If you’ve ever read a spell or ritual guide and wondered what a specific term meant, you’re not alone. Every witch starts somewhere. This glossary provides simple, easy-to-understand definitions for the most common words and concepts in modern witchcraft. Use it as a learning tool, a refresher, or a quick reference whenever you need a little clarity.
A
Affirmation
A positive, intentional statement used to reinforce a desired belief, energy, or outcome. In witchcraft, affirmations help align your mindset with your spellwork and strengthen manifestation.
Alchemy
An ancient practice blending science and symbolism, focused on transformation, both physical and spiritual. Often used metaphorically in modern magic for inner change.
Altar
Your sacred workspace; a surface (like a table, shelf, or even a windowsill) dedicated to your spiritual practice. Altars often hold tools, candles, crystals, photos, or offerings. Think of it as your energetic “hub,” where intention and ritual meet.
Amulet
A protective charm meant to ward off negativity or harm. Usually worn or carried. Unlike talismans (which attract things), amulets repel what you don’t want.
Anointing
Ritually applying oil to an object or yourself to bless, empower, or dedicate it. Often used on candles, tools, or even one’s wrists before spellwork.
Aspecting
The practice of connecting with, invoking, or embodying a specific deity, spirit, or archetype. This can range from feeling inspired by their energy to entering a meditative state in which you “speak” as them.
Astral Travel
A spiritual practice where the consciousness is believed to leave the physical body and explore the astral plane. Often done during meditation, trance, or lucid dreaming to seek guidance, insight, or spiritual experiences.
B
Banishing
A spell or ritual that removes unwanted energy, influences, or entities. It’s the spiritual equivalent of cleaning out a cluttered closet; you’re making energetic space for better things.
Besom
A traditional witch’s broom, used for cleansing and protection. Symbolically sweeps away stagnant energy (not for actual sweeping unless you want to multitask).
Binding
A spell used to limit someone’s harmful actions or energy without directly harming them.
Blessing
A ritual or intention that invites positive energy, protection, or goodwill toward a person, object, or space.
Boline
A small, curved knife used in witchcraft for practical, non-ritual cutting tasks like harvesting herbs, carving symbols, or cutting cords. It’s distinct from the athame, which is symbolic and not used physically.
Book of Shadows (BoS)
Your personal witchy journalL a mix of spells, rituals, notes, reflections, and discoveries. Every witch’s BoS is unique; it’s both a record and a living, evolving document.
Burning Bowl Ritual
A simple but powerful release ritual. You write what you want to let go of on paper and safely burn it, symbolizing transformation and release.
C
Casting a Circle
Creating a sacred, protected space before performing rituals or spellwork. You can visualize it, walk the perimeter, or mark it physically. Think of it as setting up sacred boundaries.
Cauldron
A heat-safe vessel used for burning herbs, mixing ingredients, scrying, or holding offerings. Symbolizes transformation, creation, and the womb of the goddess. Even a small fire-safe bowl or a pot can stand in as a cauldron.
Chakras
Energy centers within the body, originating from Eastern spiritual traditions. Many witches incorporate chakra work—such as grounding, cleansing, and balancing—to support energy healing and enhance magical practice.
Chalice
A ritual cup used to hold water, wine, or other offerings. It represents the element of Water, intuition, emotion, and receptive energy. Often used in ceremonies or to symbolize divine feminine energy.
Charm Bag
A small pouch filled with herbs, crystals, symbols, or personal items that carry a specific intention. Used for protection, luck, love, or any focused magical purpose.
Correspondences
The magical “associations” between items and energies. For example, lavender corresponds to calm and purification, while the color green is tied to prosperity. Understanding correspondences helps you build intentional spells.
Coven
A group of witches who practice together. Covens can be formal or casual, traditional or eclectic. Some focus on ritual work, others on study or mutual support.
Crystal Grid
An intentional layout of crystals arranged to amplify energy toward a goal like healing, abundance, protection, etc. The pattern and stones both matter, but your intention is what powers it.
