S

Sabbat

One of the eight celebrations of paganism. [For more information see http://www.spiritonline.com/wicca/3.html]

Salamander

The elemental who dwells in the fire plane.

Samhain

Sabbat held on the eve of Nov. 1st, also called Halloween and celebrated by most people (religiously or not) on October 31. [For more information see http://www.spiritonline.com/wicca/3.html]

Scrying

A form of divination by gazing into something, usually a reflective surface. [For more information see http://www.spiritonline.com/wicca/qa-divination.html]

Shade

The spirit of a being which refuses to leave the physical plane.

Shamanism

The religion of the ancient peoples of northern Europe and Asia, generally characterised by the ability of the Shaman to communicate with the spirit world. Major facets of Shamanism are animism, possession, prophecy/revelations, shapeshifting, and soul travel.

Shapeshifting

A very esoteric practice involving changing the human form. This can be practiced while on the astral plane, this alone is a great accomplishment. It is said that one can also shapeshift on the physical plane, though documented proof of this is nonexistent. Few books are published on the subject as it is an art mainly for certain people, and teachers prefer to find these people and teach them their art secretively rather than let the public know their ways.

Showstone

A crystal sphere used for divination, especially scrying. Also called a crystal ball.

Sigil

A magickal seal or glyph.

Skyclad

A pagan term for nudity during rituals.

Solitary

A witch who practices alone instead of within a coven.

So Mote it Be

A phrase used often in rituals to close a chant or incantation. It literally means, "It must be so" or "So it shall be".

Sorcery

Magickal practice which involves summoning, binding, or banishing deities. Often a sorcerer (practitioner of sorcery) uses no tools.

Soul

The true identity of a human being, the immortal self which surpasses death and lives on into the otherworld, perchance to be reincarnated.

Spell

The direction of energies towards some certain goal, generally with the use of spoken words. [For more information see http://www.spiritonline.com/wicca/spellbook.html]

Spellcrafting

The practice of creating spells by writing outlines, arranging correspondences, and authoring incantations. [For more information see http://www.spiritonline.com/wicca/2.html]

Spirits

Entities which are free of a physical body.

Summoner

Like a male version of the maiden, a member of the coven who is an assistant to the High Priest.

Sylph

The elemental of air.

Symbol

A sign which represents something else. Symbols are used commonly in rituals to represent gods, elements, goals, and more. Many tools are symbols, for example, the chalice is a symbol of the goddess and the giving of life.