Traditions Dictionary

HIGH MAGICK: Magick that calls upon the aid of beneficent spirits and is akin to religion. It is called theurgy, from theourgia "working things pertaining to the gods". High Magick is based upon a blend of doctrines of Plato and other Greek philosophers, Oriental mysticism, Judaism and Christianity and currently is divided into three forms: Enochian, Thelemic and Eclectic. Enochian Magick originated with John Dee and Edward Kelly in the 16th century and communication with spirits involved the Nineteen Calls (or Keys): incantations in the Enchonian language, a complex language of unknown origin.

This system of Magick was revived by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and studied at length by Aleister Crowley. In turn, Crowley developed the Thelemic Magick system from his studies and High Magickians have since expanded to develop Eclectic Magick systems based on a variety of different systems, inclusive of Alchemy, Egyptology, Kabbalistic doctrines, Chaos Magick etc..

High Magick requires a rigorous discipline and has an intellectual appeal, the mage derives power from God (the Judeo-Christian God) through the successful control of spirits, usually demons, which are believed easier to control than angels. Demons may be good, evil, or neutral. In its highest sense, High Magick is a transcendental experience that takes the mage into mystical realms and into communication with the Higher Self. Also known as Ceremonial Magick, Ritual Magick, Theurgic Magick, Theurgy.

(See also: HIGH MAGICK , Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

BARDIC WICCA: A mix of Celtic Wicca and Celtic Druidry.

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FAERY FAITH: A pagan religion based on animism, the belief that everything in this and the Otherworlds is alive and the faery folklore.

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POWER DOCTORING: In the Ozarks region of the United States, power doctors are backwoods healers who use charms, amulets, incantations and magick to cure illness. They cannot charge a fee, but may accept gifts and offerings. Power doctors must learn their Craft from a person of the opposite sex who is not a blood relative. They may in turn teach two or three others the Craft, but that they would lose their abilities should they teach more.

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MITHRAISM: The Persian religion centered on the reverence of Mithra, god of Light. It emphasized the conflict between good and evil and the reward of virtue or punishment of wickedness in the afterlife. It was the principal rival of Christianity in the first three centuries CE and is believed to be the foundation of the concept of hell and Satan in Christianity.

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PECTI-WITA, PICTISH WITCHCRAFT: The study and practice of the religion of the Picts, the pre-Celtic inhabitants of northern Scotland. Pecti-Wita is concerned with all aspects of prosperity, growth, abundance, creativity, and healing, and honors the Celtic Deities. The main tools in Pecti-Wita are the Staff and the Athame or Dirk. Pecti-Witans use a "Keek-Stane" which is, in effect, a scrying stone or the equivalent of a crystal ball. Also known as Pictish Witchcraft, Wita.

(See also: PECTI-WITA, PICTISH WITCHCRAFT , Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

HECHICERIA: A Mexican Indian magickal tradition that reveres the pre-Columbian divinities. Practitioners are most often male and are called Hechiceros, Nuguals, or Bruho Naturaleza.

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CELTIC RECONSTRUCTIONISM: A culturally specific and historically based pagan path that attempts to recreate the religion of the ancient Celtic peoples of Western Europe and the British Isles. It embodies a strong reverence for nature.

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TEMURAH: A form of gematria that creates anagrams through systematic letter substitutions. Gematria is a system of discovering truths and hidden meanings behind words, using numerical values for letters of the alphabet. Each letter corresponds to a number. The numerical values of words are totaled and interpreted in terms of other words with the same numerical value. Gematria dates back to the 8th century B.C. Babylon, and has been used by most mystics since that time including the Magi, Gnostics, and Quabbalists. Notarikon is a form of gematria in which the first and last letters of a word or phrase are put together to create a new word, or to turn a word into a phrase.

(See also: TEMURAH , Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

TRADITIONS: A sect or division within Paganism, Wicca, Magick. The use of tradition as "sect" is not a new use, nor is "new tradition" an oxymoron.  Systems of training in the Craft: Some traditions are: Gardnerian, Celtic Traditionalist, Welsh Traditionalist, Y Dynion Mwyn, Alexandrian, Continentalist, Stregha, Fairy, Feminist, Dianic, etc.

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STANDING STONES TRADITION (The): The Wiccan tradition founded by Scott Cunningham for solitary practitioners.

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TRADITIONS - any of the various sects of Wicca such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Georgian, Seax, etc.

(See also: TRADITIONS , Wiccan, Wicca, Witchery, Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

CEREMONIAL WITCHCRAFT: A tradition of Witchcraft with an emphasis on Egyptian and/or Qabbalistic Ceremonial Magick.

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CELTIC WITAN CHURCH: The legally incorporated church and religious organization formed for the study and practice of the goddess-oriented nature-based religion of the ancient Celtic peoples called Wita. This is a fertility religion concerned with all aspects of prosperity, growth, abundance, creativity, and healing. The Church honors the Celtic deities with full moon rituals and sabbat festivals. There are many open rituals and training programs.

(See also: CELTIC WITAN CHURCH , Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

ROOTWORK: An American magickal system drawn from African magickal practice, Native American botanical healing knowledge and European folklore. It is often confused with Voodoo and it's practitioners are called Hoodoo, Hoodoo Doctors, Hoodoo Men/Women, Conjure Men/Women Conjurers, Root Doctors or Root Workers. Also known as Hoodoo.

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NOTARIKON: A form of gematria in which the first and last letters of a word or phrase are put together to create a new word, or to turn a word into a phrase. Gematria is a system of discovering truths and hidden meanings behind words, using numerical values for letters of the alphabet. Each letter corresponds to a number. The numerical values of words are totaled and interpreted in terms of other words with the same numerical value. Gematria dates back to the 8th century B.C. Babylon, and has been used by most mystics since that time including the Magi, Gnostics, and Quabbalists. Temurah is a form of gematria that creates anagrams through systematic letter substitutions. Related to Numerology.

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DEMONOCRACY:

 The government of demons;

 The immediate influence of evil spirits;

 A religion involving the reverence of demons at the turn of the 20th century. Not commonly used today

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ARCADIAN WICCA: A Wiccan tradition centered around worship of the Horned God. Covens are open to both males and females.

(See also: ARCADIAN WICCA , Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

SACRED WHEEL WICCA: An eclectic neo-Pagan path based on Celtic beliefs, that focuses on balance and learning. Celtic beliefs are a part of their teachings. They state that they are a Wiccan religion dedicated to the health of Mother Earth, and to all her children in whatever forms they may take.

(See also: SACRED WHEEL WICCA , Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

CHURCH OF SATAN: The controversial form of Satanism founded by Anton LaVey in 1966, which split into several factions in 1975. Practitioners follow the Satanic Bible (written by LaVey) as scripture. The Church of Satan does not recognize the existence of Satan as an entity but uses the name as a symbol of the material world and the carnal nature of man. The Church of Satan renounce sacrifice and crime as conducive to meeting their spiritual goals.

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DEMONISM, DEMONOLATRY:

 The worship of demons. Also known as demonolatry;

 In nonpagan religions demonism is often used to describe the belief in the existence or powers of demons.

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TRADITION - the branch of Paganism followed by any individual witch or coven. There are hundreds of these traditions, most drawn along ethnic or cultural lines, but several are modern amalgamations. The word is synonymous with “Path” E.g. Witta is but one tradition of Paganism. (CMM)

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