Why I Decided to Come Out
I really never did "decide" to come out, mostly because as I learned about Paganism and Wicca, I didn't hide it to begin with. I did tell my parents gradually, though they suspected something was up for a long time before I actually did my initiation! Turns out they were a lot less surprised than I thought they would be.
What I Said and Did
I think of being Wiccan as "coming home." I believe I've been before and it just took me until my early 20's to figure that out. I've always been interested in alternative ways of thinking about religion and when I found this, it just felt right. I shared my thoughts with my friends at the time, and when my parents let on they knew something was up, I bought them the little book on Wicca by Scott Cunningham (sorry, I can't remember what it is exactly called) that is for friends and family of Pagans and Wiccans. I changed my car license plate to "Wikkan" and celebrated by decorating my car with all sorts of pagan bumper stickers. Some thought I was being annoying about it, but I thought of it as a way of speaking out for those of us who, due to jobs/kids/families, aren't able to. I took the eggs on my car, the spitting from valets (nice, huh?) and I kind of consider it my mission to make us a little more visible. Nothing on my car could be considered offensive to anyone who is relatively open-minded, BTW, just definitely out on witchcraft!
Advice
- I don't know that I had many bad experiences, valet parking situation not included! I often found notes on my windshield from those who felt good about what they saw. The best two notes I got were when I attended an all-girls Catholic college in my 30's. The two notes had pretty pentagram drawings and a rendition of the Wheel of the Year. I still have them. In my mind, I'm grateful. Not because I think I have the courage to be openly pagan, but because I feel I can. I've got a supportive family, wonderful friends and a tolerant workplace.
What I'd Do Differently
Now that I'm a working professional who uses her car for home visits I've toned down and just have the license plate. I would eventually like to type up a pamphlet to hand to people who ask what it means. It's a disservice for all I'd like to do when I don't have time to talk!
