Altar
A special, flat surface set aside exclusively for magical workings or religious acknowledgment.
Aspects
Forms, facets, or personas of Deity: for example, Brighid, Iseult, Eos, and Kore are all aspects of the Maiden, and the Maiden is an aspect of the Goddess.
Athamé
A ritual knife associated with the Element of Air or Fire, depending upon tradition. Often a two-sided blade with a black handle; however, individuals may choose or craft their own athamés which are neither, and any kind may be personalized with inscriptions. Pronunciation of this word varies by region and/or tradition. Not used for cutting.
Book of Shadows
Traditionally, a hand-copied book of rituals, recipes, training techniques, guidelines, and other materials deemed important to a Witch or coven.
Centering
A means of becoming balanced after the grounding process, balances Auras and re-aligns Chakras.
Circle
A boundary of Sacred Space in which the magical worship and spells takes place; usually circular in shape which may for necessity be sometimes elongated. However, it may not contain any right angles.
Coven
A congregation of Witches, usually limited to 13 members or less.
Earth Religion
A religion whose main tenet is that the worshipper is in harmony with the Earth and with all life. Such religions oppose the idea that the world is a resource to be subdued and exploited.
Esbat
Monthly meeting of a coven, usually held at full moon. There are about 13 full moons each year. Some groups also meet at the dark of the moon.
Grounding
To release unwanted or excess energy from oneself.
Karma
The universal law of cause and effect; the Teacher of Lessons. In Sanskrit it means “action.”
Magic
A conscious direction of will to accomplish a goal.
Neo-Paganism
A modern Earth Religion which borrows and adapts from the best of pre-Christian Pagan religions, sometimes with additions from contemporary religious thinkers.
Occult
Occluded or hidden/secret; the study of secret or hidden knowledge. Secret societies include the Rosicrucians and certain fraternal orders.
Pagan
A practitioner of an Earth Religion; from the Latin paganus, a country dweller.
Sabbat
One of the eight seasonal festivals equally spaced during the year, celebrated by individuals and covens of Witches.
Sacred Space
A sanctified (cleansed) area which has been prepared for Magical working.
Witch
One who worships the Goddess, and sometimes also Her Consort, the God; practices magic; and considers her/himself to be following the spiritual path of Witchcraft.
Witchcraft
A magical religion with many diverse traditions derived from various cultural sources around which covens and individual practitioners base their practices. Sometimes simply referred to as the Craft. Modern Witchcraft traditions include:
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