Tag: Pagan Words

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Coven

From moonlitpriestess.com

A group of Witches; can be all male, all female, or a mix of both. The traditional number of coven members is 13, however, the exact number of members and the purposes of the coven typically differ between traditions. Differentiated from other Witch group types in that covens function as a sort of family unit for the purpose of magickal practice and/or worship with structured set of rules, traditions, training, and hierarchy. Within Wicca, coven entry is by initiation only and following required training (usually up to a year and a day in length) into the particular coven’s tradition.

From Spells8.com

A group of witches is called a Coven. A witch’s magickal family may be considered their coven if they have formed a group to perform magick alongside each other.

If you are interested in joining an online coven, please write to High Priestess Lady Beltane at ladybeltane@aol.com for more information. Please put COVEN in the subject line.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Charm

From moonlitpriestess.com

Another term for a protective object (see also Amulet, Talisman, and Charm Bag); also refers to a set of rhyming words as part of a spell.

From Spells8.com

From the Latin carmen meaning “song, incantation,” but came to be a generic term referring to any type of magick. As a noun, it commonly refers to a small object that protects its wearer from evil. As a verb, it commonly refers to refers to the act of using magick to exert control over a person.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Faeries

From moonlitpriestess.com

Some refer to them as The Wee Folk; the word “fairy” is a synonym for “brownie.” Many Earth elementals are called faeries or the fey. A deeper study is required for better understanding.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Words are

Cense

and

Censer

From Spells8.com

To perfume something ritually with the odor of burning incense, such as a room, person, or object.

From moonlitpriestess.com

An incense burner: tool in Wicca and other witchcraft traditions associated with the Element of Air.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Blot

From moonlitpriestess.com

In Heathenry, a formal ritual slaughter of livestock usually performed outdoors in honor of the Gods during very special occasions. The blood spilled may then be used in anointing and blessing of spaces and objects.

From Spells8.com

A communal event where animal sacrifice is used as an offering to a deity or god. Members of the ritual feast on the sacrifice in celebration. In today’s age, sacrificing a live animal is less common, there will be lots of good food and wine in its place.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Boline

From moonlitpriestess.com

A white-handled knife (sometimes curved, somewhat like a hand-held scythe) used for inscribing, harvesting herbs, etc. In some traditions, the boline is separate from the white-handled knife and used exclusively in the garden.

From Spells8.com

A small sacred knife used to cut items during a ritual. In contrast to the “Athame”, a “Boline” usually has a white handle.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Asperge

From moonlitpriestess.com

A bundle of fresh herbs or other object used to sprinkle consecrated water around the circle to purify the space; also, the person using the herb bundle.

From Spells8.com

To cleanse and purify a space. This is usually done by spraying water around a room or using an herbal bundle to cleanse the space.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Sabbat

From moonlitpriestess.com

Term for Wiccan holidays adopted by other Pagan and Witchcraft paths. In Wiccan tradition, Sabbats are solar festivals that usually honor the God and the changing of the seasons or Wheel of the Year. Eight sabbats are celebrated in a Wiccan year.

From Spells8.com

Each of the eight Wiccan holidays celebrated in a calendar year. The first sabbat is Yule and then comes Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon, and Samhain. These festivals are considered sacred days and it’s tradition to celebrate them in good company.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Cakes and Ale

From moonlitpriestess.com

Also called Cakes and Wine; a ritual meal generally shared with the Goddess and God within the Circle following ritual in Wiccan practice.

From Spells8.com

Ceremonial food that is served to the participants of a ritual or celebration. Foods may include whatever preferences the participants have.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Banishing

From moonlitpriestess.com

Removing, pushing away, or expelling something or someone magickally; generally for removing negativity or unwanted spirits.

From Spells8.com

To use magick to rid something or repel something from a person or area.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Balefire

From moonlitpriestess.com

An outdoor ritual fire (or a sacred bonfire); most commonly used for Beltane, Midsummer, and Yule rituals and festivities.

