The Broom Closet Question

[Clairvoyance]

When and HOW did you Come out to Your Family and Friends that you were Taking Part in this very Controversial spiritual Path?

I started studying Wicca at the age of twelve. I actually got into it when I was thirteen [I'm currently a day away from fifteen]. It was easy to ‘come out’ to my mother because I had the police there to help. I had ran away from home and when I was brought back the police AND my mother when through my backpack filled with crackers, bottled water, a framed picture of my sister and I, a snapshot of my cat, a knife [for protection]…and my Book of Shadows. It wasn’t that great back then. Since I started a Dianic Coven it’s come a long way…anyway…my mother went through and read the entire thing which was just a notebook to the outside world. The next day I sat down with my mother and my counselor and we looked up Wicca on the web. It turns out, my mother had thought that I had given up all faith. She’s just glad that I believe in SOMETHING. The hard part is yet to come…actually ‘coming out of the closet’. The REAL “closet”. My girlfriend’s Wiccan, too…her parents don’t know yet.

[Silverm00n]

Wow Clairvoyance that's quite a journey! I discovered Wicca 10 yrs. ago when I was about 14. I didn't get too much into it then, because I felt that I wasn't in the right place in my life to do so. Over the years I did some light studying, nothing big, till I picked it back up just about 2 years ago and seriously began studying and practicing. Coming out of the broom closet was not the easiest, and I basically still am locked away in there except to my husband, my mom, and a friend. I was raised Catholic, so my mom basically flipped out when I told her! She thinks that we worship the devil! It wasn't until just recently that I was able to start explaining to her what our religion is really about. I choose to stay half in half out because I just don't find the point in sitting there explaining my religious beliefs or practices to people that really don't play a big role in my life. Besides, it just feels more sacred to me this way, and that's most important. Hang in there, if your mom wasn't too torn up about you being Wiccan, I'm sure that in the future you will find the right time to come out of the other closet, and she will support you on that as well. Best of luck to you!

Blessed be

[lost]

im 13 and i have been ineteresed since i was five when i had an experience.my parents or family know nuthing about it my friends do.my family just believes im into "weird stuff" i think its kool your parents are ok with it.i doubt i will ever tell mine

[Eadanu]

Very interesting to see how everyone came out. I myself started when I was about 14 or 15 but didn't get really in to it till about 7 years ago. my parents have always known and have tried to support me. But I joined the military right out of high school so I never said anything about my religion till about 4 years ago when i met my husband. I have a tatoo on my back in The Ban alphabet, or a form of Kabalistic(depending on how you see it). We got on the subject of religion one night and to my surprise we had a lot more in common then I thought. He introduced me to some of his friends and since then I've been very open about it.

[kanaloa]

wow.I'm soooooo in the broom closet as people seem so narrow minded and think we worship the devil.I feel so isolated in my practice. I love magick but so frustrating when there is no one to share with. I was out in public last weekend and a man walked up to me and asked if I was a witch.I was dressed like everybody else with no visable jewelry. I just froze because the way this man asked me was frightening.He was judging me and felt if I answered truthfully he could of been real mean.I'am glad some of you came out,for me,for my protection I will stay in the closet. at least I have this forum. thanks.:violin: :eek:

[Eadanu]

In some places the people are very narrow minded. I was in Hawaii for 2 years and I can say that place was a big part of me not saying that I was wiccan. And I would of deffinetly stayed in the closet if it wasn't for my husband. I do know some people that are still in the closet just because they don't feel safe, or they just don't enjoy answering a lot of questions about it. And I have to say that depending on the people I'm talking to I don't come out and say I'm a wiccan. It's just easier to keep it quiet sometimes.

[kanaloa]

was wondering if there are many military Wiccans.Yes,easier to just keep quiet.Hope someday like will attract like,this forum is the closest I seem to get.:circle: :circle: :circle:

[Eadanu]

I've been in 6 years almost 7 and I have only met about 20 people that study Wicca. But I have met many people that are interested in it and want to learn more.

[kanaloa]

good that some are interested.I wonder why there is such confusion surrounding Wiccan to the outside world.It makes so much sense,and really just positive thinking .I see alot of low magick practiced everyday by people who are not even aware it originated from Wiccan practice..do you like living in Japan?:roillingcat:

[Eadanu]

Not really I'm only on Deployment here. I leave to go back to Mississippi the first part of Dec. But I've had fun here seen a lot of cool stuff. And I enjoyed driving on the opposite side of the road. But I'm ready to get back to my husband and son.

[kanaloa]

Safe travels,good luck.May you find magick wherever you are.My daughter whos in the Navy, is coming home for the holiday.I thank and respect all of you.May everyone come home to their loved ones soon...........:cheers:

[Eadanu]

:cheers: I'm glad she is comming home. It's always nice to be home for the Holidays. I know I'm always ready to come home no matter how long it will be for. :happydance: My your Holidays be blessed.

[kanaloa]

Thankyou and many blessings to you and yours.I bet your guys will be excited to see you.I have a son in Saitama,Japan.. non military tho. aloha.:cheers:

[Silverm00n]

Safe travels,good luck.May you find magick wherever you are.My daughter whos in the Navy, is coming home for the holiday.I thank and respect all of you.May everyone come home to their loved ones soon...........:cheers:

I agree, many blessing to those who serve our country. I'm happy that you and your loved ones are coming home safely! :thewave: :cheers:

[kanaloa]

Thankyou for your kind words.My child in the service is fortunate to come home for the holiday.I think of all the families whos child did not make it home.I think of the young people overseas in harms way. May peace begin within us.Blessings to our fellow Wiccan in the military who is making her journey back to the states from Japan..Blessings to you for thinking of our loved ones and writing something.:band:

[curiouscat]

I started reading the Tarot cards when I was nine so you would think my friends and family would have figured out I wasn't like them. But they haven't. My boyfriend ( now fiance ) and his father thought I was full of it when I told them I could "read" them. It wasn't until I told my fiance when his mother would die and when his father would get out of prision that he believed me. It scared him and he asked me never to " mess with that stuff " again. I did as he wished until resently. I broke the news to him yesterday that I am a follower of Wicca and he was sort of upset. He thought because he is Christian that after seven years I would leave him for another Wiccan.
Shame, shame on him.
I figure I will let my family and friends know when the time is right.

