Tradition and Mystery

British Traditional Witchcraft Starter pack...


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A few useful terms:

  • Sabbat - any of the Eight traditional religious festivals celebrating the cycle of the Year: Yule, Imbolg, Spring Equinox, Beltain, Midsummer, Lammas, Autumn Equinox, Samhein.
  • Ezbat - a Lunar ritual, usually celebrating the Goddess and held at full moons (during which the ritual of the Drawing Down of the Moon and the Great Mother Charge are invoked).
  • Skyclad - the ceremonial garb of the Witch: to be clothed in the sky! “ ye shall be free from all slavery; and as a sign that ye be really free ye may be naked in your rites!..”
  • Initiation - “ begin”: the Hero’s journey. An experiential ritual during which entry into the Mysteries is gained and the Oath is taken. Within the Alexandrian Tradition there are three initiations, each taking the Initiate deeper into the Mysteries.
  • Mystery - “ Secret”: the Tradition is rooted in the great Mystery Religions: of Eleussius and Isis; the Great Mysteries of Birth, Death and Rebirth. In Witchcraft connection with these Mysteries takes place through the 1st 2nd and 3rd Degree Initiations.
  • Priesthood - The Wicca have no congregation: upon initiation we are all made Priests and Priestesses of the Goddess and the God, and therefore take on the task of upholding, practicing and preserving the Tradition.
  • Ritual - a Magickal process, a pagan passion play using symbols, designed to awaken our psychi to the Goddess, the God, and that which flows through us.
  • Magick - the art of creating change according to Will (in Crowley's excellent definition...).
  • High Magick - through ritual drawing on the greater energies to create change and understanding within ourselves; to unite the microcosm with the macrocosm - ourselves with the Gods.
  • Practical Magick - rituals and spells designed to change our environment eg Healing, love or money spells.


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Updated July 2004