GREEN WITCHCRAFT
In Green Witchcraft, the "An harm ye none" philosophy isn't a mandate for passivity; it is a commitment to balance. Just as a thorn protects the rose, a practitioner must sometimes use specific energetic tools to maintain their safety and keep negative influences at bay.
The Three Pillars of Magical Defense. When a practitioner encounters "evil" or harmful intent, they generally use one of three methods to manage that energy without violating their core ethics:
Binding (The Anchor): This is an act of restriction. Rather than hurting the source, you are "tying its hands." Like a gardener staking a vine to keep it from overgrowing, binding stops a person or entity from continuing a specific harmful action. It is about neutralization and containment.
Deflecting (The Shield): This is pure protection. Think of it as a mirror or a "Shield Charm" (Protego). You are creating a barrier that simply says "you cannot enter." The energy hits the shield and dissipates or slides off harmlessly into the earth to be neutralized, ensuring your personal space remains sacred.
Rebounding (The Mirror): Often called "Return to Sender," this is a more active defense. It operates on the principle that the energy belongs to its creator. Instead of absorbing the hit, you reflect it back to the source. It is often considered a "punitive" return—the harm the sender intended for you becomes their own experience, teaching them the weight of their own actions.
GREEN GUARDIAN CODE OF ETHICS
1. The Law of Self-PreservationEthic: Protection is not an act of aggression.Guidance: Establishing boundaries, shields, and wards is a fundamental right. To protect oneself from "evil" or malice is to preserve the harmony of nature within yourself.
2. The Principle of Least ForceEthic: Use the tool that fits the threat.Guidance: * Deflect first to maintain peace.Bind if the harm continues and needs to be stopped.Rebound only when the energy must be returned to its source for the cycle of justice to be completed.
3. Ownership of IntentEthic: You are responsible for the energy you cultivate.Guidance: Before casting, ensure your intent is defense, not vengeance. True "Green" magic seeks to restore balance, not to create new cycles of suffering.
4. Ecological BalanceEthic: Magic should mimic the natural world.Guidance: Just as the rose has thorns and the oak has deep roots, your magic should be firm and grounded. Avoid "scorched earth" tactics; instead, neutralize negativity so it can be composted back into the earth as harmless energy.
5. The "Return to Sender" MandateEthic: Let the source carry its own weight.Guidance: When rebounding, you are not "attacking" the sender. You are simply refusing to accept their gift of malice and handing it back. They are the ones who created the harm; they are the ones who must live with its echo.