Odd situation...encouraging my mother towards Wicca from afar

[soulforged]

And when I mean from afar, I mean both geographically and...well...emotionally. Lots of background here, not the easiest stuff to explain, and I hope none of this gets taken the wrong way.

Few things out of the way, up front...

I am not Wiccan myself. I find it to be a beautiful path, though, and my mother has always been interested in it and has always leaned towards it. In recent years, she has expressed a desire to explore it further, delve deeper, and I am 100% for that as I believe it could do her a world of good.

My mother was not a good parent. She suffered a lousy childhood, she has been substance dependant, married an alcoholic, made very poor choices in her life overall, and I have not known the bond between parent and child as many are lucky to have known. I think that sometimes I speak to her more out of a sense of obligation.

The things I endured because of her are long since past (other than her occasionally draining phone calls full of negativity and such) and I do not hold on to them. I am happy in my life, am content, fulfilled and lead a healthy existance. However, I am not looking to forge a bond that isn't there. She can be an interesting person, but I do not view her as a parental figure. I've had to do too much parenting of my parents over the years for that.

However, in the times when she's spoken more of Wicca, and of those who were Wiccan that she was able to interact with and all, she's sounded 'healthier' somehow, and maybe more hopeful. Again, not the easiest thing to explain.

She is not currently online, but will be soon. I've thought of sending her here once she's on, but I'd not want my identity to be known. I know that sounds dishonest, but it's a matter of privacy more than anything. If she does make it here, whether by my suggestion or on her own, I'd prefer to remain 'unknown.'

I would, at least, like to see her become a little more hopeful and stable in her life, and I think if she explored her options, she would at least find things along the way to strengthen her character.

What would you consider appropriate? I would like to find good books to send her to help re-jump-start her interest, if you will. Let her know I'd seen such and such a book and that I thought she might enjoy it.

She has a job that prevents her from having much social time which I know is part of her unhappiness, and may well hinder her in her spiritual wanderings, so I know books are something she would do well with.

I think I am looking for suggestions, books to consider sending her, maybe websites to check out when the time comes, resources where she might be able to find individuals local to her, things of that nature.

Heck, I'm open to hearing anything I guess. :)

[Glanecia]

Really, what I'd do, is suggest that she browse the new age section of a book store. Tell her to buy the books that spark her interest. Tell her to keep on reading to gain an understanding of a multitude of paths, but reflect back on the self, to find out which path is hers.

If you suggest a book for her to read, what you're doing is suggesting a book of which you approve, and not necessarily one that will inspire her to find her own path.

If she does the work herself, then she's already taken the first step down her own path --and that's very important, I think ....self-discovery.

[jcldragon]

I think this is an excellent place to direct her, but if she sees this thread, then the cat is out of the bag...

I suggest she read, The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P Hall. It's not Wiccan, but that doesn't matter. It will save her a many years of time finding out about all sorts of things, most of which, Pagans ought to know anyway.