Note: This Sweep term list is tailored for the Sweep Wiccan mythology, not actual Wicca. The problem with having a dictionary of this sort is that some of the terms are totally false, somewhat true, or totally true. For instance, some of the things you see defined below are true in the Wiccan practice, but are not totally within the context Cate Tiernan puts it.

Due to request, I tried to highlight the words that are totally false like this to help you. But this is not black and white. A lot of the definitions are tailored towards the Sweep fantasy than actual Wicca. Just because something is not high-lighted in pink, doesn't mean it's automatically and totally false. If you're really interested in the facts, I suggest going to actual Wiccan sites online or just ask some real, knowledgeable Wiccans.

A : B : C : D : E : F : G : H : I : J : K : L : M : N : O : P : Q : R : S : T : U : V : W : X : Y : Z

A

Air

One of the four natural elements. East is its position and represents mind, intellect, and communication. Gemini, Libra, Aquarius are air signs.

Altar

A sacred place where magickal workings and worship are taken place.

Amber

A stone; excellent protector of children and used to strengthen spells.

Amyranth

A secret Woodbane coven practicing the forbidden magick of shape-shifting. They are known to have initiated Dark Waves that have destroyed covens in the past. They usually destroy these covens to steal information such as books, spell, tools, charts, and a witch's own power. They follow a traditional Woodbane tenet: "knowledge is power; and power above all".

Anam

A soul, spirit, and essence that remains after a person dies. In rare cases it does not go into the netherworld but stays on earth--almost like a ghost.

Athame

A ritual knife (usually double-edged) that symbolizes fire (but can also symbolize air in some traditions). It's used to direct energy and bring change. It can also reveal hidden things.

Aura

The low-level energy field of every living creature on earth; these auras differ from person to person; these auras can differ in color from person to person.

B

Bane

Something which is bad and evil; represents destruction.

Banishing

The act of removing anything negative, evil, threatening, etc.; usually within a Circle.

Belwicket

A famous coven from Ballynigel, Ireland. These members are Woodbanes that renounced the dark arts. The coven was eventually destroyed by some mysterious power called the Dark Wave. Once upon a time, it was thought that Morgan Rowlands was the only descendant. But after the destruction of Ciaran MacEwan and Amyranth, the last surviving Belwicket members came out of hiding, asking Morgan to help reconstruct their coven.

Beltane

A Wiccan sabbat. Beltane celebrates the symbolism of union and/or marriage of the Goddess and God; it is usually celebrated on April 1 through May 31st.

Beorc

Rune that represents new beginnings and rebirth.

Bloodletting

Usually done to call taibhs (if the witch is not powerful enough); it's a payoff to render a dark spirits' service.

Blood Witch

Direct descendants of the Seven Great Clans of Wicca. These witches are more inept to the energy and have greater powers than regular practicing witches. In majority of cases, blood witches have children only with other blood witches. On some rare occasions they do have children with humans, but the child is usually powerless.

Blood Witch Initiation (pre-training)

After a blood witch is initiated into a coven, he/she goes on to train for the preapprentice rights, which is a series a magickal knowledge and power tests. If the blood witch passes, they train under the knowledgable blood witch until the blood witch student is ready to go through the blood witch initiation.

Bloodstone

A fire stone that is used to break down barriers and release ties. This old stone has been used for thousands of years to help women during childbirth and give strength to warriors during battle. It represents strength, healing, protection, sexual energy.

Bind

A spell used to prevent or limit the "target" from doing a certain action(s).

Bith Dearc

Opening into the world of the dead/shadow world.

Bolline

A curved knife, usually for practical use like cutting herbs and carving symbols in candles. It's very similar to an athame, but the handle is usually white and writing on the knife is different. The main difference between an athame and bollin is its usage.

Book of Shadows

A Wiccan's "notebook" or "diary" of spells, rituals, procedure, and any magickal information.

Braigh

A silver chain spelled; used to bound a witch; used by Seekers during questioning (if needed); it can be very painful.

Brigtendale

One of the Seven Great Clans of Wicca. Brightendale were medical healers and worked with plants.

Brown Jasper

Stone that helps keep your "feet on the ground".

Burnhide

One of the Seven Great Clans of Wicca. Burnhides were experts in gems, crystals, and metal magick. The clan mostly settled in Germany years ago but since have spread out. A typical Burnhide has white hair (from premature greying) and dark eyes (but not all Burnhides have this appearance).

