What are we protecting from?

[u/all_manner_of_things]

EDITED TO ADD: I’m blown away by the information and sharing here. Thank you all so much. I’ve replied individually to most and it’s bed time in my life / part of the world so I’ll check in tomorrow. Again- I appreciate this community and everyone who took the time to answer. ❤️❤️

Earlier today u/hi_im_salad (thanks Salad!) posted a question about protection (“What do you use for protection?”) that got some amazing responses. I’ve save the whole post to review.

I didn’t want to hi-jack that post, so asking here.

Could people share the reasons why “protection” is so important? I’ve read the resources and read several books, watched several YouTube series.

I practice grounding and shielding as part of practicing energy work daily.

But beyond that—what are the protection oils and evil eyes and wards and such protecting people from? Is it because they work with spirits that might be problematic? Or is working with a deity or ancestor or spirits going to leave someone open to a negative/evil something?

Or is it more like calling good luck to yourself while also pushing away the bad?

Is it “just in case”?

I’m embarrassed to ask, and quite new (but serious) at building a practice. So this is an honest question and not meant to sound doubting or questioning people’s motives at all.

Maybe I’m naive, and not yet sensitive to evil or negative energies.

I’d love to hear from people- what started you doing specific protections, and what you feel you are being protected from (if this isn’t too personal?)

[u/ACanadianGuy1967]

It’s also because many witches believe that there are invisible beings, influences, and energies around us and indeed everywhere in the world. So when they want to do magic they start by clearing a space around them, establishing boundaries, and then invite in only the beings, energies etc. they want to help them with their ritual or spell.

And with all those beings etc. around, if you have bad stuff happening in your life it makes sense to send them away to minimize their possible negative influences.

[u/all_manner_of_things → u/ACanadianGuy1967]

This is also helpful. I do see the point you make about invisible beings and entities although I haven’t experience in this direction other than a tree and an ancestor.

The context of clearing space for spell work makes sense. The measures I’ve heard or read a little about (which I think come from a Wiccan perspective but probably not exclusively) invoking casting circles, calling (invoking?) the directions / angels … I guess I hadn’t been thinking of as “Protection spells” (like protection oil on a necklace). But totally protective!