Wiccan Etiquette Tips & Taboos

Fear not! This handy article is here to save you from social embarrassment and withdrawn invitations to rituals . . .

Don't feel bad if you don't know some of these. Even experienced Witches can slip up, or simply be oblivious to certain Wiccan etiquette guidelines.

The important thing is that now you can make yourself aware. And you can avoid getting turned into a toad for tripping over some serious taboo.  

There are four main components to Wiccan Etiquette which we'll cover here . . .

• General Wiccan Etiquette,

• Etiquette Regarding Wicca Altars,

• Ritual Etiquette, and

• Etiquette of Wiccan Magick.

General Wiccan Etiquette

• It's a huge no-no to identify anyone as participating in Wicca. Wiccans are still subject to persecution and prejudice. It may seriously harm someone to share this information with even one person.

• Don't assume that since some people know Jane Doe is a Witch, everyone does. A Witch may "come out of the broom closet" to only certain people.

• If by accident, something you say may have tipped people off, tell the Witch involved as soon as possible exactly what was said. She may want to do damage-control. Or she may laugh it off. But she deserves the opportunity to choose.

• Don't proselytize. You can tell people about it if they ask. But no religion benefits by being forced down people's throats. This is basic Wiccan etiquette, that all religions would be smart to follow.

• Be aware of the "space" you are taking up.

  For most men, this can mean moderating the volume and intensity of your voice, leaving equal time for other people to speak, not interrupting or ridiculing, using gentle body-language, and sharing leadership and decision-making.

  For most women, this can mean taking the risk to speak out, to stand up for what you believe, to honour your needs, to meet the challenge of owning your power.

Wicca Altar Etiquette

So there are some basic guidelines for good conduct that you need to be aware of.

• You don't need to let anyone touch your sacred items. If you trust them, and if you are confident that they have positive energy and won't put yucky things into your rituals tools, you may let them if you wish.

• Just because you've said yes once, doesn't apply to any other time or place. You are under no obligation to let them handle it again.

• Never touch someone's altar or ritual items. If you are close to them, or you Circle together, it's okay to ask if you can hold it.

• Interpret any hesitation as a "no."

• And gracefully accept a "no." It may not be anything personal. Some things are simply too private to share.

• Ask before placing things on a group altar. Usually for group work, you will know ahead of time the kinds of things that might be appropriate. But sometimes very specific energy is being raised, and other items may not serve the ritual.

• Avoid talking about your sacred items and spiritual practices with "outsiders." People who don't use them don't understand, and it dilutes your Power to share sacred things with them. Especially if they turn out to be judgemental about it.

Wiccan Etiquette In Ritual

• Be courteous and supportive in Circle, and out. Trust and intimacy are necessary for magickal work, and can only be created in a community of respect and kindness.

• Offer to help the organizers of the ritual. Especially clean-up!

• Support the leaders. They've gone to a lot of trouble to put this together for your benefit, so pay attention and follow their lead.

• Support the leaders. Avoid complaining about them or the ritual. People need to hear what they did right . Unless they specifically ask for constructive feedback, bite your tongue. Show them a better way, if you have one, by leading the next ritual yourself.

• Support the leaders. Thank them! And the best thanks is in action, rather than words. In other words . . .

• Help clean up! It's amazing how people who are so appreciative can vanish as soon as the ritual ends.

  Cleaning up means staying until the last sweep of the broom. When the tables and candles are put away, it may look like it's mostly done, but you're only halfway there at most. And if your group sets a standard for this help, you will appreciate it when

  A) It's your turn to organize, and clean up, and

  B) When people are willing to organize another ritual, because they know they'll have help.

• Participate fully. Sing, and if you don't know the words, hum, or clap, or drum. . . It's everyone's participation that makes a ritual work. If you're not adding to the ritual, you are a weight on the collective energy, so join in however you can.

• Focus - don't chit-chat. Come early to have time to socialize. Ritual time is too precious - and too scarce - to be frittered away.

• If you need to leave the Circle, cut a "doorway" in the Circle boundaries, and seal it behind you. Repeat when re-entering.

  But it's best to plan ahead and not leave the Circle unless you absolutely must. Even with care, energy is disrupted and lost.

• No cell phones in Circle. It's remarkable that some people don't realise how disruptive this is. But a phone ringing immediately takes everyone's attention from the internal to the external, from the magick to a distraction.

• Never take photos in ritual. Rituals are not spectator sports. Cameras remove you from the energy, and shift people's focus away from the magick. Also, note the number one general Wiccan etiquette taboo, at the top of the page.

• Only take photos of Witches at gatherings with their express permission.

• Leave children and animals at home, unless you know for certain they are welcome at the ritual. If you don't want to leave your children out - excellent! They need to participate in Wicca too. Offer to organize an off-shoot ritual for the children.

• Drugs and alcohol are not appropriate in sacred space. Individual groups may have different rules on this, but in any case, you should come to ritual clean.

• Bring something for the feast that everyone can enjoy, if at all possible. (Chocolate is always good, in my opinion.)

Wiccan Etiquette For Magick Spells

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WITCH TIP: For more magick-making tips, see Free Tips For Wicca Magick Spells.

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• Never do a magick spell that seeks to control anyone else. That includes spells you think are for their own good. (This puts a damper on most love spells.)

• Only cast a spell for another person if they have asked you to do so. And then only the spell they've asked for.

• The exception to the prior 2 tips is when you have spiritual authority for another's well-being. For example, animals or children under 12 who are under your care. But even so, check carefully to make sure what you are planning is aligned with Divine will.

• Remember the Wiccan Rede . . . "Do as you will, and harm none."

• Think through the repercussions. Don't do large-scale magick recklessly. Weather magick will change the natural pattern . . . You could be responsible for far-off droughts or floods, or serious disruption of local weather patterns.

• Be respectful of others; don't do magick in public. Your magick-making should take place somewhere other people are not likely to interrupt you, and your spells are best kept out of sight. This is partly a matter of respect for others' space. And partly to keep your magick spells strong and on-focus.

• Clean up your magickal residue. Release the directions and deities, erase signs and symbols, and open the circle before you leave.

If you follow these Wiccan etiquette tips, you will be a respectful and responsible Witch that people will be happy to have around!

With Bright Blessings,

Next Article: Being a Witch

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