Spiritual Care in Wicca and Neo-Paganism: What Exists, What’s Missing, and What’s Possible

Spiritual Care in Wicca and Neo-Paganism: What Exists, What’s Missing, and What’s Possible

In many religious traditions, spiritual direction provides seekers with a critical form of spiritual care. Spiritual direction work provides guidance, companionship, and deep listening as folks navigate their spiritual path. But what does that look like in Wicca and neo-paganism? While Wicca and broader Pagan traditions do not have a formalized role exactly equivalent to spiritual direction, they do have established ways of providing spiritual support. However, there are also notable gaps - areas where seekers may struggle to find the kind of deep care and discernment that spiritual direction offers.

I'd like to offer my initial thoughts on the roles that serve a similar function, how major Wiccan traditions have met (or not met) the need for spiritual care, and what might be added to deepen and expand that support. I hope this serves as an invitation to deeper and larger conversation.

Existing Roles That Parallel Spiritual Direction

While Wicca and neo-paganism tend to emphasize personal spiritual autonomy, several roles within these traditions offer guidance, teaching, and support similar to spiritual direction:

May Day Dawn Celebration on Glastonbury Tor, Getty Images

1. High Priestesses, High Priests, and Teachers

In initiatory Wiccan traditions (such as Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca), High Priests and High Priestesses lead covens, initiate students, and provide spiritual mentorship. They guide seekers through training, facilitate rituals, and support members in their spiritual development.

Similarities to Spiritual Direction:

• They offer one-on-one mentorship to initiates.
• They guide seekers through major spiritual transitions.
• They provide a space for discernment and spiritual growth.

What’s Different?

• Their role is often hierarchical, requiring initiatory lineage, whereas spiritual direction is typically non-hierarchical.
• Their focus is usually on conveying a specific tradition, rather than open-ended spiritual exploration. This usually amounts to training and formation: defining one's spiritual beliefs, practices, and community, versus an expansive invitation to seeker-focused exploration over time that is provided through spiritual direction work.
• They primarily serve and are accountable to, their coven or lineage as a whole, rather than individual seekers.

2. Pagan Clergy and Ministers

Many pagans have sought ordination through organizations like the Covenant of the Goddess (CoG), Sacred Well Congregation, or pursued ministry degrees through Earth-based seminary programs like Cherry Hill Seminary. Pagan clergy often officiate rituals, provide pastoral care, and offer spiritual counseling.

Similarities to Spiritual Direction:

• They provide spiritual care beyond just their own coven or tradition.
• They may offer guidance in times of crisis, transition, or deep questioning.
• Some receive formal training in counseling, chaplaincy, or pastoral care.

What’s Different?

• Their role often includes officiating rites and public rituals, whereas spiritual direction is more about deep listening.
• Many Pagan ministers focus on community leadership rather than sustained one-on-one accompaniment.

3. Elders and Wise Women/Men/Persons

In non-hierarchical or eclectic Pagan circles, elders - respected figures with years of experience - serve as informal spiritual guides. These individuals may be approached for wisdom, storytelling, or advice, much like a crone, sage, or village witch in older traditions.

Similarities to Spiritual Direction:

• Their role is based on deep wisdom and personal experience rather than institutional authority.
• They often listen deeply and help seekers make sense of their spiritual experiences.
• Their guidance is based on relationship and trust rather than structured training.

What’s Different?

• There is no formalized process for becoming an elder; it is based on community recognition.
• Their role is often advisory rather than an ongoing spiritual companionship.
• There is no system of ethical accountability, leading to reported instances of abuses of power and position.

4. Pagan Counselors and Coaches

Some Pagans seek spiritual guidance from counselors or life coaches who integrate Pagan spirituality into their practice. These professionals might not identify as “spiritual directors,” but they offer similar forms of accompaniment.

Similarities to Spiritual Direction:

• They provide structured one-on-one spiritual support.
• They help seekers work through spiritual struggles and life transitions.
• They may integrate ritual, meditation, or divination into their sessions.

What’s Different?

• Coaching tends to be more goal-oriented, while spiritual direction is about open-ended exploration.
• Therapy or counseling may focus on mental health and problems, whereas spiritual direction assumes the seeker is whole and holy, and centers on the seeker’s relationship with the sacred.

Aura by John Hain, Pixabay

How Have Wiccans Met Their Needs for Spiritual Care?

Different Wiccan traditions have developed various ways to support seekers’ spiritual growth.

