Today’s Words are
High Priestess
and
High Priest
Tag: Today’s Word
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.
Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Words are
Asperger
Asperge
From moonlitpriestess.com
Asperger
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
Asperge
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.
June 8 Today in History
Today’s Important Historical Events
452 Italy invaded by Attila the Hun
793 Vikings in long ships from modern-day Norway plunder St Cuthbert’s monastery on Lindisfarne Island, off the northeast coast of England capturing and killing monks
1191 King Richard I of England arrives at Acre in modern day Israel to join the Siege of Acre during the Third Crusade
1783 Laki volcano in southern Iceland begins 8-month eruption, killing 10,000 and causing widespread famines throughout Asia and Europe
1789 James Madison introduces a proposed Bill of Rights in the US House of Representatives
1918 Nova Aquila, brightest nova since Kepler’s nova of 1604, discovered
1987 New Zealand’s Labour government legislates against nuclear weapons and nuclear powered vessels in NZ. Only nation to legislate against nuclear power.
Today’s Historical Events
65 Jews revolt against Rome, capturing fortress of Antonia in Jerusalem
68 Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba
218 Elagabalus becomes the emperor of Rome
452 Italy invaded by Attila the Hun
536 St Silverius begins his reign as Catholic Pope
793 Vikings in long ships from modern-day Norway plunder St Cuthbert’s monastery on Lindisfarne Island, off the northeast coast of England capturing and killing monks
979 Louis V de Luie, crowned King of France
1191 King Richard I of England arrives at Acre in modern day Israel to join the Siege of Acre during the Third Crusade
Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV
1917 Walt Disney graduates from Benton High School
1942 Bing Crosby records “Silent Night”
1946 Raymond Scott and Bernard Hanighen’s musical “Lute Song”, starring Mary Martin, Yul Brenner, and Nancy Davis, and directed by John Houseman, closes at Plymouth Theater, NYC, after 142 performances
1948 “Texaco Star Theater” premieres on NBC-TV, with “Mr. Television” Milton Berle made permanent emcee in September of the same year
1956 WDAM TV channel 7 in Laurel-Hattiesburg, MS (NBC) begins broadcasting
1969 “Smothers Brothers comedy Hour” last airs on CBS-TV
1969 21st Emmy Awards: “Get Smart”, Don Adams and Susan St James win
1969 KDNL TV channel 30 in Saint Louis, MO (IND) begins broadcasting
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1787 “Tarare” an opera by Antonio Salieri premieres at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris
1948 Revival of Jerome Kerns’ musical “Sally” closes at Martin Beck Theater, NYC, after 36 performances
1963 “Mr President” closes at St James Theater NYC after 265 performances
1964 “The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena)”, recorded by 1960s American pop singers, Jan and Dean, is released
1968 Gary Puckett and Union Gap release “Lady Will Power”
1968 Rolling Stones release “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
1969 Brian Jones is asked to leave The Rolling Stones
1969 Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor replaces Brian Jones
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1829 1st UK municipal swimming pool outside of London opens in Liverpool
1878 12th Belmont: L Hughes aboard Duke of Magenta wins in 2:43.5
1882 16th Belmont: Jim McLaughlin aboard Forester wins in 2:43
1899 British Open Men’s Golf, Royal St George’s GC: Harry Vardon of Jersey retains Open; wins 3rd title by 5 strokes from Jack White
1920 Reds’ Edd Roush falls asleep in center during long infield argument Heinie Groh goes to wake him, but umpire ejects Roush for delay of game
1929 61st Belmont: Mack Garner aboard Blue Larkspur wins in 2:32.8
1933 A’s first baseman Jimmie Foxx hits 3 consecutive home runs as Philadelphia outscores New York Yankees, 14 – 10; 4 straight HRs after Foxx had homered last time up the previous day
1935 US Open Men’s Golf, Oakmont CC: 25 year old club pro Sam Parks Jr, with no prior tournament wins, beats Scotsman Jimmy Thomson by 2 strokes
Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Word is
Animism
From moonlitpriestess.com
The belief that all objects have a spirit.
Animist: a person who believes all objects have a spirit.
From Spells8.com
The belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence or soul.
June 7 Today in History
Today’s Important Historical Events
1494 Treaty of Tordesillas: Spain and Portugal divide the new world along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa
1628 English King Charles I ratifies the Petition of Rights
1654 Louis XIV crowned King of France
1753 British Museum founded by an Act of Parliament with royal assent from King George II (opens in 1759)
1929 Vatican City becomes a sovereign state
1965 The Supreme Court of the United States decides on Griswold v. Connecticut, effectively legalizing the use of contraception by married couples
Today’s Historical Events
555 Vigilius ends his reign as Catholic Pope
1099 1st Crusaders arrive in Jerusalem
1195 Earliest report of ball lighting in London by Benedictine monk Gervase of Christ Church Cathedral Priory, Canterbury, [1]
1340 Rotterdam Netherlands founded
1413 King Ladislaw of Naples occupies Rome
1420 Troops of the Republic of Venice capture Udine, ending the independence of the Patriarchate of Aquileia
1494 Treaty of Tordesillas: Spain and Portugal divide the new world along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa
1520 Field of the Cloth of Gold; meeting begins between English Henry VIII and King Francis I of France at Balinghem, France
Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV
1909 Mary Pickford makes her screen debut at the age of 16
1953 WDAU (now WYOU) TV channel 22 in Scranton Wilkes-Barre, PA (CBS) begins
1955 “$64,000 Question” hosted by Hal March, premieres on CBS TV
1965 Sony Corp introduced its home video tape recorder, priced at $995
1969 “Johnny Cash Show” debuts on ABC-TV
1970 22nd Emmy Awards: Marcus Welby, Robert Young & Susan Hampshire win
1975 Sony introduces the Betamax videocassette recorder for sale to the public
1976 NBC Nightly News with John Chancellor & David Brinkley, premieres
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1952 “3 Wishes after Jamie” closes at Mark Hellinger NYC after 94 performances
1963 1st Rolling Stones TV appearance (Thank Your Lucky Stars) & release 1st single, “Come On”
1964 Beatles travel canals of Amsterdam
1969 Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash combine on a Grand Ole Opry TV special
1969 Tommy James and the Shondells release “Crystal Blue Persuasion”
1969 Supergroup Blind Faith’s debut performance in Hyde Park, London, featuring Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Steve Baler and Rick Grech
1970 The Who’s “Tommy” is performed at NY’s Lincoln Center
1972 Musical “Grease” opens at Broadhurst Theater NYC for 3,388 performances
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1873 7th Belmont: James Roe aboard Springbok wins in 3:01.75
1881 15th Belmont: T. Costello aboard Saunterer wins in 2:47
1892 John J. Doyle of Clev Spiders is 1st to pinch hit in a baseball game
1900 British Open Men’s Golf, St Andrews: Englishman J.H. Taylor wins title for 3rd time; beats runner-up Harry Vardon by 8 strokes
1906 Chicago Cubs score 11 runs in 1st inning of 19-0 drubbing of New York Giants off future Baseball Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity; worst beating in Giants franchise history
1924 56th Belmont: Earl Sande aboard Mad Play wins in 2:18.8
1930 62nd Belmont: Earl Sande aboard Gallant Fox wins in 2:31.6
1932 At 47, Brooklyn pitcher Jack Quinn becomes oldest player in MLB history to record an extra-base hit (double) as the Dodgers beat Chicago Cubs, 9-2
Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Words are:
Akasha
Akashic Records
From moonlitpriestess.com
Spirit; the fifth element; omnipresent spiritual power permeating the universe; the energy out of which the elements are formed. Generally associated with the life force.
Location on the astral plane containing all souls’ knowledge past, present, and future. Some practitioners access to review past lives, heal ancestral curses/wounds, and other magickal purposes, generally of a fact-finding or healing nature.
Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Word is
Book of Shadows (BoS)
From moonlitpriestess.com
The spellbook, journal, diary, grimoire, and/or ritual guide used by an individual witch or coven. “Shadows” is used to mean past as in past experience and knowledge, like a permanent reminder of where you’ve been and can always return to. Generally includes spells, rituals, correspondences, etc. and may also include poems and other useful information.
From Spells8.com
Personal notebook kept by a practitioner of magick to record their work. This would include spellwork, rituals, personal wisdom, dreams, and observations. Start your own Book of Shadows with these printable dividers for a Book of Shadows binder.
Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Word is
Astral Plane
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.
From Spells8.com
The multi dimensional plane within the astral realm where one can travel using their astral body.
