Walburga: See Walpurgis

Walburga: See Walpurgis.

Walburg (Var. Waldborg): A Norse fertility Goddess for which Walpurgis is named.

Waldborg: See Walburg.

Wall: In the Dictionaire Infernal: A fallen angel, formerly of the order of Powers, who manifests in the form of a dromedary.

Wallim: The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses: An angel serving in the 1st heaven.

Walpurgis Night (var. Walburg): April 30. Named for the Norse fertility Goddess Walburg. (1) Asatru. As with the Celtic festival of May Eve/Beltaine, it is a time of divination and a celebration of Spring, occurring on April 30.(2) Saint Walburga, also known as Walpurgis, Vaubourg, or Gauburge, who lived between 710 and 779 CE. She was an abbess and missionary born in Wessex, England, who died in Heidenheim, Alemannia. She and her brothers Willibald of Eichstatt and Winebald of Heidenheim played an important part in Saint Boniface's ordination of the Frankish church.

Walburga was a Benedictine nun in a monastery in Wimborne, Dorsetshire, when her brother Winebald brought her to his kingdom to rule the nuns at the monastery in Heidenheim. When she died her body was originally buried in Heidenheim, but was later moved to the Church of the Holy Cross at Eichstatt, arriving there on April 30, a day now known as Walpurgis. Her festival is actually the anniversary of her death, February 25.

Myths later developed claiming that witches rendevous in the Harz Mountains nearby on this date. Part of the reason for this is that after her death Walburga's story took on some of the characteristics of her namesake, a pre-Christian fertility Goddess named Waldborg. For example, the rock on which Saint Walburga's bones rest is said to secrete a mysterious fluid, reportedly having miraculous healing powers. The association of witches with Walpurgis eventually led to the belief that Walpurgis was a Satanic holiday. For example, Anton LaVey names Walpurgis as one of the Satanic festivals in his Satanic Bible. (3) Because Beltaine, a Celtic/Wiccan festival, traditionally occurs on April 30, some people today use the term Walpurgis to describe it.

Wanaldo: See Cuanaldo.

Wand of Adepts: A ritual tool mentioned in "Comment on Liber VII in class E" in Liber VII: Liber Liberi vel Lapidis Lazuli, Advmbratio Kabbalae Aegyptiorum Svb Figvra VII.

Wands: (1) One of the suits of the Tarot cards, usually representing the element of fire, though some groups use it to represent the element of air. The suit of wands later became the suit of diamonds in modern playing cards. The Qabalah associates this suit with the world of Atziluth (q.v.). (2) A ritual tool used in many magickal traditions. Some Wiccans use it in preference to an Athame (q.v.). Many traditions hold that the length of the wand should be the distance from the tips of the fingers to the elbow (one cubit). They may be quite plain or painted and/or inscribed with symbols. The Golden Dawn associated the wand with fire and referred to it as the "Fire Wand". This wand was made of wood, no longer than 18 inches in length, with one end cone shaped and with a magnetized steel rod running inside its length, painted red and divided into three sections with yellow bands.

Wanga: Vodou. A magick charm used to bring ill luck or illness.

Wanga Choya: See Mpunga Mama.

Figure 1 Waning Moon

Waning (Deriv. Middle English "wanien", deriv. Anglo Saxon "wanian" or "wonian" ("to decrease")): (1) The phases of the moon from the Full Moon to the New Moon, during which it appears to decrease in size (see fig. 2). (2) In Astrology: A term used to describe the phases of the planets from their opposition with the Sun to their next conjunction with the Sun. Also known as "decreasing in light".

Warand: One of the Norns (q.v.), the three Norse Goddesses of Fate. Warand represents the Present.

Warlock (English 1685 C.E., deriv. Scotland 1585 C.E. “warlok”, Middle English "warlag", "warlau" or "warlo", going back to about 1400 C.E., deriv. Old English "woer loga" ("traitor" or "oath breaker" ("woer", meaning "faith", "pledge" or "true" plus "loga", an agent noun related to "leogan" = "to speak falsely")) which dates back to 900 C.E.): (1) A term originally used by early Christians in a manner similar to the original use of the word Pagan, as an insult. Later came to be used to describe a male witch. (2) One of the most common misconceptions in society today is that male Wiccans are called "warlocks". In fact a male Wiccan is properly referred to as a "witch" or a "wicca" (q.v.). (3) Anton LaVey adopted the term warlock as the title of a male initiated into the second degree within the Church of Satan in 1970.

