.The Witch's Dictionary
The Witch’s Dictionary

Amulet-A specifically protective charm-whether handmade, gemstone or an artifact found.

Athame-A double edged knife or dagger often times without a sharp blade as it is deemed for ceremonial use these days.  It is used only for Ritual and no other physical purpose. It is used most commonly to cast the circle and to draw down power.

Beltane-This ¼ day Sabbat is elebrated on May 1st. It is considered a fire festival and is when the Great Marriage takes place. Read more about this in “The Craft” by Dorothy Morrison

Besom-A witches’ magical broom is called a besom. It is used to sweep the circle and remove any negative residue that might be there. It is used in Handfasting Rites as the new couple leap over the broomstick.

Boline-A curved blasé that is sharp-and used for actual physical tasks like cutting herbs, cords and unlike the Athame is never used on the magical plane.

Coven-Traditionally a coven is 13 witches that work together however in todays society groups tend to be larger.  There are many traditions that govern what makes a Coven however we are very eclectic.  The more people in our coven-the more energy we can raise.

Deosil-means Clockwise- with the “South” to your right when facing East you would turn right to go to the next quarter

Imbolg-This ¼ day Sabbat is celebrated on February 2nd. This day is associated with the Fire Goddess Brighid and celebrates the approaching Spring. The word “Imbolg” means ‘Ewes Milk”  It is also known as Candlemas which is the feast of the purification of the Virgin Mary
Lughnasadh-pronounced “Lunasa”-another of the 1/4 day Sabbats celebrated at August 1st. It is the first of the 3 harvest festivals and is also known as Lammas.(Feast of the Bread) Lugh is the Irish Sun God of light and summer.

Magic-sometimes spelled Magick is any act , including ritual, designed to cause intentional change, in accordance with one’s will.  This involves control over the elements.

Pagan-Paganism is a general term for Earth based religions, which are usually poly-theistic in belief. All witches are pagans but not all pagans are witches.  There are many Pagan Traditions of Belief, Druidism being one,Sheik, Wicca, Native American, & Voodoo to name a few.

Pentacle-the Pentacle is a disc shaped talisman which represents the Earth Element in a witches tools. It can also be a pentagram inscribed within a circle.

Pentagram-the 5 pointed star that most Wiccans and Pagans display proudly. As it stands with the single point upward, it represents a Human Being!

Samhain-pronounced “Sow-wen” Halloween as most know it! October 31st and is another 1/4 day Sabbat. This is when the veil between the worlds is the thinnest and Spirits might walk among the living. A night to honor the ancestors and celebrate the Witch’s New Year. Read more about this in Dorothy Morrison’s “The Craft”

Scrying- A method of divination using a pendulum, or a gazing crystal.  There is no symbolism employed with these methods and can lend a more personalized vision.


Skyclad-NAKED! Means covered by nothing except the Sky!  Sole practitioners often use this dress code. There are covens who do practice this way. We Do Not!

Warlock-this is not a male witch! A Warlock is someone who has been banished by the community because of bad conduct.

Wicca-that’s us ‘ The Labyrinth of Light.  Very contemporary, expressing reverence for nature, viewing the Deities in the all of the natural world.  Profoundly Goddess worship and God too!(Her consort the Horned One)
Wicca is an old English word for craft of the wise.

Widdershins-means moving counter clockwise. Used for banishing, and during the Waning moon.

Witch-A practitioner of nature magic in some form.  Also denotes an initiated member of the craft.  This especially refer to utilizing personal power with the energies of natural objects.





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