#secular witchcraft

Witchcraft doesn't need to cost you a ton of money. Or any money really.

Dirt? Free

Rocks? Free

Salt? Most likely in your cupboard

Water? Free

Sticks? Free

Witchcraft uses what you have access to. Rain water, the dirt outside, a cool stick and rock you find outside. You probably even have a couple herbs in your cabinet or growing around you.

Lavender Witchcraft

Crafting Queer Magical Practice

Step into the magic of your own identity and embark on an affirming spiritual practice.

For thousands of years, various cultures around the world have drawn connections between magic, spiritual power, and LGBTQ+ identity. This guidebook retraces these ancient connections and weaves them into a secular witchcraft practice deeply rooted in modern queer history and culture. Hands-on practical exercises and thought-provoking discussions serve as guideposts to help queer witches and allies create a spiritual path that is authentic to them, no matter how they identify. Topics covered include elemental magic beyond binary gender, queer planetary magic, spiritual allies for all identities, sample holiday rituals, and more. Through this work, we cast a magic circle inclusive of all bodies and identities.

Coming Aug 25, 2026 from Moon Books. Preorder paperback or ebook here!

What people are saying:

'Extremely solid debut from Sam Wise that adds flavor & glitter to even the most well-rehearsed magical rituals. I absolutely loved it and you will too!" 

- Cassandra Snow, editor of Tarot in Other Words and author of Queering Your Craft and Queering the Tarot

"My first impression of this book was that I had stepped into a safe, welcoming space that was inclusive for all. Sam Wise, the author, makes some great points about the dearth of resources for fully queer-friendly spirituality and paganism, which is one of the reasons this book is such an essential read. Sam then lays the foundation with some queer history, showing that a lot of today’s challenges aren’t new at all — as too many members of the queer community know. From simple ways to bring queer energy into your working to understanding the roles of queer magic practitioners throughout history, this book is packed with methods for embracing magic and divinity without indulging heteronormative practices or beliefs.

I love the exploration of liminality as a crossover point between witchcraft and queer being. Witches are on the edge of things as are queer people, both experiencing “othering.” As a queer, autistic witch, I relate to this deeply. As Sam says in the introduction, the metaphorical table everyone wants to be at needs to be bigger so more people can sit and be welcomed. This book takes an important step toward that goal, with one critical aspect being its secular nature; this witchcraft is not faith- or path-specific, but describes practices anyone can enact. Truly, this volume has been an inspiration to embrace my own identity more firmly and hold safe space for those who need it, however they identify or experience love — or magic."

-Mabh Savage, author of Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet-Friendly Living and the upcoming The Magic of Birds

"Sam Wise's Lavender Witchcraft serves as a helpful introduction for anyone first embarking on a Witchcraft path, or for those already established upon it who seek examples of how modern Witchcraft can be practiced outside of binary frameworks. This is something that is of benefit to all, regardless one's own identity.

Wise's book is a breath of fresh air for readers within the LGBTQ+ community who yearn for a practice that is inclusive and cognisant of our sacred place in modern witchcraft and how our identities are reflected in the magical natural world around us. This book is also valuable for those outside of the LGBTQ+ community,  highlighting important considerations that anyone in an intentionally inclusive community should be aware of. "

- Olivia Church Ph.D, author of Pagan Portals Isis (2021), Sekhmet (2022), and Osiris (2026)

"This volume is both an approachable introduction to queer Witchcraft and a love letter to queer Witches. As a queer Witch myself, I found myself affirmed throughout the book, and I also found myself thinking about new ways to continue queering my own practice. Sam Wise gives readers a little taste of everything -- from recipes to astrology info to personal stories -- and definitely whets the appetite for more exploration of the queerness of Witchcraft and the Witchiness of queerness."

- Susan Harper, author of Pagan Portals: Feminist Witchcraft

Capitalism loves to be able to sell you things and keep you buying things from self-help books disguised as witchcraft to crystals of explorative extraction. Capitalism loves to isolate you and focus on your individualism leaving you open to shit like the "Law of Attraction" shaming you for just not wanting things enough and never considering all the cultural obstacles from racism to sexism to class that permeate society.

Capitalism replicating itself in magic says you will be happy if you just buy the next thing and that your spiritual enlightenment can be just one purchase away.

It never focuses on community or cooperation or connection, unless it is to make money for someone else.

I know so many of us are solitary due to location, or needing to hide our practice, or not finding a lineage you would want to join. But that does not preclude you from having community with other witches, which is kind of what Tumblr is about when we share and grow together.

But in the real world you can have study groups or attend one of our free CritWitch Brews. We always share and learn things and we have guides breakout rooms with questions to answer so it's not so awkward. It's good practice to talk about magic if you aren't used to doing that in real time.

Not everyone who comes to the CritWitch events is atheist, agnostic, or secular in their practice. A lot are animists or pagans who genuinely enjoy the critical thought aspect of what CritWitches focus on.

you are That Bitch™

you deserve every compliment you receive

you are worthy of every ounce of praise that comes your way

you are powerful

you are worthy of love

Critical Thinking Witch Con 2025 ~~ Sept 26th - 28th ~ ~ A Virtual Convention ~

In 2025 we have built our virtual Con around the theme of: Critical Connecting: Conscious Communication In A Conflicted World. Join us while you discover and discuss some of the different ways we interact with each other and with the world. Connect, learn, and get involved with a community of science-minded witches and seekers from around the world.

Stream live with us and your community members in Zoom and Discord!

Access to the recorded videos and your community in the Discord.

Scholarships available!

Tickets on sale now! We can't wait to see you there!

About the Critical Thinking Witch Collective

I do this every morning. It makes my day feel intentional and starts me off centered. Try it. It might help you too 💕:

-Make your morning drink like normal

-Before the first sip, hold the cup in both hands. Feel the weight of the cup, take in the aroma of the drink

-Take three slow breaths

-Say (out loud or silently): "I am here. I am grounded. I am present in my body."

-Take the first sip slowly. Notice the taste of it, the temperature, how it feels going down your throat.

-Place your feet firmly on the floor. Slightly press into the ground.

-Say: "This day is manageable. I take it one step at a time. I am rooted."