A Witch's 10 Commandments: Magickal Guidelines for Everyday Life

by Marian Singer

While the art of witchcraft is uniquely personal, an underlying code of ethics and principles binds its serious practitioners together. For the first time, this code is defined in terms everyone can understand. In A Witch's 10 Commandments, renowned Wiccan author Marian Singer uses the ubiquitous biblical rules to frame the 10 tenets witches should live by. These tenets incorporate aphorisms common to the New Age, Neo-Pagan movement, such as: Thou art God/Goddess As Above, so Below; as Within, so Without Spirit abides in all things; Names have power; Maintain an attitude of gratitude; Honor the ancestors, your elders, teachers, and leaders; All life is sacred; All acts of love and pleasure are sacred; Whatever you send out, returns three fold; Love is the law Love under will Work for the greatest good; and harm none. Accompanying each commandment are practical spiritual exercises for everyday issues, such as controlling an over-heated temper, supporting elders and teachers, giving back to the earth, and more. With A Witch's 10 Commandments in your library, you have a solid blueprint for ethical practice, allowing you to walk the ancient path of the witch in today's world.

Genres: Wicca, Spirituality, Religion, Paganism, Magic, Nonfiction, New Age

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

aka Patricia Telesco

Reviews

[Sarah Goodwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shallow, unfocused and missing a lot of key ethical issues/discussions relating to Wicca.

Also, states that 'squaw' is slang for genitals, rather than an offensive term used for NA women, which is just factually incorrect.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this trying to find a more theological discussion and framework for the modern neopagan movement. But this book was just more of the fluffy Diet Religion Lite, focusing more on "positive thoughts", the "law of attraction", and finding your "sacred self" rather than anything substantial. It's almost like a much cooler version of a self-help book. That's not religion. That's anything-goes spirituality. The author even mentions several times that Neopaganism is so individualistic that it can sometimes be "anything goes/ it's all good" but then never puts her foot down on any theological issue. Instead she actually ends up advocating the "anything goes" approach. I'm sorry but a religion without rules is not a religion, it's just a messy ball of opinions. The only commonality among all Neopagans I've gleaned from this book are the basic points that Nature is sacred, humans are sacred, divine immanence, interconnectedness, and an idea of karmic feedback. Those are the only "hard" truths offered, but these are by no means new ideas. Also, the author subscribes to monism and the language even borders on monotheism, which makes the discussions a little confusing to duotheists and polytheists.

Now, concerning ethics, the author does make some good points (that tend to repeat themselves throughout the entire book) and raises some very important ethical questions that every neopagan should consider. But, the author in no way proffers any meaningful answers, especially not backed by tradition or authorities on the subject. The author's answer to every ethical dilemma is basically "What does your spirit tell you? Go with your spirit!" No. That's not how ethics works. There are right and wrong answers and actions in the world. The book is mainly a discussion, and doesn't give any new information you can't just think up for yourself.

All in all, this book was needed because it finally takes a serious look at ethics and morality formation in the Neopagan movement, which is necessary for legitimizing the movement in the eyes of other religions and the world at large. I laud the author for this important effort. However lofty this ambition was, the book only gives us a grilled cheese sandwich when what we really need is a full meal. If you're into "love and light" no-rules-required, individualistic, anything-goes neo-Wicca/Paganism then you'd actually enjoy this book. For someone like me needing details, structure, and even properly cited historical sources of integrity to support a proposition (i.e. proof) I didn't get much out of it.

[Chrys Fey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book wasn't for me. I personally thought that a lot of it could be used as gatekeeping in the Pagan and Wiccan communities, which there already is a lot of that.

Also, there were a few things that bothered me. Based on what the author said in the part subtitled "Political Correctness," I'm not sure if the things that bothered me would ever bother the author, such as how "Transgenderism" was added to this subtitle: "The Big Box of Crayons: Bisexuality, Homosexuality, Transgenderism." That subtitle is in Chapter 7, which says, "All Acts of Love and Pleasure Are Sacred." I agree with that last statement. However, "transgenderism" is not a term the transgender community commonly use. It's a term used by anti-transgender activists to reduce who trans people are to "a condition" they have. (It's not a condition.) Also, this section was about sexuality. Even if "transgenderism" was replaced in the subtitle with another term for transgender people, it would still be inaccurate because gender identity and sexual orientation are different. A transgender person can be straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, etc.

The other thing that bothered me personally was in Chapter 9 "Love is the law, love under will." I found this chapter to exclude the experience of asexuals (individuals who have a lack of sexual attraction to others or have no desire for sexual activity, but many do still experience romantic attractions and want romance/love). Anytime love without physicality (or the absence of "desire for sexual manifestation") was mentioned, it was constantly referred to as the love someone has for close friends and family. As someone who is asexual, I would've liked for there to have been a nod toward asexuals somewhere.

I also noticed what another reviewer said about "squaw" and how the author said it was offensive because it means "female genitalia." My first thought when I read that was that it's an slur that has been used against Native women. The author doesn't mention that.

I think this book could use updating with the help of someone with an eye for these things (a sensitivity reader).

[Eishexe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really sort of a primer on Wiccan beliefs presented in a unique format. Running parallel to the Judeo-Christian commandments, the author lists and elaborates on equivalent Wiccan beliefs. Interesting premise and a fairly decent overview of Wiccan ethics and beliefs.
Of course Wiccans don't really have 10 commandments, though. ;}

[Morgan Lee-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informational about the things that every witch should know and learn. I think it is a must read for any Wiccan/Witch.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like how this book not only talks about the pagan views of the commandments, but also the christian, buddisht, etc. this is a well rounded book.