Dragged out of the Broomcloset

[Amethyst Rose]

So, I told my mom about a year ago that I'm Wiccan... I never hid anything from them, and when I told her she told me that she had already figured it out. So since then, I've been really open about it to her, and it's been really nice.

However, the rest of her family is very religious (my mom's agnositc) and she told her brother (who's mormon), and her sister (who's eclisiastic (sp?) christain), about my religion. So now my mom's been defending me against her family, who are insisting that "the devil can easily come into someone's life if they're practicing Wicca".

All of this behavior makes my mom really mad at her siblings, as she sees it as extremely hypocritical... I'm really proud that she defends me and all, but I sorta wish that she hadn't said anything to them at all, because now I'm going to feel a little akward when I see them next.

There's nothing I can do about it, but I was just wondering, for those of you that are out with your family, did you tell everyone, or did someone do it for you? What did you do?

[MammaStar]

Well, I kind of thought I had it quite under wraps until this past summer. I had told my Mom a while ago and she reacted the way I thought. I took it in stride. She doesn't like it and feels she can tell people I don't even know about my path. I've talked to her about it and she's a bit more concious of it now.

My BROTHERS on the other hand. They don't care. My older brother got me all kinds of stuff this X-mas. A book, a box with a pentacle painted on it. It was kewl.

I found out that they knew about it during the summer. We were at an exhibit showing medieval tortures (we were at the local Ren Faire) and of course, they had "burning at the stake" at the end of that particular point, the narrator said, "Are there any witches here?" and I didn't say anything, but my ENTIRE FAMILY looked at me, including my son, my boyfriend and my best friend & her hubby. It was funny. And I feel a lot better that they know. My Dad suspects I think and so do 2 of my cousins who visited me this past summer and saw my stuff. No one has confronted me about it though.

I dont think this helped at all. It's just my experience. :D

[Yvonne Belisle]

My mother in law found out threw third parties and freaked but is ok with it now. :)

[Amethyst Rose]

Thanks Yvonne....hopefully my family can learn to accept it, just as long as no one tells my grandma....she's old, and I wouldn't want to be the cause of a heart attack. :)

[FlamedLilly]

If it helps I can understand exactly where you are coming from, I've tried telling my mom (mormon) and she didn't believe me. When she saw me chatting on this site she said something along the lines of why would I want to go there when I know where the true religion lies. It'll be a long hard road but hey it'll be worth it in the end. I know at least my family is taught to love everyone and look for the good, sometimes it just takes a little longer is all.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Originally posted by LdyStarlite
I found out that they knew about it during the summer. We were at an exhibit showing medieval tortures (we were at the local Ren Faire) and of course, they had "burning at the stake" at the end of that particular point, the narrator said, "Are there any witches here?" and I didn't say anything, but my ENTIRE FAMILY looked at me, including my son, my boyfriend and my best friend & her hubby. It was funny. And I feel a lot better that they know. My Dad suspects I think and so do 2 of my cousins who visited me this past summer and saw my stuff. No one has confronted me about it though.

I dont think this helped at all. It's just my experience. :D


WitchyChick I remember you telling us about that!:lol: Last summer at softball practice my youngest told everybody that I could hit the ball so good cause I was a Witch. Everybody kinda looked at me and smiled, some laughed at him cause he's kinda comical anyway. I really don't know what they thought but no ones ever said anything.
I've only told my in-laws and my sis-in-law (brothers wife) She asked about me telling my mom and dad which I haven't and don't plan to. BUT Christmas sis-in-law pulled me to the side to tell me that my necklace (pentacle) was on the outside of my shirt. Well, lately I've been wearing it out (so I knew) and no one has said anything.

But truthfully Amethyst I don't know how I would handle it - although I've got speaches and such all worked out in my head. I'd say you should just turn to your God/dess for guidance. Treat folks with the patience you'd like to be treated with. Look for things that the two paths could have in common. Prepare yourself for the not so pleasant but at the same time know that you are loved and be thankful for you Mom.((((Amethyst))))

[Flar's Freyja]

I've told them, and the only person I've gotten a reaction from is a cousin who had drug and emotional problems and went back to devout Catholicism. It's been very interesting. She's told me that while she lived in another state for awhile, she was involved in a "hard-core" coven - yet once when she asked me for help, she did not even know how to do a simple candle spell :eyebrow: She's made statements that I shouldn't be messing with the craft because it's evil, yet she asks questions all the time - and was surprised to see that my personal altar contains a statue of the Blessed Virgin.

At first, I was very concerned about coming out but it really doesn't bother me much anymore. I've started wearing my jewelry and am amazed at how little attention it attracts. My ex-husband, who was a drug dealer for a while :T used to have a philosophy that in order not to get caught, you should be as obvious as possible....and he never once got arrested!

