What are the purposes of magick and witchcraft? A simple explanation is that magick and witchcraft are the means to an end, tools for obtaining something you want. It’s not wrong, but there can be so much more to magick and witchcraft.
To avoid confusion, know that this Witch is a Wiccan, and I use these terms, Wiccan and Witch, interchangeably to refer to one kind of religious witchcraft. When I don’t capitalise witchcraft, I am referring to the practice broadly. I also sometimes use magick and witchcraft interchangeably. When necessary, I will make the distinction between witchcraft and ceremonial magic.
In October, I wrote four blog entries dedicated to Hekate. These have been well received and met with questions. I did not intend to write about Hekate again so soon, but there’s more to say. This feature aims to help lay a foundation for exploring another approach to Hekate in a future blog entry. As a goddess of magick and witchcraft, it is worth asking what the purpose of these practices are and how they may relate to her.
Witchcraft as resistance
One use of magick and witchcraft is as tools in the fight against oppression. In Aradia, or The Gospel of the Witches, Charles Leland tells us that the Roman moon goddess Diana told her daughter Aradia that she was born to become a mortal, go to the earth below, and teach poor women and men witchcraft.
And thou shalt be the first of witches known;
And thou shalt be the first of all i’ the world;
And thou shalt teach the art of poisoning,
Of poisoning those who are great lords of all;
Yea, thou shalt make them die in their palaces;
And thou shalt bind the oppressor’s soul (with power)
Aradia taught women and men to work witchcraft to combat their oppressors. She told the first witches that, whenever they needed anything, to gather when the moon was full, adore the great Diana and be freed from slavery.
Another famous story comes from Gerald Gardner. In his 1954 book Witchcraft Today, Gardner wrote that the New Forest Witches gathered on August 1, 1940 to cast spells to prevent Adolf Hitler from invading Britain. He wrote that magick had prevented invasions twice before in English history—the Spanish Armada in 1588 and Napoleon in 1805.
We see witchcraft as resistance still today. Since the 2016 presidential election of Donald Trump, we’ve seen dozens of media articles reporting on witches publicly engaging in magickal resistance.
Hekate is a goddess of boundaries. Offerings made at her crossroads were consumed by the poor. For these reasons, Hekate is associated with marginalised people. She is also a warrior. She fought on the side of the Olympians to defeat the Titans and, later, the Giants. The East frieze of Pergamon Altar shows Hekate fighting the Giant Clytius.
Witchcraft for manifesting basic needs
Recently I came across the YouTube channel of a Witch. Nearly every video she has released for the past four years is of her performing a spell for someone else—spells for success, prosperity, love, break-ups, binding a lover, getting that job, winning that court case. Whether you’re doing it for yourself, a loved one, a client, or paying someone to do it for you, this is undoubtedly one popular application of magick and witchcraft.
Witchcraft for manifesting basic needs and mundane desires is a big draw for people, especially beginners. Do these spells work? Yes, no, and sometimes.
Like witchcraft for resistance, witchcraft for manifesting basic needs and mundane desires has a long history that includes Hekate. Turn to the Greek Magical Papyri to see charms and lead tablets referencing Hekate for help with love, protection, and health.
Witchcraft for spiritual growth
In a 1964 speech, Doreen Valiente gave us the famous words, “Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, An it harm none do what ye will”. Valiente likely borrowed the phrase from Aleister Crowley, who, 60 years before, wrote, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law”. Crowley also gave us what may be the most popular definition of magick: “the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will”.
Some Witches understand the Wiccan Rede and this definition of magick—the “will” part— to mean that you can do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t harm anyone. For years, I’ve also seen the Wiccan Rede transformed into “Do no harm, but take no shit.” This perspective misses a vitally important promise of magick.
“Will” doesn’t just refer to a request or a desire. It refers to something much bigger. It’s about knowing and unifying yourself and discovering your true path. Those familiar with Thelema will recognise this idea as True Will. I am not a Thelemite, but Crowley’s influence on Wicca is undeniable, and this is a concept that has stuck with me. I find it also in the Afro-Cuban religion of Lucumi. We inherit from Yoruba cosmology that everyone has a destiny and that right living is important. This idea is found in many spiritual spaces and, increasingly, in the overculture as more people search for purpose in their lives and seek to be happier and more balanced.
As cliché as it sounds, it’s about your purpose. While I find that there can be an overlap between it and other parts of your life, such as your career or hobbies, it shouldn’t be confused with social pressures to improve, build, and hustle. It’s not necessarily about being born for a single grand calling. It’s not that everyone has to be the next Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, or Marina Abramović. It’s not about your social media influence. In this noisy world, there’s nothing wrong with a small, slow, quiet life. I have often thought that if I came into a large sum of money and quit working, I would spend much of my time reading, writing, and working magick.
When you connect with the unseen, with the divine, with spirits, and operate in harmony with nature, a lot falls into place naturally. You may find that you don’t need that spell for a new car. That’s not to say that you will always be blessed or privileged with good health and fortune; this isn’t a prosperity theology. But it changes your perspective, your priorities, strengthens your resiliency and enhances your capacity for manifestation.
This process or journey is sometimes called spiritual, or soul, evolution. Although it’s not a phrase I like, it’s understood. We can learn a great deal in this lifetime, though as a believer in reincarnation, I see this as a journey that requires multiple returns. I hope that every time I incarnate, I know a little more than I did before.
To conclude by bringing this back around to Hekate, as a goddess of liminality, she can guide your spiritual evolution.Â
