Witchvox Article

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Posted: February 19th. 2000
Times Viewed: 4,672

It was well over 6 years ago when I decided I wanted to at least study Wicca. Out of all the religions I researched, it was one of the few that, at the time, clicked with me. But, I had one problem... to study Wicca, I needed something to study from, and that meant books. The region I live in was quite closed at that time; the topic of religion was frowned upon, especially if it didn't include Bible tracts. Stores of the kind that would sell these books were hard to come by, or so I thought (there was a store already in town, with a name I should have been able to put two and two together with - the Wicca Shoppe). So, with money in one hand and a catalog in the other, I went to talk to my Father.

I had a few books I wanted to order through the mail, and had the money to cover the cost, tax and shipping. The only thing I didn't have was a Visa, which was necessary to order from this company. I asked my Father to order these books for me, and I gave him the money to cover it. Not a problem. He grabbed the phone and within seconds was placing my order. Wicca this, Pagan that, Witchcraft this... While reading off the titles, his face began to look a little puzzled, and at one moment he asked the person on the other end of the line to hold on a second. He put his hand over the phone, turned to me and asked, "Are you a Witch?"

"In training, Dad."

He shrugged. "OK."

That was pretty much the end of it. He finished off the order and went back to the living room to watch the news. When my Mother asked what books I got, I showed her the list. She looked at it for a second, and said, "Well, you're going to have to let me read those too. You can't find anything like that at the library."

That was it. When I did my year and a day, and dedicated myself to the Craft, I announced that this is my path to my family. Sure, I got teased for it, but in my family, harmless teasing is a common thing. You can't make it through the day without getting zinged at least once. But the teasing was also their way of getting used to the fact that their daughter was different. They should have guessed that years ago.

Over time, my being a Witch was just the way things were. My entire family knows, from my parents and sister, to my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and even my great grandparents. It's just common now.

So, the broom closet with my family has never been an issue. And when I came out at high school, the reaction was a double-edged sword, but in circumstances where I was discriminated against (like an argument between me and a teacher over my Pentagram), my family stepped right in to defend my side. If they could accept it, then everyone should, was their way of thinking.

After coming home from school one day, my Mom told me she received a phone call from my English teacher regarding an article I did for a project, which was titled "Christmas Pageants and Public Schools - Why Aren't Other Religious Solstice Myths Observed?" My Mom asked if I still had a copy so she could read it, so I handed her my diskettes and we went to look it up on the computer.

I wrote that article because I did go to a public high school, and this year the drama class decided to put on your typical nativity scene type play, with angels and sheep and baby Jesus. Almost every Atheist and Jehovah's Witness in my school took a fit, and I was there with them, protesting this play. The article I wrote went up on the main billboard in one of the school's hallways, and discussed different religious beliefs and practices around Winter Solstice. My English teacher argued that I was just trying to raise hell, and being a Satan-worshiper made it easy.

My Mother argued for close to an hour with her on that topic, she said. "Who in their right mind could think that just because my daughter is a Witch that she would worship that thing?" But, to double check on topics brought up in the argument, she wanted to read my article, and after she did, she turned to me and said, "You know, this is a great piece of work. You must have inherited the literary skills from me. Just like your beauty." Usual remark (The "She's my child cause she did something good" joke, one of the usuals in my family.) "But guess what, I had your same English teacher when I was in high school, and get prepared to be singled out for everything. She all of a sudden doesn't like you. Yet if this is why, then she's an idiot."

The high school staff harassed me, fellow students teased me. I lived through it. And I'm ever thankful for having an open-minded family. I've now taken this to another level, and have made myself somewhat of an open figure in the Wiccan community within my region. Many people know my name, and I've had the opportunity to meet many fellow Pagans. The region is becoming more open minded too, and I'm proud to have had a hand in it.

I've written "Wiccan" under religious beliefs on forms and surveys. I've openly told employers my religious beliefs if they ever asked. I've written letters to the editor, protested truth in media violations, done radio shows, interviews, and the lot. My family has either been there for them, or clipped them out of the newspaper, or taped them. And then showed them off to friends. "Look at what my daughter wrote/said/did! We're so proud of her."

I can't say I've feared being open about my religion. I felt a need to set forth an example to those who thought we were evil, mean and destructive. Sure, I probably have jeopardized a few jobs I could have landed, or made a few people feel uneasy. Never meant to do that, it wasn't a part of a plan. But someone had to do it, this town needed it, and why not me?

In light and love!

Veshka Valkyrie

ABOUT...

Location: , Ontario

Bio: Veshka is a founding member of the Northern Witch Learning Circle (http://users.drak.net/Northern-Witch), an organization in the region of Sudbury, Ontario, which is working to offer networking and education to the Wiccan community. She lives with her beautiful Doberman Angel, and equally beautiful longhaired Tabby KeeKee.

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