From Spells8.com

An open fire, usually used in a ritual or spell. Balefires are lit during pagan festivals such as the sabbats (witch’s holidays).

June 16 Today in History

Today’s Important Historical Events

1779 Spain declares war on Great Britain in support of France and the USA, starting the Great Siege of Gibraltar which goes on to last 3 years, 7 months and 2 weeks

1858 Abraham Lincoln says “A house divided against itself cannot stand” accepting Illinois Republican Party’s nomination for the Senate

1904 Bloomsday (date of events in James Joyce‘s novel “Ulysses”)

1963 Soviet space mission Vostok 6 is launched with Valentina Tereshkova onboard, who becomes the 1st woman in space

2000 Israel complies with UN Security Council Resolution 425 after 22 years, which calls on Israel to completely withdraw from Lebanon. Israel withdraws from all of Lebanon, except the disputed Sheba Farms

Today’s Historical Events

632 Origin of Persian [Yezdegird] Era

1487 Battle of Stoke, Nottinghamshire: Henry VII beats John de la Pole & Lord Lovell

1567 Mary, Queen of Scots, imprisoned in Lochleven Castle prison, Scotland

1624 Virginia becomes an English crown colony following the bankruptcy of the London Company

1673 Peace of Vossem: French King Louis XIV and Frederik Willem of Brandenburg

1745 British fleet occupies Cape Breton on St Lawrence River

1746 Battle at Piacenza: Austria & Sardinia beat Spanish and French army

1755 British capture Fort Beauséjour, expel Acadians

Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV

1960 “Psycho”, psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, and Vera Miles, opens in New York City

1961 Dave Garroway is fired as host of NBC’s “Today Show”

1966 Rowan & Martin host “The Dean Martin Show” Summer Series, on NBC-TV

1978 Film “Grease” opens, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, based on the 1971 musical

1978 Ringo Starr releases album “Bad Boy”

1980 Musical comedy film “The Blues Brothers”, starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, and directed by John Landis, premieres in Chicago, Illinois

1983 Ringo Starr releases album “Old Wave” album in West Germany; soon after releases follow in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Brazil

Today’s Historical Events in Music

1902 “The Wizard of Oz” musical first opens in Chicago, Illinois

1958 “Flip Top Box” by Dicky Doo & The Don’ts hits #46

961 Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defects to West at Le Bourget Airport in Paris

1967 50,000 attend first day of the Monterey International Pop Festival – beginning of the Summer of Love

1967 The first Montreux Jazz Festival is held in Switzerland, created by Claude Nobs [1]

1977 “Beatlemania” opens on Broadway

1979 Single “Logical Song” by Supertramp peaks at #6

1982 Columbia Records releases “Somewhere in the Stars”, the fourth studio album by Rosanne Cash; produced by husband Rodney Crowell, and featuring her father Johnny Cash on one track

Today’s Historical Events in Sports

1883 1st baseball “Ladies’ Day” (NY Gothams beat Cleveland Spiders 5-2)

1894 US National Championship Women’s Tennis, Philadelphia CC: Helen Hellwig beats defending champion Aline Terry 7-5, 3-6, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3

1899 Victor Trumper‘s 1st Test Cricket century 135* v England, Lord’s

1903 1st Highlander (Yankee) shut-out victory 1-0 over White Sox

1909 Jim Thorpe makes his pro baseball pitching debut for Rocky Mount (ECL) with 4-2 win, this will cause him to forfeit his Olympic gold medals

1917 49th Belmont: James Butwell aboard Hourless wins in 2:17.8

1929 Otto E. Funk, 62, ends marathon walk (NY to SF, 4165 miles in 183 days)

1932 Sutcliffe and Holmes make 555 opening cricket stand for Yorkshire v Essex

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Words are

Ancestors

and

Ancestor Veneration

From moonlitpriestess.com

Spirits of deceased humans with whom you have strong bonds such as family members, friends, etc. Some traditions recognize only blood-relative ancestors, particularly on the subject of ancestral curses. Others recognize various other ancestors including the Mighty Dead.

