Goat Magick: Myths and Uses in Witchcraft

Goats are abundant in nearly every continent on earth, so it is no surprise that the goat has accumulated some myths that honor its power. We will only review a few myths the goat has tied to it.

In myths around the globe, goats are associated with the wilderness. For example, in Greco-Roman mythology, gods who inhabited the depths of the forest or remote mountaintops would have goat companions or have the appearance of a goat. Like Pan, Silvanus, Bacchus, and Dionysus, these gods loved goats and often had them as companions if they were not acting as goats themselves. Female goats especially were seen as sacred to the female goddesses Artemis and Diana, and goat milk was a standard offering to honor them.

In Sumerian myth, goats belonged to the ancient magick god and Babylon's patron deity, Marduk. They were regarded as powerful and uncanny beings by association with the god. The Vedic god of fire, Agni, had his chariots pulled by goats.

In a Scandinavian myth, Thor’s carriage was pulled by goats called Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. These goats were also slaughtered and feasted on each night, but their bones would be carefully gathered at the end so they would come back to life.

Then there is the very popular tale of the Yule Goat that comes from Northern Europe, making its origin Pagan before becoming attached to Christmas lore. His stories vary depending on who is telling them. Some Scandinavian stories describe Father Christmas as riding on the back of the Yule Goat, or the term Yule Goat refers to caroling. Other stories call the Yule Goat a trickster figure as he would follow carolers and play pranks on the homes that didn’t show pleasant hospitality. Other stories say the Yule Goat is an invisible spirit that ensures winter rituals are carried out and delivers presents to children, much like Santa Clause does.

Goats in dreams can mean one of several things that depend on what you see the goat doing in your dream. Goats symbolize abundance, free spirits, and resilience, so a good time may be coming your way. Or it could show that you have positive opportunities on the horizon and something favorable will happen to you. If you see a white goat, you can expect financial success in the future, or it can be seen as good luck, and you should take chances you usually would not when you wake up. A black goat, though, can indicate impending trouble. Like most black animals, their omens are often feared as they bring negativity. But for the goat, it wants you to embrace these changes rather than fear them so you can grow and develop rather than stay stuck in a rut. If the goat is exploring, it could be trying to tell you to let your curiosity run free as your intuition is telling you to go out and explore.

A goat crossing your path that is leisurely eating and moving as it pleases could be a sign for you to pause and reflect. Think about if you are doing what you should be doing, whether you are doing what you are doing because you want to, and if you are happy with the direction you are going. The goats teach us to persevere but not to do something if we are not happy. This goat could be telling you to really look at yourself and what you are doing and be sure that it is what you truly want to be doing.

If a playful goat crosses your path, it could be reminding you to take a break and relax. Goats are energetic and often seen playfully enjoying life by butting heads with other goats or hopping up on ledges. They are there to remind you that it is okay to take a break and let out some frustration before you burn out and are heavily drained.

People who have chosen a goat as their spirit animal or who had a goat choose them are typically affectionate, easy-going, and determined. The goat helps them stay focused so they can charge forward on a path that makes them happy. If the goat has chosen you, ask it for help as their determination and resolve should give you a boost in your confidence. The goat will also keep their people young at heart and eager to take on adventures. Don’t worry if you find yourself more hard-headed since a goat declared itself your spirit animal. The goat’s stubbornness can be beneficial to prevent you from being taken advantage of and to strive for what you want, rather than bending to the whim of others and never having your voice heard. Be sure to leave hay offerings for your spirit goat.

The goat’s magick stems from the personality and symbolisms that they have gathered over time and from the different uses they have for us humans. They stand out from other animals with magick due to how their magick has come about. Let’s look at the different characteristics of the goat and what kinds of magick those characteristics bring about for Witches to use as they please.

The goat’s magick stems from the personality and symbolisms that they have gathered over time and from the different uses they have for us humans. They stand out from other animals with magick due to how their magick has come about. Let’s look at the different characteristics of the goat and what kinds of magick those characteristics bring about for Witches to use as they please.

Goats are hardy creatures that have no problem sharing some of their resilience with those who need it. If you need to stay strong for situations to come, meditate with the goat at the beginning of the day.

Goats do not rely on other animals to get by. Yes, they enjoy being in a herd—they do so to protect themselves from predators in the wild. But goats are okay on their own in a domestic situation because they do not need to be watched constantly and can thrive by themselves. So, if you find yourselves being alone for an extended period you are not used to, carry the goat with you to keep any fear away and remain strong as the independent go-getter you are.

Goats are eager breeders. When the does go into heat, they seek out eager bucks to create life. The does are excellent mothers, and the bucks are able to breed a doe easily. An image of a buck and doe being held by the respected parties of a couple trying to conceive should help boost the chances of getting pregnant. If you are not seeking to conceive and want to boost your libido, the buck is the best to carry around so that you will stay up and eager to have some fun with your partner.

Goats have a hierarchy where they butt heads and challenge each other to be the leader of the herd. Since goats have this hierarchy, they are perfect vessels when you are trying to gather energy to boost your leadership skills. If you are afraid of being a team leader but have had this role handed to you, meditate with images of the goat or carry a goat trinket so it will give you a confidence boost to be the leader you were chosen to be.

Goats are odd little creatures that do not really seem to show fear. They are hard-headed and do whatever they want without fearing the consequences—they act as they please. Their confident attitude fuels them and boosts their magickal properties, so they do not seem like they run out of power. You do not need to own a goat to use its magick, as just having an image or statue of a goat should be enough to take advantage of its magickal uses. If you are lucky enough to live around a goat farm or petting zoo, you can naturally harvest the goat’s energy into a goat-related object to have the power when you need it. Their energy is stubborn, so it should stay in the object you store it in for a while before you need to recharge it.