Crystal Magic
The practice of using crystals for their energetic properties to support healing, spellwork, grounding, or intentional focus. Different crystals are chosen based on their correspondences.
Curse
A harmful or baneful spell cast to bring misfortune, discomfort, or bad luck to someone. Most witches avoid curse work, but the term appears often in historical and folk magic.
D
Deity
A god, goddess, or divine being you may choose to honor or work with. Many witches work with deities from different pantheons, while others prefer a more secular or universal approach.
Deosil
Moving clockwise in a ritual or circle. In many traditions, deosil is used to raise energy, attract, bless, or create positive momentum.
Divination
Any method used to gain insight, clarity, or messages from the universe (or your higher self). Common tools include tarot cards, pendulums, runes, or scrying mirrors.
Drawing Down the Moon
A ritual where the practitioner channels lunar energy, often invoking the Goddess, for wisdom, healing, or empowerment.
E
Elementals
Spirits associated with the four classical elements: gnomes (earth), sylphs (air), undines (water), and salamanders (fire). Whether you see them as symbolic or literal, they remind us to honor the natural forces.
Energy Work
The practice of sensing, directing, and shaping energy through intention. Often part of spellwork, healing, or meditation.
Esbat
A lunar celebration or coven meeting, usually held during the full moon (and sometimes the new moon, or moon phases). Esbats are more about formal worship and practical magic, often honoring the Goddess and can include rituals for things like love, healing, and prosperity. A time to recharge tools, perform spellwork, or simply reflect and set intentions.
F
Familiar
A spiritual ally (sometimes an animal companion, sometimes a spirit) that supports your magical work. Historically misunderstood, familiars are not “demons” but helpers, guides, or energetic partners.
Five Elements
Earth (stability), Air (thought), Fire (will), Water (emotion), and Spirit (connection). Many witches structure their rituals and correspondences around these elemental energies.
G
Grimoire
Similar to a Book of Shadows, but often more like a reference manual containing spells, recipes, correspondences, and magical formulas. Some witches keep both a personal BoS and a shared or “public” grimoire.
Grounding
The practice of centering yourself and reconnecting with the Earth’s energy. It helps you release excess energy after ritual work or stress. Common methods include visualization, breathing, or touching the ground.
H
Handfasting
A traditional wedding ritual where a couple’s hands are tied with cords or ribbons to symbolize unity and commitment.
Herbalism
The magical and medicinal use of herbs. Each plant carries its own spirit and energy. For example, rosemary for protection, chamomile for peace, and basil for prosperity.
Hex
A spell intended to harm or punish. While some witches avoid hexing altogether, others see it as justified in certain cases (“baneful magic”). Ethics vary between traditions.
High Priest/Priestess
A leader or teacher within a coven or tradition, often responsible for guiding rituals, training initiates, and maintaining spiritual balance.
I
Incantation
A spoken phrase, chant, or verbal spell used to direct energy and intention. Incantations can rhyme, repeat, or be simple statements of purpose.
Invocation
Calling upon a deity, energy, or spirit to join you in ritual or empower your work. More of an invitation than a command; think partnership, not summoning.
J
Jinx
A minor form of bad-luck magic, less intense than a curse but still meant to create obstacles or annoyance for someone. Common in folk magic and superstition.
K
Knot Magic
A spell form where intentions are tied into knots using cord, thread, or yarn. Each knot seals a wish, affirmation, or magical charge.
L
Law of Return (Threefold Law)
A Wiccan concept stating that whatever energy you send out (positive or negative) returns to you threefold. Not all witches believe in it, but many see it as a moral compass.
M
Magic
(Sometimes spelled “magick” but we’re not fans of that.)
The practice of using intention, energy, and symbolic action to create change, whether in your mindset, your environment, or your life. It’s less about flashy supernatural power and more about working with natural forces, personal will, and meaningful ritual. In witchcraft, magic often shows up through spellwork, correspondences, tools, and everyday practices that help align your energy with your desired outcome.
Manifestation
Turning thought or intention into reality. In witchcraft, it’s often powered by spells, visualization, and aligned action.
