~Encyclopedia Wicca~

~E~

 

   
Earth The element corresponding to North, the body, the material world, and the foundation of things; and the colours black, brown, olive green and yellow.
Earthing Sending excess energy into the Earth; done in ritual after power has been raised and sent to its goal.
Earth Magick A practical form of magick wherein the powers and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct magickal workings or celebrations.  Usually items associated with the Earth and nature hold a particular significance in the ritual or spell.
Earth Power That energy existent within stones, herbs, flames, wind, streams, and other natural objects.  In magic, Earth power is combined with personal power.
Earth Religion A religion which reveres the Earth, and Nature, as the manifestation of the Divine, and calls for harmony with Nature and all life and for ecology; opposes the wanton exploitation of the natural resources of the Earth
Eclectic Selecting from various systems, doctrines, or sources; composed of material gathered from various sources, systems, etc.
Eclectic Witches Witches who, rather than following a specific Tradition, use rituals and practices gathered from various sources
Ecstasy (Greek "ekstasis", "being out of its place, distraction, trance") The exaltation of consciousness beyond the limitations of ordinary awareness as a result of extreme emotional exaltation and religious fervour: the state of "being outside of oneself"
Eidolon A thought-form, an artificial energy-construct, a body of force; a traditional ritual or spell builds up a store of force which may be tapped by the participants
Elder Many Wiccan organizations have a group or board of Elders who over see the operations of the church and its variety of functions. These people have usually gained their positions through a combination of their abilities which may include education, experience, magical adeptship and counselling.
Element In classic magic, Earth, Air, Fire and Water each represent a class of energies within the universe. These 'elements' are referred to throughout rituals
Elemental The primitive non-human and non-material entity of the nature of one of the Four Elements; also, an artificial elemental is a thought-form, whether created consciously by thought and will, or unconsciously by strong emotions, which develops a separate existence; that separate existence can be temporary, or - as in the case of the god-forms, created by the devotion of the worshippers and ensouled by the Divine Force thus venerated through prayer and invocation - can become permanent and independent; the term "elemental" is also used to refer to the inhabitants of other realms of existence whose orders of being are similar to that of the Elementals, such as the inhabitants of the Faery Realm
Elements, the Four The basic forces/modes of existence and action underlying all of manifestation: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth - plus the Quintessence ("Fifth Essence") of Spirit which includes and contains them all
Elf, Elvenfolk, Elves In traditional lore, the pre-Celtic inhabitants of Britain, viewed as magickal beings by the later invading peoples and attributed with magickal skills and abilities that generally describe either natural survival skills or psychic talents; Witches were often viewed as descendents of intermarriages or cross-breeding, and hence as having inherited the magickal abilities of their elven ancestry [consider the common Celtic concept of "the Sight" as something passed down through the blood]; also refers to the legendary magickal beings who were considered to be the Children of the Gods, or the offspring of the matings of Gods with humans
Enchantment A magickal object that must be kept absolutely secret and hidden from all human eyes and affects a hidden aura.  Enchantments must be charmed first.  Gems and magickal writings are good items to use for Enchantments.
Energy A general term for the currently unmeasurable (but very real) power that exists within all natural objects and beings - including our own bodies.  The ancient Hawaiians knew it as "mana", and it has been given many other names.  This energy ultimately stems from the divine source of all that exists.  It is the powerhouse, the fuel, of all forms of Magick.
Equinox ("equal night") One of the two dates in the year when the length of the day equals the length of the night: the Vernal or Spring Equinox, which begins the "Bright Side of the Year", and the Autumnal or Fall Equinox which begins the "Dark Side of the Year"
Esbat Coven meetings held at the Full Moon, and often the New Moon (or "Dark Moon"); any Coven meeting held at other than one of the Eight Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year
Esoteric (Greek "esoterikos", "inner") beyond ordinary knowledge or understanding; hidden or inner knowledge reserved for initiates
Etheric plane The level of energy and existence between the Astral Plane and the material Physical and the intermediary between the Physical and higher Planes; it is usually regarded as a sub-plane of the Physical, together with the purely material sub-plane, rather than as a distinct Plane of its own
Evocation To evoke is to summon a particular spirit or psychic energy from within your own psyche
Exorcism The expulsion or banishing of unwanted forces or entities from a person, place, or thing