed from a 1949 article in the Occult Observer, "The Book of Shadows" by Mir Bahir, about a supposed system of Hindu divination by the measurement of the querent's shadow.

Broom Originally a type of plant ("broom corn," a variety of sorghum) used in making a tool for sweeping known as a besom, it eventually became used as the name of the tool itself. In Wicca and Witchcraft, a broom or besom is sometimes used for banishing or in handfasting rituals. The herb is poisonous and magically associated with the element of air.

Bruja Pronounced "broo-hah" (with the "r" rolled), it is Spanish for "Witch," it is often used in Mexico to describe woman who use folk magic. With the impact of Christianity, it has developed a negative connotation for many people.

Brujo Pronounced "broo-hoe" (with the "r" rolled), it is Spanish for "wizard," it is often used in Mexico to describe people who use folk magic. With the impact of Christianity, it has developed a negative connotation for many people.

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Cauldron The cauldron is a large metal vessel, usually made of iron. It is seen to be symbolic of the Goddess. Fires may be lit within it, or the cauldron may be filled with water and flowers. Despite popular misconceptions, brews are rarely created in the cauldron.

Chthonic Deities, spirits or anything connected or related to the Underworld. It is derived from the Greek word khthonios which means "of the earth." Some of the oldest beliefs retained within Wicca/Witchcraft originate from the Neolithic period during which we find many chthonic elements apparent in the primitive religions of this era.

Cone of Power Expression primarily used in Pagan traditions signifying a visualized cone with the point up and the edge of the cone matching the ritual circle used for containing magickal energy that is raised in a ritual before being directed to its goal. May be used by an individual or group. In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn this was described as a "vortex of energy" and was built up via circumambulation.

Coven A group of practitioners of Witchcraft. Traditionally composed of thirteen or fewer people, some covens are as small as two or three while others are much larger in number.

Covenstead In Wicca, the meeting place of a coven.

Cowan Term used by Witches and Wiccans to mean someone who is an outsider; not of the Craft. Similar to the term "Muggle" used in the Harry Potter novels.

Craft A shorter version of Witchcraft and used instead of that term or Wicca. It is also used by Freemasons to describe their fraternity without publicly naming it.

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Curandera Pronounced "kur-ahn-dehr-rah," it is Spanish for "female healer."

Curandero Pronounced "kur-ahn-dehr-ro," it is Spanish for "healer," it differs from doctor or nurse (in Spanish, doctor or enfermera) in that it refers to a person who uses alternative healing methods, including herbal methods and magic for healing. In some ways, Curandero also means a "good Witch."

Deosil Clockwise. The term is usually used to refer to the direction of a witch's dance or Circle-casting.

Dianic Wicca This is a Wiccan path that focuses on the strong female Deity Diana. Dianic groups often allow only women members and may concentrate only on Goddess energy. Specifically, they work with the image of Goddess as maiden, mother, and crone, known as the Triple Goddess.

Disk of Shadows A modern play on the term "Book of Shadows," a Wiccan practitioner's book of magical and spiritual rituals, rites, information and knowledge that would be copied by hand from the one used by the practitioner's teacher or coven. In the computer age, some practitioners now store this information on a computer disk rather than in a book. Hence, a "Disk of Shadows."

Doreen Valiente (1922-1999) Born Doreen Edith Dominy. She became one of the first initiates of Gerald Gardner, and eventually his High Priestess. In this role she was able to influence many of the writings that became the bedrock for modern Witchcraft. Her most well-known writing is her rendition of "The Charge of the Goddess" which is still used by many covens today.

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Drawing Down the Moon A ritual in which the Goddess is drawn into the body of the High Priestess. Traditionally the rite is performed by the High Priest, leaving the High Priestess open to receive the Goddess. A new expression, "Drawing Down the Sun," is sometimes used to describe a ritual wherein the God is drawn into the body of the High Priest. Thus invoked, the Goddess or God can communicate with practitioners and enjoy the experience of having a physical body.

