The Witches Dictionary

WITCH'S Dictionary. AIR SIGNS - Libra, Aquarius and Gemini

AKASHA - The fifth occult element, (particularly in theosophy) The omnipresent power which permeates the universe. It embraces the other elements (earth, air, fire, water) which are said to stem from it. Some consider it the"other" of the two worlds that a witch walks between. ALEXANDRIAN - That tradition of Witchcraft descended from the teachings of Alex Sanders. ALTAR - A flat surface used for religious and magical rituals, preferably of natural materials such as wood or stone. AMULET - a magically charged object, often used for protection. ANKH - Egyptian "Cross of Life" which represents the union of male and female and was regarded as a universal life charm. The symbol is a cross with a looped, oval top. Also called the Key of the Nile. ARCANA - A deck of Tarot cards is divided into two halves or arcanasThe Major Arcana has 22 cards representing dominant events and forces in life. The Minor Arcana (lesser Arcana) has 56 suit cards representing smaller and/or more mundane events in life. ARCHETYPES - Universal symbols that speak to us in the language of The subconscious. They are the ideal images of deities and other powers that embody concepts such as knowledge and beauty, and allow us to communicate such concepts to the subconscious in order to perform magic, divination and other rituals. ASPERGE - To sprinkle with water before or during a ritual, to purify with sprinkled water. ASTRAL PLANE - The invisible "other" world that is unseen from our material temporal world, another dimension of reality. ASTRAL PROJECTION - The process of separating oneself (or one's self) from the physical body in trance states in order to visit other planes, times or locations. ATHAME - A black-handled, double edged knife used in rituals to cast and open circles. It serves the same function as the magical sword. It is the Witch's ceremonial knife, never to be used for mundane purposes (cutting anything on the material plane). AURA - The energy field existing around all living things.

BALANCE-knowledge of the light and dark of all things, believing we should keep them balanced within us. BALEFIRE - The traditional bonfire of the sabbats, still used in many pagan celebrations. BANE - An archaic word for bad, evil, destructive. BANISH - To magically send away or repel negative energies or Entities from the person, home, or ritual area. BELL - A Bell is a Wicca symbol, and is a common symbol in many other religions. A Bell represent the Great Goddess. The sound waves are Her ability to give birth to form through vibration - a process that is invisible, mysterious, and beautiful. The sound of a sacred Bell purifies all vibrations near it - a room, a person, an emotion, or whatever. This is why bells are used in many cultures to purify and bless things. They are also reminders of the Goddess' voice, Her call to return Home. BELTANE - An ancient Celtic Fire Festival celebrated on 30th April May 1. The modern version still celebrates the marriage of the Goddess and the God, and the passage of the Goddess from Maiden to Mother. Fertility rituals are commonly a part of this Sabbat. Also spelled Bealtaine and Beilltaine. BESOM - The witches' broomstick. Often used to sweep away negative energy from a space before casting a circle there. BIND - either to magically hold; or to restrain something or someone. BLACK MAGICK - Any negative magick performed to harm or manipulate people or situations in a negative way. Practitioners of black magick are said to be on the "left hand path." BLOOD OF THE MOON - A woman's menstrual cycle and her most powerful time, especially if it occurs on a Full or New Moon. BOLLINE - a white handled knife used for practical purposes (cutting herbs, flowers, etc.) BOOK OF SHADOWS - A book of spells, rituals, recipes, and other guides and materials written by a witch or coven. It is often handwritten, though today many witches write their book on computers.

