A Witch’s Manifesto

Last updated on: October 17, 2017 at 11:17 am by Laura Tempest Zakroff

A Witch’s Manifesto 2017-10-17T11:17:17-08:00 Laura Tempest Zakroff

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.

Detail from The Mother Matrix, painting by the author

Warning: This post is going to get a bit introspective and doomsday-ish before it gets to the point. But please stick with it.

I struggled a bit with the title for this one. Was manifesto the word I needed? What do you call a collection of goals and aspirations for a personal path with the hope it will influence and guide the larger culture? Who am I to issue a list of commandments, or rules? To state a creed or rede? That’s not my intention anyway. I must confess I have tended to connect “manifesto” with fervent young adults, passing out their visions in goth clubs. But “manifest” is right there in the word – to make something known, to give it form, to bring it into being.

I look at the churning, bubbling cauldron that the world is right now with quite a mixture of thoughts and feelings. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re on the verge of a massive breakdown and cultural collapse (The Tower). But I also feel there’s immense possibilities in store for a new Époque of Emergence – with greater understanding, compassion, and luminous vision (The Star). I have much hope, but at the same time, humanity’s been at this game for centuries. We have done worse, and we have done better. A fresh start doesn’t guarantee success.

Then I remember that we’re all here now. These are the times we were made for. There is a resurgence in Witchcraft in the mix of all of this turmoil. We are here to help with the shifting, changing, and reforming of reality. So I am sharing with you this list – a possibility of ideas ripe for manifestation. It will probably grow over time, but this is what I’ve been focusing on lately. These are all things that should apply to all people, but I feel Witches (and various Pwords) should help lead the way.

The Mother Matrix (whole painting)

-All bodies are autonomous. If we wish to be respected, we must respect both ourselves and others: regardless of color, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, etc. Respect includes acknowledging a person’s right to live their lives and make healthy choices. Respect does not include violating those rights by action, speech, or law.

-The Other is Us. We are all “other” to someone else. We all have our tribes, and then there are those outside of it. To recognize that the mirror works both ways is a bridge to understanding that we are all not so different fundamentally.

-All actions are an exchange of energy. Everything we do involves movement in some way. We can exchange in a reciprocal manner (giving to those who give to us) or pass the energy along in a daisy-chain (receiving and giving down the line). The circle of life (birth, life, death, rebirth) is a constant exchange of energy.

-No one is entitled. We are not owed anything by the world, regardless of who we are, where we come from, or what we have done.

-We are connected to the world. We are not separate from the land, the environment, the planet, the universe – we belong to it, it does not belong to us. We are made of the same particles. We must conserve and protect our natural resources. We must participate in the cycle of life and death in a way that is mindful and honoring of plants, animals, and all things – consuming and disposing with honor.

-We are responsible for our personal power. Our power comes from within, and recognizing it for ourselves. From there, it is our duty to learn, guide, observe, listen, act, and do what we can to help others as well.

-Life is a collection of points, not one definitive mark. Part of being human is making mistakes, learning from them, and granting opportunities for change. If we shame or punish without granting an opportunity for change and redirection, then we fail to respect ourselves and others.

-You are the summary of your words and deeds. The measure of who you are is expressly defined by what you do and say, and how you do it. Act with integrity and grace, and you will always act with true power.

I expect to add to this list. It is by no means complete or finalized, but rather what I am currently working with on my own path. I am aware that we do not live in a vacuum, but greater change can happen and override old, damaging ideas and practices with focus.

Previous Post

October 11, 2017

Who is the Teacher of the Witch?

Next Post

October 18, 2017 Samhain Season: 4 Ways I Work With the Dead

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art Books cats cauldron month community contest Events home Metaphysics Modern Practice Movement Myth & Folklore satire sigils Tradition travel Uncategorized video

Select a Month May 2026 March 2026 January 2026 September 2025 August 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 August 2024 June 2024 May 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 February 2023 December 2022 November 2022 September 2022 July 2022 May 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 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 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz