To Pagans who practice magic?

Question

What would you do if a teenager, that is not your child, approached you and asked you to teach them, without their parents/gaurdians knowing it?
Would you teach them or would you tell them to wait til they were older?
The child I speak of is 15 years old and her grandfather(who has custody of her) is a Christian minister. I fully believe that this girl is wishing to become a Wiccan for the pure shock value and to rebel against her Grandparents and not from the heart at this time. Was it right of me to turn her away?

I know in my heart that I did the right thing. I would never teach someone that I did not believe was truely interested in their heart about this path.
I just simply wondered what other's would do in that situation. After all there is a writer out there that seems to pray on these types of children. I don't think I need to mention a name as to who.

Babak Kaveh: you call me immature yet you do not know me or what is in my heart. I do not look for admiration from anyone in what I do expecially not from those whose hearts are in turmoil the way this young child's is. She and her Grandparents are close family friends and I care for them all deeply. I would never do anything to add to the confusion in her mind.

I refuse to hide what I am and her family has execpted us in ways that no other's have in our small Christian town. They have become like family to me, my husband and my children.

I am not some teenager who thinks it is fun to dabble in the unknown. I take my beliefs seriously and RARELY use magic to aid me. I have spent years researching and learning my path and believe that while I am still learning I have come far in it.

Answer 1

You wrote:

"I fully believe that this girl is wishing to become a Wiccan for the pure shock value and to rebel against her Grandparents and not from the heart at this time."

No reputable WICCAN teacher (a Priest or Priestess of a Wiccan Tradition) would teach anyone under the age of 18. Period.

As for the rest, you did absolutely the right thing.

I'm not a Wiccan (I have neither been trained in, nor initiated into, a Wiccan Tradition), but this Witch does her best to discourage even adult askers - if the seeker doesn't have the seriousness and the hunger to ask more than once, to follow through, to prove that they are serious, I won't waste my energy on them.

Answer 2

Since she is under age, you made the right choice. With her guardian being a minister, you bet he will press charges and 9 out of 10 the court will agree with him based on his religion.
Now if the girl was 18, there's nothing any adults could do from allowing you to teach her what you know.
Also, since she's doing it out of rebellion, she may not comprehend and follow the beliefs and/or lifestyle well. Until she's fully ready to convert, with her heart and knowing that iit is right for her, don't teach her no matter the age. Perhaps you two could talk about what you each believe in a civil, non threatening (for the grandparent's sake) conversation but actually trying to teach would be a bad idea.

Answer 3

I would have done the same thing and I would be concerned that she might try something else that has a big shock value attached to it. Especially at 15 when there are so many things out there to get into trouble with. I think I would go so far as to try to keep in contact with her and offer to be someone who is willing to listen to her without judgment, often times that's what teens really want is someone to just listen to them and confirm that all the crazy mixed up stuff is a normal part of growing up

Answer 4

I would be reluctant to teach ANY teenager magic unless I knew them and their parents very well indeed.

As for pagan spiritual teaching, I would NOT teach that to a minor child either without their parents permission. I would advise this person that they are a minor in their gaurdian's house and even though they may not always agree, their grandfatehr loves them and wants what is best for them.

There will be time enough for them to learn all they wish when they are out on their own.

Answer 5

Good for you! You understand that these skills are not to be treated lightly and shared with just anyone.

Like previous people have said, I'd be reluctant to teach ANY teenager. Some are "old souls" and, thus, might be able to handle it but most are just too immature.

It's a serious responsibility to mentor someone. Much like handing someone a loaded gun, you have to be SURE that they understand the seriousness and that they will act prudently.

Answer 6

I don't teach anyone under 18,plain and simple
No ethical Wiccan would teach someone not of an age to be their own person. In the US that is usually 18.

So if you are asking if I think your decision to turn her away was the right one, I would say yes.

Answer 7

If a person truly wants new knowledge at 15 they will still wish to have such knowledge when they are no longer the age of adult custody. Many young people are turning away from the threat based religions. However, a complaint from a custodian--parent of court appointed--can cause you a lot of legal misery.

Answer 8

I have been in the same position. A 14 yr old girl, whose mother is 100% fundy, once asked me to teach her. I told her I would not as long as she was under-age. Her mom would have had a field day with me if I had done it.

So long answer short - yes, you did the right thing.

Answer 9

I wouldn't teacher anyone under the age of 18. It was right to turn her away especially if she wanted to just use it as a way to shock people. She showed an immaturity that says she isn't ready.

Answer 10

Easy. I have a 15 year old son. I sure as heck wouldn't want a Christian minister teaching him behind my back, so, why would I do the same?