Pagan Glossary - Introduction To Paganism - The White Goddess

Pagan Glossary

Pagan Glossary

Introduces words and concepts that are a central part of most Pagans. This Pagan Glossary is designed to be a useful resource on common - and not so commonly used words, people and objects.

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C.E.

Common Era. Synonymous with A.D. but without religious bias.

Added: 02/12/2001

Caduceus

The caduceus is the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology. It is a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings. symbol of commerce and negotiation, astrological symbol representing the planet Mercury.

Added: 08/04/2012 11:39:00

Call

Invoking Divine forces.

Added: 02/12/2001

Calliope

From the Greek meaning 'beautiful voice', was the muse of epic or heoric poetry and of poetic inspiration and elloquence.

Added: 28/01/2012 18:07:00

Camenae

The Camenae were originally goddesses of childbirth, wells and fountains, and also prophetic deities. There were four Camenae: Carmenta, Egeria, Antevorta and Postverta.

Added: 28/01/2012 18:17:00

Carlin Stone

Carlin Stone or Carlin Stane is the name given to a number of prehistoric standing stones and natural stone or landscape features in Scotland.   They are associated with old hags, witches, and the legends of the Cailleach.

Added: 12/02/2012 13:15:00

Carmenta

Carmenta was a goddess of childbirth and prophecy, associated with technological innovation aswell as the protection of mothers and children.

Added: 28/01/2012 18:15:00

Castor and Pollux

Castor and Pollux were the twin sons of Jupiter and Leda, also known as the Dioscuri. They sailed with Jason in the quest for the golden fleece.

Added: 08/04/2012 11:53:00

Cauldron

Linked to witchcraft in the popular mind, this symbolizes the Goddess, the waters of rebirth. See a range of Cauldrons in our online shop » 

Added: 02/12/2001

Censer

A heat-proof container in which incense is burned. It is associated with the element air.

Added: 02/12/2001

Ceremonial Magick

A highly codified magickal tradition based upon Kabbala, the Jewish-Gnostic mystical teachings.

Added: 02/12/2001

Cernunnos

Cernunnos was the Horned God of the Celts. Associated with the hunt and fertility and one of the Gods named on the Pillar of the Boatman.

Added: 28/01/2012 18:15:00

Chakras

Seven major energy vortexes found in the human body. Each is usually associated with a color. They are; crown - white; third-eye - purple; throat - blue; chest - pink or green; navel - yellow; abdomen - orange; groin - red. Smaller vortexes are located in the hands and feet as well.

Added: 02/12/2001

Chalice

A ritual tool. It represents the female principals of creation.

Added: 02/12/2001

Channeling

A New Age practice wherein you allow a discarnate entity to "borrow" your body to speak to others either through automatic writing or verbally.

Added: 02/12/2001

Chaplet

A crown for the head usually made of flowers and worn at Beltane.

Added: 02/12/2001

Charge

The Originally written in modern form by Doreen Valiente, it is a story of the message from Goddess to Her children.

Added: 02/12/2001

Charging

To infuse an object with personal power.

Added: 02/12/2001

Charms

Either an amulet or talisman that has been charmed by saying an incantation over it and instilling it with energy for a specific task.

Added: 02/12/2001

Chronos

The Greek name for Saturn, is the father of time.

Added: 28/01/2012 18:11:00

Circle

Sacred space wherein all magick is to be worked and all ritual contained. It both holds ritual energy until the witch is ready to release it, and provides protection for the witch.

Added: 02/12/2001

Cleansing

Removing negative energies from an object or space.

Added: 02/12/2001

Clio

Clio is the Greek Muse of History. Her son Hyacinthus gave the name to the flower hyacinth.

Added: 28/01/2012 18:06:00

Clotho

One of the Three Fates in Greek mythology. She presided over birth and drew from her distaff the thread of life.

Added: 28/01/2012 17:58:00

Cofgod

A Cofgod (plural Cofgodas) was an household god in Anglo-Saxon paganism.

Added: 12/02/2012 13:21:00

Collective Unconsciousness

Term used to describe the sentient connection of all living things, past and present. See also Akashic Records.

Added: 02/12/2001

Coming of Age Ritual

At age 13 for boys, and at the time of a girl's first menses, Pagan children are seen as spiritual adults. The ritual celebrates their new maturity. Generally this is the age when they are permitted membership in covens.

Added: 02/12/2001

Concordia

In Roman religion, Concord (Latin: Concordia, "harmony") was the goddess of agreement, understanding, and marital harmony. Concordia was depicted sitting, wearing a long cloak and holding onto a patera (sacrificial bowl), a cornucopia (symbol of prosperity), or a caduceus (symbol of peace).

Added: 08/04/2012 11:40:00

Cone of Power

Psychic energy raised and focused by either an individual or group mind (coven) to achieve a definite purpose.

Added: 02/12/2001

Conscious Mind

The analytical, materially-based, rational half of our consciousness. The part of our mind that is at work while we balance our checkbooks, theorize, communicate, and perform other acts related to the physical world.

Added: 02/12/2001

Consecration

The act of blessing an object or place by instilling it with positive energy.

Added: 02/12/2001

Coral

The Romans used to hang beads of red coral on the cradles and round the necks of babies as a charm against sickness and other ills.

Added: 28/01/2012 17:58:00

Cornucopia

The cornucopia (in Latin also cornu copiae) or horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers, nuts, other edibles, or wealth in some form. 

Added: 08/04/2012 11:39:00

Cotytto

A Greek, Thracian, Corinthian and also Sicilian fertility Goddess, worshipped with licentious rites.

Added: 28/01/2012 17:59:00

Coven

A group of thirteen or fewer witches that work together in an organized fashion for positive magickal endeavors or to perform religious ceremonies.

Added: 02/12/2001

Covenstead

The meeting place of witches, often a fixed building or place where the witch can feel safe and at home.

Added: 02/12/2001

Craft

Witchcraft

Added: 02/12/2001

Crone

Aspect of the Goddess represented by the old woman. Symbolized by the waning moon, the carrion crow, the cauldron, the color black. Her Sabbats are Mabon and Samhain.

Added: 02/12/2001

Cross-Quarter Days

Refers to Sabbats not falling on the solstices or equinoxes.

Added: 02/12/2001

Cuckoo

The Cuckoo is the hearld of Spring. Zues turned himself into a cuckoo in order to seduce the Goddess Hera.  Cuckoos were said to have the power of prophesy and could foretell a person's lifespan, the number of children and when they would marry.

Added: 28/01/2012 18:20:00

The Cailleach

The Cailleach, in Irish and Scottish mythology, is the old woman of winter. As a personification of Winter: she herds deer, she fights Spring, and her staff freezes the ground.

Added: 12/02/2012 13:15:00

The Cailleach Bheur

The Cailleach Bheur, the personification of winter and the mother of all the gods and goddesses in Scottish mythology.

Added: 12/02/2012 13:16:00

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