Choose your power

What draws you to Wicca?

Recently I posed this question to a group of Wiccan-curious and Wiccans fairly new to the Craft. Of course the answers included “Power” and “To learn how to cast spells.” Before you get all judge-y, think about how you came to Wicca, if you weren’t raised Pagan. Props to these people for their honesty.

What does it mean to have power? In terms of how people deal with each other, I like the “four types of power” model. (Google “four types of power” for more information.)

Power-over says “I can make you do my will.” It’s inherently coercive, and it’s what most people think of first. Power-over stops when you no longer have a way of exerting control over others.

Power-to says “I can make things happen.” It’s self-empowering, and often we don’t think of it as power. It stops if you stop caring.

Power-with says “We can make things happen.” It’s about community, and we often don’t notice it until it starts getting results. Power-with stops if you run out of friends and allies.

Power-within says “I believe in myself. I can do this.” It’s the recognition that you’ve always had power, even if you didn’t realize it. Power-within only stops if you give it up.

What kind of power drives your magic? Choose mindfully.