• Initiatory Traditions (Gardnerian, Alexandrian, etc.) rely on coven-based mentorship. A High Priestess or Priest trains initiates and provides guidance, but this support is typically reserved for those within the tradition.
• Eclectic Wiccans often turn to books, online communities, and personal practice for guidance, with less structured spiritual mentorship.
• Reconstructionist and Polytheist Groups emphasize learning from ancient sources, community rituals, and sometimes priestly training, but may lack personal spiritual guidance outside of structured priesthood roles.
• Solitary Wiccans and Pagans often struggle to find spiritual support outside of personal meditation, divination, and informal online groups.

Each of these approaches meets some needs, but often leaves gaps - especially when it comes to deep, long-term spiritual companionship that is not tied to hierarchy, initiation, or counseling.

What’s Missing?

1. Non-Hierarchical Spiritual Guidance - Many seekers want one-on-one accompaniment without the coven structure or an initiatory hierarchy.

2. Support for Solitary Practitioners - Solitary witches and pagans often lack mentorship and may struggle with spiritual discernment alone.

3. Deep Listening and Discernment - Unlike coaching or teaching, spiritual direction focuses on listening for the seeker’s own wisdom and relationship with the Divine rather than providing answers.

4. A Safe Space for Doubt and Exploration - Many existing roles focus on teaching a tradition, whereas spiritual direction allows for questioning and wrestling with beliefs.

5. Emotional and Spiritual Integration - Pagan spiritual leadership often focuses on ritual facilitation, leaving little room for deeper conversations about personal spiritual struggles and milestone moments.

6. Accountability and Professional Ethics - Many Pagan spiritual traditions have little or no oversight or accountability to enforce consent, and mitigate against abuse. 

What Could Be Added?

1. Training Pagan Spiritual Directors

• Programs could emerge within pagan seminaries or independent pagan organizations to train spiritual companions who understand pagan worldviews. We're in luck! Cherry Hill Seminary is entering its 4th year offering such training!
• These companions could offer one-on-one guidance to seekers regardless of tradition, providing a safe, non-judgmental space to explore spirituality.

2. Creating Pagan Spiritual Direction Networks

• A directory of pagan spiritual directors could help seekers find mentors outside of traditional priesthoods or covens.

3. Bringing Deep Listening into Pagan Leadership

• High Priestesses, elders, and clergy could incorporate spiritual direction principles into their mentorship - emphasizing deep listening rather than just teaching.

4. Recognizing Spiritual Direction as a Sacred Pagan Role

• Just as we have ritualists, diviners, healers, and clergy, we could formally recognize spiritual companions - people trained to travel alongside others in their journey without imposing a path or tradition.

5. Professional Accountability

• Raising ethical expectations for those who mentor can help protect seekers, members, and initiates. 
• Asking practitioners of spiritual direction to be members of professional organizations with ethical guidelines and membership criteria is one time-tested way to give seekers recourse and protection.
• This, and other approaches can be healthy for all helping roles in Paganism and Wicca.

The Need for Deep Spiritual Companionship

Wicca and neo-paganism already contain many roles that provide elements of spiritual guidance, but few fully embrace the deep, ongoing companionship that spiritual direction offers in other traditions. As these paths continue to evolve, there is space for the role of the spiritual companion - one who listens, reflects, and holds sacred space for others to explore their own relationship with the Divine/Holy/Sacred/Deities.

For those called to this work, the invitation is open: to be a witness to the sacred journeys of others, to cultivate deep listening, and to create spaces where seekers can explore their spirituality in trust, reverence, and care.

Would you seek out a pagan spiritual companion? Would you be called to offer that role? The path is open. Let's explore it together.

You are whole, holy, and worthy... We need each one of us to survive,

Rev Amy Beltaine

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To find a Spiritual Companion, visit http://AmyBeltaine.info or https://shorturl.at/pr0ue or http://UUSDN.org 

To apply for training as a spiritual companion, visit our Spiritual Direction Certificate Program page.

Stories to Sustain Us: Building the World We Dream Of

The Power of Story

There is an old saying: “The universe is made of stories, not atoms.” Stories are the threads that weave together our collective understanding of who we are and who we can become. They shape our moral imagination, inspire our actions, and sustain us in the long, hard work of change.

Stories from history remind us of what is possible, Songs inspire and inform, moral tales teach, biographies remind us we are not alone, and fiction helps us imagine. Stories have power. 

What Are Our Stories?

For many of us, the challenges of our time—the erosion of democracy, climate chaos, rising inequality—may feel unprecedented. Yet history is full of examples of individuals and communities rising to meet immense challenges. Our ancestors, and the people who lived on the land we now call home, confronted injustice, overcame adversity, and fought for a more just and equitable world.

