Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Starlight Witch

Home
Pagan
The Difference Between Witchcraft and Wishcraft

The Difference Between Witchcraft and Wishcraft

Last updated on: September 19, 2019 at 4:33 pm by Astrea Taylor

The Difference Between Witchcraft and Wishcraft 2019-09-19T16:33:38-04:00 Astrea Taylor

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

There’s a big difference between wishing for something to happen and witching for it to happen. An example of wishcraft is someone who calls themselves a witch and desires change, but doesn’t do much about it. Many wishcrafters do nothing at all, while others do low-impact activities such as meditation, making their energy resonate at a higher frequency, and doing manifestation work, like treasure maps. In other words, witch-light.

wishcraft witchcraft difference article for pagan witches wiccans

CC0

Wishcraft is something I know a lot about, having grown up in a new age church. I saw how people can “be the change they wish to see in the world,” all while performing the complete opposite actions. I saw how someone can create a vision board, gluing inspiring photos to posterboard and writing down energized words, all the while not sending out those resumes, not exercising, and not making connections outside of their home.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wishcraft if that’s what you want. It’s a hel of a lot more enlightened compared to doing nothing! Wishcrafters often make great things happen compared to doing nothing at all. They can become more enlightened, attract some good things, and manifest some of what they desire.

But if you’re going to call yourself a witch, why not do the real witchy work?

It’s okay if we have different definitions about what witchcraft is. My own intuitive witchcraft path is different from nearly everyone else’s, and it works for me. The differences are something I honor and respect.

wishcraft or witchcraft pagan witch article bellatrix lestrange by Eryne! on Flickr CC2.0

Bellatrix Lestrange by Eryne! on Flickr CC2.0

However, there’s a vast divide between people who think and talk about witchcraft and those who actually do it. I’m not the first to advocate the use of “witch” as a verb, and I certainly won’t be the last. It’s a conversation that needs to happen because a lot of people don’t know how to start having regular practice or ritual, or why they should.

Here’s why: because it’s the next step, and it’s even better than you can imagine.

Consider the person with no magical practice or rituals. They merely walk outside their back door, stand under a star, and make a wish before dumping the recycling into the bin and returning to their regularly scheduled programming. This is wishcraft.

Then, consider the person who ritually cleansed themselves, made the journey to a sacred place both internally and externally, and sat beneath the same star. This person may have prepared something to give to the spirits of the land or the gods, or perhaps they’ll work their magic in that moment, under the starlight. Maybe they’ll light a bay leaf, invoke a spirit or a god, say a few words, and listen for a response. This is an example of witchcraft.

wishcraft or witchcraft pagan witch article wonder by Eryne! on Flickr CC2.0

Wonder by Eryne! on Flickr CC2.0

I’m not saying that all of our magical work has to take hours of preparation and involve laborious work, but something should happen besides the mere act of making a wish or doing light energy work. Otherwise, how do the gods and spirits know we’re serious? Taking action separates us from the new agers, the people only into surface witch aesthetics, and the people into wishcraft.

Don’t just be the change you wish to see in the world. Do the work too. Witches make it happen through sheer will, magical actions, and drawing assistance from the otherworlds.

In other words, don’t just dream it.

Do it. Be it. Work it. Witch it.

~ Align with Starlight Witch ~

Intuitive Witchcraft Book (Llewellyn)

Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Blessed Be Subscription Box

Intuitive Witchcraft Facebook Group

Energy Articles

Pagan Articles (General)

About Astrea

Astrea is the author of Intuitive Witchcraft: How To Use Intuition To Elevate Your Craft (Llewellyn Worldwide). She also leads the fire dancing group Aurora Fire and stirs up magic for the Blessed Be Box, the service that ships a "ritual in a box" with all vegan and cruelty-free items. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

May 20, 2019

You Don’t Have To Wait For The New Moon

Next Post

May 30, 2019 How Important Is It To Learn Pagan/Occult History?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book and Tarot Reviews Energy Articles Pagan Articles (General) Pagan God/Goddess Articles Pagan Holidays Pagan Pop Culture and Politics Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2023 June 2023 November 2022 December 2021 August 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What type of insect is known from the plagues of Egypt?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Bees Flies Butterflies Locusts