Also, traditionally, the book was kept secret, either by the individual witch or the coven, though many such books are now published on the internet (never with all of the secrets however). Also called the Book of Lights and Shadows or Grimoire. BURNING TIMES - Reference to the period during the Middle Ages when many people were executed by the church or by public officials for practicing witchcraft. Some estimates suggest as many as nine Million were killed while other estimates are far more conservative. Also, it is unlikely that they were all witches in that this became a favored means for officials to get rid of personal enemies or any unwanted person in the community. While burning was the method of execution in Scotland and some parts of Europe, in other areas the convicted "witches" were hanged. CALL - To invoke divine forces, as when one calls the Guardians of the Watchtowers before casting a circle. CANDLEMAS - (Imbolc) - The Celtic Fire Festival, held on February 1, commemorating the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden again. The festival, also called Imbolc, celebrates the passing of winter and the coming of spring. CANDLE - The candle flame symbolizes the Light, which is the most highly refined image of the Divine that the human mind can perceive. Tapered candles are used on a Wicca altar to represent the Light embodied by matter, or form. The wax represents the body, and the flame the spirit that is carried by it. Large candles, such as pillar candles, may be used on Wiccan altars to represent the Goddess and/or God. These candles represent Divine Light, the essence of Divinity in its purest form. Candles are often used in spell-crafting as well, to represent the desires we want to manifest, to take the request to the Divine, and to empower the spell to work. CARDINAL POINTS - North, South, East, and West, often marked by candles of Earth - green, Fire - red, yellow - Air, and blue - Water. South - Fire. East - Air. North - Earth. West - Water. CAULDRON - A favorite tool of witches, this three-legged cooking pot has many uses. It may be used to cook potions, for scrying, and as a censer. On an altar, the cauldron symbolizes the Goddess. CAT - Cats perceive things beyond the physical world. Anyone who's had a cat has seen evidence of this. Watch a cat on Hallowe'en night, or in the house of someone who's recently passed.

They are obviously seeing things that we don't see. Another example is cats' sensitivity to energy. Cats are irresistibly drawn to ritual and sacred space. This is not always a good thing . . . If a Witch's cat is peeved, it's not unusual for it to express its feelings all over her altar or ritual items. On the plus side, this sensitivity makes the cat a wonderful companion in working magic. Cats can protect a working Witch, and act as a messenger in the spirit realm or energetic level. CENSER - An incense burner CENTER - To center oneself's thoughts and energies using Meditation, or grounding. CHAKRAS - Seven major intersections of energy located on the Vertical axis of the body. Each is associated with a color and an area of the body. They are also associated with life experiences such as love and may be used when meditating on those experiences. Starting from the tailbone, they are Root (Red), Sexual/Generative (Orange), Solar Plexus (Yellow), Heart (Green), Throat (Blue), 3rd Eye (Indigo), and Crown (Violet). CHALICE - A witch's tool which can be used to represent the element of water and may also be used to hold the juice or wine for the offering. CHANNELING - A New Age word for mediumship, channeling involves allowing a spirit entity to speak through the channeler. The process is virtually impossible to prove and therefore does not enjoy a particularly good reputation. CHARGE - To infuse an object or person with energy; also an oath or instruction. CHARGE OF THE GODDESS - Originally written by Doreen Valiente, the charge gives the story of the message from the Goddess to Her children. The High Priestess often recites the charge at the Full Moon Esbat. CHARGE OF THE GOD - Originally written by Doreen Valiente, the charge gives the story of the message from the Horned God to His children. The High Priest often recites the charge at the Full Moon Esbat. CHARMS - May be a gemstone, amulet, talisman or other object that has been charged with power for a specific task.

CIRCLE - The sacred space in which ritual and magical workings takes place. Also the Circle encompasses Wicca as this shows the circle of life and is everlasting. What has been will be again. CLEANSING - The process of removing negative energy from an object or place. May be accomplished through replacing negative energy with positive energy, sweeping with a besom, burning sage sticks and other means. CONE OF POWER - Energy or power raised within a circle by either an individual or group for a specific purpose. After the power is raised and visualized it is released to work the magic. CONSECRATION - The act of cleansing and blessing an object or place by charging it with positive energy. CORRESPONDENCES - Sets of ideas, concepts or objects that are regularly associated in a particular way. Most magical workings involve the use of correspondences. For example, the Moon is associated with Monday, moonstones, the color white, and purity, among other things. COVEN - An organized group of Witches, usually thirteen or fewer, who meet regularly for religious rituals. COVENSTEAD - The meeting place for a coven. CRAFT - The Craft; Witchcraft, natural magic CROSS QUARTERS - The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas, the Sabbats that do not fall on the olstices or equinoxes. CRONE - The 3rd part of the Triple Goddess, The elderly, old, master knowledgeable associated with the waning moon. also see, maiden and Mother. CRYSTALS - Over the centuries various Gemstones, Crystals and certain rock formations have held a great mystical appeal to humans. Our ancestors knew and understood the spiritual, magickal and healing properties of gemstones and crystals that has nearly been forgotten over time. DAYS OF POWER - See SABBATS

