#writeyourwitchcraft

i've been dabbling in the occult/witchcraft for a lil while now + finally feel like i'm comfortable enough to share a bit of what i've been learning + how i've been applying it. a while back i reblogged this post so i'mma start by answering some of the questions from there. (probably one or two at a time for the foreseeable future.)

so let's get started with

what draws me to witchcraft?

i've been interested in witchcraft + the occult for a long time now. it started when i got my first tarot deck as a teenager + i've read books on the occult/witchcraft on and off over the years ever since. what finally drew me into practicing vs reading about it out of curiosity was i had the epiphany that i'm an adult who can do whatever she wants + i wanted to actually try witchcraft for myself.

I remember when I was about 12 I created my tumblr account – if you see @raining-tulips replying to you, it’s actually me, and I’ve never changed that URL. I was a nature aesthetic blog, posting pictures of forests. I noticed the captions and tags of many of the posts were pagan related, and I want to know more.But as soon as I figured out it was witchcraft – the moment I did I can’t remember – I was interested and I wanted to know way more. Since then it’s been a big fear of mine to actually practice and participate. The idea of worshipping nature, of working with it, of seeing faeries (even if they’re not like the movies)…it was the only thing that seemed to make sense. After exploring more into it and being part of the community for three-four years now, I really love that it allows people to step into their power. I’ve always believed we all have a Fate, but at the same time, we can choose to change it or keep it. So yeah…that was a long-winded way of saying nature has been my safe space and so I want to thank it eternally, and also I love the idea of faeries, and I also love the idea of having our own choice. 

30. What rules, if any, do I live by when it comes to witchcraft and magic?

I feel like this question kinda overlaps from the prompt in day 12, so I’m assuming it means what “magical rules” that I believe and follow myself.

To start off, I don’t follow the 3 fold law. The concept of karma and the multiplication factor of 3 doesn’t apply to my path, plus I’m not really an avid believer. I’m eclectic, so my “rules” are kinda a mix from traditional ideas commonly seen in Wiccan/Pagan paths but also a mix of other concepts based on my own culture and background. I don’t think I can remember all of them in order, but I’ll list some examples that come off the top of my head.

Like attracts like. I’m sure we’ve all heard of the phrase “opposites attract”, but in most spell work and energy work, similar energies tend to attract each other. I personally follow this rule myself when doing spells, which correlates to all of those correspondence list posts you see on tumblr. Say for example you wanna do a money spell. Using money as a possible ingredient can be used to attract wealth, as money is well- wealth in its most monetary form. By using the money as an attracting ingredient, it may attract similar energies.

Always be respectful to the dead and spirits. (Like don’t step on headstones, don’t take graveyard dirt directly from someone’s grave, etc.) This is kinda self explanatory, I don’t think I need to explain why morally you shouldn’t disrespect dead people. Lest the witchcraft community wants another “bone stealing witch” scandal.

Do not take more than you need. This is more of an herbalist/green witch kinda rule, as when harvesting plants, don’t take the whole plant with you. Ideally if you want to harvest a plant for any reason, try to cleanly cut off the portion that you need, and leave the rest of the plant. Trust me, I’ve had a jar hoarding phase, you don’t need the extra. Especially if the plant you’re harvesting is a limited species, don’t destroy the whole plant. Concepts of preserving nature and sustainability are common within witchcraft, so it’s good to apply that when working with nature.

That being said, these are only a few examples of the rules I follow. Some witches rules might be entirely different from mine, and that’s okay as well. Just don’t be “that guy” and try to force everyone into following your rules only.

The thing is, we change. We are not the same person we were five years ago. Hel, a lot of us are not even the same people we were last week. We change, and our beliefs, favourites, thoughts and the way we see ourselves changes with it. 

The same is true for our witchraft, religion and spiritual beliefs. This is why I have a list of question that I like to answer for myself every couple of years. I first started this when I came across a list of questions by Juniper from Walking the Hedge (site no longer in use) in 2008, yes, over ten years ago. Every few years I filled in the questions and looked back at the answers I gave before. Some never changed, some changed quite a lot. 