Moon Phases
Each phase has its own energy:
- 🌑 New Moon: beginnings, setting intentions
- 🌓 Waxing Moon: growth, attraction
- 🌕 Full Moon: power, celebration, clarity
- 🌗 Waning Moon: release, reflection
Moon Water
Water charged under the light of the moon (typically the full moon) used for cleansing, spellwork, anointing, plants, or rituals aligned with lunar energy.
P
Pentacle
A five-pointed star within a circle, symbolizing protection, balance, and the five elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit) and their unity. It’s a symbol of protection and balance.
Pentagram
A five-pointed star symbol without the circle, representing the five elements plus spirit. In witchcraft, it’s a positive, sacred emblem.
Poppet
A small doll used in sympathetic magic to represent a person. Poppets can be used for healing, protection, love, or even baneful work depending on the intention.
Potion
A liquid spell: a blend of herbs, oils, or waters infused with intention. Some are drinkable (with safety in mind!), others are used for anointing or ritual bathing.
Protection Magic
Spells, charms, or actions meant to shield yourself or your space from harm, negativity, or unwanted energy.
R
Ritual
A symbolic act that channels energy toward a purpose like celebration, healing, or transformation. It can be as elaborate as a full moon rite or as simple as lighting a candle with intent.
Runes
Symbols used for divination or magical inscriptions, typically from ancient alphabets like the Elder Futhark.
S
Sabbat
One of the eight seasonal festivals marking the Wheel of the Year: Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas/Lughnasadh, and Mabon.
Scrying
A divination technique where you gaze into a reflective or translucent surface (water, a mirror, a crystal, or smoke) to receive images, messages, or intuitive insight.
Sigil
A symbol created from a written intention and then charged with energy. Once activated, it works quietly to manifest your desire.
Skyclad
Practicing rituals or spellwork without clothing. Some traditions view it as a way to connect more freely with energy and nature; others skip it entirely.
Smoke Cleansing
The practice of burning herbs or incense to energetically cleanse a space, object, or person. Methods and herbs vary by culture; common choices include rosemary, lavender, and cedar.
Sour Jar
A jar spell created to sour someone’s intentions, relationships, or influence; often used for protection, boundary-setting, or baneful work in folk magic traditions.
Spell
A focused act of magic using words, actions, ingredients, or energy to create change.
Sympathetic Magic
Magic based on the idea that “like affects like,” using representations (such as poppets or photos) to influence a target.
T
Talisman
An object created or charged to attract a specific energy, like luck, love, confidence, or abundance.
Theban Script
A stylized alphabet used in some witchcraft practices for writing spells, sigils, or secret messages. Sometimes called the “Witches’ Alphabet.”
Triple Moon
A symbol showing the waxing, full, and waning moon. It represents the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone), cycles, intuition, and feminine energy.
V
Visualization
A mental technique where you picture your intention or desired outcome to help direct magical energy.
W
Wand
A ritual tool used to direct energy, cast circles, or channel intention. Wands can be made from wood, metal, crystals, or any material that resonates with the practitioner.
Warding
Protective magic for your space, energy, or home, basically like a spiritual boundary-setting. Methods include salt lines, charms, mirrors, or visualized energy barriers.
Wheel of the Year
The cyclical pattern of the eight Sabbats, reflecting the changing seasons and life’s natural rhythms. Following it can bring harmony and mindfulness to your practice.
Widdershins
Moving counterclockwise during rituals. Often used to banish, release, cleanse, or undo unwanted energy.
Witches’ Bells
Small bells hung on doors, altars, or tools to protect, ward off negativity, and shift energy. Their sound is believed to break stagnant or harmful vibrations.
Witching Hour
A time (often midnight or 3 a.m.) believed to be especially potent for magical work, spirit activity, intuition, and deeper connection between realms.
Closing the Circle
Remember: witchcraft isn’t about memorizing terms; it’s about building a relationship with energy, nature, and intention.
Let this glossary be a guide, not a rulebook. Explore, question, and adapt what resonates with you. Every witch’s path is unique, and that’s where the real magic flourishes.