AND

Also called “veneration of the dead,” refers to honoring and respecting the deceased. Specific methods of doing so and why differs between cultures, religions, families, etc. (see also Ancestors)

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Casting a Circle

From moonlitpriestess.com

The creating of a magickal circle.

From Spells8.com

To project a circle or cone of energy where the practitioner will contain the energy generated by their ritual or magick.

Circle Casting for Wiccans and Non-Wiccans

When should I cast a circle? What’s a good chant to bless a circle? Do I need a tool or can I use my finger? Learn everything about sacred circles here:

 

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Drawing Down the Moon

From moonlitpriestess.com

Invoking the spirit of the Goddess into the High Priestess; generally performed during Full Moon esbats. Similar to possession, this ritual involves the willing surrender of one’s consciousness to allow a higher power to speak and move through them.

From Spells8.com

Invocation of a Goddess into one who possesses the ability and strength to handle the energy of the deity.

Drawing Down the Moon Ritual

Renewal and blessing are the main ingredients of this beautiful evocation. Follow this guided meditation in solitary, with a chant to activate lunar powers.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Words Are:

Astral Plane

and

Astral Projection

From moonlitpriestess.com

Realm believed to be beyond space and time; considered by some as an alternative dimension running alongside the physical realm we currently inhabit where beings (including ourselves) can travel and interact in spirit or astrally; sometimes visited to perform magick that can affect change on the physical plane.

and

Also called astral traveling; the art of “leaving one’s body” while in a trance state to visit other locations or realms astrally, or “in spirit.” Traveling into the astral plane, generally understood as a parallel world unseen in our world of form. Studies have shown an individual successfully astral projecting can be seen and heard by a non-projecting individual on this plane, giving credit to this ability.

From Spells8.com

The multi dimensional plane within the astral realm where one can travel using their astral body.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Words are

High Priestess

and

High Priest

 

From moonlitpriestess.com

Typically, the female leader of a coven; knowledgeable & proficient with many years of experience; possesses strong leadership skills and has gone through several initiations.

and

Typically, the male leader of a coven; knowledgeable & proficient with many years of experience; possesses strong leadership skills and has gone through several initiations.

June 11 Today in History

Today’s Important Historical Events

1184 BC Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned, according to calculations by Eratosthenes

631 Emperor Taizong of Tang of China, sends envoys to the Xueyantuo bearing gold and silk for the release of Chinese prisoners captured during transition from Sui to Tang from northern frontier; succeeds in freeing 80,000

1776 Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as members

1963 US President JFK says segregation is morally wrong and that it is “time to act”

1987 Margaret Thatcher is 1st British Prime Minister in 160 years to win a third consecutive term

2014 Islamic State of Iraq forces seize control of government offices and other important buildings in the northern city of Mosul

Today’s Historical Events

1184 BC Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned, according to calculations by Eratosthenes

631 Emperor Taizong of Tang of China, sends envoys to the Xueyantuo bearing gold and silk for the release of Chinese prisoners captured during transition from Sui to Tang from northern frontier; succeeds in freeing 80,000

758 Diplomatic dispute at Tang Chinese capital Chang’an when Abbasid Arabs and Uyghur Turks both arrive to offer tribute. Settlement reached when both enter at same time through two different gates.

