Pagan Dictionary

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SABBAT: One of the eight great festivals of the year, celebrating the seasonal tides of power of the Wheel of the Year. The Greater Sabbats include the four Cross Quarter Festivals of Imbolc, Beltain, Lammas and Samhain, and the Lesser Sabbats include the Quarter Festivals of the Summer and Winter Solstices and Vernal and Autumn Equinoxes. Known as High Days in Druidry.

SACRED MARRIAGE OF THE GODDESS AND THE GOD: 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, Heiros Gamos, the Marriage of the Divine Polarities.

SACRED WHEEL WICCA: An eclectic neo-Pagan path based on Celtic beliefs, that focuses on balance and learning. Celtic beliefs are a part of their teachings. They state that they are a Wiccan religion dedicated to the health of Mother Earth, and to all her children in whatever forms they may take.

SACRIFICE: An offering of a gift, especially to a deity or being, in petition, thanksgiving or appeasement. The most common offerings are food, drink, the fruits of harvest and the blood sacrifice of animals and fowl. In Pagan traditions blood sacrifice is considered an abomination and unnecessary for worship. See also: Offering.

SALAMANDERS: The Elemental Order of Fire, the elemental spirits of the Fire Element.

SALT: An agent of purification that represents the element Earth and the action of thought on matter. It is also believed to ward off negative influence. In some traditions a small dish of it is consecrated and is used, along with the other Elements for consecration and various other rituals. In Alchemy it represents the final manifestation of the perfected stone and is referred to as "the Glory of the Whole Universe" in the Emerald Tablet.

SAMAIN, SAMHAIN, SAMHUINN: 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, Hollantide, Kala-Goañv, November Eve, Sauin. 

SANTERÍA (Spanish, santo: "saint"): A religion centering on the worship of the ancient African Gods who have been assimilated as Catholic saints. Similar in practice to Voudon, all worshippers of Santería could be called Santeros but the term Santeros usually refers to the priests or priestesses. The highest order of priest is a babalawo, who has the power to heal the sick, punish the unjust and to divine the future through the Table of Ifá. Also known as Umbanda.

SANTERO: A worshipper of Santería, though the term is usually reserved for priests and priestesses of the religion. Santeros are all accomplished herbalists. The decision to use magick for peace or harm rests with the Santero alone. Some Santero choose to limit themselves to one side, those who choose to follow a path only for good are known as Ngana, and those who choose to commit themselves only to destruction are called Mayombero.

SATANISM: The worship of the Christian concept of the Anti-Christ. It is not a Pagan religion although some Satanists refer to themselves as witches or Witches.

SATYR: A minor class or Roman rural deities or nature spirits. Satyrs are usually represented as having the body of a man, but the horns, pointed ears, tail, and hind legs of a goat.  Also known as Faun.

SAUIN: 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, Hollantide, Kala-Goañv, November Eve, Samain, Samhain, Samhuinn. 

SCAPULOMANCY: Divination by interpreting the patterns, cracks and fissures of the burned shoulder blade of an animal. Sometimes considered to be a form of Augury (divination by interpreting the appearance and behavior of animals). Also known as Spatulamancy

SCATOMANCY: Divination by interpreting excrement. A form of Spatalamancy (divination by interpreting skin, bones or excrement).

SCIAMANCY, SCIOMANCY: Divination by communication with spirits. Distinct from Necromancy in that the spirits are voluntary participants in the divination.

SCOTICAN WICCA: A Wiccan tradition founded by Striix that is a mix of Wicca, Peti-Wita, Kitchen Witchery, and Ceremonial Magic.

SCRYING: Divination by interpreting images in a reflective or transparent object such as a mirror, crystal globe or pool of water. Also known as Catoptromancy, Crystallomancy, Crystalomancy, Dubjed, Enoptromancy.

SEAL OF SOLOMON: A six-sided star within a circle with powerful magickal properties. The seal of Solomon is used to draw in the balanced energy of the four base elements. Differentiated from the Star of David which exists without the circle.

SEAX-WICA: A Wiccan tradition founded by Raymond Buckland in 1973, based on Saxon culture. It does not pretend to be either a continuation or a re-creation of the original Saxon religion. Main features of the tradition are the fact that it has open rituals, it has a democratic organization that precludes ego trips and power plays by coven leaders, there can be Coven or Solitary practice and there is the reality of Self-initiation in lieu of Coven Initiation, if desired. Seax-Wicca is found throughout the United States and in many countries around the world.