C

Cauldron

A Wiccan tool; a pot for putting things such as water, food, herbs, etc.; it symbolizes the rebirth and fertility of the Goddess.

Circle

Circle represents boundary of magickal energy; a place where magick is worked; it can be made out of anything; a Circle can also be another word for Coven.

Cirrus

Coven formed and run by Cal Blaire when he moved to Widow's Vale, New York. When Cal left, the coven was taken over Hunter Niall, then combined with circle Kithic.

Claddagh Ring

An Irish ring band. It's been the traditional wedding band for the Irish since the 17th century. The ring has a design of a heart being encircled by a pair of hands with a crown above the heart. It's motto is 'let love and friendship reign'. The heart represents "love", the hand "faith in friendship", and the crown "loyalty". There are three traditional ways to wear the ring:

1. Ring is on the right hand with the heart facing out means that the person's heart is still searching and has yet to be won.
2. Ring is on the right hand with the heart facing in means that the person's is in love and belongs to another (but is still single).
3. Ring is on the left hand with the heart facing in means that the person is promised forever (married).

Coven

An organized group of witches who practice and celebrate Wicca together; a coven is usually lead by a leader; it usually has 3-13 members.

Curandera

A Mexican white witch that originates from Central America. The craft is a mixture of Christianity and witchcraft.

D

Daeg

Rune that stands for dawn, awakening, clarity.

Dealan de

An older term for "witch fire".

Deosil

Moving in a circle clockwise.

Dark Age

A two-hundred year span where the Wicca religion was almost vanished from existence. After the hundred-year cataclysm that destroyed 95% of all witches, Wiccan practices and rituals were almost lost during this time period. Blood Witches that survived the cataclysm became incoherent. They started intermarring with other different clans and humans.

Dark Wave

A wave of power that in have destroyed many covens around the world. The Amyranth coven is known to have initiate Dark Waves to steal any knowledge (such as books, spell, tools, charts, and a witch's own power) from these non Woodbane covens. Rose MacEwan, a Woodbane witch, was its creator.

Drain

An act of stealing power and knowledge from another witch to increase one's own.

E

Earth

One of the four natural elements. North is its position and it can be feminine and nourishing. Taurus, Capricorn, and Virgo are earth signs.

Eolh

Rune for defense and protection.

Elements

Earth, Fire, Water, Air. Anything that exists in this world is composed of one or more of these elements. These elements can be utilized during the practice of magick.

Emerald

Stone that can be used for improvement of memory and eyesight; good for attracting prosperity and love.

Eoh

Rune that stands for some type of change.

Esbat

Another word for a gathering were magick is done; a ritual that can happen during a Full Moon.

Essential Oils

Plant oil extract; it's process is very complex, and to buy these oils are very expensive; used during rituals.

Ealltuinn

Irish Woodbane coven headed by Lilith Delaney. They have been known the practice dark magick under Delaney's leadership.

F

Feoh

Rune that stands for wealth, prosperity, increase, and success.

Fire

One of the four natural elements. South is its position and it represents transformation, success, and passion. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are fire signs.

Fire-Winged Hawk

A common symbol for a Sgiùrs Dàn.

G

Geofu

Rune that stands for gift and posterity; strengthen of friendships and relationships; the joining of God and Goddess.

Glamour

An illusion done with magick.

Goddess

The mother of creation (along with the god).

Great Trial

A ritual that tests a witch's ability, strength, and perseverance. It is not known why it takes place or what is to gain from passing the Great Trial, but very few witches survive it.

Grounding

An act of temporarily shutting down your psychic consciousness and reorient yourself back to the natural, "real" world.

Goddess Struck

To be "struck" by the goddess herself. It is said when you are struck, it is the hand of the goddess choosing you as her "chosen one" to be the next high priestess. It is also said that if you are struck by the goddess, it is punishment for your wrong doings.

H

Handfasting

A pagan wedding ritual.

High Priest/Priestess

The highest rank within a particular coven. This person leads all practices and celebrations within that coven.

I

International Council of Witches

An independent organization of witches around the world that represent about sixty-seven countries and all modern clans. Almost a hundred years ago, the Council aided modern clans in their survival during the huge cataclysm that destroyed almost all witches centuries years ago. Through their teachers and advice, Wicca risen from the Dark Ages and survived. Presently, the Council governs witches and sets guidelines on the appropriate use of magick. Any misuse of magick is prosecuted, usually done by Council members called Seekers.

