Parents and Wicca

[hyacinth hunter]

I was about 15 or 16 when I first told my parents. My dad ignored it and my mom flipped out. Since then, my mom has finally accepted it. This is due in large part to the fact that they attended my very openly Wiccan wedding and figured out just what it is all about. Once they were able to see that there were several older, successful, and 'normal' people in my religion and that it is not dark and evil after all, they came around pretty quickly. My mom even calls me on the Equinoxes and Solstices!  

[TheHangedQueen]

I didn't tell my parents as much as they just gradually found out as I dropped signs and stuff. I didn't directly say anything but there were several hints I left (accidentally and on purpose) so that they would know.
At first, everyone seemed fine with it and brushed it off but as I became more open about my beliefs and actually talked about them, it seemed to drive a wedge between me and my family. After a long conversation with my father, he told me he was willing to accept whatever I believe so long as it's not dangerous and that I believe in something. I never expected that kind of reaction from him but I was happy. My little sister was the same way.
My mother and brother, however, are the ones I have problems with. With my mom, it's always small, catty remarks that tell me that she really opposes what I believe and doesn't even take me seriously. We generally have a good relationship but my different beliefs have put up a wall between us and she really doesn't want to try and help me knock it down. Same with my brother. He's always sitting and challenging what I believe and demanding solid proof. It's highly annoying and I have found that it's really been driving us apart. However, I think they're really just worried because they don't know a lot about Wicca/Paganism and what I believe. (They're partially to balme for this because they refuse to listen but whatever. stare Not my problem.) As for my other two sisters, it's clear that one of them doesn't care and the other referred to it as "witchcraft bullsh**" and left it at that.
However, I consider myself lucky. It could be way worse and I'm grateful that I don't have it as difficult as some others do...For those of you with the many difficulties, I'm truly sorry you have to deal with the pain, annoyance, frustration, etc.  

[Morgandria]

xXQueen_AzraelXx

I didn't tell my parents as much as they just gradually found out as I dropped signs and stuff. I didn't directly say anything but there were several hints I left (accidentally and on purpose) so that they would know.
At first, everyone seemed fine with it and brushed it off but as I became more open about my beliefs and actually talked about them, it seemed to drive a wedge between me and my family. After a long conversation with my father, he told me he was willing to accept whatever I believe so long as it's not dangerous and that I believe in something. I never expected that kind of reaction from him but I was happy. My little sister was the same way.
My mother and brother, however, are the ones I have problems with. With my mom, it's always small, catty remarks that tell me that she really opposes what I believe and doesn't even take me seriously. We generally have a good relationship but my different beliefs have put up a wall between us and she really doesn't want to try and help me knock it down. Same with my brother. He's always sitting and challenging what I believe and demanding solid proof. It's highly annoying and I have found that it's really been driving us apart. However, I think they're really just worried because they don't know a lot about Wicca/Paganism and what I believe. (They're partially to balme for this because they refuse to listen but whatever. stare Not my problem.) As for my other two sisters, it's clear that one of them doesn't care and the other referred to it as "witchcraft bullsh**" and left it at that.
However, I consider myself lucky. It could be way worse and I'm grateful that I don't have it as difficult as some others do...For those of you with the many difficulties, I'm truly sorry you have to deal with the pain, annoyance, frustration, etc.
Blessed be )O(

FYI: 'Blessed be' is a ritual phrase within Wicca that's used in a specific context. It shouldn't be used as a greeting or a parting, or casually. It's sacred language, and using it outside ritual or incorrectly can be offensive to Wiccans.

You might not have known that, hense why I posted.  

