Far too many questions! But I'll try one or two.
If you practise witchcraft,then you are a witch; no matter when you start.
When did I start to learn? When I was 6 years old,75 years ago.
Magic means many things to many people.I was taught "natural" magic; natural witchcraft; no Gods,no Goddesses.Although I was taught the legends and myths; and the Wheel of the Year.
- When can you call yourself a witch? (When you're starting out or when?) When you start believing that you can create magic :)
-When is the best time to come out of the broom closet? Hmm, this is tricky because you can be met with people that don't approve. If you feel comfortable with magic then you shouldn't fear other people knowing. But in reality, there are people out there who will try label you and you may not want this...it's up to you who tell (or don't tell)
-What is magic? (how it works and suff) it's energy that stems from will, nature and the application of ancient 'rules'
-Do you use magic every day or only when you need to? Everyday :)
-When did you start learning the craft? (you can talk about your experience) In my childhood, but my belief got stronger in early adulthood
-Do you think anyone can learn the craft? Yes but some people have special gifts
-Do you have any other website to recommend? (This is the only site I use because I don't know any other ones) When you find one, please let me know :)
-What's a good book to read about the craft? 'MAGIC. Your ARE it. BE it.' Gary M. Douglas and Dr. Dain C. Heer
When you're trying to explain to somebody else what you do or want to do/be.
It's just a label.
When is the best time to come out of the broom closet?
When you can survive/manage any negative feedback. I didn't grow up closeted. My family was encouraging of my psychism, they just didn't understand it themselves and I didn't want to trouble them. When we fell out over other issues, I sought "refuge" with the extended family who I told I was agnostic as a test, and they tried so hard to convert me that I was like, "phew, dodged a bullet there" and never told them my real spirituality.
You don't come out only once, I think you kind of have to come out to every new person who gets to know you...or, don't come out, that's fine too. Because you become the example that the look to for the sort of person on that path, and if that's too much expectation, or effort to keep answering their questions, or bearing the weight of all the answers that they already think they have about who you are and what you do...if it's too much stress, then you don't have to.
Ideally, you can come out if you have some backup plan for where to live or work, in case the people you're coming out to are part of a support system that they'll withdraw. But if you don't have that and you just snap and shout it out...well...I understand that, too.
Of course, if you've enrolled in some spiritual retreat in Sedona or Glastonbury or somewhere, in a group of people who are also witches...then...yeah...That's the best time to come out, I guess, but by then "coming out" isn't really the word for it because they all probably already assume that you're a witch just like them, just because you're there with them.
What is magic?
The act of causing change to occur with thought.
Mostly, the stuff in-between, which could be herbs, or could be gemstones, could be a meditation, could be a mundane action...
Do you use magic every day or only when you need to?
I think that, on some level, everybody uses it every day all the time and just don't know it. But for people who know it, we either let the ordinary everywhere magic happen...or use it a lot more when we need something to drastically change.
When did you start learning the craft?
I haven't figured out how to make this a short story.
Do you think anyone can learn the craft?
Yes. But if they just don't want to because they can't be arsed, then that's fine too.
Do you have any other website to recommend?
The Cauldron is a great Pagan website that also has quite a few non-religious magicians on it. They can come off as somewhat mean or snobbish, but I've learned so much there.
What's a good book to read about the craft?
Instant Magick by Christopher Penczak. Anything by Penczak, really, he's my favorite occult author of all time ever.
- When can you call yourself a witch? (When you're starting out or when?)
'witch' is a title, if you want to call yourself a witch, do it. so long as you are serious about study then go for it.
-When is the best time to come out of the broom closet?
when you are ready. if you are under the legal age of concent in your country, your parents or guaridans need to know. by law they are responsible for you and any major decisions are to be made by them. changing your religion or following a new dogma is one of those things they need to know about. prepare and time it right. be calm and explain what you believe and why you wish to follow this path. be sure to clear up all misconceptions and provide information for them. if they refuse, stay calm and try to come to an agreement. if the answer is still no, then you need to respeft their wishes until you are an adult. everyone else doesn't need to know, so it is up to you. your friends, other family members, boss, and strangers don't need to know unless you feel you want to tell them. your boyfriend or girlfriend should but like with your parents, timing is everything. one day you might settle down with this person, so lying to them for 50 years or more isn't a great idea.
