Wiccan Terminology (W)

WALPURGIS NIGHT
See: Beltane

WAND
A staff which is used to direct energy in rituals. Though traditionally made of wood, crystal and various metals are also used. Each wand is individualistic with the makers’ own magickal symbols or character.

WARDING
A word used for the art of protection magic.

WARLOCK
A derogatory term for someone who has betrayed the craft and/or uses their skill for evil/negative purposes. Contrary to popular belief it is not the term for a male witch who remains just that, a witch.

WATCH TOWERS
Originally from the Enochian branch of Ceremonial Magick, now incorporated into many “Traditions” of Wicca, these are the four elemental “directions” or “quarters” (corresponding to the appropriate points on the compass) called to protect the Circle during its establishment. Each of them have a correspondence between the compass point, an element, and (varying amongst different traditions) color associated with them.

WATER
One of the four ancient elements that correspond to the West. The spirits of Water are known as Undines.

WATER SIGNS
The three signs of the zodiac attributed to Water – Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio.

WEBWEAVING
Networking with other magickal people through conversation, in writing, or by computer to gather information to mutually assist each other in their studies and life goals.

WHEEL OF THE YEAR
A term used by Witches to mean one complete cycle of the seasonal year, usually starting with Samhain.

WHITE HANDLED KNIFE
See: Boline

WICCA
In Old English meant “a male witch” and wicce “a female witch”. The Old English for witchcraft was wiccacraeft. Thought by some to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon word “wicce” which means to bend or shape. A contemporary Pagan religion with spiritual roots in Shamanism and the earliest expressions of reverence of nature. In more modern times this term is accepted for any person following any of the nature based Pagan beliefs honoring the Goddess and the God.

WICCAN
A follower of Wicca.

WICCAN REDE, THE
The simple rule of Wiccans which states “An harm ye none, do what ye will.” This is not the entire rede, but the essence thereof. See the poetry page for the entire Rede.

WICCANING
In Wicca, the ritual blessing of a newly born baby; the witches’ equivalent of a christening, except that it is not intended to commit the child permanently to any one path.

WIDDERSHINS
Counter clock-wise movement. The opposite of deosil. Normally used in banishing rituals.

WINTER SOLSTICE
Another term for the Sabbat of Yule.

WITCH
Any person who practices magick to achieve their goals. By this understanding, not all Witches are Wiccan and not all Wiccan are Witches. The term is used for both male and female practitioners. A male witch is not called a Warlock (See: Warlock). Also, anciently, a European practitioner of the remnants of pre-Christian folk magic, particularly that relating to herbs, healing, wells, rivers and stones.

WITCH BOTTLE
Any glass bottle or jar which is filled with variety of objects, charged with magical power and used for protection, love, etc.

WITCH QUEEN
A High Priestess from whose coven at least two other covens have hived off.

WITCHCRAFT
The art of using magick to achieve set goals in conjunction with natural energies and correspondences.

WITCHES LADDER
A string of forty beads, or a cord with forty knots, used (like a rosary) as an aid to concentrated repetition without the distraction of actual counting.

WITCHES RUNE
A power-raising chant accompanied by a ring dance.