pentagram in school

[WaterRaven]

Merry Meet!

I was thinking about wearing my pentacle necklace to school but I am worried that people will take it the wrong way. I want to wear it because I feel safer with it on. What should I do?


Water Raven

[Mairwen]

Keep it under your shirt.

[WaterRaven]

Its like a choker. It wont hand low enough.

[Lavender]

It's unfortunate but if you wear your choker to school, people will ask you about it and some will definitely give you some grief over it. A necklace is good because you can tuck it inside your clothes if need be. Can you convert the choker pentacle to a necklace? Or just be prepared to put up with the questions. It all depends on how much you're out of the ol' broom closet. :)

[mol]

Buy another necklace and keep it under your shirt. No reason in stirring anything up...its just going to put focus on the symbol itself and not what the symbol is doing for you.

[Mairwen]

Thanks Mol. That's what I was trying to get at.

[WaterRaven]

thanx for your imput. I'm getting a new necklace this week so i wont have to worry about it. I guess i just wasnt thinking about that. duh!

[MistOfTheSea86]

I feel if a cross can be worn publicly then you should have all rights to do so with a pentacle, Wear it and if someone says something refer to the thread in just talk for a suggestion on what to say. People have no right to do what they do sometimes.

[Myst]

It's not about rights, it's about not letting people who just want to make you miserable anyway make you miserable.

If you feel you want to wear it outside of your shirt answer questions, do so.

I know when I was at work or at highschool I always wore it in my shirt because I didn't want to have to try to explain my beliefs to some goof who was probably just picking on me anyway.

[Lavender]

I was just going to say the same thing, Myst. In a perfect world, we would be free to practice whatever religion we want without worries of recriminations. But unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world.

[MistOfTheSea86]

I was the words in context as to what I really meant, is that I find it it foolish that we have to hide our beliefs for fear of of incriminating fool judging us. *Sighs* I guess I am just of it all. I apologize.

[Lavender]

Don't apologize, Mist. You're right too.

[random]

Do it... You don't have to explain anything you don't want to. It is just a symbol... I wear mine all the time, in or out of my shirt... I never take it off...Who said you had to listen to those who judge you?

[Socharis]

Originally posted by WaterRaven
Merry Meet!

I was thinking about wearing my pentacle necklace to school but I am worried that people will take it the wrong way. I want to wear it because I feel safer with it on. What should I do?


Water Raven

wear it, pp wear their crosses as a representation of theri religion, why not represnt your religion? (retorical question)

[mol]

The symbol should not be worn to just 'represent' your 'religion'. It should be worn as a symbol of empowerment for the person in question. Wearing it, just to flaunt it, is perverse to me.

But, thats me.

[Shadowulfe]

Merry Meet,
What i used to do was wear my pentacle outside of my shirt. If someone asked me about it, i would tell them that it represents the five elements and my religion.

Blessings,
Shadowulfe

[WaterRaven]

I have started to war it openly and nobody really seems afraid or curious except a few. but something new happened in school! My friend is a witch and was making a pentagram in steel tech and his teacher wouldnt let him make it and i forget the reason but i told him to make it anyway.

[Wise]

People fear what they don't understand

[Margie]

Basically, you know how some people might take it. Weather you choose to wear it under your shirt just so you know and for protection-that would probably be your "safest" bet. If you want to take a stand, defend yourself and are prepared for what others might say and the repercussions of that, then go ahead and wear it outside your shirt. Whatever you do, just be prepared for the outcome.

[SageMoon]

I wear mine outside my shirt at work and everyday .I do have people ask me about the symbol and i usually reply that it is my symbol of protection similar to their cross. That seems to pacify them.:)
Sage

[Margie]

Great comeback SageMoon! I never thought of it that way but GEEZ it makes sense!! :)

[magicbabs]

My friend wears her pentagram around her waist on a silver belly chain.

No one sees it ==== no one asks ====

We live in the bible thumping South. There is not much tolerance for the symbol down here.

Hey, I play with feathers, sage and other things and my grandmother is praying for my soul. I told her that I would pray for hers too. If I showd up in a pentagram ---- well.....it would not go over well at all.....

I guess it depends on where you live and your attitude. If I used it in my ritual I would wear it openly, but it is not something I use. I use medicine wheels and other stuff. Can't really wear a medicine wheel around your neck.....I am looking for a tastefull wheel - so far, only found cheap coated brass....PLAUGH!!!!

[Kaylara]

I never take mine off. If you can't handle the fact that I am pagan, then you can't handle a huge part of my personality, and a large part of my life. And that probably means that my conversations with you would be limited anyways. Then again, I never really did give two terds about what the kids at school thought about me.

Do what you think is right for you.

Kaylara

[phoenixsong]

If you're wearing it for protection then surely wearing it out of sight is better, because you'll draw attention to yourself if you wear it in view. Hey, could you put it in a pocket or something? Or maybe you could use a different Pagan protective symbol, that isn't so well known?

