13 Goals Of A (Secular) Witch

Scott Cunningham’s 13 Goals Of A Witch has been around for quite some time, and I think it’s a good set of guidelines for anyone practicing witchcraft (and for life in general). I wanted to take these ideas a bit deeper and write out what each one means to me, and also reframe them from a secular point of view.

Awesome sunset reflecting off the clouds. (Picture by me)

13 Goals Of A (Secular) Witch

1. Know Yourself: Explore what you are drawn to and what you shy away from. Explore your strengths & weaknesses. Identify how you can be your best self & work towards that. Know your flaws and work to overcome them.
2. Know Your Craft: Experiment! Find the methods, tools, ingredients & symbols that you work with best and perfect your skills. Practice, practice, practice! Be confident in the knowledge that your workings will have the intended effect because you put forth your best effort and intention.
3. Learn: Always be learning. Read, watch, ask, listen, do. Don’t get complacent or stuck in one way of doing things. There is always more to learn. Knowledge is power.
4. Apply Knowledge With Wisdom: Use your skills & knowledge with care, respect, and purpose. Be aware of all possible outcomes & consequences. Do your best to mitigate harmful or unwanted effects. Be circumspect in the application of your spellcraft.
5. Achieve Balance: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and don’t let yourself be overcome by your thoughts & feelings. It’s OK to take a break from witching, or to try a new method or ingredient.
6. Keep Your Words In Good Order: Write and perform your spells with purposeful meaning. Don’t be sloppy, vague, or unfocused. Keep your intent foremost in your mind.
7. Keep Your Thoughts In Good Order: Recognize when your thoughts go into negative patterns. When you notice negativity, have a plan to work through it.
8. Celebrate Life: Practice gratitude. Appreciate nature. Seek pleasures of physical, mental, and spiritual natures. Indulge yourself (with moderation). What’s the point of living life if you don’t allow yourself to enjoy it once in a while?
9. Attune With The Cycles Of The Earth: Watch the sun rise and/or set every day that you are able. Become familiar with the cycle of the moon. Keep track of the change in seasons. Learn how to read stars & constellations.
10. Breathe And Eat Correctly: Practice good posture and breath control. Eat wholesome, nourishing foods in appropriate portions.
11. Exercise The Body: Regular movement is important for physical AND mental health. Even a 15 minute daily walk is beneficial.
12. Meditate: Make a habit of 5-10 minutes at the same time each day. Sit in silence or listen to calming sounds/music and focus on your breathing.
13. Honor Nature/Earth/Universe: Don’t be wasteful. Don’t litter. Be a good steward of the earth. Implement eco-friendly habits in your life wherever you can.

Thanks for reading and Blessed Be!

<3 Aranea