So you’ve decided you’re a Wiccan or a Witch and you feel ready to tell the world, or at least your trusted family and friends? My first question is why? Let’s think this through...

Spirituality and religion are deeply personal topics and often very volatile ones too. Most of the world’s wars have been fought over religion and the last thing you want to create is a family or friend war over your choice of religion. So my first suggestion is to seriously consider thinking through why you would want everyone to know about a personal and private choice anyway. If you just want to tell folks for shock value, then my next question is simple. Are you following the religion for the shock value too because if so, find a better way to express yourself!

Seriously though, does everyone need to know? We don’t normally introduce ourselves by saying “Hi my name’s John and I’m a Buddhist” so why would we say “Hi, my names Susan and I’m a Witch”.

If however, you are on the search for a community of likeminded people then you probably will need to come out of the broom closet and declare your choices. But before you do, make sure you’ve clearly figured out what those choices are. If you’re a Witch, what sort of Witch are you and why. If you’re a Wiccan, what tradition are you? How serious are you and what about that tradition do you want to share with or learn from others?

I guess what we’re really saying here is that your religious and spiritual choices are yours and yours alone. They don’t have to be shared with others unless there’s a specific reason. Others may have made their own choices and be very defensive or protective of those choices. Faced with someone who has made what they consider to be apposing choices may well result in a failed friendship or family feud. Be prepared for discussion if you declare your religious standpoint and make sure you have very definitely decided where you stand. Be prepared to patiently explain your choices and to defend them where required. Or alternatively, you could just keep those choices private and stay in the broom closet until you’re ready for the repercussions.

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst