Welcome everyone. For those of us just entering the independent phase in our life, exploring magic and the Craft is a unique time. Some of you will have been raised pagan, but many of you will just be beginning the journey, which may be at odds with your friends and family.

It is important to have a place to ask questions and be offered advice in this stage, as we usually begin our path alone or with uncertainity among friends. I'll try to provide some topics geared towards issues faced by teens still living at home to individuals moving out on their own for the first time.

Feel free to ask any questions and talk about your own experiences. I'll be adding topics as they come to me.

Thank you to Lady Elaine for kindly adding a little place for those of us in our younger years still figuring things out.

As many pagans begin their explorations as teens, I figured it would be a good idea to begin talking about your first few steps.

There are a number of reasons why we choose this path:

Some people view it as a form of rebellion. You try to develop an identity contrary to what society as molded you to be.

Some of us like the mystery and power. Let�s face it, the idea of magic is really attractive and rituals just look cool.

Witchcraft, as a unique practice in Western culture, can make you feel that you are part of something important and special. It�s kind of like a secret club that nobody else understands unless they are part of the Craft as well.

Some of us are just thrilled to find a spiritual path where women are treated as equals. Although the theology of the major world religions isn�t so bad, in practice, they are extremely male-dominated.

Finally, some of us are just naturally drawn to it.

It doesn�t really matter how you got here. What is important is that you make your time as a pagan a positive experience. Some of you will continue to practice magic and raise your children in the path. However, many of you will try this on for awhile, get tired of it, and throw it away. There is nothing wrong with either scenario.

Think of following the magic path like a walk in the woods. You may find a lovely path that leads farther into the forest and follow it to its end. Or, you may have only enough time to enjoy it for a little while before you have to find another path get back and do work. Your life may permit you to remain continually on the path or you may have to step off from time to time. As long as the path has brought something positive into your life, it was worth the time to take.