Teenage "wicca"

[Amadore]

I have noticed that a lot of teenagers lately have been claiming to be "wiccan". So I spoke to a couple and said "So you're Pagan?" and they would say "No, I'm wiccan."

Last time I checked, Wicca was just another path of paganism.. (tell me if I'm wrong.)

What I'm saying is that all these teens know what Wicca is, but they have NO idea what paganism is! I'm not generalizing.. there are many teens who know have been researching the religion for years, but still... what do you think is the attraction? Why is it that so many teenagers know what wicca is, but not paganism?!

[halfwaynowhere]

i blame a lot of it on Silver Ravenwolf's book, Teen Witch. Heck, i was almost like that for a short time. Then when I read another one of her books, i learned about other forms of paganism, and i quickly declined the title "Wiccan" and switched over to "Eclectic Pagan". I think teens need to realize that Teen Witch is only one book, they need to look further. especially since that specific author isn't always accurate...

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

my guess would be the media. Shows like buffy and charmed, and fiction books. That and the need to be "cool" or "different" or to rebel. So basically all that boils down to, imho, a passing knowledge of wicca, familiarity with the term, maybe even some concepts and mix that in whith a TON of misinformation and a passing fad.

[Threase]

I have to agree with that... I still read Teen Witch... even though I don't agree with a lot of what she says anymore...

[FaeFollower]

i blame a lot of it on Silver Ravenwolf's book, Teen Witch. Heck, i was almost like that for a short time. Then when I read another one of her books, i learned about other forms of paganism, and i quickly declined the title "Wiccan" and switched over to "Eclectic Pagan". I think teens need to realize that Teen Witch is only one book, they need to look further. especially since that specific author isn't always accurate...

I agree with that, but I think its unfair to lay the blame totally on SRW...I have read loads of books on Wicca (particularly books for teens) that can be just as ...inaccurate.

And I think that anyone who is really serious about learning and exploring their religion (teen or not) will eventually seek out other sources and veiwpoints and hopefully get a fuller picture of things.

For the record, I am fifteen. :flowers:

[sincerebliss]

LOL..sorry. I can't help but laugh. I'm a Wiccan but I'm not ignorant! Gheeze..yes, If your Wiccan, your Pagan. If your Pagan..your not always Wiccan. If someone says they are Wiccan and don't know their classified as Pagan, that's just sad. People are going to get the wrong idea of Pagans if people keep claiming to be something they're not! *tear*

[Amadore]

LOL..sorry. I can't help but laugh. I'm a Wiccan but I'm not ignorant! Gheeze..yes, If your Wiccan, your Pagan. If your Pagan..your not always Wiccan. If someone says they are Wiccan and don't know their classified as Pagan, that's just sad. People are going to get the wrong idea of Pagans if people keep claiming to be something they're not! *tear*

That's exactly what I'm talking about! And these kids have so much PRIDE... but it's all false pride! They walk around wearing huge-ass pentagram tshirts that say "Don't mess with me, I'm a witch"... it's really disappointing. I'm only 13 but I at least take my path seriously. Sigh.. tsk tsk :razz:

[Stormcall]

*Agrees*
I've met two other "wiccans" so far and neither of them pronounced Samhain right... Although one of the two knew the difference between wicca and paganism... I digress. The point is, as a teen myself (15), I am resentful when someone tries to lump me into the ignorant/rebellious/witchie-wannabe group, and the only way to avoid that is to make sure that group disappears! Get your act together, fellow teens! Learn! It's fun, I promise!
:thewave:

[halfwaynowhere]

a few years ago i met a girl who called herself wiccan. she described her beliefs to me, and they were not very wiccan. she was basically in it to be different... she was a new girl at school, you know how the stereotypical new girl is always different from everybody, i think thats what she was going for. then she left our school, so i'm not sure how she is now, but hopefully she woke up and realized that she neded to straighten up if she wanted to be wiccan, or go by a different name. the way she acted, it gave wiccans a bad name.

[WingedTigerChild]

I agree with halfwaynowhere. I think much of the blame to be had is on Silver Ravenwolf and other authors who’re out there just to be out there. They appeal to the young and the vulnerable, giving them a kind of 'power,' making them feel like they’re a part of something big, ‘cool’ and ‘hip.’ The media certainly doesn’t help of course, but if you think yourself an expert on Wicca after just a few (or all!) episodes of Charmed or whatever, it’s not the media I’d be worried about! Kudos to you, Amadore.

[WeepingWillow]

I am a teenager! I know what both of them are. I am pagan. lol :bouncybob :bouncybob :bouncybob :bouncybob :bouncybob :bouncybob :bouncybob :bouncybob :bouncybob :bouncybob

[Pan]

When I was first starting out, the very first book I read was... get ready for it...

TEEN WITCH by Silver Ravenwolf.

You may throw your stones, if you like.

Anyway... I'd have to say that if I'd read Scott Cunningham first, I'd not have pursued the path at all. I don't like him, while Silver makes it fun to read. That way, you can go on to other authors and find out more.

But I digress. I knew plenty of teens (and adults) that claimed to be Wiccan because they watched an episode of Charmed or saw Practical Magic in the theatre with their mom. It's disheartening.

But just remember that these same teens (and adults) will most likely either wake up and really learn about the religion, or hop on the next Religious Bandwagon.

[Rubber_Piggy]

Round here we call it 'teenybopperism' that means 'what's fashionable for teenage girls'. I accept (and am pleased) that there are teenagers out there who are serious pagans/wiccans. However there are a hell of a lot of them who are in it 'casue it's fashionable or to rebel against something. It's on the TV shows they watch and I see a huge number of spell books in the book stores gear towards teenybopper witches.

Basically IMO, TV/fashion/media started it, the fashion created a market, the market works to perpetuate/evolve the fasion.

No doubt in 10 yrs or so all of the teenage girls will all be something else.

'Wicca' is what's fashionable, not "paganism' which is why they don't all know what pagans are or that wicca is a pagan path, they have not done serious reserach. Also there will be a lot who don't take it seriously and a doing it because all of their friends are.

[DraconisArcanus]

At my local pagan shop the owner Mary refers to the teen witch wannabes as witchlettes. I think it's sad that many of them do not know that being a Witch or Wiccan is a pagan or earth-based religion. Heck my 10 yr old son knows that because he asks questions and we try our best to answer them and teach him.

