R

Receptive Hand: The hand through which energy is received into the body. The left hand in right-handed persons, the reverse for left-handed persons.

 Rede The Basic tenet of Wicca. "An it harm none, do what thou will.

Reincarnation: The process of repeated incarnations in human form to allow evolution of the sexless, ageless soul.

Ritual Ceremony: A specific form of movement, a manipulation of objects or inner processes designed to produce desired effects. In religion ritual is geared toward union with the Divine. In magickal works it produces a specific state of consciousness that allows the magician to move energy toward needed goals.

Ritual Consciousness: A specific, alternate state of awareness necessary to the successful practice of magick. This state is achieved through the use of visualization and ritual. The conscious mind becomes attuned with the psychic mind, a state in which the magician senses energies, gives them purpose, and releases them toward a specific goal. It is a heightening of senses, an expanded awareness of the nonphysical world, a linking with nature and with Deity.

Ritual Tools: General name for magickal tools used by a witch or magician. They vary by tradition and usually represent one of the elements.

Runes: A set of symbols used both in divination and magickal work. There are several types will different origins- Scandinavian, Norse, Germanic.

 

S

Sabbat: A witch's festival.

Scourge: Small device made from leather or hemp which resembles a whip and is used in flagellation rites within some traditions.

Scrying: A method of divination. To gaze at or into an object (a quartz crystal sphere, a pool of water, reflections, a candle flame) to still the conscious mind in order to contact the psychic mind. Scrying allows the scryer to become aware of events prior to their actual occurrence, as well as to perceive past or present events through other than the five senses.

Shaman: A man or woman who has obtained knowledge of the subtler dimensions of the Earth, usually through periods of alternate states of consciousness. Various types of ritual allow the shaman to pierce the veil of the physical world and to experience the realm of energies. This knowledge lends the shaman the power to change his or her world through magick.

Shamanism: The practice of shamans, usually ritualistic or magickal in nature, sometimes religious.

Shillelagh: Magickal tool corresponding to the staff in other traditions. Usually made from blackthorn wood.

Sigil: Magically oriented seal, sign, glyph, or other device used in a magickal working. Ones you create yourself are the most effective. Sigils can be used on letters, packages, clothing, etc.

Simple Feast: A ritual meal shared with the Goddess and God.

Sky Father: Shamanistic in origin. It refers to the sky, or that which is above us, as a masculine deity.

Skyclad: The act of celebrating or performing magickal works in the nude. Considered deeply spiritual, NOT sexual.

Solitary: Pagan who works and worships alone.

Spell: A magical ritual or concentrated form of energy, usually non-religious in nature and often accompanied by spoken words. It should always be clear, concise, focused and emotional.

Spiral: Symbol of coming into being.

Staff: Ritual tool which corresponds to the wand or athame.

Subconscious Mind: Part of the mind which functions below the levers we are able to access in the course of a normal working day. This area stores symbolic knowledge, dreams, the most minute details of every experience ever had by a person.

Summerland: The Wiccan Land of the Dead where a soul travels waiting to be reincarnated/

Sympathetic Magic: Concept of likes attract. Most common way spells are worked.

 

T

Talisman: An object charged with personal power to attract a specific force or energy to its bearer.

Tarot Cards: Set of 78 cards which feature pictures and symbols used to conned the diviner with the collective unconscious.

Threefold Law: Karmic principle that energy that is released is returned three times over.

Tradition: Branch of paganism followed by any individual Pagan or coven.

Trilithon: A stone arch made from two upright slabs with one lying atop these. They are featured in Stonehenge.

Triple Goddess: One Goddess in all of her three aspects: Maiden, Mother, Crone