Symbols of Modern Wiccan Witchcraft Quiz

The ankh is a symbol that can be traced back to at least the first Egyptian dynasty. The Egyptians associated the top loop with the goddess Isis and the bottom cross with the god Horus. Many in the Wiccan tradition have adopted this symbol to represent the god and goddess.

The symbol also corresponds to the eternal life of the spirit through birth and rebirth. A witch will commonly use the ankh as jewelry to channel positive energy and ward against negative energy. The ankh is also used to focus during meditation.

The lotus is another powerful ancient symbol. In Wiccan witchcraft, the lotus symbolizes growth and rebirth. It is frequently incorporated in spells to enhance enlightenment and spiritual connection. Many parts of the lotus are used in potions, from the petals to the seeds. The petals can be used to help with insomnia, while the seeds have antioxidant properties to cleanse the body.

The Horned God is the symbol for masculinity and is the consort of the Triple Goddess. The horns are not sinister or negative, instead being related to wild bucks and nature. Evil has no legitimate place in Wicca, a fact that is often misunderstood by non-pagans.

The Horned God is dualistic, as both light and dark, day and night, or divine and animal. The Wiccans hold the Horned God to be the equal counterpart to the Triple Goddess and have their union represented through the eight sabbats of the year.

He is considered to be born at the winter sabbat of Yule and die at Samhain in the fall, only to be reborn again from the goddess at the next Yule.

The pentacle is an encircled five-pointed star oriented with one point facing upwards. Each point of the star represents one of the five basic elements, going clockwise, with "spirit" on top, followed by "water," "fire," "earth," and "air." As a tool, the pentacle is a powerful protector, with each element having its own symbolism.

The spirit is the ruling element of the mind. Water is symbolic of intuition and emotional elements. Fire is associated with willpower and energy. Earth is important for grounding and stabilizing the witch in nature. Finally, air represents the mind and communication with other life forces.

The surrounding circle also serves as a symbol for the unending cycle of protection and life.

The triskelion taps into the power of three, in particular the union of mind, body, and spirit. It can also represent the relationship of the land, sea, and sky. The symbol itself is ancient, like the ankh, with the earliest images dating back over 5,000 years in Ireland.

The triskelion is often used in association with the Triple Goddess and is usually seen carved on tools or altars. The symbol itself shows the interconnectedness and fluidity of life.

Just as the Horned God is represented by the cycles of the Earth year, the Triple Goddess is represented by the cycles of the Moon. The three stages start with the waxing crescent representing the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess. The middle portion is the full moon of motherhood, corresponding to the full pregnant belly.

The final waxing phase is the Crone, who symbolizes the wisdom that comes with age. The Triple Goddess most powerfully represents female energy and power.

The Athame is a double-edged dagger that symbolizes logic and masculine force. It is NOT intended as a tool for sacrifice or shedding of life, but rather as a way to direct energy by casting a sacred circle. The Athame is associated with the elements of energy of fire and the logic of air.

The witch will often pair the Athame with the Chalice to represent the Great Rite, which symbolizes the creation of life. The sharp point of the Athame is used to channel clarity by cutting through confusion.

A besom is a broom used to sweep away negative energy. It is not used to sweep the ground, but rather to push away negativity above the ground. Due to the fluid nature of its effects, it is considered to be symbolic of the element of water. The besom can also be used to protect the home from negative spirits by placing it over the door, with the bristles pointing upward.

Unfortunately, a witch cannot use the Besom to take flight, as that is only a myth. A traditional besom is considered to be made with the union of both masculine and feminine energy, with a masculine ash handle and feminine straw or twigs. One cool tradition is jumping over a besom in the Wiccan wedding tradition of Handfasting.

The besom represents sweeping away the old life and joining in a new united domestic life.

The chalice represents the feminine divine forces and, in particular, fertility. It is worth noting that not all Wiccans consider the chalice to be a tool, but rather believe that it represents the womb of the goddess. The chalice is associated with the element of water and ritual purification.

It can be used to bless water for sacred circles or for wine for shared union with other witches in an Ale and Cakes ceremony.

There are eight Sabbats, with the four associated with the solstices and equinoxes being called lesser and the sabbats between these being called the greater. Typically, Samhain (October 31) is considered to be the beginning of the wheel of the year, though sometimes Yule (winter solstice) is considered the start.

The other six Sabbats that follow are Imbolc, Ostara (Spring Equinox), Beltane (May 1), Litha (Summer Solstice), Lughnasadh (August 1), and Mabon (Autumn Equinox). Each sabbat has its own rituals and symbolizes various aspects of the life cycle. Of the eight, Samhain is often considered to be the most important. Witches believe it is the time of the year when the veil between the worlds of the living and dead is at its thinnest.