Warriors (Var. Mradu, Equites, Companions): Vampyre. One of the three Castes (See Caste). Warriors are the protectors and guardians of the community. They also enforce the 13 Rules of Community, known as the Black Veil (q.v.).

Warriors, The (Var. Los Guerreros): Santeria. (1) A triad of warrior Orishas: Eleggua, Ochosi and Oggun. (2) An initiation where a person receives the symbols of The Warriors: An Eleggua (q.v.) and a small iron cauldron containing miniature implements such as a hoe, an awl, a spade, and a hammer (representing Oggun) and a crossbow (representing Ochosi). This places the initiate in the eighth highest rank in Santeria. (3) An order of angels listed in Paradise Lost.

Watchers, The: See Grigori.

Waters of Creation: In the magickal system of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: One of the FourSeas (q.v.) mentioned in the initiation of the Theoricus grade.

Waters of Ocean: In the magickal system of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: One of the FourSeas (q.v.) mentioned in the initiation of the Theoricus grade.

Waters of Oxala: Candomble. A festival sacred to the Orixa Oxala (q.v.).

Waters of Tears: In the magickal system of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: One of the FourSeas (q.v.) mentioned in the initiation of the Theoricus grade.

Watcher, The: See Ssaratu.

Watchtowers: (1) In Wicca, the term used to describe the four cardinal quarters of the ritual circle. (2) In Enochian systems, a term for the four cardinal quarters.

Figure 3 Symbol of Water

Water: (1) One of the four traditional elements which are believed to make up everything in the universe, the others being earth, fire and air. Its symbol is depicted in figure 3. Water is traditionally associated with the west, but some magickal systems attribute its natural position in the zodiac to the north (See Elements). In the Tarot cards, this element is represented by the suit of Cups. (2) The third of the Signs of the Grades listed by Aleister Crowley in Liber O: representing the Goddess Auramoth.

Wath Nepher: A phrase used on a seal to bring comfort, peace and repose in Henri Gamache's Mystery of the Long Lost 8th, 9th and 10th Books of Moses.

Figure 3 Waxing Moon

Waxing (Deriv. Middle English "waxen" or "wexen", deriv. Anglo Saxon "weaxan" ("to grow")): (1) The phases of the moon from the New Moon to the Full Moon, during which it appears to grow in size (see fig.3). (2) Astrology. A term used to describe the phases of the planets from their Conjunction with the Sun to their next Opposition with the Sun. Also known as "increasing in light".

Weatta: In The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses: An angel of the Seal.

Wedjat: See Utchat.

Wedo: Vodou. A sub group of Lwas within the Rada nanchon of Lwas.

Figure 4

Wei Zi

Wei Zi: The sixty fourth of the 64 hexagrams or patterns of the Chinese divination system called I Ching (see fig.4). It represents lack of advantage.

Wengue: See Mpunga Mama.

Wer: An ancient Egyptian god of light, whose name means "the great God". His name forms part of the name HarWer (q.v.).

Werewolf (Deriv. Anglo Saxon "wer" ("man") and "wulf" ("wolf")): A human that occasionally changes into a wolf (see Lycanthropy). Probably originated with the beliefs that deities could assume the form of their totem animals. Wolves were often psychopomps in ancient mythology, conducting the spirits of the dead to the afterlife. Many ancient tribes with wolves as totems believed that they periodically turned into wolves to protect their crops from predators and sorcerers.[1] The modern belief that werewolves do not have shadows stems from the ancient Greek beliefs regarding one of the aspects of the Greek God Zeus: Zeus Lycaios (Zeus the Wolf). It was believed that when you entered his temple you lost your shadow.

Westcott, Dr.: See Nom Omnis Moriar.

Wetharetz: A symbolic name associated to the degree of Practici in Rosicrucianism.

Weyer, John: See Wierus, Johannes.

Wezynna: In The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses: A ministering angel invoked in qabalistic rituals.

Wheel of Fate: A variation of the Wheel of Fortune (q.v.) used in Liber DCL vel De Fons Aquae Vitae.

Figure 5 The Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune, The (Var. Wheel of Fate): In Tarot, the tenth card of the Major Arcana (q.v.), depicted in fig.5. Depending upon its position in the reading it may represent: destiny, fortune, success, elevation, luck, felicity.

