Why I Decided to Come Out
I never officially have. I don't think I ever sat down with friends or family and actually said "Guess what, I'm a witch". When I actually began buying and studying books on the subject as a young teenager, those who saw the books drew their own conclusions, but no one ever asked me about it (although I heard some very interesting rumors about myself being circulated by my delightful schoolmates...)
What I Said and Did
When my mom found my first book she started following me around the house spouting bible passages at me and threatening to have me excommunicated (we were Methodist, mom; not Catholic, by the way). I explained to her that I was just interested in exploring this path. That I've always felt more holiness in nature than in the church (although I still really like old churches- especially when they're not filled with a bunch of puritanical hypocrites, like ours was). That I still totally respected her beliefs but I just felt a different way. The rest of my life...I just don't make a big deal about it. It's not the first thing I tell someone upon meeting them- just like I don't run around shouting about my sexual preferences or my ethnic heritage or even my favorite food, but I don't hide it either. As with all those things, when I meet someone, if they become a friend they will eventually learn all these things in time. It's just another part of who I am. The people who are freaked out and avoid me upon learning my lifestyle and beliefs...always been a good thing in my experience!
Advice
- if you're going to go around telling people you're a witch (pagan, druid, etc), make sure you're able to give intelligent answers to any questions people may have- you know, be a good example
- be respectful of others' paths as you want them to respect yours
- if you have family members you feel will be totally wigged out and un-accepting, ask yourself- is it vital to your existence that you declare it to everyone on earth? If Great Grandma lives in another town, and isn't ever going to accidentally stumble into a naked circle dance in your yard -do you really need to discuss your choice of religion with her?
What I'd Do Differently
About "coming out"? Nothing, really. I wish I'd studied more or been able to follow through on one definite path or another earlier in life, instead of the metaphysical meandering my pagan studies have always been- but that's another subject.