June 4 Today in History
Today’s Important Historical Events
1760 Great Upheaval: New England planters arrive to claim land in Nova Scotia, Canada taken from the Acadians
1940 British complete the “Miracle of Dunkirk” by evacuating 338,226 allied troops from France via a flotilla of over 800 vessels including Royal Navy destroyers, merchant marine boats, fishing boats, pleasure craft and even lifeboats
1945 US, Soviet Union, Britain and France agree to divide up occupied Germany
1989 Eastern Europe’s 1st partial free elections in 40 years held in Poland, Solidarity Party comes to power
1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre: Chinese troops clear the square of student protesters, unofficial figures place death toll near 1,000
Today’s Historical Events
781 BC Oldest Chinese recording of a solar eclipse
1039 Henry III becomes Holy Roman Emperor
1070 Roquefort cheese created in a cave near Roquefort, France
1133 Rome-Innocentius II crowns Lotharius III Roman-German emperor
1357 The “Peace of Ath”, signed by Count Louis II of Flanders and Duke Wenceslaus of Luxembourg ends the attempt of the succession of Brabant
1391 Mob led by Ferrand Martinez surrounds and sets fire to the Jewish quarter of Seville in Spain, the surviving Jews are sold into slavery
1487 Lord Lovell and John de la Pole’s army land at Furness, Lancashire
1615 Siege of Osaka: Forces under the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu take Osaka Castle in Japan
Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV
1942 “Mrs Miniver” based on the novel by Jan Struther, directed by William Wyler and starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon is released in the US (Best Picture 1943)
1955 “Mickey Rooney Show” TV comedy last airs on NBC
1966 Single “Batman & His Grandmother” by Dickie Goodman hits #70
1967 19th Emmy Awards: “Mission Impossible”, “The Monkees”, Don Knotts & Lucille Ball win
1967 KTVN TV channel 2 in Reno, NV (CBS) begins broadcasting
1970 WSMW TV channel 27 in Worcester, MA (IND) begins broadcasting
1982 “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” released in USA
1995 “Jackie Mason: Politically Incorrect” closes at Golden Theater, NYC, after 347 performances
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1947 Monte Carlo and Alma Sanders’ musical “Louisiana Lady” closes at Century Theater, NYC, after 4 performances
1963 1st broadcast of “Pop Go the Beatles” on BBC radio
1964 Beatles 1st (and only) “World Tour” begins with two ten-song shows at 4,400 seat KB Halle in Copenhagen, Denmark; Jimmy Nicol replaces Ringo (recovering from tonsillitis) for the first five dates
1967 American guitarist Jimi Hendrix covers new Beatles song “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” at Saville Theatre (London), just days after its release, with George Harrison and Paul McCartney in the audience
1969 Beatles release “The Ballad Of John & Yoko” and “Old Brown Shoe” in the US
1978 “Working” closes at 46th St Theater NYC after 25 performances
1984 18th Music City News Country Awards: Statler Brothers win
1984 Columbia Records releases Bruce Springsteen‘s 7th studio album “Born in the USA”, his biggest commercial success topped the charts in 11 countries and sold over 30 million copies, worldwide
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1838 First baseball-type game in Canada played at Beachville, Upper Canada
1870 4th Belmont: W Dick aboard Kingfisher wins in 2:59.5
1884 18th Belmont: Jim McLaughlin aboard Panique wins in 2:42
1899 MLB Boston Beaneaters pitcher John Clarkson 1st to throw an “immaculate inning” (strikes out three batters on nine pitches) against Philadelphia Quakers
1927 1st Ryder Cup Golf, Worcester CC: US beats Great Britain, 9½-2½; Walter Hagen first American captain; Ted Ray first GB skipper
1928 French Championships Men’s Tennis: Henri Cochet wins his 2nd of 4 home titles; beats countryman René Lacoste 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3
1928 French Championship Women’s Tennis: Helen Wills beats England’s Eileen Bennett 6-1, 6-2 for her first of 4 French singles titles
1932 64th Belmont: Tom Malley aboard Faireno wins in 2:32.8
Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Word is
Summerland
From moonlitpriestess.com
Term originating from the Theosophical Society; the place where the soul goes between incarnations; believed by some to refer to Sumeria where many beliefs and traditions may have originated. Some descriptions are similar to Christian beliefs of Heaven, where we meet with our loved ones who died before us, only the Summerland is more of a stop along the way in a much longer journey rather than a permanent place.
