A Teenage Witch

       

Found on google images. Creator Unknown.
If anyone finds the creator, please direct me to them!

          Being a teenage Witch can be wonderful and exciting, but it can also be very difficult. If you're lucky, you're attending a school with peers who accept you and you have a support system at home (like your parents) who support your journey. If you're like I was, though, you attend a school where your peers bully you and corner you in the halls, and you have a parent who thinks you worship the devil. I don't suggest lying or hiding things from your parents and I truly hope that your parents are people you can have discussions with, but sometimes that's not the reality we live in.

YOUR PARENTS

          Only you can truly have an opinion on how your parents would react to finding out that you practice Witchcraft. If the situation could become dangerous and/or violent, of course it's something you shouldn't bring up. In a few short years you'll be out of that environment and on your way to being a functioning adult Witch. Ignoring the Witchy aspect for a moment, if you live in an abusive home you should contact a school faculty member for the appropriate help. Never hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

          Hoping that you aren't in the above situation, let's consider your parents are simply very religious or just might not approve of you practicing Witchcraft. Take the time to gather your own thoughts about why you want to practice. What do you hope to gain, do you plan to do spells, are you going to be using fire (like candles and burning spells)? If your parents are unfamiliar with Witchcraft it's understandable that they might not be supportive in the beginning. Do research and figure out what you hope to gain from practicing Witchcraft. Don't just sit your parents down and say "Mother, Father, I'm a Witch."

          Sit with your parents and start with your beliefs and thoughts on being a Witch. Tell them what you believe in, how you see the Craft, and how you feel. Explain spells, rituals, tools, etc. Open a dialogue with them and keep in mind that they might still disagree with everything that you tell them. As much as you have a right to feel and believe the way you do, they have that same right to their own feelings and beliefs.

          If your parents aren't supportive and forbid practicing, try to stop yourself from sneaking around. Your parents may eventually come around, but sneaking around and keeping secrets will only make them believe that your behavior is because of Witchcraft. Whether you know the truth or not, what are your parents supposed to think? It's easy to say that you have a right to practice, your parents can't stop you, it's not fair, blah blah blah. I was in the same situation, so I understand. Believe it or not, though, time passes quickly and soon enough you won't be living with your parents anymore. In the meantime you can try to present more information to your parents about Witchcraft. Don't be pushy or rude and try to avoid yelling. Try giving them an example of Witchcraft when you help make dinner. Stir clockwise and project positive and hopeful thoughts into the dish. Explain to your parents that you're praying for positive and happy emotions to those who eat the dish. If they don't support any form of magick, though, you do have to respect their wishes for the time that you're under their roof. I know it seems like it will last forever, but it won't. In the meantime, keep reading to pass the time. ;)

SCHOOL

           Let's say your parents are supportive and your only issue is school. When it became known at my high school that I was a Witch, I was cornered in the bathroom and bullied by the "popular girls". They yelled at me, laughed, and made joking requests for tails, money, etc. and wouldn't let me leave until I said some mumbo jumbo for them. I don't suggest that you hide who you are/who you're becoming, but some things are better left unsaid. I was not a confrontational person and at my school the administration was never a help to those who were bullied.

          Kids can be cruel and it's easy for them to target you for being different. If you find yourself a victim of bullying, you have one or two options .The first option is hopefully very obvious. Find a teacher (so cliche, I know) and tell them what's going on, and also tell your parents when you get home. If you're lucky, your parents will take a trip to the school and everything will be sorted. Don't let one bad encounter discourage you. Even if the bullies aren't punished the first time, ALWAYS go back to a faculty member or your parents every time it happens. Don't let those jerks win. 

          I know what you want to hear, though, and that's a spell. Lucky for you, I might have one up my sleeve. 

          You'll need some small stones or pebbles, a white candle (tea candles work great), the full name of your bully written on a piece of paper, a black pouch or bag, and a black piece of cloth, paper, plate, etc. Some black surface will work. 

          Choose what sort of person you want to become in this situation. Think of things like "strong", "courageous", "honorable", etc. Write down the qualities you'd like to possess in this situation.

          Ask the elements for help in performing a successful spell. (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) Light the candle and begin by taking a deep breath. Relax. Hold your hands over the stones. Begin by saying seven time, while imagining the stones being filled with light, the following: 

One magick

one power

one Spirit

one might

shatter the darkness

bring only the light.

          Take another deep breath and relax. Hold the stones in your hands and say the qualities you'd like to possess in this situation and then say them out loud three times. Follow this by chanting the words "I am" until you feel lighter, happier. At the end of the last time, blow on the stones, saying:

One magick

one power

one Spirit

one might

shatter the darkness

bring only the light

as I will, so mote it be.

This spell is sealed.

          Draw an equal armed cross over the stones. This looks like a sideways X, sort of. Put the piece of paper with the person's name on  the black surface. Repeat the above incantation every time you drop one of the small pebbles on top of the paper. Finish by saying:

You are burdened with your own negativity. You can no longer move against me.

          Finish the ritual by thanking the elements and Spirits for their assistance. Take the stones and place them in the pouch. Bury the pouch of stones, the paper, etc. off your property.

   
          As you grow with the craft you'll be able to finetune most spells to your own making. Even though this spell is here for you, you still need to contact a trusted adult who will help you. Don't pick someone who believes in being passive, because that never stops the issue. Pick someone you trust who will help you solve the problem.

FAMILY/FRIENDS

          So your parents support you and your bully issues are nonexistent. There will come a time when your family and friends will find out that you practice Witchcraft. Keep in mind that it's up to you to decide when to come out of the broom closet, so to speak. Be prepared for the people you tell to be confused. Think of when  you told your parents and apply it here, too. If you're close with the family members, try sitting down with them the way you did with your parents and having an open discussion. Let them ask questions and try to understand what the craft is about. Be prepared for them to not understand, though. That's okay, because not everyone does, but it can still hurt to be rejected by someone you love, simply because you believe in different things.

          For friends, it's a safe bet that they already know, am I right? A true friend will have your back in any situation unless it's something that could harm you or someone else. Seeing as Witchcraft harms none, you're golden. Regardless of what Witchcraft really is, it's always possible that your friends won't understand. Maybe they don't have experience with it, maybe they've only heard stereotypes, etc. Whatever the reason, that's where you step in. Sit down with them and tell them about it the same way you would with your family. You could even kill two birds with one stone and have everyone together at once. Hopefully your friends will see that it's not something bad and they'll be there supporting you on your journey. If they're not, though, you have to see it from their point of view and hope that they'll eventually come around. 

      

          I truly hope that this article has been helpful. If you have questions (and I'm sure you do), feel free to use the contact form to the right and ask me anything. If you're a parent with some questions, please feel free to do the same. 

          Blessed day!