Today’s Ask A Witch question comes from a young reader who wants to know about age when it comes to practicing the Craft.
hey, I can age 13 to be witches? hehe little translation program for this but then .. do you think I can it?
~ Ellen
Thanks for your question Ellen!
Age is one of the things that a lot of new Wiccans and Witches as about, and it’s a good question! I think we all come to this path at different times in our lives, it comes to us (or we come to it) when the time is right and when we are ready to explore and experience what this path brings us. I was 13 when I made my first dedication to the path and there are many others who are in their teens when they get started; I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that! In fact, I think that at that age we’re still willing to be open to accepting many of the ideas and concepts of magick and spirituality that can be harder to accept as we get older.
You’ll hear some people say that you shouldn’t start working with magick or studying the Craft until you’re a bit older, usually between 18 and 21. There are a couple arguments for this.
One argument says that until you get to the age of about 18 you are typically still living under the roof of your parents and are considered a minor. As a minor many people feel you should be doing and following whatever beliefs and traditions your parents wish to have you adhere to in their home. Not everyone’s parents are open to the idea of their children practicing Witchcraft, but then some are. For example when I was 11 and discovered Wicca my parents were OK with it and I was able to ready and study, eventually leading me to decide at 13 that this was the path I wanted to walk. But for some people their parents are not as open accepting to this path of spirituality and may even be completely opposed to it. It’s always important to honor your parents and their feelings, so I would recommend talking to them about it before diving head first into study and practice if you are living with them.
Another reading some give for waiting is that at 13 you are not fully aware of what you’re deciding and may not be mature enough to make such a decision. I don’t think this is true in all cases but I do feel it’s true in some. There are many teens that turn to Witchcraft as a way of trying to get back at someone (thinking they can curse someone that has upset them, use magick to pass a test, etc) and others that use it to get attention or to intentionally upset their parents. But there are many that are drawn to the Craft because it is a spiritual calling and not a way for seeking some sort of revenge on someone or as a way to boost their ego. So I think this is subjective and each individual needs to take time to seriously ask themselves why they want to study the path of Witchcraft and why they feel called to practice the Craft.
And the last, and for some the most important thing that makes them decide when to start practicing, is the fact that many covens will not teach or take on a new member who is under the age of 18, or in some cases, 21. Many covens adhere to this rule because of the question of maturity, many do it because they feel that it is the right and responsibility of the parents of a minor to decide what spiritual path a child to be exposed to, yet for many covens and coven leaders it’s a combination of the two that make them follow this rule of thumb. It is a good rule in larger scheme of things, and today with the internet and all the readily available information on Wicca and Witchcraft both online and off (most major bookstore chains have whole sections dedicated to new age, metaphysical and magickal books), there is plenty to keep one occupied studying on their own until they are old enough to find a coven to join. I think it is a great help to anyone who might want to join a coven later down the road to take the time in-between to study and practice on their own so that when the time comes to join a coven they are ready for the intense experience that they will have.
So, can you study and become a Witch at 13? Yes. But be sure that you take the time to really think about why you want to do it and if you’re willing to really put the time, work and effort into this path that it takes. You will spend a lot of time getting to know yourself in a way that you never have before and it can be a difficult thing to go through, but one that brings you to a wonderful new life on the other side. You have your whole life ahead of you so there’s no need to rush; take your time and enjoy to ride.
Great article, but it missed a major point. On major reason many Covens refuse to accept those under 18 is strictly a legal issue. In the litigation-happy USA, parent can and will sue and sometime prosecute those that they feel are trying to "corrupt" their precious children. Remember that many people still have a vision of Pagans as sex-crazed, immoral, evil people. It's total garbage, and rarely if ever holds up in court, but just dealing with legal issues like these is enough to force many smaller churches to close their doors.
Definitely a good point, and not one that was missed but one that wasn't worded in the same what that you have here. Yes, in the states, and also in Canada, there are parental responsibility laws in place that allow the parents the right to retain total control over the religious exposure that their children receive until they reach the legal age of maturity (18). In the same area, those same laws give parents the right to control many other aspects of what a child is exposed to including their education, the kinds of activities they are allowed to participate in outside the home and so on.
It is one of those things that is hard to really prove in court, especially when the parent isn't present to witness any of the supposed "abuse". While this is certainly one of the things that keeps covens on the defensive about working with minors there are some that have exceptions and provisions in place for those underage looking for a group. It's one of those things where, yes, it's the general rule of thumb, but every group is different. Covens I've been involved with and ones that I know of that are willing to open the door to the right minor have heavy parental involvement in place so that the parents are giving explicit permission for the child to be involved and often the parents are asked to be present for certain, if not all, training. I know of one group that would allow minors, with parental permission and supervision, to attend coven meetings and classes but they were not allowed to attend rituals and instead would be given outlines and details for doing their own rituals at home. I thought that was a great compromise, but again, it's not the norm.
Definitely a good point, and not one that was missed but one that wasn't worded in the same what that you have here. Yes, in the states, and also in Canada, there are parental responsibility laws in place that allow the parents the right to retain total control over the religious exposure that their children receive until they reach the legal age of maturity (18). In the same area, those same laws give parents the right to control many other aspects of what a child is exposed to including their education, the kinds of activities they are allowed to participate in outside the home and so on.
It is one of those things that is hard to really prove in court, especially when the parent isn't present to witness any of the supposed "abuse". While this is certainly one of the things that keeps covens on the defensive about working with minors there are some that have exceptions and provisions in place for those underage looking for a group. It's one of those things where, yes, it's the general rule of thumb, but every group is different. Covens I've been involved with and ones that I know of that are willing to open the door to the right minor have heavy parental involvement in place so that the parents are giving explicit permission for the child to be involved and often the parents are asked to be present for certain, if not all, training. I know of one group that would allow minors, with parental permission and supervision, to attend coven meetings and classes but they were not allowed to attend rituals and instead would be given outlines and details for doing their own rituals at home. I thought that was a great compromise, but again, it's not the norm.
Definitely a good point, and not one that was missed but one that wasn't worded in the same what that you have here. Yes, in the states, and also in Canada, there are parental responsibility laws in place that allow the parents the right to retain total control over the religious exposure that their children receive until they reach the legal age of maturity (18). In the same area, those same laws give parents the right to control many other aspects of what a child is exposed to including their education, the kinds of activities they are allowed to participate in outside the home and so on.
It is one of those things that is hard to really prove in court, especially when the parent isn't present to witness any of the supposed "abuse". While this is certainly one of the things that keeps covens on the defensive about working with minors there are some that have exceptions and provisions in place for those underage looking for a group. It's one of those things where, yes, it's the general rule of thumb, but every group is different. Covens I've been involved with and ones that I know of that are willing to open the door to the right minor have heavy parental involvement in place so that the parents are giving explicit permission for the child to be involved and often the parents are asked to be present for certain, if not all, training. I know of one group that would allow minors, with parental permission and supervision, to attend coven meetings and classes but they were not allowed to attend rituals and instead would be given outlines and details for doing their own rituals at home. I thought that was a great compromise, but again, it's not the norm.