Problems Teens Face
Teenagers often face many problems when they decide to break away from their current religion and become Wiccans. They can be called names, made fun of, and harassed by other people. People may not understand what Wicca is and call you a Satan worshipper, or worse. Your parents may be concerned about you spending all this time on Wicca and forgetting everyday stuff- schoolwork, chores, spending time with your family. They may also be concerned that certain influences among your friends may have lead you to this and may not let you see them any more. Or they may tease you about your new religion.

#1 One of the most Important Rules-
If you tell a sibling about your newfound religion, you are at SEVERE RISK at having the beans spilled before you are ready! (And usually with not so- nice remarks- "Mommy, Jane's a Satan Worshipper and dances in the nude!") I suggest you go over your arguments with a well-trusted friend (read- one who keeps their lips zipped), who does not care about your being Wiccan. Chances are, your friend whose father is the local preacher, would NOT be a good choice. Try an atheist instead. Or better yet, another Pagan.

#2 What to do before the telling
Before you do the actually telling, there are a few things that you should do beforehand. (It's kind of like when decide to start eating healthy. Before you do this, you have to plan your meals and exercises, find substitutes for the food you liked, but can't eat any more, read about the latest in nutrition and throw out all of your junk food in the cupboard. Then you put the new plan in place.) I read somewhere, that to be a Witch, one must be responsible for their emotions and actions. You can't dump your behavior on someone else (Mommy- the devil made me do it!, is not applicable in Wicca!) You can't dump all of your problems on someone else and expect them to fix it for you. So start being more responsible. Clean up your room. Do your chores without being asked a million times. Stay after for extra help for school, if you need it. (Parents and teachers love to see an effort like this.) Keep up with your schoolwork and try to improve. DON'T spend all of your time on the Net, with Wicca books, or holed up in your room with the door locked. This shows to your parents that you are uncommunicative being, who is headed for trouble. If your friends are really unmotivated and may be headed towards trouble, please get out of the sitiation as fast as you can! This will show your parents that you have good judgment skills. Remember Wicca does not permit taking all of your problems on someone else. You are the one who must change. Not your sister. Not your aunt. You are RESPONSIBLE for your Actions. Whatever you send out comes back to you, be it good or bad and you are the one in charge of that fact. If you have a temper problem, try to control it. (Meditation is great for those with heavy tempers.) All of this will show to your parents what a responsible being you are and make the telling much, much easier.

#3 The Actual Telling
First of all, see #2 on this list. If you have not prepared in the ways that I have suggested and have fought with your parents, fallen behind with schoolwork, lied, stolen, and basically cut everyone out of your life, they will probably flip out! So be prepared. Do #2, get your act together and then tell. Choose a nice calm quiet day when your parents are relaxed- NOT when taxes are due or a huge family crisis has arisen. Sit down with them and have the "talk". (I really disagree with writing a letter to them, as talking gets the issue out in the open and shows that you are communicative and open. Sometimes writing a letter can only confuse the topic as well.) Explain to them how you found out about Wicca. Explain why you are breaking away from your current religion. Show them books and web sites. Share the Rede with them. Prepare for the worst: Expect them to be upset. They should let you speak uninterrupted and allow the same for them. If they start yelling and carrying on, Don't follow their example! If they start yelling at you, start speaking as softly as you can. Keep control of your temper, no matter what! It won't help your case at all if you start screeching and slamming doors and throwing things. Remember, as a Wiccan, you are responsible for your actions. If possible, try to work out a written contract that is acceptable to both of you. This should outline the use of candles, etc. The worst thing that they could do is not accepting it. In that case, you can always pray in your heart. The Lord and Lady are not going to hit you will lightning bolts or send you to "Hell" if your parents won't accept. You can always worship in your heart, or wait until you're out of the house to worship your own way.

Other Problems Teens Face
#1 Your Parents won't let you use candles or incense
This is a true one for me- my parents are real sticklers concerning the use of fire! Talk to them and try to work something out. See if an unlit one is okay, for your altar and ask if you can use candles outside. For example, my mother and father let me use lit candles out doors for Esabats and Sabbats, but if I light one inside, I'm asking for them to ground me. I really don't suggest going against their rules, but hey, if you like being grounded, go right ahead.

#2 You cannot find all of the ritual tools or they are too expensive
I feel that this is one of the best parts of Wicca. Finding and making the tools is a lot of fun. In the beginning, please don't go out and buy everything at once. Expensive tools to not make magick or ritual work better. They only work your wallet leaving you with out any money at all. I suggest you make or find your tools. Take a walk along a beach, a park, or in the woods. There you will find lots of things- shells, stones, and branches for wands. Or you could head to your local craft or fabric store to get craft sticks to make pentacles, metal tubing for jewelry, and felt for pouches to store gems and herbs. You can even buy paperboard to make rune cards. Even your garden has lots of things- you can use herbs in your spell working or incense and some dirt can be used to symbolize Earth on your altar. It doesn't have to get expensive! I like to think the way of the Native Americans-When you make something, there is a bit of you (your energy) in whatever you are making. And if the tools have you inside them, they are bound to work better.

#3 Your Parents and Siblings make fun of Wicca
This is a toughie. First of all, make sure you have not said anything mean about their religion. If you have, apologize immediately and drop the subject. Some times, they are just looking for someone to pick on. If so, calmly explain Wicca again to them, or ignore them.