Imbolc

A Wiccan sabbat. Imbolc celebrates first of spring and represents the recovery of the goddess giving birth to the Sun (the god) during Yule. Usually happens February 2.

Incantation

The spoken words of a spell.

Infusion

An herbal potion made from either tea, dried flowers, or herbs; mixed with water.

Initiation

A ritual that symbolizes the rebirth and a new phase in a Witch's life. This is also a ceremony which inducts a witch into a coven; this is usually done a year and a day after a witch's first day of Wiccan practice.

K

Ken

Rune that represents fire. It also stands for inspiration and passion of the spirit.

Kithic

Kithic means left-handed in Gaelic. It is the name of the coven governed by Hunter Niall and Sky Eventide (Sky originally was the leader). Circle Kithic was combined with Circle Cirrus to form a thirteen member coven.

L

Lammas

A Wiccan sabbat. Also know as Lughnsasadh. Lammas celebrates the first fruits of the harvest and the Goddess as the Queen of Abundance. In Celt, The Dark God (once Sun King) puts his energy into the harvest while the Mother gives away her Crone status. Traditionally bread is baked and the altar is decorated with fruits and vegetables. It's celebrated on either August 1st or 2nd. The Celtic festival of the Sun God is celebrated on the August 7th.

Leapvaughns

One of the Seven Great Clans of Wicca. Leapvaughns are the most humorous and mischievous of the Great Clans. They usually have red hair (but not always) and the word "leprechaun" derives from them.

Leug

A stone used for scyring.

Litha

A Wiccan sabbat. Litha celebrates the beginning of the harvest season and fruits of the harvest. It's the opposite of Yule (Winter Solstice) and the day where the Sun God has his greatest strength. This sabbat takes place on the Summer Solstice (June 21), the longest day of the year.

Liathach

Scottish Woodbane coven. Ciaran MacEwan "inherited" the coven through the marriage of Garnia MacMuredach, the daughter of the high priestess, Greer MacMuredach.

M

Mabon

One of the eight celebrated festivals in Wicca. This sabbat is celebrated on the Autumn Equinox to give thanks to the second harvest coming of Winter.

Mage

An Old English term meaning "wise person"; can be used to describe a very knowledgable witch in magick.

Magesight

A witch's ability to "see" in the darkness; few initiated and blood witches have this ability.

Magick

The movement of natural energy in need of a change.

Malachite

One of the oldest healing stone; it symbolizes of change and creativity; if the stone breaks in two, something terrible will happen.

Mann

A rune for community and interdependence.

Maroc Dant

A may apple plant; used to clarify potions and make healing ornaments.

Maroc Danth

Menstrual blood of virgins; used in fertility spell as well as dark rites.

Maypole

Usually used during May 1st/Beltane celebrations. It's roots date back to the Roman times. The pole is usually 40 cm high and well decorated. A witch takes a ribbon and dances around the pole, symbolizing the joining of a man and a woman.

Morganite

A stone that changes color in the sunlight. If the stone is held by a blood witch, and the blood witch sends energy into it, it will reveal the deepest truth in his/her heart.

Moonstone

Stone to promote love and sympathy; it is said it could be used to stop a lover's quarrel.

Muìrn Beatha Dàn

A belief that every witch has one true soul mate who's also a witch; this person can be male or female.

N

Nal Nithrac

The only known spell that can disband the Dark Wave. It was created by Daniel Niall.

Neid

Rune that stands for the need for delay; patience.

Netherworld

A holding place for souls. Wiccans believe a person's soul has the ability to return to earth (reincarnation) to work towards spiritual perfection.

Night Visions

Another term for dreams, usually prophetic dreams.

O

Oil

Herb extractions, usually in vegetable oil.

Ostara

Wiccan sabbat. Around March 21st (Spring Equinox); sabbat celebrates the Goddess spreading her fertility as the God grows into maturity. It's a time to leave the winter behind and welcome in the spring.

Othel

Rune that stands for birthright, inheritance, ancestral home.

P

Peorth

Rune that stands for birthright, inheritance, hidden things revealed, and female passions.

Pentacle

A five pointed star within a circle. Each point of the star represents the five elements--Fire, Water, Air, Earth, and Spirit. It is worn by witches as a symbol of their belief and/or used for protection. It is also used as a tool during ceremonies and practices.

Pentagram

A five pointed star. When it's drawn up, it represents the Goddess and Spirit that is above this world. It's symbolism is numerous and is used for protection.

Poppet

A little doll. The doll symbolizes someone, usually. It's not unheard of to use the poppets for love spells.

Power Sink

It is said that when the world was made, there were invisible lines of power that wrap around the earth. When a witch stands on one of these lines, he/she's magick becomes even more powerful. If these lines intersect, the power is even greater. The more intersections of these lines, the more power a witch's magick can be enhanced. Another name for it is power ley.

Power Ley

Another name for power sink.

Purify

To do away with negative or evil energies or influences.

R

Reining

Limiting a witch's powers; the witch can still do small magick, but nothing large.

Robe

A garment a witch uses during making magick; these robes can hold energy useful in making magick; a robe can be past down from generation to generation.

Rowanwands

One of the Seven Great Clans of Wicca. The Rowandwands were considered the good clan (out of all the seven) and wrote the first Book of Shadows. They were known for their magikcal knowledge about spells and properties of magick. Woodbanes were their greatest enemies, and Rowanwands and warred with them for thousands of years.

Rune

An ancient Nordic alphabet (also Anglo Saxon origins). A Rune's symbol has a significant meaning and are used during works of divination.

S

Sabbat

Wiccan celebration. There are a total of eight annually: Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon, and Samhain.

Sage

A plant that can be used for protection; it represents the wisdom of the Goddess.

Salt

Represents the Earth and purity; it's used often to purify Circles.

Samhain

One of the eight celebrated festivals in Wicca; Samhain is the largest Wiccan holiday; it's a witch's new year; October 31st.

Shape-shifting

The ability to shift into some animal form through magick. This practice is forbidden, and those practicing shape-shifting can be prosecuted.

Scry

"A method of divination". The diviner can "see" mental and/or visual pictures. There are three main ways to scry: water, stone, and fire.

• Water shows you what you want to see and can be highly "inaccurate". It's the easiest to use out of the three main scrying methods.
• Fire always shows the truth, but can fickle in its prediction, showing what it wants you to see.
• Stone (leug) is the most accurate, but its information is limited. You can use stones such as bloodstone, crystal, or hematite. Stone can sometimes show you things you do not want to see. It's best used for seeing things that are within distance.

Seeker

A International Council of Witches member who specializes in seeking and investigating the misuse of magick. If any witch works to do any harm to themselves or to others, a Seeker has a license to take action against them. Witches found guilty are usually stripped of their magick. Stripping usually consist of using a binding spell on the guilty party so they won't be able to use magick anymore.

Seven Great Clans of Wicca

Seven legendary witch covens -- Woodbanes, Rowanwands, Vikroths, Brightendales, Burnhides, Wyndenkells, and Leapvaughns. After practicing for several centuries independently, the Clans united to form a single domain of magick. But soon the Clans began battle against each other. This battle lasted for thousands of years. Around the era of the Burning Times, a mysterious cataclysm destroyed many witches of legendary tribes, killing around 95% of all witches. The surviving members of the Clans fell into a Dark Age. Most intermarried with other Clans or humans. Direct descendant of the Clans is a called blood witch.

Seòmar

A witch's private "sanctuary" where he/she can make magick alone.

Sgiùrs Dàn

The destroyer, fated scourge. A blood witch born every few generations that will change the course of their clan. This witch is usually a woman and her effects can be either light or dark.

Sigel

A rune; for sun, light, and energy.

Sigil

A mystical sign; a personal emblem or seal done by magick; runes can be used to make sigils.

Skyclad

To perform magick in the nude.

Spell

An action of magick (usually from emotional mental origins) through words; a ritual form of magick.

Starlocket

A Wiccan coven that was headed by Selene Belltower. When Belltower died, Alyce Fernbrake took over. Amyranth wanted to destroy Starlocket through the power of the Dark Wave.

Stripping

The method of taking away a witch's ability to do magick. This punishment is sentenced to a witch that has practiced dangerous, illegal, and/or dark magick. A Seeker usually does the procedure of the stripping in the following steps:

• The accused is confronted and questioned about he/she's illegal practices. If needed, a braigh is put on the witch for confinement. There needs to be be two blood witches present to witness the Seeker's examination.
• The Seeker contacts the Council to verify the witch's sentence.
• If the accused is prosecuted by stripping, a Seeker needs four blood witches as witnesses for the ritual.
• The ritual is done within a pentagram, and the blood witches witnessing the stripping are positioned at the points of the pentagram.
• The ritual combines the magick of all blood witches into the prosecuted witch, and the witch's life, memories, and spirit of their magick is painlessly slips away until no more.