[FaerySong]

My parents know, my brother doesn't mind (he makes jokes about it), most if not all my friends know. I wear my pentacle necklace out, along with my earrings (both my brother gave me for Christmas). My mom took some convincing, because it was against her beliefs, (I'm the only one in my imediate family to not be Christian, save my cousin's husband's sister-in-law who is a devout Wiccan from what I hear) but she's very supportive. She even celebrated Yule with me :D but yesh, I haven't yet had any negativity, can't WAIT till school starts again, then I **might** get some rolling in.

[Radocs]

I told my immediate family about my beliefs myself, straight out, and they don't have any problems with it. They haven't told anyone else both out of respect for me and for the fact that they really don't think it's improtant enough to talk about.

[silverlight]

I told my mom first. I figured she would be more accpeting of the fact since she at times uses candles. She wasn't to happy and I think a little scared. Until I told her that she also uses, to an extent, magic when she burns candles for luck. Now she doesn't have a problem. My brother, he doesn't care. He says as long as I am happy, and even jokes about it. I have only told my closest friend and she told her husband. They both accept my choice of religion. I haven't told my dad directly. I have been throwing hints left and right, but when I am ready to tell him, I will.

BB

[WynterWynd]

The only person that we have told, that gave us any problem, was my hubbys dad!! He told us we were going to hell......and yadda yadda yadda!!:rolleyes: If you had the oportunity to meet this man, he has no business tell ANYONE they are going to hell!!:eek: We told him we dont believe in hell, you go there!!!;) He's the only one that said anything bad about it, and he did take the oportunity to tell a few other family members who didn't seem to care!!! But then there are other family/friends that we just cant tell, because we are sure thier head will launch into outter space!:eek:

[shnen]

I am forever wondering why we have to almost be sorry that we are pagan/wiccan... then I remember. oh yeah, small minds!
You should embrace that it is out there and not hiding anything, stand proud, don't feel "weird"... do they feel wierd because of their beliefs? they should respect you as much as you do them.
and kudos to your mom for standing up for you... thats really awesome :)

[Sabrina]

Funny you should mentiong "coming out of the Broom Closet" - just this past Saturday at a football party my neighbor was giving. I "came OUT" in front of a house full of devout Catholics!!!
no joke!

I mean I've been rather "out" for years...but no one "talks" about it...if you know what I mean. But someone asked me directly "whats your religion, Sabrina?" And I looked them dead in the face and said "I'm Pagan!".
For a few seconds you could have heard a pin drop...then one lady who'd attended a handfasting of her friends years back - had a clue...and she smiled and said "then you must know about _____ and ______..."etc and the lines of communication were throw open right then and there.

Thankfully a heavy debate did no ensue. One question that I felt was a bit over the top, I simply answered with"I prefer if you have rather intimate questions about my religion that we discuss it more privately. A football party is hardly the place" and I smiled.

But it went amazingly well and everyone had a marvelous time.
Only one ol biddy seemed to think poorly of me...and no one really enjoyed her company anyway LOL

Let's just say I was quite the Life of the Party before and after the whole "coming out" and several people there already knew me and know that I am "good people" so they wish to know more NOW about why I do what I do....

cool huh?
Coming out might be a bit scary....but it's wonderful in the long run.

[Aine of the Fae]

I've been practicing for about 12 years and my mother has suspected for the past five. I finally came out and told her a couple of years ago that yes, I am a Witch. I've tried to explain it to her, but she's determined not to listen. My friends all know, my husband's stepmother knows and I am now her personal project. She is determined to convert me and save me from the grips of Satan. She freaked out when she saw my husband open his Yule present this year (the Celtic Dragon Tarot.) She said that when she was younger and in her 'wild times' she had bought a Tarot deck and that's where ALL of her troubles began. (This woman has more troubles then you could imagine, she has three children with muscular dystrophy and has herself been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She's also a little... how can I say it... looney. She carries a spray bottle full of holy water around her house to banish the demons who have invaded her...) If Tarot cards could cause such problems, I think we'd have heard about it by now.

I'm having the issue right now of being completely outed with my mother. I've decided to raise my son in my faith (he's five) and tried the don't tell anyone because they might not understand approach, but with a five year old that doesn't work. He told my mother the other day that we were going to do a spell to protect him from the bad guys. I held my breath waiting for the tirade and accusations of Satan worship to come, but they never did. I think she's finally accepted it. I decided a couple of months ago to stop hiding and being ashamed of my beliefs. There is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a loving, kind, peaceful religion. If anyone has a problem with that, oh well. That and if I was too ashamed to share my faith with my son and others, then I have no business practicing in the first place.