Peace!

[Moon Daughter]

hehe, most teens start learning Wicca and Paganism from nothing. there are a lot more books easily written and popular and cheap books available on Wiccan, than there are on , say, Egyptian religions, or Mesopotamian etc etc.
and, i'd guess, most of the 'teen wiccan' books talk of Wicca rather than paganism.
gee...they also give out love spells, don't they?
plus, i'd say that to most teens, Wicca is something more narrow, something that they can describe and explain easier, than, say, Paganism ( which a VERY broad term)

[CalisticSunrise]

Personally i see no problem with this. Although these people do need to realize that it is a branch off, but wanting to be called a certain branch is find by me... I mean look at it this way, How many different branches of Catholisism is there? Every branch call themselves something else you don't here them referre to their choice as catholic nessacarly either...

[bshore]

See, this is the kind of situation that makes me ask: What could we do to improve this? I've thought it'd be cool to have a kind of Pagan Community Center in my town where interested parties could gather to learn and hang out.

For now, though, we just have to kind of accept the fact that people are going to be in different stages of learning about Wicca or Paganism. If they're willing to listen to advice (and you're willing to take the time to give it) then that's probably the only way to change the situation.

Hmm, maybe since so many people complain about the quality of books available to begining witches someone should write a new one? I mean Cunningham's books are good, but I have yet to see a teenager reach for him over SRW (are his books still in print?). I've always wanted to write a book titled something like "The Ultimate Uber Cool how to be a Witch in 5 Days Guide for Teens" and have it full of advice on how this is a religion and have some history and theory in there. If I gave it a bright electric blue pentacle on the cover, I'd probably sell like crazy!

[Romani Vixen]

Please don't tell me that you've actually seen that shirt.

**shivers**

That just adds to the steriotypes!


That's exactly what I'm talking about! And these kids have so much PRIDE... but it's all false pride! They walk around wearing huge-ass pentagram tshirts that say "Don't mess with me, I'm a witch"... it's really disappointing. I'm only 13 but I at least take my path seriously. Sigh.. tsk tsk :razz:

[Romani Vixen]

They give *Pagans* a bad name.

I totally understand that many people start there. But the point of starting somewhere is that you actually progress!!!



a few years ago i met a girl who called herself wiccan. she described her beliefs to me, and they were not very wiccan. she was basically in it to be different... she was a new girl at school, you know how the stereotypical new girl is always different from everybody, i think thats what she was going for. then she left our school, so i'm not sure how she is now, but hopefully she woke up and realized that she neded to straighten up if she wanted to be wiccan, or go by a different name. the way she acted, it gave wiccans a bad name.

[Romani Vixen]

At my local pagan shop the owner Mary refers to the teen witch wannabes as witchlettes.
lol

That's too cute!!!

Honestly though... this is one reason why I like this place.

Sometimes... young ones (not when they were born, but experience) need a kick in the pants. And MW is good for that. It's one reason why I'm not in the closet with most people. I want to help them mature in their spirituality.

[blueiris]

I'm 15...and the first book I ever read was Teen Witch. After reading that, i went online and typed in wicca.com and realized that there was alot more out there than just Wicca...which is why I call myself an eccletic Pagan. I don't know where you guys live, but in my town if I said I was Wiccan - well, let's just say Wicca is not very popular around here. At all.

[Romani Vixen]

hey.... we have authors on MW.... :D

[Gede]

MM~
I think many teens actually believe there is a great difference between Paganism and Wicca. For those who have at least heard both terms and have a basic understanding of what they refer to perhaps it is because the term Pagan is so broad and ambiguous at times and Wicca is essentially an accessible and popularly known word that it has developed into an issue of familiarity and comfort. I know that I hadn't even really heard of the word Pagan until after my first year of practicing Witchcraft.

Namaste, Gede...

[elfmage]

Well, I am 16, and although I like to think that I am now a bit more knowledgeable about Wicca and Paganism in general, I remember precisely what it was like when I first started researching it, before I really got serious about it.

I think it probably also has to do with the fact that whilst Wicca has many traditions, etc, it is much easier to research than such a massive topic as Paganism in general.

Also, availability of information: there are a lot more sites on the internet (for the newer seeker, who has yet to learn precisely where/how to search) on Wicca as a specific than there are easier accessible sites on Paganism in general.

Of course, when you are first starting out, it is a lot easier when you have something easier to define, such as the term Wicca. While it has different meanings, and we all know that it is every bit a "true" religion in the sense that is has great depth, it is still a term that represents something solid. Paganism, on the other hand, can be used in reference to a variety of different things, thus making it harder to grasp.

Well, that made little sense! LOL Enjoy anyway....

[SunBeam]

As a teen myself I hate it when this kind of thing happens :( People claiming to be wiccans and they dont know a thing about it. It makes me crazy :shaker: Theres a guy at my college who was talking to me about pentacles (I cant remember what exactly) but what he was saying wasn't exactly true, so I tried to correct him, but he was being so ignorant in the style of "I am right, you are wrong, Im not going to listen to you" geez :ack: Thats what angered me the most, he wouldnt even consider what I was saying :(

The first book I got was "To ride a silver broomstick" By SRW, because yes, it was highly appealing, but after that I bought more books by other people, and I did research on the internet and I learned that every author has a different view on subjects (obviously) So I didnt take her information set in stone.

What Im saying is through all my rambling :( its hard not to be tarred with same brush being a teen myself :) Ok Im done

[WingedTigerChild]

Uhm...I chose Scotting Cunningham over Silver Ravenwolf. lol Before I went out and bought any books, I surfed the net and gathered different opinions on books...and decided on Cunningham. Simple and not so much "fluff" and distortion as SRW, who (btw) makes it clear in "To ride a silver broomstick" that she is anti-Christian. She, like so many other popular "Wiccan" authors, targets specific people (teenyboppers) and appeals to their desires and tells them what they want to hear, which is not necessarily the truth. While we should, on one hand, thank these authors for getting people interested, we should also be concerned that some of them are promoting their ideas(ideals) as truths and not mere opinions. I admit that I have some issues with the way Charmed has used the term Wiccan, but I would think people smart enough to realize that watching tv is much like reading a fantasy or fiction novel. A clearly "make-believe" show like Charmed is not the be-all and end-all of information (if any "all" at all).

