# Spiritual glossary: B

> Plain-English meanings of spiritual, witchcraft, tarot and astrology words beginning with B: Beltane, Besom, Birth chart, Birthstone, Blue moon, Book of Shado

URL: https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-b
Updated: 2026-10-30

6 terms beginning with B, explained simply.

## Beltane

The Gaelic May Day festival, around 1 May, celebrating summer's start with fires and greenery. One of the eight sabbats. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/wheel-of-the-year).

## Besom

A traditional broom of twigs. In modern witchcraft it is used to sweep a space symbolically clean.

## Birth chart

A map of where the Sun, Moon and planets were at the moment and place of birth, used in astrology. Also called a natal chart.

## Birthstone

A gemstone linked to a birth month. The modern British list was set by the National Association of Goldsmiths in 1937. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/birthstones).

## Blue moon

Either the second full moon in a calendar month, or the third of four full moons in a season. About once every two to three years. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/full-moons).

## Book of Shadows

A personal journal of spells, rituals and notes kept by many witches and Wiccans.

## Other letters

[A](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-a) · [B](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-b) · [C](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-c) · [D](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-d) · [E](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-e) · [F](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-f) · [G](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-g) · [H](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-h) · [I](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-i) · [K](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-k) · [L](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-l) · [M](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-m) · [N](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-n) · [O](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-o) · [P](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-p) · [Q](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-q) · [R](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-r) · [S](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-s) · [T](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-t) · [W](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-w) · [Y](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-y) · [Z](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-z)

## Questions

**What does Beltane mean?**

The Gaelic May Day festival, around 1 May, celebrating summer's start with fires and greenery. One of the eight sabbats.

**What does Besom mean?**

A traditional broom of twigs. In modern witchcraft it is used to sweep a space symbolically clean.

**What does Birth chart mean?**

A map of where the Sun, Moon and planets were at the moment and place of birth, used in astrology. Also called a natal chart.

**What does Birthstone mean?**

A gemstone linked to a birth month. The modern British list was set by the National Association of Goldsmiths in 1937.

**What does Blue moon mean?**

Either the second full moon in a calendar month, or the third of four full moons in a season. About once every two to three years.

**What does Book of Shadows mean?**

A personal journal of spells, rituals and notes kept by many witches and Wiccans.

## Related

- [Glossary A–Z](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary)

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