I'm A Closeted Teenage-Pagan In Need Of Some Help...?

Question

I know many people say that I should wait untill I'm eight-teen to fully declare myself of a certain religion, but what am I going to to during the waiting time? People say to just study up on it but even that's difficult to do. My mother has seen "occult realted" items in my room and got concerned that I was getting intrested in "Tree-worshipping crap that never works". (At least she didn't get all "OH MY GOSH! SATAN HAS GOTTEN YOU!") I didn't want to openly declare my interest at the time because A: I know I have no legal rights if they say tough and B: I didn't want to start an arguement, especially when I'm still learning, so I just said I'll cut it out. She's still concerned that I'll be "thinking that I'm a witch again..." It's pretty hard to get information such as books with no transport to bookstores and time alone to buy, and the internet is nice, but it's not perfect. If anybody has been in this situation before, can you sheed some advice?

Answer 1

You don't need to wait until you're eighteen to choose a religion, but it's good if you want to study up on it more. There are plenty of sites online that have good information, you just need to know where to look.
As for your mother, parents don't need to know. It's your choice and religious/ spiritual paths are personal. If you don't want them to know, just be careful that they don't find anything. However, if you really feel the need to tell them, or you fear that they'll find out on their own, you should hint about it and get them used to the idea. Make sure that they realize that it's a peaceful religion and something that you truly believe in. Try pointing out the similarities between paganism and their religion. Remember that they're your parents and they only want what they think is best for you, if they really truly love you, they should accept you no matter what- it may help to point that out to them if you decide to declare your interest. Also, if it's only an interest, be sure that you know that it's for you when they find out. Otherwise, you might want to let them know that you're only learning more about it and you've not actually chosen it as of yet.
Another thing- you don't need books anyways. It can really do you some good to just search inside yourself- so to speak. Just meditate and think about what you know you believe in and spend some time in nature. It can really strengthen your beliefs when you just acknowledge and think about them.
I'm in basically the same situation as far as the information thing, but I've found ways around it. If you want, you can email me and I'll send you links to a couple of sites that I've found to be helpful.
Good luck and blessed be

~16 yo Pagan

Answer 2

I was in a similar situation, and to a degree still am, because although I'm over 18, I'm still dependent on my mother and she's not completely ok with me being pagan. So no books, no pentacles or anything, no random objects she can't comprehend. But the internet is a wonderful source. I joined a few yahoo groups, so I can talk to and ask advice from other pagans and learn from them, and beyond that, anything you may want to know is on there somewhere. Also, maybe check out your library. My school has a purely academic library, but its still got some good stuff on the occult and witchcraft (its listed with both religions and mythology). So I spend a fair amount of time picking through the library's collection, too.

Answer 3

I think I know that you mean by the internet is nice but its not perfect, your worried about internetshopping and getting your cards used against you. In that case you have to get a very good anti-virus and a very good adware/spy-ware program install them update them daily and before you go shopping and scan you computer with them before you buy any thing on line.

On the other hand you should tell your mum that you have found a religion you think is right for you and tell her about it, specilly as people think that paganism, nature worshipping religion have gotten a bad rap from the church for 100's of years. Show her its a peacefull religion and yes it can be used for bad as well as good just like any other religion. But yes tell your mum, if you tell your father first it will be a lot harder to get any help from them.

Answer 4

Patience. I know it's hard, but it will save you an awful lot of stress and arguing that you really, REALLY don't need.

And there is a TON of great information on the Internet, you just need to know where to look. It takes a lot of time to sift through the useless crap to get to the meaningful sites. Wish I could give you some good ones, but I'm Wiccan, not Pagan, so I know some great Wiccan sites but they may not help you.

You don't have to wait until you're 18 to declare yourself Pagan, but if you can just hang out in the closet a little longer it will save you a ton of stress, and we all know how stress throws us out fo balance. :-)

Bright blessings!
)O(

Answer 5

WICCA LINKS:
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=...
http://www.doreenvaliente.com - Doreen Valiente 1922-1999
http://paganwiccan.about.com/ - PaganWiccan


http://wicca.timerift.net/ - Wicca: For the Rest of Us
http://www.homecircle.info - Homecircle
http://www.starkindler.org/ - StarFire Rising
http://www.asiya.org/ - Asiya`s Shadows
http://www.newwiccanchurch.net - New Wiccan Church International
http://www.cogcoa.ab.ca/ - Covenant of Gaia
http://www.chasclifton.com/ - Chas Clifton
http://www.ravenwood.com/coven.html... - Ravenwood
http://www.avalonia.co.uk – Avalonia
http://www.rosemoon.com/ - Rosemoon
http://www.wildideas.net/temple/...... - The Temple
http://www.thewellhead.org.uk/ - The Wellhead
http://dasa.on.ca/qs/ - Quicksilver Site
http://www.nectw.org/ - N.E.C.T.W.
http://www.pagansunite.com/ - Witch/Pagan Resources
http://www.tryskelion.com/ - Tryskelion
http://www.mothersmagic.net/ - Breathless Noon
http://www.allonewicca.com/ - All one Wicca
http://www.paganspath.com/ - The Pagan`s Path
http://www.rantingwitches.com/ - The Ranting Witches
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/wicca... - Wicca
http://janus.spawnfar.net/ - The Janus Gate
http://www.hiddenmuse.com/ - Hidden Muse
http://www.geraldgardner.com/ - Gerald Gardner
http://www.witchipedia.org – Witchipedia

Answer 6

Oh boy...the best thing I can tell you for your situation is WAIT...there are a lot of things you can do without books or tools until you can practice though. Spend a lot of time out in nature...strengthen your connection with the earth. Learn how to cook, learn how to weave, study botany, study astronomy...these things might look normal and sound unrelated to Witchcraft, but they are all basis for magical arts. Cooking teaches you the importance of combining ingrediants - something you'll need for magical brews and incenses. Cooking in and of itself can be very magical. Weaving was once a magical art, spells can be woven with the threads. Botany teaches you the properties and care of plants - imprtant for growing your own herbs and knowing how to use them. Astronomy will give you the basics for learning astrology

Work on these and when you get ready to learn and practice magic when you are of age, you'll already be ahead of the kids who just went out and bought Ravenwolf's "Teen Witch"

Answer 7

I was.

When I was about 12, I wanted to be Pagan. My stepfather told me no. So, when I got confirmation, I looked to him, and said, "I'm a Pagan." He told me I couldn't do that, but I said to him that in the eyes of the church, I am now an adult, and able to make my own decisions.

At any rate, if you're not this sort of person, just get some things from other religions, and learn about them. Get some Shinto and Buddhist and Taoist and Hindu books and items. Say to her that, "I'm trying to learn as much as I can so I can understand others" when you're questioned.

That's all.

- 16 yo Pagan

Answer 8

I think you should find out your religion,and live your life the way you see fit.If you think this religion is right for you then go for it!Try to respect your mother's household rules and keep your personal religious item out of her reach.Hope for the best!
Tell her that the "tree worshiping crap" makes you happy,and it is safe.

Answer 9

Be a kid first. Whatever god you choose to believe in later in life will still be there. No one will take you seriously right now. Religion has a way of falling into place when you need it. You don't need to worry and you can't rush it.

Answer 10

What do you mean the internet is nice, but not perfect!?!
The internet is the means of gaining anything. You can find tons of stuff on different religions on here. And another thing, who cares what others think.