[Angelwulfe]

Originally posted by MistOfTheSea86
I feel if a cross can be worn publicly then you should have all rights to do so with a pentacle.
i agree with mistofthesea on that one. i've been wearing my pentacle to school for about a year now and the only coments i got about it were from other pagans or people who were actually interested. personally i haven't had any trouble with wearing one to school out side of my shirt but then again my school is pretty liberal, people might react differently to it in different parts of the country or world. so if you allready know your town or school is kind of prejudiced or has a large population of bible thumping christains i would sugest not wearing it in public or finding a longer necklace, if you don't think you can deal with their crap. otherwise go for it.:) :p

[StormChaser]

I got a ton of grief growing up because of my faith. But then again, the fact that my father was constantly in my school and classrooms demanding that if we did christian stuff, like making christmas trees, called such, we should do pagan stuff like making maypoles on beltane... he loved making a scene.

But i got comments mostly from parents of kids as a small girl.. and then when i was a teen, if teachers, adminstration, or students "mocked" me.. then I would ignore it. I'm proud of my faith and all the symbols that go with it. When I wear my jewelery, which isn't all the time because I'm lazy with jewlery, if someone approaches me with questions, i answer or hand out a website name. If they mock me.. it goes in one ear and out the other, because quite frankly, i don't have the time to reward ignorance with my valuable time.

Don't be ashamed or afraid of your faith. Do what makes you comfy and feel good. Ignore the jerks, and answer questions when they come. Most people ask over attack. Find a few good responses and stick to them.

~Storm Chaser

[mysticvik]

Well now that my family know Im pagan and they understand it, ive begun to wear my pentacles (I have 2) in public. I went out shopping recently and this girl smiled at me then she said "nice pentacle." that was when i noticed she was wearing one too.

[Eudaimonia]

I'd say fuck 'em. I live in a small town (I mean not-on-a-county-map small). I wear my pentacle, my other symbols, my black clothes, with pride. Ignore the fools, my friend. That's the best possible thing you can do.

Personally, I have some beef with the Fall River Joint Unified School District. I was not allowed to wear my pentcal at school because it was "disturbing class." I told them that as long as all the other teens in this highschool can wear their crosses, I will wear this. Or would you prefer that I sue you?

Needless to say, I continued wearing it. I can become a horrible bitch when my rights as an AMERICAN and a HUMAN BEING are being trampled on. YOU CANNOT CONTROL ME, FUKKERS! YOU DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT! I AM MY OWN PERSON!

Ok, I've vented. Back to normal.

[Dryad's Wyrd]

If you're a bit uneasy about wearing a pentagram choker around your neck, just attach it to the side of you undergarments. I used to do that all the time because my family didn't approve of Wicca. This way you still have the secure feeling and no one can see it!

[Sequoia]

I used to wear my pentacle hidden. Then after about 6 months I felt an urge to wear it where it could be seen, up near my throat, and it felt much better there. I went on vacation, and out of respect to my elderly grandmother (I had no clue how she'd react) I kept it hidden. When I got back home I took it off one night, and it "ran away" :( havn't found it yet lol it decided to let me protect myself.

Do what feels right. Be brave and ignore what others say, sometimes. If it feels right, try it. It'll either work out or it wont, nothing worse! hehe

[Amemphis]

I always wear my pentacle. I go to a school that has a ratio of ten black people to one white, literally. And I'm the only wiccan. I get questions and beef about it, but what do I care? I'm not wiccan to please them, religion is about yourself. Do what feels right for yourself. The broom closet can be quite stifling.

[Adam Of Avalon]

Say it's your lucky star. People usually get the idea to leave the subject alone if you inflect enough sarcasm when you say it.

[UlricDagon]

Do what you are guided to do. IF you feel to wear it outside do so. If not do not.........

I am in a tie all day so mine is under my shirt at work but all the rest of the time plain to see..

Remember this.........................

Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
—Bertrand Russell

Bright Blessing!

[slovene_gds]

MM~
I wear mine to school everyday. I don't mind at all. I have numerous Pagan buddies and I really don't get a lot of crap about it. There have been some incident, but nothing ya can't handle!
BB~
Bast

[Emy]

I wear mine under my shirt, and I feel rather comfortable with it that way. Also I think that if I wore it outside my shirt people would get upset, but they would probably not even bother to ask me what the symbol stood for... they would just assume the worst. Not to many people wear the pentagram in Sweden, at least not according to my experience, but a lot of people wrongly associate it with satanism and has no clue to what it really stands for.... And as soon to be preschoolteacher I think that I would probably get into a lot of trouble if I wore it outside my shirt... :(

[Skye_McCarthy]

If you want to wear it outside your shirt then you should...you are not flaunting it. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your religion or wanting to openly express it. If you a resident of the United States then it is illegal (and should be against school policy) for people to harrass you because of your religious beliefs while you are on school grounds. If someone is really bothering you about it, tell a teacher, guidance counselor or the principle. You should never ever hide your religion because of what others think. All that matters is what you think about yourself.

[piperwyatt]

My friends always wear their pentacles outside of their shirts. There is no problem with it. I'm actually jealous of them. I want to get one....or two. any ideas where i could get some that are of good quality?

