I definitely keep my path mostly hidden. Especially from family. I'm an adult and live with my lovely partner, but my dad is a well know pastor In the area and I grew up very Christian. I want so desperately to yell from the rooftops that I've found my own path in life and doing what I know is right, but realistically my father could lose his job (It's not right, but it is the case) and my family would begin treating me differently. Not necessarily in a bad way, they are full of love, but I don't think I could handle that pressure at this time. One day, one day I'll get to share my true self with the world, but for now, I'm gonna keep myself safe and tucked away until the time is right.
amazing video! i have been a witch since i was 14. i'm 48 now and still have one foot in, one foot outof the closet. those closest to me know, those who don't need to know don't. simple as that. i'm in the camp that those who need to know will figure it out just by being around me for a while. i prefer to keep my path a very personal one. most people who i haven't outright told know i'm into halloween and all things "spooky" so they tend to just assume my witchy tools and decor are just lumped into that. works for me.
Same but i live In Bible Belt with radical evangelicals everywhere. Only my kids in my family know. I am 51 and discovered my path in my 40s was not raised Christian but was raised in the Bible Belt. I was always spiritual just didn’t know much about it til i found wicca
Excellent video thank you… I’m 72 years young and love listening to you . I always loved witches, stories about them and felt sorry that they were disliked and were thought evil, I guess I have always been a witch and a love of nature without knowing. I started to learn Tarot and my journey went from there. Much 💜🌼🌟 from NZ.
Love this so much. I came out of ALL the closets YEARS ago so at first I wasn't going to partake in this one but I hopped on the treadmill and watched and I am so glad I did. You have so much valuable wisdom here and it brought back many coming out memories for me. I first came out as a Pagan before I called myself a witch to my very Christian family when I turned 50. I slowly eased into the fact that I was a practicing witch. I am so grateful that my family, all but my younger sister, accepted my spiritual path and even participated in Sabbats with me. It took my younger sister some time to tolerate it. Then she discovered that I had a You Tube channel from Pinterest and started watching my videos. One day she sent me a picture of her T.V. with me on it. I freaked out a little at first but then her next text said "I didn't realize how serious you are about all of this. I'm sorry". She went from tolerating it to acceptance and has been watching it ever since. I'm not sure what was harder, coming out as a queer or a witch, but I am so happy to be out of all of the stuffy closets.
I was told since years ago that a cousin "got involved in the occult" and was "attacked by a demon" and apparently they had photos of the injuries. It would be strange for me to ask about that out of the blue and it makes me feel like I can't tell my family because of that experience which I don't know about. I may come out a pagan but not as a witch, hopefully that is enough
I had not intended for my parents to know that I am Pagan EVER. I stopped by to pick up a bag that I had loaned my Mom and got to chatting. I was getting ready to go to a Pagan event and my Mom wondered why my husband wasn't going to this thing that I was attending. I tried to leave it at the fact that he wasn't interested and I was going with friends, but she wouldn't let it go. I finally got annoyed, looked at her and said, "It's a Pagan event."
@kelly-annmaddox she got very quiet and I left soon after as it had already been a rather long visit and I had packing to do. I figure she will either start needling me with attempts to "bring me back to the faith" or simply not acknowledge that it even came up. I just got back in town last night, so there hasn't really been time to sort that.😆 I am in a much better head space after ConVocation and that is what matters. 😁
love this video. my experience is limited but also somewhat interesting i think. i've considered myself tentatively naturalistic/atheist pagan (Atheopagan if i have to pick a specific path) for just over a year, and i'm reaching the point where i do want to talk about it with select people. i told a casual friend last summer, and regretted it, not because he reacted badly, but because he didn't get the message about it being private - he started referring to "your pagan stuff" in front of other people, with all good intentions but it stressed me out. it's private for one reason: i'm strictly atheist/materialist/naturalist, and i have a fear/hatred of being misunderstood, so i hate the idea of people assuming i believe in deities/magic/etc when i don't. i didn't tell anyone else until this year - i told my college chaplain, ironically, because it was relevant to conversations we'd been having about wtf i'm doing with my life (phd catastrophes leading to a general existential crisis and mental health shittiness), and his reaction was pretty neutral - basically "that's interesting, we can talk about it if you want to." i then told a friend (who is jewish), whose response was "yeah that makes sense, don't feel obliged to tell me anything but always happy to hear about it." you might think it'd be hard to tell religious people, but actually i'm more nervous to tell my atheist friends because i worry they'll a) not understand that i'm just as atheistic and rational as i always was and b) not understand why i need the pagan side of things anyway. the chaplain and my jewish friend, on the other hand, already have and understand the need for ritual and observance and such, so they get it a bit more.
This is a completely valid and understandable point of view on paganism! Its not one I share. But I get it. Paganism is a very big umbrella! There's plenty of room for Atheo-pagans under here, also, we have cake! Lol.