From Spells8.com
A place beyond the material plane, similar to an afterlife, where souls go between incarnations.
What Happens When we Die?
People have tried to understand what happens after death since the dawn of time. Discover the concept of Summerland, and what Wiccans and other neopagans believe we go when we die.
Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Word is
Athame
From moonlitpriestess.com
Some terms listed on this page may seem like common-sense words; however, they’re defined here as most often used in Wicca, Witchcraft, and general Paganism. Some terms have a different meaning in general society, other religions, and other sub-cultures.
Please keep this in mind when learning the terms as they’re listed here.
Did you come across a term on this site or another Wiccan/Pagan source that you’re unfamiliar with or uncertain of and can’t find it on this page? Please send us a message so we can add it to this page for you!
If you already know what term you’re looking for, you can use Ctrl-F (Windows) or Cmd-F (Mac) to search. Likewise, if you’re using a tablet or smartphone, you may use your browser’s “Find” setting to search this page.
Athame
(a-tha-may or ath-a-mey): Wiccan ritual knife; a double-edged knife (usually dull) used for directing energy. A tool representing the God and rarely used for cutting in Wicca.
From Spells8.com
Athame
A double-edged knife with a black handle, usually used in ceremonial magick and traditional Wiccan practices. It is associated with masculine energy as well as the elements of fire and air.
Athame: Do’s and Don’ts
The athame is the Witch’s ceremonial blade. Its traditional physical form among many British Traditional Witchcraft lines is that of a cross-shaped, double-edged, black-handled dagger.
In this blog post, we explore 5 do’s and 3 don’ts of the athame in regular Wiccan/Neopagan practice
Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Word is
Familiar
From moonlitpriestess.com
Some terms listed on this page may seem like common-sense words; however, they’re defined here as most often used in Wicca, Witchcraft, and general Paganism. Some terms have a different meaning in general society, other religions, and other sub-cultures.
Please keep this in mind when learning the terms as they’re listed here.
Did you come across a term on this site or another Wiccan/Pagan source that you’re unfamiliar with or uncertain of and can’t find it on this page? Please send us a message so we can add it to this page for you!
If you already know what term you’re looking for, you can use Ctrl-F (Windows) or Cmd-F (Mac) to search. Likewise, if you’re using a tablet or smartphone, you may use your browser’s “Find” setting to search this page.
Familiar
A witch’s pet that has the ability to communicate–usually telepathically–with its owner. More specifically, the familiar is an assistant or partner in magickal and spiritual workings. Traditionally, familiars were spirits who took animal form; however, many Witches today will refer to any of their flesh-and-blood animal loved ones as their familiars regardless of the traditional meaning of the term.
From Spells8.com
Familiar
An entity that has a spiritual bond with a Witch on a higher plane, sometimes said to shape-shift into a physical being such as a companion animal.
Familiars and a Pet
Familiars and a Pet…NOT the same thing. Nor should you want your beloved pet to be your Familiar. For a modern witch to lay claim to a Familiar spirit, the animal must have made a pact with the witch.
May 31 Today in History
Today’s Important Historical Events
1279 BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt (19th Dynasty)
1578 Martin Frobisher sails from Harwich, England, to Frobisher Bay, Canada. Eventually mines fools gold, famously used to pave the streets of London.
1902 Boer War Ends; Treaty of Unity signed, Britain annexes Transvaal
1910 Union of South Africa declares its independence from the United Kingdom
1916 Battle of Jutland: Largest naval battle of World War I between the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet which killed 8,645 in an inconclusive battle but strategic British victory. German fleet never puts to sea again in WWI.
1935 7.7 magnitude earthquake destroys Quetta in Balochistan, British India (now Pakistan) killing an estimated 40,000 people
1947 Communists seize power in Hungary
1970 7.75 Ancash earthquake off coast of Peru kills 66-70,000 and sets off world’s deadliest avalanche
Today’s Historical Events
1279 BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt (19th Dynasty)
70 Rome captures 1st wall of the city of Jerusalem
1223 Battle of the Kalka River: Mongol force led by Jebei and Subedei defeat a Russian alliance, after feigning their retreat, leading to the death of 20,000 Russians
1417 Jacoba of Bavaria becomes countess of Holland/Zealand/Henegouwen
1495 Emperor Maximilian, Pope Alexander VI, Milan, King Ferdinand, Isabella & Venice sign anti-French Saint League
1531 “Women’s Revolt” in Amsterdam: wool house in churchyard aborted
1578 Martin Frobisher sails from Harwich, England, to Frobisher Bay, Canada. Eventually mines fools gold, famously used to pave the streets of London.
