~Encyclopedia Wicca~

~B~

 
   
Bale Harm or disaster; sorrow, woe; something which is harmful
Balefire Ritual fire symbolizing the banishing of ill by the power and presence of the divine
Ban To banish; to curse; to forbid
Bane Deadly harm, ruin, death; something which causes harm, ruin, or death; a poison
Banish To magically end something or exorcise unwanted entities. To rid the presence of.
Barrow A burial mound, such as found in Celtic or Native American archaeological sites
Bell A bell or gong can be used early in the ritual to "alert the quarters ", signalling your readiness to begin.
Belomancy Divination by arrows.
Beltane, Beltain ("bright fire" or "Bel's fire") A Celtic name for May Day, May 1st, also applied to its ritual observance on May Eve (April 30) since the Celtic day began at sunset
Besom Broom
Bi-Location The practice of using a type of astral projection to travel in everyday reality by retaining the capability to be aware of your present surroundings. Synonymous terms are over-looking and mind-travel.
Bibliomancy Divination by random passages in books.
Bind To tie together; to tie down, hold, or restrain; to obligate or compel, as by an oath; to prevent from a specific action; loosely, to cast a spell upon, to impose your will on by magick
Binding To bind a spell, the spellcaster chants a verse upon completion, announcing the end of the ritual and asking for the spell to begin its magic.
Bletonism Divination by currents of water.
Blood of the Moon A woman's menstrual cycle.  If this cycle occurs over a Full or New Moon (and you can arrange that) she is far more powerful than during any other time of the month, as long as she acknowledges this strength within herself.  For too many years women have been told that they must regard their cycle with an unkind eye, calling it a curse when actually it is a boon.  Society has so dictated this to them that many feel weak, tired and disorientated because they are supposed to.  Wrong.  If you can rearrange your thinking on this matter, the Blood of the Moon can pack a powerful wallop for you.  If you feel spacy, try grounding.
Bolline Term sometimes used to refer to the Witch's White-handled Knife, as distinct from the Athame; sometimes used to refer to a sickle-shaped blade, including an Athame in Traditions which allow it to have that shape
Book of Shadows The book containing the traditional rituals, spells, etc. of a Coven or Tradition, which the Wiccan Initiate copies from her/his Initiator; sometimes used today by Eclectics to refer to their Grimoire
Botanomancy Divination by herbs.
Brigidmas Another term for Candlemas, derived from the Celtic goddess Brigid, later venerated as the Christian St. Brigid or St. Bride
Brimstone Sulfur
British Traditional Witches The family of Wiccan Traditions who can trace their lineage to Gerald Gardner or Alex and Maxine Sanders; also used to refer to those whose Wiccan practice is based upon, or derives from, the above but without having initiatory lineage back to Gardner or Sanders ("neo-Gardnerians", "Farrarian Wicca", etc.); the term "British Traditional Wicca" is more common in the U.S. than elsewhere
Broom The traditional Witch's broom is made of ash, birch and willow because of the attributes of these woods, but it can be made of just about any wood available.  Although not employed for flying purposes, the broom does have many uses.  It is used for protection.  It is also and most commonly used for physically and magickally cleaning an area that will be used for sacred space.  The broom does not have to touch the ground to sweep away the psychic clutter that often collects in well used spaces.  The broom is associated with water and is sacred to both the God and Goddess.
Burning Times It is is reference to a historical time from around the 17th century when it is said that over nine million people were tortured and burned by church and public officials on the assumption that they were the Christian version of Witches. This turned into an extremely profitable venture, as all land and property was seized from the accused individual and and portions given to the accuser (in reward fashion) and the remainder seized by the church officials. Historians indicated that the majority of people tortured and murdered were women and children.