Permaculture in Witchcraft
Recently, I’ve been really interested in permaculture, and the ways in which I could implement it within my personal life. One of the ways I’ve been considering is within my witchcraft practise, and I thought that I would share my musings with you.
They may be good journal prompts…
a set of design principles based on the interconnected systems present within nature. It is commonly used by gardeners, farmers, and ecologists - but there are a growing number of people who use permaculture principles within other areas, such as architecture, sociology, and therapy.
Permaculture is for designers, and as witches, we are constantly designing the spiritual landscape of ourselves and our places.
Permaculture is a grassroots social movement, and so there is not simply one set of tenants or principles, instead every person creates the principles of permaculture that suit their needs and wishes best. Permaculture focuses heavily on free information and accessible resources, so for those who would like to know more about permaculture, here is a list of resources.
I am using Starhawk’s Common Sense Permaculture Principles for this, but I would recommend also researching other principles, or creating your own.
The three core tenets of Permaculture are:
Care for the earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply. This is the first principle, because without a healthy earth, humans cannot flourish.
Care for the people: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence
Fair share: By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside to further the above principles.This includes returning waste back into the system to recycle into usefulness. The third ethic is referred to as Fair Share, which reflects that each of us should take no more than what we need before we reinvest the surplus.
Everything is interwoven: our relationship with ourselves, with other people, with our local environment, and with our global home, are all connected and flow together. Our witchcraft allows us to notice these woven threads, to pull on them, to create, grow and design. By influencing one aspect of our life, there will be effects within other aspects. We need to consider our lives together as one big tapestry, of which we are just one thread.
Nature is cyclical. Everything has its ending and its beginning. Life grows from death and death meets with life. How can we acknowledge these cycles within our practise? If we use a resource from the earth for our practice, we must find a way to replenish it and restore balance.
Energy is abundant but not unlimited
We use our own energy, and the surrounding energy of the universe for our magic. These resources will be depleted if they are not allowed to rest and recover themselves. Be discerning with how you use your own energy and the energy of your environment. Find ways to recycle and return energy to the earth.
Everything serves more than one purpose and function. Use the tools of your trade wisely. You have everything that you need for your practise already within you. Observe, design and create your magic before you jump in, the chances are that you can find a way to do it more easily.
Resilience is true security
Build your independence and resilience by being creative, how can your magical landscape help with this? Your resilience comes from confidence in your own abilities and skills. Plan and prepare for dark days, so that they will pass by more smoothly.
Ground and root yourself within your local environment. Learn about your history, your culture and your ancestors. The best witchcraft grows from being grounded in your sense of place.
Take responsibility: feed what you want to grow
What do you want to grow and nurture in your life? How can you use your magic practise to bring these things to fruition? Show gratitude and give thanks to the things that you love…
There’s a reason why we have chosen to be witches and magic practitioners. We want to improve our lives, and the lives of others. What do you want to draw towards yourself? Make clear, realistic goals with how you can achieve these things - and work towards them.
Creativity is an unlimited resource
Your creativity is your most valuable tool in your journey to achieve your dreams. Find this creativity within yourself, in the earth, and within other people - acknowledge and respect it. Think creatively on this journey that you are on, and you’ll find what you’re looking for.
“Permaculture is the regeneration of people and place.” - Penny Livingston-Stark