-What is magic? (how it works and stuff)
there are many answers to this question. basically magick is energy found in nature. this energy is in everyone and everything. it is neutral until we give it a positive or negative charge through spells, thoughts, or actions throughout our day. when used in a spell this energy is used to effect the energy around us to create subtle changes that will hopefully bring desired change to our lives. while it cannot work with physical changes [like instantly loosing 50 pounds] it can help create enough change in our lives to make it possible [like you read the new gym is have free trial memberships] you also need to put forth effort in order to make a spell work. a job spell works if you apply, don't sit around waiting.
-Do you use magic every day or only when you need to?
again, personal choice. it is best to only cast when needed. if you are hurt, or lost your job. casting because you got a pimple on picture day isn't really a wise choice and the universe [or patron deities] might teach you a lesson if you use it too much. kind of like your first credit card, you suddenly feel you can buy anything your heart desires... then the bill comes in. myself, i barely cast once a month. things like shielding, cleansings and circle castings yes, i do often, but luck, love, healing, not so much.
-When did you start learning the craft? (you can talk about your experience)
i was 15. i was always very spiritual, but when i was 13 i didn't feel as connected with Christianity as i once did, so i did some soul searching. in high school i took a world religions class, for the end of school assignment we had to research a religion not covered by the course. on a list of 100 religions Wicca seemed to stand out. through that semesters research i felt drawn to the path, and i chose to pursue it.
-Do you think anyone can learn the craft?
anyone can. there are those who feel you need to be born a witch, but i am in that camp of people who think at some point, your ancestor was the first, therefore anyone can learn. its a desire, a skill, its not for everyone, but if you a serious and feel it is your path, then you can.
-Do you have any other website to recommend? (This is the only site I use because I don't know any other ones)
depends what you are looking for exactly. http://wicca.com/ http://paganwiccan.about.com/ those are two i frequented a lot at first. still do.
-What's a good book to read about the craft?
again, specifically what are you looking for? i could recommend books by Raymond Buckland and Scott Cunningham, but they are more Wiccan. if you want to learn a specific craft or path then you might want to say specifically what.
- When can you call yourself a witch? (When you're starting out or when?)
When you decide you are a witch. You will always be learning, so start when it feels right.
-When is the best time to come out of the broom closet?
When you know it is you and not a fad. This is a personal question that you must answer on your own, but I'd say when you know it is a part of you.
-What is magic? (how it works and suff)
That's a short question with a long answer. For simplicity, I'll say it is the proper use of the natural world and energy. When a Christian has a prayer answered, that's magic, when two people find love, that's magic, when a spell works, that's magic. It's all around us but it's only called that when we use it. Clear as mud :)
-Do you use magic every day or only when you need to?
Personally, every day. Meditation (which I recommend) gets you in touch with it.
-When did you start learning the craft? (you can talk about your experience)
I am not a Wiccan, but I started working with magic as a small boy -age 4.
-Do you think anyone can learn the craft?
No. It must be taken seriously and anyone that doesn't will not learn.
-Do you have any other website to recommend? (This is the only site I use because I don't know any other ones)
I'm going to skip this one. You'll be drawn to what you need if you life the life.
-When can you call yourself a witch? (When you're starting out or when?)
It is more of a label thing to me, but it is what they call female spell casters. Warlocks are the male versions.
-When is the best time to come out of the broom closet?
When you know that it is your lifestyle and not just a thing.
-What is magic? (how it works and suff)
What I understand: Is the working of energy of known and unknown forces.
-Do you use magic every day or only when you need to?
For me, when I feel the need. I only did a few this past year.
-When did you start learning the craft? (you can talk about your experience)
I have known about the inner workings for years. My dad used to practice, but the loss of some of his crystals and the lack of time made him stop. He still have his half round crystal he used to use.
For me, just started this past year of real practice.
-Do you think anyone can learn the craft?
I suppose, if they are willing...
-Do you have any other website to recommend? (This is the only site I use because I don't know any other ones)
http://www.free-witchcraft-spells.com/ More than just spells, have good info on the craft.
-What's a good book to read about the craft?
The Soothsayer's Handbook: A Guide to Bad Signs and Good Vibrations by Elinor Lander. While it is not about Wicca, it has some good info on other things related to magic.
Elfeana, Warlock is an old term, it means oath breaker. in old English, it means devil. The idea that warlock is a male witch is, to my knowledge, a modern pop culture idea based on the Scottish use for men practicing black magic. I use wizard myself, but those practicing Wicca are pro-Earth so Druid also works and has a more positive meaning.
I only said Warlock as it was part of the title of a book called "Witches and Warlocks," bunch of fictional short stories about magic. XD A good read if you have some time.