[Calen]

I haven't encountered many 'witchlettes' myself, but I can hope their knowlege will mature as they do.

[Ben Trismegistus]

Well, sad to say, it's just another indication that a lot of teens (and a lot of adults, for that matter) don't know what they're talking about.

My personal recommendation of a good first book for someone interested in Wicca is Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott. It's as engaging as Silver Ravenwolf (because it's more of a memoir than a how-to guide), and less dry than Scott Cunningham.

[SacredWithin]

Well, sad to say, it's just another indication that a lot of teens (and a lot of adults, for that matter) don't know what they're talking about.

But can we blame them? I mean, who is there to guide them? If people are always calling them fluffy bunnies, turning around and doing nothing to help them, just how far do you think the Pagan community is going to go? That's why it's a community.... Teamwork, helping others, etc. Not the high and mighty attitude that we supposedly denounce. There are a lot of teens in my town who are into Paganism, but not all of them are Wiccan. I know two Wiccans, a Druid, an Asatru, and an Eclectic.

[Ben Trismegistus]

But can we blame them? I mean, who is there to guide them? If people are always calling them fluffy bunnies, turning around and doing nothing to help them, just how far do you think the Pagan community is going to go? That's why it's a community.... Teamwork, helping others, etc. Not the high and mighty attitude that we supposedly denounce. There are a lot of teens in my town who are into Paganism, but not all of them are Wiccan. I know two Wiccans, a Druid, an Asatru, and an Eclectic.
Um, hello? I'm right here! :)

[Tigerlily]

There's a girl in my school who calls herself wiccan. At first I was excited to meet another pagan...but once I heard her talk about it, I decided that maybe she wasn't what I thought. She kept on calling Samhain "Hallow's Eve" and even though, that's an another way of saying Halloween, it just didn't settle right with me. And I don't know....she seems pretty "fluffy".

And for the record, I read Teen Witch as my first book. I still like it although I have read Starhawk and Cunningham and I am more knowlegdable than I was back when I was 12 when I first bought the book. :p

[Athena-Nadine]

I have noticed that a lot of teenagers lately have been claiming to be "wiccan". So I spoke to a couple and said "So you're People?" and they would say "No, I'm wiccan."

Last time I checked, Wicca was just another path of Peopleism.. (tell me if I'm wrong.)

What I'm saying is that all these teens know what Wicca is, but they have NO idea what Peopleism is! I'm not generalizing.. there are many teens who know have been researching the religion for years, but still... what do you think is the attraction? Why is it that so many teenagers know what wicca is, but not Peopleism?!And I've also been coming across quite a few, teens and not, who will say, "No, I'm Wiccan," when asked if they are People because the word People is too often used as a name for its own specific religion today. Just as a good number of Recons will say, "No, I'm Asatruar," or, "No, my religion is Hellenismos," or, "No, I'm a Reconstructionist (of whichever path)."

The fact that people don't call themselves Pagan, but something else, doesn't necessarily denote a lack of knowledge on the subject.

[Storm]

Peopleism?

[sincerebliss]

But can we blame them? I mean, who is there to guide them? If people are always calling them fluffy bunnies, turning around and doing nothing to help them, just how far do you think the Pagan community is going to go? That's why it's a community.... Teamwork, helping others, etc. Not the high and mighty attitude that we supposedly denounce. There are a lot of teens in my town who are into Paganism, but not all of them are Wiccan. I know two Wiccans, a Druid, an Asatru, and an Eclectic.

Yes, I agree w/SacredWithin. One of my friends was approched by her guy friend the other day. He was saying happy new year (samhain) and talking about how he has a Pagan and Wiccan aunt. She was looking at him like he was speaking a foreign language. I tried to explain to her what he was talking about. Even though she doesn't know I'm Wiccan (in the broom closet)..I can still help people understand the religion. Everyone can. If you can help someone understand what they don't know then you help make people a little less ignorant. :veryweird

[Raven Reed]

I started as a teen, back before SRW, and the people I knew back then who were Wiccans varied between "witchlettes" and serious Wiccans... Of course, there weren't many of us, this is 18 years ago. But I will say, I did know as many adult with "witchlette" syndrome as teens. I often wonder how many of those folks are still pagan, and how far they have progressed over the years.

[Athena-Nadine]

Peopleism?
It's not me! The Mystic Wicks @ Work setting changes P-a-g-a-n to People. :lol:

[Amadore]

Okay, so a lot of you started off by reading Silver RavenWolf's book, but you continued doing research. These kids that I'm talking about think that just because they read one book or read one website, then they're automatically a Wiccan. And as for the people who said "Maybe they want to be more specific about what they study" well no, I disagree. Why? Because they aren't being specific. They literally have no clue what Paganism is and the reason why they say that they study Wicca is because its the only magic-related religion that they've heard of.

[Moon Daughter]

...can i proudly declare ( for the purpose of being different) that i have never read anything by SRW? :)

i have, though, read Starhawk, Cummingham, Currot, Farrars and Galenorn etc etc

some of the 'more serious' wiccans that i 've spoken to are quite critical of Cunningham and most things published by Llewelyn since it's commercial.

[Soulsong]

I've never read SRW, either. Judging by her website, I wouldn't have gotten far if I'd started with her, though.

Cunningham was my first paper book (I started with a free online book), and I loved it. However, I recently started re-reading it, and found it almost nauseating in some places and outright laughable in others. I guess my spiritual life has taken a few turns in the past three years. :rolleyes:

[SacredWithin]

Well, since people are talking about their first books, mine was Witchcrafting: A Guide to Wiccan Spirituality by Phyllis Curott. I picked it up when I was 17. However I've read websites before. Maybe some people are more mature than others, but some sites and books that I've come across seemed waaay too fake for me. I knew somewhere that Paganism had something to offer more than just casting spells and supposedly calling yourself a Witch. After doing various studies, I'm still not a Pagan. However, when I first began studying various faiths and religions when I was 15, I decided that doing research into any faith I feel like jumping into, is a must. Just to be on the safe side. I constantly find that I still end up to sticking to being a Spiritualist no matter what. And I find various faiths have lots to offer to humanity as a whole. I'm now 18. :)

[bshore]

