~Encyclopedia Wicca~

~D~

 

   
Dactyliomancy Divination by using a finger ring (pendulum)
Daemon ("daemon", a lesser divinity) A guardian spirit; the inspiring or indwelling spirit of a place or thing; an entity or intelligence of a particular force; an artificial elemental created by a person or group for a specific purpose or force
Dagyde Needle, pin, or thorn used in working image-magick, to indicate the area of the body to which the Power is being directed, whether to cure or to curse
Dark of the Moon The part of the lunar cycle during which the Moon is not visible on the Earth.  This is traditionally the best time in the cycle to do divination (scrying, Tarot reading, runes, etc.)
Days of Power Although usually referred to as Sabbats, there are other days throughout the year that can be considered days of power.  These days can be triggered by astrological occurrences, your birthday, a woman's menstrual cycle (also known as the Blood of the Moon), or your dedication/initiation anniversary.
Dedication Unlike the initiation ceremony that brings one into an order, the dedication of a Witch is that process where their individual accepts the Craft as their path, and vows to study and learn all that is necessary to reach adeptship in a given tradition. In a dedication, you consciously prepare yourself to accept something new into your life and stick with it, regardless of the highs and lows this action may produce.
Demon (derived from "daemon") An artificial elemental created by a neurotic complex of energies and emotions, whether of one person or many, hence contra-productive or harmful in influence and effect
Deosil ("with the sun") Clockwise or sun-wise, moving to the right around a circle if facing out, to the left if facing in
Deva A powerful Faerie, land, plant, or mineral spirit; a collective oversoul.
Devoke, Devocation A formal farewell in ritual, usually to the Gods or elements.
Dionysian In religious studies, describes "lunar- or nature-oriented" religions that emphasize the ecstatic and emotional aspects, and the liberating of the psyche from the limitations of mundane consciousness, to enable union with the "group mind", or collective consciousness of the group (named for Dionysus, the Greek God of wine and Ecstasy)
Dismissing the Quarters The term for releasing, or saying farewell to, the Spirits of the Elements (Air, Fire, Water and Earth).
Divination Divination is the practice of foreseeing future trends by the use of such tools as the Tarot, runes and I-Ching. Divination is extremely useful in witchcraft, and can denote good and bad times for specific rituals. 
Divine Marriage See Hieros Gamos.
Divine Power The unmanifested, pure energy that exists within the Goddess and God. The life force, the ultimate source of all things.
Dowsing The art/science of using a pendulum or stick to find the actual location of a person, place, thing or element. Dowsing can also be used to answer yes or no questions.
Drawing Down The Moon A ritual used during the Full Moon by Witches to empower themselves and unite their essence with a particular deity, usually the Goddess.
Drumming Drumming is literally pounding on a surface. This is used in witchcraft to raise power and to change emotional states.