Learn witchcraft
Free guides from Hexley, the app for learning witchcraft one small step at a time.
Wheel of the Year
- SamhainThe witches' new year, when the veil between the worlds is said to be thin.
- YuleThe winter solstice, the longest night, when the sun is reborn.
- ImbolcThe first stirrings of spring, a festival of the hearth and of new beginnings.
- OstaraThe spring equinox, when day and night are equal and life returns.
- BeltaneThe fire festival of early summer, celebrating love, life and abundance.
- LithaMidsummer, the longest day, when the sun is at the height of its power.
- LammasThe first harvest, when grain is cut and bread is baked in thanks.
- MabonThe autumn equinox, a festival of balance and of the second harvest.
Fields of Magick
History
Glossary
- AmuletAn object worn or carried to keep something away, one of the oldest kinds of magick there is.
- AthameThe ritual knife of Wicca, which directs and never cuts.
- BesomThe broom of twigs that sweeps a space clean. The flying broom belongs to folklore.
- CauldronThe pot of the witch of legend and a sign of change. Today a fireproof bowl.
- ChaliceThe cup on the altar, which stands for water and holds the shared drink at the end of a ritual.
- CharmWords spoken with an intention, or a small object that carries one.
- CorrespondenceA link between a thing and a meaning, such as red and courage. A tradition, and no law of nature.
- CovenA group of witches who practise together. It has no fixed number, and nobody needs one.
- CurseA wish of harm put into words. Explained in this app, never taught.
- EsbatA working at the full or new moon, as distinct from the eight sabbats of the year.
- FamiliarIn the old trial records a spirit in animal shape that served a witch. Today often a loved pet.
- GrimoireA book of magick. Why the library of this app bears the name.
- HexA word that English took from the German "Hexe", witch. It is used like "curse", often for a smaller one.
- MagickMagic spelled with a k, to tell a witch's practice apart from stage tricks.
- PentacleThe five-pointed star in a circle, worn as a sign of the craft and laid on the altar for the element of earth.
- PentagramThe five-pointed star drawn in one line, a sign of protection for thousands of years and no sign of evil.
- SabbatOnce the name of an imagined night gathering of witches, today one of the eight festivals of the Wheel of the Year.
- SigilA sign you draw yourself from the letters of an intention.
- SmudgingA ceremony of several Indigenous peoples of North America, and why witches outside them say smoke cleansing.
- SolitaryA witch who practises alone, as most witches do.
- TalismanAn object made and charged to draw something towards you, such as courage or success.
- WandA stick used to point and to direct attention. Any stick will do.
- WardingSetting a protective boundary around a place, most often at the doors and windows of a home.