|
|
|
|
|
New! Green Witchcraft Part II:
This website and its contents
are (c)
This site has been created on, |
The Craft - a generic term for all manner of Pagan practices, such as Wicca, Magick, and the like. It's a shortening of the word 'witchcraft'. Cross-Quarter Days - the four great ceremonies observed by the
vast majority of Neo-Pagans. These are (using the Celtic
terms) Samhain, October 31; Brigantia, February
1; Bealtaine, April 20; and Lughnasadh, August 21.
Lord and Lady - A generic term for the God and Goddess, used in Paganism when the deities being referred to aren't members of a specific pantheon or Tradition. Magick - the practice of influencing the temporal world by concentrated willpower. The word is spelled with a 'k' to distinguish it from 'magic', which is the sleight-of-hand, rabbit-in-the-hat deal. Neo-Pagan - literally, "new Pagan." A person who has adopted a modern interpretation of ancient religions, such as Druidism, Shamanism, and the like. Technically, most worshippers of these faiths are Neo-Pagans, although I will often refer to them simply as 'Pagans' for the sake of brevity. Pagan - most widely used to refer to men and women who follow other belief systems than those of the Semitic religions, although it can be used in both wider or narrower contexts. I use 'Pagan' and 'Wiccan' somewhat interchangeably, although they can be two completely different things, depending on who's talking. Tradition - The cultural background Pagans adopt in their worship. For example, my family comes from the British Isles, so I worship Celtic and Teutonic deities and follow the Celtic and Norse traditions. Those who adopt deities from several specific backgrounds at once are sometimes referred to as Eclectics. Wicca(n) - Wicca is the name of a religious faith, and Wiccans are its followers. I tend use this term interchangeably with 'Pagan.' However, Wicca can also be used to describe the faith of men and women who believe in the Lord and Lady, yet do not subscribe to a specific cultural pantheon. The word itself comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning 'wise man' or 'wise woman', and is the ancestor of our modern word 'witch'. Wiccan Rede - An It Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt (or a variation on the above). This is the "Golden Rule" of Paganism, and is one of the few tenets of Wicca accepted across the board, regardless of Tradition. Witchcraft - generally used to describe the Pagan practice of
working Magick. That is, anyone who practices spellwork, such as
scrying, herbal magick, folk magick, etc. You can be Wiccan without
practicing Witchcraft, and vice versa.
|