Wicca or Witchcraft: Definitions of terms in Witchcraft

By Mike Nichols

Wicca or Witchcraft: Definitions of terms in Witchcraft

Including: Occult, Earth, Pagan, Neo-Paganism, Witchcraft, The Craft, Coven, Witch, Magic, Sabbat, Esbat

OCCULT -- occluded or hidden, secret; the study of secret or hidden knowledge. Secret societies include the Masons and Rosicrucians.

EARTH RELIGION -- a religion whose main tenet is that the worshipper be 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.

PAGAN -- a practitioner of an Earth Religion; from the Latin 'paganus', meaning 'country dweller'.

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.

WITCHCRAFT -- a magical Neo-Pagan religion with many diverse traditions derived from various cultural sources (though mostly European) around which Covens and solitary practitioners base their practices. Modern Witchcraft traditions include: Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Celtic, Traditionalist, Faerie, NROOGD, Druidic and others.

THE CRAFT -- another name for Witchcraft.

COVEN -- a congregation of Witches, usually at least three but no more than 13 members.

WITCH -- one who worships the Goddess(es) and/or God(s) of Paganism, practices magic, and considers her/himself to be a follower of the spiritual path of Witchcraft.

MAGIC -- the conscious use of psychic energy, accompanied by ritual, to accomplish a goal; often spelled 'magick' to distinguish it from stage magic (such as sleight-of-hand).

SABBAT -- any one of the eight seasonal festivals equally spaced throughout the year, celebrated by individuals and Covens of Witches.

ESBAT -- any one of the 13 lunar festivals throughout the year, celebrated by Witches at the times of the full moon.

PENTAGRAM -- a five-pointed star, ancient symbol of good luck and protection. Displayed with one point up, it is the most common emblem of Witchcraft. When displayed inverted (two points up), it MAY represent negative magic (or Satanism), but not necessarily; some traditions of Wicca (chiefly British) use it as a POSITIVE symbol of advanced rank.

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Document Copyright © 1986, 2002 by Mike Nichols

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