[Strega Yollie]

I am completely stuck in the broom closet, and I don't know if I'll ever come out.

I tried to breech the topic of religion on my husband the other night as we talked about different religions to expose potential children to. I lightly brought up Wicca and he freaked!

My mom and step dad are Presbyterians, both former Catholics. They both have very strong faith and I'm not sure how they would handle it. I know my step dad would swing the bible at me like he was using a paged sword.

I find this quote to be true about any kind of religion:
Religion is like a penis.
It's fine to have it.
It's fine to be proud of it.
But please don't whip it out in public and start waving it around,
And PLEASE don't try to shove it down my throat.

That's my take on it.
Yollie

[Robertus_]

Man, the broom closet was a real issue for me.

I'm 20 years old and I've been quite a number of things. I found my home in Wicca three years ago. The hard part wasn't coming out to my friends and family, I've always been very personable and they know that I wouldn't make a decision without lots of thought, but it was the mocking.

Oh God and Goddess the mocking.

No one takes Wicca seriously. They always would just make fun of my faith and it really started to grate on my nerves. but instead of being bitter I decided to defend my faith. I started reading religious and non-religious philosophers and apologists. I listened to all kinds of debates. Now, Wiccan apologetics is kinda my thing. :P

[Rainspeak]

I discovered Wicca at the tender age of eight. My mother, spiritual but not religious, bought books and we read about the path together. Small rituals became part of everyday life-- we built faerie houses in the wilderness, practiced meditation, went on midnight strolls on full moons, offered healing energy ("white light" as I remember it) when the other needed it.

While mom totally embraced it, dad just didn't ask questions.

That waxed and waned for many years and it was only after I went through a very long period of depression and anxiety that I came back to Wicca to stay. Mom was entirely unaffected, and dad was just as respectfully non-confrontational.

I feel very lucky to have had so much support (or at least so little blatant rejection).


Also, Yollie, fantastic quote.

[Strega Yollie]

Thanks RainSpeak, but I can't take all the credit for it. I found the quote on a t-shirt print and just loved it. I don't know where the guy got the shirt from, and I can't find one myself, but I love the quote to pieces.

Thank the shirt.
Yollie

[Megz04]

I never had an issue coming out of the broom closet, nor did it ever occur to me that I would! From what I have read the opinions of religion in the UK seem to be a lot more 'open minded' than some people here have experienced. I was never concerned about telling anyone. I started being interested in Wicca about 7 years ago and I have read and collected books and materials ever since. I found Wicca through an interest in alternative therapy, and I have a large collection of Wicca tools and New Age items. It is only in the last few months I have decided to dedicate myself to the path of Wicca, and I never had any concern about telling anyone. My mother (an atheist) my father (an agnostic from a catholic background) and my boyfriend (also an atheist) have all been very supportive and interested in my choice of religion. It is a shame that some people need to remain in the broom closet for any reason, particularly due to ignorance from other people.

[MaskOfLace]

I know this is a slightly older post... hope it doesn't matter if I post here... A couple of weeks ago I told my mom, then a few days later I told my dad. I'm lucky because they're both agnostic and quite open minded.

My mom just took it all in, asked a couple questions about the basic beliefs, holidays, etc. I told my dad the very basics, he just sort of went "Ah. Okay."

My mom's really good about it, so is my dad. My dad teases me a bit, but it's in fun.

[DarkRoses99]

I'll probably never leave the broom closet. By force because of my extreme parents but also by choice. Only my husband knows and he is very accepting. Overall I like having my religious life seperate from my public life. My religion is my business and my business only.

[Robertus_]

I'm 21 now and starting practicing Wicca, on a and off, since I was 15. I never told my grandparents, who I lived with, but my wife and friends all knew.

When my grandparents did know I sat them down and discussed with them what I believed and why. I explained to them where these ideas came from and that I'm not something crazy.

That seems to be the linchpin of a successful coming out is the ability to explain and defend your beliefs.

[Lunacie]

I'm 21 now and starting practicing Wicca, on a and off, since I was 15. I never told my grandparents, who I lived with, but my wife and friends all knew.

When my grandparents did know I sat them down and discussed with them what I believed and why. I explained to them where these ideas came from and that I'm not something crazy.

That seems to be the linchpin of a successful coming out is the ability to explain and defend your beliefs.

I'm happy for you that you had the kind of relationship where your grandparents would listen to you and not jump to conclusions about Satan worship and sacrificing babies or black cats. Not everyone has family who can be that open minded. Not everyone has family that will listen to even the best explanations.

[Robertus_]

I'm happy for you that you had the kind of relationship where your grandparents would listen to you and not jump to conclusions about Satan worship and sacrificing babies or black cats. Not everyone has family who can be that open minded. Not everyone has family that will listen to even the best explanations.

This is very true. Many of the people in my study groups fall into that category.

And I've heard horror stories about these sorts of conditions. Actually reminds me of the Early Christian persecutions in the Roman Empire, where parts of a family discover a new faith and the rest think they're crazy or subversive.

Thankfully it appears that our culture is in flux when it comes to the acceptance of non-mainstream faiths. Hopefully within a generation we can be more accepting of our loved ones following their own path.