C
Cabala
The Hebrew mystical tradition that views the relationship between God and man as expressed by the Tree of Life, the Three Pillars, and the 32 Paths of Wisdom.
Cabochon
A cut and polished stone, with one rough edge.
Caduceus
A wand or staff with two snakes twined around it. At the top of the wand sit a pair of wings.
Caer
Castle or fortress.
Cakes and Ale
The Wiccan “communion” that consists of a natural beverage and cake offered to each participant in a ritual, or eaten by participants at the end of the ritual as a part of the grounding process.
Calcite
A magickal stone whose quality is that of balance of positive and negative energies.
Call
Invoke Divine and Elemental forces.
Calling the Quarters
Verbal or symbolic acknowledgment of the Four Elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) in a ritual environment.
Camulus
A Celtic "Mars" and war God, associated with clouds and storms. His magickal symbols are the severed head and a very large sword.
Candle Magick
A type of magick in which candles are charged for a specific purpose and then burned to unleash the spell. Once a candle has been charged for a purpose, that purpose remains until is completely burnt out. Never perform candle magick on an 'active' — or 'partially burnt' — candle, for its energies are already unleashed, even if its only purpose thus far was to simply shed light.
Candles
In addition to illuminating the altar, candles are sometimes used to mark each of the four Quarters, and can also be used in spell working. They are often anointed with oil and inscribed with magickal symbols.
Candomble
A Brazilian Pagan Tradition with roots in 'VooDoo'. (See Santeria)
Canon
Rule, law, model, or standard; often used by early Christian churches to squash people's rights, especially in dictating what they could and could not believe.
Carnelian
A magickal stone whose qualities are that of sexuality, fire, power, and creativity.
Capnomancy
Study of smoke rising from a fire.
Cardinal Points
North, South, East, and West, marked in the Georgian Tradition by candles of green, red, yellow, and blue, respectively. The Circle is drawn to connect these four points.
Cardinal Signs
In astrology, the four signs of the Zodiac which initiates the Elemental Tides (Aries Fire ect).
Cartomonacy
Fortune telling using cards such as the Tarot.
Cast System
Any system that is mixed, and then cast upon a surface, and the subsequent patterns or the object’s resting locations are then interpreted.
Casting
To cast a spell or cast a Magick Circle. It involves the raising of energies coinciding with symbolic actions, words, etc. towards the creation of something, thus manifesting it.
Casting Stones
1Several systems of divination call for small stones to be cast upon the ground, or on a special board or cloth. Theses stones may be marked with runes, or their color may indicate their meaning. Also called Lithomancy. 2A method of focusing or firing a spell through the carving or writing of runes.
Casting the Circle
The psychic creation of a sphere of energy around the area where a ritual is to be performed, both to concentrate and focus the power raised, and to keep out unwanted influences or distractions. The space enclosed exists outside of ordinary space and time.
Casual Plane
A term used for the Lower Spiritual Plane.
Catapsi
An anti-psi talent for the generation of strong fields of psychic static, frequently at such high intensity that all other psi fields within range are disrupted and/or drowned out, usually with the information content of those fields collapsing first.
Cath
Conflict. The northern realm among the Fifths.
Catoptromancy
An early form of crystal gazing that utilizes a mirror turned to the moon to catch moonbeams.
Cauldron
This is used to make brews, contain a ritual fire, used for scrying. Can be four-legged or three-legged. It represents the womb of the Goddess, as in Cerridwen’s cauldron named Aven, or the source of all plenty, as in the Dagda’s cauldron. Most modern practitioners use it either as a symbol, to cook in for Sabbat feasts, to burn things in as part of a spell, for scrying, etc.
Causimonmancy
Divination from behavior of objects place in a fire.
C.E.
Common Era. Synonymous with A.D. without religious bias.
Celestial Equator
The apparent meeting of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac.
Cellular Psychokinesis
(CPK) A subcategory of PK, involving the use of what is probably several different APK talents in order to psychically affect the structure and behavior of living organisms, working primarily on the cellular level.
Celtic
Traditions of Paganism of the Celts, being the Gauls and Britons. Irish, Highland Scottish, Manx, Cornish, Breton, and Welsh peoples of Central and Western Europe. e.g. 'Witta', 'Faery' or 'Faerie' traditions, and 'Druidism'.
Celtic Cross
A circle with a 'plus sign' inside of it. It signifies the Celtic Trinity, but also carries other significance to other traditions as well; the Norse Odinnic Traditions call it 'The Eye of Odin'.
Censer
A heat-proof container in which incense is burned. It is associated with the element of air.
