Wicca A to Z. Gerina Dunwich

in limbo during illness.

      BOOK OF SHADOWS A secret diary of magickal spells and potions kept by many individual Witches or covens. In certain Wiccan traditions, a Witch’s Book of Shadows must be burned in the event of his or her death in order to protect the secrets of the Craft. In others, it is buried with the Witch or passed down to the surviving children or other heirs. Although a Book of Shadows is traditionally kept confidential, there are a number of modern Witches who elect to have their Book of Shadows published in order to share their knowledge and magickal spells with other Witches.

      BOTTLE IMP Mainly in Arabian folklore, a supernatural genielike creature who is confined to a bottle and invoked as needed by a sorcerer’s magickal incantation. Bottle imps have also appeared in some folktales from Estonia, Finland, the Philippines, Sweden, and Switzerland.

      BRUJA A name used by the people of Mexico, Central America, and the Hispanic communities throughout the United States for a female Witch. (The name used for a Witch of the male gender is brujo.) The bruja, who is generally regarded as having a much greater power than her male counterpart, is often contacted by individuals in need of healings, charms, the breaking of curses, and the casting of various spells. She is said to work powerful folk magick, handed down to her by many generations of ancestors.

      BULLA A round hollow object, inscribed with certain magickal words or symbols, and filled with various substances. Bullas were popular among the ancient Romans and early Christians who used them as amulets for protection against all evil-natured entities.

      BUNE WAND An old Scottish nickname given to the legendary Witches’ broomstick, or any object supposedly used by Witches as a flying instrument. See also BESOM.

      BURIN An engraving tool used by many Witches and practitioners of the magickal arts to mark names or symbols ritually on athames, swords, bells, and other magickal tools.

      BURNING TIMES A term often used by Wiccans and Neo-Pagans alike in reference to the days of the past when it was commonplace in many parts of the world for Witches (or at least those accused of being Witches) to be hunted, tortured, and executed—usually by being burning alive at the stake in a public square. The term “burning times” generally refers to the mid-fifteenth to early eighteenth centuries. It was during this dark and violent period in history that the Christian Church and its infamous Inquisition put to death an estimated 30,000 to nine million people (most of whom were innocent women and children) in their fanatical effort to rid the world of heretics and Devil-worshippers. While it was believed by most during that time that “purification by fire” was the only true way to destroy the evil that was said to be intrinsic of Witches. Some places (such as England and Colonial America) employed public hangings as punishment for those who they believed were in league with the Devil.

      CAKES FOR THE DEAD Throughout the country of Belgium, it was at one time a popular Samhain (Halloween) custom for families to prepare special, small white cakes or cookies known as “Cakes for the Dead.” One would be consumed for each deceased loved one being honored, and it was believed that the more cakes a person ate, the more he or she would be blessed by the spirits.

      CANCER In astrology, the fourth sign of the zodiac, symbolized by the Crab. Cancer is a Water sign and is ruled by the Moon. Its energies are feminine-yin-negative-passive and its polarity (its opposite sign of the zodiac which expresses the opposite characteristics) is Capricorn. The quadruplicity (quality) of Cancer is Cardinal (meaning enterprising, outgoing, and a natural initiator.) Persons born between June 21 and July 22 are under the sign of Cancer and are said to possess the following traits: sensitivity, persistence, loyalty, devotion (especially to family and home), psychic awareness, and a tendency for mood swings, acting temperamental, and excessive worrying. In matters of love, Cancer is believed to be most compatible with Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces and those with Moon in Cancer. The parts of the human body said to be ruled by Cancer are the breasts and stomach.

      CANDLE MAGICK A form of sympathetic magick that uses colored candles to represent the people and things at which its spells are directed. Each color symbolizes a different attribute, influence, and emotion. Candles are anointed with special oils, carved or painted with magickal intents, meditated upon, and chanted over.

      Many practitioners of candle magick prefer to work with their own handcrafted candles, but store-bought candles can be just as effective in spellwork.

      A candle used for one type of spell should not be reused for a spell of a different nature as the remnants of magickal or psychic energy trapped in the candle’s wax could possibly interfere with or even reverse the outcome of the new spell.

      In the popular practice of candle magick, different candle colors correspond to different magickal intents. For instance, purple is a color associated with all matters of a psychic nature, including divination; red is a color for passionate love and sexual affairs; white is for healing and is also associated with all matters of a spiritual nature; silver is a Moon Goddess–lunar energy color; black is for banishing negativity as well as for cursing; green is associated with healing, fertility, and prosperity; and so forth.

      Additionally, there are different astral colors for each of the twelve signs of the zodiac, colors corresponding to the days of the week and the Sabbats, etc. (For more information about candle magick read Wicca Candle Magick, Gerina Dunwich, Citadel Press, 1996.)

      CANDLEMAS One of the eight Witches Sabbats observed yearly. Also known as Imbolc, Oimelc, Lupercus, Candelaria and Disting (February 14 in the Teutonic Tradition of Wicca), Candlemas is traditionally celebrated on February 2 and is a fire festival celebrating both the Goddess of fertility and the Horned God. In ancient times, Candlemas was celebrated as the Feast of Pan.

      At this time of the year, Witches, Wiccans, and Neo-Pagans celebrate change (which equates to growth) and bid farewell to that which is no longer needed. Candlemas Sabbat rituals often include the sweeping of the circle with a besom to symbolize the “sweeping away of the old” in order to make room for the new and that which is yet to be born. Candles are traditionally lit on this night as offerings to the Mother Earth so that her divine power of fertility may soon awaken from its long winter slumber and bring forth springtime.

      CAPRICORN In astrology, the tenth sign of the zodiac, symbolized by the Goat or Goat-Fish. Capricorn is an Earth sign and is ruled by the planet Saturn. Its energies are feminine-yin-negative-passive and its polarity (its opposite sign of the zodiac which expresses the opposite characteristics) is Cancer. The quadruplicity of Capricorn is Cardinal (meaning enterprising, outgoing, and a natural initiator.) Persons born between December 22 and January 19 are under the sign of Capricorn and are said to possess the following traits: determination; prudence; faithfulness; ambition with a tendency to be materialistic, pessimistic, shy, or overly-conservative (especially in younger years; however, usually more liberal later in life.) In matters of love, Capricorn is believed to be most compatible with Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo, and those with Moon in Capricorn. The parts of the human body said to be ruled by Capricorn are the bones, joints, knees, skin, and teeth.

      CAULDRON A small or large, black cast-iron pot used by Witches that symbolically combines the influences of the four ancient elements, represents the womb of the Goddess, and is used for various purposes including brewing potions, burning incense, and holding charcoal or herbs.

      CENSER A metal vessel with a perforated lid, used as an incense burner in many Wiccan rituals, Sabbats, and magickal spellwork. The censer, which is often carried by a chain and swung so as to spread the incense fumes, is symbolic of the ancient element of Air. It is normally used by either the High Priestess or High Priest of a coven at the beginning of a ritual to purify the circle of any negative energies, and also as a tool for invoking the elemental guardians of the East Watchtower (Sylphs).

      CEREMONIAL MAGICK The art and practice of controlling the powers of Nature, which are conceived of as being either angelic or demonic, by conjuration of spirits with words of power or sacred god names. Ceremonial Magick, which often employs Christian concepts, typically involves the use of elaborate rituals, dramatic invocations of spirits, and mystic sacraments. It has been practiced since ancient times, and predominantly by men seeking mystical enlightenment