Well, since people are talking about their first books, mine was Witchcrafting: A Guide to Wiccan Spirituality by Phyllis Curott. I picked it up when I was 17. However I've read websites before. Maybe some people are more mature than others, but some sites and books that I've come across seemed waaay too fake for me. I knew somewhere that Paganism had something to offer more than just casting spells and supposedly calling yourself a Witch. After doing various studies, I'm still not a Pagan. However, when I first began studying various faiths and religions when I was 15, I decided that doing research into any faith I feel like jumping into, is a must. Just to be on the safe side. I constantly find that I still end up to sticking to being a Spiritualist no matter what. And I find various faiths have lots to offer to humanity as a whole. I'm now 18. :)

It's scary how much your story is exactly like mine. I picked up my first SRW book when I was 16 (although, the first actually Pagan book I read was Llewlyn's 1997 Magical Alminac). Now, though, I'm 22 and still researching my butt off and finding a few things that fit, but couldn't call myself Wiccan or Pagan no matter what. Just yesterday a freind of mine asked me point blank what religion I followed, and I told her simply that I don't follow any one closely enough to claim their lable.

Spiritualist and Proud for 6 years!!

[Sersee]

wow this is a reat topic ok here goes:
ok well i am 13 and i have been interested in wicca for a long time but i do admit it was the spells and magick that caught my eye....i have looked here and there but never really sat down and thought about it as a religion...but i did sit and think and i looked up a few websites and decided i really truly want to learn about it more. I now know that it isnt all spells and the typical "witchy" stereotype. what really interests me is the spirituality involved....i follow charmed like crazy and i LOVE it! but i know its just a tv show. I have seen and heard about soo many Wanabes and it drives me crazy! here in my town there is a group of "witches" as they call themselves..i dont nkow who they are but my mom has told me storys and their "celebrations" are enough to make me sick. for example every halloween they take neighborhood strays and use them as sacrifices!! hello! An it harm none, do what ye will! like honestly i cant stand that they believe they are true wiccans.i have never read any wiccan books i have only surfed online a few times so i dont really know what " teen witch" is about...And as for the shirts with the pentacle and " dont mess with me im a witch.." thats just isnt very respectful in my opinion...i mean yeah ive seen shirts that are really cute that say witch and stuff but im not about to make myself a rebel and be all " grr i'll zap u with a spell" i mean common.... i am very mature for my age so maybe that plays a role but i dont know. I wouldnt consider myself wiccan or pagan because i do not totally know how to practice magick or meditate or do any celebrations and thats why i am here...i want to learn...so i guess what im saying is really its the teenagers choice to learn more or be ignorant and just say u are wiccan....k i guess im done lol

*oh yeah and any book or website suggestions would be great! pm me! lol*

[Cylentt]

As I am learning, so I am trying to teach my family. My oldest daughter who is now on the kids only part of the board is 12, and I am slowly teaching her, cause she is interested. My other kids, aren't at this point, but I throw things in there. I am hoping that my daughter Rana will learn the difference between having a true belief system, and being a wanna be.

[Sinatra]

I'm very much in the broom closet, but there have been a couple of kids in my town who've claimed to be Wiccan. They've also threatened to curse people. Which is just bad for everyone overall, since they obviously don't understand what Wicca is, and they cause other people to think it's evil. Which everyone in my town believes anyway.

I haven't decided on a path, and I'm not about to declare myself something I'm not until I do.

...now there's a convoluted sentence.

[Candice N Wozniak]

My god... You know, I'm a teenager, 16 years old. I started into the whole Paganism thing through Wicca, technically. I was calling myself of the Wiccan branch for about half a year. But for years, I've always had an attraction to the different religions of the world. I simply saw that Paganism was the right one for me.
I think, basically, its all because of commercialization on Wicca. teenagers think its 'cool' to be Wiccan, but they don't look any further than simply that, Wicca.
I remember the first time I wanted to be a witch was after I saw the movie 'The Craft', but after looking into it all, (I was actually about 11 when this happened) I saw, no, thats not what its like, it takes a lot to be a 'witch'.
I don't actually go by 'witch' anymore. I simply call myself a Pagan. When Mormons stop me on the street to talk to me about their book, I look 'em right in the face and go "Sorry, not interested. I'm Pagan." and keep on walking.
And I'm not afraid to admit it to anyone, that I'm Pagan. My mother is an atheist, and my fathers Roman Catholic. [shrugs] They both know, and support my life choice.
But thats another story.
Blame Wicca's popularity among teens on Wiccan authors like Dorothy Morrison, Gerina Dunwich, and Silver Ravenwolf.

[Kaylara]

Ha, what passes as Wicca sweetie. Most of that poppy crap doesn't get to the meat and potatoes of the religion. And if people never get past that stuff, well, fine, that's their own deal. Wicca is popular, so what? What really matters is how we deal with this huge amount of misinformation, influx of people, and progression of our religion. Not all wiccans are fluffy morons, and not all pagans are sage wizened mages.

And btw, if you want to discuss a particular author, we *do* have a whole authors section. But I really would suggest that blaming the problems of the entire religion on a few people is rather stupid. Sure they may have an impact, but when it comes down to it, we determine where we go from here.

[MorningDove030202]

Maybe teens (well anyone realy) are confusing "Are you Pagan?" with "Are you just Pagan and not Wiccan?" because there are many who mean Pagan as in ONLY pagan.

Dove

[MentalCensorship]

I have noticed that a lot of teenagers lately have been claiming to be "wiccan". So I spoke to a couple and said "So you're Pagan?" and they would say "No, I'm wiccan."

Last time I checked, Wicca was just another path of paganism.. (tell me if I'm wrong.)

What I'm saying is that all these teens know what Wicca is, but they have NO idea what paganism is! I'm not generalizing.. there are many teens who know have been researching the religion for years, but still... what do you think is the attraction? Why is it that so many teenagers know what wicca is, but not paganism?!

I'm only 12 [almost 13] so I saw it as an opportunity to speak from experience here. For me, I was surprised at the amount of Wiccans at my school. However, very few of them know the true meaning of Wicca. This was rather disappointing to me. Not only were they not fully informed about Wicca, the entire amount of people questioned didn't seem to fully comprehend their religion. Satanists thought that they worshipped the Christian Satan, Wiccans thought that they worshipped either Satan or a mystical force not related to a God. Now the latter is entirely acceptable as an eclectic path, but they seemed to be convinced that this was the only form of Wicca acceptable.