Center, The
Point of intersection of various planes or modes of existence, including space and time, and which can be used for (at least subjective) transportation between them.
Centering
The process of moving one’s consciousness to one’s spiritual center, leading to a feeling of great peace, calmness, strength, clarity and stability.
Cephalomancy
Divination with the skull or head of a donkey or goat.
Ceraunoscopy
Seeks to draw omens from the study of thunder and lightening.
Ceremonial Magick
A highly confided magickal tradition based upon Kabala, the Jewish-Gnostic mystical teachings.
Ceremony of Initiation
A ceremony of honor conducted by a group welcoming an initiate into the Craft.
Ceres
The Roman Goddess of agriculture. The Greeks called her "Demeter".
Ceroscopy
Form of fortune telling in which melted wax is poured into cold water.
Cernunnos
The Horned God-aspect of the god depicted by a man with antlers and sometimes the tail and legs of a stag. He is often pictured sitting cross-legged with a torch in one hand and a serpent in the other.
Cerridwen
Celtic grain goddess.
Chakras
Seven major energy vortexes found in the human body. Each is usually associated with a color.
Chalice
A ritual cup, symbolic of the Goddess' womb. It represents the female principals of creation.
Channeling
1A practice wherein you allow a discarnate entity to “borrow” your body to speak to others. 2The ability to direct Divine energy through ones physical self to another person, place, event, animal, plant or whatever is desired.
Chant
This can be a rhyme, sometimes called a rune, intoned rhythmically to raise power. Such rhymes can be simple and repetitive, it makes them easier to remember, but it is not a requirement.
Chaos
Primordial Deity, God/dess before creation. Both female and male, spiritual and physical, dark and light, Chaos is both order and disorder combined. From this boundless store of energy, what appear to be random occurrences in nature can form into non-random patterns. Chaos energy is the basis of magickal theory, of creating change through esoteric forces.
Chaplet
A circle for the head usually made of flowers and worn at Beltane or during a hand fasting.
Charge of the Goddess
Originally written in modern form by Doreen Valiente, it is a story of the message from Goddess to Her children. There are many variations, including Charge of the God, Charge of the Dark Goddess, etc.
Charging
Infusing an object with personal power. Charging is an act of Magick.
Charm
An amulet or talisman that has been charged and instilled with energy for a specific task.
Chaste Moon
The third full moon of the year.
Chatoyancy
The property of some stones of showing apparent movement, illumination or opalescence, within it.
Chi/Qi
In Eastern philosophy, chi (pronounced kee) is the enlivening force in the universe that animates all life.
Chinese Elements
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.
Chiromancy
Divination from the lines in peoples hands.
Chirognomy
Study of the general hand formation.
Cingulam
A knotted cord worn with ritual robs; it often denotes connection to a coven or degreed status.
Circle
Sacred space wherein all magick is to be worked and all ritual contained. It both holds ritual energy until the witch is ready to release it, and provides protection for the witch. Also, a gathering of Witches or Pagans. We meet in Circle to worship and work magick. Sometimes the entire group is also known as the Circle. This can get a little confusing, “Our Circle is having a Circle where we will circle in a circle.” You mostly have to figure it out from the context.
Circle of Stones
A Magick Circle formed of stones, either man-made or found naturally, usually set upright around the perimeter. Stonehenge is such a circle. This type of Magick Circle is more commonly used in Druidic, Celtic, Shamanic, and some Northern-European Traditions.
Circuit
A pattern or connection between whole or partial metapatterns within the Switchboard; often may be (or be associated with) an archetype, deity or other spirit.
Citrine
A magickal stone whose qualities are that of thought, clarity, pattern and insight; of the mind.
Claimer
Action of consciously/unconsciously of seeing an object you want very much, and placing a psychic 'mark' on it, that holds the item until you can get it.
Clairaudience
“Clear hearing” of divinatory information. Parapsychologist generally regard as a form of extrasensory perception.
Clairgustance
ESP input associated with taste, without the medium of another mind.
Clairolfaction
ESP input associated with smell, without the medium of another mind.
Clairtangency
ESP input associated with touch, without the medium of another mind.
Clairvoyance
“Clear seeing” of divinatory information. Parapsychologist generally regard as a form of extrasensory perception.
Clair Senses
General term for all the forms of ESP that start with the prefix “Clair-.”
Claming
A technique in which a practitioner consciously or unconsciously places a psychic "mark" on a desired item to reserve or keep the item until it can be physically obtained.
