This post is inspired by Question #8 from this list.

I want to start this blog post with the same disclaimer I put at the start of each podcast episode. As the saying goes, ask twelve witches the same question, get at least thirteen different answers. The answer to this question is absolutely how I define and perceive my own practice of the Craft and should not be taken as an attempt to define or prescribe anyone else’s practice. With that out o the way, on with my answer.

I really hate definitions. I especially hate giving definitions for terms that describe complex ideas. And if anything is a complex idea, it is witchcraft and how I practice it. But I have to try, so here we go:

My Craft is a religio-magical practice that is loosely based on Norse mythology and lore and involves cultivating working relationships with the goddess Freyja and other incorporeal beings and working sympathetic magic.

A few comments on the various elements of the definition:

• religio-magical: My practice is not atheistic. I believe in the Divine and part of my Craft involves connecting with and relating to the Divine in certain ways.
• loosely based on Norse mythology and lore: i center my practice around what I’ve learned about Norse an other Germanic cultures of old and their beliefs and myths. However, i say “loosely based” because I’m not exactly trying to perfectly clone those ancient practices (which wouldn’t be possible anyway). Also, I am somewhat eclectic in that I will incorporate other tools and ideas into my practice. One example of this is my use of tarot in divination as well as the runes.
• cultivating relationships with Freyja: Again, my Craft is not atheistic. I have a strong relationship with the goddess Freyja and she teaches me and offers me her counsel. Her nature and values also influence and are reflected in my Craft. For example, it tends to be highly sensual and passionate.
• and other incorporeal beings: Mediumship and shamanistic techniques are a strong part of my Craft. Speaking to, learning from, and asking for help from spirits is a common part of my practice.
• working sympathetic magic: I tend to do simple magic where I use something to represent something else. Or I perform an act one or with something to mimic what I wish to happen.

I hope that it’s obvious that this a simplification/distillation of my Craft. No definition is going to be perfect or cover everything. I suspect if I were to attempt this exercise in another month, I’d come up with a definition that is at least somewhat different. All the same, I’m rather pleased with this one. I find it workable.