Wanabees make me SICK!!

[Artemis84]

Why is it so hard to find Wiccan teens out there that are actually serious about Wicca? In trying to find magickal buds at school, I found three girls at different times. But after I got to know them, I found that they were just trying to be "rebels" or they had just watched "The Craft" the week before. Are most of the serious teen Wiccans in the broom closet? If so, COME OUT!!! I'M LONELY!!!

[Yvonne Belisle]

You aren't alone there are quite a few here at Mystic Wicks.

[loopy]

Check out www.witchvox.com for people in your area. :)

[Kaylara]

I hear that... But you have to be able to discern between the people who really are into paganism, and those who are in it for the shock value, etc...

Kaylara

[Jewlz]

Hey!
Try www.Beliefnet.com then click
Religions,
Earthbased etc,
Teen Chat.

Theres some teens who are serious about Wicca on there.
I'm a teen wiccan, but my friends don't have to be of the same religion to be my friend. I have a few friends that are interested in or are Wiccans. But they dont tend to broadcast it and neither do I, The ones that do usually are the "Wannabes". Its frustraiting sometimes.
So far I havent had any problems at school, but my school is very excepting (were known as the Hippy School!)
Jewlz

[sherry]

Well you seem to be ahead of the game if you can spot the SHOCK SEEKERS already!! You just stay on your path and this will make you know who you are!!

This is what they are still in search of and when they finally deside all those years will have been wasted!!

This took me years of trial and error there was noone that I thought I could turn to but you have a huge family here. Lots of these people care and are your age. Have you been in New Pagan much ? Most of them are honest in their search for the path that is right for them. And the others......................Well lets just say they don't blend in very well !!:D :) :)

[widukind]

I once wrote this artcile about Wicca in our school paper, the next month about Druids. Suddenly everyone came to me (I'm talking twenty people, at least) asking me about rituals and spells for personal gain and love. I said they hadn't read the article well enough and they should come back when they are ready for Wicca, not when they want to gain riches. I guess they were just drawn to the power of being able to cast spells.

Brightest Blessings!

Widukind

[Methanespirit]

Over the years I have generally found that those who are interested in taking on a spiritual path, regardless of which one, will, of a natural inclination, do just that, whithout being prodded or convinced of its values. The opposite is true for those who say they want to learn Astrology, for example, but after they realize the work involved and the time for apprenticeship, they often lose their interest. Also it has been witnessed, that those who often express a desire to learn any metaphysical discipline will lose their interest after they have had a life-long question answered, using the desired study. The best students of any path are those who, on their own initiative, take up an independant acitve learning interest in whatever they are intrigued by, and that without the usual peers and social pressure, because they just want to know.

[Kaylara]

Exactly! ;)

Kaylara

[widukind]

Yes, but some might need te pressure at first to get to know the subject better, to overcome the obstacle the study might present. Then they might like the religion they are looking into a lot, and loose the need for pressure.

No matter how, if a person is honestly and truely interested in the religion they research at the end, that's all that matters. It matters not whether they were wannabees in the beginning, as long as they're the real deal in the end.

"Yes there are two paths you can go by
but in the long run
there's still time to change the road you're on."
- Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven

Brightest Blessings!

Widukind

[MistOfTheSea86]

Teenagers are meant to experiment, to do things that they think intrigues them. Religion is the same way. OF course I find it ridicolous that people just use wicca as an excuse to rebel. But it is our job to help them find their true path. Whether it be Christian or Wicca. We need to explain to them, and help them find what makes them feel most comfortable. Don't be mad at the people. Just help them, find their path.

There have been times when I felt bored with Wicca, but then I found out more of it's wonders. More of its mysterys, and it makes me more intrigued. I was led to this, not because of rebellion... BUt because something more had pulled me. Spirituality. And the goddess. I love this path that I am on. I love the mysterious, SO i never get bored. I feel that this path will lead my life in a beatufil way. I will never leave it.

[random]

I AM HERE!

I don't know if you'd consider me an accual teen though, I am 14.

[Kaylara]

Hey, I don't know if I am considered a teen anymore... I will be 20 next month... ;)

Kaylara

[MagicAngel]

well im 15 i soon will be 16, i have been following my wiccan path for 4 years now when i first started i did not really know about it but i grew to love it, what i really hate though is how well like a lot of teenagers at my school only want to get into this stuff when they watch the craft or some other movie that involves witchcraft, they just want to do it cause they think they can do some really kool magick stuff but thats not true magick, true magick is not trying to levitate your house, kill people by powers and bad spells, true magick comes from within, its something good that helps you and your surroundings, i understand about trying to help them but they just want to do crazy stuff, they dont understand that wiccan, and what you see on most movies is totally different things.
~Blessed BE~

[Twig]

30 years to be exact. A young man had questions the southern baptist church he grew up in couldn't answer. Anton LeVey and the Church of Saten were in vogue. Rather than follow the masses he chose the way of the pagan. Looking toward the Earth around him for guidance and truth. Eventually, the school heard about his "secret". His classmates ridiculed him in public but, came to him in secret.

