Are we born Witches or do we just become?

[Gypsy Raven]

Merry Meet!

Is it true once a witch always a witch? I started reading up on Wicca and it all seems so familiar and natural......kinda like meeting up with an old friend you've not seen in years! Or is it just me?
For years I denied that part of me that I feel has always been there, mainly due to those nasty nuns who threatend me with fire and brimstone if I talked to the trees!
But you know what ? I am a free spirit who loves all life, and the fact that I am a part of it fills me with wonder so I want to know more, and I beleieve that we should all keep the child within alive to teach us how to perceive life in a simple and magical way!
I'm new to this site and I think it is awsome that I can talk with other 'individuals' who also recognize that there are many otherworlds which hold a special kind of knowledge and wisdom, the kind that we all seek to grow!
It's a beautiful world when we have the guts to just let love take control, and I believe that life reaches out to life! (Nothing much grows in darkness) I would rather be hated for what I am than loved for what I am not!
Love, Peace and Light!!
Raven.

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by Gypsy Raven
Merry Meet!
I believe that we should all keep the child within alive to teach us how to perceive life in a simple and magical way!

I would rather be hated for what I am than loved for what I am not!

Love, Peace and Light!!
Raven.

Then the funny thing is, doing all those things in the first place and not knowing that there is a reason / name for it! Keep the child alive, Raven! :)

(also, the hard part seems to be finding someone to love you for what you are.)

Merry Meet! :p

[Lilith Rain]

Why I think that is because the witchcraft is a generational thing in my family. It goes right back to the 14th Century. So far, we found that our when one of my Aunties was reaserching our Family tree on my Mum's side. :D

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Everyone.:boing: :hearteyes :rotfl: :loveduv: :smoke: :T :sunny: :devil: :flamer: :evilway: :thumbsup:

[hannahmayo]

that is so what has evolved or me. i thought i was the only one in the world who danced by myself among the trees because i was filled with such awe and reverence.
i've been so used to ppl rolling their eyes at some of my opinions. i lo-o-o-o-ve that there is a community here.
thankyou. hannah

[Aloka]

I think we are born witches, but a lot of us have to find it on our own.. when you feel that 'something' missing inside you.. and you explore.. and you come upon wicca.. and it's such a special moment, and that lil void fills up, and you cant even really explain how wonderful you feel.. then you know you found what you've always been looking for..

but maybe thats just my opinion :-P

but hey.. as unreal it sounds.. thats what happened to me.. i felt it inside..

[Myst]

Born? Nope. You don't get to be a witch just by dancing in the forest or liking animals, sorry. Being a witch involves learning, practice, growth, change, and living life. You might be born with a predilection to thinking that is conducive to becoming a witch though.

[LunarWind]

in my opinion, yes i think we are born wiccans, like u said, that feeling of coming home, likes its been buried deep within us trying break though, but our own misconseptions or the limitations of our knowledge push that sliver light back down to the pits of our soul, untill that fateful day when it is alowed to be realed and harnessed.
:shift:

[Faery-Wings]

I think that some are born, some are made, but most of us are a blend of the two. I also had that feeling of "coming home" as I read and learned about Paganism and Witchcraft. I believe that to be a pretty common feeling among us. That makes me wonder if there is a karmic thread to it. Where we witches in a past life and it is now part of our soul's history? I think that is possible. Yet there are some people whose souls may not have that history, yet become witches. Maybe they are "made" in the sense that it is this lifetime in which they become witches.

Yet, I think it is most likely that we are a blend- I am sure there are people born with powers that don't need as much effort in developing as the average person. Just as I believe that we are all psychic, for some it comes easily, naturally and then others have to work very hard just to get glimmers of insight (that's me! :)). But I don't that that is very common- I also know that for me, and many others, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication on the our paths to learn and live as a Witch.

good question! And welcome to MW!
:D

Chris

[Nyx]

I'm not sure if we are born witches. Being a witch isn't something that happens over night, it takes a lot of work and requires a lot of changes in many aspects of life. However, I do realize that for some (like myself), we have always been interested in witchy things, even when we were young children. I can't say it's one way or the other, so, my guess is, there is either no reason for us being witches, and our finding witchcraft was something completely random. It just happened to be what worked for us, at a certain point in our lives. OR, there's more to it than that, and we have a past history of being witches, or a need to be one in our current life, or, we were bron with a predispostion to witchy things, etc.


