This is a synonym for the ability of Flying.
Wizard
Wizard, from Old English wis meaning “wise” a sage, an adept, or a magician, usually is used to denote a person learned in both knowledge and skills of his profession. In the Wiccantradition the term wizard can denote either gender, but is usually associated with a person engaged in thaumaturgic spell-casting, using formulary and recitation in spell-work, alchemicalpractices and research, or Qabalistic (Kabbalah) studies. It can also be applied to a sorcerer, but usually is not. Wizard generally denotes knowledge as it is common to say “he is a wizard” or “he is a wiz,” meaning the person really knows it or can easily do it. A.G.H
Sources:
Batty, Miles. Harry Potter and Wicca – A Comparative Analysis. <http://www.sdpaganpride.org/?q=node/71>
Drury, Nevil. The Watkins Dictionary of Magic. London. Watkins Publishing. 2005. p. 310
Witch’s mark
In the lore of the witch, this is claimed to be an extra teat or nipple on a witch’s body from which she or he permitted a familiar or imp to suckle human blood which these creatures supposedly craved. Although extra nipples appear naturally in a small percentage of the population, a fact which was either not widely known or disregarded in medieval times, these extra bodily protuberances took on an infernal association during this period. During witch trials virtually any wart, mole, tumor, outstanding swelling or discoloration of the skin was suspect as being a witch’s mark. After their arrest witches were bodily searched to see if any peculiarities could be discovered. Even red spots, or bumps under the tongue and folds in the vagina were considered paps for familiars.
People were employed as “prickers” during the trials to prick the skin of the accused witches to see if any insensitive portions on their bodies could be found. This was frequently done before the judge, jury and audience. The accused was usually naked to the waist, and often had to raise her skit for the examiner to examine her. The examining tool was usually a sharp instrument such as a pin or needle, as well as other instruments. An insensitive portion of the body was one which did not bleed when pricked, and so designated a witch’s mark. The prickers were often paid to discover witches, so much a witch, and some cheated by using a blunt ended instrument so certain portions of the skin would not bleed when pricked.
Out of fear people sometimes cut off their warts, moles, and other bumps in order not to be suspect as a witch. These tactics helped very little, if any, because scars that were left indicated where an incision had been made. When discovered the scars were judged to indicate the person had something to hide, and the person was suspect of being a witch. Often the terms witch’s mark and devil’s mark were used interchangeably, so the person might also be thought to be in covenant with the devil.
Currently witch’s marks are described as unusual birthmarks. The Witch Sybil Leek believed in them and said that she and other members of her family had them.
Witches’ marks are used in initiation rituals of some traditions of modern Witchcraft. These marks are symbolic and may take the shapes of X-crosses made with anointing oil on the body of the candidate. As described in the Book of Shadows for the Gardnerian tradition, the crosses are traced over the third eye, the heart and the genitals, symbolizing the freeing of the mind, heart and body.
A witch mark in Appalachia, a rural portion of the southeastern United States, is a star, similar to the Maltese cross, which is etched or drawn over the doorway of a house or barn, to keep witches away. Also, it can be cut out of wood and nailed over the door. A.G.H.
Source:
Guiley, Rosemary Ellen.The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. New York: Facts On File.1989. pp. 388-389
Witch’s ladder
A string of 40 beads or a cord of 40 knots which some witches use for magic. The beads or knots enable a Witch to concentrate on repeated chants or incantations without having to keep count. Thus enabling the Witch to focus all his or her attention on the desired goal.
According to old tradition, a witch’s ladder, a rope of 40 knots, could be used to cast a death spell over a person. The witch tied the knots tightly in hatred and hid the rope so the victim could not find it because the only cure was to find the rope and untie the knots.
Today witch’s ladders are used often in healing work. A.G.H.
Source: 4.
Wiccan Mythos
This is a term designating the underlying spirituality of Wicca reflected in the seasonal rites of Nature, along with the metaphors linked with the lunar reverence. The essence of this mythos is based upon the Wheel of the Year, which designates the sabbats of the Wiccan religion. The Wheel possesses the foundation of the Wiccan belief in ever-returning cycles, an aspect also linking the Wiccan belief to reincarnation. Death and the survival of the soul or spirit are important elements of the Mystery Teachings contained within the Old Religion.
Since Wicca is essentially an agrarian Mystery Tradition every aspect of plowing, planting, growing, and harvesting has symbolic meaning in the journey of the soul. These agricultural Mystery Teachings are involved with loss, return, death, and rebirth. The death and rebirth concepts are perhaps best depicted in the ancient myths of Demeter and Persephone that illustrate the foundation of the Wiccan concepts to the descent of the Goddess into the Underworld. This mythos is found in the early civilizations of Mesopotamia. The Agricultural Mysteries are also involved with transforming and changing the states of consciousness. (see Altered States of Consciousness) Such involvement stems from ancient times when psychotropic plants such as hallucinogenic mushrooms and fermented liquids were used. This branch of the Mystery Tradition is often referred to as the Fermentation Mysteries, and includes as well the Harvest Mysteries. The latter symbolically reveals the ancient mysteries through a variety of myths of slain and resurrected gods.
The Slain God or Divine King is an integral part of the Wiccan mythos and Mystery Tradition. He is closely connected with the life cycle of the plant kingdom and shares the characteristics related to planting and harvesting. The blood of the Slain God/Divine King possesses the same vital life-giving principle, as does the seed. Therefore, the mythos states that all must be returned to the soil so that life and abundance will fill the coming year.
The Wiccan mythos also includes the seasonal cycles of Nature known as the waxing and waning tides of the earth. These are the growth and decline forces that are often personified as mythical figures. In many Wiccan Traditions these figures are the Oak King and the Holly King. Other Traditions use an older, more primal set of figures, the stag and the wolf. Which ever is the case, the mythos is one of life and death. The one figure supersedes the other in an ever-repeating cycle. As it is seen with the Oak King and the Holly King, one figure slays the other during the solstice. The stag and wolf are slain by exterior factors representing the forces of Nature.
In the classic Wiccan Mythos there are various myths connected to each of the eight sabbats. At the Winter Solstice the new sun is born. At Imbolc the sun god reaches maturity and is purified as he prepares to encounter the Goddess. The Spring Equinox marks the return of the Goddess from the Underworld. At Beltane the God and Goddess meet to begin their courtship. The Summer Solstice marks their wedding and finds the Goddess pregnant from their union at Beltane. Lughnasadh marks the fullness of the Harvest, and the sun god becomes the Harvest King, the Slain God. The Autumn Equinox begins the descent of the Goddess into the Underworld in search of the Slain God of the Harvest. At Samhain they meet again in the Underworld, unrecognized at first. There they fall in love anew and exchange their mysteries. He gives to the Goddess the necklace of rebirth and she teaches him the mystery of the cauldron of rebirth. A.G.H.
Source: 78, 398-399.
