Wiccan Terminology (S)

SABBAT
A specific celebration in the Wiccan/Pagan tradition. There are eight Sabbats in a year. Four occur on the Solstices of a year and are called the Greater Sabbats. The other four occur on the Equinoxes and are called the Lesser Sabbats.

SACRIFICE
In primitive religions (Christianity of the first Testament included) a live animal would be sacrificed to a particular deity by the ritual killing thereof at an altar. This is not an accepted practice in Witchcraft, Wicca or any modern Pagan path or tradition.

SAGITTARIUS
The 9th sign of the zodiac. Symbolized by the Centaur Archer, is a Fire sign and is ruled by Jupiter.

SAINT JOHN’S WORT
A healing herb associated with magic and Witchcraft. Also called St. John’s Plant or herb and Mugwort.

SALAMANDER
The traditional name for an Elemental (q.v.) spirit of the nature of the Fire element.

SALT
Used in many magical procedures, including Wiccan, as a kind of spiritual antiseptic, or purifying symbol.

SAMHAIN
One of the eight Sabbats which is celebrated on or around 31 October. It is a festival which celebrates the end of summer. Also known as Halloween.

SCORPIO
The 8th sign of the zodiac. Symbolized by the Scorpion, is a Water sign and is ruled by Mars and Pluto.

SCOURGE
A ritual whip symbolizing firmness, in balance with the Wand which symbolizes mercy. Most ritual scourges are quite harmless, made for example with silk thongs.

SCRYING
A method of divination by staring at something like a crystal ball or black mirror. Other popular objects for scrying are incense smoke, flames and pools of water or ink.

SEPHIRA
(plural Sephiroth) Any one of the ten spheres on the Tree of Life, the central concept of the Cabala.

SHADOW
The buried, unconscious elements of the human psyche; everything except the Ego and the Persona.

SHAMAN / SHAMANESS
A priest or priestess who communicates with the inner planes by self-induced trance. Obtaining knowledge of the subtler dimensions of the Earth, during these periods of alternate states of consciousness. Usually ritualistic or magical in nature, sometimes religious.

SHAPESHIFTING
The act of transforming from human into animal or mystical creature and vice-versa.

SIGIL
In Ceremonial Magic, an image that symbolizes a specific spirit, deity, angel or supernatural being.

SIMPLE FEAST
It is the ritual meal shared with the Goddess and God.

SKYCLAD
The term used for ritual nudity. It is considered by some that clothing may hinder magickal energies. Being nude is not a requirements and up to the individual who wishes to practice so in private or trusted coven.

SKYFATHER
Used in many Native American belief systems. Commonly used in conjunction with the Earth Mother.

SMUDGING
The practice of waving smoldering incense or herb bundle about an individual or area to cleanse or purify. It was adopted from Native Americans.

SOLAR ECLIPSE
Emblem of the God in his aspects of Dark Lord, Lord of Shadows, Death, Chaos, Resurrection, Hunter, and Leader of the Wild Hunt.

SOLITARY
A term used to describe a Witch who practices the Craft without belonging to a coven.

SOUL-MATES
Individuals who are continuously involved with each other in successive Incarnations, becoming rather like a pair of binary stars.

SPELL
The collection of energy which is directed by word in prayer form to achieve a goal. This may include elaborate, ceremonial or simple ritual.

SPIRITS OF THE STONES, THE
The elemental energies naturally inherent at the four directions of the Magic Circle.

SPIRITUALISM
The belief that the spirits of the deceased are able to communicate with the living through a person known as a medium or by other means.

SPRING EQUINOX
See: Ostara

STARGAZING
See: Astrology

STONEHENGE
A prehistoric ceremonial ruin and one of the most famous and controversial megalithic sites in the world. It forms a magical circle and is aligned with certain celestial constellations.

SUMMER SOLSTICE
See: Litha

SUMMERLANDS
A spiritualist word for the Heaven which souls enter after death. Often used by believers in Reincarnation to denote the astral stage of rest after physical death.

SUMMONER
The male officer of the coven who corresponds to the Maiden. He is the assistant High Priest

SUN
The symbol of the Horned God, the sun is an ancient symbol of yang energy and the masculine forces of nature.

SUN SIGN
The sign of the zodiac that a person is born under.

SWORD
One of the four elemental tools, representing the Fire element or in some traditions, the Air Sylph The traditional name for an Elemental spirit of the nature of the Air element.

SYLPH
an “entity” or “elemental” that dwells in the plane of Air or is associated with the AIR Element.