Teens and Witchcraft

I truly began in the craft when I was fifteen years old. I began the way most any teenager does: with the prospect of performing spells. I had never heard of witchcraft and had no idea that there was any kind of religion behind it. I found a book of spells by accident at a bookstore and suddenly a whole new world opened up. I was sure it would be just like the movies. Fire would fly from my fingertips and I would cause changes with a snap of my fingers. I was hungry.

I bought another book and another. I hid them backwards on the bookshelf in my room because I was certain what I was doing was wrong. Then I bought a book on Wicca. It was like buying a cookbook with instructions instead of just ingredients. It wasn't the best book on the subject, but I learned so much. I began taking notes. I learned names, dates, holidays, beliefs and practices. Never in my life had I been so interested in anything. Never had I wanted to learn so much. I learned what I was doing wasn't wrong.

What had initially seemed like something evil suddenly changed me into a new and better person. By learning something I never knew existed, I learned to think for myself, develop real morals and not to believe everything I hear. I finally found a way to express myself and search my soul. I became a much better person. I had something to be proud of. I really grew up and learned not to think of myself so much. Petty things in my life such as clothing and popularity just seemed to fade away. My grades got better because I learned to like studying. I loved learning and had a new interest in living. Witchcraft gave me something it seemed I was forced to live without my whole life, like a flower that is forced to grow in the shade opens in its first ray of sunshine.

Most authors won't touch the subject of teens and witchcraft with a ten foot pole. Many think that it is the parents' decision what religion their child should practice. There is obviously some conflict here. While most don't wish to offend the parents by condoning the practice of witchcraft, I realize that teenagers are old enough to think for themselves and make their own decisions based on faith. Teens have rational thoughts (though some parents do not consider mistakes while learning "rational thought") and desire the same rights as adults.

I do not believe that age should prevent someone from participating in any religion, especially if it is what they truly believe. People will do and believe what they wish whether someone else tells them to or not. That being said, I also believe that Wicca is hardly something that should be treated as if it were potentially harmful like drugs, alcohol, and sex. Religion is a personal and very sacred thing. It should be treated as sacred, especially if it is a religion which teaches love for others and respect for oneself.

To learn more about Wicca and witchcraft, see my website at Witch-Crafted.com