Archive for the ‘Pagan Parenting’ Category

As a woman who lives and loves her Wiccan path, and as a mother of three beautiful children, I am always wanting to share the beauty of my path with them. I am also constantly reminded of the faith-based home that I was brought up in, where faith and spirituality was not a matter of choice it was simply a matter of fact. As a parent who wants to support their children in learning the value of choice in every aspect of their lives, I have made sure that I watch how I share my path and faith with them.

Many people have asked me how I do it, and my answer is simple. I model my passion for my faith. I model the personal empowerment that I feel from my practice. I demonstrate the peace and calm that comes from lit candles throughout the house, and the action taken by lighting one when someone is ill or in need. I demonstrate my path through the natural healing that I employ when they are not feeling well and they watch as I speak to them about the gifts that are inherent in each unique herb we put to use. I decorate my home in a simple style that reflects the neutral colors of earth along with the vibrant colors of nature to keep us in harmony with our surroundings both inside and out. I eat locally and organically and share with them the reason behind doing so: the health of our bodies as well as the whole of our planet. I share the cycle of life, death, and rebirth through our practice of gardening from a young age. Through this they learn to respect the process and enjoy each moment in their lives as being unique.

Another way that I share my spiritual practice all the while keeping my respect for choice intact is to provide opportunity for my children to explore other faiths. I have many times driven my children to join local mainstream religious youth groups and speak to them about the teachings afterward. I encourage them to explore, research, and learn about as many as they are interested in and then ask them to reflect on their differences and similarities. I teach them that religion of any kind is (or should be) a personal choice and one that should be followed through a calling deep within your soul rather than something that is required of you or deemed necessary for your soul’s very survival. I point out to them that true spirituality and religious practice should not include fear, should not impose and instigate hatred toward any other groups of people, nor should it support a lack of tolerance for other belief systems.

Ultimately I teach them that faith is just that, faith. There are no guarantees, but if each of us truly goes within and listens to the core of our being, that place in the very pit of each of us that never steers us wrong, we will find the truth. We we will also find that we are not so different from one another and that we should always remember that no matter what we are taught, there is no single path to deity. Follow your heart, listen to your soul. Be happy and fulfilled. There you will find your spiritual direction and, no matter what you choose, I will always be there to support you in your spiritual calling. Blessed be!