Clan
Any number of covens who have agreed to follow the same kinds of rules, which spring from one central governing source. A clan has a single leader, and within the democratic clan governing system he or she has the power to veto proposals or actions of the group.
Cleansing
Removing negative energies from an object or space.
Cleopatra's Needle
An obelisk shaped crystal, used as a collector of negative and pent-up energy. Usually placed in a flower part or sea sand to ground.
Cleric
A person who uses both passive and active talents and rites for both thaumaturgical and theurgical purposes, for personal and public benefit.
Cleromancy
“Casting lots,” similar to dice but with objects such as pebbles or sea shells.
Clidomancy/Cleidomancy
Divination using a dangling key.
Cliodna
A bird Goddess and a young aspect of the "Dark Goddess" or "Dark One". Her name means "shapely one", and she is the most beautiful woman ever seen when she takes human form. Her magickal symbol is an apple.
Code
A religion’s moral standard.
Coelbreni
Divination sticks.
Coiced
A fifth, one of five provinces of the land or cosmos.
Coirc
Magick cauldron.
Cold Control
The use of temperature control to freeze or thaw objects or beings.
Collective Unconsciousness
Term used to describe the sentient connection of all living things, past and present, may also be called the Akashic Records.
Color Classifications
Sets of associations between various colors and particular concepts, interests or acts.
Color Magick
Perhaps the simplest and most useful forms of magick, it utilizes colors and their traditional representations to bring about desired effects.
Coming of Age Ritual
At age 13 for boys, and at the time of a girl’s first menses, Pagan children are seen as spiritual adults. This ritual celebrates their new maturity and in some traditions, this is the age when they are permitted membership in covens.
Coming Out of the Broom Closet
Living openly as a witch.
Commune
The ability to communicate or share experiences with spiritual entities. Communing with Angels during a spiritual ceremony is an example.
Compact
A doctrine or constitution of rules and/or guidelines by which a coven or pagan study group operates.
Compass Round
Laying, or drawing a compass round is the act of creating a tool for focus and to create a boundary, a temple for magic. Thus, the compass is used to contain positive energy and to keep out negative energy. The Traditional Crafter considers all ground to be sacred, thus the laying of a compass is not considered always necessary. However, a compass can be an aid for concentration before working magic, ritual, and meditation. A fire for a compass (candles, fireplace) is lit with matches, preferably wooden marches and not a cigarette lighter.
Conditioning
The state of being that reflects the culmination of one's ancestry, upbringing, experience, personality, and culture. This is not the true self, but a collection of the valences and reactions that an individual wears as a way to maneuver in this world.
Cone of Power
Psychic energy raised and focused during ritual to achieve a definite purpose.
Conjunction
The apparent meeting of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac, also combining.
Conjuration
A means of invoking a helpful spirit for a specific task.
Conjure
To call forth spirits from the Spirit World.
Conscious Mind
The analytical, materially bases, rational half of our consciousness. The part of our mind that is at work while we balance our checkbooks, theorize, communicate, and perform other acts related to the physical world.
Consecration
The act of blessing an object or place by instilling it with positive energy for sacred purposes.
Consort
In matters of the Gods and Goddesses, the Consort is the masculine element of given unions or pairs.
Contacts
Forces or entities with whom magickal links are established, especially the forces or entities and magickal currents from which a group draws its power to initiate thus to be contacted means to be linked to a particular magickal current.
Contagion, Law of
“Objects or beings in physical or psychic contact with each other continue to interact after spacial or temporal separation.”
Coracle
A small boat covered with animal skins used by Celts for ritual practices to be held on the seas.
Cord
In many traditions, the color signifies a degree. It may also be used in knot magick, as well as in binding and loosening spells. May also be called a girdle, or cingulum.
Cordemanon
1A young God of travel and knowledge. His magickal symbols are Stone Circles and The Great Book of Knowledge. 2The ancient name of Stonehenge. 3Also means 'one who teaches Gyddonic Pagan Tradition without distortion'.
Corn Dolly
A figure, often human-shaped, created by plaiting dried wheat or other grains. It represents the fertility of the Earth and the Goddess in early European agricultural rituals and is still used in Witchcraft. Corn dollies aren’t made from cobs or husks but from wheat or other grains; corn originally referred to any grain other than maize and still does in most English-speaking countries, except the United States.
Corp Creidh
“Clay body,” used as a magick poppet or spelling doll.
Correllian Calendar
The twelve Ages of the Correllian Calendar derive their names from the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Instead of running from Aries (the first sign of the Zodiac) to Pisces (the last sign), the signs run backwards.