1144 Basilica of St Denis is dedicated near Paris, the first fully Gothic church

1231 Harderwijk (Netherlands) becomes a city

1345 Alexios Apokaukos, chief minister of the Byzantine Empire, is lynched by political prisoners

1429 Hundred Years’ War: The start of the Battle of Jargeau (France)

1488 Battle of Sauchieburn, rebellion against the Scottish crown results in death of King James III

Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV

1892 The Limelight Department, one of the world’s first film studios, is officially established in Melbourne, Australia

1928 Alfred Hitchcock‘s film, “Case Of Jonathan Drew,” (or “The Lodger”) is released

1947 Perennial Christmas film “Miracle on 34th St” starring John Payne and Maureen O’Hara, directed by George Seaton is released

1953 “Amos ‘n Andy” TV Comedy, also radio from ’29; last aired on CBS

1961 “Winston Churchill” last airs on ABC-TV

1962 “Julie & Carol at Carnegie Hall”, musical comedy/variety television special with Julie Andrews & Carol Burnett premieres on CBS

1975 “Nashville”, directed by Robert Altman and starring Ned Beatty and Ronee Blakley, is released

1976 “Magnificent Marble Machine” last airs on NBC-TV

Today’s Historical Events in Music

1964 Chicago police break up Rolling Stones press conference on a traffic island in the middle of Michigan Avenue

1966 “(I’m A) Road Runner” by Jr Walker & The All-Stars peaks at #20

1966 “I Am A Rock” by Simon & Garfunkel peaks at #3

1966 “On A Clear Day You…” closes at Mark Hellinger NYC after 280 performances

1966 “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones peaks at #1 in the US

1966 “Skyscraper” closes at Lunt Fontanne Theater NYC after 248 performances

1966 “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys hits #1 in UK

1969 “The Ballad Of John & Yoko” by The Beatles hits #1 in UK; recording involved only John (guitars, vocals, percussion) and Paul (bass, drums, piano, backing voice)

Today’s Historical Events in Sports

1898 23rd Preakness: Willie Simms riding Sly Fox wins in 1:49.75

1903 British Open Men’s Golf, Prestwick GC: Harry Vardon wins his 4th Open title by 6 strokes from younger brother Tom Vardon

1904 Cubs’ Bob Wicker no-hits NY Giants, wins in 12th on 1 hitter, 1-0

1907 George Dennett, aided by Gilbert Jessop, dismisses Northamptonshire for 12 runs, the lowest total in first-class cricket

1909 British Open Men’s Golf, Royal Cinque Ports GC: Englishman J.H. Taylor wins Championship for a 4th time, 6 strokes ahead of runners-up Tom Ball and James Braid

1919 51st Belmont: Johnny Loftus riding Sir Barton wins by 5 lengths over Sweep On; first Trip Crown winner

1921 53rd Belmont: Earl Sande riding Grey Lag wins in 2:16.8

1927 59th Belmont: Earl Sande riding Chance Shot wins in 2:32.6

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Burning Times

From moonlitpriestess.com

Alternate term used for the inquisitions specifically dealing with rooting out witchcraft that occurred in several cultures spanning many generations; a period of turmoil in which there was Catholic and Protestant conflict. Millions were accused of and an estimated 30,000-300,000 were executed for being witches. Those executed were hung (most common), stoned, drowned, or burned. Few of the victims worshiped Pagan deities; many considered themselves to be good Christians – though some did practice old folk traditions that are common in modern Witchcraft as the term is used today. This period was riddled with prejudice, discrimination, sexism, ignorance, and mass hysteria; it was an attack primarily against women and non-Catholics, not the equivalent of modern Witches.

From Spells8.com

A name given to the days of the Reformation, Inquisition, etc., when Witches were tried and executed by inquisitors, sometimes burned at the stake.

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Besom

From moonlitpriestess.com

A magickally charged broom generally used to sweep away negative energies. Sometimes used for home protection by placing above a door or window. Also used in fertility rituals for its association as a phallic symbol. In Handfastings, the besom serves as a sort of designator between one phase of life and another; couples will step or leap from their lives as individuals into their new lives as married couples.

From Spells8.com

A broom made of twigs tied around a stick. Used in cleansing rituals and to invite beneficial energies to a space.

Witch’s Broom Consecration

The most common use of brooms is to sweep away negative energies, thereby cleansing and purifying the space.

Learn how to consecrate your broom before you hang it over the door on inside a room for protection against negative energies, and find a printable page in PDF to add to your Witch’s Grimoire.