DEDICATION - A ritual in which a Witch dedicates herself to the Craft and vows to remain steadfast to the path she has chosen. DEGREE - Levels of achievement in a particular tradition. Many traditions have three degrees. DEITY - A god or goddess. DEOSIL - Clockwise or sunwise movement of actions in a ritual. DIANIC - Tradition emphasizing the Goddess Diana. Leadership is generally female, though males may be members, a feminist movement. DIVINATION - The use of magical art of discovering the unknown of the past, present and future through use of of cards, runes, stones, crystalballs, and other tools. DRAWING DOWN THE MOON - A ritual used during the Full Moon in which Witches invoke the power of a Moon Goddess to increase their power. DRAWING DOWN THE SUN-invoking the god instead of the goddess into you. EARTH MAGIC - A form of magic in which the powers of the Earth are sought and used to conduct ritual and magical workings. EARTH SIGNS - Taurus, Virgo and Taurus ELEMENTS - the four building blocks of the universe. Earth, air, fire, and water, plus spirit, or Akasha. Each is associated with a direction and a color (among other things): Earth (north, green), Air (east, yellow), Fire (south, red), and Water (west, blue), plus Spirit(center, white). Major forces used in natural magic. EQUINOX - One of the two times a year when the sun crosses the Equator and the day and night are approximately the length. Spring Equinox approximately March 21st-22nd, Fall Equinox September 21st-22nd. ESBAT - Meeting of Witches on the Full Moon or the New Moon usually to perform rituals. Esbat rituals may also be performed by solitary Witches. EVOCATION - Calling up spirits or other non-physical entities.

EYE OF HORUS - Also know as the Eye of Ra, it is an Egyptian magical symbol. It is a symbol of protection. FAERIE - One of many nature spirits that inhabit a realm or dimension next to our own. FAEIRE KINGDOM - The realm of the Faerie. FAMILIAR - An animal, either a pet or a spiritual entity, who serves the Witch as a magical helper. FEATHER - Feathers represent flight, the human spirit's freedom to access other realms. Feathers are often used to represent Air on Wicca altars. Before using feathers in Wicca, there is a caution you should be aware of . . . When feathers are dropped willingly in molt, they don't contain negative energy. If they are plucked, or if you have any doubt about their origins, it is important to purify and bless the feathers before using. See Preparing Your Wiccan Ritual Tools for more info and tips on how to do this. FIRE SIGNS - Leo, aries and sagittarius FIVEFOLD KISS - The Witches' ritual salute performed in the Circle, with kisses; (1) on each foot, (2) on each wrist, (3) above the pubic hair, (4) on each breast, and (5) on the lips. GAEA or Gaia - The Earth Mother or Mother Earth. The name has recent significance for Environmental action groups. GARDNERIAN - A tradition of Witchcraft descended from the teachings of Gerald Gardner. GHOST - Ghosts are a symbol of the Hallowe'en season - a time when those who've gone before can visit the world again. Witches are associated with ghosts partly because we share this seasonal association. And partly because we do not fear our beloved dead. We do not let a little thing like death sever a relationship! Many Witches communicate with their beloved dead - as many peoples do. The Samhain season is a particularly easy time to slip the Veil aside and visit with our loved ones. GREAT RITE - Part of the third degree initiation as well as some festivals, the Great Rite symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess, and thus all creation. It is usually performed by placing a knife into a chalice, though it may be performed by the physical

union of a man and woman (privately, of course). GREEN MAN - Another name for the God, particularly in His aspect of God of fertility, He is known as the Horned God in Autumn and Winter and The Green Man is Spring and Summer. GODDESS - Many Witches and pagans wear and use symbols of the Goddess, since She is primary in nature-based religions. These symbols may be physical female representations (as in the image here), symbols of the Moon, items representing a certain Deity, or anything that represents the Goddess to that particular Witch. The Goddess is the Earth; the Earth is the Goddess. As is the Moon, the Ocean, and the very Cycle of Life. As a nature religion, the Goddess is inextricably interwoven with Wicca. GRIMOIRE - A magical workbook, different Tradition name for Book of Shadows. GROUNDING - to ground; to root oneself firmly in the physical world in preparation for magicka; and metaphysical work. GUARDIANS - Ceremonial magicians and some Witches call the Guardians of the Watchtowers to guard the sacred circle during rituals. These are the guardians of the four quarters, though they may be envisioned quite differently, from gargoyles to angels. HANDFASTING - a Witch, Wiccan, Pagan, or Gypsy wedding HEALING - One of a witches many talents, healing is done using, herbs, crystals, aromatherapy, meditation, Shakra manipulation, Magic, and many other forms. HERBALIST - one who works with herbs, either for healing or for magical working. HORNED GOD - Lord of all animals and trees. IMBOLC - Celtic name for Candlemas celebrated on 31 January at midnight until the end of February 1st. INCENSE - Incense is not quite a Wicca symbol, but a ritual tool that has symbolic meaning. Smoke represents our prayers and intentions rising up to the Divine and merging with higher reality. And scents have the ability to shift human consciousness to the energy of the plant. Incense often goes in the East on Wicca altars, to represent

