Finding Your Way Back to a Spiritual Path After a Long Break

Taking a break from a spiritual path is more common than many witches and Pagans admit. Life changes, burnout, doubt, mental health, growing up, or simply shifting priorities can all pull someone away from their practice. Returning after that time can feel surprisingly difficult—full of questions like “Where do I start?” or “Am I still allowed to call myself a witch or Pagan?”

The simple truth is this: spirituality is not something you lose forever. A path can be paused, reshaped, and rediscovered. You may find that your path changes completely, or perhaps even your religion. Often this can cause a sort of 'crisis of faith', and we feel as thought we are turning our back on, or neglecting, the path we have been following. Instead of feeling guilty for wanting to follow a new path or work with new deities, recognise that this is an opportunity for growth. Returning, or in some cases starting anew, doesn’t mean going backward. So here is some giudance for those who may have, for whatever reason, taken a break and are now wondering how to engage with their spiritual journey again. 


Let Go of Guilt and Pressure

One of the biggest barriers to returning to a spiritual practice is guilt. Some people feel they have “failed” their gods, spirits, ancestors, or even themselves. Others worry that they must immediately resume daily rituals or complex practices to be “real” witches or Pagans again. Especially if we have taken on a specific role, such as Priest or Priestess, mentor, etc., which often emphasises the need for us to be active in the spiritual community. 

Remember, in most Pagan and witchcraft traditions, spirituality is cyclical, not linear. Just as nature rests in winter, people rest, withdraw, and change. Taking a break does not invalidate your past devotion or knowledge.


Start Small and Grounded

Trying to “catch up” all at once can lead to overwhelm. You do not need to rebuild an altar, learn new systems, or commit to daily practice immediately. Returning works best when it begins with simple, grounding actions. Spiritual reconnection often starts not with magic, but with presence. Simply acknowledging that you are ready to embrace your spirituality again is a great first step. Other small yet meaningful actions could include:

• 3 - 5 minutes of meditation
• Drawing a tarot card a day
• Drinking a herbal tea infused with a specific intention
• Carry a crystal/wear 'magical' jewellery
• Create a shower scrub/ritual bath mix with a specific intention and use it when you shower/bathe
• Light a candle and repeat an affirmation or prayer
  

Reconnect With Nature Before Ritual

For many witches and Pagans, nature is the foundation of spirituality. Spending time outdoors—without expectations—can feel more authentic than jumping straight into ritual work. Nature does not demand explanations or apologies. It simply welcomes you back. Take yourself off for a walk, sit by a tree, or relax by a river and just enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by nature. If for whatever reason you can't get outside - for example, at the time of writing this it is the middle of winter and bloody freezing outside - then focus on what you can do in the home. Tend to your houseplants, watch the birds or other wildlife from your bedroom window, or even put on a playlist of soothing rainfall to help you connect to the natural world.


Rebuild a Relationship, Not a Routine

After a long break, it’s helpful to focus on relationship rather than routine—relationship with yourself, with nature, and with whatever spiritual forces you believe in. You don’t need perfect rituals to reconnect; sincerity matters more than structure. If you once worked with deities, ancestors, or spirits, you can approach them honestly rather than formally. Or maybe you have never worked with ancestors, and this is where you want to start? Simply offering a few words to them can be a powerful experience rather than jumping straight in with offerings and rituals. For example:

“I’ve been away for a while. I’m not sure what I believe yet, but I’m open to reconnecting.”

If you don't feel as though your deities/guides/ancestors/etc., are listening, then don't fret or feel as though they have forgotten about you. It may just take you a bit longer to become re-attuned to their messages.


Revisit What First Drew You to the Path

Your beliefs and interests may have changed, but remembering what once inspired you can be great motivation. Perhaps it was moon phases, mythology, herbs, tarot, seasonal festivals, or a sense of empowerment? You are allowed to keep what still resonates and release what doesn’t. These may have changed completely; you may be craving something completely new. No matter what it is, start there. Write yourself a list of those things which feel meaningful to you, and another list of those things which no longer serve you (at least, not right now - you may wish to return to them in the future). Try to keep your first list short as not to overwhelm yourself, perhaps focusing on your top three things to help ease yourself back into your path. This helps shape a practice that reflects who you are now, not who you were before your break.



Returning to spirituality doesn’t mean returning to the same beliefs, labels, or traditions. Many witches and Pagans find that after a break, their path becomes quieter, simpler, or more personal—and that is not a failure. Spiritual paths grow with the people walking them. Think of it as though you are coming home, not starting over. Finding your way back to witchcraft or Paganism after a long break is less like starting from nothing and more like coming home to a place that has changed—because you have changed. Move slowly. Be honest, and let curiosity guide you instead of obligation. Your spirituality does not need to be loud, constant, or perfect to be real.