[SpikesPet5150]

I didn't tell my mom... my sister did. LOL Last Thanksgiving my sister, Cimarron, told me that I had to tell mom and dad, cause she got my witchy stuff for X-mas. So I kept putting it off and putting it off. So finally, I was outside, having a cigarette with my other sister, and Cimarron goes up to my mom and says, "Mom, what would you say if I told you that I practice witchcraft?" and mom said, "I don't know, it would be kinda cool, I guess." and Cimarron says, "Oh ok. Bree's a witch." LOL But now it's all cool, and my parents really try to involve my own personal beliefs and new traditions into family holidays. It's wonderful. :)

I've noticed that using the whole "Smile and Nod" routine works wonders on people who try to convert you. Just smile and nod at whatever they say. You don't fight, they think they're getting through, and you can think up your grocery list in your head while you tune out the never ending "You're going to hell" speech.... it's a win/win situation.
~Bree

[Stacy]

I didn't tell anyone.. I don't consider myself Wiccan, but my belief comes really close to Wicca..

I don't have any need of telling anyone about it.. Yes, I can talk to people and argue on behalf of my beliefs, but I don't like making it official..

For example, I don't wear Pentacle.. Never had.. I often times wanted to get one, but somehow never did.. I go to local "New Path" store and talk to people there, but never really came out and told them: "Yes, I am a Witch". Just doesn't work for me..

And it's not because I'm affraid or embarased.. just that I don't like people (that are not my closest friends) get so close to me in my world to touch such a sensative subject.. Plus, I'm living alone, so it makes it a lot easier to just keep it for myself..

I know this all might seem weird, but that's just how I feel..

:sunny:

[ShadowStorm]

Originally posted by Amethyst Rose
So, I told my mom about a year ago that I'm Wiccan... I never hid anything from them, and when I told her she told me that she had already figured it out. So since then, I've been really open about it to her, and it's been really nice.

However, the rest of her family is very religious (my mom's agnositc) and she told her brother (who's mormon), and her sister (who's eclisiastic (sp?) christain), about my religion. So now my mom's been defending me against her family, who are insisting that "the devil can easily come into someone's life if they're practicing Wicca".

All of this behavior makes my mom really mad at her siblings, as she sees it as extremely hypocritical... I'm really proud that she defends me and all, but I sorta wish that she hadn't said anything to them at all, because now I'm going to feel a little akward when I see them next.

There's nothing I can do about it, but I was just wondering, for those of you that are out with your family, did you tell everyone, or did someone do it for you? What did you do?

The words you wrote in the above quote could almost be mine, with the exeption of one or two facts. I told my mom about the fact that I am a witch. I am not wiccan. She has a bunch of bible bashers as family, and she's in the same position!!!!!

Take heart!!! You are not alone.

[Sequoia]

When my dad first found out, he was kind of freaked. It wasn't so much that he thought I was Christian or thought I was in spiritual trouble (at least this wasn't the impression he gave), more that he was trying to be gentle or subtle about it, I guess *chuckles* He kept giving me that fatherly "I really don't know about this, I don't think you're making the right desicion, but I can't exactly say anything about it" look, and telling me not nessicarily that I was being bad or wrong, but that I'd be mistaken for being in with the wrong crowds. Which is kind of funny. Y'd almost think dad was a closet pagan or something, for all that his girlfriend is Catholic and he has a really nice bible *chuckles softly*

But actually, since I'm not running around wearing a giant pentacle t-shirt, and I'm still his little girl the same as always, he has calmed down. We don't exactly have spiritual talks - but hey, it's like politics. He's on one side, I'm on the other, we have a few similar views - but even if we agreed, we'd argue :D What can I say, like father like daughter. ;)

As for the rest, I think it's pretty obvious I'm not exactly "normal", but I havn't really walked around waving the "I'm a Earth Worshipper, do you dig it?" banner. *chuckles* though then I think they'd think I was a hippy. No-one in my family, so far as I know, is terribly religious - and even if they were, I usually think that the deeply-devoted to other religions are really cool people, so I don't exactly toot my horn in their face. What am I, passive pagan? Peeking from the broomcloset? *chuckles* I mention it when I don't think anyone'll freak. Things seem to work out, so far.

[Amethyst Rose]

I told my husband that I didn't like that my mom had told the entire family, and he came up with a great explination of why she did it. -- She's in a better position to defend me, than I am. That is, she doesn't care what everyone else thinks, and she's more likely to stand up for me, because it's easier for her to say what's on her mind.

I really like that idea :) It makes me even more proud of my mom than I was before.