4/8/2025
Etiquette, Grounding, and Shielding
Never ‘out a witch’!
If you see someone out if public and want to say hi, remember never say anything that might let other who may be around know that you were at a gathering together, say anything about tools or rituals, or anything else which might let others know what you are talking about. You never know who might be listening.
A woman who used to be in our coven was at a ritual with us and a couple of drunk men showed up trying to start trouble. We got them to go away but then they came back with to truck loads of guys with rifles. After some persuasion and some energy work we got them to leave. Later on we found out that she worked with them. She had hid and they didn’t see her. The next day she went into work and heard them talking about all these witches they came across. A dozen big men in black cloaks doing witchcraft. There were nine of us. One man, a woman in a wheelchair and the rest of us all over fifty.
We also don’t concert people. If someone wants to talk about it, then meet them out in public.
Tool Etiquette
Do not touch someone else’s tools without permission. Whether it is on an altar, their cards (or other divination tools), oils and so on. Their energies are in there and you don’t want to touch them. Always ask.
Every now and then I would place a crystal or athame in the floor before class, just to see if someone would pick it up. One night I was at a local bar reading cards and a women walking but picked up one of the cards and proceeded to tell me how pretty it was. When I turned around, I saw who it was. She often came into my store. She saw my face and put if down immediately and said that she didn’t know why she did that because she knew better.
If you are at a coven ritual and have been given permission, then you can touch the altar tools. Also never take anything into circle without first asking permission.
A friend was doing a ritual out in the woods with a guy she was dating. After the ritual she found out that he had brought a dead crow and placed it under the alter to help with the energies. Not a good thing. Least to say, she quit seeing him after she berated him for a while.
Spell Etiquette
Don’t do spells on people without their permission. The only time this is acceptable is if they are your child. Not a grown person but a child. Someone who is under your care.
Remember that even if is only on you, it still ripples out. A witch is someone who controls their surroundings, a wise one. So act like it.
I used to run a coven with a friend and one day she asked me to do a spell for her wife for a job. I said no. She told me that it was ok and that her wife knew about it. I still said no. I asked her why they didn’t do it and she said because I was stronger. I told her that if she wanted me to do a spell then she would have to come and ask me. She never did. Do your work and don’t expect someone else to do it for you. How can you get stronger in your magics if you don’t do the work?
If you do spells for people who are sick, ask first. If they are in a coma then still, ask and then you can proceed but make sure you put in the spell that if they are meant to be healed then let it be so if they wish it and if they are to cross over then let it be quick and painless as possible. Remember also that they may be holding on for a loved one to come so please be careful with this.
When healing animals, plants, trees and so on, ask them for permission first. When doing weather witching if you change the pathway of rain then when you are done with whatever you are doing then let the rain come back. Disrupting weather can cause serious problems.
Ritual Etiquette
If you are invited to a ritual don’t just bring people with you. Always ask the host first. Also always ask if you can bring something and if it’s ok to bring alcohol. And no mind-altering drugs.
Don’t discuss rituals in public where others can hear. This is a private matter. What happens in circle, stays in circle.
Always come a little early, offer to help set up or whatever the host may need. If you are going to be late ask if you can still come. If you can’t come because of work or something, then let them know. Several times I have cooked and/or cleaned all day and then people just not show up. They found out really quick how I felt about that. Also, rituals take as long as they take. It doesn’t stop at nine o’clock so your have to be somewhere at nine fifteen and think it is ok just to leave. That’s very rude.
It is also respectful to bring a gift for the host. Some like this and then there are others who demand this. Rituals can become very pricey, so you may want to know if there is anything that you can bring. Know where you are going and how to behave. Afterwards always help straighten up and offer to help clean up. Never leave a mess. If you have children keep them in check. You wouldn’t want someone to come over to your house after you have been cooking and cleaning all day and for them to leave you a mess.
If you have a part in the ritual and for some reason can’t come or can’t do your part, then find someone who can fill in for you and then let the host know.
Ask how to dress. If it is formal, which means wearing cloaks and/or ritual garb then you don’t want to show up in jeans and a t-shirt. Be clean and have no perfumes or colognes. There is nothing like being in a ritual with the person next to you who hasn’t showered and been working all day in a factory or the other person next to you wearing perfume and you can’t breathe. Be clean and not smelly.
Participate. Don’t just stand there and when asked a question just to say, ‘I don’t know’. If that is all you’re going to do, then why come. Answer questions, clap or sing, and help out. No socializing during ritual, electronics, or smoking. Leave all that outside of the circle. Also leave your day outside of circle. Don’t bring negative energies inside.
Just as a clock, always walk deosil (clockwise) in circle. Always go in and out through the same door.
When in New Orleans on time we had a huge ritual for Samhain. It lasted for over 4 hours. There were bathroom emergencies, and the circle was so big that there were people who would leave through the nearest quarter. The person at that quarter would cut a doorway for them and then if they left through the east quarter they would come back in through the north quarter. At Samhain everything is backwards.
Grounding
We often need to ground. It can be as simple as holding onto a crystal, rock, or piece of wood. In this day and age, you can keep something in your pocket or bra. A good one to keep on hand is petrified wood. It looks like a rock, but it is wood. It will help with getting rid of the negativity that is around you.
You may want to do a meditation, eat a meal, hug or just sit by a tree, or dangle your feet in a creek. Do what works for you.
One way is to see roots start growing from the bottoms of your feet. See the roots go deep into Mother Earth. In your minds eye see these roots going deeper and deeper into the ground and sprouting. Feel the good energies that the earth has to give you.
Another way is to take a shower after you get home from work and see the daily slush wash off of you and go down the drain. See it go down the pipes and go into the earth. I like to see it giving water to make more flowers come up. I love wildflowers, daisies, and such.
Shielding
I have been asked, quite often, ‘What is a shield and how do I make one?’ So here are a few questions and answers which will address this subject.
What is a shield?
A shield is an invisible force field of protection.
What is a mental shield?
A mental shield is for your mind and thoughts to be protected due to direct attacks on your mind in the form of headaches and energy depletion.
What is an energy shield?
An energy shield helps to re-energize you in your times of need. It helps to maintain and preserve energy levels.
What is a reflective shield?
A reflective shield is there to send back energies which may have been sent to you and you don’t want. It helps to block attacks and can automatically ground energies.
What is a self-sustaining shield?
A self-sustaining shield is one that refuels itself. You can attune to crystals, stones, or the earth. Or even a combination of these. They work like batteries to absorb natural energies and can turn negative energies to refuel. This is a great way, so you don’t use up your own personal energies.
How do I make a shield that deflects negative energy?
To make a shield which deflects negative energies, envision a small pin prick on light inside of you at your sternum. Envision it grow inside of you. Let it grow just beyond you till it looks like a clear bubble. You can see out with no problem. On the outside it looks iridescent, with subtle hues of pinks and greens. No negative energies can penetrate this bubble. Only good energies, that you want, can enter. All negative energies bounce off and go back to the source.
You can put this bubble around you, your children, family, friends, car, house, etc… Anywhere you need.
And remember to reinforce your shield as often as you need to. They should be reinforced at least once a month.