[Topaz4293]

I've yet to tell my folks and probably won't. My dad is very stubborn and thinks that everything he does is right. He's an engineer with a Lutheran upbringing though we never go to church. My mother's side of the family is very religious (also Lutheran) and she would probably kill me if I even mentioned it. My school friends all know as does my Boyfriend and they don't care, I even got a couple of handmade yule cards from my friends at school which I stashed in my band locker so my folks wouldn't find them. I invited my boyfriend over for Christmas Eve and now his folks feel compelled to have me go to their church for the Christmas service. They are Presbyterian and are VERY religious. I'll probably go so I don't piss them off since they even said I didn't have to listen, just be respectful.

I should come out of the broom closet at some point though considering I want a Wiccan wedding and I'd have a hard time explaining to my folks the day of...that'd be a nightmare. Any advice?  

[TheStarlessSkye]

Well, my mum's misinformed. She thinks it's all voodoo heeby jeeby Evil crap. And that I'll have "Demonic Nightmares".

Also, she laughed at my Yule altar. I wanted to show it her because I was proud of it. She insulted me yesterday. And she said "Right" and left the room. Not even a: I like it! or Well done!

No praise or anything. I'm starting to think my mum's a very negative person.

I'd really like to use magick to help her, but she doesn't "believe it will work".

My dad, on the other hand, he's cool with it.

My grandma asked me to study other religions. Well, I'm not going to. I've only just got started on Wicca, and I'm not going to stop just so I can look into other stuff. I'm the kind of person who gets something, and sticks to it. If you get my drift...  

[Esiris]

Azareas Aquarinus

She thinks it's all voodoo heeby jeeby Evil crap.

So what if it was all Vodou. stare

Quote:

My grandma asked me to study other religions. Well, I'm not going to.

I don't know if I would be so proud of not wanting to learn. confused
When I was studying with the Kingstone Coven, my HP asked me to study other religions- why is that bad?

Quote:

I've only just got started on Wicca, and I'm not going to stop just so I can look into other stuff. I'm the kind of person who gets something, and sticks to it. If you get my drift...

But what if there is something that is better for you than Wicca?  

[TheHangedQueen]

Morgandria

xXQueen_AzraelXx

I didn't tell my parents as much as they just gradually found out as I dropped signs and stuff. I didn't directly say anything but there were several hints I left (accidentally and on purpose) so that they would know.
At first, everyone seemed fine with it and brushed it off but as I became more open about my beliefs and actually talked about them, it seemed to drive a wedge between me and my family. After a long conversation with my father, he told me he was willing to accept whatever I believe so long as it's not dangerous and that I believe in something. I never expected that kind of reaction from him but I was happy. My little sister was the same way.
My mother and brother, however, are the ones I have problems with. With my mom, it's always small, catty remarks that tell me that she really opposes what I believe and doesn't even take me seriously. We generally have a good relationship but my different beliefs have put up a wall between us and she really doesn't want to try and help me knock it down. Same with my brother. He's always sitting and challenging what I believe and demanding solid proof. It's highly annoying and I have found that it's really been driving us apart. However, I think they're really just worried because they don't know a lot about Wicca/Paganism and what I believe. (They're partially to balme for this because they refuse to listen but whatever. stare Not my problem.) As for my other two sisters, it's clear that one of them doesn't care and the other referred to it as "witchcraft bullsh**" and left it at that.
However, I consider myself lucky. It could be way worse and I'm grateful that I don't have it as difficult as some others do...For those of you with the many difficulties, I'm truly sorry you have to deal with the pain, annoyance, frustration, etc.
Blessed be )O(

FYI: 'Blessed be' is a ritual phrase within Wicca that's used in a specific context. It shouldn't be used as a greeting or a parting, or casually. It's sacred language, and using it outside ritual or incorrectly can be offensive to Wiccans.

You might not have known that, hense why I posted.

Sorry.  

[Morgandria]

xXQueen_AzraelXx

Sorry.

It's no worry. smile Just trying to be informative.  

[SADERR]

My parents could care less, to be honest.

My mom is an "athiest" as far as the whole diety-part goes, but she's got a very fond nterest in tarot, numerology, and is a very spitirual woman. So, needless to say she is perfectly fine and accepting of it.

