An *Actual* Beginner's Guide to Forms of Witchcraft

Some Basic Vocab:

Here are some terms that you will hear me use a lot. If you don't know what a word means, and it isn't on here, please feel free to ask me to add it. Also, if a definition is too vague, and you still aren't sure, ask me and I'll do my best to explain! Tip: If you are looking for a specific word, press ctrl+f to bring a search bar up, type in what you want to find!

Banish: to end or stop something or to exorcise a spirit magically

Bind: to magically restrain someone or something. Most witches consider this a practice that is ethically wrong, depending on the situation.

Book of Shadows (BOS): a book wherein are kept spells and other magickal things such as: research, study exercises, log of experiences pertaining to psychic experiences, ritual and spell workings, experience with spirits/ gods and goddess, etc Basically a personal record of a witch.

Cleansing: removing negative energy from a person or object by positive energy

Consecration:blessing a tool or other magickal object or place by instilling it with positive energy

Coven:a group of witches that work together as a 'church' would do

Dedication: the ceremony where witch commits him/herself to the study of a god or goddess 

Divination: using magical tools to find out cool things like your future (which is changeable), your friends' futures, and other information

Energy work: using energy that isn't usually visible to cleanse something, to consecrate something, to put power into something, or to put your will/intention into something

Familiar: An animal or spirit that is like a teacher or a guide to you, they can also protect you in the astral.

Grounding: A way of putting yourself in a better mindset by releasing your negative, or excess, energy.

Intention: Your will, or why you want something, or what you want to happen.

Magick/magic:  the use of rituals, symbols, actions, gestures, and language with the aim of exploiting supernatural forces.

Pendulum: a divination tool, one that you can use to weakly communicate with spirits, or to see answers to your questions.

Pentacle: a star inside of a circle, some say it is blasphemous to wear it upside down, but in my own opinion, it makes no difference.

Sabbot: a holiday, or day of festival, there are eight of these. they all are important, but you don't have to celebrate them, there aren't consequences.

Secular:denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis, basically not religious

Shielding: Putting a magical shield around you or others (with their consent) to protect from magical and psychic attacks and/or damage and even deter physical.

Solitary: One who practices the Craft on their own, rather than with a coven or group

Tarot: another tool for divination. Playing cards, traditionally a pack of 78 with five suits, used for fortune-telling. Thee is a minor arcana, and a major arcana. 

Visualize: to imagine, or pretend to see in your mind

Wicca: the religious cult of modern witchcraft, especially an initiatory tradition founded in England in the mid 20th century and claiming its origins in pre-Christian pagan religions.

just for laughs here's a quizlet:  https://quizlet.com/143098970/flashcards