Luna's Gathering Pagan Resources

Magick Glossary

Definitions for some of the basic terms from Paganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft

• athame - small dagger used in ritual to direct personal power, not for cutting; kitchen witches actively encourage the use of magical tools for mundane purposes to increase the witch's familiarity with them
• besom - broom
• deosil - clockwise
• esbats - ritual observances of the full moon; a time for magickal work
• pentagram - upright five-pointed star representing earth, air, fire, water, and spirit
• pentacle - pentagram enclosed in a circle, often symbolizing protection
• Sabbats - the annual cycle of the Earth's seasons. It consists of eight festivals, spaced at approximately even intervals throughout the year. Four of these fall on the solstices and equinoxes and are known as "quarter days"; the other four fall (approximately) midway between these and are commonly known as "cross-quarter days" or "fire festivals". A time of magickal celebrations
• widdershins - counter-clockwise

The Wheel of the Year

The Days of Power in Pagan Ritual and Celebration - Part One: Esbats

• January - Cold Moon: for spells of protection, strength, and introspection; dream magick
• February - Quickening Moon: for spells of renewal and cleansing
• March - Storm Moon: for spells of success, and spiritual growth
• April - Wind Moon: for spells to start projects, attain magickal goals, and use the powers of the elements
• May - Flower Moon: for spells of wisdom, love, good health, and faery magick
• June - Strong Sun Moon: for spells of abundance, success, and health
• July - Blessing Moon: for spells of healing and divine communication; time to harvest herbs
• August - Corn Moon: for spells of abundance and good health; time for formulating spells
• September - Harvest Moon: for spells of protection and confidence; time for honing magickal skills and attaining magickal goals
• October - Blood Moon: for spells of healing and divination; time for remembering and honoring lost loved ones
• November - Mourning Moon: for spells of healing, protection, and hope; time for honoring family and fellowship
• December - Long Nights Moon: for spells of change and banishing negativity
• The 13th Moon - Blue Moon the second of two full moons to occur in the same calendar month, the month in which it occurs varies: for spells of transformation and rebirth; time when the strength and power of our magickal workings is increased, so care must be taken with the powerful energies

The Days of Power in Pagan Ritual and Celebration - Part Two: Sabbats

• Imbolc or Candlemas - February 2: a festival of light, it is the midpoint of winter and spring, a day to celebrate the Goddess as Maiden.
• Ostara - March 21
• Beltane - May 1
• Midsummer or Litha - June 21
• Lammas or Lughnasadh - August 2
• Mabon - September 21
• Samhain - October 31
• Midwinter or Yule - December 21

Candle Magick

Colors and their magickal associations

• black - banishing, protection, break up blockages
• blue - wisdom, inner peace, spiritual growth, loyalty, water element
• brown - grounding, financial security, earth element
• gold - leadership, luck, authority, the Sun
• green - abundance, prosperity, nature, fertility
• orange - creativity, focused energy, creating change
• pink - love, well-being, affection, nurturing
• purple - justice, removing bad luck, connecting with spirits, personal power
• red - energy, passion, immediate action, fire element
• silver - clarity, idealism, ethereal beauty, the Moon
• white - purity, psychic energy, spiritual strength, can be used in place of any of the colors as white is the combination of all colors
• yellow - intellect, communication, spontaneity, air element