SECT:

A group of people following a religious doctrine different from that of the established church from which they separated;
A group within a larger religious body with their own place of worship (denomination);
A group of people deviating from religious tradition and regarded as unorthodox or heretical. Synonymous with cult;
A group adhering to a particular philosophy or school of thought (any organized group);
SEER: Someone who practices divination. Also known as Ariolater, Aruspex, Clairvoyant, Diviner, Haruspex, Soothsayer. See Also: Oracle, Prophet, Theomancer.

SEKHET-AANRE, SEKHET-AANRE: The first region of the Egyptian Afterworld which the deceased enters. Beyond aanroo are the seven halls with guardians that only the adept may pass through. Also known as Aanroo, Aanre, Aanru, Aarru, Aaru.

SEKHET-HETEP, SEKHET-HETPET: The Egyptian After world ruled by Osiris. The last house of the Tuat, where the gods reside. Also known as Amenti, Amentet.

SELENOMANCY: Divination by interpreting the appearance and phase of the moon.

SELF-BLESSING: In Wicca, a ritual that affirms a female Witch's dedication to the Goddess, and enhances her power as a woman and Witch.

SEPARATION: The third operation in Alchemy. Denoted by the sign of Scorpio.

SEVEN JEWELS OF WISDOM, The: Theosophical term for the seven fundamental teachings that explain the universe, its structure, its laws and its operation:

Reimbodiment (punarjanman)
The doctrine of consequences, results, or of causes and effects (karma)
Hierarchies (lokas and talas)
Individual characteristics involving self-generation or self-becoming (svabhava)
Evolution and involution (pravritti and nivritti)
The two paths (amritayana and pratyekayana); and 
The knowledge of the divine self and how the One becomes the many (atma-vidya).
SHADE: The spirit of a being which refuses to leave the physical plane and remains in spirit form. Differentiated from a vampire which chooses to remain after death in physical form.

SHAMAN: The shaman is an individual who enters an ecstatic altered state of consciousness which enables him/her to communicate with guardian and helping spirits and draw upon sources of enormous power. In some cultures shamans are selected at a young age based on their gifts, trained and initiated; in other cultures, shamans are involuntarily chosen by the spirits.

SHAMANISM: The oldest system of healing and magick in the world, probably as old as mankind itself. Shamanism is the art of functioning comfortably in two realities; the ordinary reality of the everyday, waking world, and the non-ordinary reality of the shamanic state of consciousness attained through an ecstatic trance. The primary purpose of shamanism is the healing of body and mind, but it is also used for divination and to ensure prosperity for communities. Shamanism is found in some form in every culture in the world.

SHAMROCK: The three-leafed clover is an ancient sacred symbol associated with the sun. Although currently associated religiously with St. Patrick, the shamrock symbolized the Celtic sun wheel used in spring and summer sabbats. As a trefoil, it is associated with the magickal number three, the Triple Goddess and the three-leaved wand of Hermes. Isis and Osiris wore shamrocks on their heads, and it was the symbol of Spring Equinox to the Irish Druids. Also known as Sorrel.

SHAPESHIFTING: Transforming oneself at will from human form to that of animal, birds and insects. Also known as Metamorphosis.

SHEN LUNG: The Chinese Rain Dragon. Ti Lung (Earth Dragon) and the Shen Lung together are known as Wang Lung. The other two types of Chinese Dragon are:

T'ien Lung ( Celestial Dragon);
Fu Tsang Lung ( Treasure Dragon);
Also known as Kung Lung.
SHOWSTONE: A crystal sphere used for divination, especially scrying. Also called a Crystal Ball.

SIDEROMANCY: Divination interpreting straw placed on a hot iron surface. A form of pyromancy (divination interpreting fire).

SIGIL:

A magickally oriented seal, sign, glyph, or other device used in a magickal working. The most powerful sigils are those that are hand made. Sigils can be used on letters, packages, clothing, on paper tucked in a pocket, etc.;
A symbol representing a spirit.
SILVER: The favored metal of Witches for its association with the Goddess, moon magic, the female principle and the Goddess in winter. Silver possesses protective powers against negative influences and evil spirits and has been used since ancient times for amulets. The metal also is said to enhance psychic faculties. It is one of the seven metals of alchemy and is associated with the operation of Distillation.

SIMPLE FEAST, The: A ritual meal in Wicca shared with the Goddess and God.

SKATHAROMANCY: Divination by interpreting the tracks of a beetle crawling over a grave, especially that of a murder victim. A form of Augury (interpreting the appearance or behavior of animals).

