How to Become a Witch by Amber K. (large ebook reader txt) 📗

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Christianity)

“What is hurtful to yourself do not to your fellow man” (Judaism)

“Do unto all men as you would wish to have done unto you, and to reject

for others what you would reject for yourselves” (Islam)

“Hurt not others with that which pains yourself” (Buddhism)

“What you do not yourself desire, do not put before others” (Confucianism)

“Treat others as thou wouldst thyself be treated; do nothing to thy neighbor

which hereafter thou wouldst not have thy neighbor do to thee” (Hinduism)

There’s nothing wrong with the spirit of these moral imperatives; they are designed to help you act with empathy toward others and treat them well. The only difficulty, from a Wiccan perspective, is that other people may not want, need, or object to the same things you do. Some people like juicy steaks; some like crunchy vegetables. Some people go bungee jumping; others would rather read a good book. Some people cover their skin with tattoos; others do not like sharp needles poked into them repeatedly. You can’t assume someone else’s needs, desires, or objections are the same as yours.

For Witches, the imperative is “do no harm,” not “do as you would have done to you.” What’s the difference? Well, treat other people as they want to be treated, not the way you want to be treated, but only up to the point, in your best judgment, where harm may be done. You are not obligated to assist anyone in something that seems risky or harmful, no matter how much they think they want it.

If You Do Wrong

Despite our best efforts, we all occasionally mess up. We act carelessly or let negative emotions control us, and someone gets hurt. What then? Do what any honest, responsible, ethical person would do: admit your mistake and do whatever you can to heal the situation. Witches take responsibility for our own actions—if we make a mess, we clean it up.

Occasionally the person (or group or animal or place) you harmed is out of your reach and you cannot remedy the situation directly. Then you can work magickally to mend whatever can be mended, sending positive energy for healing—not forcing it on the individual but making it available to their higher self for them to use in whatever way seems best.

As an additional way to balance the scales, find someone to stand in for your original victim and then do something positive for them. Maybe you were cruel to a dog long ago, and it has since passed on to the Summerland. You can’t help that animal except by sending good energies to its spirit self, but you feel the need to make up for what you did in some tangible way. Well, adopt a puppy from the nearest animal shelter, and give it a good home. If that’s not possible, volunteer at the shelter and help care for the homeless animals, or dog-sit for friends and give their animals lots of attention, affection, and good care.

Someday, in the afterlife or another incarnation, you may have a chance to meet face to face with the one you hurt; until then, do all you can to balance your mistake with love here and now.

In case it isn’t clear, Witches do not believe that simply apologizing is enough. It’s a start but must be followed by practical action to repair what was broken. Acts of contrition, like apologizing to God or saying prayers as penance, seem irrelevant to us. Guilt is also useless, unless, pathetically, it’s the only thing that will motivate you to take positive action. As the Hawaiians might say, if you steal a pig, don’t tell God you’re sorry while you enjoy roast pork. Give the pig back.

Witches without the Rede

Some who claim Witchcraft as their path (non-Wiccan Witches) do not choose to follow the Rede. We think of them as “Old Testament Witches”—if they feel they have been attacked, they will demand “an eye for an eye.” Some will not hesitate to do binding spells or active curses if they feel their enemies deserve it.

We wonder whether such magicians are aware of the Law of Return or have any idea that their negative magick will come home to them, grown into something bigger and more destructive than what they originally conjured. A few may believe that they can shield themselves against the Law, but that’s like trying to shield yourself against gravity. You can fly for a little while, but gravity is still waiting when the wind dies or your fuel tanks are empty.

The fact that we support Wiccan ethics will cause some of the Redeless Witches to dismiss us as “fluffy bunny” Pagans, obviously not dark, edgy, or fierce enough to join their club. If that’s the choice, we would rather be bunnies than hunters who repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot. That just doesn’t seem wise to us.

Or perhaps we are more like wolves, who behave more ethically than many humans and never get into magickal feuds or revenge trips.

Ethical Behavior and the Craft Community

How does the Craft community respond to unethical behavior? There are many Craft communities throughout several countries, all different. In some areas, local Witches are able to live and work in harmony almost all the time.

In others, conflicts may be settled by appealing to a council of elders, respected Craft leaders who will hear both sides of the dispute and make a decision according to the traditions of the Craft and common sense. Their work may lean toward mediation or toward arbitration. Not everyone may like the outcome, but it would certainly damage one’s reputation to participate in the process and then defy the decision of the elders.

In extreme cases, where an individual misbehaves badly and cannot be guided to a more positive path, they may be shunned by the local Craft community. Shunning is an ancient and powerful technique; it means that the person is totally ignored. No one