R&S witches, how did you come into your craft?

Question

Were you born into it, in the way that older members of your family taught you the ways? Or was it some other form? I am very curious to hear about other people's stories. Please, if this question does not apply to you, do not bother to answer.

Now, did I say why I was a witch? No.. I did not. I also asked people, who this question does not pertain to, not to answer. All I want to know is why they chose that over something else. Not such a horrible thing to ask in my opinion. After all, how can we learn to live with each other if we preach intolerance?

I meant to say in that last addition, "Did I say I was a witch. For that I would reply a no to. Do I have gifts? Yes, they are very similiar to Steve's if anyone at all cares. :-)

Answer 1

Dear Megs,

This is a very good question to ask when you are unfamiliar with Witchcraft. You will find that asking about it around here, you will get some abuse from some Fundies, but just ignore them..They are ignorant fools.

I came to paganism and Witchcraft after rejecting the Christian dogma when I was in college. I stayed away from all religion for years until I read book titled The Skeptical Feminist, by Barbara Walker. It shook my world and opened my eyes to the fact that the world we live in is dominated by patriarchy, that the power of women and the truth of the Divine Feminine has been debased cruelly for centuries. Feminism, and that book, led me to study pre-Judeo Christian religions and found that the female was once revered and considered very important, much more so than today. I read When God Was A Woman, The First Sex, and I began to be drawn to the idea of a Female Deity, in the Goddess. I studied this for some time, which led me to find Wicca. I studied this for a time, but found that I needed to find something that I could consider real, and I find the idea of deities does not work for me. I researched the differences between Wicca and Witchcraft. The two overlap, but they are not the same thing. I am drawn to the Earth, and the elements in Witchcraft are Air, Fire,Water,and Earth. These are real things, not to be worshiped but to be revered, because this is how our lives are sustained.

What finally drew me to the Craft was the fact that it is exactly me. It is a craft more than a religion, and it is real. It is not the stuff that Hollywood puts out. It is being in touch with the Earth, Her changes, Her gifts, the seasons, all life around us. It involves much more than spell work. I do magic that many others could do if they learned how to connect to the power inside themselves and to channel it, to realize what it is and how to find it.

I feel something from you. You know what I mean. You have gifts, and you don't have to call yourself a Witch to have Witch like gifts. Your gifts come naturally.

A very good book on the basics is called Witchcraft: A Beginner's Guide, by Teresa Moorey. It is available online for about $10, and it is like FAQs about the Craft. I highly recommend it!

Bright Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 2

From a young age I knew my mother was a witch, and discovered later that my grandfather also practiced the craft as did his mother (a Comanche Medicine "man"). But my parents encouraged me to find out all I could about all religions and not to make a decision lightly. At an early age I began reading everything I could get my hands on and quickly came to realize that spell-casting came naturally and that what is in all the books may provide a basic foundation but not directions. I am pretty well versed in Christianity, Buddhism, Hindi, and a little Islam. Plus a number of other minor religions. I was baptized a Christian, but knew all along that it was not the path for me. So I do know the bible pretty well. I think you will find that most pagans (including witches) are really well versed in Christianity. Unlike the others, I don't mind being called a witch, because that IS what I am!
BB
)O(

Answer 3

I am not a witch but I am a pagan.
I am Heathon Recon. Basically this means I practice the religion of my literal ancestors. No I wasn't born into in the literal sense but it is very much were I come from.
I found paganism by accident. I read about it and it hit like a bolt of lightening. I didn't find my tradition until a while after but once again, hit my like a lightening bolt. I heard their call and answered. Some do, some don't.
I learn from the Edda's and texts that weren't demolished. I learn from lore and from myself. I am really blessed to have a few really awesome Asatru in my life that can help me along my path who I adore.
I can honestly say I am happier and more at peace in myself and my life then I have ever been in my life. I wouldn't change that for anything.

Answer 4

I became a Wiccan after many years of study and research. I do have gifts that I have had since I can remember. My family is Catholic so I too was raised in that faith. Still it didn't feel right to me. I started studying other religions and came upon the Wiccan's. They used herbs in their spells and healing and had similar beliefs as I did. I was in my early thirties when I started and now in my late forties am an ordained 1st degree priestess of the Correllian faith (another branch of Wicca). I still practice as a solitary and normally don't speak of it since I believe that how I live my religion is more important than shouting my beliefs to others who either do not wish to understand, or want to convert me back against my beliefs and will. I certainly wouldn't want you to take up Wicca if it were not your choice or desire. I hope this answers your questions. Let me know if you need more information.

Answer 5

I don't particularly like using the word "witch" as the modern definition doesn't really apply to me (of course, I'm talking about the definition that is general to Wicca - and the normal Christian definition doesn't apply to me in any way, shape or form). As for having "gifts", yes and I was born with them the same as my mother... and her mother. I wasn't taught anything really... not religion nor "witchcraft", but was taught how to temper the gifts I do have. I was taught that one should learn all they can, not just about "gifts", but about the world in which we live so that the gifts can be used to benefit everyone and not just myself or my family. My family believes in being connected to one another for strength that will help those around us. It certainly wasn't the "witchcraft" that is being taught in circles and covens today.

Answer 6

I don't call myself a 'witch' cause I don't believe in labels.

I grew up christian but I realized that a young age, I could do strange things, know things I shouldn't, kinda 'read' people's minds at times, etc....
Because of my religion, I thought I was bad. Then, I thought god gave me these gifts.

Finally, I realized that we're all born with different gifts and that if we allow ourselves to experience them, they will manifest themselves.

Over the years, I've cultivated the ones I like (healing, 'reading' people to help them) and suppressed others (wishing ill on others, seeing spirits)

Answer 7

I was born into part of it. Discovered I could heal sick and injured animals before I was old enough to know I couldn't.

The rest came later. Dowsing, craft, Reiki, various distance healing techniques, the whole gamut.

Ophiel books helped me along some with craft, as well as being fortunate enough to have some worthy personal friends.

Answer 8

There was a fellow PTSD patient (she was physically abused by a boyfriend ) who lent me a few books when I was 14.

Yes, (feel free to laugh). It was at a psych hospital and we both had PTSD, Post traumatic Stress Disorder. She was a great friend and helped me a lot.

I'm not joking either to make fun of anyone. Its how it was brought into my life.

Answer 9

Well, I guess that when I read books on the subject, I realized that it mirrored my personal beliefs totally. I have always been a little unusual, dreams that came true, animals love me.and other stuff.

Answer 10

I like KRAFT cheese.