Wicca A to Z. Gerina Dunwich

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      Also by Gerina Dunwich

      Candlelight Spells

      The Concise Lexicon of the Occult

      Circle of Shadows: Goddess-Inspired Poetry and Magickal Verse

      Wicca Craft

      The Wicca Spellbook

      The Wicca Book of Days

      The Wicca Garden

      The Wicca Source Book

      Wicca Candle Magick

      Wicca Love Spells

      Everyday Wicca

      A Wiccan’s Guide to Prophecy and Divination

      Wicca A to Z

      A Modern Witch's Encyclopedia

      Gerina Dunwich

       A Citadel Press Book Published by Kensington Publishing Corp.

      This book is dedicated with much love to my mother; Al; the Mandragora Coven; and all my sisters and brothers in the Craft. May the Goddess and the Horned God bless each and every one of you.

      Also, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all at Citadel Press for helping to make this book a reality and for continuing to support my work.

      Blessed Be!

      Contents

      Also by Gerina Dunwich

      Title Page

      Dedication

      Introduction

      Part One: Magick, Myth, and Mysticism

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      h

      I

      J

      K

      L

      M

      n

      O

      P

      Q

      R

      S

      T

      U

      V

      W

      Y

      Z

      Part Two: Goddesses From Around the World

      Bibliography

      About the Author

      Copyright

      Wicca A to Z is a unique encyclopedia for the modern Witch, as well as for anyone who is interested in the Earth’s oldest religion.

      Arranged alphabetically, this book is divided into two sections: Magick, Myth, and Mysticism and Goddesses From Around the World. The first focuses on every imaginable aspect of Wicca and the magickal arts. The different traditions, Sabbats and rituals of the Wiccan spiritual path, as well as Wiccan jargon, enchanting folklore, amulets and talismans, and the numerous herbs associated with Witchcraft are but a small sampling of the wealth of material covered within the pages of this extensively researched book.

      As Wicca is essentially a Goddess-oriented religion and craft, the second section of this encyclopedia is devoted entirely to the many Pagan goddesses from around the world who collectively represent the power, the beauty, and the magick of the Divine Feminine. Arranged alphabetically by name, the Goddess entries detail each unique deity and often reveal how each one relates to, or has influenced, contemporary Paganism and the Wiccan Craft.

      ABLANATHANALBA A Gnostic charm triangle, similar to the ABRACADABRA triangle and used by magicians in ancient times for protection against evil forces. It was traditionally written on parchment, using a special ink obtained from the acorn of a valonia oak tree. It was written out as follows:

      A B L A N A T H A N A L B A

      B L A N A T H A N A L B

      L A N A T H A N A L

      A N A T H A N A

      N A T H A N

      A T H A

      T H

      ABRACADABRA A cabalistic word derived from the name Abraxas, a mighty Gnostic deity whose name means “hurt me not.” The word Abracadabra, when chanted or when its letters are arranged in an inverted pyramid (a holy figure and symbol of trinity) and worn around the neck as a talisman for nine days, is said to possess the magickal power to ward off illness and to cure fever. At the end of that time, it is taken off and tossed over the shoulder into a stream flowing east. It is believed that the cool, rushing waters draw the heat of the fever away from the sick person and back to the rising sun, the source of all warmth.

      A B R A C A D A B R A

      A B R A C A D A B R

      A B R A C A D A B

      A B R A C A D A

      A B R A C A D

      A B R A C A

      A B R A C

      A B R A

      A B R

      A B

      A

      The ancient charm triangle known as the Abracadabra. It is reputed to posses great healing powers, especially in reducing fevers.

      ABRAMELIN MAGICK A medieval practice of both white and black Ceremonial Magick involving spirit communication, word magick, and palindromic magickal squares. Abramelin is a system based mainly on Hellenistic theurgy of the lamblichan type, but with Jewish increments from the Kabbalah. Abramelin Magick sets forth the semi-Gnostic doctrine that the world was created and is maintained by demons (or Powers of Darkness) who work under the command of angelic spirits. With the proper purifications, tools, prayers, and formulas, an Abramelin magician, with the help of angels, can control the demons of darkness and command them to do his or her will.

      ABSENT HEALING A form of faith healing that involves the projection of positive healing energy to an ill person (or animal) by a healer who is not present at the time of the healing.

      The most renowned of twentieth century absent healers was the American psychic Edgar Cayce (1877 – 1945) who used his remarkable powers to diagnose illnesses and prescribe treatment. Throughout the course of his life, he gave readings for approximately 30,000 men, women, and children from all over the world. It is said that the rate of his accuracy was over 90 percent. Edgar Cayce also possessed another gift—the ability to experience visions of the future. Because he always practiced his psychic work while under a sleep-like, self-induced hypnotic trance, he came to be known as the “Sleeping Prophet.”

      ADEPT An individual, male or female, who has gained profound magickal powers and insights, usually through initiation; a word used to describe an initiate or occult master.

      AFTERWORLD The world of the dead; the place where human souls go to after death: a concept shared by all human mythologies and religions. The afterworld is usually perceived as a dark and gloomy underground region or as a bright and happy world in the sky.