Rose Ariadne's Chitchcraft Blog

Dear Friends,

This week we delve more deeply into the 13 goals of a Witch. As I stated last time, these goals were printed by Scott Cunningham in his book “Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner” but the commentary is all my own. If you don’t have Cunningham’s work, I highly recommend this book and his others as well. They will provide you with a good foundation for the Craft especially if you are in an area where you don’t have access to a coven.The sixth goal for a Witch is to keep your words in good order. What does this mean exactly? Have you ever hear the phrase that a person is “only as good as their word”? A person’s word used to be their bond, and that’s something we’ve lost in modern society. Lying and ‘stretching the truth’ is widely accepted and sometimes encouraged! (Think of a used car salesmen). Its important that you keep your words in good order not only as a person but as a Witch. If your word is your bond, then your magickal word will be just as powerful. Words have power, and if they didn’t they wouldn’t be recognized by religions around the world. Mantras, prayers and spells are all displays of the power of our words.

Similarly, you must also keep your thoughts in good order. The origin of our very existence is in thought. What you think about, you become. If you are constantly expecting and worrying about a “rainy day”, you will undoubtedly manifest it in your life. Positive thinking is not just for self-help books, it is a magickal fact. Pay close attention to the thoughts that occupy your life and change them as need be.

A Witch must also celebrate life! So much of our Pagan path is about celebration, after all, what other religion has a holiday just about every month? In all seriousness, Witches love the earth and life, and celebrate it accordingly. You are alive, just like the earth, and that is something to celebrate. Enjoy your senses and seek out ways to thrill them with new sights, tastes, smells and experiences.

In accordance with celebrating life, we need to get to know how life works here on this planet. A witch must be attuned with the cycles of the earth. Learn the seasons and the phases of the Moon and be aware of them at all times. This is made an easy task when you observe the Esbats and Sabbats. When you understand how the earth works, you can better understand how life works. Timing is important in magick and in life. When you know the Earth’s cycles, you won’t be trying to work against them.

Breathing and eating correctly are also important to your life and your magick. This is vital to not only energy raising but to your health as well. You should practice and master breathing deeply from your diaphragm. Breathing through the nose and out through the mouth is important to control your energy and your consciousness. With regard to eating, you should eat to live and not live to eat. When you eat a proper diet, you’ll feel full and not stuffed. Eating incorrect foods and eating until you feel you are about to pop will lower your energy and inhibit anything else you try to do, magickal or otherwise.

Exercise is vital. You’ve heard it from your doctor, and now you’re hearing it from me! Witchcraft requires a healthy and balanced body. Exercise relieves stress, tones your muscles, burns fat and adds enjoyment to life. It also helps release any pent up negative energy that you’ve accumulated along the way.

Witches must also take part in using meditation. While this practice is normally associated with Eastern religions, it is an important spiritual principle that applies to everyone. There are many “correct” ways to meditate. When I meditate, I sit in a comfortable position and concentrate on my own breath. I sometimes use guided meditation to take me on a spiritual journey and experience important insights. There is a method of meditation to suit everyone, even walking and certain forms of exercise can be considered meditation.

Finally, as Witch you need to honor the God and Goddess. When we honor them, we are honoring ourselves and others. We all have the God and Goddess within ourselves. View everyone, even yourself, with innate deity within. We are all divine, and as such, we must treat each other with respect and love.

Use these goals to guide your practice of Witchcraft and deepen your connection with deity.
Love And Light,

Rose Ariadne, Your Warm And Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”