Never go to anyone around my age thinking for an unbiased, honest answer that isn't ignorant or stupid.

</rant>

[Anubis RainHawk]

I try not to be ignorant when speaking of my spiritual path of the Witch. This is why I do TONS of studying, so I really know what I'm talking about. Many teens are looked upon as possiblely naive, which is why I try not to fall in that category.

Anubis RainHawk

[Romani Vixen]

Okay, so a lot of you started off by reading Silver RavenWolf's book, but you continued doing research. These kids that I'm talking about think that just because they read one book or read one website, then they're automatically a Wiccan. And as for the people who said "Maybe they want to be more specific about what they study" well no, I disagree. Why? Because they aren't being specific. They literally have no clue what Paganism is and the reason why they say that they study Wicca is because its the only magic-related religion that they've heard of.

And usually, when I mention that I've been studying Paganism, including Wicca, for 9 years, they usually stop and listen. How many 'witchlettes' do you know that have been practicing for many years? I can also just recomend that they read a particular book.

[Neoscottie]

I personally don't like SRW. She is to opinionated for my tastes. I read one of her books (Silver Broomstick), and I didn't like it one bit. She made it seem like Wicca is the only Pagan religion out there, and I knew that wasn't true.
Now, I'm only 14, but I know a helluvalot more than some adults I know. As for prople calling themselves Wiccan but not Pagan, I know this frustation from personal experience. My cousin is 16 and into "Wicca" because of The Craft. I try to explain things to her, but she just says something like, "Well, what would you know? I'm older, so I automaticly know more than you." Grr. I hope I can just through to her someday... The poor child. ;)

[Calen]

And I've also been coming across quite a few, teens and not, who will say, "No, I'm Wiccan," when asked if they are People because the word People is too often used as a name for its own specific religion today. Just as a good number of Recons will say, "No, I'm Asatruar," or, "No, my religion is Hellenismos," or, "No, I'm a Reconstructionist (of whichever path)."

The fact that people don't call themselves Pagan, but something else, doesn't necessarily denote a lack of knowledge on the subject.


I've never heard the term Peopleism before.. :fpeek:

[greenwitch]

That's exactly what I'm talking about! And these kids have so much PRIDE... but it's all false pride! They walk around wearing huge-ass pentagram tshirts that say "Don't mess with me, I'm a witch"... it's really disappointing. I'm only 13 but I at least take my path seriously. Sigh.. tsk tsk :razz:

I know what you mean! I'm 16 and it's really disappointing to me that I'll walk down the street past some kid trying to be a badass with a huge pentagram around their neck and black clothes! they dont get that being a wiccan or pagan doesnt mean you have to look or act like a badass! I almost want to rip the pentagram off them! I've been studing for 8 years and I'm STILL learning! having this belief is a learning process your whole life, you never stop learning it! New things happen, and you love every minute of it! I know I have! I think that a lot of teens are in this not only to be different but because they know about all the stereotypes of witches being evil and hurting others, just so they can be pissed off at the world and have a reason to be mean. They know that paganism scares a lot of people! and that's all they're in it for! Research the Rede damnit and know what you're talking about before you go and say you're something you're so obviously not!

sorry that kind of turned into a rant....
Blessed Be
Adra

[oscenn]

I just turned 14 and as a teen into Wicca I can proudly say that I'm not interested in Wicca to be different (everyone is different, so what exactly r u being different from?)<-- I think that made no sense, but oh well. I don't wear huge pentacle necklaces and shirts, but I do wear a pentacle ring, which I use to remind myself of what I believe, and not what everyone else in my Catholic High School does. And I too hate it when people see my ring and ask me why I'm wearing the devils sign. Now that pisses me off because I'm always correcting them! I know that they probably got that type of info off movies and shows. TV is the reason why people are ignorant because it sometimes doesn't show the truth.

I'm still in the process of learning about Wicca, but I don't go around and say things that I don't know. Instead when people say something wrong about Wicca, I correct them with what I do know. And that's what we have to do to teens who say ignorant things. We can correct them, instead of mug them and then go talk about how they don't kno n e thing.

Oh and the first book I read about Wicca was SRW's Teen Witch. And then I got her book: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the new Generation, Solitairy Witch.

[PhoenixRainWater]

I know what you all mean...I may be new, but I've done a bit of research. And I haven't changed my clothing style. I do wear a pentacle, but that is just because its my own personal keepsake...but I dont' show it off or anything, and its pretty small, and usually stays under my shirt. Its there just for me. My first book was SRW, but I had done reading on the internet and asked a few friends who know a bit about the subject. As for the spouting off information...if someone asks, I'll answer, but only if I know the answer for sure. But, even if these "witchlettes" (I love that term) are in secrecy, they can still find out information. I live in secrecy, so I can't just go out and buy books with "Paganism" or "witchcraft" all over the cover. But, I borrow books, and research other things that are more spiritual. I take all the help I can get. And, I will admit...I used to pronounce "samhain" wrong too, before I knew better. That was only because I didn't have someone to pronounce it for me...but once I got reading and found a pronunciation key...I do it right now...but that's what reasearch is all about.


But, after all that (I'm kinda long winded), I do find it kind of (to say the least) strange to see all these "wannabes" out there who demote everything that Paganism and its sects represent. Its almost like they think that there is something to prove by broadcasting it everywhere. Hello! Wake up call! Religion is a personal thing...if you hold it to your heart, that's all that matters. There is nothing to prove, so you don't have to broadcast it. Sure, its okay to tell people, offer advice, ask for advice, and whatnot. I'm talking about broadcasting as in: "Leave me alone, or I'll...blah blah blah" or whatever. Sometimes its funny to watch, most of the times I want to slap them.

(So much for a "quick reply")
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
decemberphoenix86@yahoo.com

[LittleRhiannon]

I've never heard the term Peopleism before.. :fpeek:

People is what the MW@Work format turns Pagan into :cool:

[raminda]

In my years of middle and high school, I never saw any issues with this personally with the people who were closest to me, but I did know friends of friends who were like this. However, the number was quite small from what I knew. I would assume the media has a lot to do with this as someone has already mentioned, but I also believe that being a teenager has a lot to do with trying new things and finding out who you are.

