The Chore of Witchcraft

Do you have a daily witchcraft practice? That's amazing! Do you practice witchcraft once every six months? Once a year? Your witchcraft practice is still valid and magickal!

Your witchcraft practice should not be a chore! 

Your witchcraft practice or spiritual practice, by any name that you call it, should be a safe place for you. It should be a place you go to reclaim your peace. If you feel like your witchcraft practice is a chore, there are likely things you need to alter about the way you are practicing. 

Partaking in your witchcraft practice should be enjoyable. It should be something you look forward to and something that is special to you. What feels special will differ from one person to another. Maybe saying a morning prayer, to express your gratitude that you’ve welcomed another day. Or lighting a candle while you get yourself dressed for the day. Or spending time outside, walking, or sitting; just being present in those moments. You could also write in a journal, read, or meditate. Cook with herbs that fit your intention. Listen to empowering music. Or lay on the floor and do nothing; take a nap! There is no wrong way here. The best witchcraft practices are easy to incorporate in your already busy day. 

Do you need to practice witchcraft every day?

No! This is really a personal choice. I personally consider myself to be a Lazy Witch, so many of my spells are practical. Sometimes I don’t cast a spell for weeks at a time. And when the feeling comes over me, to perform spellwork, I do it without hesitation. For me, witchcraft is more than just spells. I find a lot of magick in the mundane of daily life and I consider that part of my witchcraft practice. Being present. 

However, if you're a witch who wants to practice witchcraft every day that may look different than what you see online. Witchcraft is not always a big elaborate ritual. Sometimes witchcraft is in the way you stir your coffee, the colors you decide to wear, or as simple as saying affirmations in the mirror for a few minutes before you get ready to start your day. You do not need to practice witchcraft every day to be a "real" witch, or for your witchcraft practice to be powerful and magickal. 

Your witchcraft practice is valid even if you decide to only practice sometimes. 

You do not need to “keep up” with others. 

When we see other witchcraft practitioners posting spells and rituals online, we have a tendency to take out our imaginary ruler and do a comparison with our own witchcraft practice. This is not a fair or true comparison. You are on your own spiritual path and that does not require you to catch up. You are not behind in your spirituality, or your witchcraft; you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. You cannot measure another witchcraft practice against your own, so there is no point in trying.

Most of the witchcraft we see online is highly performative and planned out to fit a certain aesthetic. While this may be appealing to the masses, actual witchcraft does not usually look so pretty and perfect. This is why comparing your practice to theirs is an empty task. Instead try reflecting on how your practice has grown. Consider where your witchcraft practice was years ago versus where you are now. Are there new workings you want to implement into your witchcraft practice? How do perform spellwork now versus years ago? Are you satisfied with your witchcraft practice, or do you want to transform it? If you're comfort with your practice and your results, keep it. 

Is there an end goal for witchcraft?

For me personally, there is not. Witchcraft is my spiritual practice, and a huge part of my life. There is no end, there is no goal post, no finish line, in my witchcraft. My hope overall is to achieve a certain level of enlightenment and wisdom that I can pass on to other witches. Enlightenment is not an end result, it is a continuous journey, and you should be able to enjoy your journey without the pressure of trying to “keep up.”

What does enlightenment look like to you? To me enlightenment looks like wisdom and grace. It looks like growth, and evolution. Allowing yourself to maintain an open mind that you might continue receiving new information and adapting as you continue your spiritual journey. Giving yourself grace when you decide to change and improve your witchcraft practice. 

You do not have to prove yourself to someone else.

You are already worthy! Your witchcraft practice is already sacred! You do not owe anyone else an explanation. Your witchcraft practice does not require validation from outsiders. You have to recognize your personal power and validate yourself. Being a witch is not about proving your beliefs, it’s about upholding them. And others are allowed to disagree with you. 

Your witchcraft practice is sacred, and as a spiritual practitioner, it is your duty to protect it. Do not allow someone else to make you feel small or make your witchcraft practice seem invalid because they disagree with it. If your witchcraft is working for you, continue on your path. Namely, when we practice witchcraft, we see results. If the results we see do not match with our intentions, then we change things within our practice, and try achieving our preferred outcome. Witchcraft is a called a craft because it takes time and practice. You are not 'doing it wrong,' you're doing it your way. 

Your witchcraft is not your tools. YOU are your witchcraft.