Wheel of the Gunas: (1) A Hindu representation of the three forms of Being: Sattvas, Rajas and Tamas (See Gunas). (2) A term mentioned in Liber Samekh.

Wheels: Another name for the Ophanim (q.v.).

Whip: Vodou. A whip is hung on the side of the Poteau-Mitan (q.v.) of the Peristyle (q.v.), symbolizing the obligation of penitence and the redemption it brings. The whip is "cracked" in certain Vodou rituals.

White Dog: See White Horse.

White Horse: Vodou. The upper part of the Joukoujou (q.v.) is refered to as the White Horse or White Dog, representing life.

White Swan: Vampyre. A colloquial term for people who cannot tolerate the Vampyre lifestyle and who are antagonistic towards Vampyres.

Wicca (Old English "wicce" (“female sorcerer”) 1000 CE. "Wicce" is a feminine version of the even older word "wicca" (pronounced "witcha"). Wicca originally referred to a male sorcerer or wizard, and first appeared in Old English about 890 CE. Deriv. Old English "wiccian" (“to practice sorcery”), related Old English "Wigle" (“divination”) and "wiglian" (“to divine”). Cf. Old Frisian “Wigila” ("sorcery"), Middle Low German/Middle High German “wicken” ("to bewitch"), “weihen” ("to consecrate") and “wikken” ("to divine"). Recent studies indicate that "wicca" derives from the Sanskrit root word "wik" or "weik", meaning "to shape" or "to bend or turn". Thus Wicca could be interpreted as "shaper or bender (of reality)"): Whatever its roots, a "Wicca" now generally used to identify a follower of the Wiccan faith: a Witch. In its modern usage, the word "Wicca" has no gender and can properly be used to describe both male and female. However, some modern Wiccans employ the original Old English usage: "Wicca" for a male and "Wicce" for a female follower. The words Wicca, Wicce, and Wiccan can each be used as a descriptive term for a Witch (q.v.).

The modern religion of Wicca is a reconstruction of certain elements of ancient Celtic tribal beleifs, with some more modern concepts incorporated. It first appeared in England the 1940's when Gerald Gardner, a retired civil servant, published several books in which he described his interpretation of this religion, which had been put together by himself and several associates, based on the earlier work of a group known as the New Forest Coven. Ultimately Garner's version of became known as the Gardnerian tradition of Wicca. Other variants soon followed.

Wiccans believe in the duality of deity, worshipping a Goddess and a God. Most groups hold the Goddess in slightly higher regard, as she is considered to be the creatrix. The names used for these deities vary from group to group, just as the names of deities varied between one Celtic tribe and the next. Wiccans are Monistic, beleiving that the divine is inseparable from the mundane. They beleive in reincarnation. Wiccans have incorporated the Oriental concept of Karma into their beliefs, represented by the "Three Fold Law", which states that anything that one does comes back to them threefold: Good works bring good things back and evil brings evil. Their principal law is the Wiccan Rede (Cf. Rede): "Do what you will so long as it harms no one".

Wiccans have no scripture, having instead working journals known as a "Book of Shadows" (q.v.). There is no formal heirarchy and organization is fairly loose, worshippers organizing themselves into small groups known as Covens (q.v.) run by a High Priestess (q.v.) and High Priest (q.v.). Most Wiccan traditions recognize three levels of initiation.

Wiccans observe seasonal festivals called Sabbats (q.v.) that commemorate the turning of the seasons and hold meetings called Esbats (q.v.) at or near the full moon. Wiccans do not usually have formal temples, creating a space to worship by casting a ritual Circle (q.v.) wherever it is required.

Wiccaning: This is a Wiccan custom in which the parents of a child present the child to the deities and take oaths promising to raise and nurture the child properly and responsibly, usually assisted by other coven members. This is customarily done between an infant's third and thirteenth month, though the custom varies (See Wicca).

Wicked Souls Bearing Rule: Listed elsewhere in The Magus as "witches" (q.v.). One of the ten orders of the damned listed in The Magus, the others being Airy Powers, Tempters or Ensnarers, Lying Spirits, Revengers of Wickedness, False Gods, Jugglers, Sifters or Triers, Vessels of Iniquity and Furies.

