NEVER

 

One of the best parts of being a Witch is that there are hardly any rules. You gotta love that. Really, we only have one: An it harm none, do as ye will. So pretty much as long as what you do doesn’t hurt anyone (including yourself), it’s cool.

But there are a few things that are considered to be serious no-noes in the witchy world. They may not get you sent to hell (since Witches don’t actually believe in hell, the devil, or, for that matter, sin), but they could get you severely scolded by your witchy friends. (Or, worse yet, get your butt kicked by the karma police.)

So as you make your way through your day, keep in mind that you should NEVER, EVER:

• Cast a spell that will hurt anyone (see Rule #i, above).

• Cast a spell that interferes with another person’s free will (even if you are sure it will help them).

• “Out” someone as a Witch without asking them first-if you don’t know whether or not someone is out of the broom closet, do not mention their witchiness to anyone.

• Tell outsiders what goes on in your group rituals (unless it is okay with all members).

• Break circle during a ritual (this can scatter or burst the gathered energy with unpleasant effects). If it is necessary to leave mid-ritual, you should be “cut” out of circle.

• Pick up someone else’s witchy tools (athame, tarot cards, drums, etc.) without asking first. These tools become attuned to their user’s energy with repeated use, and some Witches don’t like to have their own energy diluted or contaminated by someone else’s.

• Cast a spell to make someone else love you. Not only does this interfere with free will, but it is likely to come back and bite you on the butt eventually. Seriously-I know it can be tempting, but just don’t do it. (You can cast a spell to make yourself open to love instead, which will only affect you, so it is okay.)

• Force someone to take part in a ritual or any other aspect of witchy life if they don’t want to. If your friends, relatives, or co-workers are meant to be Pagans, they’ll come to you when the time is right and they are ready. We want others to respect our spiritual beliefs-that means we have to do the same. (This is especially true for significant others. We all want to share our lives with someone who believes as we do, but sometimes we just have to settle for tolerance instead of agreement.)

• Talk to outsiders about a confidence shared with you in circle. We have a saying: “What’s said in circle stays in circle.” (Yeah, I know, those Vegas people stole it from us.) People need to know that if they bare their souls while passing the speaking stick-or at any other point during ritual-that whatever they talk about will stay in the safe space of circle and not show up as gossip in the outside world.

There are probably a few more that I am forgetting, but these are the biggies. Avoid these “nevers” and do harm to none, and you can practice your craft with a clear conscience and a happy heart.

–Deborah Blake, Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft