“My sister just won’t stop for a minute to hear me out,” Milly, a new acquaintance, said.
“She has all these judgments about me and my faith. She doesn’t see me as a person. It’s like she’s talking to her projection of what she thinks I might be.”
I reflected on this.
Here are two insights that might help you.
1. You push, and they push back.
Ever try to explain your faith to someone? And, they just push back. Telling you that you’re wrong and that they know—better than you—what your spiritual path is.
Arrogant, right?
You push facts, and they push fiction. But what does the pushing get? Nothing good.
2. Invite the Gods to help you lower your “intensity.”
Have you noticed that when someone says unfair and ignorant things against you, it’s your internal “intensity” that rises?
Here is a prayer that you can use to help you lower your intensity.
I breathe in and bring in the love of the Gods. I breathe out and let go of my anxiety. I breathe in and bring in clarity. I breathe out and let go of my intensity. I breathe in calm. I breathe out and let go of my intensity. I breathe in peace within my integrity. I breathe out and let go of my intensity. May the Gods bless me. So Mote It Be
“I can’t believe what President Dumbdumb just did,” one of my friends said.
“I know. I can’t buy eggs, anymore,” my other friend Sarah said.
“And it looks like there is going to be legislation against certain spiritual paths,” my friend said.
I reflected on this.
During the Burning Times, what did our ancestors think about such awful circumstances?
I considered that we must do what we can and hold strong in faith.
Here is a prayer you can use.
Goddess, Help me endure like my ancestors did. No matter what stupidity or viciousness I and my brothers and sisters shall face. The Gods are with us! So Mote It Be
Are you considering the question of whether to go public with your Pagan faith?
Recently, one of my readers asked: “How do I tell my mainly Christian friends/family I’m Wiccan?”
“That’s a vital and complicated topic,” I thought. “Can I answer this in a brief article or would this be something to cover in half a book?”
Here’s my answer to my reader:
Are you sure you need to go public with your Wiccan faith? Many Wiccans stay in the broom closet and are just happy with that. They have real and intense reasons to keep their faith private.
I have deep empathy for your situation—my own parents dragged my brother and me to their Christian church in our early years.
It’s important to consider many issues before you do something that is irreversible.
1) You will lose some people.
Many Christians have been told by their religion-leaders that Wicca is evil. So, these Christians feel terror about Wicca. Doesn’t it make sense that several people may react poorly to you telling them you have different beliefs than they do? You may be shunned—for a lifetime. Are you willing to lose some friends and family?
2) Are you ready to go public?
For many Wiccans, the cost of going public has been to lose their jobs and other opportunities because of their beliefs.
In this day of social media, several authors suggest: “There is no privacy.”
Many of us have stories about how someone said, “I’ll keep your secret,” but later that person blurted out one’s private information. How do you feel about the whole online world knowing that you are Wiccan?
3) Are you okay with the possible backlash?
Remember, many Christians have been misinformed about Wicca. Those individuals consider Wicca to be evil. How do some people treat those they consider evil? Have you seen the consequences of those who think they are righteous and they’re only “punishing” evil-doers? People who are afraid tend to react in a rash manner.
After due consideration … here are some methods to express one’s Wiccan faith publicly.
a) Let the other person start the conversation
I always wear a pentacle necklace. When some people see it, they make a comment. This opens the door for me to explain what the pentacle means. In this way, I’m able to share some of my beliefs and let them know some facts about the Wiccan spiritual path. (Warning: It depends on where you live. Since many Christians believe Wicca to be evil, you might open yourself to violence if you openly wear a pentacle. Please know that I live in Northern California where such an occurrence is unlikely.)
b) Start with common ground
“Margaret, I noticed that you’re concerned about taking care of the environment,” Amanda said. This is an example of starting with common ground. You can talk about how you also have a deep appreciation for nature. You can mention that walking in nature is like going to a sacred place for you. Some Wiccans mention that they have a “nature-focused religion.”
Some people who believe in one God say that they have a feeling of awe when they see the Grand Canyon or a waterfall. The feeling of awe in the presence of nature can be common ground.
c) Talk about “The All” if that is part of your Wiccan Faith
Some Wiccans believe that “The All” began the universe. Then The All manifested as the Goddess who gave birth to the God … and so forth.
A Christian might be able to understand “The All” as approximating what they view as “God, the Father.”
d) Show Your Wiccan Faith in Action
Take up an environmental cause—if that fits for you. Here are options: Do cleanups in your neighborhood and demonstrate the positive things about your beliefs. Volunteer at an animal shelter, or perform some other charitable work. In these ways, you demonstrate the life-enhancing actions that you do, inspired by your Wiccan faith.
Please do a lot of reflection. Get some advice from people you trust. Practice the actual words you will use for your tough conversations about your Wiccan faith … if you decide to cross this irreversible threshold.
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As a Wiccan I found this an inspiring read. Written in a way that makes it accessible to everyone irrespective of their current knowledge. – Shona Cathro
I don’t generally write reviews on books I’ve read…but this time i feel lead to. This book spoke volumes to me, as if the author knew exactly where I’m coming from and what I’m struggling with. It’s not often a book can make me cry, but this one did by making me see the many blocks I’ve put up in my life. I knew they were there, but I’ve gotten skilled at pretending they’re not. Thank you for helping me see I’m not some freak because of circumstances throughout my life that have caused the blocks, and that i need to stop hiding from or burying them and face them one step at a time. – Crystal Sparks
This book is a must have for all of those starting out on the spiritual path of Wicca and for all of those who are just looking for some light and love in their life. MoonWater SilverClaw uses her knowledge of Wicca and her personal experiences to not only teach the Law of Attraction in a clear manner but to help you use the Law of Attraction to better your life.
