Influence «vs» Manipulation

A sharp line must always be drawn for Wiccans between influencing other people and manipulating them; the solving of the personal problems of someone who has asked you for help is legitimate and indeed necessary influencing. Manipulation, in the sense of interfering with an individual’s right of decision and choice, however is not. It violates the core precept of “harming none”.

However, there are some areas where the lines are blurry. To give an example, take a common point of contention such as love spells: To use magical means to compel Person A to fall in love with Person B, regardless of their natural inclinations, is wholly wrong. If it succeeds, it is likely to be ultimately disastrous to both. This is clearly an act of manipulation, without a doubt.

On the other hand: Knowing two people you can see are strongly attracted to each other, but who are both too emotionally inhibited to make a move … And watching the situation drag on until finally (without saying anything to either of them) you work a spell that will allow them to overcome their social shyness and to bring them together if they are right for each other? Is not manipulation, but is rather the removal of obstacles which are hindering the development of something which is natural in and of itself.

More importantly, it contained within it the kind of rider (or exception) which every principled Witch should include in their spells if there is any doubt about whether something could be harmful or manipulative, or otherwise betray the law of harming none: “If they are right for each other”, or “provided no one is harmed”, or whatever wording is otherwise appropriate for the situation (and spells, like divinatory questions, should always be precisely and unambiguously worded).

That being said, however? While we cherish the Rede and follow the Law of the Harvest, we also say that “No one keeps a Witch's conscience”. In other words: If an initiate comes to believe that the Greater Good is best served by personal violation of the Law, they are free to do so and take whatever cosmic lumps they deserve for it, so long as it’s performed with full knowledge of the possible repercussions of doing so.

As in 'ordinary life’, a well-trained and conscientious Witch knows that they must take responsibility for the decisions the make, and live with the consequences; life- and life affirming religion- still demands that we assume ethical adulthood: Learning from, deciding, acting on, and ultimately accepting the results (and consequences) of our choices. It becomes clear, then, that “Harm None” is an ideal goal, not an inviolable rule.

Sometimes we must all admit that rules must be broken. And breaking those rules often requires, or involves in some part, acts of negative manipulation traditionally forbidden by the Rede.