Is Witchcraft a Religion? A Beginner’s Guide to Secular Witchcraft

Is Witchcraft a Religion?

The short answer is no, witchcraft itself is not a religion.

Witchcraft is best understood as a practice or lifestyle rather than a faith, and you don’t need to follow any religion to call yourself a witch.

That said, there can be spiritual crossover. Some people follow Wicca, a modern religion often linked with witchcraft, while others connect their practice to older Pagan traditions. Many witches today describe themselves as spiritual, agnostic, or even atheist, choosing instead to practise what’s often called secular witchcraft.

What Is Wicca?

Wicca is a modern witchcraft religion that emerged in the 1950s, founded by Gerald Gardner. While it often claims inspiration from ancient Celtic and pre-Christian traditions, there’s little (if any) historical evidence that Wicca is a direct survival of these practices. Instead, it’s a revivalist religion blending folklore, ceremonial magic, and nature-based spirituality.

At its core, Wicca focuses on the five magical elements -earth, air, fire, water, and spirit- along with seasonal festivals and rituals honouring nature. In the 1960s, Alex Sanders introduced Alexandrian Wicca, which placed stronger emphasis on the divine feminine and masculine, as well as incorporating Kabbalistic influences. These are still prevelant in most modern Wicca practice. Since then, Wicca has branched into many traditions, including Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, and Eclectic Wicca, each with its own focus and style of practice.

Today, Wicca remains one of the most recognised forms of modern witchcraft. However, many witches are choosing to step outside of Wicca, seeking ways to express their

spirituality through secular witchcraft or other paths beyond organised religion.

What Is Paganism?

Paganism is an umbrella term for a wide variety of earth-based, polytheistic, and nature-centred spiritual paths.

Historically, the word “pagan” was used by early Christians to describe non-Christian religions - especially those honouring many gods and following the cycles of the seasons.

Modern Paganism (sometimes called Neo-Paganism) is less about reconstructing a single “ancient faith” and more about reviving old traditions in new ways. Pagan practices often honour deities from Celtic, Norse, Greek, or other pre-Christian pantheons and may celebrate the Wheel of the Year, including solstices, equinoxes, and harvest festivals.

Not all Pagans are witches, and not all witches are Pagan, but the two often overlap. Some Pagans follow organised religions such as Druidry or Heathenry, while others take a more eclectic, personal approach.

What Is Secular Witchcraft?

Secular witchcraft is the practice of magic and ritual without religion.

Unlike Wicca or Paganism, which often involve worship of deities, secular witches see witchcraft as a practice rooted in intention, energy, and connection to nature - without needing to frame it in religious or spiritual terms.

Many secular witches approach spells, rituals, and tools symbolically or psychologically. A spell might be a focused act of intention-setting, while crystals or charms can serve as reminders of personal goals rather than objects with inherent power.

Some still honour seasonal cycles like the Wheel of the Year or moon phases, but treat them as natural markers of time rather than sacred festivals.

In short, secular witchcraft is witchcraft without worship, allowing atheists, agnostics, or non-religious people to explore magic, mindfulness, and nature-based practices in an empowering, flexible, and deeply personal way.

Why People Choose Secular Witchcraft

For me, secular witchcraft was the path I landed on after a long journey.

I grew up in a lightly Church of England household, but as a teenager I realised I disagreed with many of the church’s ethics - and, more importantly, I couldn’t bring myself to believe in God.

Around the same time, I became interested in Buddhism and tarot cards. Even without belief in a deity, I felt deeply spiritual, discovering that symbols, ritual, and intention held real meaning. I fell in love with spending time outdoors and sensing the world as alive, humming with energy.

Buddhism started my journey, but I eventually drifted away from organised religion entirely. My strong feminist and anti-capitalist beliefs meant I wanted a path that was empowering, flexible, and aligned with my values. Secular witchcraft became my home - a way to explore magic, mindfulness, and connection to the natural world without dogma.

Other people arrive at secular witchcraft in different ways. Some grow up in religious households but can't reconcile their beliefs with hierarchical or patriarchal structures.

