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Understanding Wicca: Ask Fyre
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Living in the Broom Closet………………
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by Fyre |
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When is it time to yell from the roof I am a witch?
Coming out of the broom closet is a big step. Many questions will be thrown at you. You have to be on top of your game. Have all the right answers and know what you are doing. Being accepted, how important is it for you? These are things you must think about. I remember the first time I said out loud, "I am Wiccan." I got some very strange looks.
I first tried explaining Wiccan traditions to those who didn't understand them.
Wiccan Traditions are what a witch chooses to practice and her beliefs in this practice. There are as many different traditions as there are religions themselves.
We know the term witchcraft dates back and beyond the "the Burning Times." However, when did the term Wicca become a non-whispered word. Websters Defines it as--- Main Entry: Wic·ca
Pronunciation: 'wi-k&
Function: noun
Etymology: probably from Old English Wicca wizard -more at WITCH
Date: 1959
: a religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of western Europe that affirms the existence of supernatural power (as magic) and of both male and female deities who inhere in nature, and that emphasizes ritual observance of seasonal and life cycles
- Wiccan /'wi-k&n/ adjective or noun
This definition was added in 1959. In 1951 It was Gerald Garner who brought Wicca to the publics attention. He was one of the few people so determined that the old religion should not die that he took the risk of publicizing it through the media.
Wicca has become extremely popular in many different manifestations, most of which bear only a vague resemblance to the original.
We are the keepers of the flame, those who work Gardner's original tradition, nature based religion.
Most prefer to keep out of the public eye. Most believe in keeping the tradition as it was originally intended being passed on from witch to witch, through initiation and custom. We know, through our own experiences, that our Goddess and God are real and work with us as we work with Themselves. And we are very serious about what we do, as the Priesthood of the Wicca.
This is a difficult path, and one not to be undertaken lightly.
Personally I feel you have a right and a responsibility to be who you are. Does this mean you have to "out yourself" no it doesn't. There are many who aren't comfortable coming out in the public eye and sharing their religious belief with friends, family and coworkers. This was a very hard step for me as well. I have a somewhat unusual situation. I am raising my children in a very structured type of environment. My husband is Baptist and I am a practicing solitary witch. My husband is extremely supporting to me and in my endeavors. He believes in a higher power as I do. We choose to refer to it as "the powers that be." Our children have the freedom to practice with me or attend church with their father (when he goes) smile. He is becoming more like me in many ways by his choice, I believe, perhaps by my direction and his own need to find truth in himself.
A few years ago my oldest daughter came home from school with her necklace in an envelope. She said the school nurse saw it and became upset with her. Katie's necklace is a silver pentacle hanging from a silver chain. She said. You can't wear this; you don't know what it means. A pentacle is a five point upright star within a circle. It represents the elements. Earth, Air, Fire, Water and spirit-it's a symbol of our belief that is proudly worn. The nurse is the one who was confused about its meaning. My daughter of course knew what the charm stood for, however she was confused when the nurse explained her very strong objections to it and had her take it off.
I knew it was time to take a stand for not only myself but for all of the others who silently practice their beliefs. Rather than going to school and calling her out to the courtyard, which was my first reaction to this. I decided to educate her instead. We are a military family and this was a military school. So I chose to copy the chapter from the Army handbook on Wicca. The writings were very clear as to the meaning of not only her necklace but the religion as well.
I also pulled some articles from online on school and policies regarding jewelry and other types of information. I found an article about a Michigan teen who had won a law suit against her school for the exact same situation. She was told her jewelry was gang related and was told to remove it.
I carried all my newly printed educational material to the school, prepared to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. She couldn't apologize enough at her misunderstanding. She added, that she and the school felt that it might not be wise to wear such an item to school. It would bring unnecessary attention to Katie, and she might feel uncomfortable standing out from the others. I thought about her statement and said I felt it didn't make her stand out anymore than Jewish children with their Star of David.
At some point we must choose our battles. The ones we can win and those we can't. I won this one or did I? Who knows for sure? Katie didn't wear it to school anymore, however it was her choice not the school.
This article was inspirited by an email I received just recently.
Dear Fyre:
How do you know when it's the right time to come out? I have had this feeling for a long time, like I can't keep hiding what I feel. I have known for years that I was a witch and only a few years ago actually practicing. I haven't seen my parents in a few years and I was planning to go to thanksgiving this year. Would this be a good time to tell them?
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Fyre,
Wiccan Practitioner
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Practitioner of Wicca
Psychic,
Tarot Reader
Readings by Fyre
A Wiccan, a loving mother and perpetual student of life, Fyre's background is a rich mixture of the Metaphysics, Sociology and Psychology.
You can find Fyre in
The Directory, or by visiting her website:
www.astrofyre.com
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