1621 Sir Francis Bacon imprisoned in the Tower of London for 1 night
Today’s Historical Events
1953 WSUN TV channel 38 in St Petersburg-Tampa, FL (IND) 1st broadcast
1962 “Tell It To Groucho” last airs on CBS-TV
1965 12th National Film Awards (India): “Charulata” wins the Golden Lotus
1968 Movie star James Stewart retires from the US Air Force after 27 years of service
1970 KDUB TV channel 40 in Dubuque, IA (ABC) begins broadcasting
1971 WDXR (now WKPD) TV channel 29 in Paducah, KY (PBS) begins broadcasting
1992 “The 1992 Boat Show” – the 193rd and final episode of US comedy series “Night Court” – airs on NBC-TV, completing a 9 season run
2004 “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, the 3rd film based on the books by J. K. Rowling is released in UK cinemas
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1958 Dick Dale invents “surf music” with “Let’s Go Trippin”
1961 Chuck Berry‘s amusement park, Berryland in St Louis, Missouri opens
1969 “Dear World” closes at Mark Hellinger Theater NYC after 132 performances
1969 “Gitarzan” by Ray Stevens peaks at #8
1969 John Lennon and Yoko Ono record “Give Peace a Chance” in a Montreal hotel, during their second ‘bed-in’ for peace
1969 Stevie Wonder releases the single “My Cherie Amour” which goes on to become a soul classic
1975 “Goodtime Charley” closes at Palace Theater NYC after 104 performances
1975 “Fight the Power” single released by The Isley Brothers (Billboard Song of the Year, 1975)
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1859 Philadelphia A’s organize to play “town ball” became baseball 20 years later
1868 Dr James Moore (UK) wins 1st recorded bicycle race, (2k) velocipede race at Parc fde St Cloud, Paris
1880 League of American Wheelmen (1st US bicycle association), forms in Newport, Rhode Island
1900 Tom Hayward scores 1,000th cricket run of season (sets record 1074)
1902 Australia Cricket all out 36 v England, Edgbaston, their lowest ever
1914 Chicago White Sox Joe Benz no-hits Cleveland Indians, 6-1
1915 Indianapolis 500: Italian-born American driver Ralph DePalma accompanied by riding mechanic Louis Fontaine wins from Englishman Dario Resta
1919 Indianapolis 500: Howdy Wilcox accompanied by riding mechanic Leo Banks win; driver Arthur Thurman dies in a crash on lap 45; lap 96, Louis LeCocq and riding mechanic Robert Bandini wrecked in turn 2, both burned to death
Pagan & Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Word Is:
Sacred Space
From moonlitpriestess.com
Some terms listed on this page may seem like common-sense words; however, they’re defined here as most often used in Wicca, Witchcraft, and general Paganism. Some terms have a different meaning in general society, other religions, and other sub-cultures.
Please keep this in mind when learning the terms as they’re listed here.
Did you come across a term on this site or another Wiccan/Pagan source that you’re unfamiliar with or uncertain of and can’t find it on this page? Please send us a message so we can add it to this page for you!
If you already know what term you’re looking for, you can use Ctrl-F (Windows) or Cmd-F (Mac) to search. Likewise, if you’re using a tablet or smartphone, you may use your browser’s “Find” setting to search this page.
Sacred Space:
as the name suggests, any space which is considered sacred or religiously/spiritually special; typically set aside for specific religious, spiritual, or magickal workings. Can be used to refer to permanent structures, such as churches, or temporary such as a clearing in the woods used for a ritual. The rite of casting a magickal circle is often used to turn a space into sacred space.
Pagan & Magickal Terms and Definitions
Today’s Word is
Altar
From moonlitpriestess.com
Some terms listed on this page may seem like common-sense words; however, they’re defined here as most often used in Wicca, Witchcraft, and general Paganism. Some terms have a different meaning in general society, other religions, and other sub-cultures.
Please keep this in mind when learning the terms as they’re listed here.
Did you come across a term on this site or another Wiccan/Pagan source that you’re unfamiliar with or uncertain of and can’t find it on this page? Please send us a message so we can add it to this page for you!
