Wicca and Teens

As teenagers yearn for independence, knowledge and understanding about life, many are naturally drawn toward the ancient wisdom of Witchcraft. This is good if they believe that previous societies worked with the powers of Nature to help themselves and others. However, teens should seek occult (hidden) knowledge only as a well thought out, personal, religious choice.

Many people claim to be Witches, Magicians and Warlocks, etc. Some are -- some are just posers. For example, a warlock isn't a male Witch -- it's a derogatory term Witches use for someone who has either broken their promises or revealed Craft secrets. Teens should be as suspicious of boastful types who say they're Witches as they are of any other kind of boaster.

• Wicca is the religious name for what Witches practice -- Witchcraft ("the Craft of the Wise").
• Don't believe everything you've been told about Witches: 99 percent of it is untrue Hollywood script material or historical (Christian) misinformation.
• Understanding magic takes time, study, commitment and love of what you're doing. Witches work with all sorts of things, like old alphabets, etc., that take time to learn how to use well. The Craft is not a hobby -- its principles are deep and sacred.

What is Wicca?

• Wicca is a polytheistic, Nature-focused, indigenous European religion. All that jargon means is: As Nature is vibrant and composed of so many different species types, colors and textures, so Witches believe there are many real Goddesses and Gods that exist (polytheism). We worship Them and work with Them to help others. We protest deforestation and the environmental destruction of the Earth, for we believe Nature is sacred (Nature-focused). Witches are usuallyconscientious objectors to war. Witches use the "powers" that most scientists term electromagnetic, resonant, vibratory, etc. Wicca began thousands of years ago, and was first practiced by Caucasians in Europe (indigenous European religion), like the shamanism Indians practiced before Columbus imported Catholicism.
• Pagans and Witches love and cultivate beauty around them; we appreciate things money can't buy. Rather, we prefer to "barter" (exchange things of equal value) instead of paying money for needed items.
• Witches often wear black because in the old days, Witches on their way to meetings wore black capes which helped them blend into the night shadows. From afar, it was hard to tell whether such a person was male or female, much less exactly who they were. This enabled our ancestors to avoid persecution. We remember their efforts by wearing black in their honor to this day.
• Witches believe in the equality of females and males, and a "balanced" approach to life.
• Witches celebrate 8 sacred days a year (Sabbats) based on the cycle of the seasons. We also honor the monthly cycle of the New and Full Moons.
• Some Witches meet, celebrate and study in groups (Covens); some practice alone (Solitaries). Some are "eclectic" (use a variety of ancient and modern methods from different magical systems), and some are "Traditional", primarily focusing on ancient lore and writings.

What part do teens have in the Craft?

Camping ... Hiking ... Learning to identify and use magical and medicinal plants/herbs ... Learning to mix essential oils ... Rites of Passage (going through all-female or all-male Mystery ceremonies where their growth into adulthood is acknowledged and celebrated -- MoonTime celebrates young women's menstruation, and GreenManning celebrates young men's maturing) ... Maypole dancing (celebrating Nature's spring season of fertility) ... Sabbat games ... Learning about natural healing and meditative techniques (encourages calm during tough teen times) ... Woodworking, Smithing, Leather-working, Jewelry-making ... Learning the properties of Stones and Gems, etc. ... Playing musical instruments, Singing chants ... Costume-making ... and much more. Such teen activities were encouraged in the old days, and continue to help them cultivate life-long skills today.

What teens can do if they're interested in Wicca

• Talk with your folks. Though many parents are suspicious of the Craft at first, honest communication is the only way to go. Otherwise, if they find out you've been "dabbling in the occult", they'll likely freak and distrust you and the Craft even more. Tell them why you feel drawn to the Craft; hopefully they'll listen. Most Covens won't teach teen (minor) students without written, parental consent.
• If talking to your folks fails, talk about your feelings and plans with someone you can trust. Try accessing Pagan chatrooms via computer (America Online has several) or searching online for practicing Wiccan teens.
• Read good books about Wicca with your folks. (Unfortunately, most libraries carry little in the way of true material; mostly you'll see anti-Craft, Christian-written books mixing up Satanism and Wicca. Such books fail from the start: Wicca is not Satanism, and should never be combined with it!) A good "Recommended Reading List" is available through us at our website.
• Ask your folks to take a free, public class about Wicca with you. If you live in or near Asheville, N.C., Coven Oldenwilde has a yearly free, public Sabbat near Hallowe'en and occasional free, public classes at local colleges (check our postings on upcoming events). Downtown Asheville offers many opportunities to make Craft contacts, from drumming circles to Women's weekends, etc. (Mountain Xpress also contains many notices.) If you live elsewhere, check local "alternative" papers and websites for postings about Wicca and related events. Ask the owner of your local occult or metaphysical bookstore if they know of anyone in your area you can contact about the Craft.
• Read "Craft" magazines (Enchante', Sage Woman, etc.). See if what you believe in jives with what you read about Witchcraft. Such publications also include pen-pal ads, Wiccan contact information and upcoming events in their subscription area.
• Realize that though it may seem to take forever until you can do as you please, time does pass. It pays to approach the Craft with careful reverence, thorough reading, and preparation, so that when you are old enough to pursue your desires, you will be able to do so with a good knowledge base.
• Don't do anything which ends up creating headlines or causing more prejudice against Witches (e.g. "Teens Desecrate Local Church"). Don't leave magical tools lying around; they're frequently misinterpreted and stolen. Never brag about your magical prowess or threaten to "curse" anyone.

Blessed be,

Passion & *Diuvei

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