Some Old Words

Once upon a time I put together a list of terms for students.

I reproduce it here.

Agree, disagree, ignore ...

The truly wise will see it as a language of a time, a place and a people and use it accordingly.

Glossary

"Apprentice" - A student of a teacher in a "one to one" "old style" type of teaching situation. The Apprentice is generally part time student, part time servant to "the Master/Mistress" and learns from them personally, in between the running and ensuring of smooth running of the "Master/Mistresses" mundane affairs.

"Awakened/Awakening" - (New Form) Term used to describe one of magical circles who can sense the subtle currents and the event of revelation (sometimes called the "Epiphany" or "Fugue") respectively.

"Branding" - (New Form) The act of "Branding" someone is the placing of a "mark" - in new magical terms this means the same only it is a non literal (although the actual marking of the body is sometimes done - generally as a mark of ownership, fealty or punishment) mark that can be "felt" as opposed to seen.

"Cabal" - (new Form) Term used to refer to a collection of practcioners or theorists, irrespective of path and tradition who form a group for the enaction of certain shared goals.

"Chantry" - A magical house, inhabited by practicioners and theorists for common safety and purpose. These are often on or in places of power such as "Nodes" and etc.

"Conjunction" - (New Form) This has the same general meaning as it does in Astrology, however in this case it refers to a place in time or perhaps even a person who is a nexus or crossroads for possibility and probability.

"Epiphany" - Term for the moment of revelation experienced by magical operatives when they are first properly aware of the magical currents.

"Flux" - (New Form) A term that is used to refer to any sudden movement, (especially in magical circles) of one's perception of space, time or both.

"Fugue" - Term used to describe the sudden perception of large amounts of sensory input experienced by an operative as they "Awaken" for the first time.

"Initiation" - Term used to describe the transition from one level of achievement or understanding to another. This may involve ceremony and ritual or not. It may involve others or it may not. It will however be accompanied by a sudden revelation at the end of some form of personal time of testing or trial.

"Mage" - Noun for a worker of Maghdim - therefore of Persian etymology. Much akin to the Sorcerer, the Mage works in much the same way with a subtle difference. The Mage believes that all things may be manipulated by the operator of sufficient will, courage and skill - just like the Sorcerer; BUT the Mage tends to approach the world(s) surrounding them from the opposite side. That is to say that while the sorcerer will peel back nature to interract with the forces beneath - the mage's primary focus will be the forces underneath - used to understand and manipulate what COVERS them.

"Magic" - The art and science of causing change in accordance with will.

"Magician" - Derivative noun from the persian word "Maghdim". In common useage it refers to any person who uses magic - male or female. The Magician generally has a religion that is based on their life experiences but has (in addition) one that is even higher - the religion of the use of magic.

"Magick" - (New Form) A term that is used by people who feel the need to differentiate between illusion (as in stage magic) and the manipulation of events by will and etc. It was first used in this capacity at the time of Crowley who wished to raise "will work" above it's old time companion "illusion". The fact that, (in many old forms and styles of training) illusion was a prerequisite to any form of study in "real" magic is mostly overlooked. Some claim that it is "the old original spelling of the word" and etc - but this is wishful thinking based in opportunism of past peoples' illiteracy.

"Master" - (Old form) One who excells in their field of endeavour AND their study.

"Mark" - (New Form adopted from Old Form Specific) The "Mark" refers to the "Witches Mark" as a form of identification. This may take many forms: from a "feeling" (as in one who has been "Branded") to certain turns of phrase, codenames and callsigns, the use of certain words or physical actions, handshakes and signs, to clothing etc.

"Mentor" - (Old Form) This term is generally used to refer to someone who introduced someone to a particular sphere of study or training. This is especially the case when referring to the one who introduced the practicioner to magic - generally by supervising their epiphany/awakening.

"Monkeys" - Derogative used to describe those unaware of; or outside of magical circles - or those who act like them. (See also "Unawakened"/"Mundanes"/"Naturals")

"Mundane" - This is an Noun used to refer to common, everyday things, places and situations. It is also used as a term of reference by some in a colloquial form to refer to "Those From Without". (See also "Naturals" and "Monkeys".)

"Naturals" - Generally dergoative term used to refer to those "outside of magical circles".

"Neo-Pagan" - Noun and adjective, this term refers to the traditions and practises that are later extrapolations on pagan practices (generally by outsiders). In terms of witchcraft this means virtually anything that is of a pagan BENT but is post Gerald Gardner and his tradition. Neo Pagan is all latin and means "New Pagan"; the practical differences between the Pagan and Neo-Pagan are many but all "boil down" to the differences in thought. While the Pagan is generally fiercely proud of ancestry and heiracy and will "defend" such practices vehemently, (and sometimes violently!) the neo-pagan traditions are more "forgiving". Since the introduction of "An' it harm none" these groups have become (in the view of the pagan traditions) "diluted and weak". Some neo-pagans have even gone so far as to make overtures and mix with their traditional enemies - the Church.

"Node" - A place that collects power and forces of any kind. Is sometimes used coloquially to refer to people, animals and objects as well.