"Can you do something to make her love me?"
"Show me how to put a hex on him!"
"Come on! WE need your HELP against THEM !

Does this sound familiar? From what I see, things haven't changed much in 3 decades. The path of a pagan can be a trying and lonely road for one of teenage years. You have been blessed with a wisdom that is rare. To be able to see through the smoke and mirrors of the media to the truth behind another religon shows maturity.

As to the people who would use magick for power? There IS a "Dark Side" to magick. Fame,fortune,it promises all. THAT is what they allude to. You my friend, sound as if you have already met the underside to what a pagan belives in and made a choice. I applaud you,keep up the good works. There are quiet a few young people here actually! And it makes an old druids heart glad. :)

Peace,
Twig

[widukind]

Twig, I'm awfully familiar with the hexing and casting spells stuff. As I told the board in my previous reply to this thread, was that suddenly twenty people were interested in Wicca, but, indeed for love spells and personal gain... faim and money seem to be the only driving forces for many.

Although I have only reached the beginning of my adulthood, legally that is, I feel it's a terrible shame most people know nothing of concepts as Empathy, Honor, Dedication and Devotion, not to mention Religion.

Oh well, I won't nag forever, see, I'm gone! :D

When awakening to your path, it's much like this:

"
Your head is humming and it won't go,
In case you don't know
The piper is calling you to join him
"

Surprises me how many Pagan lessons can be learnt from Stairway To Heaven. Those guys knew what they were talking about. :)

Brightest Blessings!

Widukind

[Greenthumb]

Anytime you start to persue something new you are a wannabe. I have alot of pride in the fact that I am a wannabe of many things-and when I graduate from "wannabe" to "I am now a true...", I plan on becomming a new wannabe to something else.

peace
greenthumb

[Artemis84]

I guess I don't define a wannabe just as someone who wants to be someone or something else, but as someone who has no clue, and yet still wants to be. Does that make any sense? For example: a girl walks around school dressed in black wearing heavy black makeup and a gigantic pentacle around her neck. She tells everyone at school that she's a witch, and that she has "The Power." But, if a real witch would've asked her what the wiccan rede was, she would play back a quote from The Craft. I'ts those types of people that make me mad. They don't know anything about what they want to be, but they still go around flaunting their ignorance.

[Greenthumb]

Anger is a huge user of personal energy & as long as you're putting all that energy out there, those sorts of people will appear from everywhere to suck it up(so to speak).
My advise is to stop sweating the small stuff- reinforce in your own mimd the kind of connections you would like to have,,RELAX and let them find you. Eventually they will ya know!!
You have already "learned to discern", and that my friend is one of the hardest parts.

peace
greenthumb

[Faery-Wings]

Before I found this bd, I lurked/posted a bit on another one. And many days I was actually hurt (yeah silly me for letting that happen) by these other people calling anyone new a fluffy bunny. I am sorry, but I am 32 yo (for a few more weeks, Yikes!) and I have nothing to prove to anybody. Yes, there are wannabees ( I thought I saw a cottontail or two hopping through several bds! LOL- JK!) but who am I to judge? And who know, maybe one of these so called bunnies will read or see or feel something that strikes a chord in them and they will find their path that way.

I have to add I am so impressed by the intelligence and emotion of the teens on this bd. You are all great!


Chris
:sunny:

[bluecat]

This is just my 2 pennies, but I know of many wannabees who later become very valuable members of the Pagan Community. Yes, I am often frustrated by wannabees and have in the past, and probably will be in the future, rather short with some of them. The frustration comes when it appears that they do not want to learn or that they already know.

A close friend of mine, and now Sherry too, is a woman who plays drums (her nickname is actually "Sticks") told Sherry that the one of the local music store owners and music instructors says he would rather teach a woman because the woman will actaully go home and practice while a man often comes in with the attitude and evens voices that "he already knows" and just needs a little help.

This extends to many folks who come into Paganism and here it crosses gender boundaries. Both young men and young women often feel that they already know everything and do not need any instruction. This is NOT the case for many folks who come in here and ask for genuine help and accept it, but it's for those who come in and don't listen or seem not to listen. We are all willing to help anyone who wants or needs help, but it's very hard when they are resistant or they get just a little knowledge and believe they can do the rest on their own or want to take shortcuts.

