Ask A Witch: Eager to Learn in Eagle Springs, NC
Dear Alexandra,
I have a problem. I'm a juvenile who's incarcerated. I've been trying to become Wiccan for a while now, but I'm not sure how to do my dedication ritual without tools. I'm taking a big risk writing you because I'm surrounded by Christians who would have a fit if they found out I was writing someone outside of there religion. My biggest question I would like to ask you is could you be a teacher for me? I have no one else, and I stumbled across here and decided to ask for help.
Thanks
Eager to Learn in Eagle Springs, NC
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Dear ETL,
You are quite brave to write despite your fears, however your religious rights are protected even under incarceration. If you find yourself having difficulty practicing your beliefs, you may tell the authorities at your facility, and they are legally obligated to help you as much as they are allowed. Luckily, you do not need tools to be practice many Pagan paths. Tools are just symbolic ways to direct energy. They shouldn't necessarily be used as a crutch. So, perhaps this experience doing without will end up helping you! I am always here to answer your specific questions, but I am not yet qualified to teach Wicca, and I will never choose to teach it on-line only. You may have limitations to how much group learning you can do while incarcerated. However, you may be better served during your confinement by limiting your studies to books rather than direct teachers. This is because it may be difficult to evaluate the quality and integrity of a teacher that you can't meet and are unable to gather information upon! If you really have your heart set on finding a teacher though, I suggest that you get in touch with your local Wiccan groups who will be able to do the verification work for you and find out if there's anyone willing to at least help you get started on the religious life you'll lead on the outside.
Light!
Alexandra
01 Nov 2003
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