SKYFATHER: Assigning deification to the sky as a male entity. Although shamanistic in its origin, it compliments Earth Mother perfectly. Skyfather is also used by several Native American belief systems.

SKYCLAD: Celebrating or doing a magickal working in the nude, but not for sexual contact. Many pagans prefer to work skyclad, feeling that he absence of clothing leaves their energy unhindered during the ceremony.

SMARAGDINE TABLET, The: The mystical inscribed tablet of Hermes or Thoth that summarizes the whole of magick in one page. The tablet has two sources of discovery, one version saying it was found on the dead body of Hermes by Abraham's wife, Sarai and other version saying it was found at Hebron by an Essenian initiate. The Smaragdine Tablet lays the cornerstone for much of western magickal philosophy, and is the origin of the fundamental law of ceremonial magick: "That which is above is as that which is below; and that which is below, is as that which is above, for performing the marvels of the Kosmos. As all things are from the One, by the mediation of the One so all things arose out of this One Thing by evolving . . ." Also known as The Emerald Tablet.

SNAKESTONE: The glass ball or ring prized by Druids as an amulet. Snake stones were thought to have been formed during the summer by bubbles blown from the mouth of the adder and hardened by sliding down the length of the back, forming a crystal ring. Also known as Adder Stone.

SO MOTE IT BE (Anglo Saxon, mot: "it is permitted"):  "So (may) might it be". A phrase used to close magickal rituals or spells in many pagan traditions. Similar to Amen.

SOLAR ECLIPSE: The partial or total darkening of the sun when the moon comes between it and earth. The solar eclipse varies in significance across religions and magickal systems.

SOLITARY: A Pagan who worships alone rather than as a member of a religious congregation like a a Coven or Grove.

SOLSTICE ("sun standing still"): One of the two dates in the year when the Sun reaches its furthest position north, or south, of the equator: in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice is the northernmost position, and begins the "Waning Side of the Year", while the Winter Solstice is the southernmost position and begins the "Waxing Side of the Year". It is called Solstice because the Sun appears to stand still on that day, before beginning to move south/north again.

SONIFEROUS ETHER: The Fifth element, the omnipresent spiritual power that permeates the universe. It is related to outer space, inner space, the unmanifest, and the life force. Soniferous Ethere is believed to be located in the sphere of Vibratory Sound in ceremonial magick. Also known as Akasa, Akasha, Nyingpo, Tsang, Quintessence. Akin to the concept of Anima Mundi. See also: Elements.

SOOTHSAYER: Someone who practices divination. Also known as Ariolater, Aruspex, Clairvoyant, Diviner, Haruspex, Seer, Soothsayer. See Also: Oracle, Prophet, Theomancer.

SORCERY: The manipulation of natural forces and powers to achieve a desired objective.

SORREL: The three-leafed clover is an ancient sacred symbol associated with the sun. Although currently associated religiously with St. Patrick, the shamrock symbolized the Celtic sun wheel used in spring and summer sabbats. As a trefoil, it is associated with the magickal number three, the Triple Goddess and the three-leaved wand of Hermes. Isis and Osiris wore shamrocks on their heads, and it was the symbol of Spring Equinox to the Irish Druids. Also known as Shamrock.

SORTILEGE: Divination by casting or drawing lots. There are many types of sortilege including:

Astraglomancy (sheep bones);
Belomancy (arrows);
Bibliomancy (books);
Cleromancy (dice);
Pessomancy (pebbles);
Rhapsodomancy (poetry); 
Stichomancy (books);
Also known as Cleromancy.
SOUL: The true identity of a human being, the non-physical part of a person that defines them and is believed to be immortal in many spiritual systems. Sometimes used synonymously with Spirit, Quintessence.

SOUL READING: Divination by interpreting the soul of a person, their values, beliefs and morals. Also known as Psychomancy.

SPATALAMANCY: Divination by interpreting skin, bone or excrement.

SPATULAMANCY: Divination by interpreting the patterns, cracks and fissures of the burned shoulder blade of an animal. Sometimes considered to be a form of augury (divination interpreting the appearance and behavior of animals). Also known as Scapulomancy.

SPELL: A process to direct energy for magick. A spell can be spoken aloud, written, drawn, sung, gestured or danced. It incorporates the three levels of energy ~ thought (will), emotion (desire), and physicality (form) ~ into a single focus to attain a specific goal.

