Witchcraft traditions, particularly Wicca, are known for their unique approach to sexuality within the broader Pagan movement. While many Pagan traditions celebrate the body as a sacred gift, the relationship between sexuality and spirituality varies across practices. However, for Wiccans and many witches, sexuality is viewed as a powerful spiritual force.
A foundational text in Wicca, The Charge of the Goddess by priestess Doreen Valiente, expresses the deep connection between sexuality and divinity. This liturgical piece is often spoken during rituals by a priestess embodying the Goddess, proclaiming:
“And ye shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that ye are really free, ye shall be naked in your rites; and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise…”
This passage highlights the belief that all acts of love and pleasure are sacred rituals, a concept central to many Wiccans and witches. These practitioners believe all living beings are imbued with a vital energy, often referred to as eros, and that this force can be most profoundly experienced through sexual intimacy. In this light, the sexual act is seen as a sacred creation—a union of divine forces, whether represented by a God and Goddess, lunar and solar deities, or other cosmic beings. This sacred union reverberates throughout the universe, symbolizing a divine moment of creation.
However, for many Pagans, sexuality is not the only way to access this spiritual energy. Sensual communion with nature or simple nonsexual touch can also channel this vital force. Eros is more than just a physical act; it is a universal energy, felt in nature, between people, and within ourselves.
The concept of eros as a spiritual force was introduced to me through Starhawk’s The Spiral Dance, a key text for many Pagans, particularly those drawn to ecofeminism and Goddess spirituality. Starhawk emphasized that eros extends beyond sexual attraction—it’s a force that connects all life, from the growth of plants to the movements of the cosmos. In her words, “all our acts of love and pleasure could reflect the union of leaf and sun, the wheeling dance of galaxies, or the slow swelling of bud to fruit.” This perspective shifts our understanding of eros, inviting us to recognize it as the universal energy that sustains and shapes life.
Starhawk’s thinking aligns with that of other spiritual figures, such as psychologist C.G. Jung and feminist writer Audre Lorde, who saw eros as a driving force behind creation, beauty, and human connection. Eros, in this context, is not confined to sexual relationships but is the cosmic principle that drives all forms of connection and creation.
An essential aspect of many Pagan traditions is their openness toward sexual diversity. In Wicca and witchcraft, sexual minorities are embraced, with the understanding that all consensual relationships, whether heterosexual or LGBTQ+, are sacred. This acceptance is reflected in the leadership roles LGBTQ individuals hold within the Pagan community, and in the celebration of same-sex relationships, polyamory, and group marriages. For Pagans, as long as a relationship is consensual and does no harm, it is ethical and divine.
This inclusive approach is also evident in Pagan rituals, where same-sex or polyamorous partnerships are sanctified. Some traditions celebrate temporary commitments, such as a “year and a day” partnership, which may be renewed or altered. This approach reflects a fluid understanding of love and connection, free from societal constraints.
Pagan traditions stand in stark contrast to religious systems that view the body as sinful or as a prison for the soul. For many Pagans, the body is not something to be ashamed of, but a sacred vessel where divinity can be encountered. This perspective celebrates the freedom of the body and views sexuality as a spiritual act—a connection to the divine, expressed through rituals, personal relationships, and intimate acts.
For Pagans, embracing sexuality as a sacred and integral part of life is central to their beliefs. This approach provides a welcoming space for the LGBTQ community and others marginalized by traditional faiths. In the Pagan worldview, the body is not a prison, but a sacred temple, where the divine is experienced and celebrated—flesh to flesh, heart to heart.