Teens & Exploring Spirituality

I think that during your pre-teen and teen years it's natural to start deciding what you believe. It's a time of self-discovery and naturally spirituality is a part of that. However there is conflict when a parent doesn't agree with exploring alternative religions. I think every Pagan has been there. We are contacted by a young 14+ something teen who is hiding his or her beliefs from their parents. They beg us to help them.

I am a child of nature.  Image Source

I feel a bit sorry for the teen who has to hide just to practice his or her faith. I was never in a situation where exploring alternative religions was taboo. If I wanted to have an altar in my room that was fine. If I wanted to go to a Pagan gathering, as long as it was chaperoned, it was all good. I was one of the lucky ones. I had a mother who was more open to alternative thinking.

Not everyone is so lucky, and so I've been there when I had to decline teens the help they seek. It's not that I couldn't help or didn't want to. As long as they were being true and not just seeking attention or rebelling, I wanted to help them learn. However I can't go against a parents wishes. This is why I will always deny anyone under 18 religious counsel. It's also why I do not share many rituals (except for, A Year & A Day).


If you were exploring religion as an adolescent, were your parents supportive or did you have to hide?

What did your parents say when you finally told them about your Pagan beliefs?

WishCasting Wednesday: Tending Spirituality

Jamie Ridler asks, What do we wish to tend?

~Magickal Graphics~
Some people explain Paganism as something they "Live and breath". It's a lifestyle, not something they "do". I disagree to a point. I think it is both something they do and something they are. I understand what they mean when they say it's apart of them; not just an activity. What we do comes from the soul. These daily activities are the way we "tend to our spirituality".

Tending Spirituality

I've been searching for a Pagan topic to write about and coming up blank all week. I have a working post about Mirror magick, but it wasn't inspiring me. What is inspiring me is the need to tend to my spiritual nature. It's the part of me that has a need to pass on knowledge to others, both family and to you dear readers. It is a need to write/teach about Eclectic Wicca. 

So you can help me out now.

• What topics would you like to see more info on?

• What topic do you think is largely ignored by the Pagan community? 

Later today I am doing a psychic reading and healing for a friend. I don't normally do readings because they are exhausting and honestly, readings are not something I'm big on. I like to get one for myself once or twice a year. I just think readings can and often do become a craving. I've had a few bad experiences where I've done readings and the client kept coming back not out of need but because they craved more. No one needs a reading once a week (or more). When refused I was insulted. So that is why I don't often do them. Yet I do think giving a reading is a part of tending to my spirituality. Each time I do one I gain more confidence in myself. That is an awesome feeling. 

Another way I wish to tend to my spirituality is to pass on knowledge to my daughter. As she's growing older she is more curious about Wicca. She loves when I do a ritual and involve her. Though she's still a bit shy about working in a group. Last week a girl attacked her. Being a hot headed witchy mama, I had to take a step back before I did something stupid. I may have spouted a few witchy jokes in regards to toad children. (grin). In the end I chose to make my daughter a spiritual pouch with several crystals for protection. She's proudly wearing her crystals and it's given her some new confidence in herself as well. Yay. :) 

So what is it you wish to tend?