[Kahlan]

When I wear my to work people ask me if I am jewish!!!!!!!!!!! I just say no and dont offer any more information.

[Biinasu]

Back in public school, I had a necklace that was long enough to go under my shirt, but I was paranoid about it coming out, so I gathered up my courage, went to the principal (she was who we'd see in cases of dress code questions) and pretty much just asked straight up, "I'd like to wear my necklace, is that okay?"

I explained to the principle what it stood for, and a little bit about Wicca (though, thinking about it now, I'm still embarassed because I had some "facts" wrong, and I still get the sneaking suspicion that she knew that too).

If they won't let you wear it, and you feel like doing something about it, go for all or nothing, which is what I did when I had a book on Wicca taken up. I was told that the reason was because no religious anything was allowed in school. Some kids had bibles, wore crosses, and I'd seen the WWJD so much, I thought I'd puke. There was even a teacher who had Christian signs in her class and put religious stickers on our papers. I didn't mind personally, but if they do that, call them on it. It's a lot of fun to see authority figures squirm at any rate.

And, piperwyatt, I got my pentacle at Spencer's when my mother was feeling generous at the mall on whim. I also picked up a lava lamp, but that's beside the point. X3;

But anyway, if you're not sure, ask! It shows you're not trying to piss anyone off (unless you do what I did, and vaguely threaten to sue..*cough*) and if anyone questions it, you can feel secure knowing you've already had it approved.

[bellamandu]

i would say wear it under your shirt... a friend of mine, in her 8th grade year, wore a pentagram constantly, and she had a picture of one permantly attached to her binder. the school decided that it was inappropriate because it was "influencing the children badly". parents complained, she eventually got in a lot of trouble and had to take the necklace off. at first she was suspended for "disobeying her teachers" because she couldn't take the pentagram off her binder. so they made her buy a new one.

but then again... i do live in the good ol' south!

[Autumn]

You sure seem to have gotten a lot of opinions here. I work in a somewhat sensitive place and mine stays mostly under my scrubs, oddly enough the only patients who have remarked upon it have proven to be pagan themselves :)

[aftershocked]

I encountered the same thing in the lunch line in my school, although my religious symbol of choice is an ankh necklace (About 1", hits my collarbone, so usually out of view). I had a V-neck shirt on, and since I never take my necklace off, I thought nothing of the fact that it was in view (I'm not very conscious when I get dressed in the morning). We were in line, and one of my classmates - I wouldn't term her a 'friend' - asked me about it. The conversation was as follows

Katelyn(classmate): What's that?
Mwa: Uh, pizza? (Still didn't think it was the necklace)
Katelyn: Uh, no.. your necklace.
Mwa: Oh, it's my lucky charm (Not a lie; it does bring me luck)
Katelyn: What's it called?
Mwa: Billy Joe?
Katelyn: No, I mean the symbol in general.
Mwa: Ankh?
Katelyn: Ink?
Mwa: Sure, let's go with that.

Living in a highly Polish, highly Catholic town is fun at times :hehehehe:

[Biinasu]

but then again... i do live in the good ol' south!
So do I actually! Texas, of all places (though, there's so many pagans around here, I'm wondering why we're not more tolerant. o_O). Oh, and I love your signature. *starts humming My Will...cause it's on tv right now*

[blueiris]

i would say wear it outside your shirt if it makes you feel more comfortable - that's what it does for me anyway. only a few people have asked what it is, and the majority of them have been pagan anyway! :graduate:

[Biinasu]

i would say wear it outside your shirt if it makes you feel more comfortable - that's what it does for me anyway. only a few people have asked what it is, and the majority of them have been pagan anyway! :graduate:
Oh, that's rather true! The only time people ever commented on my necklace was a "Oh, I like your necklace! *wink*" from other pagans. Which is why I don't really have a problem wearing mine however I want to, because I've realized that no one realy cares. X3;

[bellamandu]

So do I actually! Texas, of all places (though, there's so many pagans around here, I'm wondering why we're not more tolerant. o_O). Oh, and I love your signature. *starts humming My Will...cause it's on tv right now*

tehehehehe... :colorful:

[Antoninus]

People are actually less inclined to ask about things they dont understand for fear of looking stupid. Back when I first started and I was...rather...out there with my beliefs (I thought magic was like in the video games), I bought a HUGE metal pentagram the size of a CD. I still have it, but I keep it for ritual wear. Supprisingly few people actually ever asked me about it, most just gave me wierd looks. So no matter HOW extravagant it is, people arent real eager to grill you about it.

[Vampy]

I say that you should wear the necklace, if people have a problem with it they need to learn to get over it, if they cant then that is their own personal problem, not yours. You have the right to wear what you want when you want and why you want. Do not be ashamed of it, wear it with pride. Do not allow the fact that others might ridicule you to control anything. And if a principal says that you are not allowed to wear it. DO NOT take it off, they can not tell you anything, they have to be tolerant of other peoples religion.

I hope that I helped ( I know that I am a little bit of a trouble maker, LOL)

Forever Yours,
Vampy