A

Abracadabra 

A word from the Jewish mystical tradition of Qabala. Its root is the name of the Gnostic deity Abraxas, meaning "hurt me not". It is said to possess magickal powers, especially of protection from illness.

Adept 

Word for an individual highly experienced and proficient in a particular magickal craft.

Aeromancy 

Divination by the stars.

Aisling 

A Celtic-Irish word meaning "dream" or "vision", pronounced "ash-leen".

Aka 

The cord between the astral body and the physical body, most likely this concept is derived from the biblical reference to a "silver cord" connected the body and the soul.

Akasha 

The fifth element of magick and the occult, this is the spiritual ether, often called the "Otherworld".

Akashic Records

Edward Cayce's concept which states that somewhere there is a universal hall of data about past lives, magic, healing, and spirituality. It does not exist on the physical plane but rather on a more psychic level. Some believe it can be accessed on the astral plane, others feel it can only be accessed through a visualization journey in the mind.

Alchemist

One who practices alchemy.

ALCHEMIST 

Alchemy 

A form of high magick which stems from the middle ages noted by the attempts of alchemists to make lead turn into gold.

Alexandrian Tradition 

Based on the teachings of Alex Sanders. [For more information see: http://www.spiritonline.com/wicca/trads.html]

Alignment 

Synchronization of mental and spiritual vibrations with a god, goddess, or astronomical body. Often the complete balance and centering of the chakras is called an alignment.

Altar 

A small working area and shrine many pagans maintain, where they perform most of their ritual and spell work.

Amulet 

An object charged with personal energies through ritual or meditation often used to ward off a certain force or person. [For more information see:http://www.spiritonline.com/wicca/charms.html]

Aradia 

The Italian goddess Diana's daughter, said to be the origin of all witches. The book "Aradia, Gospel of the Witches" was written by Leland about Aradia and the practice of witchcraft.

Archetype 

Symbolic imagery seen in visions, dreams, meditation, and mind quests. Used to interpret the meaning of the vision thereby betting understanding and communicating with the subconscious.

Arthurian Tradition 

A Welsh tradition of paganism based on the lore of King Arthur (the "Once and Future King"), Merlin the Magician, and Guinevere.

Asatru

Modern worship of the old Norse gods. [For more information see http://www.spiritonline.com/gods]

Aspecting 

An advanced magical practice which is seen most commonly in a coven as opposed to solitary. The practitioner attempts to manifest an aspect of the Goddess or the God. This is seen in the pagan ritual of Drawing Down the Moon as well as in other pagan religions such as Vodou, where the priest often allows the deity to speak through his or her body.

Asperger 

A bundle of fresh herbs either carrying dew or dowsed with spring water, used to sprinkle the water during ritual purification.

Astral Plane 

A plane parallel to the physical world, traveled through by the astral body during projection. [For more information see http://www.spiritonline.com/obe]

Astral Travel 

The experience, whether spontaneous or induced, of traveling through the astral realm in the form of the astral body. [For more information see http://www.spiritonline.com/obe]

Astrology 

The practice of revealing the future by interpreting the arrangement of stars and planets in relation to astrological theory and the zodiac.

Athame 

The athame is usually a black handled, double edged knife used in rituals. It is symbolic of the element of fire and it can be used while laying down circle boundaries and for inscribing candles. Also a phallic symbol.