I don't think that made any sense, but that's my answer. :bubbles:

~~Nyx~~

[Old Witch]

I believe some of us are born witches, some of us come at it later. And I don't believe that coming to it either way makes us a better witch. Being born to witchcraft may make it a little easier, thats all. My humble opinion.

[Sequoia]

actually. . . I'm not a witch ^^; sorry.

But yes, I belive I was born pagan. I've always acted "different", thought differently. . . . everything was alive, magic was real, and what was so weird about multiple gods and past lives? ^^;

I agree with chryssi1. Some people are born pagan, some become pagan, some are a combination of both. But I think as far as paganism goes, more are born that way, but don't realize it until later, hence "becoming" pagan. . . ^^; if that makes any sense hehe

[Gypsy Raven]

Thanx for all the replies and feedback to my post!
Thanx also for the lovely welcome I've got from many of you!

I had another thought on this subject...... like many of us have always been drawn to Pagan ways even as children, and that's without being taught or influenced by anyone or anything. See I was brought up a catholic and dragged to church by the scruff of my neck every sunday, and taught by nuns......all the images and information that I was shown as a child with regard to witches were derogatory, like shrivled up old hags with bad hair and green skin with warts! Witches were scary - specially to a child (we didn't have Harry Potter back then!) so how come there are many young children who just know things and do things without being taught or influenced in any way?
Could it be DNA like in the family chain.....I'm Romani so I'm sure and feel very strongly that there is witches in my family chain. Basically I think for some of us it's a recall from a past life, ancestral influence, and also there are some who are drawn to this path in the here and the now!
Yes, I agree it is a hard, hard path to follow, but the rewards are unique.....no pain no gain! Native Americans call it the Shamanic Death a form of rebirth, the old self dies and the new reborn!

Blessed Be!!

Gypsy Raven.

[Myst]

Originally posted by Gypsy Raven
so how come there are many young children who just know things and do things without being taught or influenced in any way?

Without being taught or influenced that Pagans are ok? Well most people will come to a point where they just make their own decisions about their beliefs - some may decide to look into other religions, some may not. As we know there has been a real surge of Pagans in recent years - probably due to the increase of information that is available; not only more libraries and more liberal media, but also the internet - these things make information available to people that never was before. They also make taboo subjects available for discussion. You might also attribute it to past lives or spirit guides if you like, but I'm a firm believer that past lives and spirit guides can't make themselves known unless you are already open to these things, which means you probably already have been thinking about researching other beliefs, if not already doing so.

[lucidfire]

I think you're born a Witch to an extent. That's not to say you have to come from a long line of Witches, or that it's a matter of finding the path; it's more like the path finds you.

on another note too, (IMO) calling yourself a duck doesn't make you a duck (to use a metephor). I don't think it's something you have to prove though; being a Witch is a way of life, not just the ritual (don't forget, most religions have their own ritual..).

Blessed be

[MistOfTheSea86]

This is a very interesting thing to ponder... I have read that people who have found Paganism were once high witchs(Correct thing to call it?) in a past life. lol, I was thinking one day when I was in a real silly mood that the new souls are the christians and the old, the pagans(Was a silly thing not to be taken personally) I feel it is possible that once you are a witch you always could be, it all depends on the choices that you make during your lives I say. I personally don't think that once you become a witch you will always be one. It could be 1 of the hundred religions you have to go through in all your lives. But then again, anything possible:)

[Gypsy Raven]

Some may look at many other religions.........but there's that something that keeps pulling you back, an inner kick I call it. So where does that come from?

Gypsy Raven.

[Haedis]

I dont think there is such a thing as a "natural witch". Nobody is born a witch. I've always felt drawn to magic and nature and things but it doesnt mean I was born a witch. It just means that this is what I've always identified with. I've never been like everyone else...I've always had different beliefs and preferences than most people, but that just set the stage for my choice to become a witch. I also dont think it matters in the least if you are a "hereditary witch". Nobody that I know of in my family was a witch...that doesnt make me less of a witch than anyone who came from a long line of witches. It may spark your curiosity and influence your decision in that respect but its not as if skill and power is passed from generation to generation. You have to learn it. I mean everyone has the natural ability to practice magick, and psychic skills, etc....but that doesnt mean you were born a witch...a witch is more than just that...its how you live your life. how can you live your life a certain way before its even begun?