Air. INVOCATION - A ritual to call energies into oneself from outside, sometimes in the form of a deity. The purpose may be ritual or magical workings. Also refers to the words, often a poem, used to achieve this. INVOKE - To call energies into oneself from outside, as in calling a Goddess or drawing down the Moon; or particular God or Goddess. INVERTED PENTACLE - The downward-pointing Pentacle is commonly associated with Satanism, although it is not a Satanic symbol.The Inverted Pentacle is simply a Pentacle of releasing, undoing, giving back to the Earth. It can also be used for grounding. In some traditions, the Inverted Pentacle also stands for a Witch who has taken a 2nd degree initiation. KABALLAH - Mystical teachings from the Jewish-Gnostic tradition Which formed the basis of ceremonial magic and the Alexandrian tradition. An elaborately structured Tree of Life is central to the system of study. Also Qabala and Cabala. KARMA - In Hindu belief where the term originated, it is the idea that the good and evil a person does will return either in this life or in a later one. Among Pagans, The theory is that whatever negative or positive energies one sends out will come back to the sender in like kind. The "Three Fold Law" is a version of this belief. LAMMAS - The Celtic festival also called Lughnassadh. It is the First of three harvest festivals and takes place on August 1. LEFT HAND PATH - Also known as the Dark Path, this is the path taken by those who would oppose Nature and seek to harm others for their own benefit. LITHA - Sabbat celebrated on the Summer Solstice when the Sun is strongest and accordingly the God is celebrated for His strength. MABON - The second harvest festival, held on the Autumn Equinox. It celebrates wine and balance. MAGICK - The act of focusing will, emotion and energy to manipulate natural forces and psychic energy to effect change; within yourself and in the world. Whether it is good or evil depends on the intentions of the witch.

MAIDEN - The first aspect of the Triple Goddess which symbolizes new beginnings and creation. METAPHYSICAL - Pertaining to realities which are outside those of science, such as cosmology and ontology. MIDSUMMER-summer solstice honors sun god of the pregnant goddess. MIRROR - The mirror is another ritual tool that can be a Wicca symbol - as Snow White's stepmother demonstrates. Mirrors are believed to reflect the soul. (Which is why vampires and such, being soulless, can't be seen in a mirror.) The mirror represents the Divine, reflected in worldly form. When we look into a ritual mirror, we can see the Goddess within us. This is an acknowledgement that everything is, in actuality, the Divine. As reflections of other realms, mirrors can also be used for Divination, particularly divining the future. MOTHER - A name for the Goddess, in the triple goddess this is the 2nd stage also see MAIDEN and CRONE MOON - The Moon is more than just a Wicca symbol. She is a primary Wiccan Goddess. The Moon represents the Feminine Aspect of the Divine. The Yin which balances the Male God's Yang. The Moon is the Mother of all life on Earth. She is associated with the Spiral of Life - birth, death, and rebirth. She grants our wishes. She guides our dreams. The Moon is perhaps the most universal Wicca symbol. She is depicted in Pagan jewelry, on ritual robes, and on altar tools. "Moon phases are a part of the great cosmic dance in which everything participates: the movement of the celestial bodies, the pusle of tides, the circulation of blood and sap in animals and plants. Observation of the night sky, of the stars, and especially of the moon, was the beginning of mathematics and science." MYSTICISM - The belief that one can achieve direct consciousness of deity or truth through meditation and intuition. In mystic practices, the attempts to merge with Gods and Goddess or the source of creation. NATURE - This is not only mother Earth but the heavens too, nature is anything natural. This is what a witch, Wicca and Pagan worship. NEW AGE - Modern term for a variety of metaphysical practices, often combined and redefined to fit the contemporary world.

