I was just wondering what's a good age to start teaching magic. If your parents taught you, how old were you? If you taught your kids, how old were they? Also any advice or good starter spells will be appreciated. The only one I've taught them so far is a popcorn spell, where you shout a wish every time you hear a pop. We do it just for fun though, without a circle or any ritual. Thanks in advance for any input.
I have magical friends with kids. Both couples I know have relatively young children who, as far as I know have not started instructing them in magick. I know that both are very open with their kids about it. Both have attended the Gnostic Mass multiple times, and one has apparently always been welcome to come and watch his father perform ritual, provided he would sit still and not be distracting (which he is seemingly good at).
I personally feel that kids should be taught as early ad possible . I have several friends who when their kids are very young , when they show even the slightest sign of skill in such , they would immediately send their kids for courses to learn .
The thing about teaching children about magic or for that matter anything regarding religion, belief, faith and so on is that if you want your kids to truly be able to form their own beliefs and opinions, you have to wait until they are old enough to do so. Of course it is the right of any parent to want their children to follow in their beliefs, path, religion etc. With that said you can start teaching them whenever you feel it is appropriate and when their are at a level of receptivity. Personally though, I have taught my children and even some of the younger ones in my family about magic and my path, but I have also encouraged them and even more so taught them about other paths, faiths, religion and so on; in hopes that eventually they can form their own beliefs and in time hope they will seek out the path of their choosing that is right for them, even if I am sensitive and somewhat sad, I have to let them find their own faith. This is, of course, my own personal belief and point of view on the matter and just wanted to share it as perhaps food for thought.
I answer questions from my kids about my path. I explain the different aspects of things and how they work. Truth be told, they really show little interest in it. We have had discussions on several topics. Most start with "Mommy believes..." I have taught them small things that they wanted to know, help getting rid of nightmares, my youngest has a pouch of stones to keep the 'monsters' from getting under his bed, and my oldest is starting to ask about divination.
I have talked openly with them about many religions. Dispelling what misinformation I can about various religions. We have watched "Charmed" and other shows of that type and I answer questions about them and explain the realities of magic.
I believe we all should have to choice to choose our spiritual path in life. I give them the information they ask for, trying to keep it as unbaised as I can, and allow them to make up their own minds on each faith.
i think she means spirits spells the elements their heritage and stuff like that witch i think you should teach them as soon as passable
magic is not a religion it can be a part of ONE but it can not will not and shall not be one on its on that just karats a holly miss it is a path not a arrow tiling you ware to go ok
I should have said im not wiccan so I'm talking magic only. I don't believe in forcing kids to be any religion either. Thanks for all the comments, they're all helpful. Maybe I'll talk to them a little about it before I decide. I'm thinking because they have good imagination, they'll be easy to teach, but at the same time, it could lead to disappointment because they still believe in fairies, mermaids, etc.
The #1 focus on magick is a connection with nature and the interconnectedness of everything. And this I have instilled in my daughter since she was able to comprehend it, as was done with me when I was a child. This is something I continue to do as often as the opportunity arises. I don't teach religion as much as I teach awareness. Awareness of her own emotions, her thoughts, and her surroundings. The simplest things such as asking her what plants and animals "helped" to make the dinner on her plate. Going outside and just listening to the wind, insects and animals and learning about them. Seeing the beauty in nature and emphasizing the respect it should be given. The cycle of life. etc.
Once she turned 3, I started asking her questions and "pondering" the answers with her. Me: Why do the leaves move? Could it be nature spirits? Her response: "I think its wind". Me: "Do you think? I think your right."
Since she was 5 our discussions have included the "source". I told her some people believe who created all of this was a "big father", others believe its a "big mother", and still others think it's both. Her response to me at five was "I think its both because its teamwork!" Out of the mouths of babes, I'll tell ya!
I believe with children the "why's" have to be answered before they can grasp magick. I let my daughter know what I believe, and then give her the perspective of other beliefs, and then we discuss what makes sense to her.
I read her myths and she asks me "is that true". I'll ask her "do you think its true?". And we then discuss it. The only thing that really hurts us as parents is television and how it portrays magick. This makes children think that is what magick is supposed to be like and then they are disappointed and disbelieving when they don't witness it from us (ie: levitation, fireballs and the like).
Raising her to have her own mind and the difference between tv magic and real magick has caused her to be a skeptic toward magick, which I didn't foresee happening. But raising her this way has given her a strong sense of spirituality, which I am sure in time will allow her to grow into a confidant young woman. I'm sure when she reaches an age where she can comprehend why magick works (the mind and will and manifestation), then she will be more open to it. But for now, since it doesn't make sense to her, and I raised her to use her own mind, until she's convinced, she'll be a skeptic.
I have made some progress though. She is a little environmentalist, and has been alarmed that we are having a draught. Plants are dying and tree leaves are falling. I found her in her room, facing her window, with the rainstick I helped her make last year. Her eyes were closed and she was rocking the rain stick back and forth slowly. After she was done (which was nearly 10min) I asked her what she had been doing. She told me she was "metiday-ding" on rain and the wind and asking the gods for help. Whoa! I was shocked. I never taught her to do that...That night it did rain a little and she was thrilled, but not enough to end the draught. I never mentioned the "m" word, just told her I was proud of her. I think I understand now why my family never connected what I was taught with any defined words. It prevents comparison with television and other media that paints a false picture.
As for seriously teaching her. I've only gone lightly over meditation, working with stones and dowsing. I taught her a protection chant two years ago for keeping away any night monsters, and she is involved in cleansing the house and sabbat rituals. I think it depends with the child itself.
