For those of you not familiar with the Pagan Blog Project check it out at http://paganblogproject.com/. This amazing project being hosted by Rowen Pendragon of One Witch's Way is pretty interesting. I have read fantastic posts by a multitude of people on many different aspects of Wicca, Witchcraft, Pagan and Magickal traditions.
When thinking about my post for this week’s Pagan Blog Project I was thinking of writing about my Besom or maybe about the Egyptian Goddess Bast, and then I got to thinking about something that I feel affects many people who follow a Pagan/Witch/Wiccan/Magical path…the Broom Closet!
We all know Magickal, Witchy, Pagan and Wiccan people who are able to practice and enjoy their beliefs out in the open. People who just ARE who they are and for whatever reason non-pagans accept them. For the longest time I just wanted to know how they did that! I’ve been a practicing witch for a long time. A solitary, eclectic and firmly entrenched in the broom closet practicing witch. That is until lately.
I don’t know if it is because of the amazing friends I have, the support of my family or just the fact that I am older and less likely to care what others feel about my beliefs, but lately I am opening the broom closet door and letting others, including some non-pagans, get small glimpses of my witchy side. Just a bit for now but slowly I am getting more comfortable with letting some of the non-pagans in my life see who I am.
The necessity of the broom closet makes me angry sometimes. I still have a young son who will be starting high school next year and while he knows my beliefs and fully supports me, I fear that others would harass and torment him if they knew, so I keep my faith mostly hidden and have explained to him why I prefer not to discuss my beliefs publically. Is that fair? Is that right? The answer to both of those questions is no. No one should feel that they have to hide their spiritual beliefs because someone may harass their family but that is sadly the truth of our current culture. Once my son is out of high school I won’t worry about it as much. I just can’t take the chance with my son.
So, with that said, while I am slowly opening the broom closet door and becoming more active with my local Pagan community, I will remain within the broom closet for a bit longer, the door slightly ajar, slowly letting the non magickal people around me adjust ;0)
To those of you who are out of the closet, my pointy hat is off to you and to those of you who, like me, are not ready to open that door all the way just yet, I salute you as well, for continuing to practice what you believe in, even though it is difficult to do so in secret.
Blessings my friends
Autumnwind
I wish you all the best so that you may be able to open this door fully!
ReplyDeleteI'll say stay in there until your heart tells you different. Spirituality is personal, so only your soul can tell you how much to expose.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad for being slightly in the closet. Its ok to be there! Its also OK to come out. Do whatever is most comfortable to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm one that's half in and half out too. And I'll stay that way. I don't believe in sharing my beliefs around certain people/settings such as work/school. I've done so previously and it only resulted in negative results. So I just made it a rule to never discuss religion or politics in those settings.
I'd like to think I'm out... but in many aspects I'm really not. It all just depends on your surroundings and your comfort level. You must be comfortable with where you are at with your spirituality. And if having the door open only ajar is comfortable, then that's where you are. For me its my neighborhood and the fact that I share a property with neighbors. I do as much as I can indoors but don't feel comfortable casting circles or building altars outdoors under the moonlight. It stifling, but its where I'm at right now. Thank you for the wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kourtney
Thank you for all of your comments. I appreciate them all!
ReplyDeleteHarzgeist - Thank you, I will get there!
Magaly - I agree, I'll know when it is right
Salem Witch Child - I'm with you, I try not to disucss religion or politics with anyone if I can help it!
Kourtney - I know what you mean. I have close neighbors and long for more land so I can be outdoors without worrying about them. My garden this year will have a lot more art in it, so I'll be able to have an alter there :)
I'm lucky in that I've never been in the broom closet and never felt I had to. It's sad that there are still so many people in there. Sounds a bit crowded to me! lol ;)
ReplyDeleteSally - unfortunatley it isn't crowded, it's rather lonely. It's wonderful that you've never had to experience it!!:)
ReplyDeletehi , is it okay to post a expert / link of this post on my site inthebroomcloset.webs.com
ReplyDelete