I definitely feel like I have to hide things from certain people. I have only come out to people in my family who I thought would understand. One of them ended up being a mistake. that one was my mother... she told me I was going to hell, even though she thought what I was doing wasnt evil. But i have also expanded my practice out from what I had originally told her. But I will not tell her anything else about it. I don't need her throwing any holy water or words over me lol.. She already constantly talks about God and Jesus and whatnot like I will go back to christianity... My husband has accepted it, so thats really all that matters I guess. It really does take a hit on mental health hiding everything
When I was younger I would say on a 1st date, I don't want children, so they knew. These days I tell new friends I'm a witch, its a great leveller like having dreadlocks for keeping away the people you didn't want to know anyway :) x
A very good video that I'm sure will help many, it certainly would have helped me, thank you Kelly-Ann! I have been a Pagan Witch since I was 12-13 years old, so about 22 years. My best friend, who I met when I was 14, always knew, knew the books I read etc, it's just a part of me. I hid it from my family and colleagues until 5 years ago, except I always wore my pentagram openly. A colleague at work (he is Christian) saw it and asked me if I was Wiccan, I told him I was a pagan witch, but not a Wiccan and we talked about the difference, for him it was interesting and no problem, he is Christian, I am a witch and a pagan, nothing sensational. That gave me the courage to tell my parents (atheists), they just said "you can do what you want, but leave us alone with it." No questions, no nothing. I was relieved that I no longer felt I had to hide my altar when they visit me, and that I no longer had to lie about what I did at the weekend when I went to an esoteric fair or course. But whenever this is the case, they ask me what I did at the weekend and I tell them, they immediately change the subject, they can't handle it and that does hurt a bit. But it's their problem, they don't ask questions, they don't want to hear about it, but they don't talk it down either, it's much more completely ignored. I told my cousin 4 years ago, she doesn't believe in it, but she asked questions and still does, especially when "strange things" happen to her ;-) She's fine with it, t's a part of me, it makes me happy, so it's good. So quite different reactions with me. I am very happy that I now communicate it more openly, the feeling of having to hide it for such a long time (over 15 years) and that something could be wrong with me because I "believe in something like that" drove me into a depression, my therapy and conversations with others helped me out of it.
Love this vid Kelly-Ann. I’m so grateful my family were so encouraging and I never had to hide my practice. This is great advice and going to send your vid to some of my friends who want to come out. Blessed be! ❤
Hiding it was slowly snuffing out my fire. I'm practicing openly meow for my protection while living in 500sf with an abusive ex. I worry sometimes that she'll 5150 me 😬 but back in the closet isn't an option any more.
My gaydar did not actually go off with you, for some reason, and oh my god, as a fellow queer woman, the fact that you are queer has absolutely MADE my day 🙌🙌🙌
Very cool. To be honest, Kelly-Ann.. you “outed me” on TH-cam when you used the term “witch” to describe me in one of your recommended videos 😅 Not mad about it
Very interesting video. I had a spontaneous spiritual awakening in 2014. Discovering that witchcraft was my path 2 years later was such a vital experience to anchor my spiritual identity. The minute I understood I was a witch, I was out of the broom closet. Did not see the point of remaining in there... I let people know, if somebody asks me what I do for a living, I reply: I'm a witch. I'm a witch (and f*ck the f*ck off!) There sure was a period of adjustment like you said. The hardest was to deal with my family reaction. They had me sent to the hospital many times. I have been interrogated about my witchcraft practice strapped in a restraint bed... But nobody was able to break me. I am a witch, a legitimate and powerful one. Now they ask for spells all the time haha! ⭐
"Sacramental mushrooms" 😁💕
I definitely keep my path mostly hidden. Especially from family. I'm an adult and live with my lovely partner, but my dad is a well know pastor In the area and I grew up very Christian. I want so desperately to yell from the rooftops that I've found my own path in life and doing what I know is right, but realistically my father could lose his job (It's not right, but it is the case) and my family would begin treating me differently. Not necessarily in a bad way, they are full of love, but I don't think I could handle that pressure at this time. One day, one day I'll get to share my true self with the world, but for now, I'm gonna keep myself safe and tucked away until the time is right.
amazing video! i have been a witch since i was 14. i'm 48 now and still have one foot in, one foot outof the closet. those closest to me know, those who don't need to know don't. simple as that. i'm in the camp that those who need to know will figure it out just by being around me for a while. i prefer to keep my path a very personal one. most people who i haven't outright told know i'm into halloween and all things "spooky" so they tend to just assume my witchy tools and decor are just lumped into that. works for me.