Through simple guided meditations and tips on living a happy healthy life this book takes you on a journey that will teach you how to love yourself, better your self image, and rid yourself of the negative energies that prevent you from reaching your goals.
This book covers many wonderful topics that will teach you basic magical practices as well as the theory and idea of “like attracts like” From setting up an alter to casting a circle and how to perform and find the magick that you are seeing in your life this book has so much to offer.
MoonWater SilverClaw is truly an inspirational writer for a newer generation of Wiccans and those seeking to use the natural energies of the earth to make changes in their life. Her writing style speaks from the heart because she has been where the reader is, she has used these techniques and steps to better her own life and now she is helping the reader use the Law of Attraction to better theirs – Amazon Customer
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Ms. SilverClaw has written a book that is really great for the beginner wanting to learn about Wiccan or wants to start practicing the art of Wicca. I found this book wonderful, easy to read, and extremely helpful and informative. It covers everything from what Wicca is, the history of Wicca and how Wicca became misassociated with evil, along with how Wicca can help/save people’s lives. Ms. SilverClaw also discusses practicing Wicca either in a Coven or Solo, and all the things you need in order to have in order to perform your ceremony, and she explains what each item means. She explains how to create spells and gives examples to use, and explains the pitfalls of creating certain types of spells. Ms. SilverClaw has truly created a book that is a cast all net the seems to cover everything that I needed to know to begin practicing Wicca. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for their first book on the topic and wants to start practicing the art of Wicca or is just curious about the topic. This is truly a Must Have book. – Tamra L. Shipman
“Now, do you believe?!” my sweetie said to me, as the plane lifted from the ground.
“Yeah, I do,” I replied.
For months, he said that we would take a plane, cross the country and then take a ship and finally walk on the ocean floor.
Because of dealing with depression symptoms, it was hard for me to really believe that our trip would actually take place. In a way, you might say my depression symptoms blocked me from seeing the possibilities.
This reminds me of the classic story in which blind men gathered to experience an elephant.
“It’s a pillar,” said the blind man embracing one leg.
“No, a hand fan,” said another holding an ear.
“You’re wrong, a rope,” said another.
“No, a wall.”
“A solid pipe,” said the one holding the tusk.
A wise man approached and explained, “You’re all right. You all experienced a part of the elephant. The elephant is all that you said and more.”
Finally, the blind men stopped arguing.
The same, I believe, is true about Deity. Everyone has a piece of the ALL. And what they don’t see is that it is all connected. It’s the same ALL that everyone else has. But they are experiencing the ALL in different ways, and this selective experience creates different practices and beliefs around the world.
So when I hear someone say that he knows the one and only God, I pause. I think of the elephant which is more than the sum of the parts.
Yes, I believe the God and Goddess are part of the ALL. But still I realize that Deity is more than my momentary perception.
And I’d invite anyone else to consider that other people are experiencing Deity in a way that suits them at the moment.
Let’s celebrate our shared opportunity to grow in spirit.
Blessings,
Moonwater SilverClaw
For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:
How To Walk the Wiccan Path and Deal with a Family Members Discomfort
Do your friends know you’re Wiccan? How about your family?
Do you have to keep your beliefs a secret at your workplace?
I am fairly open about my practicing Wicca.
Unfortunately, I do have a family member who suggests that I keep a low profile when I attend a work-related event with him. He works in an industry that includes people who speak out a lot about their Christianity. So I turn my talisman with a pentacle around when I’m at a work-related event with him.
Many times I have argued that this form of “hiding” impinges on my freedom as a witch.
At one point, we had one of his friends, a born-again Christian visit, and we kept the door to the room with my shrine closed.
All other times, I wear my pentacle jewelry with pride and talk openly about my beliefs.
I observe that, in America, one does business with a significant number of people who profess that they are Christian and that they hold conservative beliefs.
When I’m in a business situation with my family member, I honor his situation. I am NOT dishonoring the Gods by turning my talisman around, and I am honoring my family member’s concerns.
I am still a witch. Now if someone asks me about it, I will tell them the truth. I am a Wiccan High Priestess. I will not cower in the corner, but that hasn’t happened yet during my family member’s work-related events. I still wear my pentacle; I just do it incognito.
As a matter of fact, I always wear my pentacle. It brings me comfort, and I feel it gives me protection.
Those individuals who are Anti-Wiccan appear to be ignorant (definition: lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated in the subject at hand) about Wicca.
It bothers me when a person chooses not to learn, then the situation may become dangerous. When does the price of silence become too much to bear?
At present, we’re at a junction.
First, it is a blessing that many of our predecessors have hacked a path in the wilderness of fear and ignorance that other people have about Wicca. When a significant number of Wiccans openly express the beauty of Wicca, more people in this world start to appreciate who we Wiccans really are.
Fostering this appreciation is one of the reasons that I write this blog.
At this time, I have found my own path. I stand ready to share Wicca with others. And still at my family member’s work-related event, I do not broadcast my beliefs (I keep my talisman turned around).
As I continue to write this blog and my books, I’m encouraged to see other Wiccans continuing to have a positive influence in the world. May we all continue to express the beauty of Wicca.
Now, I invite you to share with us. Have you faced opposition in some form of conservative community? How do you deal with the situation?
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