How Witches Focus on the Essentials and Avoid Big Mistakes

“What kind of information would have been most helpful when starting to learn the Craft? What kind of fundamental information would be most beneficial?” one of my readers asked.

I immediately thought of guidelines. Here is a partial list. Each item will have a brief comment from me.

Honor the Earth, the beings of this Earth, and the Gods.

Wicca is a spiritual path of respect for Nature and the Gods. So many people first focus on magick. That is an error. We focus on the spiritual aspects first. Wicca is not simply ordering from a menu of the cosmic restaurant.

Use protection clauses in your spellwork.

It is important to use protection clauses because magick can have big consequences. You can say, “This or better.” Another clause is: “And it harm none.”

Get permission before you do spellwork related to anyone

Even when you’re doing a healing spell, do the ethical thing and ask the person for his or her permission.

Take care with The Wiccan Rede

The classic form of The Wiccan Rede is: “Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, An it harm none do what ye will” as written by Doreen Valiente. This serves as a guideline. Yes, we brush our teeth and harm bacteria. Still, the Goddess agrees with good dental hygiene.

The Wiccan Rede remains a good guideline because we are here to be supportive and kind.

In your spellwork, always dismiss any entities (this includes Elementals) before you complete your spellwork.

In other blog posts, I have noted that failing to dismiss the Water Elementals can lead to plumbing problems in one’s home. (I was alerted to this problem by one of my spiritual elders.) Be sure to dismiss any entities that you call into your Circle.

If you consider someone as a mentor, ask other people: “If you had to work with that person again, would you?”

This question gets the person who offers a referral to pause and think about the potential mentor. Some people are knowledgeable, but they still cause unnecessary problems. Be careful about who you associate with.

Read several sources for different points of view on Wicca and witchcraft. Double-check your sources.

Recently, a friend was hit with trouble from a scammer. This reminds me of how several quotes on the Internet are mislabeled. Inaccuracies can cause real trouble in spellwork and for your personal credibility in the Wiccan community. Double-check sources. Conduct searches and consult spiritual elders to get a more accurate view.

The above is a partial list. Still, it covers some essential, foundational elements.

May these insights support your journey.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater