Cauldron:

The quintessential symbol of witchcraft, traditionally a pot (often cast iron or other metals) used for cooking and boiling. They are primarily used for burning herbs and incense safely, for scrying (gazing into water), mixing potions, or for performing small acts of fire magic, such as burning papers. For a kitchen witch or green witch, a cauldron might represent the womb of the Goddess or the transformative power of nature, embodying creation and regeneration.

Chalice:

A ceremonial drinking vessel, often ornate and beautiful. It is commonly used to represent the element of Water on a witch’s altar, symbolizing intuition, emotion, the subconscious, and feminine energy. It's also a potent symbol of fertility and abundance. In many covens, the chalice is passed among members, each taking a sip to symbolize their unity and bond. Witches who work with deities often use their chalice for liquid offerings, honouring the divine.

Chakras:

These are the seven primary energy centers within the human body, visualized as spinning wheels or vortexes of vital life force. For optimal spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being, these chakras are believed to need to remain open, balanced, and aligned. Each chakra is associated with specific colours, locations, and aspects of our being:

• Root Chakra (Muladhara): Red, base of spine. Governs stability, identity, security, trust, and grounding.
• Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Orange, above pubic bone/below navel. Governs creativity, sexuality, pleasure, and emotional flow.
• Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Yellow, stomach/upper abdomen. Governs confidence, personal power, willpower, and self-esteem.
• Heart Chakra (Anahata): Green, center of chest. Governs compassion, empathy, love (for self and others), and forgiveness.
• Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): Blue, the throat. Governs communication, self-expression, and truth.
• Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): Indigo/Purple, forehead center. Governs imagination, intuition, psychic awareness, and inner wisdom.
• Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): Violet or White, top of head. Governs enlightenment, spiritual awareness, and connection to the divine.

Charging:

The deliberate act of infusing an object, a space, or oneself with magical energy or a specific intention. This can be done through visualization, touch, breath, sound, moonlight (for moon water), sunlight, or even by placing items on a crystal grid. For a green witch, charging might involve leaving herbs to dry in the sun, imbuing them with solar energy for later use in spells.

Charm Bag (Conjure Bag/Mojo Bag):

A small, often handmade bag filled with carefully selected items that symbolically represent and amplify a specific intention. Typically, these magical bags contain a blend of herbs, crystals, written affirmations, amulets, and other symbols. Once assembled and charged, the bag's placement depends on its purpose: kept in the home for protection, on the altar for ongoing magical influence, or carried with you for personal empowerment. When its purpose is fulfilled, the organic contents are often respectfully returned to the earth, and crystals cleansed for reuse.

Circle Casting (Magick Circle):

A practice in many traditions, involving the creation of a sacred, energetically defined space for ritual and spellwork. This magick circle serves as both a protective boundary, keeping out unwanted energies, and a container for amplifying your own magical energy, creating a potent working environment. It's typically cast by visualizing a sphere of light, sometimes with the aid of an athame or wand, and is dismissed after the work is complete. For a hedge witch, their circle might be less formal, perhaps a simple ring of stones or even a mental boundary around their working space in nature.

Cleansing:

The essential practice of removing stagnant, negative, or unwanted energies from a person, object, or space. This restores energetic balance and purity, creating a clean slate for positive intention. Common methods include smoke cleansing (using herbs like common sage, rosemary, lavender or mugwort – particularly favoured by green witches), salt, sound (bells, chimes), visualization, or ritual washes (often with moon water). Regular cleansing is a cornerstone of maintaining a healthy magical and personal energetic field.

Coven:

A gathering of at least three witches who come together to practice witchcraft, share knowledge, and support each other's spiritual growth. Often (but not always) led by a High Priestess, a High Priest, or both, covens typically gather for Sabbats, Esbats, rituals, and initiations. A coven can provide a sense of community, shared learning, and amplified magical energy. A true magical community that is built on mutual respect and shared intention.

Craft (The Craft):

A widely used abbreviation for 'Witchcraft.' This term highlights the hands-on, skill-based, and continuously evolving nature of the practice. To say one is 'honing their craft' speaks to the ongoing process of learning, acquiring new skills, growing abilities, and deepening one's personal power within the magical arts. It encompasses everything from spellcasting to herbal knowledge, divination, and connecting with nature.

Crystal Grid:

A powerful and focused arrangement of crystals placed in a specific geometric pattern with a clear, set intention. The grid is designed to amplify the power of the individual crystals and to synergize their energies towards a goal. The choice of grid patterns is vast and encourages creativity. Typically, a main crystal (the largest, or focal point) is placed in the centre, with smaller crystals arranged around it in a chosen geometric design (e.g., sacred geometry like the Flower of Life).

To activate: Place a finger of your dominant hand on the centre crystal while holding a clear intention. Then, move your finger around each of the crystals, connecting their energies in sequence, while continuously setting and affirming your intention. Meditate on your desired outcome and leave the grid in place for as long as needed. Every few days, return to reconnect the energies, meditate, and refocus your powerful intention.

Crystal Healing:

An ancient and complementary therapy that uses the energetic vibrations of crystals to promote harmony, balance, and healing within the human body and mind. This energy-based practice draws on the distinct frequencies of each crystal to help balance, align, and unblock energy centres (chakras). Every crystal possesses its own unique vibration and energetic signature; similarly, every cell in the human body also carries its own energy. When a crystal is brought near the body, sensitive individuals can often feel these energetic interactions, which can help in bringing their own energy into a state of balance and well-being.

Crystal Magick:

The practice of harnessing the properties and energies of crystals for magical purposes. Crystals are excellent additions to charm bags, spell jars, altars, and ritual work. To fully activate them, it's good to set your own clear intentions with them.

• Intention Setting: Choose a crystal specifically aligned with your desire (e.g., rose quartz for self-love, amethyst for spiritual protection, citrine for abundance, moss agate for garden growth – a green witch's favourite). Find a peaceful time free from distractions. Hold the crystal in your dominant hand, consciously feeling a deep connection. Visualize a radiant white light emanating from the crystal, completely surrounding and filling you. Once you feel profoundly connected, meditate on your intention, seeing it as if it were already realized. Continue until your intention feels firmly embedded within the crystal.
• Application: Once charged, integrate this crystal into your spellcraft, or simply keep it close. For continuous energetic support, keep it close as much as possible – perhaps sleeping with it under your pillow, carrying it in your pocket, or wearing it as jewelry.
• Maintenance: Reset your intentions with your crystal at regular intervals to maintain a strong and clear energetic connection.

Curse:

A deliberate pronouncement of ill-fortune or misfortune, spoken words imbued with the intention to inflict harm or negative consequences. Unlike a more elaborate spell, a curse, in its simplest form, can be cast purely through the witch's focused, harmful intent combined with the spoken word. It's a powerful act of will, directed with detrimental purpose.