Whose Stories?

Stories can be transformative and life-saving. Take, for example, our congregation’s building is a sanctuary. Immigration officers may have the legal right now to enter a hospital, a school, or a church, but our Unitarian Universalist faith is grounded in justice and equity. We can raise our voices, and tell the story of what is moral and right. If they know that we will share the story of violating a sacred space, it might change their actions.

Whether today's fear, outrage, and anxiety is new to you or you’ve been doing this work since your momma explained what the words racism, sexism, colonizing, and homophobia meant…

We learn from stories.

These days, I find myself leaning into my Slovak roots and embracing the history of my adopted home, Portugal, by learning about how both nations overthrew oppressive regimes.

Last year, I was leaving the little village of Silves, crossing the bridge with the old Moorish castle in my rearview mirror. The bridge was decorated with little red flowers: crocheted carnations. I realized the flowers celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution—a peaceful uprising that overthrew decades of dictatorship in Portugal.

Scene from Carnation Revolution AP

The Carnation Revolution: Wake Now My Vision

The Carnation Revolution of 1974 is a powerful example of collective action’s ability to bring about transformation. After years of repression under the Estado Novo regime, the Portuguese people rose up. Life under Estado Novo, established by António Salazar in 1933, was austere and harsh. People who spoke out against the regime often “disappeared,” and mandatory military service sent countless young men to fight unwinnable colonial wars.

The revolution was sparked by military officers opposed to the regime’s brutal colonial wars, but it became a civilian movement. First, the brave ones chose, then people poured into the streets, placing carnations in the barrels of soldiers’ guns as a symbol of peace. Remarkably, the regime fell without bloodshed, replaced by a provisional government that ushered in democracy.

The lyrics of songs are transformative stories as well! The revolution’s spirit was captured in the song “Grândola, Vila Morena” by José Afonso. Played as a signal to start the uprising, its lyrics—“Grândola, Vila Morena, Terra da Fraternidade” (Grândola, Dark Village, Land of Brotherhood)—embodied the ideals of freedom, unity, and fraternity.

There’s a warning in the Salazar regime. He was an economist and beaurocrat who was elected. But prime-minister Salazar’s reforms turned into 40 years of repressive totalitarianism. There is also hope. In the end truth, courage, compassion, and vision won. The Portuguese people remember, and say ‘never again’.

The Carnation Revolution reminds us that peaceful resistance, joy, and solidarity can bloom even in the face of oppression.

The Velvet Revolution: A Testament to Peaceful Change

The Velvet Revolution is another example of the power of peaceful resistance. In 1989, when my son was three,  Czechoslovakia saw its dreams of freedom and democracy realized. Playwright and activist Václav Havel encouraged individuals to “live in truth” by rejecting the lies of the totalitarian state and reclaiming authenticity. His plays made fun of the regime, he defended a rock band that was imprisoned because they had long hair, and he himself was jailed more than once. But he persevered. In every soul and nation comes a time to decide if you will seek truth or falsehood. The people of Czechoslovakia chose to live in truth.

The name “Velvet Revolution” reflects the smooth and nonviolent transition of power. Millions joined together to peacefully end decades of Soviet rule, armed only with their voices, their keys, and their shared vision for a community transformed by care.

The Velvet Revolution teaches us that change does not always require violence; it can arise from trust, poetry, and collective action. As Vclav Havel wrote: "we never decided to become dissidents. We have been transformed into them, without quite knowing how, sometimes we have ended up in prison without precisely knowing how. We simply went ahead and did certain things that we felt we ought to do, and that seemed to us decent to do, nothing more nor less."

Vaclav Havel is acclaimed as President, 1989

What Stories Sustain Us?

Stories sustain us in times of upheaval. They remind us that ordinary people, daring to dream of a better world, have faced impossible odds and prevailed. Stories of hard times and hard work share a common thread: they inspire courage, resilience, and action. Let us remain faithful to the work that must be done.

When the challenges we face—climate chaos, inequality, systemic racism—feel overwhelming, stories whisper to us: “You are not alone. Others have traveled this path before you, and you can too.”

Building the World We Dream Of

As citizens of the world, we are called to build the world we dream of—a world of love and justice. This work requires vision, action, and the spiritual sustenance that stories provide.

The story of the Velvet Revolution teaches us that truth and peaceful resistance can overcome fear. The story of the Carnation Revolution reminds us that courage can bloom like flowers in the face of oppression.

