Our Terminology

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The following list is comprised of some common (and not so common) terms used in the modern Craft. The definitions herein are as used in the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid, and may differ from widely-accepted nomenclature. The list is not meant to be comprehensive or representative of generally-accepted connotations.

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A

Adept: Gwyddon/Gwiddon of the 3rd degree
Athame: The ritual blade of a Gwyddon, black-hilted and double edged

B

Book of Shadows: The book of oathbound rituals and lore of the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid, which is hand copied by each new Gwyddon/Gwiddon
Brenhin o yr Coedwig: see King, below
Brenhines: see Queen, below

C

Council of Elders: The Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid Council of Elders, comprised of founding and/or elected Elders, whose chief responsibility is maintaining the integrity and lineage of our Book of Shadows
Coven: A group of initiated Gwyddonaid of various degrees, operating under the leadership of a High Priestess and/or High Priest
Covenstead: The regular meeting place of a coven, often at the home of the High Priestess
Cowan: Someone not of the Craft; an outsider.
Craft: Widely-used term, used to denote a practitioner of the Old Religion
CTG: The Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid

D

Downline: Any initiate of any degree who is descended from a particular High Priestess or High Priest.

E

Elder (of a Coven): A Gwyddon/Gwiddon who has successfully learned the lore and passed more than a year and a day as an Adept.
Elder (of the Tradition): One of the founders of the CTG; alternately, one who has been elected to the CTG Council of Elders.
Esbat: Any lunar ritual observance (waxing, full, waning or dark). Alternately, any gathering of a coven for a specific magickal working, teaching, etc.

F

Festival: see Sabbat

G

Grove: A CTG training Coven, usually led by a 2nd or 3rd degree priest or priestess, under the direct guidance and responsibility of the High Priestess and/or High Priest of the parent coven
Gwiddon: A female initiate of the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid, often loosely translated as "tree witch"
Gwyddon: A male initiate of the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid, also translated as tree witch
Gwyddonaid: Collectively, applies to the Tradition as a whole

H

Handfasting: The ritual marriage of a couple within sacred space. This marriage may be concurrently legal, or recognized solely within the CTG, at the couples' wish.
High Priest: A Gwyddon who has successfully completed the four degrees of the CTG; empowered to run a coven independently or with a High Priestess
High Priestess: A Gwiddon who has successfully completed the four degrees of the CTG; empowered to run a coven independently or with a High Priest

I

Initiate: A Gwyddon/Gwiddon of the 2nd degree
Inner Court: The group practices of the initiated Gwyddonaid

K

King (of the Woods): A High Priest of the CTG who has been acknowledged as such by a coven/covens downline from him. See also Brenhin o yr Coedwig above.

L

Leek: Our most sacred of "herbs." There is a specific process to prepare this sacred plant for Sabbat feasts, which is passed orally among priestesses only.

M

Maiden: A Gwiddon, ideally of the 2nd degree, who has specific ritual functions to perform in the Inner Court rites.

N

NECTW: New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches
Neophyte: A Gwyddon/Gwiddon of the 1st degree.
NYWTG: New York Welsh Traditionalist Gwyddonaid, from the original Brooklyn Heights Coven. See also Welsh Traditionalist

O

Outer Court: Preliminary study and practice group for non-initiates, under the guidance of a High Priest and/or High Priestess, with the eventual goal of initiation into the Inner Court.

P

Pagan Way: A study group, often attached to a Coven and/or Outer Court; generally more pan-Traditional in nature; an introduction to the Craft
Pentacle: The ritual tool, made of a copper disk, and inscribed with a pentagram and other sigils
Pentagram: The five-pointed star glyph

Q

Queen: A High Priestess of the CTG who has been acknowledged as such be a coven/covens downline from her. See also Brenhines above.

R

Rede of the Wiccae: The central point of our lore, first revealed publicly in its correct form by Lady Gwen Thompson, as received from her grandmother, Addie Porter

S

Sabbat: One of the eight festival observances of the year
Saining: The ritual presentation of a child to the Gods, usually soon after birth; the child is blessed by the Gods and receives the gift of the four elements
Summoner: A Gwyddon, often of the 2nd degree, with specific roles and responsibilities in the Inner Court

T

Traditionalist: Any initiated Witch who has undergone training and initiation at the hand of a High Priestess or High Priest of a Tradition (e.g. Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Welsh Traditionalist, Minoan Brotherhood/Sisterhood, CTG, NECTW, etc.) which stems from some variant of practices of the British Witch Cult

W

Welsh Traditionalist: A member of the Traditionalist line founded by Edmund M. Buczynksi (Lord Gwydion)
Witch: An initiated priest/priestess of one of the branches of the British Witch Cult
WRTG: The Welsh Rite Traditionalist Gwyddonaid