T

Tàth Meànma Divagnth

The use of someone's power to render he/she's magickal attack harmless.

Tàth Meànma

A "Wiccan mind meld" where two witches enter into each's other mind.

Tàth Meànma Brach

A "Wiccan mind meld" at a much high, deeper level. Two witches exchange knowledge and experience between one another. Both witches gain whatever knowledge, memories, etc. from the each other. It is usually done in the following steps:

• There must be fasting. No food nor drink for so and so hours.
• A special tea is fixed to rid of anything within the intestines (think enema).
• There is a verbal agreement to do the Tàth Meànma Brach between the two witches. (Another witch (or more) witnesses this agreement and the whole ceremony).
• A circle of two is formed. A chant starts and both witches go into each other's minds. This is the time when information is exchanged.

Three Fold Law

One of the most important Wiccan tenets. Everything you put out in the world--good or evil--will come back to you in three folds.

Taibhs

Dark spirits that do harm. These are not spirits of the dead, but spirits that have never been alive.

Tisane

A simple drinking mixture used as a sleep and to help prevent the person from dreaming.

Tincture

An infusion mixed of herbal extract, water, and alcohol.

True Name

Everything on the earth has true name. The name is like a fingerprint: it is yours and only yours alone. If you know something/someone's true name, you have power over it; it cannot resist you. Having a true name came be beneficial (during healing), but can be easily abused. It is wrong to have a true name of any living thing, especially humans.

Tua Labra

An older term for "witch message".

Turneval

A coven that practiced shape-shifting but was disbanded during the 1970s. Key members of the coven were stripped of their magick by the Witch Council.

Ty

Rune that stands for victory.

V

Vessel

A sort of a "holding jar" for a spirit. In order for this spirit to retain some coherence of its former self, it has can be within a thing, a human, or an animal.

Vikroths

One of the Seven Great Clans of Wicca. They were related to the Vikings and considered warriors.

W

Ward

Protection spell done with magick.

Watchtower

Symbolic representation of the Four Quarters; derived from ceremony magick; each quarter can represent a direction, realm, color, element, guardian.

Water

One of the four natural elements. West is its position and is for emotions, love, beauty, and healing. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are water signs.

Watermelon Tourmaline

Part of the Tourmaline stone family; has two colors; used for balance.

Weather Magick

Magick used for controlling the weather. It's considered forbidden magick, an assault on nature.

Wheel of the Year

An eight-spoked wheel with each slot representing the holy sabbats in Wicca.

Wiccan Name

A witch's "coven name"; seen written in Book of Shadows.

Widdershins

Moving in a circle counter clockwise.

Witch

A person that practices witchcraft (Wiccans also refer to themselves as witches). A witch follows the tenets of Wiccan, and their energy comes from the life forces all around them.

Witch Fire

A blue, electrical energy that can be conducted at will; blood witches usually possess this. This fire can also be white, which is much a more power bolt of energy than the blue one.

Wine of Shadows

A wine mixture; used in the Great Trail. The wine has an unknown potion that can kill any witch who drinks it instantly. The witch who sips this potion in the Great Trial must use all their strength, knowledge, skill, and magikal power to not succumb to the potion's deadly poison.

Witch Message

To communicate with another witch using telepathy; only witches can send this.

Witch's Rede

"Advise" that most witches follow.

Woodbane

One of the Seven Great Clans of Wicca. The darkest of all the clans, the Woodbanes are famous for the use of dark magick, forbidden practices, and the ability to do evil. Woodbanes for thousands of years were at war with the Rowandwand clan (a clan that practiced good magick). A lot of Woodbanes can be identified with a birthmark called a Woodbane athame.

Woodbane Athame

A birthmark that a lot of Woodbanes possess; can be in any particular area of the body.

Wunjo

Another name for the wynn rune.

Wynn

A rune; for happiness and harmony; another name for it is wunjo.

Wyndenkells

One of the Seven Great Clans of Wicca. They were expert spell writers.

Y

Yr

A rune that represents death; it can also represent an important ending.

Yule

A Wiccan sabbat. It occurs December 21st (Winter Solstice) and is the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun God. A time to begin anew and leave past regrets behind.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 04/7/09