CatsPHiddle has said it well. A witch's intent generally is to do good, for other beings and for the healing of the planet - "Do as you will but harm none".

I personally believe that everything is alive in some way, that we are all part of the whole of what is, and therefore connected, and so I try to treat all things and beings with respect, as whatever I harm will in some way harm me. We (witches) have a generally accepted idea that whatever harm we do will return to us "three times three" - like the law of karma - so it is obviously not in our own interest to do harm or wish harm on anybody.

The idea of good witches or bad witches in this context is obviously not relevant. If an misguided individual is trying to use their power to effect change in a harmful way, or to have power over other people, they are missing the point, and will not do well themselves.

The devil as such has no place in this view, either. There is simply what is, which we are a part of, and any of us has the potential to tap into this collective energy, and use it for good or harm. Since I believe that whatever I do to others I do to myself, I choose to do good. Of course, I don't always get it right, because I am only human, but the intent is there.

Coming as I did from a strict Methodist family, I hated the feeling I was given that being a human being with faults meant I was a sinner and needed to be "saved", and God was some sort of stern father figure "up there" (unfortunately that is often the impression given in so-called Christian churches). I felt very disconnected for a long time, when I was growing up.

I never bought into the sinner idea at all however, in spite of my years of conditioning, and I always felt a strong connection with nature, so I was delighted to discover paganism and modern Wicca many years later. It just gave what I already felt was true, a name. I like it because it is not judgmental. The only laws are the laws of nature - the laws of cause and effect. That is probably why it all seems so diverse and disorganized to non-pagans. We are not into telling people what to do.

Since then I have discovered in many ways just how much of a difference one can make with the right intent - just look at the collective healing powers of Mudcatters when they put their minds to it!

There is a lot more, but that's a start.