Eclectic Wicca A Wiccan neotradition created by selecting concepts and practices from other faiths and traditions, or from non-religious or completely original concepts.

Faery Wicca Those who practice Faery Wicca work specifically with nature spirits.

Fam-Trad Short for "Family Tradition," it refers to a Wiccan or Witchcraft tradition that is centered around the beliefs and practices of a single family as opposed to a tradition that is centered around individual personalities or a coven.

Familiar According to ancient lore, a spirit from the Otherworld was believed to dwell within the physical body of an animal or creature. The traditional vessels for such spirits were the cat, mouse, ferret, hare, bat, snake, hound, or bird--particularly a raven or an owl. The lore surrounding the Familiar spirit indicates that a Witch received one following initiation into the Witches' sect.

Five-Fold Kiss Originally part of the Gardnerian Witchcraft initiation ritual and used as part of the "Great Rite" in that tradition.

Traditionally, a man gives this to the woman. He kisses each part and then says,

"Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways.
Blessed by thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar.
Blessed by thy womb, without which we would not be.
Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty.
Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names."

Also traditionally, a woman gives this to the man, kissing each part and saying,

"Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways.
Blessed by thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar.
Blessed by thy phallus, without which we would not be.
Blessed be thy breasts, formed in strength.
Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names."

Over the years, many variations in this part of rites--both in wording and in practice--have evolved.

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Gardner, Gerald Gardner, Gerald Brosseau (1884-1964) is perhaps the best-known figure in modern Witchcraft.... Gerald Gardner was the founder of Gardnerian Wicca, one of the leading Traditions in the Wicca movement that began in the early 1960s.

Gardnerian Gardnerian Wicca or Witchcraft is based on the teachings and Book of Shadows of Gerald Brousseau Gardiner. Many Wiccan and Witchcraft traditions have evolved from this system.

Great Rite Expression introduced in Gardnerian Witchcraft and now adopted by many magickal traditions. It describes ritualized and spiritualized sexual intercourse. Originally, the male would function as the God on earth while the Female would function as the Goddess, thus this was a mating of deities. Over the years, this expression has evolved to mean any form of spiritualized sexuality.

Gris-gris A small bag containing charms, herbs, stones, and other items to draw energy, luck, love, or prosperity to the wearer.

Grove Although technically a small wood, orchard, or just a group of trees, it is used by some Pagan groups instead of "coven." Some druidic groups use it instead of "covenstead."

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dies and leaves the Goddess alone until Yule, when he is born again. Halloween/Samhain is a time when the doors between the worlds are said to open, stirring up much ghostly and otherworldly activity.

Handfasting The pre-Christian, Roman wedding ceremony also practiced in Celtic lands. As the name implies, it included tying the hands together and is the source of the expression "tying the knot" as a description of a wedding. In the sixteenth century, one English cleric noted its use as separate from the Christian marriage. Today the term is used by Wiccans and Witches for a wedding ceremony. In some traditions, a handfasting endures for a limited time, often a year and a day. Hence, a probationary marriage during which a couple would cohabit as husband and wife. After the probationary period the couple could decide if they wished to continue in a permanent marriage or part.

According to Handfasting and Wedding Rituals by Raven Kaldera & Tannin Schwartzstein (Llewellyn Publications), a handfasting was generally no more complex than the couple joining hands (thus making "fast" their hands) and declaring themselves united, sealing it with a kiss. They add that the handfasting gesture made a figure-eight with the hands, right to right and left to left, symbolizing that all parts of themselves were joined.

Heathen A non-city dweller. A person of the heath, an uncultivated area usually filled with wild grasses and herbs. As Christianity and schools first took root in cities, the term became associated with Pagans and people who did not have a city education or manners.

Hedge Witch In modern Paganism, a term used by and for solitary Witches whose practices incorporate large amounts of natural magic, herb lore, and similar subjects, and who generally do not claim a connection with any particular tradition.

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Hedge Witch Raymond Buckland, in The Witch Book, adds that a Hedge Witch doesn't necessarily become involved with the religious aspect of Witchcraft, and doesn't use complicated rituals.

