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Wai Tai:

 (Chi)   External alchemy. The arts of nourishing life. These arts were said to include transmutation of metals, the secrets of medicine, invisibility, and the techniques of changing shape. The primary direction of wai tai, however, is the attainment of the Tao and physical immortality. (See also Alchemy; Tao.)

Wakan:

 An American Indian term for the force which suffuses the world and maintains cosmic order. It is the force behind magic and reveals itself in visions and prophecies.

Wic:

 An Old English word meaning "to bend, to twist, or to wiggle." A very old term for the practice of magic. I have also heard wic translated as "to weave, or to know."

Wicca:

 "Wicce" is the female form. The Old English root words for a male and female witch.

Wiccan:

 The Plural form of Wicca (or Wicce). Often used by modern practioners to refer to the Neo-paganist Witchcraft movement in general.

Witchcraft:

 The craft of the Witch-Magic, especially magic utilizing personal power in conjunction with the energies within stones, herbs, colours and other natural objects. While this may have spiritual overtones, Witchcraft, using this definition, isn't a religion. However, some followers of Wicca use this word to denote their religion.

Wu:

 (Chi)   Eternal nonbeing. The essence of Tao. (See also Sunya.)

Wu-Hsing:

 (Chi)   Elemental activities: Wood, Fire, Metal, Earth, and Water. The Taoist equivalent to the four elements of Western philosophy. The wu-hsing are best thought of as modes of manifestation.

Wu Wei:

 (Chi)   No-activity. Spontaneity. Noninterference with the Tao. (See also Tao.)

Updated August 27th, 1998