Others have always been spiritual but non-religious, drawn to symbols, ritual, and intention to mark transitions, celebrate nature, or manifest personal goals. For many, secular witchcraft offers a flexible, inclusive, and deeply personal path, letting you engage with magic and mindfulness while staying true to your own ethics.

Can You Practise a Non-Pagan Religion and Be a Witch?

Technically, yes - you could practise witchcraft while following another religion.

But it’s also important to understand the historical context.

Many major religions are patriarchal and have historically condemned witchcraft. The term “witch” itself is a reclaimed word, once used to demonise and persecute women. During the European and North American witch hunts, people accused of witchcraft were believed to serve the devil, and punishment was death.

Secular witchcraft allows people to reclaim the word “witch” and its power, practising magic and ritual in ways that are empowering, ethical, and aligned with personal beliefs.

How to Practice Secular Witchcraft

Many people feel drawn to witchcraft values and lifestyle but aren’t sure about the woo that often comes with it. If you want to explore witchcraft without organised religion, secular witchcraft could be the perfect path.

Practising secular witchcraft is about bringing intention, focus, and symbolism into your everyday life. There’s no single right way to do it, but here are some approaches -

• Set intentions with rituals and spells: Use simple rituals as a way to focus your energy on goals or personal growth. Light a candle while journaling, create a small charm, or make a vision board.

• Work with natural cycles: Track moon phases, solstices, and equinoxes as natural markers of time. Use them to reflect, set intentions, or celebrate life changes without religious framing.

• Use tools symbolically: Crystals, herbs, tarot, or pendulums can be reminders, prompts for reflection, or mindfulness tools rather than objects with inherent magical power.

• Create personal rituals: Daily or weekly rituals like journaling, meditating, lighting incense, or simple candle rituals help centre yourself and mark transitions.

• Focus on mindfulness and self-growth: Secular witchcraft often overlaps with meditation, self-care, and personal development, making it a practical, everyday practice.

  
  

The beauty of secular witchcraft is that it’s entirely flexible. You can pick and choose practices that resonate, adapting rituals, tools, and celebrations to your personal life and goals.

Religious Symbolism in Secular Witchcraft

Even in secular witchcraft, you can draw inspiration from Pagan symbolism. Many secular witches use deities as archetypes or symbolic guides, rather than beings to worship. For example...

• Aphrodite: Symbolises love, beauty, and self-expression. You might invoke her energy when exploring your own femininity, enhancing self-love, or opening to new romantic possibilities.

• Athena: Represents wisdom, strategy, and courage. Useful as a symbol when working on career goals, problem-solving, or personal growth.

• Hecate: Associated with transformation, crossroads, and intuition. Can be used as a guide for inner reflection, decision-making, or navigating life transitions.

• Cernunnos: Represents fertility, abundance, and connection to nature. Helpful when focusing on grounding, prosperity, or working with natural cycles.

• Brigid: Embodies creativity, inspiration, and protection. Can be a symbolic ally when you want to spark creative projects or protect your home and family.

  
  

Other religious symbols - like the pentacle, triple moon, or seasonal imagery - can also be used symbolically in rituals, meditation, or intention-setting. In secular witchcraft, these symbols are tools for focus and reflection, helping you connect with their energy without following a religion.

Conclusion: Bringing Secular Witchcraft Into Your Life

Secular witchcraft is about finding your own path, exploring magic, symbols, and ritual in ways that feel personal and empowering.

You don’t need to follow a religion to connect with nature, set intentions, or work with archetypes in everyday life.

If you’d like extra support on your journey, my free guide, Witchcraft For When You’re Broke, Burnt-Out, or Busy, is packed with simple, no-cost ways to keep your magic alive, plus gentle tarot journaling prompts with the Tarot Journal Companion.

You can also explore my collection of mini eBook guides, all centred around secular witchcraft, symbols, and seasonal practice.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, these resources are designed to help you bring intention, ritual, and personal empowerment into your everyday life.