D~M
July 5th, 2001, 03:54 PM
merry meet, this is my 1st visit to this forum, I've come over hear on request of the site mouse (;) :D ) to talk about pagans of my age (im 14) eg what kind of things interest us etc.
Of course, this is just speaking from me, as broadly as i can, wot I say wont be true for every teenager.
I was lucky enough to find the religion of Wicca myself, and to have supportive understanding parents. My mum's best friend, i found out later, also happens to be a witch, and so does my best friend! So I have had a lot of support with my religion, and I've hardly ever had any criticism etc for it. However, if you are here because your child has just got interested in witchcraft, I would advise you to talk to them about the subject, rather than intimidate them, or tell them that they cannot practice it. This is the reason why many pagan teenagers prefer to 'stay in the broomcloset' - they dont think their parents will understand. Once you have spoken to your child about it, try to keep involved with them (eg my mum's *constantly* asking when the next full moon is, what colours are appropriete to the next sabbat etc). This way, if you have any doubts about the subject, you can slowly get to know more about it, and hopefully see that it is a nature-loving religion, and *not* affiliated with Satan in any way. If your child is seriously just going through a phase of witchcraft, which I know is a reality, because several of my friends have claimed to be witches at one point or another, but not followed this claim up, just let it pass like any other. But a lot of teenagers are serious about becoming wiccans, and these are not phases. Please don't try and tell them that's what they're going through! :D
If you're a pagan mother/ father, and you want to get your child involved in witchcraft, or even just show them what it's like, there are many ways to do this. If your children are very young, try starting them off by reading celtic and pagan stories at bed time, and preparing special meals at sabbats. You may wish to explain the significance of the food at the meals, eg why vegetables at mabon, why milk and honey at ostara etc. You could try and also get them cooking some appropriate foods for the table. You may also like to take them out for walks and pick appropriete greenery to decorate the house with. If you feel these are going well, get them a little more involved in the subject eg perhaps trying to explain the wheel of the year, if they are interested, or talking about all the different gods and goddesses throughout time. I suppose the key thing is a little at a time for young children - don't rush it, and if they don't seem interested, don't continue - they may like to pursue it at a later date, and may not be ready for it yet. Ultimately, it is the child's decision, no matter how young he or she is.
For teenagers, I would suggest first talking to them about any religious beliefs they already hold, because it is pointless and wrong to try and pursuade, say, a christian to become a wiccan. Get them involved in the same sort of way, involving them in Sabbat rites and esbats. explain a little about how the spells are *not* just about gettiing what you want, when you want, but are about praising the Lord and the Lady and asking for a lil' *nudge* in your direction ;) You could try getting them involved in more complex rituals if they are interested, and, if they are really keen, you would perhaps want to start them off on a year and a day training. Talk to them regularly about what they've found out, and help them if need be. If there's something important that you think they've overlooked or missed out, eg the Wiccan Rede, direct them in the right way. Explain things in more complex details, because if they are interested, they will want to know more.
I hope this has helped!!!
:D :D :D Peace out :D :D :D
Of course, this is just speaking from me, as broadly as i can, wot I say wont be true for every teenager.
I was lucky enough to find the religion of Wicca myself, and to have supportive understanding parents. My mum's best friend, i found out later, also happens to be a witch, and so does my best friend! So I have had a lot of support with my religion, and I've hardly ever had any criticism etc for it. However, if you are here because your child has just got interested in witchcraft, I would advise you to talk to them about the subject, rather than intimidate them, or tell them that they cannot practice it. This is the reason why many pagan teenagers prefer to 'stay in the broomcloset' - they dont think their parents will understand. Once you have spoken to your child about it, try to keep involved with them (eg my mum's *constantly* asking when the next full moon is, what colours are appropriete to the next sabbat etc). This way, if you have any doubts about the subject, you can slowly get to know more about it, and hopefully see that it is a nature-loving religion, and *not* affiliated with Satan in any way. If your child is seriously just going through a phase of witchcraft, which I know is a reality, because several of my friends have claimed to be witches at one point or another, but not followed this claim up, just let it pass like any other. But a lot of teenagers are serious about becoming wiccans, and these are not phases. Please don't try and tell them that's what they're going through! :D
If you're a pagan mother/ father, and you want to get your child involved in witchcraft, or even just show them what it's like, there are many ways to do this. If your children are very young, try starting them off by reading celtic and pagan stories at bed time, and preparing special meals at sabbats. You may wish to explain the significance of the food at the meals, eg why vegetables at mabon, why milk and honey at ostara etc. You could try and also get them cooking some appropriate foods for the table. You may also like to take them out for walks and pick appropriete greenery to decorate the house with. If you feel these are going well, get them a little more involved in the subject eg perhaps trying to explain the wheel of the year, if they are interested, or talking about all the different gods and goddesses throughout time. I suppose the key thing is a little at a time for young children - don't rush it, and if they don't seem interested, don't continue - they may like to pursue it at a later date, and may not be ready for it yet. Ultimately, it is the child's decision, no matter how young he or she is.
For teenagers, I would suggest first talking to them about any religious beliefs they already hold, because it is pointless and wrong to try and pursuade, say, a christian to become a wiccan. Get them involved in the same sort of way, involving them in Sabbat rites and esbats. explain a little about how the spells are *not* just about gettiing what you want, when you want, but are about praising the Lord and the Lady and asking for a lil' *nudge* in your direction ;) You could try getting them involved in more complex rituals if they are interested, and, if they are really keen, you would perhaps want to start them off on a year and a day training. Talk to them regularly about what they've found out, and help them if need be. If there's something important that you think they've overlooked or missed out, eg the Wiccan Rede, direct them in the right way. Explain things in more complex details, because if they are interested, they will want to know more.
I hope this has helped!!!
:D :D :D Peace out :D :D :D