Is there any other pagans that can help me?

Question

I am 14 and becoming a wiccan and i need help preparing such as getting supplies without my parents knowing I NEED HELP and if there is anyother paga teens out there please please please contact me

Answer 1

If you are 14 then it will be a long time before you can become Wicca – in order to become Wicca you need to be initiated into a Wiccan coven (with direct lineage back to Gardner or the New Forest Coven), most covens do not initiate people under the age of 18 for a few reasons.

Wicca has adult themes such as the symbolism of sex within the Great Rite, which is something someone of your age will not have an understand of and may not be suitable for you. Wicca practice skyclad meaning they practice naked, which again is not appropriate for someone of your age. As Wicca are oath-bound (thus do not tell non-Wicca about what they do) many people will see serious problems with someone of your age being naked with adults who will not tell other adults what they are doing. Also as Wicca is oath-bound they have to be sure that you are capable of keeping those oaths, and as keen as you may be Wicca training can be very intense as such you may not understand the philosophies at your age and may not have the time to study. Furthermore there are simple moral issues about someone of your age becoming Wicca, Wicca is a priesthood not just something you get into, at your age you should be exploring different religions not joining a priesthood.

Lying to your parents is not a good idea, they are your parents so you should respect them, furthermore as I say Wicca is an adult religion, now say if you were to get involved with other people – the only way to become Wicca is through training and initiation into a coven – but these people turn out to be not-so-good (which lets face it, if anyone was willing to train or initiate you this is a glaring STOP sign as they should not be trusted!), then keeping that from your parents is going to put you into even more danger.

Wicca is a very involved path to follow, a lot of study, practice and as already said you are at least 4 years away from even being able to become Wicca, as such you are far better off studying different paths to see what works for you.

Why at 14 do you want think you know you want to become Wicca? What attracts you to Wicca? Why are you trying to hide it from your friends? Why are you attempting to become Wicca when you are too young?

Answer 2

First of all, I would ask you if you are really comfortable lying to your parents.

If so, then maybe you're not ready for Wicca just yet.

If not, then I'd say tell them or put off practicing Wicca until you are older and out on your own. There are plenty of things you can do that aren't strictly Wiccan that will serve you well when you start practicing the religion -- I'm thinking in particular of techniques of meditation and mental focus.

If you decide to tell them, here are some links to help them understand the religion.

A relatively objective (non-Wiccan) set of articles on what Wiccans do and believe:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm

Another useful article:

http://www.religionfacts.com/neopaganism/paths/wicca.htm

A good site by Wiccans:

http://wicca.timerift.net

And the US Army Chaplains Handbook excerpt on Wicca:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_usbk.htm

Reading is also something you can do without actually practicing Wicca. I'd recommend "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham, and "The Triumph of the Moon" by Ronald Hutton. I advise you to stay away from anything by Silver Ravenwolf, for reasons outlined in the following essay:

http://wicca.timerift.net/ravenwolf.shtml

If you have any further questions, or if your parents want to "talk" with an adult who is Wiccan, please feel free to email me.

EDITED TO ADD: Reading some of the links supplied by aa.gabriel...

Ah, yes. Ridiculing another religion is a widely accepted method which mature people use to debate and make their point. Not.

If I tried to point out all the errors/deliberate misconceptions in those articles, I'd be here all night.

Answer 3

If you're going to be Pagan, be proud of it. You're 14. You've probably hit puberty. So, physically, you're an adult. Also, if you're Catholic currently and got Confirmation, in the eyes of the Church you're an adult.

As an adult, you can make your own decisions and choices.

Just be aware that your parents may not be for it. If you're not ready for any reaction they may throw at you, then wait before saying you're Wiccan. If you can wait that long without changing your mind, Wicca's for you, probably.

Let me tell you, a lot of things can happen if your parents don't like your decision. My stepfather, for example, threatened to throw me out of the house. He hit and beat me. He screamed away. He tore up my books (even the non-Pagan ones, like my dictionary and my thesaurus!) and threw things at me. He told me I was going to Hell. He brought me to church every day, and twice on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you can't prepare yourself for something as bad as that (even though it may not happen to you in all likely hood) then just wait.

I believe it's important to be honest to your parents, no matter what. So, do what you think is right.


- 16 yo Pagan

Answer 4

I'm not sure you can get supplies without the help of your parents when you are a minor. Try researching stores that are near you. Most of them will sell to you. Most web sites can not because you are not 18. I suggest telling your parents and hoping they will understand though. You don't want to find your supplies and you get in trouble. religoustolerence.org can help you tell them.

Answer 5

wonderful thing about wicca is that the supplies can be whatever you can get, spices from the grocery store can work wonders, essential oils from the dollar store--it doesn't have to be specific or expensive or from some exotic "witch store" go for a walk in the park and look for rocks and twigs--it';s a nature based religion!

Answer 6

You must be ashamed of your choice. Maybe it would be a bit touchy telling your parents "I want to be a witch" Why not put it off till you are a bit older. At 14 you probably do not understand the spiritual implications of what you are getting into.

Answer 7

Deceiving your parents is a violation of Pagan moral values.

Answer 8

I'm sorry, I can't help you, and this really isn't an answer (again, sorry) but I have the SAME problem! Good to know I'm not alone.

Answer 9

~Wiccan Teen here~

what do you need help with?

Answer 10

Just conjure up what you need. You just have to eat a toad first.