My thoughts on life, relationships, and everything else!

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Witchcraft, Wiccans, and why Harry Potter doesn't even make a dent in it

a lot of Parents have issues with their small children reading the Harry potter books, and as a person with witches in my family, I understand why. I personally am a fan of the books and think that they are Ok for a child to read if they are an appropriate age and FULLY understand that witchcraft is NOTHING like what the books portray. In a sense they are like the wizard of OZ, if misconstrued, they can be harmful, But if you know different, its just a fun little fantasy type of thing.

When you say witch, most people think of the devil worshipping, spell book wielding, potion loving thing you see in movies, and quite a few I know are that type, but many different peoples in the world are considered witches, from African tribal leaders, to native Americans, maybe even your next door neighbor. I have a few relatives who practice witchcraft( one is a priestess of some sort) and have had friends in the past who were wiccans, and they are both very misleading religions, and very dangerous.

The form I am the most familiar with is the actual pagan ritual performing, crystal wearing, power within witch. The most vivid memory of this was when I went to the priestess persons house a few days before my 8th birthday so she could take me shopping for my birthday present. I was always fascinated by her house. She would have a menagerie of strange animals such as snakes and rats, along with the normal cat or dog. Her shelves were lined with all kinds of crystals and strange artwork representing different aspects of life. But other than these few aspects, it was a fairly normal home. After lunch that day though, I learned what all of these things were for. She took me and my brother, who was about 5 at the time, to a strange little shop that looked like a book store on the outside, but definitely wasn't at all. Once I entered the store it gave me the hebie jibes. The first thing you noticed as you entered was a huge display, right in the middle of the store, featuring the newest in crystal balls and books on clairvoyance,ESP, telekinesis, and telepathy. To your right was a wall full of astrology supplies and on the left was the rest of the store, with items I wasn't even allowed to see. When I asked what the items on the table were, since I was short and couldn't see them well, I was told to just worry about what we were here for. We walked up to the front counter where I was presented with a large display of unusual looking pendants, some very pretty, and some rather frightening. The lady behind the counter showed me a few, a sparkling clear star that warded off evil, a white moon that did something else, and I ended up picking a blue heart that warded off bad thoughts, not because of the meaning, but because it was pretty. As we left I felt relieved, just to be leaving.

I have also been friends with a few wiccans, although I never had too much interest in it myself. All I really know there is a main goddess that has to do with nature and they have to have a sacrifice of some sort according to the seasons. So, the real world of witchcraft, no matter in what form, is nothing like Harry Potter, and I see nothing wrong with the books as long as the child has a firm grasp of that.