NINE - A celtic number sacred which represents the beginning OCCULT - Literally, occult means "hidden" and is applied to a range of beliefs and activities that are outside of the mainstream philosophies and religions. It may also imply something that is secret, magickal, or supernatural. OLD RELIGION - Another name for tradidional wtchcraft. Also, Old Path or Old Ways, Wicca in considered a new version of the "old Religion".. OSTARA - The Sabbat celebrated at the Spring Equinox, the second festival of spring. Symbolized by the egg, it is a time to celebrate new life and sexuality celebrated around March 20th. PAGAN - The term refers to anyone who follows an earth or nature religion. usually consisting of worshipping many gods who represent nature. Wiccans, Druids, Witches, Hindu, Shintoism, Odinion to name but a few. PENDULUM - A Pendulums is perhaps less a Wicca symbol than a New Age-y symbol. But Pendulums are often used by Witches to dowsing, or to receive guidance. All sorts of things can be used as pendulums. As long as it swings freely from the end of a chain, it can be used. PENTACLE - A pentagram surrounded by a circle. It may be a disc placed on an altar, a pendant to be worn, or any such representation. The word pentacle is a mix of the two words pentagram and circle. PENTAGRAM - The five-pointed star often representing the five Elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit (the upper point). It may also represent a person with arms and legs spread. Pentagrams are used in many pagan rituals for either positive workings such as invoking one negative ones such as banishing. Inverted the pentagram may represent the Horned God, This has nothing to do with satanism. POTION - A bunch of ingredients added together to have a desired effect, this can be for magical workings or for healing. PROJECTIVE ENERGY - The energy that one sends out either intentionally or unintentionally. In magick, it is energy that is put into an object or thought-form to achieve one's goals. It is also the

energy of power objects that repel negative forces by sending out positive energy. PSYCHIC - Psychic powers are one of the most commonly assumed traits of Witchcraft. And for a good reason. Witches may not all start out psychic, but over time, these skills naturally develop. How does this happen? The short answer is, Wicca is a practice of awareness ... awareness of the world around us, awareness of our inner experience, and awareness of symbolic messages with which the Divine communicates with us. So whether we consciously intend to be more psychic or just intend to be aware, psychic powers increase. RAVEN - Ravens, and to a lesser degree Crows, are very magickal creatures. Raven with her plumage as dark as the void between the stars, is a citizen of the afterworld. She travels between the worlds of the living and the dead. Being native to both worlds, Raven naturally has great knowledge and Power to effect transformations. Raven is associated as a Wicca symbol because of this power to move between the worlds, and create new realities as she chooses. According to the Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals, "If Raven appears . . . you are about to experience a change in consciousness. ... Raven is the messenger that carries all energy flows of ceremonial magic between the ceremony itself and the intended destination." RECEPTIVE ENERGY - The energy that attracts or is magnetic. Gemstones carried to draw in love or wealth have receptive energy. REINCARNATION - The belief that one has lived before in another lifetime, and that one will live again after physical death. RITUAL - A structured Ceremony, may be religious or magical in nature. RUNES - A set of symbols that are used both in divination and magical workings other surfaces which have powerful energies to be used during magic; symbols used in early alphabets. These symbols may be engraved in small pieces of wood for divination purposes or carved onto rocks, crystals, clay, candles or SABBAT - One of the eight festivals observed in the Wicca calendar. They are: Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Mabon, Lammas (Lughnasadh).

SALT - Salt especially sea or rock salt are protectors. SAMHAIN - The Sabbat now celebrated on Halloween (October 31). This celebration marks the New Year and is a time for remembering the dead and honoring the Crone Goddess. It is also the final festival of the harvest season. SCRYING - A method of divination in which one gazes at an object (crystal ball, water, candle) until prophetic visions appear. SHAMAN - A word derived from the Tungas language of Siberia, it is a generic term for healers and spiritual leaders in tribal societies. Traditional shamans induced trance states through drums, dancing, and various means by which one might achieve an altered state of consciousness. While in such a trance, the shaman crosses over into another world to get information for his people such as the cause of illnesses and other misfortunes. The shaman is the peoples' link to the spiritworld. SIGIL - A symbol with some occult meaning that may be used in magical workings. Often a seal, sign or other drawing, it may be carried or otherwise used to control the power symbolized. SKYCLAD - The act of doing magical workings or rituals in the nude. It is common in some traditions such as the Alexandrian, as well as among many solitary practitioners. Working skyclad does not imply anything sexual, but rather is an attempt to remove all barriers to the energies with which one is working. SPELL - A magical working directed toward the achievement of some goal such as obtaining, banishing, changing a condition, etc. Sometimes refers o the verbal part of the ritual. SPIRAL - A Spiral is one of the ancient Goddess symbols, as a sign of Life. As such, it is also one of the primary Wicca symbols. STAR - A star is virtually a pentagram so holds a lot of Wicca symbolism in it. TALISMAN - A magically charged object used to attract a specific force or energy to its bearer; sometimes carried for protection or other goals that has been charged for that purpose. TAROT - A set of 78 cards with pictures and symbols that are used for divination by connecting the reader to the subconscious mind. The origin of the cards is unknown.

TRADITION - The particular branch of paganism that an individual follows, such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, etc. TREE CALANDAR - The celtic system of reckoning the 13 lunar months of the year by assigning each a sacred tree which represents the character month. TRIPLE GODDESS - The one Goddess that encompasses three aspects, the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. TRIQUETRA - When used as a Wicca symbol it generally connotes the Triple Goddess, or the three levels of being - body, mind, and spirit / soul. UNDERWORLD - The realm of the spirit; realm of the Dead in Egyptology. UNICORN - A mythical magical horned horse. VISUALIZATION - The process of forming mental images. WAND - The Wand is another Wicca symbol that derives from common altar tools. The wand is like a portable, handy version of a broom. There is a theory that originally one instrument performed all the purposes served by the two today. Wands can be used for divination and channeling magical energy. Wands symbolize Divine wisdom. Where the athame represents the ability of the mind to understand, the wand represents the ability to access other levels of knowledge that are not created by the mind. Wands are associated with yang energy: the power to create change. The magical wand goes in the South, for the power of will, magic, and transformation. WARLOCK - A derogatory term for a male Witch. It's original meaning, derived from the Old English "waer logga," is "oath breaker" and it was used in reference to a traitor to the Craft during the Burning Times. Often wrongly used as a term for a Male Witch. WATER SIGNS - cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. WHEEL OF THE YEAR - The Pagan calendar which symbolizes the eternal cycle of time. It usually begins with Samhain. The Great Wheel Of life goes on forever, everything that has been will be again, all of earth and life and everything is recycled over and over.

WEB - The Web is a Wicca symbol, as is the Spider who weaves it. The Spider is the Goddess Creatrix, and the Web is the world and destinies She weaves. The Web also symbolizes the interconnection and interdependence of all life. Destroy one strand, and much of the web collapses. Witches often do weaving spells, to re-create their lives. And often, now, to heal the Earth. And the symbolism of the Spider's Web is closely related to that of the Wheel Of Life. WHITE HANDLED KNIFE - The knife used by a Witch for Craft tasks such as carving candles, making tools, chopping herbs, etc. Though it is not as sacred as the athame, it is reserved for Craft work exclusively. WICCA -The word witch derives from the Old English nouns Wicca. It is as old as Witchcraft. The word was used by Gardner as a modern version of witchcraft based on the old earth Religions of Europe. The term comes from an Old English word meaning "to bend" or "to have wisdom." A Wicca is a Pagan who uses Witchcraft as part of their religion. WICCAN REDE - And it harm none do what thou wilt. WIDDERSHINS - Counterclockwise motion used in magical workings or ceremonies. It means to go backward and is sometimes used in banishing magick. WITCH - Someone who practices the craft of magic; in using their personal energy with a concentration of will, along with the power and forces of nature, to effect change. (usually also a member of the Pagan Religion). WITCHES BOTTLE- a container filled with sharp objects kept near home for protection against others. WITCHCRAFT - The craft of magic. WITCH'S HAT- This may be the most typical Wicca symbol. But there is a good reason. The Witch's Pointy Hat, like the sorcerer's hat, was created as a pyramid - a shape which is known to raise energy frequencies. This pointed hat, or Apex, was designed to funnel Divine energies into one. Or, at least to suggest that this power was coming from Heaven, in the case of religious leaders. The Witches' Hat supposedly has the power to increase intelligence. (Which is why, as a "dunce cap," it came to be worn by people who were judged lacking in the brain department.) Although it seems trivial nowadays, the Apex can be found on priests and Gods and fey folk

for millennia. YULE - The Sabbat celebrated on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. In some traditions it celebrates the birth of the God and in others the coming birth.circumstances, intruded into awareness.
From The Wicca Teachings