SPELLCRAFTING: The art of creating spells which includes identifying the goal and the determining the appropriate words, correspondences, and gestures to focus energy and support the manifestation of the goal.

SPHINX:

In Egyptian mythology, a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram or hawk. Akin to Androsphinx in Greek mythology.
In Greek mythology, a creature with the head of a woman and the body of a lion. Often depicted with wings.
SPIRAL: A pagan symbol of spiritual awakening. A spiral dance celebrates the spiral symbolism.

SPIRIT: An entity which is not in physical form. Sometimes used synonymously with Soul, Quintessence.

SPIRIT BOARD: A divination tool with the alphabet and numbers laid out on a board. Also called Ouija, Ouija Board.

SPIRIT EXORCISM: Spirit Exorcists believe that spirit possession is not an evil situation but merely a spiritual one, usually a manifestation of confused earth bound spirits. As Christian tradition defines exorcism as condemning a demonic possessing spirit to eternal damnation, Pagan sprit exorcists make a distinction between themselves and exorcists. See also: Exorcism, Obsession, Possession. and Spirit Possession.

SPIRITISM: The Brazilian form of Vodoun and Santería. Spiritism is not in itself a religion but the umbrella for the two principal forms of African spirit worship in Brazil: Candomblé and Umbanda. Spiritism is sometimes used to refer to harmful magick, but that is more properly called Quimbanda. Spiritism is also called Macumba.

SPIRIT POSSESSION: Unlike the concept of demonic possession, where a person is taken over by malicious spirits for harm, spirit possession is a voluntary, culturally sanctioned displacement of personality. The spirits, deities, demons, advanced entities or the dead, are invited to enter a human being to educate or communicate with the living. Spirit possession is not the same as contacting the dead for information or help (necromancy) and because it is voluntary it is considered distinct from Obsession or Possession. Some spirit possessions are involuntary when the dead are unaware of their state and need help to pass into the next realm. Also known as Channeling, Mediumship. See also: Exorcism, Obsession, Possession, Demon Possession and Spirit Exorcism.

SPIRITS OF SOLOMON: Seventy-two spirits which, according to legend, were shut up in a brass vessel by King Solomon and later released by the Babylonians. These spirits are often summoned in ceremonial magick.

SPIRITS OF THE STONES, The: The elemental energies naturally inherent at the four directions of the Magick Circle, personified with the Standing Stones Tradition as the "Spirits of the Stones". They are linked with the Elements.

SPLANCHOMANCY: Divination by interpreting the entrails of human sacrifice. This practice is obviously illegal and unethical and is not used by pagans today. Recorded instances of splanchomancy are from ancient Egypt and Rome and were documented as heinous acts at the time of their occurrences. Also known as Anthropomancy, Antinopomancy.

SPODANOMANCY, SPODOMANCY: Divination by interpreting ashes, soot or cinders, usually from sacrificial fires or burnt offerings. Also known as Tephramancy, Tephromancy or Tuphramancy.

SPRING EQUINOX, SPRING SOLSTICE: The Lesser Sabbat celebrated on or about March 21st, marking the beginning of the return of the evident fertility of the Earth and the return of the God, the Sun. It is a celebration of Balance and Harmony as the day and night are equal in length. Spring Equinox is a fire and fertility festival. Also known as Alban Eiler,, Meán Earraigh, Ostara, Vernal Equinox.

SQUARE: In Alchemy, the square or cube represents Matter and the Four Elements of creation.

STAFF: A rod the height of a man, traditionally made of hardwood and often decorated with crystals or sacred symbols. In some traditions the Staff represents the Element of Air or Fire. Also known as a Stang, Venendum. See also: Thyros.

STANDING STONES TRADITION, The: The Wiccan tradition founded by Scott Cunningham for solitary practitioners.

STANG: A rod the height of a man, traditionally made of hardwood and often decorated with crystals or sacred symbols. In some traditions the Staff represents the Element of Air or Fire. Also known as a Staff, Venendum. See also: Thyros.

STAR OF DAVID, The ; STAR OF MACROCOSM, The: 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. The Star of David is as a sacred symbol in the Judaic traditions. Also known as Hexagram. The Star within a Circle is known as the Seal of Solomon.

STAREOMANCY: Divination by interpreting the Elements.

STERNOMANCY: Divination by interpreting the area between the breast and belly (solar plexus).

STICHOMANCY: Divination by interpreting randomly chosen passages in books. The most common form is opening a book to a random page to answer a question. The Bible is still the most frequently used book, although any book may be used, and using books by Virgil and Homer specifically is called stoichemancy. The variant of using a book of poetry is called rhapsodomancy. Also known as bibliomancy.