If you already know what term you’re looking for, you can use Ctrl-F (Windows) or Cmd-F (Mac) to search. Likewise, if you’re using a tablet or smartphone, you may use your browser’s “Find” setting to search this page.
Altar:
a surface, usually flat, that is set aside for magickal workings and/or communing with spirits; sometimes used as a focus for power. Some traditions use multiple altars devoted to specific purposes.
From Spells8.com
Altar –
A sacred space of devotional or ritual work. This space is usually a table, shelf, or corner where offerings are presented to spirits and where one may perform rituals or spell work.
May 28 Today in History
Today’s Important Historical Events
585 BC Solar eclipse, as predicted by Greek philosopher Thales, while Lydians at war with the Medes leads to a truce. One of the cardinal dates from which other dates calculated.
1431 Joan of Arc is accused of relapsing into heresy by donning male clothing again, providing justification for her execution
1588 Spanish Armada under the Duke of Medina-Sidonia departs Lisbon to invade England
1830 US President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, a key law leading to the forced removal of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes out of Georgia and surrounding states, setting the stage for the Cherokee Trail of Tears
1936 Alan Turing submits “On Computable Numbers” for publication, in which he set out the theoretical basis for modern computers.
1972 White House “plumbers” first break in at the Democratic National Headquarters and install listening devices at Watergate Complex in Washington, D.C.
Today’s Historical Events
585 BC Solar eclipse, as predicted by Greek philosopher Thales, while Lydians at war with the Medes leads to a truce. One of the cardinal dates from which other dates calculated.
640 Severinus begins his reign as Catholic Pope (elected in 638)
1037 Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II removes “Constitutio the Feudis”
1156 Battle at Brindisi: Norman-Sicillian King William beats Byzantine fleet under John Doukas and Alexios Bryennios
1349 60 Jews murdered in Breslau, Silesia
1358 Daint-Leu at Oise begins French boer uprising
1431 Joan of Arc is accused of relapsing into heresy by donning male clothing again, providing justification for her execution
1521 Pope Leo X signs treaty with Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV
1858 Dion Boucicault‘s play “Foul Play” premieres in London
1951 The Jerry Colonna Show debuts on ABC-TV
1951 Radio programme “Crazy People” (later titled The Goon Show) premieres on the BBC, created by Spike Milligan
1953 Premier of 1st animated 3-D cartoon in Technicolor-“Melody”
1957 WPSD TV channel 6 in Paducah, KY (NBC) begins broadcasting
1960 Frank Loesser’s musical “Greenwillow”, starring Anthony Perkins, closes at Alvin Theater, NYC, after 95 performances
1962 Wide World of Sports with Chris Schenkel premieres on CBS radio
1974 26th Emmy Awards: M*A*S*H, Alan Alda & Mary Tyler Moore win, 1st Daytime Award presentation and “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” wins 5 awards, including Cicely Tyson for Dramatic Performance
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1906 Shields and Cobbs’ musical “His Honor, The Mayor” premieres in NYC
1938 Paul Hindemith‘s opera “Mathis der Maler” premieres in Zurich
1940 Irving Berlin‘s musical “Louisiana Purchase”, satirizing Huey Long’s political power, opens at The Imperial Theatre, NYC; runs for 444 performances
1959 Johnson & Bart’s musical “Lock Up Your Daughters” premieres in London
1964 Dmitri Shostakovich completes his 9th String quartet
1966 “Ballad Of Irving”, parody song by Frank Gallop peaks at #34 in US
1966 Dmitri Shostakovich‘s 11th String quartet premieres in Leningrad
1967 Dmitri Shostakovich completes his 2nd Violin concert
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1742 1st indoor swimming pool opens (Goodman’s Fields, London)
1875 3rd Preakness: L Hughes aboard Tom Ochiltree wins in 2:43.5
1880 8th Preakness: L Hughes aboard Grenada wins in 2:40.5
1901 26th Preakness: Fred Landry aboard The Parader wins in 1:47.2
1904 29th Preakness: Eugene Hildebrand aboard Bryn Mawr wins in 1:44.2
1912 Jackie Matthews takes 2 cricket hat-tricks same day Australia v South Africa
1927 Hammond scores his 1,000th cricket run of the season after 22 days
1934 Jack Hobbs scores his 197th (or 199th) and last 1st class cricket century at 51 years and 163 days of age [1]
May 25 Today in History and a Pagan Word for Today
Today’s Important Historical Events
1720 The Ship “Le Grand St Antoine” reaches Marseille, bringing Europe’s last major plague outbreak. Kills around 100,000.