[Gypsy Raven]

I agree that born a witch or not it doesn't make anyone better or more knowledgeable, I'm not asking about any form of 'elitism' here. Basically we are all born with the ability to talk, but we still have to learn! I know that I have got so much to learn and since discovering MW I know that even more! There is always going to be someone more knowledgeable and more experienced than you, and we never stop learning.
Yes I agree that it is hard to break down some of those pre-conditioned ways of thinking that we have been taught to think and believe in this life time, and that can be hard, to change one's walk and leave one path to go onto another because it seems right to you as an individual. But what is it that draws certain people to this particular path, maybe even not knowing what name to give it? I know it's not just having some psychic abilities because I know christians who are psychics. I don't really know any pagans as such, but most of my friends are very spiritual and perceive in the same way as me. We have the same feelings, attitudes and approach to many things, and are drawn to the same kind of things, and love nature and wildlife, recognising that we are a part of it ~ all of it!
To be honest I don't even know what 'name' to give the path I walk, I just feel like-minded individuals are pagans and witches.
I know none of this 'makes' me a witch, but I know that I am pagan. I'm rediscovering myself and it's really hard, all my faults and weaknesses are jumping out at me and I'm having to meet myself for the first time and it's a painful process sometimes!
Sorry this is so long! But am I the only one who feels like this? Is this process a natural part of this path I now walk?

Thank you for being so patient with me!

Gypsy Raven.

[SilentWolf]

I think that the possibility of being a witch is in us when were born. It's kind of like a seed. Then one day you begin to learn how to make that seed germinate. By careful learning and devotion you make that seed sprout. By further studying and practice and all those other things, that sprout grows into a flower. That's how I think people become witches.

Everyone has the seed within them.
Even hardcore christians have the seed within them. What a shame they think it's a sin to discover it.

[Myst]

Originally posted by Gypsy Raven
Some may look at many other religions.........but there's that something that keeps pulling you back, an inner kick I call it. So where does that come from?

It just seems right? You like what you've read about it? It makes sense to you?

You don't have to attribute some supernatural reason to it.

[slovene_gds]

MM~
I remember ever since I was 5 years old being intrigued by the craft and magickal aspects.....I thrived on Halloween when I dressed as a witch(lol, gotta love stereotypes). It was buried in me since I was born. When I found what I was feeling was Paganisn and Wicca and magick, I exploded with joy. It was almost like finding my place in life. So, in other words, I think that you ARE born with magick in your soul, spirit, and mind. I still get a warm fuzzy feeling when I think of my faith. It's one of the only things that keep me sane, lol.

BB~
Bast

[amberlaine]

http://www.mothersmagic.net/witches/wicca/natural.html

My 2 cents :)

[Valoe]

Originally posted by SilentWolf
Everyone has the seed within them.
Even hardcore christians have the seed within them. What a shame they think it's a sin to discover it.



Have you considered that they could see it very differently? They may think that you have the seed of christian faith within you, and are saddened that you are turned away from it. I have known christians whose faith is a great joy and comfort to them. Why should that be a shame?

[Lilith Rain]

It depends on your own personal definition of the question itself.

[Myst]

Would you like to elaborate? How does it depend and why? What is your definition?

[Lilith Rain]

You know how you personally see the world. The same goes for this questions, it's a personal thing.

[Gypsy Raven]

Have you considered that they could see it very differently? They may think that you have the seed of christian faith within you, and are saddened that you are turned away from it. I have known christians whose faith is a great joy and comfort to them. Why should that be a shame?

I also know christians whose faith is a great joy to them........however we were around long before the christians, so I think it's more likely that it is the seeds of OUR faith that they suppress.

And I still believe that our past lives influence this one! :smile:

Gypsy Raven X!

[Valoe]

Originally posted by Gypsy Raven
......however we were around long before the christians, so I think it's more likely that it is the seeds of OUR faith that they suppress.

And why does it have to be one or the other? I see the christian path to spiritual fulfilment as valid as any other - it wasn't right for me but that doesn't give me any sort of right to say someone else is 'suppressing' what they should really be.