Same but i live In Bible Belt with radical evangelicals everywhere. Only my kids in my family know. I am 51 and discovered my path in my 40s was not raised Christian but was raised in the Bible Belt. I was always spiritual just didn’t know much about it til i found wicca
Excellent video thank you… I’m 72 years young and love listening to you . I always loved witches, stories about them and felt sorry that they were disliked and were thought evil, I guess I have always been a witch and a love of nature without knowing. I started to learn Tarot and my journey went from there. Much 💜🌼🌟 from NZ.
Love this so much. I came out of ALL the closets YEARS ago so at first I wasn't going to partake in this one but I hopped on the treadmill and watched and I am so glad I did. You have so much valuable wisdom here and it brought back many coming out memories for me. I first came out as a Pagan before I called myself a witch to my very Christian family when I turned 50. I slowly eased into the fact that I was a practicing witch. I am so grateful that my family, all but my younger sister, accepted my spiritual path and even participated in Sabbats with me. It took my younger sister some time to tolerate it. Then she discovered that I had a You Tube channel from Pinterest and started watching my videos. One day she sent me a picture of her T.V. with me on it. I freaked out a little at first but then her next text said "I didn't realize how serious you are about all of this. I'm sorry". She went from tolerating it to acceptance and has been watching it ever since. I'm not sure what was harder, coming out as a queer or a witch, but I am so happy to be out of all of the stuffy closets.
that is lovely thank you for sharing!
The woo woo wardrobe 🤣🤣😂 Thanks for this very well thought out video. Your depth of experience, maturity and compassion is reflected in it.
I was today years old when I realised how much I wanted to be addressed as Sacramental Mushroom 😅😅
✨️❤️🍄
Your Wonderful Witchiness, thank you so much!! 🌿
The only way that I'll come out of the broom closet is when I have my own place
SAME my mother is fanatical Christian.
@@minuit6305 Your Mom sounds like my sister
:) I keep coming back to your videos, Honey Bun. The videos, and Rebel Witch.
I was told since years ago that a cousin "got involved in the occult" and was "attacked by a demon" and apparently they had photos of the injuries. It would be strange for me to ask about that out of the blue and it makes me feel like I can't tell my family because of that experience which I don't know about. I may come out a pagan but not as a witch, hopefully that is enough
@@yucatansuckaman5726 No thanks been there done that. I'm happy to work with deities who actually respond :)
I had not intended for my parents to know that I am Pagan EVER. I stopped by to pick up a bag that I had loaned my Mom and got to chatting. I was getting ready to go to a Pagan event and my Mom wondered why my husband wasn't going to this thing that I was attending. I tried to leave it at the fact that he wasn't interested and I was going with friends, but she wouldn't let it go. I finally got annoyed, looked at her and said, "It's a Pagan event."
And what was the response?
@kelly-annmaddox she got very quiet and I left soon after as it had already been a rather long visit and I had packing to do. I figure she will either start needling me with attempts to "bring me back to the faith" or simply not acknowledge that it even came up. I just got back in town last night, so there hasn't really been time to sort that.😆
I am in a much better head space after ConVocation and that is what matters. 😁
love this video. my experience is limited but also somewhat interesting i think. i've considered myself tentatively naturalistic/atheist pagan (Atheopagan if i have to pick a specific path) for just over a year, and i'm reaching the point where i do want to talk about it with select people. i told a casual friend last summer, and regretted it, not because he reacted badly, but because he didn't get the message about it being private - he started referring to "your pagan stuff" in front of other people, with all good intentions but it stressed me out. it's private for one reason: i'm strictly atheist/materialist/naturalist, and i have a fear/hatred of being misunderstood, so i hate the idea of people assuming i believe in deities/magic/etc when i don't. i didn't tell anyone else until this year - i told my college chaplain, ironically, because it was relevant to conversations we'd been having about wtf i'm doing with my life (phd catastrophes leading to a general existential crisis and mental health shittiness), and his reaction was pretty neutral - basically "that's interesting, we can talk about it if you want to." i then told a friend (who is jewish), whose response was "yeah that makes sense, don't feel obliged to tell me anything but always happy to hear about it." you might think it'd be hard to tell religious people, but actually i'm more nervous to tell my atheist friends because i worry they'll a) not understand that i'm just as atheistic and rational as i always was and b) not understand why i need the pagan side of things anyway. the chaplain and my jewish friend, on the other hand, already have and understand the need for ritual and observance and such, so they get it a bit more.
This is a completely valid and understandable point of view on paganism! Its not one I share. But I get it. Paganism is a very big umbrella! There's plenty of room for Atheo-pagans under here, also, we have cake! Lol.
Hey Darlin', Coming to watch your latest upload.
