Wiccan Terminology (A)

ABSENT HEALING
A form of faith healing that involves the projection of positive healing energy to an ill person by a healer who is not present at the time of the healing.

ACOLYTE
Beginner or “novice” in many magickal orders. Sometimes used to denote the lowest rank in the group.

ADEPT
It refers to the person who is considered highly proficient in a particular magickal system after undergoing serious studies and accomplishments.

AFTERWORLD
The world of the dead, the place where human souls go to after death. Also see: Summerland.

AIR
One of the four ancient elements, which corresponds to the East Watchtower of the magic circle. It has become apparent that some groups rather associate Air with North, but this is a personal choice. Also see: Earth

AIR SIGNS
In astrology, the three signs of the zodiac attributed to the element of Air – Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra.

AKASHA
Element of Spirit, the fifth element, the omnipresent spiritual power that permeates the universe. It is the energy out of which the Elements formed. Usually envisaged as violet in color. It embraces the other four elements – earth, air, fire, and water. This is the realm of pattern, or causality, from which the realm the normally thought of five senses manifests. Some define it is the “other” of the “two worlds” that the witch or magician walks between.- the spiritual ether (or Aether)

AKASHIC RECORDS
The “recordings” left in the Akasha by every event. Advanced occultists develop the gift of retrieving past events by “reading the Akashic Records”. Psychic Edgar Cayce brought the thought that the mind of the psychic or Witch can access a giant data base for information on subjects (past lives, healing, and other magickal/spiritual practices) through Universal connections.

ALEXANDRIAN WITCHES
Initiated by (or stemming from those initiated by) Alex and Maxine Sanders. An offshoot of Gardnerian witchcraft, though founded independently in the 1960’s

ALL HALLOWS EVE
Another name for Samhain, a Pagan festival which is celebrated on the last day of October.

ALTAR
Any table or structure on which candles, incense, etc. are burned, tools of magic are kept etc. Arrangement varies from one Witch to another.

AMULET
A magically charged object which deflects specific, usually negative energies. Generally worn as a protective object. Can also be object inscribed with magickal symbols to protect, attract good luck, etc. (See Talisman.)

ANAPHRODISIAC
A substance, such as camphor, that reduces sexual desires.

ANIMA
The buried feminine elements in a man’s psyche

ANIMISM
It is the belief that natural objects, and Nature itself, are alive and conscious.

ANIMISTIC
The belief that all forms of Nature have a Divine Spirit within.

ANIMUS
The buried masculine elements in a woman’s psyche

ANKH
An ancient Egyptian symbol resembling a cross with a loop at the top. Also called the crux ansata or looped cross. Egyptian hieroglyph for “life” and “cosmic knowledge”. Widely used as an occult symbol of the Life Principle.

AN-SHET
Another word for a Witch’s magical wand.

APHORISM
A sparsely worded saying. IE. As above, So below.

APHRODISIAC
Substance that generates sexual excitement.

APPARITION
The appearance of a phantom seen in a dream or trance or waking state as the result of astral projection.

AQUARIUS
The 11th sign of the zodiac. It is symbolized by the Water Bearer, is an Air sign, and is ruled by Uranus.

ARADIA
Daughter of the Goddess Diana, and a name for the Goddess used by Italian witches or Strega. Believed to have been derived from the Tuscan witches’ usage as recorded in C.G. Leland’s Aradia.

ARCANA
The two halves of a Tarot deck. The Major Arcana are 22 cards depicting dominant occurrences or “trumps”. The Minor Arcana is made up of 56 suit or “court” cards. (also called the Lesser Arcana.)

ARIANRHOD
A Welsh Goddess-name much used by witches. The name means `Silver Wheel’. Caer Arianrhod (Castle of Arianrhod), symbolizes the resting-place of souls between incarnations.

ARIES
The 1st sign of the zodiac. It is symbolized by the Ram, is a Fire sign, and is ruled by Mars.

AROMATHERAPY
Thereputically (heal, relax, purify, etc.) using flowers, herbs, oils, incense or anything else that has an aroma.

ASPECT
A form, facet, or persona of Deity.

ASPERGER
A bundle of fresh herbs or a perforated object used to sprinkle water during or preceding Ritual, for purification purposes

ASPERGERING
The act of sprinkling water for purification purposes during or preceding Ritual.

ASTRAL BODY
The psychic “double” of the physical body, consisting of substance more tenuous than matter, but grosser than mind or spirit. (See also Etheric.)

ASTRAL PLANE
Realm of existence parallel to physical reality. In this realm, the nonmaterial body may traverse both time and space. A wide variety of entities inhabit the astral, such as ghosts and the conscious or dreaming presence of living individuals.

ASTRAL PROJECTION
The transferring of consciousness from the physical to the astral body, so that one perceives and moves about on the astral plane as the physical body remains inert. Also called and out-of-body-experience or astral travel.

ASTRAL TRAVEL
See: Astral Projection

ASTROLOGY
This is an ancient science and practice of divination by studying the Sun, Moon, planets and stars. Each of these heavenly bodies directly reflects the course of human affairs depending on which section the zodiac they are in. Also called Stargazing.

ATHAME
A ritual dagger with a double-edged blade, used by Witches to draw their magic circles and to store and direct energy during magical rituals. It is interchangeable with the magic sword. It is never used for drawing blood of any kind. It is never used for actual cutting of anything. The only traditional exception to this rule being a handfasting cake. Corresponds with the element Air.

ATTUNEMENT
An activity which brings the mind, emotion and psyche of an individual into harmony.

AURA
The colored field which surrounds any living thing including the human body. The aura is visible to sensitives, who can learn from its color, size and structure about the person’s health and spiritual status.

AUTUMN EQUINOX
One of the eight Sabbats celebrated on the first day of Autumn, which is on or near September 23rd. Also known as Alban Elfed and the Second Festival of Harvest.

AVATAR
An advanced soul, who returns to a physical body to teach less evolved souls. Ex. Buddha, Jesus.