HALLOWE'EN, HALLOWMAS, HALLOWS, HALLOWS EVE ("holy" or "holy night"): The November 1st Greater Sabbat celebrating the End and the Beginning of the Year with the final harvest. On this day the veil between the Otherworld and the World is thinnest and entities from either side may cross over or communicate with one another more easily. The laws of time and space are suspended. The sabbat marks the death of the Sun God and his passing into the Land of the Young, where He awaits rebirth through the Mother Goddess at Yule. The Dead travel to the Otherworld and it is the time to bring honor and hospitality to dead ancestors. Also known as Alhalwyn-tyd, Allantide, All Hallows Eve, All Hallows Tide, The Apple Time, Calan Gaeaf, Calan Gwaf, Feast of Apples, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Souls, Hollantide, Kala-Goañv, November Eve, Samain, Samhain, Samhuinn, Sauin.
HALOMANCY: Divination by interpreting salt. The origin of misfortune associated with spilled salt. Also known as Alomancy.
HAKATA: Bones, dice, seeds or shells used for divination.
HAND-FASTING:
A betrothal;
A Wiccan or Pagan marriage Rite.
HAND-PARTING: A divorce rite, symbolically the cutting of the binds created by a hand-fasting. Also known as Going of the Ways.
HARGINN: Malicious spirits in India that prefer to prey on horses, riding them into exhaustion. Also known as Chagrin, Cagrino (Europe), Guecubu (Chile).
HARPY (Greek, harpyiai: "snatchers"): Mythological creatures with the head and torso of a woman and the tail, legs, and talons of a bird. They carried the souls of the dead to the underworld and would take those unwilling to die by force. They were associated with malice, death and vengeance. Described as foul, hideous and filthy creatures their name eventually became synonymous with a grasping, greedy person, especially a selfish woman.
HARUSPEX: Someone who practices divination. Also known as Ariolater, Aruspex, Clairvoyant, Diviner, Seer, Soothsayer. See Also: Oracle, Prophet, Theomancer.
HARUSPICY: Divination by interpreting animal entrails. Haruspicy is sometimes considered to be a form of augury (interpreting the appearance and behavior of animals). Similar to Anthropomancy (interpretation of human entrails) and Heiromancy (interpretation of sacrificed objects) Also known as Aruspicy, Extispicy, Extispicium.
HARVEST OLD WIFE: A figure created by plaiting the last sheaf of a harvest. In some communities the Harvest Old Wife was made by each farmer, those pulling off their harvest first calling theirs the "corn maiden" and the last one made was the Cailleach or Harvest Old Wife. In other traditions only one Harvest Old Wife was made and the figure passed from farmer to farmer until the last harvest was pulled. Although possessing the Harvest Old Wife could be viewed as a reproach for laziness, the figure represents the fertility of the Earth and the Goddess and is used in the spring in a variety of ways to ensure a good harvest. Also known as Biddy, Callach, Cailleach, Caillech, Cailliach, Corn Dolly, Corn Maiden.
HEATHEN (Amoric, heathanos: "wasteland dweller"):
Originally, a member of any nation of people not worshiping the God of Israel;
Anyone not a Jew, Christian, or Moslem, especially those who worship many gods and their nations;
A person regarded as uncivilized, unenlightened, irreligious, etc.
HECATINE TRADITION: A Scottish tradition of Witchcraft that preserves the unique festivals of the Caledonii. Also known as Caledonii Tradition.
HECHICERIA: Mexican Indian magickal tradition that reveres the pre-Columbian divinities. Practitioners are most often male and are called Hechiceros, Nuguals, or Bruho Naturaleza.
HECHICERO: A practitioner of Hechiceria, the pre-Columbian magickal tradition in Mexico. Also known as Nuguals, Bruho Naturaleza.
HEDGE WITCH:
A person who practices Hedge Witchcraft, sometimes also known as a Hedge Wizard.
An initiated Wiccan who is practicing as a Solitary or is "between" covens.
HEDGE WITCHCRAFT: A non-initiated solitary practice of Witchcraft that focuses on the traditional European, especially British Isles, role of Witch as healer, midwife and seer for a community. Highly intuitive, Hedge Witchcraft emphasizes the practical role of magick in daily living over the religious doctrine and it is acceptable for Hedge Witches to be self taught and eclectic in the spiritual aspects of their faith.
HEDGE WIZARD: A person who practices Hedge Witchcraft, usually applied to male practitioners. Also known as Hedge Witch.
HENOTHEISM: A religion that acknowledges the existence of many gods but chooses to revere, worship or acknowledge only one. They are often confused with, or assumed to be, monotheistic (believing in one god). Judaism and Christianity are examples of Henotheistic religions. See Also: Pantheism, Polytheism, Monotheism.
HEPATOMANCY, HEPATOSCOPY: Divination by examining the liver of an animal. A form of haruspicy (divination with animal entrails).
HEPHAESTIC TRANSFERENCE: The process of transferring the power or properties of an object to another object by burning the original object and rubbing its ashes into the new object. Traditionally, it was a way of transferring the power of Signs and Symbols to an object without having to actually write or inscribe those Symbols on the object itself, and thereby risk discovery.
HEPTAGRAM: A seven-pointed star drawn with one unbroken line.
HERB: Any seed plant whose stalk withers away after each season's growth (as distinguished from a tree or shrub) and that is used for medicine, seasoning or food.
HERBALISM: The art of using herbs for magick and/or physical and emotional healing. Also known as Wort Cunning.
HEREDITARY WITCHCRAFT: A Tradition passed down within the family in an unbroken line and hence by hereditary descent. Many Family Tradition Witches do not consider their traditions Wiccan; some use the term Wicca to describe their family traditions because the beliefs and practices fit more or less closely with Gardnerian or Alexandrian Wicca. Also known as Hereditary Witchcraft. Hereditaries are also often referred to as FamTrad, or Family Traditionalist
s.
HERMAPHRODITE:
A being who is both male and female in one. Connotatively it denotes a level of existence that transcends the need for sexuality and gender.
In alchemy, the term represents Sulfur and Mercury after their Conjunction. Also known as Rebis.
HERMETICA: Forty-two sacred books of mystical wisdom attributed to the mythical Hermes Trismegistus, or Thrice Great Hermes, the combined Egyptian and Greek deities of Thoth and Hermes, respectively. The books, which date from somewhere between the third century BCE and first century CE had an enormous impact on the development of Western occultism and magick. Many of the rituals and much of the esoteric symbolism contained in Witchcraft are based upon Hermetic material.
HERMETIC ORDER OF THE GOLDEN DAWN: Founded in 1888 by Dr. William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddle MacGregor Mathers and Dr. W.R. Woodman based on a manuscript said to be an old German occult order. Aleister Crowley is the most well known member in occult circles, but membership also included W.B. Yeats and A.E. Waite. During its height the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn possessed the greatest known repository of Western magickal knowledge. Three magickal systems were taught: the Key of Solomon; Abra-Melin magick; and Enchonian magick. Materials were also incorporated from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, William Blake’s Prophetic Books and the Chaldean Oracles. Some of the texts included Christian elements and members circulated various Catholic and Anglican writings and sermons. Instruction was given in astral travel, scrying, alchemy, geomancy, the tarot and astrology.
HERMETIC VASE, The: A pear-shaped earthenware bottle, open at both ends, used as a condenser in the sublimation process in alchemy. Also called Aludel, the Philosopher's Egg, and the Vase of the Philosophy.
HEX (Pennsylvania Dutch, hexe: "witch"): A spell or bewitchment. In common usage, hex means an evil spell or curse, but among the Pennsylvania Dutch a hex can be either good or bad. It is cast by a professional witch whose services are sought out and paid for with a “voluntary contribution”. Witches are also consulted to break and protect against hexes.