I was born as I am because of a family background, I was just born into a part of the family that was resistant to what they were. My father had many folk in his family who believed in the Christian God and still practiced folk magic. The point here is I still don't claim to "Know Everything." I love to hear about new things, but I am careful to not to try and "Know It All." I have a focus in my work as do many folks.

It's always good to help sort out the questions they have and given them the answer that they NEED to hear, not the answer they want to hear. This really separates the ones who are really concerned and interested from those who are just in it for the show and attention.

Everyone deserves respect and to be helped along their way, whichever way that is.

Blue :cool:

[Earth Walker]

For those who know it all.

It is time to start over again.

[Greenthumb]

Hanging out on these boards will certainly help drive that point home.
Lots & Lots of good info. being shared & pondered!
peace & respect
Greenthumb

[moonmorgan]

You're not alone. I'm a teen witch. But I am NOT a wannabe. I saw Practical Magic and The Craft and I liked both movies, BUT, I realize that it isn't an accurate portrayal of Wicca and Witchcraft.

Hang in there. I had a few people in my school that are true witches, but they graduated and I don't see them much.

With lots of patience and perserverance, and the help of pages like witchvox, I found people in my area, of ALL ages. I created a mailing list for Windsor Witches and we get together every once in a while now. We don't get together often because almost all of us go to school and/or work.

If you can't find anybody in your school, don't fret, you've got us.

[random]

There is a plus to having your "secret" get out at school. Those you don't quite enjoy their company, avoid you as much as possible. (this is a geat thing for me.)

Before, I considered myself to be an accual Pagan, I had books, and pictures, everything, in my locker, in my trapper. I was always (and still am) writting stuff down, taking notes from the books, and drawing pictures of what I believed to be going on.

I am glad this school year is over. (As I am with every) Except, the small fact, that I will go through alot more in high school. Since, I am considered "Wierd, odd, strange, and demented". And I have not denied that I am Pagan to anyone who asks. But, i do point out to them that I am not one to worship the Christian's Devil/Satan. But, I do not tell them that my Patron God and Goddess are those of Darkness. (They fit my personality better) And that I am studing everythign I can get my hands on or my eyes to read. That would just confuse their minds. (it's simple to do this anyway. Just saying something like: "Im pro-choice, but anti-abortion" would totally confuse them.)

[widukind]

Hmm... I was already considered a freak before I publicly 'came out of the closet', but now they at least have a label to put on me and an idea of what to expect. :D

Brightest Blessings!

Widukind

[zemblin]

I hear ya.they have invaded my school and make me look bad.I dress in lots of black for the most part,but I stictly keep it as a look and seperate from my believes.there should be more eduacation on paganism round here.I first studied some wiccan stuff and have now just moved on to various occult things because know that my veiws might change a liitle as i grow,but i have a fealing that my belifs will be pagan once i've settled a little more.:)

[Dellit Tandannon]

have a look at http://www.paganprofiles.com
you can post and view a personal ad type thing
and search them by country or state. i've met quite a few pagans this way.

[eaglewolf]

Wannabes are people too...

;)

~ew

[Merrie]

I'm with you on that one, hon. :) I'm 16 in a catholic school and i dont know many pagans at all. Maybe you should try slipping into the topic of religion with some of your (non Buffy-witch) friends and classmates. You'd be surprised how many open minded seekers you find. I did...and now two of my friends are interested in paganism and wicca with me. I've had a lot of great conversations and (good natured) arguments about religion, sometimes with the most unexpected of people. Be patient and open minded, they're out there, maybe even right in front of your own eyes. Until then...you've got all of us here on the boards! :D

[Sephiroth]

Originally posted by Artemis84
Why is it so hard to find Wiccan teens out there that are actually serious about Wicca? In trying to find magickal buds at school, I found three girls at different times. But after I got to know them, I found that they were just trying to be "rebels" or they had just watched "The Craft" the week before. Are most of the serious teen Wiccans in the broom closet? If so, COME OUT!!! I'M LONELY!!!


im a teen wiccan if u ever need anyone to chat with my doors open and that also goes for everone here.:cool:

[Shy Hawk]

Remember that not all witches are Wiccan, there are Christian/Muslim/Jewish/Hindu/Buddhist/etc Witches alike. Just because we don't argee with someone's path, doesn't mean it isn't valid.
Also, I agree with Blue in the sense that sometimes people start out in their path a little funky, and get better. I've been studying Wicca for 4 years, so since I was 13. The first two years I was a total spazz and thought, "yeah...I'm cool, I'm a witch". lol They I found my purpose....and along with it came the peace I desperately needed in my life.
Now, I AM PAGAN. lol And, I'm so very proud. I'm 17, and I'm happy to talk to anyone, Pagan or not, teenage or not. But, if you are looking for Pagans in your area...mine is Ohio. :D :D :D
Peace be with you,
Shy Hawk