At The End of the Day I Sometimes Wonder Who Decided…

The idea that there are different kinds of Witches, Wiccans, Pagans, is not new. But, I don’t think there should be an all inclusive, exclude nothing approach to being a Witch, or really, anything. If nothing is excluded then what makes one person or group, different from any other person or group. In order to be something, you have to actually be something.

I exclude Ouija boards from my idea of a Witch. I’ve seen some people who try calling them “witch boards”. They are not Witch boards. In my opinion they are an occult thing and a lot of occult things don’t seem very Witch-like (or safe) to me. I don’t believe in hell, satan, devils, etc. I do believe there are bad people, evil deeds. These are all real things people have created. Like the idea of hell and so on. How do you scare people into obeying your rules, make them afraid not to. Give them terrifying consequences.

What is a Modern Witch?

You can go through a shopping list and throw endless things into your cart, deciding what a modern Witch is. It would be easier to decide what to exclude. Sort of easier, not as easy in these days of mass inclusion. Well Witches, dare to step on someone’s toes and make a decision about what a Witch is and what a Witch is not.

The Wiccan Rede is a good place to start. Harm none, in essence. People add in contingencies and excuses and justify everything in order to suit themselves. But, the Wiccan Rede is not about making yourself comfortable. It sets a standard. It’s an almost impossible standard but it gives you a direction to head for. Don’t be too quick to slide off the path. Think about your actions and don’t harm others.

I want to be honest, an honest person. With more than 50 years of experience I can say that honesty does make life easier. Not always, but overall. Plus, honesty isn’t all black and white. You can be honest without hurting someone’s feelings, or making promises you don’t want to keep. In the second case, don’t back down and make a promise or a commitment you don’t want to keep. Be firm and politely decline, even if they whine.

I exclude things I don’t believe in. That sounds simple but it’s taken me many years to decide not to believe in some things. It’s like a child believing in Santa Claus because they want to so much. I believe in the Christmas spirit. Santa Claus is a face for the Christmas spirit. People like having a face to look at. Something recognizable and human looking. But, it took me awhile to decide to believe in that Christmas spirit versus the marketing and religious versions of Christmas. I don’t see the point in being a Grinch during the holidays and pulling others down. Let people be happy when they can.

Deciding who you are, making decisions about what you will and will not believe are lifelong tasks for a modern Witch. As new ideas come along a Witch can’t sit back in the dark and ignore them. Guide yourself through modern life, making decisions based on harm none, but without being a doormat.

At the end of the day, I sometimes wonder who decided…

Who decided the pentacle was “the” symbol of Witches? I can read about why it is, but I wonder who decided to start it and keep it. As a modern Witch, is that something you want to keep, or is there something new you might be the very person to start up?

Be Creative and Wise While Harming None

On Facebook, Witches of Ontario, someone posted about their landlord not wanting them to practice Wicca/ Witchcraft in the home. The landlord was concerned about the spirits which might be attracted to the home. Yes, people do have rights and freedom of religion. Many people replied about that, some getting aggressive about it. However, there is truth to the landlord’s concerns. I do believe in the law of attraction, where what we do brings in/ attracts other elements, things, people which may not be a good thing – even when it was intending as a good thing.

Also, I really believe the landlord has a right to feel safe in their home (it is a shared home).

Why did most people posting not consider the landlord and, the Wiccan Rede about harming none? Has that been thrown out the window? Does it get in your way so just toss aside the fundamental belief in harming none? Very, very few people wrote about accommodating the landlord, respecting their rights, beliefs, or fears.

I wrote:

The landlord has a right to feel safe too. Why not practice outdoors? Keep a backpack with everything you need to be mobile and take it to a public park, the beach, etc. Pick up some rocks, leaves, whatever you find and add them to your altar. Be creative and wise while harming none.

I wrote a post about making a mobile altar. If you have a similar situation where you need to find another location consider going mobile. You have the benefit of being in the church of the great outdoors while practicing your beliefs and harming none.

Karmic Laws as Commanding Suggestions to Live Life Better

Some religions have commandments. You can narrow most of the list down to “don’t hurt other people”. If you don’t hurt other people, chances are you will be ok, more or less. I do my best to stick with the Wiccan Rede, do no harm. But, it is pretty general and people have found a lot of ways to interpret it.

I like this list, which I shortened to just the headers (read more descriptions on the site, link below).

One thing I like about this list – these laws include yourself. Be good to yourself and others. Help others but keep it sustainable. You can’t give everything, get nothing and keep going on that way. I think this is a good list for people who are artists and perfectionists, to keep at hand.

Maybe its a detailed list to help those who want to spin different interpretations on the Wiccan Rede.

In my own life right now, the law of creation could use more work. Participating fully in your own life, not taking a back seat or waiting for something to happen. Mainly, finding your own motivation and sticking with it.

What about you? Which law could you dust off to improve your own life these days?

The Great Law
The Law of Creation
The Law of Humility
The Law of Growth
The Law of Responsibility
The Law of Connection
The Law of Focus
The Law of Giving and Hospitality
The Law of Here and Now
The Law of Change
The Law of Patience and Reward
The Law of Significance and Inspiration

– Source: Humans are Free – 12 Little Known Karmic Laws — That Could Change Your Life Today

Where the Wild Things Are: Karma, Goodness and Light

Witches don’t believe in hell, or devils or satan, none of that Christian stuff of nightmares. (Note: I’m sure there is someone who is thinking even now… “that’s not true, I believe in devils, imps and the like”. In my opinion, that’s your choice but most Witches wouldn’t agree).

Anyway, if Witches don’t believe in Christian baddies, is there anything evil that we do believe in? Or is everything all light and good and pure with the world?

No, we do believe there are consequences to your actions and choices. There is the three fold law, there is karma and there is the Wiccan Rede. But, that doesn’t really answer the question, does it?

I do believe there are bad things out there. I don’t trust that everything around us is goodness and light. But, I tend to seldom think about anything negative in that way. It’s not a focus in my day to day doings. If you don’t dwell on evil (whatever word you would call it) it won’t notice you either.

To me even talking about evil sounds a bit looney toon. In the end, people make choices and that is what brings consequences to themselves and the rest of the planet/ people. The evil comes from ourselves, not so much from an outside source. Yes, I think there is an outside source but it’s only as strong as we ourselves make it.

Each day is a new day and you have to choose who you will be, what you will believe in and what you will do.

Originally posted to ‘BackWash: Where the Wild Things Are’ newsletter, August, 12, 2003.