Pagan glossary: Top 20

Illustration:  Patricia Deneen

Those new to Paganism may have a hard time understanding some of the terms they hear or read in books or on the internet.  Below is a quick rundown of twenty common words used in general Paganism.

1.  Covens/Groves:  A gathering of Pagans of the same beliefs.  Coven is a term generally associated with Wicca and Witchcraft.  Some follow the tradition of limiting their membership to 13 closely knit members while others have more open membership or smaller numbers.  Grove is a common term for Druids and can be small or large in number.  

2.  Deity:  A supernatural being such as a god or goddess.  Deities may be viewed as higher powers, ancestral beings or simply on a different level than humans.

3.  Divination:  The art of obtaining hidden information such about events in time or as a tool for self discovery.  Generally done using psychic ability and/or tools such as runes, tarot, etc.

4.  Esbat:  A ritual in observance of a lunar aspect, generally the full moon.

5.  Ethics:  In Wicca, there is the Rede which states "An it Harm None, Do What Ye Will. "  Other Pagan groups have constructed a set of virtues based on ancient lore such as honor, loyalty, and hospitality.  Many non-Wiccans dislike it if you assume they follow the Wiccan Rede as it is not a universal Pagan law.  Generally, Pagans follow common sense, don't break the laws of the land, and do their best to live in harmony with those around them.

6.  Handfasting:  Historical handfasting was basically a promise to wed.  This promise was sealed by a handshake, thus the term handfasting (an Anglo-Saxon word).  Neopagans have adopted this term for a marriage ceremony and have included the practice of tying a cord or cords around the clasped hands of the couple signifying the marriage bond.  

7.  Magic/Magician:  The art and science of directing your will to affect the world around you.  Sometimes spelled magick to differentiate it from stage tricks.  Magicians may or many not practice within a religious framework.

8.  Monotheism:  A belief in one god.  Some Pagans believe that all gods goddesses are aspects of one creator.  With this definition, a Pagan can believe that many gods exist and still be a monotheist.

9.  Neopagan/Pagan:   The term Neopagan translates into new Pagan.  The word Pagan is derived from the Latin paganus which means country dweller.  In a modern sense they mean anyone who practices a polytheistic, nature-based spirituality, though some Pagans are not nature-based.  Neopagan is sometimes used because there is no unbroken written record of ancient Pagan practices, so we have to piece together remnants from the past and bring them into modern practice.  This is an imperfect definition.  Another is someone who practices a religion other monotheism while some consider themselves monotheist and Pagan.

10.  Otherworld:  The spiritual aspect of creation as opposed to the material.  In some traditions, existence is made up of multiple planes, which intersect when it is thought the veil between the worlds is very thin such as at Samhain.  

11.  Pantheism:  As relates to neopaganism, it is the belief in a universal, all-encompassing spiritual force that includes divinity, humanity, the earth and all its creatures.

12.  Polytheism:  Belief in many gods.

13.  Ritual:  A repetitive act done to achieve an altered state where magic, divination, or communing with otherworld beings is done.  Also a general term for a rite such as one of the sabbats.

14.  Sabbat:  One of the eight common, solar-cycle holidays of neopagans; Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh, Autumn Equinox, Samhain, Yule.

15.  Shamanism:  The term originated with indigenous, Siberian animistic spiritual practices.  Now associated with all indigenous or tribal spirituality.  In these cultures, a shaman is trained for years.  Shamanism is expected to be their main role for the tribe.  In modern Paganism, this term generally relates to someone who incorporates shamanistic practices into their spirituality such as trance, healing, and astral travel to the spirit realm. 

16.  Symbols:  Like any religion, Paganism has it's symbols that represent faith to its followers such as the pentagram, Thor's Hammer, sun wheel, Druid sigil, and Tree of Life.  Also used as points of focus in magic.

17.  Tradition:  Umbrella term for different sects within Paganism such as Wicca, neodruidry, heathenism, reconstructionist, etc.

18.  UPG:  The "U" in UPG changes according to whom you ask.  Generally, it means Unsubstantiated Personal Gnosis.  This is insight you receive about your beliefs and deities through techniques such as meditation and trance that cannot be verified by academic sources.

19.  Wheel of the year:  Relating to the solar cycle the sabbats follow.  A common illustration you will see is a circle divided into eight pieces with the names and dates of the sabbats.

20.  Witch/Witchcraft:  A female or male practitioner of witchcraft, which utilizes techniques such as magic, shamanism, folk remedies and herbal craft to achieve desired results which may include healing, divination, and spell casting.  Witches may or may not use witchcraft within a religious framework.

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