The Shield vs. The Wall: When Protection Magic Becomes Avoidance
Hello Beautiful Souls,
We've all been there. You feel negative energy creeping in—maybe it's a toxic workplace, a friendship that's soured, or the looming dread of a mounting to-do list—and your first instinct is to reach for the black salt.
You ward the mirrors. You carry obsidian in every pocket. You perform a heavy-duty binding spell.
But three weeks later, the situation is exactly the same, or worse.
Why? Because sometimes, we aren't building a shield to help us move through the world; we're building a wall to hide from it.
The Trap of Spiritual Bypassing
In the witchcraft community, we talk a lot about "Mundane before Magical," but we don't always talk about why we ignore it. Protection magic is comforting. It gives us a sense of control when we feel powerless.
But magic is an amplifier, not a replacement.
If you're using protection spells to avoid setting a boundary, having a difficult conversation, or removing yourself from a bad situation, you aren't practicing protection—you're practicing avoidance.
Signs your magic has become a hiding spot:
The "Warding Loop": You find yourself re-doing protection rituals every few days because the "bad vibes" keep coming back (usually because the physical source of the stress hasn't been addressed).
The Responsibility Shift: You blame a "psychic attack" or a "curse" for consequences that are actually the result of your own procrastination or lack of action.
The Silent Shield: Using magic to "freeze" someone out of your life instead of actually telling them "No" or "Stop contacting me."
Waiting for the Sign: Refusing to take a real-world step (like applying for a new job) until your "protection feels right," even though your current situation is draining you dry.
Magic is the Wind, Action is the Sail
Think of magic like the wind. It can push you toward your destination faster, but if you don't have your hands on the rudder and your sails up, you're just drifting.
The Magic: A spell to protect your energy at work. The Action: Documenting HR violations and updating your resume.
The Magic: A ward on your home to keep out negativity. The Action: Actually blocking the person who keeps harassing you on social media.
The Challenge
Next time you feel the urge to cast for protection, ask yourself:
"What am I trying to protect myself from, and what am I doing in the physical world to address it?"
Protection magic is most powerful when it's backing up a person who is already standing up for themselves.
Don't use your craft to disappear. Use it to become untouchable while you get the work done.
Blessed Be.
