Author: A Solitary Pagan

A Sage is an elderly person of sound judgment, who has achieved wisdom through reflection and experience. The term is used for a savant, an expert, a scholar, and a learned philosopher or teacher, such as Lao-Tzu or Socrates. Sagacity means wisdom, and wise counsel is called “sage advice.” Although Sages are usually considered to be men, Saga was a common Latin term for a Sorceress in the Middle A...

This term is often used as a synonym for “Wizard,” especially in a complimentary sense. A Mage may also be called a Magus, which means a master of the magickal arts. The ancient Magi (like the “Three Wise Men” in the Bible) were Zoroastrian Priests originating in Media and Persia (now Iran). This is the root of the word magic (or magick). The term eventually came to be used for wise and powerful m...

: This title comes from Arabic, meaning, “bearer of burdens,” and was given to the chief minister and adviser under the King. The most famous Vizier of ancient Egypt was Imhotep (yes, the “Mummy”), who was the Vizier of Pharaoh Djoser, and the world’s first known Wizard. The title often became synonymous with “Court Wizard,” especially when a Vizier was also renowned for his Wizardry—such as Imhot...

This is from the Anglo-Saxon wysard: “wise one.” A Wizard is a lore-master, especially of arcane (that is, lost or secret) knowledge (hence popular usage such as “computer wizard”). A Wizard is also a magickal practitioner; however, the word is rarely used today to describe a practitioner of Wicca (or Witchcraft)—or a member of any particular faith. Indeed, most (but not all) Wizards tend to be so...

Now would probably be a good time to explain some of the different kinds of magickal folks. These terms can be confusing to the unfamiliar, so here is a brief little Glossary. (Also, one essential companion to this Grimoire must be a good dictionary!) An important thing to understand here is that these categories are not mutually exclusive, and any given individual may embody a number of them…inde...

The terms “helpful” or “baneful” are simply perceptions of magick’s dual nature. Witches work to be neutral—to walk in balance and to work impartially somewhere in the center between the two extremes. This walking neutrally between the worlds is a study in polarity. We are not one or the other but shades of both. With prosperity magick, the principle of polarity is manifested as giving and receivi...

The principle of correspondence also directs us to the most harmonious tools and spell accoutrements for our magick, as in a table of correspondences. Specific crystals and herbs can activate certain energies that are naturally associated with your various magickal goals. Color is a prime example. Yellow flowers, especially those with solar shapes like the sunflower, are typically associated or pe...