In no particular order is a list I began making back in February for my 70th birthday. I was having a difficult time coming to grips with my age and attempted to turn my focus from years to accumulated wisdom. I decided to publish it even though I am still nine short. You can help me by posting more wisdom in the comments of my Facebook page.

1  The word “witch” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “wicca,” which comes from the word “wicce,” meaning “wise.”

2  Everything in nature is sacred.

3  Everything and everyone everywhere is interconnected.

4  Abracadabra really is a magical word.

5  A #2 pencil makes powerful wand.

6  Full moons rise at sunset and set at sunrise.

7  Making a wish and blowing out the candles on a birthday cake is a spell.

8  Your spice rack is full of magical herbs and spices with cinnamon, bay leaves, basil, and rosemary among the most powerful.

9  Trees have spirits.

10  Walk, stir, or cast something deosil (sunwise) for summoning; and to harness the energy of the sun’s movement to promote healing, growth, prosperity, and success.

11  Widdershins (opposite course, or counterclockwise) movement is for releasing and banishing.

12  Hang bells on your doorknob to scare away unwanted spirits.

13  Change passwords to affirmations for some added magic.

14  "True magic lies not in spells and potions, but in the power of love and compassion." Quote by Witches Brew

15  Full moons affect the tides, and our bodies are about 60% water, so of course they are going to affect you.

16  The witching hour begins at 3am and, according to some, lasts more than an hour.

17  Be careful what you wish for.

18  Magic comes from within, not from some external source.

19 A wreath is a symbol of the circle of life, death, and rebirth.

20  Words are wands – use them wisely.

21  Dandelion blossoms are magical their entire cycle: as a yellow flower they are the sun, as a seed sphere they are the moon, and when a puff of air hits them, the scattering seeds become the stars.

22  The death card does not mean your death is imminent. It does mean that something is ending or leaving, which is not necessarily a bad thing. For instance, a stressful altercation is coming to an end. 

23  Witchcraft is a spiritual practice. 

24  Wicca is an organized religion.

25  The world is full of magic.

26  Your ancestors are watching. So are those for whom, someday, you will be an ancestor.

27  A prayer is a spell.

28  "The Craft" got it essentially right with the Bind Nancy Spell.

29  Wearing something red when you want a dose of bravery, confidence, or passion is practicing color magic.

30  Male witches are predominately know as witches, with some going by warlock or wizard.

31  Words can have great power when they rhyme, have rhythm, and are chanted repeatedly.

32  Witches cast a circle to create a container (think cauldron), a safe and sacred space in which to practice magic.  

33  You don't have to be a witch to cast spells any more than you must be Hindu to practice yoga.

34  Most deities appreciate offerings of coffee, liquor, chocolate, natural objects, candles, incense, and botanicals.

35  A song and a dance are each worthy offerings.

36 Words cast spells, that's why it's called spelling. 

37  There are more of us than you think.

38  Remember to give thanks for blessings already on their way.

39  Nothing is supernatural – it's all natural.

40  We have been known to set a place at the table for those who have crossed over.

41  Often what you most fear doing is the very thing that will set you free.

42  Joy and self love are both healing.

43  The five-pointed star used by witches symbolizes the four elements plus spirit.

44  Everything is energy. Money is energy. Anger is energy. 

45  Two words which possess a tremendous amount of truth and power are "I am."

46  Not all witches accept the Law of Threefold Return, taken from the Wiccan Rede, that says what you put into the universe returns multiplied by three.

47  You know. At the center of your being, you really do know the answer to your question. 

48  Full Moons are in the opposite sign of the one the Sun is in currently while New Moons are in the same sign as the Sun.

49  13 is not an unlucky number. It holds potent feminine energy. There are 13 moon cycles in a year, thus the number symbolizes death and rebirth, creation, fertility, and blood.

50  A broom, with its bristles pointing up, by the front door brings good fortune and protection. Magickally they are used to sweep away negative energy, with bristles never actually touching the floor.

51  There's a crystal for that.

52  Draw a protection sigil on the soles of your shoes.

53  Bless your beverage by stirring it clockwise three times while stating you intention.

54  Magick is saying "thank you" to old items before discarding them.

55  Talk to your plants before pruning, dividing, or repotting to explain what and why you are about to do it.

56.  Crone and sage are titles of honor and respect – elders are considered the wisdom keepers.

57  A familiar spell learned at a young age is the poem: Star light, star bright / First star I see tonight / I wish I may, I wish I might / Have this wish I wish tonight.

58  There really is magic in your smile. It's an instant mood changer, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, lessens pain (and not in a grin-and-bear-it manner), triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, and will prevent you from being overcome with fear, anger, or frustration. While a smile does not have to be genuine to work, it is more effective when you “feel” the smile and get those eye muscles involved.

59  No props are necessary to perform magick.

60  We embrace the dark knowing it balances the light.

61  Endings are also beginnings.

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70