Hereditary Witch A Witch who was born into a family of Witches. Sometimes, the immediate parents may not be practitioners and the link is through a grandparent, aunt, etc.

Horned God The male aspect of deity in many forms of Wicca and Witchcraft. The horns represent fertility, wildness, and male sexuality. Often seen as a form of the Greek Pan or the Celtic Cernunnos. Although the Christian Bible does not describe Satan or the Devil other than saying he was beautiful and a bearer or bringer of light (Lucifer), various Christians later gave the Devil characteristics of the Horned God. Some people believe this was done to encourage Pagans to worship Jesus as the worship of their beloved Horned One, in the Christian view, would actually be the worship of Satan.

Imp In occult lore the imp is a spirit being, a conscious entity belonging to the class of nature spirits.... The Church viewed the imp as a servant of the devil, relegating it to the category of minor demons.

Maiden 1) An aspect of the triple goddess who is young and virginal. 2) A member of a coven, traditionally younger and female, who assists the High Priestess.

Malleus Maleficarum (Latin, "Hammer of Witches") Witch-hunting manual written by the German friars Heinrich Kramer and Jakob Sprenger, first published in 1486. The most popular of all the Witch-hunting manuals of early modern Europe, the Malleus provided a detailed account of official Catholic beliefs about Witches, their actions and motives, and the proper methods for identifying them and obtaining confessions through torture.

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Maybon A name for the autumnal equinox, also known as the Second Harvest Festival, Festival of Dionysus, Wine Harvest, Cornucopia, Feast of Avalon, etc. The first Thanksgiving was held on or near this date, and it is from these early harvest festivals that the modern Thanksgiving feasts developed.

At this time of equal day and night, we give thanks for the harvest that will sustain us through the dark winter months. This is the season for gratitude and for giving back to the Earth; for continuing the cycle by giving freely to those less fortunate than we are.

Moot The name given to a meeting, usually of Neo-Pagans.

Odic Force There is a specific type of energy that many occultists call the Odic Force (pronounced Oh-dek). It is believed to be the underlying principle, of metaphysical nature, behind the physical forces of electricity and magnetism (as well as light and heat). In metaphysical terms Od (pronounced like the word owed) is the very fabric of the universe and is present in all things to varying degrees.

Old Religion Another name for Wicca or Witchcraft, religions that have evolved from the religions and beliefs of people that pre-date Christianity.

Pagan Standard Time Also known by the abbreviation PST, a joking reference to the common experience of Pagan rituals starting later than planned or announced due not having preparations completed or awaiting participants who are arriving late.

Pentacle A five-pointed star, the points of which represent earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Pentacles are frequently set within a circle, which can represent the wheel of life, the encircling of the divine, or the union of the material and spiritual realms. Despite Hollywood's insistence otherwise, the pentacle is not a symbol of Satan or evil.

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Pentacle (Archaic) A wide variety of images of mystical importance, usually intended to be worn around the neck. Here, the root is not the Greek pente, meaning five, but rather three Greek roots, pend ("to hang"), a ("to"), and col ("neck). This construction was first used in 14th century France as pentacol, which means "amulet worn around the neck." Although this meaning is not in common usage today, it is still a descriptor used in some ceremonial magic texts being published today where it is a generic term for many symbols. This explains, for example, why the Pentacle used by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn—a flat, circular object that represents the Earth element—has a six-pointed star on it.

Rule of Three A Wiccan belief that whatever you send out from yourself will come back threefold.

Sabbat Sabbat is a term for the eight seasonal festivals of the Wiccan year.
The sabbats comprise what Witches/Wiccans call the Wheel of the Year. This wheel is based largely upon the ancient solar rites of pre-Christian European tradition. Because the Old Religion was a fertility cult, in ancient times the traditional rituals of Wicca were designed to incorporate the waxing and waning periods of Nature. These periods are marked by each solstice and equinox and the cross-quarters that fall between each one.

Skyclad Naked, usually in ritual.

Skyclad A term used by Wiccans to indicate ritual nudity.

Solitaries Pagans who prefer to practice alone. Although they may attend public Pagan functions and enjoy group interaction on occasion, they are not interested in joining a Pagan circle or coven on a permanent basis.

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Solitary Witch In modern Neo-Paganism, a person who practices Witchcraft by himself or herself as opposed to being part of a group (traditionally called a Coven). The Solitary Witch, also known as a Solitary, practices this way out of choice, out of the necessity of keeping their practices private, or having no other Witches in the area with which to practice. A Solitary Witch may have learned his or her practices with the help of a Coven, but more often learns from books, websites, etc. The most popular resources for Solitary Witches include Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham, and Solitary Witch by Silver RavenWolf (both published by Llewellyn Publications).

Solitary Witch Some Solitary Witches have begun to call themselves "Solitaires," which has added a new definition to that word as they are certainly not a gem in a setting by itself, a type of North American thrush, an extinct bird related to the dodo, or a card game played by oneself.

Strega This is an Italian tradition that emphsizes herbal knowledge and tends to be strongly matriarchal.

Wand The wand is much like those used by early ceremonial magicians. It is often fashioned of wood and may be engraved with symbols or studded with stones. Some are made of silver. The wand is an instrument of invocation, of inviting the deities' presence during ritual.

Wand The quintessential magical tool in the minds of most people is the wand. This is made by the Magus to project the power of will. In fact, it becomes the physical representation of his or her magical will. It should be made of wood, about as thick as the thumb and as long as the space between the fingertips and the elbow. Some woods are favored for the wand—hazel is traditional. Oak is also good, being the wood of Zeus and therefore the traditional attractor of lightning. Ideally, the wand should be cut and fashioned by the Magus, as it becomes the most intensely personal tool of the Art and is used for virtually everything. Over time, it will gather a magical charge through use that is clearly perceptible when it is held.

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Warlock A term used by Wiccans and Witches meaning a traitor to the coven or the religion. Mistakenly used by Cowans (people who are not Witches or Wiccans) to mean a male Witch. Sometimes used to describe any male practitioner of magick.

Wheel of the Year A term for the seasons or cycles of Nature marked by the Sabbats of Wicca/Witchcraft. It is often symbolized by an eight-spoke wheel indicating each solstice and equinox, as well as the days that fall exactly between each, the midpoints or cross-quarters.

Wicca Wicca is a religion of veneration of Nature and the worship of Divinity as containing both feminine and masculine aspects. It is founded upon the spiritual roots of pre-Christian European beliefs and practices. When Wicca first came to public attention in the early 1950s through the efforts of Gerald Gardner, it was portrayed as the remnant of an ancient European fertility cult. Practitioners referred to Wicca as the Old Religion. It was also known as the Craft of the Wise. On the surface modern Wicca appears to be a folklore and folk magick system. On the inner initiate level Wicca contains pre-Christian European Mystery Teachings.

Wicca The single largest tradition within Paganism, which is earth-centered, celebrates the eight Pagan holidays, envisions Deity as both male and female (which it calls the God and the Goddess), practices magick, and believes in an afterlife known as the Summerland. The Wiccan ethical system is stated in the Rede and the Rule of Threes. The Rede contains the ethical instruction to "harm none and do what you will." The Rule of Threes states that whatever you send out from yourself will come back threefold.

Wiccan A person who follows one of the many sects of Wicca.

Wiccan Rede A summation of Wiccan ethical beliefs: harm none and do what you will.

Widdershins Anti-clockwise.

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Witch Practitioner of Witchcraft.

Witchcraft Among modern practitioners Witchcraft can be defined as the practice of magick and Paganism as it relates to pre-Christian European Paganism. The arts of Witchcraft include herbalism, divination, magick, ceremonial ritual, healing, potions, and spirit-world contact (familiars, elementals, etc.). Witchcraft, as depicted by the Church during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, is considered by many modern Witches to be a deliberate distortion of the facts.

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