When we tell the stories of the women’s suffrage movement, the civil rights movement, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality, we honor the resilience of those who refused to let injustice have the final word. These stories teach us that change may be slow, but it is possible—and it is worth fighting for.

Fiction

Stories of real-life people being brave, or just doing the things they felt they ought to do, or what seemed decent to do, can sustain us. So can fiction. One of my favorites is the Lord of the Rings: The story of a small hobbit carrying a Ring through dangers, Finding friends and in the end, saving the world by being small and faithful to the task given to him. At one point he is speaking with the wise and powerful wizard Gandalf: I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. 

Sustaining Ourselves Through Story

What sustains people through times of great upheaval? Stories of ordinary people daring to persist, dream, and act. Stories that remind us we are part of something greater than ourselves.

When we feel overwhelmed, we can turn to these stories for strength. They tell us, “You are not alone. Others have faced similar struggles and found their way forward.”

Stories are the lifeblood of our shared humanity. They help us remember who we are and imagine who we can become.

Call to Action

This week, I invite you to reflect on a story that inspires you. It could be from history, a loved one, or your own life. Share it with someone, and listen to their story in return.

Together, let us weave a tapestry of solidarity, perseverance, and action. Let us stay faithful to the work before us, and stay grounded in the power of our shared stories.

Blessed be.

You are whole, holy, and worthy,

Rev. Amy Beltaine

The Sacred Space of Supervision: Why Every Spiritual Caregiver Needs It (and How I Can Help)

The Sacred Space of Supervision: Why Every Spiritual Caregiver Needs It (and How I Can Help)

We all know the feeling of pouring our hearts and souls into supporting others on their spiritual journeys. As spiritual directors, companions, or guides, we witness incredible moments of growth, transformation, and deep vulnerability. It's a privilege to travel alongside seekers on their paths, but it can also be emotionally demanding.

Just like therapists and other caregivers, we spiritual caregivers need a safe space to process our own experiences and ensure we're offering the best possible support. That's where supervision comes in – a sacred space for reflection, growth, and self-care.

RawPixel CC0

Why is Supervision Important for Spiritual Caregivers?

Imagine this: you've had a particularly challenging session with a seeker. Maybe they're grappling with a difficult question of purpose, perhaps you're unsure how to navigate a complex ethical dilemma, or perhaps the topic they brought to the session cut very close to your own life story. Having a trusted supervisor to talk to in confidence can be a game-changer. Here are just a few reasons why supervision is essential:

• Sharpen Your Skills: Supervision helps you to hone your listening skills, explore different approaches, and gain new perspectives on spiritual direction.
• Maintain Healthy Boundaries: It's crucial to maintain healthy boundaries in this work. Supervision can help you identify areas where those boundaries might be blurring and ensure you're taking care of yourself so you can continue to care for others.
• Process Your Emotions: Spiritual direction can be emotionally draining at times. Supervision offers a safe space to process your own feelings and ensure they're not interfering with your ability to be present for your directees.
• Ethical Guidance: Ethical dilemmas can arise in spiritual direction. Supervision provides a space to explore these challenges and ensure you're acting ethically and with integrity.
• Renew Your Passion: Let's be real, even the most dedicated spiritual caregivers can experience burnout. Supervision can help you rekindle your call to this important work and find renewed inspiration.

My Approach to Supervision

As a spiritual companion and supervisor myself, I know firsthand the transformative power of supervision. My approach is warm, supportive, and grounded in the belief that spiritual caregivers deserve the same level of care they offer to others.

In supervision, we'll create a safe and confidential space where you can explore your experiences, ask questions, and receive guidance. We can delve into specific challenges you're facing with explorers/clients, explore ethical dilemmas, or simply lighten the burden of the emotional weight of this important work.

I am dedicated to ongoing learning and professional development in spiritual tending. As a supervisor, I am committed to honoring your unique identity, celebrating the sacred in our diversity, and centering  justice and equity. 

Individual or Group Supervision?

I offer both individual and group supervision options to suit your needs. Individual supervision allows for a deeply personalized experience, while group supervision provides the opportunity to learn from and support your fellow spiritual caregivers.

Pickpik CC0

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're feeling called to explore supervision, I'd love to connect with you! Schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs and see if we're a good fit. https://app.10to8.com/book/fdyczb-free/146872

Remember, you don't have to travel this path alone. Together, through supervision, we can create a supportive community where spiritual caregivers can flourish and offer their best selves to the world.