When our coven started a new lesson plan, I gave out the list of questions as well. We sealed our answers in envelopes and plan to fill them in again, once we finish our lessons. Then open the envelopes and look at the answers side by side. To see how we have changed. 

I looked at the list last week and found it actually lacking a bit. The questions were very deity- and spiritual based, so I was missing some more questions about my personality and witchcraft. So I decided to make my own list of questions! 

Since I wanted to make this more a weekly journaling/grimoire prompt for myself I put together 52 questions. These can be answered weekly (maybe every year) or you can work through the list in one go and repeat that every few years or so. 

Some notes on the wording: I consider myself both a witch and a pagan, but to keep it easier to read I only used wording like “witch” and “witchcraft”, they can however be substituted for “pagan”, “paganism” or even “my path”, should that fit you better. When I talk about “sacred space” this can both mean a ritual space like a temple or casting of a circle, but also just your home or outdoors witchy environment.

I’d love it if you would tag anything you feel comfortable with posting online with the tag #writeyourwitchcraft!

What draws me to witchcraft?

How do I see the divine?

What in witchcraft makes me happy?

Do I want to follow a path that has to do with a little nature, or a lot of nature?

What areas of witchcraft would I like to learn more about?

Where do my witchy talents lie?

What kind of deities, if any, do I want to honor?

How do I believe magic works?

Simple or elaborate spells/rituals? Why?

What are my views on cursing/hexing?

Do I want to practice something similar to my ancestors?

What are the basic morals and ethics I feel I should live by?

What in nature am I drawn to; the ocean, animals, the trees, etc?

Which (witchy) holidays, if any, would I like to celebrate and how?

How do I believe divination works?

Would I like to work with a group some of the time, all of the time or not at all?

Which aspects of witchcraft appeal to me most, which the least?

What do I believe happens to us when we die?

How do I see mythological creatures?

When do I feel most magical?

How much is witchcraft woven into my daily life; is this too much, too little or just enough?

What kind of witch do I feel I am?

Which texts/quotes best describe my current path?

Do I like research and gathering info, or do I like things handed to me?

Which things about witchcraft worry or scare me?

What is my favourite element?

How do I see gender (roles) in witchcraft?

Am I interested more in magic, or spirituality?

Do I like to be told how to do things, or would I rather figure it out on my own?

What rules, if any, do I live by when it comes to witchcraft and magic?

What do I gain from witchcraft and magic?

Formal or informal rituals/spells? Why?

What subject do I love to study?

What is my favourite type of magic; candle, sympathetic, sigils, etc?

What would my perfect witchy day be like?

Would I want to be dedicated/initiated?

Who do I honor (ex: deities, ancestors, myself, etc), and how do I, or would I like to, honor them?

How do I create a sacred/witchy space?

What do I believe is needed for a succesful spell/ritual?

Which cultures do I draw from in my witchcraft?

What is my learning style; books, websites, videos, more hands-on?

What, if anything, in my mundane life influences my witchcraft?

What are my hobbys, how do I (or can I) incorporate them in my witchcraft?

Where do my non-witchy talents lie, how do I (or can I) incorporate them in my witchcraft?

What would my dream witchy life look like? What steps can I take to work towards it?

What would my dream sacred space/witchy home look like? What steps can I take to work towards it?

What symbols correspond with me; runes, animals, flowers, gemstones, etc?

Am I an open and proud witch, or do I (need to) hide my craft?

What are my favourite witchy items/tools; divination tool, ritual tool, décor, clothing, etc?

What is holding me back in my craft?

What is my pre-spell/ritual routine?

WAll of the questions

1-4 answered  |  5-8 answered  |  9-12 answered  |  13-16 answered  |  17-20 answered  |  21-24 answered  |  25-28 answered  |  29-32 answered  |  33-36 answered  |  37 answered  

38. How do I create a sacred/witchy space? 

Generally I do my best to cleanse a small space (usually with the help of my selenite), gather any materials I may be using and make sure they’ve also been properly cleansed, and then I cast a small circle.  Sometimes I’ll listen to music too.  I don’t really do anything super big or flashy.

