Can I Be a Witch in the Military?
BY NICOLE LAU
Short Answer
Yes. You have religious freedom rights even in the military. Practice through mental magic, small portable items, digital resources, and off-duty time. Be discreet if needed, know your rights, and adapt your practice to military life. Many service members practice witchcraft successfully.
The Long Answer
Your Legal Rights
Religious freedom: U.S. military members have constitutional rights to religious practice, including paganism and witchcraft.
Wicca is recognized: Since 1985, Wicca has been officially recognized by the U.S. military as a legitimate religion.
Chaplain support: You can request pagan or Wiccan chaplain services (availability varies).
Religious accommodation: You can request accommodations for religious practices (within reason and mission requirements).
Protected from discrimination: You cannot be discriminated against for your religious beliefs.
Dog tags: You can list "Wiccan," "Pagan," or other designations on your dog tags.
Practical Challenges
Limited privacy: Barracks, shared quarters, or deployment conditions offer little private space.
Limited personal items: Strict regulations on what you can keep in your space.
Time constraints: Demanding schedules leave little time for elaborate practice.
Deployment: Overseas or combat zones make practice even more challenging.
Unit culture: Some units are more accepting than others.
Potential harassment: Despite protections, some service members face discrimination.
Adapting Your Practice
Mental magic: Visualization, meditation, and energy work require no tools. Practice anytime, anywhere.
Minimal tools: One small crystal, a meaningful charm, or a piece of jewelry.
Digital grimoire: Keep your book of shadows on your phone or encrypted cloud storage.
Portable practice: Everything you need fits in a pocket or small pouch.
Everyday magic: Charge your water, bless your meals, ground while walking.
Nature connection: Use outdoor time for grounding and connection to earth.
What You Can Keep
Small crystal or stone: Carry in your pocket. Looks like a rock.
Meaningful jewelry: Pentacle necklace (worn under uniform), ring, or bracelet.
Small charm or token: Keep in your wallet or locker.
Photos or cards: Meaningful images in your personal space.
Books (off-duty): Read witchcraft books during personal time.
Digital resources: Apps, e-books, online communities on your phone.
When and Where to Practice
Off-duty time: Personal time is yours to use for spiritual practice.
Private spaces: Your room, bathroom, or outdoor areas during free time.
During leave: Practice more openly when you're on leave or vacation.
Chaplain spaces: Some bases have interfaith or pagan-friendly chaplain services.
Nature areas: Use outdoor spaces on base for grounding and connection.
Protection and Grounding
Daily shielding: Visualize protective energy around yourself each morning.
Grounding: Connect to earth energy during PT, walks, or outdoor time.
Cleansing: Visualize stress and negativity washing away in the shower.
Carry a crystal: Small protective stone in your pocket.
Mental boundaries: Maintain energetic boundaries in high-stress environments.
Deployment Considerations
Extreme minimalism: You may have almost no personal items. Rely on mental magic.
Safety first: Don't practice in ways that compromise mission or safety.
Adapt to environment: Use what's available (sand, stones, stars).
Mental altar: Create and maintain an altar in your mind.
Connection to home: Visualize your altar or sacred space back home.
Building Community
Find other practitioners: Discreetly connect with other pagan service members.
Online communities: Military pagan groups on Facebook, Discord, or forums.
Pagan military organizations: Groups like Military Pagan Network or Circle Sanctuary's military outreach.
Chaplain services: Request pagan or Wiccan chaplain support if available.
Off-base connections: Attend local pagan events or shops when off-duty.
Dealing with Discrimination
Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with military religious freedom regulations.
Document incidents: Keep records of any discrimination or harassment.
Report through channels: Use chain of command, EO (Equal Opportunity), or IG (Inspector General).
Seek support: Chaplains, legal assistance, or advocacy organizations.
Don't suffer in silence: You have legal protections. Use them.
Celebrating Sabbats
Request leave: You can request leave for religious observances (like any other religion).
Simple observances: Quiet personal rituals during off-duty time.
Seasonal awareness: Acknowledge sabbats mentally even if you can't celebrate fully.
Delayed celebrations: Celebrate when you have time and space, even if it's not the exact date.
Virtual participation: Join online sabbat celebrations with other practitioners.
Transitioning Out
When you leave military service:
- Expand your practice with more tools and space
- Create the altar you've been visualizing
- Connect with civilian pagan communities
- Practice more openly if you choose
- Use the discipline and adaptability you learned
Resources for Military Pagans
Military Pagan Network: Support and community for pagan service members.
Circle Sanctuary: Offers military pagan outreach and support.
Pagan chaplains: Some bases have pagan or Wiccan chaplains (limited availability).
Online groups: Facebook groups, Discord servers for military witches.
Legal resources: Organizations that support religious freedom in the military.
Balancing Service and Practice
Your service comes first: Mission and safety take priority over practice.
Practice supports service: Grounding, protection, and mental clarity help you serve better.
Adapt, don't abandon: Your practice evolves to fit your life, it doesn't disappear.
Mental resilience: Witchcraft can provide spiritual strength during difficult times.
Honor both: You can be a dedicated service member and a committed practitioner.
What Other Military Witches Say
Common experiences from military practitioners:
- "Mental magic became my strongest skill"
- "I learned to practice with nothing but my mind"
- "Grounding and shielding were essential for deployment"
- "I found other pagans in unexpected places"
- "My practice became simpler but more powerful"
- "I learned what's truly essential in witchcraft"
Final Thoughts
You can absolutely be a witch in the military. It requires adaptation, discretion, and creativity, but it's possible and protected by law.
Military life teaches you to practice with minimal tools, in challenging conditions, and with strong mental discipline. These are valuable skills that deepen your practice.
You serve your country and honor your spirituality. Both are valid, both are important, and both can coexist.
Serve with honor. Practice with strength. You are both warrior and witch.
