NMR ISSUE 38

Astrological Forecast 38
Beyond the Need to Control
Editorial 38
Esoteric Symbology of the Tarot
Ethics and the Ethic
Ghigau's Song
I'm a Witch, Okay?
Letters 38
Luna
Meditation on the Elements: Air
Pagan Meets Neo-Pagan
Place Between the Worlds
Prophecy II
Protection Charm for your Car
Rain
Saturn Rising
Shadowland
Soul Mates
Summer Opportunities
The Magician
Trout and Dragonfly

Articles
Authors
Rituals
Book Reviews
NMR Issues
NMR Covers

I'm a Witch, Okay?

by Robyn Alezanders Twilight Blue who did the poems, P.O. Box 78 Prince Street Station New York, NY 10012

According to the New Webster's Dictionary, as a Pagan, I am irreligious. As a Witch, I'm a hag. No wonder quite a few people look at me funny when I tell them my beliefs and practices. Yes, I'm well aware of the negative impressions surrounding Witchcraft, but you really don't know the truth till it hits home.

New York City isn't surprised or shocked by much. As a resident of Manhattan, I never hide the pentagram around my neck under clothes. I can be overheard in public talking about the Religion and its holidays with my fiancé. The occult shops here are a regular fixture, just another store between brownstones. Yet incidents still abound: last summer, some newfound friends invited me to attend their church meeting. Sensing a heavy reliance on Christian values, I discussed my involvement with Wicca, well explaining its difference from Satanism and black magick. One of the girls promptly lectured me on why was I drawn to the work of the devil. She herself had once had psychic experiences, and immediately learned of Satan's temptations. She explained that the Bible taught this and that and there was no room for Witches, the devil's servants. Thus ended the friendships. A former employer was a bit nervous; I was an atheist, 666, Ozzy Osbourne type of person, right? A friend of my neighbor's knew I was a Witch because my black (black tortoise shell, actually) cat is protective of me. I couldn't bear to tell him she behaves that way simply because I'm her mother. A former school acquaintance recently asked are you still doing that ooooohhhh stuff? [making hand motions] I can't believe how many of you are out there!

On the flip side, there are those like my neighbor's friend who think we're cool. My neighbor, incidentally, said I looked like a Witch, sitting in front of several candles during a power shortage. I just smiled. Anyway, look in the aisles of a bookstore's occult section, and you'll see the kids eager to dabble in spells. Whether they know the difference between black and white (most don't), or even the meaning of the Craft, doesn't matter—Witchcraft is a game, a hobby, something fun to play with.

In a sense you can't blame them. Tarot cards have become so commercial. And what about the Ouija board? It's in almost every toy store, and promoted as a game—Does Bobby like me? Will I pass my history test?—I could devote another whole article to my experiences with the board, some of them not pretty at all. True, cards and a Ouija do not make a Witch, but the association between them and us still seem like we're fooling around.

The greatest support for my life as a Wiccan has been from my fiancé. As a former student of Catholic school and an altar boy, all this talk of Goddess, Sabbats, candle magick, etc., was a bit strange to accept. Through reading, discussions, and shared experiences, he has such respect, understanding and willingness to participate, it's beautiful. To be fair to him, I celebrate his days. He cooks for my feasts, goes shopping with me for supplies, and constantly reminds me of the lunar cycle. We have agreed to be married in both a handfasting and a civil (nonreligious) ceremony. Does his family know? It was mentioned to them, and they never expressed an opinion. We won't press the issue. My mother knows, but thinks of it lightly. Her family, as devout Jews, wouldn't understand my aunt's short-lived experiment with magick as a young adult years ago, and closed the door on further acceptance.

Anyone who chooses to think wrong of me solely because I'm a Witch isn't worthy to be my friend. You don't have to fully agree with my lifestyle, just accept it. Without bashing the Catholics, the truth does hurt. And the truth says they're hypocrites. They preach love thy neighbor and then execute hundreds for Witchcraft, condemn homosexuals, and deny sexual feelings. They breed ignorance and ignorance makes Paganism a dirty word.

Maybe one day the New Webster's Dictionary will tell us it's normal to be a Pagan and a Witch. I'm waiting.