Widdershins (Deriv. High German "Widersinnes" and Low German "weddersinnes" ("opposite sense" or "contradiction")): (1) This word first appeared in the English language circa 1545, meaning a direction contrary to the source of the Sun. This was believed to be unlucky and the cause of disasters. By 1721 it was used to mean "the wrong direction". (2) A term used by modern Wiccans as a synonym for "Counter-clockwise" (See Wicca). (3) A term used in Occidental Ceremonial Magick and in Wicca to describe the counter-clockwise direction of travel used in the ritual circle for banishing rituals. It is symbolic of decrease and sometimes chaos. (3) A term meaning counter-clockwise used in the works of Aleister Crowley.

Widow’s Degree: See Ruth.

Wierus, Johannes: Also known as John Weyer. The author of several books on magick, including Cinque Livres de l'Imposture et Tromperie des Diables in Paris in 1569 and De Praestigiis Daemonum in Basle in 1563. He is also the author of the Pseudo-Monarchia, which was published as part of the Opera Omnia in Amsterdam in 1660.

Wight (Middle English (before 900 C.E.), derived from Old English “wiht”, through the German “wicht”, Old Norse “vēttr” and Goth “waiht”): (1) A nature spirit or sprite. (2) Asatru. Spirits of nature.

Winter Finding(Var. Harvest Remembrance): (1) Asatru. September 20th to 23rd, the Fall Equinox. A Blot is held for Odinn. This is the traditional time for Fall Fest and the Second Harvest Feast. It is often celebrated as a New Years Day. Frey and Freya as well as Nerthus and Nord are honored on this day. (2) Odinist. The fall equinox festival.

Winter Nights: See Vetrablot.

Wip: See Anubis.

Wisdom of the Chaldeans: A magickal text by Moses Gaster, published in 1900.

Wisksain Sidsain Argin: A phrase used on a charm to bring a man out or to bring a man in from a distant place in Henri Gamache's Mystery of the Long Lost 8th, 9th and 10th Books of Moses.

Witch(Deriv. Middle English “wiche” 1250 CE., deriv. Old English word "wicce" (See Wicca)): (1) A follower of Wicca (q.v.). (2) A term used by Demonologists during the Inquistion to describe those accused of sorcery and heresy. This is the source of the modern Hollywood stereotype of the evil crone who practices magic. (3) The title of a female initiated into the second degree within Anton LaVey's Church of Satan, first being used by this group in 1970. Not to be confused with Wicca (q.v.). LaVey has no use for Wiccans and dismisses Wicca as a religion. Wiccans view LaVey's church in the same manner. Thus there is no connection between a "Witch" as LaVey uses the term and a "Witch" in Wicca.

Witch Queen: In the Gardnerian tradition of Wicca (q.v.), a High Priestess who has had three covens "hive off" of her teaching is accorded by those covens the title of "Witch Queen". There is no such thing as a "Witch King".

Witches: (1) Plural of Witch. Followers of Wicca (See Wicca). (2) One of the twelve degrees of the damned and of devils listed in The Magus, the others being Apostates, Jugglers, Tempters or Ensnarers, Infidels, Furies, False Gods, Revengers of Wickedness, Sifters or Triers, Vessels of Iniquity, Airy Powers and Lying Spirits.

Witch's Hammer, The: See Maleus Maleficarum.

Witch's Pyramid: The concept of the Witch’s Pyramid was first stated in The Ritual Book of Magic by Clifford Bias: “The Magus, the Theurgist, the True Witch stand on a pyramid of power whose foundation is a profound knowledge of the occult, whose four sides are creative imagination, a will of steel, a living faith and the ability to keep silent.” This concept was expanded upon in Amber K’s book True Magic and in my books Wiccan Warrior and Full Contact Magick. I describe the Witch’s Pyramid as a five-sided model that helps us understand the interaction of five important magical principles: "To Know, To Keep Silent, To Dare, To Imagine, To Will.”

These five principles or axioms are the cornerstones of magic. Each of these axioms interact together to form a functioning whole. Imagine that each of these five principles forms a side of a pyramid. If any one of them is missing or flawed, the magical energy enclosed within this pyramid will escape and the resulting magic will be ineffective. A Wiccan hones her Witch’s Pyramid to seal up these flaws. At the same time, she seals up the flaws in her own character.

Wizard (Middle English "wisard", deriv. Old French "guischart", deriv. Old Icelandic "viskr" ("clever", "knowing")): (1) Originally this term was used to describe a philosopher, sage or wise man. The use of the word to describe a magician emerged in the 16th century when the distinctions between philosophy and magic became blurred.[2]