Eclectic Pagan Dictionary PDF

A- ​ Abrahamic: A grouping of monotheistic religions and or dogmas (Primarily Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) that revere Abraham, the Biblical patriarch. ​ Animism: The belief that all elements of the natural world, including plants, animals, objects, and natural phenomena, possess...

A- ​ Abrahamic: A grouping of monotheistic religions and or dogmas (Primarily Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) that revere Abraham, the Biblical patriarch. ​ Animism: The belief that all elements of the natural world, including plants, animals, objects, and natural phenomena, possess a spirit or soul, and that a universal life force connects all elements of the universe. This belief is often tied to Indigenous traditions and shamanism, and is considered the foundation of many religions, where everything is imbued with life and spiritual significance. ​ Word ​ B- ​ Beltane (May Day): The fourth Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, Celebrated on May 1st, Beltane is the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. It is a fire festival welcoming the height of spring and celebrating fertility, abundance, and sensuality. Traditional customs like dancing around the maypole and lighting bonfires symbolize vitality, growth, and the blossoming of life. ​ Word ​ C- ​ Centering: The practice of collecting/gathering energy to a central point.  ​ Closed Practice: a system of beliefs or rituals restricted to specific groups based on cultural, ethnic, or ancestral ties. Participation is limited to those with the right background or initiation to preserve the integrity, authenticity, and sacredness of the tradition. These practices are protected from appropriation and misinterpretation, ensuring they are passed down and maintained within the appropriate community. ​ Cultural Universals: Traits or patterns found in every society worldwide. A concept introduced in 1949 by anthropologist George Murdock. ​ D- ​ Deities: Often refers to individual gods and goddesses, each with unique attributes and mythologies, revered as distinct entities and recognized as manifestations or aspects of the greater "Deity," emerging from human thought and spirituality within the broader concept of divine consciousness. ​ Deity: Often represents the universal, interconnected consciousness and life force that permeates all existence, often personified as a singular divine presence. ​ Divination: The attempt to gain insight into a question, situation, or the unknown through various techniques or the use of various tools. ​ Dogma: A principle or set of principles that are considered by an authority (such as a religious, political, or philosophical organization) to be incontrovertibly true and indisputable. These principles are typically accepted without question or dissent, often forming the foundational beliefs or doctrines of the group. Dogmas are often presented as absolute truths, leaving little room for interpretation, challenge, or revision. They may be based on tradition, doctrine, or authoritative teachings and are intended to guide the actions and beliefs of the followers of the authority. ​ ​ E- ​ Eclectic Paganism: An Inclusive blend of pagan, non-pagan, and other belief systems' teachings, traditions, and practices, as per the wishes of the practitioner. ​ Energy Work: It is the practice of harnessing and directing both physical and spiritual energy to achieve desired outcomes. It involves three key aspects: recognizing energy flow, within and around yourself, energy manifestation, the act of tapping into an unseen force, and energy manipulation, using this force for tangible results. ​ Equinox: Is when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a "nearly" equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes (aka areas) in a 24 hour period. There are 2 Equinoxes in a year which happen for spring and autumn. ​ ​ F- ​ Feminine Divinity: Feminine deities are revered as nurturers, creators, and embodiments of intuition, compassion, and transformation. They are honored for their role in sustaining life, offering support, and guiding rituals and ceremonies. Invoked for their energy and influence, feminine divinities contribute to spiritual work by providing healing, growth, and a deep connection to deity and the cycles of nature. ​ Word ​ G-  ​ Grounding: Is a fundamental skill and the act of centering and organizing one's mind and body to regulate thoughts to achieve a sense of inner peace and calm. Typically when pertaining to metaphysics or witchcraft involves connecting to the earth. ​ Word: ​ H- ​ Word: ​ I- ​ Imbolc (Candlemas): The second Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, Imbolc occurs around the beginning of February, marking the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is associated with the first signs of spring and is often dedicated to the goddess Brigid. Imbolc symbolizes purification, renewal, and new beginnings. ​ Word ​ J- ​ Word ​ K- ​ Word ​ L- ​ Litha (Midsummer): The fifth Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, Litha is celebrated on June 21st, marking the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year. It is associated with the height of sunlight, vitality, strength, and abundance. Celebrations focus on energy, success, and growth, with a special emphasis on honoring the sun at its peak and celebrating the power of life, fertility, and creativity. ​ Lughnasadh (Lammas): The sixth Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, Lughnasadh is celebrated on August 1st, marking the halfway point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. It is the first harvest festival, focused on giving thanks for the Earth’s abundance. Celebrations often include bread-making and sharing the first grains of the season, symbolizing gratitude for the crops and the bounty of the land. ​ Word: ​ M- ​ Mabon: The seventh Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, Mabon is celebrated around September 21st, marking the Autumn Equinox and the balance between light and dark. It is the second harvest festival, with a focus on preparing for winter. Mabon emphasizes gratitude for the harvest, introspection, and readiness for the colder months ahead.  ​ Masculine Divinity: Masculine deities are revered as guardians, providers, and embodiments of strength, courage, and resilience. They are honored for their role in protecting the community, offering support, and guiding rituals and ceremonies. Invoked for their energy and influence, masculine divinities contribute to spiritual work by providing stability, grounding, and the necessary strength to navigate challenges. ​ Matriarchal Societal Constructs: A system where authority and governance predominantly favor women, typically for the ability to create life. ​ Metaphysics: A Universal truth we use as a scientific way of understanding the occult practices we use (Ex. Astral Or Energy Work). It's where philosophy and spirituality meet dealing with deep topics such as existence, knowledge, time, and space. It's basically the study of what we can't see. ​ Moroi: Folklore Vampire (Slavic, Romanian/Bulgarian) ​ Word ​ N- ​ Natural Magic (Science): A Universal Truth rooted in learning from the natural world. It shows the connection between magic and nature. It laid the foundation for modern science, including the scientific method therefore we see science as a form of Natural Magic and a Universal Truth. ​ NeoPaganism: ​ Word: ​ O-  ​ Ominism: The belief in all religions, often referred to as Universalism, is the idea that no single religion holds the ultimate truth, but that the truth can be found across all religions and spiritual beliefs. It emphasizes that different religious traditions offer diverse paths to understanding a shared spiritual reality. ​ Ostara: The third Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, Ostara is celebrated at the Spring Equinox, occurring around March 21st. It marks the day of equal light and darkness, heralding the arrival of spring. Ostara is associated with balance, renewal, and growth, with symbols like eggs and rabbits reflecting themes of fertility and new beginnings, ​ Otherkin: Refers to individuals who, while human in form, perceive themselves as being inwardly non-human. This identification spans a broad spectrum, encompassing those who associate with animalistic archetypes, mythological beings, or deific and spiritual influences. The phenomenon represents a diverse range of experiences, each characterized by a sense of intrinsic "otherness." (Otherkin is about the soul, not the physical body) ​ Word ​ P- ​ Paganism: is a broad, umbrella term that encompasses a diverse range of spiritual practices, beliefs, and traditions that fall outside the Abrahamic religions. ​ Pantheism: is the belief that everything in the universe is a part of deity, viewing the universe and deity as one. It holds that all things are composed of a single, all-encompassing divine essence. ​ Paranormal:  ​ Patriarchal Social Constructs: A system where governance and authority predominantly favor men, leading to the marginalization of women. ​ Polytheism: The belief in or worship of more than one God / Goddess. ​ Psychic Vampirism: ​ Word: ​ Q- ​ Word ​ R ​ Reconstructionist Paganism: This refers to the scholarly approach of using historical and archaeological texts to reconstruct ancient belief systems and traditions. The practice seeks to understand and revive these practices based on academic research, with an emphasis on historical accuracy in rituals, customs, and worldviews. When individuals attempt to follow these reconstructed systems, they do so with the aim of adhering closely to the original ways of life, often treating this revival as a precise, almost scientific, and methodical discipline. ​ Word: ​ S-  ​ Sabbat: The eight seasonal festivals celebrated in many Pagan paths, most commonly referring to the Wheel of the Year. These festivals mark key points in the cycle of the seasons, honoring universal themes such as life, death, rebirth, renewal, fertility, and harvest. ​ Samhain: The eighth Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, Samhain (pronounced Saa-win) is celebrated from sunset on October 31st to the evening of November 1st. It marks the midpoint between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice, signaling the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Samhain heralds the onset of winter and is a time to honor ancestors, reflect on mortality, and recognize the thinning of the veil between worlds. Symbolically, it represents a time of transformation and renewal. ​ Sanguine Vampirism: ​ Shadow Work: ​ Shared Personal Gnosis (SPG): personal beliefs commonly shared between many practitioners (Ex: Loki likes pixy sticks) ​ Societal Constructs: are the set of rules and norms established by consensus within a community. These structures shape how individuals interact, behave, and perceive their roles within society. ​ Solstice: Where the Earth's tilt toward/away from the sun is at its maximum causing the longest day (Summer) or the longest night of the year (Winter). ​ Strigoi: Folk Lore Vampire (Slavic, Romanian/Bulgarian) ​ Word ​ T- ​ Word ​ U-  ​ Unified Concepts in Various Forms: Different names and symbols that repere ​ Universal Truth: They are ideas that are true for all people and cultures. A truth rooted in time-tested facts that have stood strong throughout history. ​ Unverified Personal Gnosis (UPG): beliefs gained through personal experience that cannot be verified in an academic way (Ex: Hephaestus is a hopeless romantic) ​ ​ V- ​ Vampirism: Sanguine or Psi (Not Folk Lore See Moroi and Strigoi) ​ Verified Personal Gnosis (VPG): Personal beliefs that are or can be verified by mythology (Ex: Hades likes Persephone) ​ ​ W- ​ Wheel of the Year: an annual cycle of seasonal festivals observed by many (but not all) Pagans, marking the year's key solar events solstices, equinoxes, and the midpoints between them. These festivals align with the changing seasons and reflect themes of life, death, and rebirth, connecting practitioners to the natural rhythms of the Earth. ​ Witchcraft: the intentional use of ritual, intent, thought, and mindfulness to achieve specific goals and bring about change in both the physical and non-physical realms. ​ X- ​ Word ​ Y- ​ Yule: Yule is the first Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, celebrated at the Winter Solstice. It marks the longest night and the rebirth of the sun, symbolizing hope and the return of light. Traditionally, Yule involved feasting, fire, and gift-giving, customs that continue to influence modern Christmas traditions. ​ ​ Z- ​ Word