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Glossary of Definitions Commonly Used in Wicca and Paganism

Here's where you'll find definitions of the phrases and words found on this site.

Altar

What is an altar, and what's it for?

Amulet

Definition of amulets, what they are used for, and how to make one.

Athame

Definition of the athame.

Blessed Be

Definition of the phrase "Blessed Be."

Blue Moon

We've all heard the phrase "once in a blue moon." What does that really mean, and is there any magical significance?

Burning Times

What were the Burning Times, and where does the phrase come from?

Cakes and Ale

What are cakes and ale, and how are they used in Wiccan and Pagan ceremony?

Charge of the Goddess

Where did the Charge of the Goddess originate? Is it ancient writing, or more contemporary?

Circle

Definition of a circle, when used in the context of Wicca and Paganism.

Curse (Hex)

What is a curse, and what can it do?

Degree

What is a degree system in the world of Wicca and Paganism, and how does one obtain a degree?

Deosil

What does it mean to move "deosil" in the Wiccan and Pagan faiths?

Eclectic

Many Pagans and Wiccans describe their practice as eclectic. What does that mean, and does it apply to you?

Elements

What are the four classical elements, and why are they important in Wicca and Paganism?

English Witchcraft Laws

Up until just a few decades ago, England had strict laws prohibiting anything to do with Witchcraft.

Esbat

Find out what an esbat is, and what it's for.

Full Moon

What is the full moon, and how is it significant in modern Pagan and Wiccan spirituality?

Goddess Position

What is a Goddess position, and when would you use one?

Great Rite

What is a Great Rite, and who is expected to perform it?

Handfasting

Wiccans and Pagans often celebrate a handfasting -- learn what it is and how it works.

Herbalism

Herbalism is a tradition of folklore that goes back for centuries. Find out why many Wiccans and Pagans still practice it.

Initiation

What is an initiation, and what is required to obtain one?

Magical Name

What is a magical name, and where are you supposed to find one?

Magick

What is magick, and why is it spelled with that "k" on the end?

Moon Candle

What is a moon candle, where do you get one, and when do you use it?

New Moon

What is the new moon, and how is it magically important to modern Wiccans and Pagans?

Oathbound

The word "oathbound" often comes up in discussion of Wiccan practices and beliefs -- but what does it actually mean?

Offering

Are offerings required for the gods and goddesses of Wicca and modern Paganism?

Pagan Standard Time

What is Pagan Standard Time, and should you try to follow it?

Poppet

In sympathetic magic, poppets are often used to symbolize someone who needs magical assistance.

Priesthood

What does it mean when we talk about the Wiccan or Pagan priesthood?

Self-Initiation

Can you initiate yourself into the tradition of Wicca?

Sigil

Sigils are often used in spellwork -- learn what they are and how to create one.

Skyclad

What is skyclad, and do all Wiccans and Pagans use it?

So Mote it Be

Many people in the Pagan community use the phrase "so mote it be," but what does it really mean? Read the explanation to find out where this expression originates.

Taglock

You may encounter the word "taglock" in some magical writings. What is it, and how and when do you use one?

The Law of Threefold Return

What is the Threefold Law, and does it apply to all traditions of Wicca and Paganism?

Unverifiable Personal Gnosis (UPG)

What is an Unverifiable Personal Gnosis, or UPG?

Waning Moon

What is the waning moon, and how is it important to modern Wiccans and Pagans?

Watchtowers

What are the Watchtowers, and how are they used in Wicca and Paganism?

Waxing Moon

What is the waxing moon, and how is it significant in modern Wiccan and Pagan traditions?

Wheel of the Year

What is the Wheel of the Year in Pagan and Wiccan tradition?

Wicker Man

What is a Wicker Man, and where would you find one?

Widdershins

What does it mean to move "widdershins" in a Pagan or Wiccan ritual?

Year and a Day

The measurement of a year and a day often appears in Wiccan traditions. What's the point of a year and a day, and where does it come from?
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