As for being around before the christians - that rather depends on which 'we' you mean. Wicca certainly wasn't around before christianity. Pagans? well most (and I only use most because I can't *prove* all) are neo-pagans and have not been around that long. Many may follow beliefs and practices that pre-date christianity, but our lives are so utterly different in the modern world that I cannot see how anyone can say they are following the same faith as our ancestors did more than 2000 years ago.
(just my opinion)

[feylyn]

That is an interesting question, and I'm sorry I'm joining this thread so late. Of course, that isn't going to stop me:).
I am a witch, but first I was a pagan. Through my studies, I gravitated to witchcraft.
Growing up, my family did not attend church. I was chastised by many good Christians. My folks were not pagan, they seem to follow no particular belief at all. I only know that my mother had some bad experiences with church in her early years. My step-dad's grandmother I suspect was a kitchen witch, though I did not realize it at the time.
Anyway, I come from a family of conservationists and hunters (yes, you can be both:)!!) and we've always seemed to honor the god/dess in some unofficial pagan way. For example- toasting the god/dess of the hunt was a big deal prior to going to the stands. It was an unspoken knowledge that this be done. The toast was done with beer and we always made a cake at the site. My dad fashioned a cover for our little camp stove, which acted like an oven. This is just one example.
I guess to make a long story short (too late!!) I feel that alot of witches (and pagans) are not born, but are inadvertantly raised as such.

[Gypsy Raven]

This is not a chritians v's pagans thing.........but as we're on the subject I can't resist! See I have many christian friends, catholic, protestant, and mormon. I respect their beliefs, however, having been brought up a catholic and later becoming a mormon, I can honestly say that I actually FELT surpressed, like I'd had my wings clipped.
I was told that I would burn in hell and the devil would come and get me at 7 years old by nuns....why? Because I told them that the trees and the wind talk to me! I was told that I am not allowed to read palms, tarot cards or speak to spirits by the mormons. (or even carry crystals). In otherwords they expected me to deny a very vital part of me, to surpress it, chop it down, kill it off and believe that it was all the doing of the devil or bad spirits who had possessed me! I was even shown scripture to tell me this as proof! So yea sure, I respect where they are coming from.....but can you honestly say that they respect where I/we are coming from?
Originally the word Pagan was applied to those who worshipped the gods of 'pagus'. which in Latin means 'locality'. It was also a word given by christians to mean 'country dweller'. 'Heathen' is of German origin and actually means 'someone of the heath who worships the gods of the land'. So how comes a GERMAN word somehow slipped into a HEBREW bible then?
Just my humble opinion.

Blessed be!
Gypsy Raven X!

[Valoe]

Gypsy Raven - I have no doubt, from what you say that you were repressed by christianity. I also believe that some other people have been repressed by christianity. What I was taking issue with was your implication that all christians would be pagans if they were not repressed. I strongly believe that there are as many paths to divinity as there are people - for some, christianity is the right one, or hindu, or muslim, or whatever.

I think you rather missed my point about paganism pre-dating christianity; I think that we are neo-pagans rather than pagans (remember this is just my opinion). Even if I came from a family that had never practised anything else, unless I lived in a isolated and unmodernised environment - my life would be so utterly different to ancient pagans that I don't feel that I could say my faith predated christianity. I feel that to be true even if some aspects and practices were ancient.

People evolve and so do faiths. I think that neo-paganism now is as different to paganism as modern chritianity is to the christianity that swept the world 2000 years ago

[Twilight Garden]

I apologize ahead of time if I restate what someone else has already said. I only read like one or two replies before deciding to post, so that I don't get lost in someone elses debate. Anyway this is my thought...

If you're asking the question whether or not someone is born a religion (ie: witchcraft as a religion) then I have to say noone is born a witch. You are made one after learning about it and practicing it.

As far as innate abilities, I believe some are born with a more magickal mind and spirit. Just like some people can try and try to understand tarot cards and never do. Yet they remain fascinated by them. Some people hardly touch a deck and it almost automatically speaks to them. But they don't pick one up ever again. (Maybe pastlife experiences, maybe just natural tendency. That part we'll probably not know for a long time.)

I think it has to do more with your personality. I personally think we are all born witches... just some people grow out of it.

On another note...My grandmother (who is Catholic) is very much a witch. I don't think she is missing out on any amount of witch-y-ness just because she is not pagan. She is one of the witch-y-est people I know. (I mean that in a good way.);)

[Myst]

Good point. This thread isn't about Christianity.

I agree totally with both Valoe and Lunarmist.

[MidnightSun]

Thats a very good question. I would have to say yes and no. Paganism runs in my family..it goes way way back. So i guess u could say I had the early programming for it. My mom did various things *can't tell ya what exactly,she will kill me..lol* my dad practiced voodoo and all 3 of my sisters are Wiccan now. And the no part comes in where I agree with myst..it takes a lot of practice, and learning and growing on your part. I'd have to agree that it may be programmed into us at birth...but it still takes time to develop it. :)

[Myst]

I was thinking the other day of how I'd word it differently..

Do we become witches or are we just born to be?