
Paganism Pagan Wicca Wiccan Magic Magical
Glossary Terminology
Altar
A raised flat surface,
preferably outdoors, typically a table, a tree stump, or a large level stone
that is used during the casting of spells and rituals. The arrangement of
magical tools on the altar varies from sole practitioner to sole practitioner
and from coven to coven but usually includes: candles, incense, salt, a
pentacle, a chalice, a bell, an athame, and some representation of the goddess
and god.
Astral Plane (Astral Projection)
The astral plane is the
fourth dimension which is veiled or invisible to normal vision for most people
while their attention is focused on the third dimension. It is the plane of
existence where your astral body goes while your physical body is at rest during
sleep. Astral projection is the process of separating your astral body from your
physical body and moving about at will in the astral plane (Fly Astral Plane).
Athame
A ritual knife, usually
double bladed with a black handle, that is never used to cut anything physical.
It is a magical tool charged with the personal power energy of the owner and is
used to cast magical circles and to conduct their will during spells and
rituals.
Banish and Bind
Banishing is the magically
repelling and warding off of someone or something, typically: negative energies,
entities, curses, or spells from a ritual area, home, or person. Binding is
using magic to restrain someone from doing something such as stopping them from
malicious gossip, backbiting, or soul shrinking.
Bell
A consecrated, hollow
metal, altar bell that sends out a tone when struck. Used to summon the deities;
as charms and talismans; and, for other magical purposes.
Besom
A straw broomstick used
before casting a circle to sweep away negative energies. It is also used in
ceremonies such as handfastings, as well as, for sympathetic magic rituals, like
showing the crops how high to grow by straddling the broomstick and jumping up
and down.
Top of Page
Blessed Be and Bright Blessings
Most Pagans use these
common phrases when they greet others, when they close a letter or other
correspondence, and when they make statements of agreement. Although Pagan in
origin, both of these phrases have made their way into mainstream usage.

Boline
A ritual knife with a
white handle usually used for utilitarian purposes like harvesting herbs,
carving magical symbols onto talismans and candles, and cutting wooden wands and
cords.
Book of Shadows
Witches and covens
transcribe their ritual ceremonies, magical spells, recipes for potions and
charms, traditions, and ethical guidelines in a personally customized book
called the Book of Shadows. This written record of magical proceedings is highly
secretive and safeguarded. Most witches are reticent about sharing their
personal Book of Shadows with each other, and it is rarely shared with people
outside the coven or Craft...Continue on
Read Paganism Wiccan Articles
Alchemical Arcana Elementals Zodiac,
Calling Up and The Elements,
Covens Sole Practitioners Rituals,
Divination and Magical Craft Tools,
Familiars and Power Animals,
Glossary Terminology,
Pagan Deities Goddesses Gods,
Paganism Wicca Spiritual Beliefs,
Sabbats Esbats Rites of Passage,
Spells and Book of Shadows,
Threefold Law and Wiccan Reade
Paganism
Wicca Wiccan Magic Magical Copyright
© 2002-2009 Maureen Grace Burns, Archangels Wisdom. All Rights Reserved.
Top of Page