1810 In the May Revolution, citizens of Buenos Aires expel the Spanish Viceroy Cisneros during Semana de Mayo
1914 British House of Commons passes the Irish Home Rule Bill
1961 JFK announces US goal of putting a man on the Moon before the end of decade
2020 Video of African American George Floyd‘s arrest and murder while restrained in Minneapolis police custody shows he was pinned to the ground by police officer Derek Chauvin’s knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, ignites widespread condemnation and nationwide protests
2021 US CDC says half of all US adults are now fully vaccinated, with 61% having had their first shot
Today’s Historical Events
1085 Alfonso VI of León and Castile captures the Muslim taifa of Toledo
1241 1st attack on Jewish community of Frankfurt am Main, Germany
1420 Henry the Navigator is appointed governor of the Order of Christ
1521 Edict of Worms outlaws Martin Luther and his followers
1522 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V returns to Spain
1571 Pope Pius V forms The Holy League to fight the Ottomans with other Catholic maritime states including Spain, Venice, Naples and Sicily
1632 Albrecht von Wallenstein recaptures Prague on Saksen
1659 Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England, earning the nickname “Tumbledown Dick” as a result of his abrupt fall from power
Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV
1932 Goofy, aka Dippy Dawg, 1st appears in ‘Mickey’s Revue’ by Walt Disney
1943 Agnes Moorehead appears in “Sorry, Wrong Number” on the radio program “Suspense”, her most successful appearance
1953 1st non-commercial educational television station – Houston, Texas
1964 16th Emmy Awards: “The Dick Van Dyke Show”, Dick Van Dyke & Mary Tyler Moore win
1964 Frank Gilroy’s dramatic play “The Subject Was Roses”, starring Jack Albertson and Martin Sheen, opens at Royale Theatre, NYC; runs for 832 performances; wins Pulitzer Prize, and 2 Tony Awards
1966 “Au Hasard Balthazar”, French film directed by Robert Bresson, starring Anne Wiazemsky and François Lafarge, is released
1969 “Midnight Cowboy” directed by John Schlesinger and starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1970)
1973 26th Cannes Film Festival: “The Hireling” directed by Alan Bridges and “Scarecrow” directed by Jerry Schatzberg jointly awarded the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film
Today’s Historical Events in Music
1878 W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s comic opera “H.M.S. Pinafore” premieres in London, their first international success
1887 Gas lamp at Paris Opera catches fire; 200 die
1934 Béla Bartók’s “Cantata Profana – The Nine Enchanted Stags” premieres in London, England, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Wireless Chorus conducted by Aylmer Buesst
1957 “Shinbone Alley” closes at Broadway Theater NYC after 49 performances
1962 Isley Brothers release “Twist & Shout”
1963 “Hot Spot” closes at Majestic Theater NYC after 43 performances
1965 Dave Davies of The Kinks knocked unconscious in an on stage scuffle with drummer Mick Avory at Cardiff’s Capital Theatre
1967 John Lennon takes delivery of his psychedelically painted Rolls Royce
Today’s Historical Events in Sports
1868 Australian Aboriginal Cricket tour of England begins v Surrey Gentlemen
1876 4th Preakness: G. Barbee aboard Shirley wins in 2:44.75
1895 20th Preakness: Fred Taral aboard Belmar wins in 1:50.5
1899 33rd Belmont: R. Clawson aboard Jean Beraud wins in 2:23
1900 Retired London fire master Eyre Massey Shaw aged 70 reputedly becomes oldest gold medalist in Olympics for sailing (disputed)
1904 38th Belmont: George Odom aboard Delhi wins in 2:06.6
1906 After 20 straight wins, Boston Pilgrims lose to Chicago White Sox 3-0
1919 Casey Stengel releases a sparrow from under his baseball cap
Pagan & Magickal Terms and Definitions
From moonlitpriestess.com
Some terms listed on this page may seem like common-sense words; however, they’re defined here as most often used in Wicca, Witchcraft, and general Paganism. Some terms have a different meaning in general society, other religions, and other sub-cultures.
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Today’s Word is
Alchemy
An art-science hybrid that ultimately led to chemistry; concerned with the transmutation of matter, often involved attempts to convert base metals into gold or create a universal elixir.
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