Thoughts from the Dean's Desk

As we approach Samhain this week, the season calls for us to consider our experiences from this year and at the heart of this is a Wiccan view of the afterlife. This past Sunday WSTS celebrated this season in an online ritual.  Many Wiccans will celebrate this Friday, October 31st and others will celebrate the astrological date this year, which is on November 6th. 

In Wiccan spirituality, death is not an end it is a transition, a doorway, and a return. The concept of reincarnation and the afterlife is deeply woven into Wiccan theology, offering comfort, continuity, and a profound sense of spiritual purpose. While beliefs may vary among traditions and individuals, most Wiccans embrace a cyclical view of life, death, and rebirth that reflects the rhythms of nature and the Wheel of the Year. A belief that this life is not the end, but a continuation of a much longer journey gives many Wiccans comfort in hard times.  There is a purpose to our lives. 

At the heart of Wiccan belief is the idea that the soul is eternal and evolves through multiple lifetimes. Just as the seasons turn and the moon waxes and wanes, so too does the soul move through cycles of incarnation. This is also reflected in The Wheel of the year with Ostara as our birth into this year, Beltane as finding our love, Litha as stepping into our adult responsibilities, Lammas as the first harvest of our work this year, Mabon as the second harvest and preparing for our year to end, Samhain as our final harvest of the work of this life and turning to reflection, Yule as our gratitude for what this year has brought, Imbolc as our planning for our next year’s incarnation.  The Wheel of the Year follows the larger pattern of reincarnation from life to life. 

Many Wiccans believe that we are born into this world to learn, grow, and experience. After death, the soul rests, reflects, and eventually chooses to return often with karmic lessons to resolve or spiritual goals to fulfill. This process is not punishment or reward, but a natural unfolding of spiritual development.  Our trials, tribulations and celebrations in this life are based on our overall soul evolution from life to life just as the Wheel of the Year follows our work from year to year. 

The concept of an afterlife is central to Wiccan views. It is often described as a peaceful, beautiful realm where souls go to rest between incarnations. Unlike the binary heaven/hell model found in some other religions, this is a place of healing, reflection, and reunion.  This place of rest is called many things depending on the tradition of Wicca being followed. 

In the Afterlife: 

• Souls may meet loved ones from past lives. 
• They review the lessons of their most recent incarnation. 
• They prepare for their next journey, choosing circumstances that will support their growth. 

Some traditions describe the afterlife as a realm of light and nature, filled with forests, rivers, and sacred groves or beautiful fields such as the Elysian Fields which are all a reflection of the Earth’s beauty in spirit form.  WSTS and the ATC work within a Greek Pantheon so we tend to use the Elysian Fields or just the Underworld when referring to this place. 

Wiccan belief in reincarnation is often tied to the concept of karma, though not in a punitive sense. Karma is seen by many Wiccans as an energetic balance where what we put into the world returns to us, often across lifetimes whether positive or negative. This encourages ethical living, compassion, and personal responsibility.  What we do or don’t do in this life affects not just the rest of this life but those that come in the future. 

Rather than fearing judgment, Wiccans are encouraged to live in harmony with the Wiccan Rede: “An it harm none, do what ye will.” This principle supports the idea that our actions shape our spiritual path and influence the lessons we encounter in future lives. All humans have human experiences, how we react to them determines what we learn from the situation and this in turn determines what we will choose in our future lives so that we can continue to learn and grow as spiritual beings.  This idea also reflects that each of us has our own lessons and path to follow, which may or may not be the same as someone else.  All our lives are sacred and have a purpose whether they are the same or not. 

Many Wiccans explore their past lives through meditation, dreams, or guided regression. These experiences can reveal patterns or unresolved emotions. They can also deepen understanding of our current relationships and of our current struggles. 

The exploration of past lives, past lessons and the results of those experiences are often a large part of the Wheel of the Year with rituals done to help us move forward in our evolution and release that which is no longer needed or no longer serves us in our soul journey. 

Reincarnation in Wicca is not just about individual souls it’s about connection. The belief affirms that we are part of a larger spiritual ecosystem, where all beings are interconnected. This fosters reverence for nature, animals, ancestors, and the divine. 

It also encourages humility: we are not separate from the Earth, but part of its ongoing story. Our souls may return in different forms, cultures, or circumstances, always learning and evolving. Some Wiccans believe that we return with friends and family from previous lives as we all work together to learn our lessons and evolve.  For those Wiccans, community extends beyond this life and into the next. 



Wiccan views on reincarnation and the afterlife offer a hopeful, empowering perspective on death. They remind us that life is sacred, that growth is eternal, and that love transcends time. A popular song by Lynda Millard  “We Do Not Die” expresses the idea that those who have left this life are just on the other side of the door in the next room. This concept is very comforting as we live our lives as Wiccan practitioners. Whether you’re grieving a loss, contemplating your soul’s journey, or simply seeking spiritual meaning, the Wiccan path invites you to see death not as an ending but as a sacred turning of the wheel.