Advice?

[Chel]

I am very new to Wicca, I am only seventeen years old. The main
problem with learning is that my family members are ALL Christian, and
I feel like I have to hide it. ( which is very wrong, I am allowed to
have my beliefs as long as it is theirs.) In fact, I know that if they
found out they would ban me from reading books on Wicca, they
ignorantly believe that anything un-Christian is essentially evil.
I am looking for some sort of mentor, I am willing to wait for any
assistance because this is my lifetime choice. Anything, any
knowledge, any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you so much!

[Pope Enots the Rubbery K.S.C.]

What you are asking for is actually kind of difficult. If your family
situation is as you say it is, we don't want to be the wicked witches
that try to convert you against your parents will. I will trust you
to be the judge of your own family situation, but I will tell you that
my choice to become Wiccan was only made easier once it was out in the
open.

I remember getting exactly that response when I was in your position
and being really frustrated by that. So I don't want you to think I
am just disregarding your request. Perhaps it would be helpful to us
if you gave us a better idea as to where you are on your path.

No matter where you are I suggest reading everything you can get your
hands on. It will give you a broader perspective on Wiccan and
broader Neo-Paganism. I have to warn you that a lot of the stuff you
will encounter in books and on the internet is terrible but it will
seem attractive, which is one of the reasons it is awful. For
websites witchvox is mediocre, http://wicca.timerift.net/ seeks to
dispel some common myths surrounding Wicca that Wiccans have about
themselves and it is the least offensive of the ones out there that do
so. The Wikipedia article on Wicca is good, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca.
For books I suggest Drawing down the moon by Margot Adler, uncle
Bucky's big blue book, Spiral Dance by Starhawk, and anything by Scott
Cunningham. But read carefully there are good and bad points to each
of these. Some authors I would warn against entirely are Silver
Ravenwolf and Fiona Horne. These two rewrite history as it pleases
them, have no regard for fact, and suggest dome behaviors and
attitudes that are morally questionable.

[Whitelitr]

Yeah...what he said.

 

LOL

 

I am not at home Chel, but when I get in later I will reply in detail.

 

Peace and light

 

Jeff

[Kristin Eagan]

Chel

Don't be too discouraged. Lots of Pagan and Christin beliefs match up a great deal (and I could lecture you on who stole what tradition from whom, but it just isn't important.. its not) Most of the holidays match up. Halloween (debatable, but acceptable), Chistmas, ground hogs day....

so I guess what I am saying is that you don't need to feel alianated that a celebration is going on around you aren't feeling. All you need to do is re-focus your beliefs and how the celebration pertains to you. This sounds cryptic. Let me explain:

Christmas for example. Lots of a modern xmas is snow, candy canes, reindeer, santa and the birth of jesus. What is Jesus? The son of god. What do Pagans celebrate on winter yule? The re-birth of the sun.. EH?!! ok. Oester or Easter.. The story of the Roman god, Mithras, is similar to the tale of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Born at the winter soltice and resurrected in the spring.

Your best bet is not to rub your families noses in the fact you are celebrating differently. (((It's like when someone has a food allergy. Some people politely refuse the food item, if offered again may say I can't eat it because i'm allergic. and other people are like NO! get that food away form me are you trying to make me sick?!  Which is more annoying? ))))

I definatley suggest reading everything you can.  All writers are human. They aren't devine, or God. They are fallable, they have belifs and opinions.. they just wrote a book on it. It doesnt make them right or wrong PER SAY.  There are some things in print that are wrong..

 

Also be a good role model. Don't be weird and creepy. Dont start. Be a good fine upstanding citizen. It wont draw attention to you. And that a good thing... right?

 

[Jeff]

Damn…you guys beat me to all the good advice while I was out and about.

 

As for being a good role model, remember, Goth DOES NOT = Wicca,   Wearing medieval clothing, getting tats, piercings, scarifications DOES NOT = Wicca

 

Contrary to many teen interests, Wicca, like most other religions is spiritual first and foremost.  If you are not comfortable doing something…don’t do it.

[David Wade Hagar]

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Speaking to a lot of people online I have heard a lot of stories about how
paganism relates to sexuality. I think some people think that if they want to
be a Pagan they have to be polyamourous and have open relationships and such.
They do not.

The reason for this is that a lot of people have the idea that things are wrong
because of the Christian (or other mainstream religion) says it is a sin, or God
doesn't approve. This leads to a belief that it is far more natural to have
open sexual relationships. It may be, the animal world suggests this. However,
we are people and thus we have a choice. If you don't feel comfortable with
something don't let someone else tell you that you are not 'real' if you don't
do something. Follow your own idea of what is right and wrong, try to be
accepting of others doing the same, and you'll do well.

On the book suggestions, Bucky is Buckland, and I agree with what was said about
Scott Cunningham, great author.

Also, research, look into gods and goddesses, get to know their stories. Buy
books on them if you seem to relate to them well.

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[Niyatoos Nasibi]

hello

fist you  you are free and they are also  free .  you can practice in  your  space. keep  your book of shadows  runes and....  in  hidden place  and  talk  them  with christian  language, Wicca   is  not  ideology   and  don't   have  dogma.  if  you  talk in  their  language  is not lie because we  work  with energy and  level  of  consciousness                                                                                                                         you shold  do  body  and  mind practice  and  develop  your  energy  if   you  send  me  an  email  i  will  send more books  and  information  for help  to  your spiritual  practice  we chose  our parents  according  our karma

i  will help  you as i can   nasibin...@gmail.com