One part of the Wiccan experience often focuses on a writing called “The Charge of the Goddess” which was written by Doreen Valiente in the mid-1950s. She worked with Gerald Gardner, who is often credited with creating the original form of Wicca, and she wrote many of the rituals used by that particular tradition. One phrase that has always stuck with us even though we no longer practice Wicca is when she talked about the different characteristics Witches should have in their rituals, one of which was that there be mirth and reverence in all things.

We define Reverence as honor, respect, or awe for the energies we work with. Mirth, which we define as gladness often accompanied by laughter, is often considered part of many mundane pursuits, but we feel it needs to be part of our ritual experiences. This is work because learning to be able to find enjoyment in all things can often be difficult.

Another important component of mirth is the capacity to not take ourselves so seriously especially when we screw up in the middle of something we are trying to accomplish, such as a spell or major ritual. It has happened to us many times and will happen again because we are not perfect individuals (again another important part of the human experience).

Mirth allows us to counteract those feelings of guilt or embarrassment at our imperfections that can interfere so much with our daily lives as well as our ritual experiences. Learning to keep our own focus on both the joy and awe of the everyday expands not only our mundane lives, but our ability to see the magickal which surrounds us.