Widdershins literally means, "the road on the left."
- When walking or dancing counter-clockwise, one is circling widdershins, walking or dancing in the opposite direction of the sun.
- The moon, ladies, and yin energies are associated with the left side in traditional magical knowledge.
- Dualist philosophy linked "left" with the evil side of the everlasting chessboard of warring forces, while non-dualist cultures view "left" as neutral and necessary: there is no "right" without "left" and vice versa.
Mr. Right, the right choices, and the right route vs left-handed praises and the left-hand road are examples of modern use that reveal these meanings.
The left side is the sinister side in Latin; do we need to explain more?
Circling widdershins became known as the "witches' path" and the "devil's way" after Christianity.
It was enough for a witch to be accused of witchcraft if she was seen circling widdershins.
Those who believed witches were wicked malefactors were terrified when they saw someone circling widdershins.
- Many spells use widdershins movement in the same way as deasil does.
- When one of them is removed, the equilibrium is lost.
- However, there is still a fear of widdershins among many Wiccan traditions, though not all, who connect widdershins with evil magic.
- Widdershins is often used for banishing by those who integrate it into their magical practice.
You may also want to read more about Paganism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on Religion here.