HEXAGRAM: A six-pointed star formed of conjoined upright and reversed triangles, representing the union and balance of Fire and Water, and of Male and Female. Also called the Star of the Macrocosm or the Star of David. It is used as a primary symbol in the Judaic traditions.
HEX DEATH: Death from a hex or curse resulting from magick or the breaking of a taboo. According to anthropologists the critical factor in hex death is the belief of the victim that they are going to die, however sorcerers in various cultures contend that it is possible to cause a hex death without the victim being aware of the hex. Hex death is found in some form in most cultures around the world. Also known as Voodoo Death.
HEX SIGNS: Round magickal signs and symbols used by the Pennsylvania Dutch. They are both amulets and talismans, and are traditionally painted on barns, stables and houses to protect against lightning, ensure fertility, and protect human and animals from spellcraft. Other hex signs are painted on common household items to heal, accumulate material goods and money, start or stop rain, and innumerable other purposes. Each hex sign has a different meaning and a charm or incantation is said as the hex sign is being made. It is taboo for the Pennsylvania Dutch to discuss hex signs with outsiders, so there is little known about their crafting.
HIEROMANCY: Divination by interpreting sacrificial objects such as burnt offerings or slaughtered animals. Similar to Haruspicy (interpretation of animal entrails). Also known as Hieroscopy.
HIEROPHANT: Originally, the High Priest of the Elusinian mysteries in Greece, the term now refers to a person capable of interpreting sacred mysteries or esoteric principles.
HIEROSCOPY: Divination by interpreting sacrificial objects such as burnt offerings or slaughtered animals. Similar to Haruspicy (interpretation of animal entrails). Also known as Hieromancy.
HEIROS GAMOS: The Wiccan ritual enacting the union of the Goddess and the God that can be symbolic (in the presence of others) or actual (in private and only between established lovers and working-partners); it is an essential part of the Traditional Wiccan rite of Third Degree Initiation. Also known as the Great Rite, Sacred Marriage of the Goddess and the God, the Marriage of the Divine Polarities.
HIGH MAGICK: Magick that calls upon the aid of beneficent spirits and is akin to religion. It is called theurgy, from theourgia "working things pertaining to the gods". High Magick is based upon a blend of doctrines of Plato and other Greek philosophers, Oriental mysticism, Judaism and Christianity and currently is divided into three forms : Enochian, Thelemic and Eclectic. Enochian Magick originated with John Dee and Edward Kelly in the 16th century and communication with spirits involved the Nineteen Calls (or Keys): incantations in the Enchonian language, a complex language of unknown origin. This system of Magick was revived by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and studied at length by Aleister Crowley. In turn, Crowley developed the Thelemic Magick system from his studies and High Magickians have since expanded to develop Eclectic Magick systems based on a variety of different systems, inclusive of Alchemy, Egyptology, Kabbalistic doctrines, Chaos Magick etc.. High Magick requires a rigorous discipline and has an intellectual appeal, the mage derives power from God (the Judeo-Christian God) through the successful control of spirits, usually demons, which are believed easier to control than angels. Demons may be good, evil, or neutral. In its highest sense, High Magick is a transcendental experience that takes the mage into mystical realms and into communication with the Higher Self. Also known as Ceremonial Magick, Ritual Magick, Theurgic Magick, Theurgy.
HIGH PRIEST (HP):
The highest male office in a hierocracy (hierarchy of clergy);
In Wicca, a Second or Third Degree male Witch (a rank).
HIGH PRIESTESS (HPS):
The highest female office in a hierocracy (hierarchy of clergy);
A Second or Third Degree female Witch (a rank).