39. What do I believe is needed for a successful spell/ritual? 

Clear intentions and the knowledge of how to do basic spellwork (and energy work, that has been SUPER helpful to me) and set it all into motion.  If you struggle with certain things or feel you need to add a boost to what you’re doing then you can add some herbs, crystals, etc, but personally I’ve never really needed much stuff other than myself.

40. Which cultures do I draw from in my witchcraft? 

What are the basic morals and ethics I feel I should live by? - What a big question. I believe in “do unto others” and I believe in firm boundaries. Ethically, I feel like seeking to do the least harm and the most truth is good? You can’t avoid harm by avoiding the truth, you can only delay it. Entire branches of study go into ethics and morality better than I can try to encapsulate it, but if I am just trying to time-capsule my beliefs, I believe in “do no harm, but take no shit.” I believe in listening to others and being empathetic to those people. I believe in the destruction of structural violence. I believe in prison reform and universal health care and trans rights and the basic dignity of every living being. My politics and morals are intrinsically intertwined. I think human rights are a truth. What in nature am I drawn to; the ocean, animals, the trees, etc? - The trees, the plants, the dirt, the animals, everything growing and moving. My witchiest friend calls me a Green Witch for my connection with my office and house plants.    Which (witchy) holidays, if any, would I like to celebrate and how? - I default to the Wiccan Wheel of the Year because I like sharing these holidays with my other witchy friends. We are each on our own path, and honestly, none of us particularly identify as Wiccan, but it is an easy and widely known shorthand for “let’s celebrate the seasons and break bread together.” How do I believe divination works? - I lack the right psychological terminology to describe it how I’d like to, but I believe that we project our own associations, memories, fears, and hopes into a vessel made to hold them, like tarot cards. The cards don’t tell us the future but help us solidify our own assumptions about what we think is happening and what to do about it. 

9. Simple or elaborate spells/rituals? Why?

I really like ornate sometimes! When I took my lifelong vows of dedication to Gwyn last Halloween, I spent months planning every detail, which felt right as it was a once in a lifetime type of thing. But for daily things I don't usually have time or energy for elaborate things. I'm learning to not bite off more than I can chew--not going for the 10 card tarot spreads for example. 

10. What are my views on cursing/hexing?

I'm not in a position to judge others for what they feel they have to do. Sometimes folks need to defend themselves or their community, and if the Proper Authorities aren't going to be helpful (as they often aren't when you're marginalized in various ways) then folks gotta do what they gotta do.

For me personally, I would have to think really hard about what I wanted to do in a given situation, and whether it would backfire on me or on bystanders. I usually stick to binding if anything. Well no, *now* (as of last year) I ask Gwyn for His protection, and I would consult with Him about any further witchcraft I might feel the need to do. 

11. Do I want to practice something similar to my ancestors?

I have roots in the Southern US (especially Kentucky), and further back in Scotland and Wales. I do find myself drawn to learning about the witchcraft and folk magic those ancestors might have practiced.

12. What are the basic morals and ethics I feel I should live by?

This one is harder than it used to be. When I was Wiccan I could answer with the Wiccan Rede. I do still think that "an it harm none, do what ye will" has a nice and very freeing ring to it. I grew up being taught that harmless actions (such as being gay) were actually evil. So it's a nice change. 

The lessons I learn from Gwyn are helping as I develop my own, new code of morals and ethics. Sometimes I find His point of view seems different or surprising compared to what we're used to in the human world but it usually makes sense to me. I also learn about what I think is right from listening to my fellow humans. I try to pay special attention to folks speaking on issues that affect them (and not me). 

13. What in nature am I drawn to; the ocean, animals, the trees, etc?

Original post

What draws me to witchcraft? Its mysticism and self empowerment.

How do I see the divine? I don’t see it, I just trust and feel that it’s there.

What in witchcraft makes me happy? Seeing results, or simply watching the process unfold as my intuition takes over.

Do I want to follow a path that has to do with a little nature, or a lot of nature? A lot!