Correspondences
A system of symbolic equivalences use in magick. (See Magickal Correspondences.)
Coscinomancy
Divination using a hanging sieve.
Coven
A group of thirteen or fewer witches that work together in an organized fashion for positive magickal endeavors or to perform religious ceremonies.
Covendom
Traditionally the area one league (three miles) in all directions from the Covenstead, from which the Coven members are drawn and defining the boundaries between Covens, in modern practice the area defined by the swelling places of the members of a Coven which may well overlap with another Coven.
Covenstead
The meeting place of witches, traditionally a fixed building or place where the witch can feel safe and at home.
Coventina
A Goddess of childbirth, renewal, and healing springs. Her magickal symbols are the womb and the well, her well represents the womb of the earth.
Cowan
Anyone who is not a Witch, Wiccan, or Pagan.
Cowry Shells
Shiny tropical shells thought to be a yoni (a symbol of the woman’s vulva).
Coyote Energy
Trickster energies. Named for the American India Trickster, Coyote, who tricks man into learning what he needs to learn. Applies to one who constantly jokes and clowns. Also applies to the concept of “Holy Fool” in many traditions.
Craebh Ciuil
“The silver branch,” or fairy shaman’s magick wand.
Craft
Short for “Witchcraft” or “the Craft of the Wise”. Often used because it isn’t as much of a buzzword as “Witch”. Generally associated with the practical aspects of the religion.
Craft Name
Pagans customarily choose, or receive as a gift, a special name which evokes their unique personality and/or powers. Some take a completely new name, while others choose a historic or ethnic version of their given name. People may use their craft names all the time, or only during ritual; some even go through a legal name change. Also called a Magickal Name.
Crane Bag
The bag held by a shaman which hold magickal talismans such as crystals, stones, or totems.
Crannchur
“Casting the wood,” or divining by Oghams.
Credo
A religion’s philosophy on life.
Crescent Moon
Sacred symbol of the Goddess. Used for Sabbats, women’s healing and invocations.
Critique
A calm and unbiased evaluation of the structure and performance of a ritual, not usually done in American occult groups thanks to internal politics and delicate egos.
Critomancy
Study of barley cakes.
Crone
Aspect of the Goddess represented by the Wise Old Woman. Symbolized by the waning moon, the carrion crow, the cauldron, the color black. Her Sabbats are Mabon and Samhain.
Croning
A ceremony held to mark a woman’s transition from Mother to Crone, the final phase of a woman’s life.
Cross-Quarter Days
Refers to Sabbats falling on the solstices or equinoxes.
Crossing the Bridge
A Pagan term for the death of someone/something. It is also the name of a funeral ritual done by covens and solitaires to mark the passing of coven members and loved ones. Unlike most religious funerals, it is a time of rejoice rather than mourning, since pagans believe that the individual's experiences for this lifetime are complete.
Crowley, Aleister
An extremely dominant author of the occult and magick. His works in occult studies are seen very much as 'core' material. Without his research and dedication, especially where magick is concerned, we pagans would most assuredly be much further behind in our own studies.
Crucible
1A container made to heat metal at high temperatures. 2A severe test or trial.
Crystal Ball
A ball is made of quartz (you can tell if it is true quartz by its cold feel and the inclusion of irregularities). It is used for divination.
Crystal Gazing
To perceive psychic visions with a naturally formed crystal or crystal ball surface, that relates to the masses or to individuals. Most often using a natural crystal ball, not a man-made lead crystal ball.
Crystallomancy
Divination by crystals, usually a crystal ball.
Cult
A group which professes to be spiritual in nature, but requires a great deal of energy and/or money from its followers as ‘proof’ of their devoutness. Also frequently dependent on the charisma of a Leader.
Culture
The sum total of those things (including traditions, techniques, material goods, and symbol systems) that people have invented, developed, and transmitted to each other.
Cultus
A religion’s particular set of rituals and mythology.
Cunning Folk
An old name for people who practice folk magick because they lived by their cunning, insightful abilities.
Cunningham, Scott
A very important author of the modern pagan movement. His works have inspired many, many would-be pagans and helped them take their first steps upon the Pagan Path.
Curse
Purposely directing negative energy at someone. Wiccans do not do this, as it goes against the rules of three.
Cut the Door
To ritually leave or enter a Circle after it has been cast by carefully opening a space to pass through and closing it after crossing the boundary.
Cwn Annwn
(COON-ANOON) The hunting dogs of the faeries. Also called the hell hounds.
Cyclomancy
Practice of divination from a turning wheel.
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