I definitely feel like I have to hide things from certain people. I have only come out to people in my family who I thought would understand. One of them ended up being a mistake. that one was my mother... she told me I was going to hell, even though she thought what I was doing wasnt evil. But i have also expanded my practice out from what I had originally told her. But I will not tell her anything else about it. I don't need her throwing any holy water or words over me lol.. She already constantly talks about God and Jesus and whatnot like I will go back to christianity... My husband has accepted it, so thats really all that matters I guess. It really does take a hit on mental health hiding everything
You have much wisdom.
😊🫠
Sacramental mushrooms. Well that's my new favorite. 🤣🥰
I feel like I don't even come out to new people anymore. I just let them figure it out by themselves haha.
Thanks for this, so well thought out and explained.
When I was younger I would say on a 1st date, I don't want children, so they knew. These days I tell new friends I'm a witch, its a great leveller like having dreadlocks for keeping away the people you didn't want to know anyway :) x
Please tell me that’s a sacred Dave Grohl candle back there?! 😂❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sure is!
A very good video that I'm sure will help many, it certainly would have helped me, thank you Kelly-Ann!
I have been a Pagan Witch since I was 12-13 years old, so about 22 years. My best friend, who I met when I was 14, always knew, knew the books I read etc, it's just a part of me. I hid it from my family and colleagues until 5 years ago, except I always wore my pentagram openly. A colleague at work (he is Christian) saw it and asked me if I was Wiccan, I told him I was a pagan witch, but not a Wiccan and we talked about the difference, for him it was interesting and no problem, he is Christian, I am a witch and a pagan, nothing sensational.
That gave me the courage to tell my parents (atheists), they just said "you can do what you want, but leave us alone with it." No questions, no nothing. I was relieved that I no longer felt I had to hide my altar when they visit me, and that I no longer had to lie about what I did at the weekend when I went to an esoteric fair or course. But whenever this is the case, they ask me what I did at the weekend and I tell them, they immediately change the subject, they can't handle it and that does hurt a bit. But it's their problem, they don't ask questions, they don't want to hear about it, but they don't talk it down either, it's much more completely ignored.
I told my cousin 4 years ago, she doesn't believe in it, but she asked questions and still does, especially when "strange things" happen to her ;-) She's fine with it, t's a part of me, it makes me happy, so it's good.
So quite different reactions with me.
I am very happy that I now communicate it more openly, the feeling of having to hide it for such a long time (over 15 years) and that something could be wrong with me because I "believe in something like that" drove me into a depression, my therapy and conversations with others helped me out of it.
Kelly Ann
Brilliant since Day 1.
Thank you for your logical reasoning and ways that everyone can understand ❤️
Thank you Kelly-Ann 💜💜
Only my housemate knows.. I rather love that it's my dirty Little secret 🤫😸
Lovely video my friend. As always. Blessings
Love this vid Kelly-Ann. I’m so grateful my family were so encouraging and I never had to hide my practice. This is great advice and going to send your vid to some of my friends who want to come out. Blessed be! ❤
Hiding it was slowly snuffing out my fire. I'm practicing openly meow for my protection while living in 500sf with an abusive ex. I worry sometimes that she'll 5150 me 😬 but back in the closet isn't an option any more.
Witchy wisdom... 🌹
Can I wear your glasses 🤣
My gaydar did not actually go off with you, for some reason, and oh my god, as a fellow queer woman, the fact that you are queer has absolutely MADE my day 🙌🙌🙌
Great, thought provoking content!
Now my apartment is full of pagan stuff. I only allow certain people in my apartment though and most wouldn’t figure it out anyway lol
Very cool. To be honest, Kelly-Ann.. you “outed me” on TH-cam when you used the term “witch” to describe me in one of your recommended videos 😅 Not mad about it
Hehehe, I saw you, baby ❤
Very good
There is literally no way this can be the first video you've made on this topic lol
🕷
Is that our Lord and saviour, Dave Grohl?! :0
😅🥰😍 Certainly is!
I was scrolling through the comments to see if anyone else noticed this! 😂
lol dani
your top looks nice bye tc L
Very interesting video. I had a spontaneous spiritual awakening in 2014. Discovering that witchcraft was my path 2 years later was such a vital experience to anchor my spiritual identity. The minute I understood I was a witch, I was out of the broom closet. Did not see the point of remaining in there... I let people know, if somebody asks me what I do for a living, I reply: I'm a witch. I'm a witch (and f*ck the f*ck off!) There sure was a period of adjustment like you said. The hardest was to deal with my family reaction. They had me sent to the hospital many times. I have been interrogated about my witchcraft practice strapped in a restraint bed... But nobody was able to break me. I am a witch, a legitimate and powerful one. Now they ask for spells all the time haha! ⭐
You're scared to "come out" because you know it's wrong. Hide in the shadows, but the light will find you. You cannot hide from God.
If your God approves of your self-righteous, small-minded behaviour then fuck your tiny little god, frankly. He sounds boring.
you are a sucker, man
@@violentviolet8867 чепуха