You are whole, holy, and worthy,

Amy

P.S. Interested in learning more about my supervision offerings? Visit my website at [

https://www.amybeltaine.com/spiritual-direction/supervision] to learn more and schedule a consultation. Other qualified supervisors can be found at http://uusdn.org.

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• #SpiritualDirection

• #SpiritualGrowth

• #SpiritualGuidance

• #SpiritualMentorship

• #SacredJourney

• #SoulfulLiving

• #FaithJourney

           • #NatureSpirituality

• #PaganPractice

• #EarthBasedSpirituality

• #SacredNature

• #SpiritualCertification

• #BecomeASpiritualDirector 

• #SpiritualEducation

• #SelfDiscovery

• #SacredWisdom

A Beacon in the Storm: Finding Clarity and Strength in Troubled Times

A Beacon in the Storm: Finding Clarity and Strength in Troubled Times

These are heavy days. For many, the current political and social landscape feels like an unrelenting storm, battering our sense of safety, justice, and well-being. We see trans and disabled people fearing for their very lives, not because of who they are, but because systems fail to protect and even actively harm them. Hispanic communities, including U.S. citizens, face threats of mistreatment and deportation rooted in prejudice.  Those of us who care deeply - activists, advocates, and compassionate hearts alike - feel overwhelmed, unclear about what to do, and bone-deep exhausted.

These fears are not imaginary, and this grief is not overblown. The weight we carry as we witness harm being done to our neighbors, friends, and loved ones is real. It is tempting to shrink back, to let despair pull us under like an undertow. But within each of us is a steady spark of resilience, a knowing that we are not meant to face these challenges alone.

Nona Lohr CC0

The Role of Spiritual Companioning

In times like these, spiritual companioning offers a steadying presence and a sacred pause. Whether you’re familiar with the practice or hearing about it for the first time, spiritual companioning is an ancient resource for modern times. A spiritual companion listens; not to fix, not to advise, but to hold space for your struggles, questions, and commitments. They are a companion in the truest sense: someone who travels with you as you navigate uncertainty, exhaustion, and discernment.

When the world feels too overwhelming, a spiritual companion can help you connect with the quiet truths that live in your heart. When you’re drowning in chaos, they can help you find firm ground. When you’re unsure how to prioritize your energy or respond to the world’s turbulence, they can help you reflect, clarify, and decide.

This Work Is Sacred

Responding to injustice and supporting others in a time of crisis is sacred work. But it’s also work that requires grounding, harmony, and care for yourself. Without tending to your own inner resources, it’s easy to burn out or lose sight of the larger vision you hold for the world.

Spiritual companioning doesn’t provide easy answers or quick fixes. What it does provide is a reminder that you are not alone in the struggle. It reconnects you to your deepest values, your inner wisdom, and the sacred threads that weave through your life. This reconnection isn’t just for your benefit: it sustains you so that you can sustain others.

Pixabay

What You Can Do Now

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start, begin by tending to your own spirit. Let yourself feel what you’re feeling - grief, anger, determination, or even numbness - and know that it’s okay to carry these emotions. Seek out someone who can travel with you, whether it’s a spiritual companion, a trusted friend, or a community of care.

From this place of grounding, you can discern your next steps. What calls to your heart? Where are your gifts most needed? What small, manageable action can you take today that aligns with your values? These are the questions spiritual companioning can help you explore, one step at a time.

A Reminder of Commitment

Even in times of great uncertainty, perseverance lives. It lives in the communities that come together to protect one another. It lives in the small, daily acts of love and care that ripple outward in ways we cannot always see. And it lives in you, in your willingness to stay present, to hold onto what matters, and to keep moving forward.

Take heart, dear one. The world may feel overwhelming, but you do not have to travel this road alone. Find the support you need to keep going, to care for yourself, and to be part of the healing that our world so desperately needs. You are needed - and so is your harmony, your resilience, and your commitment.

You are whole, holy, and worthy... We need each one of us to survive,

Rev Amy Beltaine

———-

To find a Spiritual Companion, visit http://AmyBeltaine.info or https://shorturl.at/pr0ue or http://UUSDN.org 

To apply for training as a spiritual companion, visit our Spiritual Direction Certificate Program page.

—-

• #SpiritualDirection

• #SpiritualGrowth

• #SpiritualGuidance

• #SpiritualMentorship

• #SacredJourney

• #SoulfulLiving

• #FaithJourney

           • #NatureSpirituality

• #PaganPractice

• #EarthBasedSpirituality

• #SacredNature

• #SpiritualCertification

• #BecomeASpiritualDirector 

• #SpiritualEducation

• #SelfDiscovery

• #SacredWisdom