[Blair]

Anyway... I'd have to say that if I'd read Scott Cunningham first, I'd not have pursued the path at all. I don't like him, while Silver makes it fun to read. That way, you can go on to other authors and find out more.

Maybe since his was the first I read was why I stuck with it then. I was 14 and didn't like the idea of reading a serious theologic/religious book targeted toward teenagers. I've always been a serious scholar.


I mean Cunningham's books are good, but I have yet to see a teenager reach for him over SRW (are his books still in print?).

hehe. You missed me 5 years ago when I did :thumbsup:

Anyways, I was wiccan for quite a few years not because it was cool but because that was what was right for me then. Now it's not. Oh and one more thing, just because you wear a pentacle(moderately sized) and lots of black does not make you a wannabe. That's what I always wear or just about. I wore it before I became pagan(without the pentacle of course) and I will probably wear it for quite a while more.

[Dark Phoenix]

I started studying Wiccan when I was Seventeen (I am almost twenty-one) and thankfully the first book I picked up was Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott and would be lying if I said being different because of it did not cross my mind but it just felt right to me, of course I have meet the fluffy bunny teenager and those who are far more advanced then I.
I think it is sad that the real serious wiccan/pagan teens are overshadowed by the fluffy bunny type.

[dr_zeus440]

hmm, i dunno, theres something to be said for the scare value as to grabbing teen attention. i dont think the media plays a major part but i wont deny that they contribute. id say that a lot of its got to do with the whole "magic is for everyone" i.e. "you might be a poor underage student under the tyrannical grip of your parents iron fist, but join our religion and you can feel powerful by dancing naked outside and burning candles!" thing. disempowered teens lust after magic.

as to the misinformation, im personally not concerned, because i have no reason to care about the image of paganism, paganism is pretty much a non-entity (as far as the public is concerned) around here. but those who are genuinely curious and interested will eventually learn more, and those who are full of poo with either get bored with the little they do know, or just burst in a giant faecal explosion. fingers crossed, anyway.

[girlharmony]

I remember being a naive ten year old who wanted to be like her aunt, who was a pagan of some sort (most likely wiccan). So, I hauled my spiritualist father down to the pagan accessory store and got him to buy me a book: "Teen Witch" by SRW. I read that thing cover to cover, and used it as a reference. When the "being different" factor wore off, I gave up.

It wasn't until about 2 years ago when I was going through a very hard time that I picked up the book again. Again, I read it cover to cover- and everything in it didn't sit right with me. So what did I do, I searched online and for other books. Learned as much as I physically could. It wasn't until I ended up here a few months ago that I finally found a place for myself. Now, I take pride in calling myself an eclectic pagan- as Im learning and growing.

When i was just starting out, for the second time, I met a girl who introduced herself to me because she saw my pentagram necklace. She said she was Wiccan, and we started to spend time together. After awhile I realized something about her wasn't quite right. Besides the fact she lied about every aspect of her life--- when i asked her to explain her beliefs to me, none of them made any sense. (then again, this is the same girl who believes in Anarchy, yet doesn't know the meaning. but the symbol is attractive, right?). So I explained mine- and she flat out told me that no, I was wrong, her opinions were the right ones.

needless to say, that's when I turned my back on the witchlette. sad really, if only she got into wiccan more than just for a trends sake.

[lilromantyc]

*Agrees*
I've met two other "wiccans" so far and neither of them pronounced Samhain right... Although one of the two knew the difference between wicca and paganism... I digress. The point is, as a teen myself (15), I am resentful when someone tries to lump me into the ignorant/rebellious/witchie-wannabe group, and the only way to avoid that is to make sure that group disappears! Get your act together, fellow teens! Learn! It's fun, I promise!
Exactly! It's very similar here...so many of them claim to be, but then they look at you, someone who knows what the heck they're talking about, blankly and stupidly. I hate to be associated with these people. :twitch: Out of prolly 200 kids who wear the pentagram and the shirts and whatnot...maybe 3 or 4 (myself included...I'm 16) actually know what it means and actually are pagans/wiccans. I think, because around here so many parents are fairly strict Christian/Jewish/Muslim/Buddhist/etc, many teens are rebelling. So they go with what they view as pretty much the exact opposite of what their parents believe is "right and good"--wicca and witchcraft. But they're ignorant of everything it encompasses. Sometimes I just want to shake them a little, or whack them upside the head. It's where a lot of paganism's/wicca's bad repute is coming from. Ignorant people teach other ignorant people what it's about...and they still have no clue.
And then there's the whole thing with SRW and teens not reading a variety of material. Reading one book makes them an expert... :geez: But I'm not gonna get into that.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

I was pointed on the Wiccan way by my friends in high school. I found out that the people I hung out with were Wiccans, and since I knew a little but not lots about it, I looked it up and severely liked it. One of those three people was a severe fluff-bunny who defaced my inherited copy of the Book of Ceremonial Magic, one of them I now regard as a pagan nonentity, and the other tells me I know more about Wicca and magic than is good for me.
I've been Wiccan since I was 17. My very first magical books of any sort were my father's copies of 'The Book of Ceremonial Magic' by A. E. Waite and 'The Secret Lore of Magic' by Idries Shah. My first Wiccan book was 'Celtic Magic' by D. J. Conway. Say what you will against her - I've said it myself many times - but if you ignore every bit of 'Celtic' crap in there, you have a fairly decent book. After that, I read 'The Complete Idiot's Guide To Wicca and Witchcraft'. And after that, 'A Witches Bible' by the farrars. Even at that age, and having read so little, I was able to figure out that most of the historical information in those books was garbage.
I didn't wear a pentacle in school, because I did not have or want one. The one I wear now is worn only because my ankh necklace mysteriously vanished when I was at an airport, and I needed to wear *something*. I did not buy the first pentacle I saw; I got the exact one I have always wanted - silver, just a simple pentacle, the size of a toonie.
While I was at pagan pride Day, I attempted to educate and inform some teenage 'Wiccans' about the dangers of $RW and fluffy thinking. Alas, they were all concerned only with buying things and talking about how it would be such fun to persecute the Christians for once, and after that, I sort of gave up on them.
I know that there are intelligent Wiccan teens out there. I was one. A very good friend, whos's middle-aged and Wiccan recently told me that I'm one of the most Wicca-educated people she knows, because I can easily discuss things like 'The Golden Bough', quite a bit about Gerald Gardner, etc etc etc. Why? because I devote a lot of time to reading. If I get the chance to read a 'classic' Wiccan text that influcenced the people who were responsible for Wicca in the first place, then I can have a greater understanding of what inspired Gardner, and that is something good to know.
When I have children, Witchlets of my own, I will not feed them dumbed-down fluffy crap. I will expect them to follow in my footsteps and I will pass on the gifts my father gave to me - having them read Lovecraft when they're ten or so (is there anything better for increasing vocabulary than Lovecraft?), Poe, Shakespeare, mythologies, and so on.

