Witchvox Article

Author: Savannah Smiles
Posted: May 31st. 2009
Times Viewed: 3,741

OK, so I'm a Witch. Did everyone hear that? It's very important that you know that going into this.

For my entire life I've been drawn to this path. As I small child I just knew I would be a hippie when I grew up. However I just missed out on the hippie movement. Peace, love, funky clothes, incense, the freedom, dancing, and music.

As a child I was drawn to the Hansel and Gretel stories, thinking if someone attempted to eat my house there'd be pay back too. Halloween was always a serious holiday for me. I could feel the wheel turning although I couldn't verbalize what it was that I felt. Flowers and trees spoke to me. Not in a language I could hear but one I could feel. I knew there was magick in the air on those long summer nights and although I never saw a faery I now know they were there.

This brings me to my adult life. I've always studied religions and never felt comfortable being a Christian. The hymns were heavy, the sermons longs, the people looked so old and tired. I remember a pastor I had during middle school saying if everyone is truly rejoicing in the Lord why aren't they dancing in the aisles. I wondered about this also.

So now I am a Witch. I'm a mother, sister, daughter, friend, lover, employee, neighbor, and paranormal investigator, name a few others but through it all...I'm a Witch. And I find I have not only an obligation but also a responsibility to be a public Witch.

Ever since I came out to myself that the Old Religion is mine I've found that everyone knows and has always known. My old boyfriend who I hadn't seen since I was 20 met me for dinner a few years ago and when I told him he laughed. He said, �You were one then too. Why should I be surprised?�

I've been fortunate that no one has ever had anything negative to say to me about my path. Not once in all the years that I've been doing this have I ever had a problem. I wear my jewelry, not loud flamboyant jewelry but subtle not to be mistaken jewelry.

I've worked for the state government, private security, cooking, doing bail bonds, in a bookstore, and a few others and I've always been out. My family, friends, neighbors, employers, co-workers, store clerks, everyone I know and meet can see that I am a Witch.

Since I've had my house I've done ritual in the backyard, a handfasting, drumming circles, healing circles, and of course esbats and sabbats. My neighbors have been most respectful, quietly going inside during the ritual part.

One night the folks on the corner stayed outside because they were having a cook out. It was around 9 p.m. and the beers were flying. We were singing the Earth my Body song which I really don't think regular folks know and by the time we had sung through half a dozen rounds we could hear them humming the tune and attempting to sing along.

Soon after that I found out I was known as the Witch of Perry Hall. Since the back of my house is on a main road everyone riding by sees what we do. Everyone knows what it is and no one has a problem with it.

I've always felt that I was blessed and lately while reflecting on this I knew I had to put these thoughts out there.

A friend who works for a Fortune 500 company told me that she appreciated that not only am I public but that I realize how fortunate I am to be allowed to do so. There is no way in her field that her spirituality could ever be known with no repercussions. And I know that in this country demographics plays a large role also. I am blessed that I settled in an open, non-judgmental community. There are so many people across this country and the world who have to live in fear of others knowing while I am allowed to put it out there and celebrate.

People in the childcare industry, law enforcement, and health field to name only a small few have to keep such an important part of themselves hidden. While I not only am able to talk about who I am but can rejoice about who I am.

I realize that there are a lot of people who put up with the Jane is just a hippie, Shelly is very strange, and Tom sure does dance to his own tune. When the reality is Jane, Shelly, and Tom are Witches who have to hide in the night.

I have had friends who wondered out of my life, a husband to couldn't accept that I was changing and family members who didn't understand I wasn't going to hell. All these people have left my life but I have never lost a job or anything else that held real meaning for me.

My house is never egged on Halloween, the true friends are always there for me, and I've been able to share my true essence with everyone. My life holds a deeper meaning because I can incorporate my spirituality into every aspect of it and not have to compartmentalize.

So each day I put on my jewelry, and my clothes and my invisible Witch hat and I make my way in the world. There is a fine line between �check me out� and walking the walk. I try in everything I do to walk the walk. I try to be the Witch. Holding onto the spirituality, the mentality, and the thought that I walk not only for myself but also for all those who can't walk for themselves.

If everyone hides no one will ever know us. And I know of so many who long for the freedom and acceptance I have found. So I put it out there that those of us who can come out in some areas of our lives do so.

I don't expect for everyone to find what I have found but if you can be out you have a responsibility to be out. If it's only to your family or close friends then do it. But if you start to find acceptance go for it.

For each time we stand up to someone and say I am a Witch we bring recognition to our community and we make it easier for the next one of us to say it also. So here goes....

I am a Witch.

ABOUT...

Savannah Smiles

Location: Perry Hall, Maryland

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