These are our definitions. We did not take them from any book. I sat down with a list of terms and proceeded to define them in my own words. I'm sure the list will grow as time goes on. If there is one you think I should add, let us know.
Athame: This is a ritual knife used in ceremonies. It is, in most traditions, used only for magick and never used to really cut anything. Most witches have their own, and many traditions dictate the form it takes. It is traditionally black handled and often has a double edge. Many people dull the points and blades, since they aren't used, for safety sake. Athames are primarily used to cast the Circle, focus energy, symbolically sever a link, or many other things. It is never used to harm or injure any living thing.
Book of Shadows: Most witches have a book into which they copy their rituals. This is referred to as a Book of Shadows. It may also contain other information such as spells, a journal of ceremonies and workings, thoughts about the Craft, etc. It is traditional that this book be bound in black and in the witches own hand writing. Today this is often overlooked. Many covens and individuals have Floppy Disks of Shadows instead of an actual book. Remember that it is what feels right to you.
Coven: A coven is a group of practicing witches. Traditionally they numbered thirteen. Today they can be of any size, but many traditions prefer to limit the maximum number to thirteen. Covens are lead by a high priestess, a high priest, or both. A coven meets together regularly to perform spells and worship.
Covendom: An area around a covenstead, usually about a three mile radius. Traditionally no other coven could start up within another's covenstead, but this is hardly adhered to today, especially with so many traditions.
Covenstead: The place where a coven regularly meets. It could be any place, indoors or outside. This could be a grove in the forest or the home of the High Priestess.
Craft (The Craft): The Craft is the practice of Witchcraft. See our "What is Witchcraft?" section.
Crone: A crone is an old woman. When talking about the triple Goddess, we her in the aspect of Maiden, Mother and Crone. These correspond to the Waxing, Full and Waning Moons respectively. The Crone is also considered the Dark aspect of the Goddess.
Divination: This is using some tool, such as tarot cards, to find information that would normally be hidden from the seeker. This information may be future events and outcomes, past events, or current states and influences. The tools used can be just as varied. These include, but are not limited to, cards, rune stones, pendulums, concentrating on a dark and/or reflective surface (scrying), or many other forms. Most witches use at least one form divination. Most have one or two methods with which they are proficient.
Eclectic: An eclectic witch is one that doesn't follow any particular tradition. He/she will mostly borrow pieces from various other traditions, and maybe write a few, until they have made a tradition for themselves. Eclectics usually don't feel that any of the existing traditions are right for them, but they fabricate one themselves. Just because they have formed their tradition in this manner, doesn't make it any less valid. Many eclectic witches never amass a single set of rituals. Instead they celebrate each ceremony as they see fit. They may never perform two rituals the same ever. Eclectics are usually solitary and probably the fastest growing group within the Craft.
Equinox: One of two days during the year where the night is equal to day (12 hours each) in duration. The Autumnal Equinox is about September 22, and the Vernal Equinox is about March 22.
Esbat: This is a meeting of a coven for purposes other than a Sabbat. In most traditions these are held at the Full Moon, but may also be held more often. Solitaries also celebrate Esbats, to perform spells or celebrate the Full Moon. Esbats are used to do spell work and other things that may not be appropriate on the Sabbat.
FFF: This is a very old witch blessing. It stands for "Flags, Flax and Fodder." Flags are flagstones or home. Flax is clothing and fodder is food. Obviously your are wishing the other person what they need to live, food, clothing and shelter. Very generally this can be taken as being well. This is another one that has been desecrated by the Satanists. They use it to mean 666, since 'F' is the sixth letter of the alphabet. This appalls most witches very greatly.
Holly King: This is the aspect of the God that rules over the Waning Year. (See Waning.) He plays a part in the sabbat celebrations of some covens. Father Christmas and Dicken's Ghost of Christmas Present are modern examples of him.
Kitchen Witch: This is a word often used to describe someone who uses spells and folk magic. These people put more emphasis on the spells and less, or none, on the religious aspects.
STRONG>Maiden: The Maiden is an aspect of the Triple Goddess. Her aspect as young maid is symbolized by the Waxing Moon. The Maiden is also a position in many covens. She acts as a sort of assistant to the High Priestess.
Magick: Magick is taking something that you visualize in your mind, and bringing it into being in the physical world. This is done by the force of will. This is what we often refer to as spell work. It is spelled with the final 'k' as to not be confused with stage magic, such as David Copperfield performs. See our section on "What is Witchcraft?" on our home page.
Neo-pagan: The prefix 'neo-' means new or modern, so a 'neo-pagan' is a modern pagan. See 'pagan'
Oak King: This is the aspect of the God that rules over the Waxing Year. (See Waxing.) He plays a part in the sabbat celebrations of some covens.
Pagan: This word originally comes from Latin. 'Pagus' means a canton or district, or in other words a parcel of land, usually out in the country. A 'paganus' was one who lived on this parcel of land, usually working it as a farm or performing other rural tasks. 'Paganus' came to mean country folk. As Christianity came to various parts of Europe, the people in the towns and cities were converted, but those in the country were not. So country folk were non-Christian. The word 'pagan', which originally meant country person, came to mean non-believer and worse. See our 'A Brief History' section for more details on this evolution. Today 'pagan' refers to anyone who practices one of the nature based religions, such as Wicca. All witches or Wiccans are pagans, but not all pagans are witches or Wiccans.
Pentagram: The Pentagram is a five-pointed star, usually drawn in one continuous line. It is without beginning and without end. As a religious and mystical symbol it is very ancient. The five points are often said to represent the four elements (earth, air, fire and water) and the fifth point represents spirit. Often it is said to represent man, since the two lower points are similar to legs, the top one represents the head, and the remaining two are arms. It is a benevolent symbol, despite the negative press it has given by the Satanists. They primarily invert it, as they do the crucifix, and impose a goat's head on it. There are however some Wiccan traditions that use the inverted pentagram, without a goat's head. To them it is also benevolent and often used to represent a second degree witch. The pentagram is turned back upright upon obtaining the third degree. There is nothing evil about the Pentagram. Those who use it to represent something evil, desecrate it.
Sabbat: These are the eight Solar Festivals celebrated by witches. They are usually celebratory in nature, but in some circumstances, work may be done during them. Work, such as spell and healing, is usually done at the Esbats. See our section on "What is Witchcraft?", on our home page for list of the Sabbats.
Scrying: This is a form of divination in which the pratitioner gazes into some sort of reflective medium. The most famous form of this is a crystal ball. Other things that can be used include mirrors, water and gems. Things are not really seen so much in the medium as the act of gazing opens up pyschic channels. After gazing for a while, the mind slips into a trance state and the information is becomes known.
Skyclad: Means literally clad or covered by nothing except the sky. In other words, it means naked. Many covens and solitaries perform their rites naked. Many, like us prefer to wear robes. This has been debated for some time. I recommend that you do what feels right for you.
Solitary: A solitary witch is one, who by preference or circumstance, practices their religion alone. A solitary does not belong to a coven.Solstice: One of two days during the year the the day and night are most unequal. The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, is about December 22. The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is about June 22.
Stang: This is a large staff used by some covens. It is used in conjunction with, or most often in place of, the altar. The stang usually stands up in some sort of stand and is usually forked near the top. It is often decorated appropriately for each celebration. This item isn't used by many covens today.
Trad: A shortened form of the word 'tradition'. Often used when witches are corresponding with one another such as, "What is your trad?" See 'tradition' for a definition.
Tradition: A tradition is a group of rituals and procedures that are adhered to by a group of witches. They pass their tradition on to others, usually within a coven. Examples of Traditions are: Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Celtic and Saxon. Many witches don't have a tradition and they are referred to as 'eclectic'; see eclectic.
Waning: Waning means diminishing. It is most often used to describe the Moon between its Full and New phases, since it appears to get smaller or diminish every night. The term Waning Year is also used to describe the half of the year from the Summer Solstice to the Winter Solstice. During this six months the daylight decreases, or diminishes, on a daily basis.
Warlock: This is a word that is not used much by witches today. The original meaning of the word is one that breaks an oath or breaks faith. It is a derrogatory term. During the Burning Times it was used to denote someone who broke their faith with God. I've also heard that witches used it to refer to a witch who revealed too much and brought the witch hunters down upon his fellows. This would fit with the 'oath breaker' meaning. Either way, it is not a nice word. Thanks to the media, it is now often used by the public to refer to a male witch. I don't know of any true witches who would use the word to describe a practitioner of the Craft. Anyone using this word to describe themselves should be considered carefully. Many who do use are only attention getters.
Waxing: Waxing means increasing. It is most often used to describe the Moon between its New and Full phases, since it appears to get bigger or increase every night. The term Waxing Year is also used to describe the half of the year from the Winter Solstice to the Summer Solstice. During this six months the daylight increases on a daily basis.Wheel of the Year: Most witches view the year as a big wheel, much like the ancient celts did. As the wheel turns, the year goes by and the seasons pass. Eventually each season comes around again in a never ending cycle.
Wicca: This word comes from the Old English word 'wicca' which means witch. The word is masculine, the feminine form being 'wicce', showing that at that time there was no stereotype of the old woman. Today the word is used to refer to a nature based religion, which is basically modern Witchcraft. Not everyone who practices Witchcraft, will use the word Wicca, and vice versa, but you are on safe ground using them synonymously. Some modern witches still use 'wicca' and 'wicce' to refer to a male and female witch, but this is kind of rare. Those that prefer the word 'Wicca' over 'Witchcraft' do so because they feel that 'Witchcraft' and 'witch' have too many bad connotations. They feel people will relate to them as a 'wiccan' better than as a 'witch'.
Wiccan: An adjective that means "pertaining to the religion of Wicca." It can also be used to refer to a practitioner of that religion.
Witch: The word 'witch' is a loaded word. In today's society it means different things to different people. For our uses, a witch is someone who is a follower of the nature based religion of 'Wicca'. Please read our section on "What is Witchcraft?" on our home page to understand the beliefs of such a person. The word 'witch' comes from the Middle English word 'wicche' which was basically a wise woman that practiced the Old Religion. It came from the Old English word 'wicce' which is a feminine form and means the same thing as its Middle English counter part.
Witchcraft: This can be defined as the practice of the Wiccan Religion. Like 'witch', many people would define this word in many different ways. For our intents and purposes, see "What is Witchcraft?" on our home page.