"Orphan" - This is the polite term that is used, (derogative - "Bastard") to refer to any practicioner who was a part of a gouping of any kind but was "left behind" or otherwise rejected and has continued alone. This term is generally used to separate and define between this state of affairs and a "solitary" practicioner.

"Pagan" - Noun, Adj, Adv. From the latin Pagani meaning "the people" it was used colloquially to refer to those of the countryside. With the encroachment and rise to power of The Catholic Church and it's associated splinter groups this word came to be defined as "a heathenish or uneducated person". As many of these pagani were "uneducatued" (read as unindoctrinated) this came to be widely understood as "those who had not the benefit of the Church's refinement and control". It is easy from this to see how it soon became vogueish to use it to refer to anyone who was suspected of not belonging to the church. This fate also befell such terms as Heathen (those of the Heath / Country folk - soon bastardised to mean the same as "pagan") and the earlier Barbarian (originally anyone not of the speakers country - soon bastardised to mean uncouth, uneducated etc).

The useage in modern times is a strange mix of these two forms. While the former is remembered, it is the latter that is generally used - by those of both sides of the argument. In modern magical circles the word "pagan" is generally used to denote those practices that still owe much to the ideals and practices of the Paleo and Neo Lithic survivals in the areas of "Folk Religion and magic". The practical upshot of this in especially the areas of witchcraft (& etc) is that it is used to denote those practices that are of a specifically "traditional" nature. This includes traditions that are of a "Hereditary" or geo-cultural specific nature.

"Path" - This is a generalisation that refers to the entirety of magic; the practicioners and is used to specify the fashion afterwhich any operator or set of operators, group/coven/order or set thereof style themselves in terms of basic ideology. There are three paths (Left, Right and Centre) that form one strand (the path of magic) and each are variations on the other. Each of these paths define eachother differently (for example Siddharta Guatama was "Centre Path" ["Moderation in all things"] but would be defined as R.H.P by the Left and so on.)

1. Right Hand Path - (Colloq. "White Robes", "Shining Children" & etc) The followers of the Right Hand Path believe that expansive, "'light' order" creationism is the best and most "sanctified" method of evolution (this should NOT be taken to infer that they are incapable of vast destruction if they feel they are justified in such an action). Traditionally, most of these traditions follow a "God" (Masculine) figure of "Light" (oweing to the fact that in general basic magical theory this is the realm of many of the "God" figures throughout time) but this is not necessarily a hard and fast rule as was shown by the rise of the Neo-Pagan sects.
2. Left Hand Path - (Colloq. "Black Robes", "Shadow Kin" & etc) The followers of the Left Hand Path believe that introversive, "'dark' force" deconstructionism is the best and most "sanctified" method of evolution ( this should NOT be taken to infer that they are incapable of rapid and prolific "constructive works" if they feel it is required). Traditionally, most of these traditions follow a "Goddess" (Feminine) figure of "Darkness" (oweing to the fact that in general basic magical theory this is the realm of many of the "Goddess" figures throughout time) but this is not necessarily the case as was shown by the readiness that certain aspects of this path have shown to accept information and alliances of a more active (in some cases virtually fascist) bent.
3. Centre Path - (Colloq. "Grey/Red Robes", "Moderationists" & etc.) If the Right Hand Path is "Light" and the Left Hand Path is "Darkness" then the Centre Path is all of the shades between the absolutes. The Centre path is generally seen as being divided into two generalised halves - one of which is active and one of which is passive. Generally, it is believed that those who are truly of the Centre Path must follow both options as the situation or "times" warrant. Both of the other paths tend to view the Centre as both ally and annoyance while at the same time giving grudging respect for the difficulty inherent in their path. It is widely known that the Centre Path's "price" is harder to pay and greater in number than virtually any other.

"Price" - All magic will have side effects on the practicioner and their immediate environment and future. This may take the form of changes in personality and skill, memory and etc or they may involve actual physical changes of metabolism, ability and form. In general; prices that are useful are termed as "Gifts" or "Blessings" (Old Form) and those that involve some form of requirement or annoyance etc are termed as "Prices" or "Curses" (Old Form). The most often referred to is "Future sight - both a Blessing and a Curse".

"Satanist" - Again, this is a term that has been abused over the years. The original term "Shaitan" meant the opposition or accuser. This has been long forgotten in most cricles and therein the only useage is that which the Church gave it - that of being a worshipper of Satan. While some groups of these people did (and still do!) exist - and some of thereof undoubtably did (and do) follow the lines that are given in tracts such as the Malleus/Compendium Mallificarum & etc. It should be remembered that there were groups of various social and cultural backgrounds that these observations were derived from. It has become fashion these days to claim that the practices of such Left Hand Path Groups are merely a product of the Church - which is only half true (at best).

One place that this has not been frogotten however is the modern "Church of Satan". When this organisation was started by Anton LaVey in San Francisco the charge levelled against him was "Devil Worshipper" and he was quick to point out that this was a poorly rendered surface view thereof. The tenets, practices and ideology of this group are expounded within the texts The Satanic Bible, The Satanic Rituals, The Satanic Witch, The Devils Notebook, Speak of the Devil and the histories of the organisation both official and unnofficial abound. The Church of Satan is anti animal and human sacrifice and state that much of the "scare stories" are little more than Church propaganda.