ST. MARTIN'S EVE: The August 1st Greater Sabbat that celebrates the first harvest, when the fruits of the Earth are cut and stored for dark winter months. The sabbat also marks the weakening of the God as the days grow shorter. Also known as August Eve, Bilberry Sunday, Fraughan Sunday, Crom Dubh Sunday, Death of the God-King, Domhnach Chrom Dubh, Feast of Bread, Feast of Lug (Lugh), Festival of the First Fruits of Harvest, Festival of the Sacrifice and Death of the God-King, Garland Sunday, Laa Luanistyn, Laa Luanys, Lammas, Lammas Day, Lughnasa, Lughnasadh, Lugnasad, Lúnasa, Lúnasdain, Lúnasdal, Lúnasduinn, Martinmas, St. Martin's Eve.  

STOICHEMANCY: Divination by interpreting randomly chosen passages in books by Virgil and Homer. A form of stichomancy, bibliomancy.

STOLISOMANCY: Divination by interpreting people's clothing and style.

STONE, The: The goal of alchemic work, a substance capable of perfecting any substance or situation. Also known as Philosopher's Stone, the Elixir of Life.

STREGA, STREGHERIA: Italian Witchcraft, founded in the mid -14th century with the teachings of Aradia, the Holy Strega, and based upon the pre-Etruscan Italian belief system. Stregheria is a worship of the "Source of All Things", through the personification of the Goddess and God.\ Also known as La Vecchia Religione (the Old Religion).

STRIA, STRIGA, STRIX: A blood drinking night spirit of classical antiquity. The striges were said to be terrible women who could turn themselves into dreadful birds of prey, with huge talons, misshapen heads and breasts full of poisonous milk.

STYX (Greek,: "hateful"): The river of Hatred, one of the five rivers surrounding Hades. The others are:

Acheron (Woe);
Cocytus (Wailing);
Pyriphlegethon (Fiery);
 Lethe (Forgetfulness).
SUBLIMATION: In Alchemy, the first stage of Coagulation where matter is transformed from solid to gas and gas to solid without liquefyingDenoted by the sign of Libra.

SUCCUBUS: Female wraith form or demon. The succubi (plural) plague men with visits for the purpose of sexual intercourse.The male form of this demon is known as an Incubus. Legend held that the succubus would manifest to a male, perhaps in his dreams, and thus acquire his semen. It would then take the form of an incubus and manifest itself to a woman.

SUFISM: The Islamic mystical path to enlightenment.

SULFUR: In Alchemy, one of the three heavenly substances. It is associated with the operation of Fermentation and represents passion.

SUMMER SOLSTICE: The Lesser Sabbat celebrated on or about June 21st , marking the point of the year when the God is at the height of His power as evidenced by the Sun during the Longest Day of the Year. Also known as Alban Heruin, Litha, Meán Samhraidh, Midsummer.

SUMMONER: In Wicca, the male assistant to the High Priest. Also called Candlebearer or Officer.

SUPERIOR SPIRITS OF HELL: The six most influential demons in Judeo-Christian theology: Lucifuge, Satanchia, Fleuretty, Sargatanas, Nebiros and Agaliarept.

SWASTIKA (Sanskrit, akin to “fortunate”): A potent sacred symbol of ancient and pagan cultures all over the world and the most nearly universal of all religious symbols, appearing in the ancient cultures of Troy, Greece, Egypt, China, India, Persia, Central and South America and Scandinavia. The swastika is a cross with bent arms of equal length appearing to rotate in the same direction. The right-handed swastika represents the vernal sun, and the left-handed swavastika represents the autumnal sun. Due to its adoption by the Nazi Party of Germany, the swastika’s symbolism has been tarnished and although some Norse and Teutonic pagans have attempted to restore it to it’s original symbolism, pagans do not often use it today.

SYCOMANCY: Divination by interpreting the response of a written question to moisture. Originally, questions were written on fig leaves, the slower the leaf dried out, the more favorable the prediction. Today, sycomancy is done with paper (observing the response to steam) or tree leaves (observing the drying time). 

SYLPHS: The Elemental Order of Air, the elemental spirits of the Air Element.

SYMBOL: A character, picture or mark that represents something else to a group of people.

SYMPATHETIC MAGICK: Using a representation of a person, animal or thing for magickal work. Also called Image Magick.

SYNCHRONICITY: The simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no obvious connection.



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