When it comes to Wicca and the witches following the religion, you should know that not all followers are attached to a coven. There are some who prefer to dance to the tune of a different drummer and that drummer is within himself or herself. The term given to this type of Wiccan is “Eclectic.” In this article, you will also learn additional terms, such as Fluffy Bunny and handfasting.
Eclectic Wiccans: Not all Wiccans are part of a coven. There are some individuals who wish to follow the religion on their own. They are still members of Wiccan, but they do not attach themselves to specific traditions. They often practice the religion on their own, creating a more personal devotion to their own established religious practices.
Fluffy Bunny: Just with every religion, there are terms that arise from the criticism of how one is embracing traditions and practices. Within the Wiccan religion, this is a derogatory reference meant to call attention to Wiccans who are viewed by other members as being heavily influenced by New-Age beliefs. They are also seen as naïve in their practices.
Four Elements: At the start of Wiccan rituals, the Four Elements are usually called upon and/or used to purify a space. These elements include earth, air, fire and water.
galdra: This is a Saxon term that stood for magic; it is associated with the Seax sect of Wicca.
handfasting: This particular term does not have a particular direct meaning to what it represents. Handfasting refers to a marriage ritual that is performed by Wiccans. This was also an ancient practice connected to Celtic weddings, where the bride and groom had their hands tied together. Maybe this is where the term “tying the knot” came from? Anyhow, it continued to be part of traditional marriages all the way up until Roman Empire times. It was also seen during the 16th century in Europe.
High Magic: This term is also referred to as Ceremonial Magic. It makes reference to forms of magic that are viewed as “educated.” This includes a wide-range of well-known practices and beliefs, such as:
1) alchemy: According to dictionary.com, alchemy is described as: “a form of chemistry and speculative philosophy practiced in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and concerned principally with discovering methods for transmuting baser metals into gold and with finding a universal solvent and an elixir of life.”
2) astrology: Astrology deals with the study of how heavenly bodies possess influence over the everyday activities of humans. This is why horoscopes are so fascinating to us.
3) numerology: This term deals with the study of numbers. It is thought that birth years hold the key to unlock mysteries associated with the life, future, and more of humans. So, if you were born in 1978, these numbers may reveal answers to questions you may have always wanted to know.
4) Kaballah: According to dictionary.com, Kaballah is the “body of mystical teachings of rabbinical origin, often based on an esoteric interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures.”