Being a Good Witch: Living & Practicing Witchcraft with Ethics.

Being a Good Witch is a series of blog posts that I’ve been wanting to write for a long time. This past November (2020) I jumped at the chance to join in NaNoWriMo. I used the time to get most of my thoughts down in an effort to create this series.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you follow a link I might make a small percentage from any purchases you make however, you won’t pay more. Thanks for supporting Green Witch Farm! See our full disclosure for details.

People are drawn to the craft for a variety of reasons. One of those reason is the freedom of expression it offers. This freedom is often magnified if someone is coming from a background of suppression.

In situations where there are a lot of rules, a lot of shame and guilt, and a lot of fear of retribution, the Craft is incredibly liberating.

I think its important to remember that while there doesn’t have to be rigid rules in your practice there are guidelines that transcend our humanity. As co-habitants on this earth and within the boundaries of this universe, there are laws that we must abide and a realization that we do not live in a bubble.

Universal Laws

The Law of Cause and Effect comes to mind. What we do, whether its magical and mundane, does effect others around us. We are obliged to consider these effects when we make our decisions.

The Law of Attraction is another. What we think about, we will bring about, regardless of your belief system.

The Organic Practice

The Craft, in itself isn’t organized. It doesn’t come with a rule book regarding what we should or shouldn’t do. In our quest to being a good witch, it’s important that we set our own standards. We need to develop an ethical code that works for our personal practice, especially as a solitary practitioner.

Side Note: there are covens and societies within the magical communities that have organized, set, and enforced rules and laws.

There are many aspects to consider as your practice and skills grow. It can be overwhelming. I want to tell you that its okay to take it slow. It’s okay to develop your personal code over time. In fact, sometimes you need more experience before you can decide what is right or wrong for your practice.

The Plan for this Series

I want to break this down into steps and offer things to think about. We will need a few working definitions before we even start.

I think it would be wise to start the definition of a witch, as I understand it. I’ll go into what a witch is and what a witch does. Don’t take my understanding as the end all be all. I’ve met and friended a lot of witches but not all of them. Perception is always subjective. Consider this series of blog posts just another tool in your arsenal.

Let’s agree on a working definition of the word “Witch”

I also feel like we need a working definition of ethics and how it relates to our own personal practice. There’s surprisingly very little on Ethics in Witchcraft on the internet.

A quick google search will bring you to Ethics in the Work place, Ethics for Professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and therapists. And of course, the plethora of college professors citing ancient texts.
That’s all well and good. You can have those conversations if you fall under the umbrella of those professions.

Today, under this umbrella of witchcraft, we have an obligation to discuss ethics within our own personal practice. I’m hoping this will spread out to a discussion on ethics in the magical community as a whole.

Foundations from the past

I will highlight some of the foundations that have been set up to guide our predecessors and share my understanding of their rules, why they were suggested, and if there is another option to support the goal.

Beyond the craft, there are older and more universal understandings that transcend the preaching’s of Scott Cunningham, The Pope, and Philosophers of Ancient Greece.
I’ll share where I discovered them, how I interpreted them and why I think they can apply to our magical lifestyles.

My ponderings on personal ethics also expands into personal power. I’m a big supporter of personal growth and self care and have a few posts tucked in here about those topics.

Change the world, start at home.

Mother Teresa said, “If you want to change the world, go home an love your family.”
Mahatma Ghandi said, “If you want to change the world, start with yourself.”
and, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

As we talk about developing the ethical angle of our personal practice, its important to keep that in mind. What is right for you? How will you live out these rules that you’ve set for yourself?
When we begin to live by our own moral guide posts, we will be setting an example. People are always watching.

My history and experience of being a good witch

This idea was at the forefront of my mind when I started living outside my broom closet. I was never the kind of person that had to announce my witchdom. It was mine, it was no one elses business. However, I never kept it a secret.

I worked in a restaurant that provided good ol’ fashion home cooking and as such, attracted the Southern Baptist communities in our Yankee region.

If you’re familiar with the bible belt in the southern states, you’ll know that they’re not well versed in witchcraft and tend to react strongly to anything that isn’t their version of Christians.

It was important to me to be a good example of a witch. I knew a lot of witches that were more flashy of their practice. They also tended to be more confrontational with church people.

Those particular church people weren’t the best version of Christians either so….*shrug*

My purpose was to show people that witches weren’t scary or attention seeking. We could be just normal, helpful, and kind people. I wanted them to look puzzled and have to reevaluate everything they knew about witches.

Keep a Record of your Values

Okay, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I’m not handing out brownie points. However, if its actually helpful to journal some of these ideas. Pick up a special journal like one of these vintage looking leather bound ones. I like journals for pondering ideas and working out problems.

If you’re better at typing, designate a special folder on your computer. Another option is to set up your video equipment (or just your phone) and talk it all out. The point is to engage with the ideas.

Jump in whenever you’re ready. Also know that you’re always welcome to drop me a line, leave a comment here or on Facebook. I’d love to have a discussion on this topic.