[Sekhmet Soul30]

I've encountered the witchletts myself. Back when I first started, thirteen, I didn't know anything about Wicca or Paganism. Thankfully I went to a New Age store and talked to a witch who told me the difference between Paganism and Wicca. I bought a couple of books and did searching. Now I'm 30, going on 31, and now involved in my forever path of Tameran Wicca. I think that when you have parents that aren't supportive, shows that give off the wrong impression, friends that are involved and think they know, and teen books for those that are teens and want to practice, then what can you expect.

They get no help from home, the books that are written for them are there to take their money, and if they set foot in a shop that might be able to help them they run the risk of their parents finding out. I think that parents, once they find out that their child is involved in Wicca, they do all they can to keep them away. All this does it hoodwinks these poor souls into buying anything that will help them practice and they go through their entire teen lives thinking that this is all that's out there.

Parents themselves don't understand anything about the religion and thus they draw their own conclusions. I think that if people really look at the message behind these books, like Silver Ravenwolf, then they'll see that these authors only care about one thing...money and not about if their really helping out their reader in obtaining actual knowledge.

[kagekarasu]

I remember the first time I ran into someone wanting to practice witchcraft. I was in 5th grade and The Craft was still a new movie. It was said I was witch(I hadn't claimed the title yet, but practicing my skills thanks to my family) and so a group of girls sought me out. They had unfortunately read a couple of books on Wicca, and so of course what I trying to tell them about witchcraft was wrong. From here, I researched Wicca and was very put off by it.

These encounters of teens wanting to practice witchcraft and be being the local witch went on and in some ways still does, as anytime I'm at a pagan get together they are drawn to me. I always do my best to try and educate them about the fact that there are many ways to practice, there's no right way and that Wicca is only one of many, but alas, like said before, they read some SRW and know everything know, so I of course don't know anything.

I still hope that one day something in their minds will click and they will get it, but right now, they clinging to an image of something more than anything and when they decide to know themselves and what they stand for, maybe a few things I told them might come to mind, especially my telling them to read everything you can get your hands on when it comes to the occult, just don't get lost in your books, cause you still gotta practice.

[Sekhmet Soul30]

Hay, kagekarasu, I use to live in St. Louis for about seven years. Great to see someone from my old town. It's strange that teens, not all, are doing Wicca to be cool or fit in. Like I said before I went to a actual witch, the one in St. Louis, who told me the difference. She was really great and helped me not to become one of these witchlings. I'm also proud to say that I avoided the things that would of given Wicca a bad name, like the all black and wearing the pentacle.

I love my religion and that includes my new path. I think that Wicca is more than what you read in books, it's a personal and spiritual experience.

[Louisvillian]

Last time I checked, Wicca was just another path of paganism.. (tell me if I'm wrong.)
Well, yes, but clarifying that they are Wiccan rather than just some generalised pagan isn't necessarily incorrect.
Though, with them being teenagers, I doubt the veracity of their claims to being Wiccan or pagan or anything at all.


Why is it that so many teenagers know what wicca is, but not paganism?!Because Wicca is a popular, high-profile iteration of paganism.
As to why it attracts the damn idiot teenagers- same reason young folk are often attracted to Buddhism or whatnot; trying to "be different" and rebel against their parents' beliefs and norms.
So, yeah, usual childish bullcrap.

[Sekhmet Soul30]

I'm totally agreeing with the bullcrap part. I'm finally getting away from the books and working on my own, with the experience that I've gained. Also, why was this site down for, like, two days. Just a question. Missed all you wonderful witchy people.

[Selah]

Because Wicca is a popular, high-profile iteration of paganism.
As to why it attracts the damn idiot teenagers- same reason young folk are often attracted to Buddhism or whatnot; trying to "be different" and rebel against their parents' beliefs and norms.
So, yeah, usual childish bullcrap.

Yeah, pretty much. Then, they learn that Buddhism involves a lot of hard work, like Wicca, and involves things that scare them and make them uncomfortable, so they either drop it or continue to delude themselves.

[Sekhmet Soul30]

Selah, love your photo "Jigglypuff doesn't approve," I just love that. I'm starting down my path in Hinduism. I've always wanted to practice Hinduism, just something about India struck a cord and I'm learning a lot about them as I want to be an Archeologist and preserve the past as much as one can, and when I found out that you could practice it without needing to convert (not that I'm against that) then I decided to take what I was studying and develop my practice.

About the fluffy people. You mentioned, Selah, that when teens find out that Buddhism, like Wicca, requires hard work they either delude themselves or move onto something else. I think that parents don't understand that and they get worried over nothing. Teens want to be different and they think that Wicca will do it for them. In Hinduism I finding out that it's a lot of hard work, remembering mantras in words that are hard to pronounce, doing a Puja everyday, and honoring God in whatever form that the Hindu's have given him.

This path, like Wicca and Buddhism, is hard work and they have to understand that. The Fluffs will never get it and I say we leave them alone, let them find out for themselves that this is hard work and not something that's easy to do. They watch way too much Craft and think that Witchcraft is what's on screen.

Sometimes I really hate movies about witches.

[Melkor_Grimm]

I'm a teen Wiccan, though I feel that I understand Paganism adequately. I have explored various Pagan paths in my time as a Pagan, including Asatru/Odinism, Druidry, and Ceremonial Magick. I consider myself an Eclectic Pagan as well as a Wiccan, and I have no problem in understanding that Wicca is a Pagan path (one of many). From my experience most teens are also aware of this (or maybe it is just that I only seek to associate myself with those over the age of 14 and whom show a considerable amount of dedicate to their chosen path).

[Hadewijch]

There are here in Holland a lot of "teen witches" too. Often the're age 10 to 14. When they talking about witchcraft it's always and only about where to buy your tools and they are talking about the most spectacular dreams. Or they have seen the films of Harry Potter and liked the magick. It's always about being a "white" good witch, about writing the BoS while the're not knowing what a BoS actually is or what it containes. They like paganism because they are loving their horse, cat or dog. The most of them are in trouble with there parents because the parents don't like the witch interests of their children because finding them to young for that. (and they are probably right, they knowing their children best)

Some of them were talking about wicca priesthood and about becoming priestess at age 14!:hmmmmm:

I think that the most of them are simply to young for wicca. To young to understand what wicca is really about, to young to practise. They often don't like this opinion of me, but I'm never intended to be hateful to them or something like that. As an adult I'm never participate on the forums with such young children anymore. When they are a bit older I like to talk to them and I always respond to their questions.

[Circe3]

The attraction I think mostly comes from television, movies, or rebeling from their parents belief system. Then eventually they watch a whole bunch of movies and shows with "wicca" in it and think that's how it's supposed to be so that is how they act. Though it's not every teenager, I myself started on myself in my pre-teens and I researched various religions before settling. I think the difference is whether they are doing it because it's "in", to rebel, or because they truly feel a connection to it.

[Drifter]

One of my friends is 'Wiccan' although she all she reads is something called goth wicca with red and black stereotypical font. She can't pronounce the holidays. And the biggest one? She said, "Aren't you Wiccan too?" And I said, "Uh no, I'm Pagan." She said, "What the f's a Pagan?" Seriously?

[lightdragon]

at 17 I was aware of people who worshipped the pagan gods. was never aware of Wicca at that age. although I was aware of witchcraft and Satanism.

[Brunhilda]

The attraction I think mostly comes from television, movies, or rebeling from their parents belief system. Then eventually they watch a whole bunch of movies and shows with "wicca" in it and think that's how it's supposed to be so that is how they act. Though it's not every teenager, I myself started on myself in my pre-teens and I researched various religions before settling. I think the difference is whether they are doing it because it's "in", to rebel, or because they truly feel a connection to it.

That was me around age 15. Looking back, I can't tell if I was genuinely interested or simply wanted to rebel against my conservative parents. I ended up running back to Christianity in tears. Something inside me knew I didn't want to be Wiccan.

[Siqoni]

Just to point out though. As annoying as those teens can be sometimes, they have brought more acceptance to Wiccans. I know, not everyone is accepting, some people obviously still dislike the religion as a whole. However, you have to admit there is more acceptance among that generation then the others. Its not all bad.
I do admit it is annoying. It gives some people that tunnel vision of they think they know what Wicca is, but that's not what it is. However, that is easier to fix then complete intolerance in general.

[ehwaz]

LOL..sorry. I can't help but laugh. I'm a Wiccan but I'm not ignorant! Gheeze..yes, If your Wiccan, your Pagan. If your Pagan..your not always Wiccan. If someone says they are Wiccan and don't know their classified as Pagan, that's just sad. People are going to get the wrong idea of Pagans if people keep claiming to be something they're not! *tear*

Yeah, I'm a teenage Wiccan (and Pagan, obviously.) I think a lot of it has to do with the media and needing something to rebel with. Many teens want to do something outside the norm, be noticed, or just irritate their parents, and I feel like if you go tell your Catholic parents, "I'm not going to church anymore, because I'm a witch," it's definitely going to provoke some sort of reaction.
I'm certainly not saying all this to encompass all young practitioners, but I do think it's true. However, there are plenty of teens who know what they're talking about, even if they're still learning. I started with the books The Teen Spell Book by Jamie Wood and Anne Moira's Grimoire for the Greek Witch, but I have other books about goddesses, mythology, meditation, Scott Cunningham's book for the solitary practitioner, and an entire encyclopedia on all things Witch, Wicca, and Neo-Paganism, which has some serious stuff, and witches in the media, etc.
And my friends have been Totally Awesome about it. :)

[Nox_Mortus]

My biggest problem with most teen "Wiccans" is that they never seem to understand or care about the mysteries, which is sort of what we're all about. This frustrates me to no end, it's not like they are hard to find and decipher on at least a basic level.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

One of my friends is 'Wiccan' although she all she reads is something called goth wicca with red and black stereotypical font. She can't pronounce the holidays. And the biggest one? She said, "Aren't you Wiccan too?" And I said, "Uh no, I'm Pagan." She said, "What the f's a Pagan?" Seriously?

Just a curious side note here but what does pronouncing the names have to do with one being something? I've seen many so called educated people that do not speak the names of many things properly. Author's that give pronouncing hints in their books that are so wrong it's unreal. Regional variations in enucation and syilibil hang that would choke a horse.

That your friend does not prounounce it as you do does not make her wrong or you right. To my perspective it simply paints you as not being as informed as you think you are. That does not even take into account the various meanings and representations that are assigned to the so called Sabbats and Esabbats (or the various spellings varities of each).

[Nox_Mortus]

and even most really well informed Wiccans/Neo-Pagans don't pronounce Beltaine properly.

[Kalioppee]

Some of them were talking about wicca priesthood and about becoming priestess at age 14!:hmmmmm:

I think that the most of them are simply to young for wicca. To young to understand what wicca is really about, to young to practise. They often don't like this opinion of me, but I'm never intended to be hateful to them or something like that. As an adult I'm never participate on the forums with such young children anymore. When they are a bit older I like to talk to them and I always respond to their questions.

LOL when I started there were no books on Wicca. Well not exactly, we had the Golden Bough, oh and there was no internet !!! But there was the Green Egg Magazine and although I was in contact with those in Wicca no one in their right mind would consider teaching someone under 18, which meant I had to wait until 1977! I learned what I could through the Green Egg which was hard to get in a lot of places. I never met any teenage wannabes. The Spiral Dance and Drawing down the Moon were my first books which didn't come out until 1979 which by then I was married and had a 1 yr old son.

I will say this - that when Scott Cunningham's books started to come out, he expressed Wicca that you could self-initiate - This was Never done before. That meant you did not need to find a Traditional Wicca Coven to get teachings. You could read his books and get the outer court teachings of Trad Wicca back then, and he taught you how to make your own rituals and he opened a new world for many of us. And many authors have added to the wicca book list for everyone.