Coming Out of the Broom Closet
How to Exit the Broom Closet
- Be Confident
- Test the Atmosphere
- Jump In
- The Agreement
Coming out of the "Broom Closet" refers to the time in every Pagan's life
where they decide or they are forced to tell someone what they are. It can
be just as alarming to others as being a homosexual. In a perfect world
being Pagan or homosexual shouldn't be considered so alarming, but
this is not a perfect world.
Be confident
Before you blirt out to the world that you are Pagan, be sure you have
enough experience with your new found beliefs. If you don't know what you
are talking about, no one is going to take you seriously. Read all you can
find about your new religious interests. When you can explain your beliefs
without refering back to a book, then you know enough.
Test the Atmostsphere
Now if you know that the person(s) you want to tell will have a problem
with you being Pagan, you may want to start by saying that you don't want
to continue with your previous beliefs, what ever they were. Spend some time
not being your previous beliefs. A few months should be good. While taking
this time, you can explain that you are exploring other beliefs. You can get
some books out on religious of the world and talk with that person(s)
about what you find there. You can point out the many similarities between
different religions. The important part is that you talk to that person(s)
and let them know you are seaching. Leave books on Budism, Native American,
Hinduism, and anything else you can find around them. Once they are comfortable
with the idea that you are no longer your previous religion, you can go on to
the next step. If they do not accept the fact that you are looking for
a new belief system, you may not want to continue to the next step.
Jumping In
If you chose to continue exiting the broom closet, this is the hard
part. Here you actualy tell the person(s) that you have decided on your
new belief system. You may want to make a special apointment to sit down and
formaly introduce Paganism to them. Bring any books, web page print outs,
articles, etc, explaining your beliefs. I recomend printing out the section
on Ethics I have here at my web page. I also recomend a book called "Witchcraft
Today" by Scott Cunningham. It describes what Wiccans and Magick is, but
not how do be/do it. Now how they react to this, is up to them but I hope
that your parents, friends, spouse, lover, etc will continue to love you
and be there for you, but this is not always the case. I get along great
with my Mom (now that I don't live with her) but being Wiccan is something
she will always disaprove of and is a subject I can not speak of with her.
She knows I am Wiccan, but we just don't talk about it. Of course it's not
so simple when you live with the person!
The Agreement
No mater how the person reacts to you being Pagan, the two of you must
come to an agreement. If they do not accept you being Pagan, remind them that
freedome of religion exists in this country and that they can not make you
be anything you don't want to be. However, it is your parents you are dealing
with, they do own the house you are living with and you need to respect
their wishes. You should not be forced to go to church, or anyother religious
ceremony if you do not want to go. But, because it is their house, they
may ask you not to do Magick or perform rituals there. To me they have
the right to ask you not to do this, just as you have the right not
to be forced to go to church. Your parents may not care one way or another
what you do and suport your religious choices. (lucky you!) Or they may
not ever want to hear the word Pagan or Wicca ever again. You must respect
their wishes as long as you live under their roof. And more more note: They will
judge your new beliefs by your behavior, so remain respectful and give
Paganism a good name!
So, Good Luck with coming out of the closet and drop me an email to tell
me how it's going!
Blessed Be!
Broom Closet Links
Out of the Broom Closet at the Work Place
Ritual Help for the Broom Closet Witch
Coming Soon
Back to Ember's Main Page
Email: ember75@hotmail.com
