The Four of Wands: Defining the tenets of your practice

When we practice magic, with the focus placed only on what we want, right now, we forget the whole point of being in practice: to connect and align with our greatest purpose.

Let's begin by looking at the language. "Tenet" is defined as a principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy. If we consider witchcraft and spirituality to be either a philosophy or a religion, then it is important that we look at the purpose within our path and look internally to decide on our core beliefs.

It is by doing this, that we can find the best resources for learning, form a solid community, and decide what we need to get started.

Thinking of the who, what, how, and why, will help us understand how to shape our path.

Who does my practice connect me to?

Deities, spirits, people, places, things— it all counts.

This is an important question to consider and not only because it helps you be clear about the direction you want to grow in, but also because it will help guide you as you seek out teachers whether through literature, spirit form, or physical teachers.

I also want to say that your answers don’t have to be set in stone. Maybe right now ancestors are the most important, maybe it's animal spirits. Whatever the answer is, try to find one for now and allow yourself the flexibility to shift. Remember as well, that many witches are animist witches which means that they believe all things in this world carry a spirit. So spirits may be found in crystals. They may be found in plants. They may be found in the land you live on.

Once you have an answer to this question, you have a more clear journey to follow.

What does my practice provide me?

Thinking of material things is a-okay, but I think it's important to think beyond this. What feelings does it provide? What forms of connection?

A lot of folks turn to witchcraft because they are hoping to manifest something, or they want to feel a stronger sense of control over their lives. That is a-okay! Folk magic, in a lot of ways, has a focus of solving mundane problems with magic in addition to other foundations shaping the practice. But the thing is, once you gain access to the thing, or once you forget about the thing you want to gain, what will your practice provide? That's why I think it's hella important to think about what you most hope to gain long-term.

For some folks, witchcraft and spirituality offer a chance to feel a sense of community and to find a group of like-minded folks. Other people seek to develop their practice because it gives them a chance to feel empowered. I think this is the case for a lot of BIPOC especially. For some, it's a deep connection to the spirit realm. It’s important to consider the energy you seek so that you can best follow the threads of that energy in ALL you do. If your practice reminds you that at your core, you hope to gain a greater connection to the world around you, as you move through your career and as you move through your relationships, you’ll also seek this out in those areas as well.

Once you have defined what you most wish to access through your practice, you can consistently have this goal in mind, and thus, it'll make it so much easier to align yourself with what you seek. If you know that community is most important to you, regardless of where you move, you'll take steps to seek out community even if it's online and your fellow community members are in different time zones.

How do I want to feel when I'm dedicated to my craft?

Ideally, your practice will both challenge you and provide a serious source of comfort.

Your spirituality should comfort you. It should make you feel joy and connection. It should bring moments of laughter and magic. But if that's all you're seeking from your spiritual practice then boo, that sounds a lot like spiritual bypassing. So, keep in mind that our spiritual practice is meant to help us grow as souls and individuals and this can be done in many ways. But it is also meant to push us to be good people, to connect with the world around us in meaningful ways, and to seek out meaning in all areas of our lives.

Some folks want their practice to help them get to know themselves in a deeper way. Others want to dedicate themselves to their craft so they can feel connected to the people who came before them.

I think the real question here shouldn't be just how you want to feel, but how do you want your practice to nourish you? How do you want your practice to challenge you?

Why am I dedicating myself to my practice?

For some, turning away from witchcraft and spirituality simply isn't an option.

It's okay if the answer is “Because I like what I’ve heard about it " or if the answer is “Because I've never felt more at home.” The important thing is being honest with your answers. Asking yourself this question will not only help you develop a quality routine and way of connecting, but it will also help you be more in connection with WHO you are. From a folk magic and espiritismo point of view, we don't generally form a practice where we pick it up one night, and then don't talk/think/act within our practice for another three months.

We make a commitment that is flexible but is based in tending to the spirits we work with. Witchcraft is like a relationship, it requires dedication and commitment. That doesn't mean that commitment looks the same to everyone, just as commitment doesn’t mean the same thing in all relationships, but the key is understanding and awareness. For example, maybe you only want to connect on the full moon. Or maybe your practice is based around the wheel of the year with a ritual taking place 8 times a year with little connection outside of that. All options are okay so long as they work for you and push you to grow and learn.

I also think it is important to keep in mind that commitment and participating in your practice doesn’t have to mean doing spellwork. Sometimes the most powerful moments are those where we are learning through stories, or expanding how we view witchcraft by being intentional through cooking.

Finally…

The goal of these questions, of this post, isn't to cause comparison or make you feel less than. Rather, I think that with any big choices we make in life (and starting a spiritual practice and/or beginning witchcraft is a big choice) we have to move with consciousness and intention.

It's okay for answers to change even week to week. It's okay for your answers to be hazy and barely defined. The more you think about this, the more youo'll feel secure in your path.

Aside from asking these questions, there are other ways you can begin to define the key tenets of your practice. If these questions got you thinking, and you want to spend some more time defining your practice, you may enjoy this mini ebook that will guide you in continuing to secure the four wands of your practice. Sign up below to receive it in your inbox ASAP!

A person holding a deer’s skull in front of a candle crouched down on the dirt ground.