Witchcraft Red Flags Part 2

Liz Ramos, under the supervision of Gaia the cat, gives us more examples of what NOT to do with witchcraft.

Blessed be witches! I have more “icks” to share with you this week! While there are some rules and guidelines in every practice, it is important to know that there are no blanket rules and redes that cover every aspect of witchcraft. There are so many different traditions around the world, so it is insane to think what works for one will apply to another. Witchcraft and Spiritual Paths are unlike most organized religions in the sense of having a set text/texts that must be followed.

You must be gifted your first tarot or oracle deck – you CANNOT buy your own cards. False. I bought my first deck at CNY Pagan Pride in 2018, when Brigid guided me to a booth that had The Celtic Tree Oracle. I still have this deck and this IS Brigid’s Deck (as is Earth Magic, and a few other decks..). I have also been gifted decks that just didn’t resonate with me, and that’s ok. They were rehomed with love to practitioners who love and cherish them.

You cannot cast magic against someone’s free will. While I don’t do domination/obsession magic (and personally I add some love magic workings to this), there is nothing wrong with those who do. Domination magic can be found in many different practices, and is popular in various Afro-Carribean practices. I would like to take a moment here to say that while man/woman candles or penis/vagina candles are often depicted in media and online when people do domination workings, those candles can be used for other workings. They are tools, and we give meaning and purpose to those tools.

You HAVE to use real candles and use flames in your magic. You don’t. If you want to enchant battery operated candles, go for it! There is more to witchcraft than burning candles or papers and herbs. If you don’t want to work with fake candles, that’s fine too! There are plenty of witches who work with water or earth primarily.

You can ONLY be one type of witch. False. While many witches tend to be especially drawn to 1-2 types of magic the most, all witches can practice various types of magic. I myself work the most with death/ancestral magic and kitchen/plant magic, but I work with water, fire, crystals, and many other types of magic as I need to. Knowing the basics of different types of witchcraft and being well rounded will help you more than only excelling in 1-2 types of magic.

You MUST join a coven. Nope, not true. While it is great to have the energy and support from other practitioners, you do not HAVE to do anything. I primarily am a Solo practitioner, but do work with other people from time to time. My bestie (our new intern Mumu the Tricked) is learning more about herself and her craft, so we may have some magical collaboration sessions in the future when she’s ready to make some magic with me!

If you have some “ick” stories, let me know in the comments! I am curious what “icks” I may not have discovered yet. Happy casting!

Elizabeth Ramos is a magic practitioner who specializes in nature focused, healing, protective, and ancestral magics. She is a Reiki Master-Teacher and lives with her husband and their several Feline Leukemia Positive kitties in Upstate New York.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.