HILL FOLK, The (Old Irish, áes: "people"; sídh: "hill"): The Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of gods who withdrew to live in the hills of Ireland after their defeat by the Milesean Celts. The descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann became known as the Daoine Sídhe, the faery folk and the term sídhe now means faery in the Irish language. In Theosophy the Tuatha Dé Danann are known as Davana and are enemies of the gods. Also known as Áes Sí, Áes Sídh, Áes Sídhe, Áos Sídhe, the Children of Danu, the Danaan, Davana, the People of Danu, the Tuatha Dé Danann. See also Daoine Sídhe, Fae, Faerie, Faery, Fairie, Fairy.
HINDUISM: The main religious and social system in India. Hinduism has various sects with the commonality of the belief in reincarnation, polytheism and an ordained caste system as its social base.
HIPPOCAMPUS (Greek, hippos: "horse"; kampos: "sea monster"): A mythological creature with the head and forequarters of a horse and the tail of a dolphin or fish.
HIPPOMANCY: Divination by interpreting the appearance and behavior of horses. A form of augury.
HIVING OFF: The act of a coven member founding a daughter-Coven with the sanction of the mother-Coven.
HOCUS POCUS: A nonsense phrase that is associated with trickery, stage-magic conjuring and deceit.
HO-HO: A mythological bird that consumed itself by fire every 500 years and recreated itself from the ashes as a newborn. Also known as Bennu, Fung-hwang, Fum-hwang, Kerkes, Phoenix.
HOLLANTIDE: The November 1st Greater Sabbat celebrating the End and the Beginning of the Year with the final harvest. On this day the veil between the Otherworld and the World is thinnest and entities from either side may cross over or communicate with one another more easily. The laws of time and space are suspended. The sabbat marks the death of the Sun God and his passing into the Land of the Young, where He awaits rebirth through the Mother Goddess at Yule. The Dead travel to the Otherworld and it is the time to bring honor and hospitality to dead ancestors. Also known as Alhalwyn-tyd, Allantide, All Hallows Eve, All Hallows Tide, The Apple Time, Calan Gaeaf, Calan Gwaf, Feast of Apples, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Souls, Hallowmas, Hallows, Hallows Eve, Hallowe’en, Kala-Goañv, November Eve, Samain, Samhain, Samhuinn, Sauin.
HOODOO: An American magickal system drawn from African magickal practice, Native American botanical healing knowledge and European folklore. It is often confused with Voodoo and it's practitioners are called Hoodoo, Hoodoo Doctors, Hoodoo Men/Women, Conjure Men/Women Conjurers, Root Doctors or Root Workers. Also known as Rootwork.
HOROSCOPE: An astrological chart for a specific person or group that charts and correlates the signs of the zodiac as they are crossed by the sun, moon and planets and the position of planets in the twelve astrological houses.
HOROSCOPY: Divination and character analysis by interpreting a horoscope.
HOUNGAN: A Vodoun priest, "mambo" is the term for priestess. His congregation often calls him papa-loa or papa.
HOUSE OF CHICK: A brick or clay furnace, usually shaped like a tower with a domed roof, used by alchemists to perfect matter. It was designed to keep even heat over long periods of time. Also known as Athanor.
HP (High Priest):
The highest male office in a hierocracy (hierarchy of clergy);
In Wicca, a Second or Third Degree male Witch (a rank).
HPS (High Priestess):
The highest female office in a hierocracy (hierarchy of clergy);
A Second or Third Degree female Witch (a rank).
HUMPED MOON: The three quarter phase of the moon, between half and full. Also known as Gibbous Moon.
HUNA: The ancient Polynesian philosophical, scientific and magickal system. Huna teaches that there are three selves: lower, middle and higher that may be integrated by directing Mana properly. Practitioners are called Kahuna.
HYDATOSCOPY: Divination by interpreting rainwater. A form of Hydromancy.
HYDROMANCY: Divination by interpreting water including its color, ebb and flow, or ripples produced by pebbles dropped in a pool. Also known as Ydromancy.
Stumble!