"Sleeper" - (New Form) This term is used to refer to any person who: "has the capability but does not use it" irrelevant of the reason.

"Sorcerer" - Another class of magician. Sorcery however generally connects more to the currents of energies (and thereby the entities that are portions thereof) in a very personal way. Generally the Sorcerer utilises personal will and power as a conduit to connect to natural forces and THEN peels them back to discover the currents and forces underneath. In more modern times, one aspect of the sorcerers work has come to be understood by the laity as predominant - that of dealing with "spirits".

"Technocracy" - (New Form) This term refers to all that which confirms and stabilises the "reality" of conformism that is prevalent in today's society. This can be benign or malign - as can the useage of this term.

"Three Fold Law"- Fabulous law created by Gardner to support the Wiccan Rede. Based on ancient curse structure, it follows the notion of Karma but ignores the Karmic doctrine that different infractions are punished in different ways. Stating: "Whatever ye do shall return threefold for good or ill" it (supposedly) reinforces the notion that no Wiccan can cast a curse for they would suffer three times the harm that they had intended for the victim.

"Tradition" - This is a term with a variety of meanings. To begin with it is used to refer to any set of (generally) geo/culturally specific beliefs or practices that are adhered to over time (as in "You have to do that - it's a 'tradition'"!). Further than that, by extrapolation it has come to mean specific groups of people who adhere to these specific beliefs and practices over time. In this sense, it is (perhaps) used much after the manner of a wider form of "coven" that also infers that it has been around for some time. This form is rarely used for a group whose principles have not lasted at the very least ten years of age.

This term may also be used to refer to the "wider" set of beliefs to which that group "belongs".
In this sense it is very adaptable; a coven may be referred to as "belonging to a tradition" - for example a Gardnerian Coven is a coven of the "Gardnerian Tradition".

"Warlock" - Etymologically, this term of refernce means: a "liar on oath," and hence a "traitor" or "deceiver." Indeed, the word orginally meant "traitor" in English. It soon broadened out into a general term of abuse, but the modern sense "evil sorcerer" did not emerge until the 14th century and the rise of the Witches (as opposed to Pagans).

"Wicca" - Neopagan faith started by Gerald Gardner in the late 50's and enjoyed by the masses even until today. Cobbled together from various Pagan ideals and his own brand of morality and desire fullfilment - it was designed to give "Witches" a better reputation than they had previously enjoyed and to popularise various traditional views and practices. Wicca has since branched off and factionalised into innumerable sub groups each with their individual variations and lagely fabulous "origins". All of these (regardless of deific emphasis or origin etc) adhere to the rules created by Gardner of "The Three fold Law" and the "Wiccan Rede".

It has been claimed that "Wicca" is derived from Old English meaning "Craft of the Wise" - this is false (see Wiccan, Wizard). Wicca was a word used in the Masculine Old English form to denote a male who bent natural forces to his advantage and Wicce was the feminine form of the same. Many over the years have therefore found the majority of Wiccan's overpreoccupation with the "Goddess" rather odd.

It should also be noted that Wicca is an initiatory form of religion and that many the operator will meet who use this term in self reference will NOT actually BE Wiccans.

"Wiccan" - Non gendered term denoting any follower, of any age, of the Neopagan religion "Wicca". Originally inferred to denote a coven member as opposed to a "Cowan" (outsider) this has lapsed since the rise of the Solitaire movement of lone witches (Solitaire or Solitary). It is claimed (erroneously) that it is an Old English word meaning "Wise one". "Wican" in Old English means "To bend" ("Wysard" being the term used in conjuction with wisdom) and although it WAS used by a select group in the Middle Ages - it was not considered to have any other connotation other than to "bend" the forces of nature to provide favourable outcome.

"Wiccan Rede" - Statement of morality very loosely based in a bastardised form of the Eastern idea of "Karma" and taking the form of a bastardised version of the Rabellaisian Dictum. Stating: "An' it harm none - do as thou willst" it is the law that (supposedly) ensures that no wiccan can harm another. This and the "Threefold Law" are the things that set Wicca apart as a religion and keep it cohesive.

"Witch" - Word that is derived from "Wican" (meaning "to bend") to name a person as a worker of magic (generally maleficka). In virtually every language on the planet the word for "Witch" means a worker of malevolent magic. "Poisoner", "Frightener", "Spell Caster", "Evil Woman" are comparatives in English Venifica in Latin, Streghe in Italian and Hexe in German (Hexenmeister - Male) all carry negative connotations. The rise of the "Witches" was a result of the dissasembly of various Pagan peoples and the inabilty of some of the same to "let the church prevail".

"Wizard" - From Old English Wysard - meaning "Wise One". Generally a masculine noun, this term has fallen into disuse in the common era - now generally being used to describe "long gone" magicians of great power from the beginnings of history - especially of the "Golden Age" of magic (Modern term - "Mythic Age").