Discernment – The Most Powerful Tool

I wrote an article about keeping silent with magickal workings and I’ve received some interesting responses. I still maintain that keeping silent about spellcraft is important, however, Witchcraft is not a ‘one size fits all’ system. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. What I love about magick is the Law of Paradox; two things in opposition to each other can both be true. This concept is why discernment is the most powerful tool a witch possesses.

Discernment

Discernment by definition is: an ability to judge well. Sounds simple enough. But when it comes to magick it can be a lot more complicated than that.

I’ve been doing this witch thing for twenty-five years. I’ve practiced in different traditions. I’ve done lots of spells for lots of different reasons. I have done spells word for word and step by step from out of books. I’ve done the same with spells that I’ve found online. I completely made up rituals and spellwork. I’ve got a bit of experience under my belt. The one thing that I know for sure; there is no cookie cutter way of doing it.

Trust

Once upon a time I would never have believed that another witch would purposely poke holes in the magick that I was doing, especially work for my own self empowerment. And I’ve been proven wrong, more than once.

Part of the importance in keeping silent is to take your own council and listen to your inner knowing. You may want to shout it from the mountains but before you do that, take a moment to tune into your discernment. Why do you want to share your working? Seriously, why? Do you want other Witches to take on your spell, to help it grow and tear down powers of oppression or healing or peace? Great! Do it! Do you want to share your spell because you believe it to be so awesome and you want to feed your ego? Maybe pause on that. Discernment…

Are you sure that you can trust the people that you want to share your spell with? Are you sure? What does your Witch’s discernment tell you? Trust is a big deal in Witchcraft, I’m sure I don’t need to go into why. Be really sure who you trust with your magickal information.

Intuition

There are times that we do spell work with friends, coven mates, partners, in classes, or in workshops. We may share all the nitty-gritty specifics of our spells with complete strangers in some of these situations. Does that mean it won’t work? Nope. Again, it is a matter of discernment.

Discernment isn’t something easy to understand. Some folks are gifted with a solid intuitive voice and some just aren’t. But intuition (aka discernment) is like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets.

How do you acknowledge your inner voice? What does it feel like when you get a ‘gut reaction’ to something? Do you know what the voice of your intuition sounds like? Take some time to get to know this voice. Start taking its advice. The more you do, the easier it will become to hear what it is telling you. This makes discernment easier.

You may want to share your magick with the world or you may want to keep silent. It’s all about discernment.