My stepdad finds religion interesting, but is, in his words:
"Well, I'm an athiest, but I feel I should say agnostic or something. Don't wanna piss the big guy off, on that slim chance".

As for my dad and stepmom, they don't really know anything of my religious beliefs. My dad is an athiest, and my stepmom is one of those "I guess I believe in god but I don't go to church or pray or give thanks or anything at all" people.

So yeah, it's pretty much a free reign with me. They could care less, and I'm pretty open to whatever.  

[pompoennetje]

Esiris

Azareas Aquarinus

She thinks it's all voodoo heeby jeeby Evil crap.

So what if it was all Vodou. stare

Quote:

My grandma asked me to study other religions. Well, I'm not going to.

I don't know if I would be so proud of not wanting to learn. confused
When I was studying with the Kingstone Coven, my HP asked me to study other religions- why is that bad?

Quote:

I've only just got started on Wicca, and I'm not going to stop just so I can look into other stuff. I'm the kind of person who gets something, and sticks to it. If you get my drift...

But what if there is something that is better for you than Wicca?

I think studying another religion can be very helpful.  

[pompoennetje]

Jonathonn

So yeah, it's pretty much a free reign with me. They could care less, and I'm pretty open to whatever.

This counts for me as well.  

[TheStarlessSkye]

Esiris

Azareas Aquarinus

She thinks it's all voodoo heeby jeeby Evil crap.

So what if it was all Vodou. stare

Quote:

My grandma asked me to study other religions. Well, I'm not going to.

I don't know if I would be so proud of not wanting to learn. confused
When I was studying with the Kingstone Coven, my HP asked me to study other religions- why is that bad?

Quote:

I've only just got started on Wicca, and I'm not going to stop just so I can look into other stuff. I'm the kind of person who gets something, and sticks to it. If you get my drift...

But what if there is something that is better for you than Wicca?

But it isn't. There's more to Witchcraft thank making people's bones break or whatever.


I'm not saying I won't, just not straight away. I'd like to study more of Wicca/Neo-Paganism and get more in-depth.


That may be. But I feel Wicca is the thing for me. It "drew" me in.  

[TheStarlessSkye]

I want to sit and talk about it with my mum. Who the first witches were (or Pagans). But she's rather childish. She doesn't tend to listen or pay attention. She'd probably forget what I'd tell her anyway...  

[Sanguina Cruenta]

Azareas Aquarinus

But it isn't. There's more to Witchcraft thank making people's bones break or whatever.

You're working from a position of ignorance regarding Vodou. Vodou is a religion, one Esiris practises.

Quote:

I'm not saying I won't, just not straight away. I'd like to study more of Wicca/Neo-Paganism and get more in-depth.

The way you say "Wicca/Neo-Paganism" implies they are the same thing. To study Neo-Paganism is to study a range of religions.

Quote:

That may be. But I feel Wicca is the thing for me. It "drew" me in.

You're very young and you've barely started looking. You have years before you can start practising Wicca anyway; why are you fixated on it so young?  

[TheStarlessSkye]

Sanguina Cruenta

Azareas Aquarinus

But it isn't. There's more to Witchcraft thank making people's bones break or whatever.

You're working from a position of ignorance regarding Vodou. Vodou is a religion, one Esiris practises.

Quote:

I'm not saying I won't, just not straight away. I'd like to study more of Wicca/Neo-Paganism and get more in-depth.

The way you say "Wicca/Neo-Paganism" implies they are the same thing. To study Neo-Paganism is to study a range of religions.

Quote:

That may be. But I feel Wicca is the thing for me. It "drew" me in.

You're very young and you've barely started looking. You have years before you can start practising Wicca anyway; why are you fixated on it so young?

My apologies. I didn't know she did.

Eclectics "borrow", so I'll study a range and see what feels right for myself.

I may be young, but I know when my heart connects to something. As in my heart says: Yes, here it is, in a way.