The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

It is nice to see that you are not the only one in this particular situation.

Maybe we don't need to hide our abilities, but I think the majority feel that it is just is not just their own welfare but for the welfare of others that we hide what we can do.
I do not have a right or wrong answer to this.
but I would to hear more of what you think.
So, Let us continue....I am enjoying everyones responds.

i think that it depends on what circles you move in. for the most part, i've very open at work and most other places. but i know that you're aware of the fact that the sf bay area is full of people that "get it". there is even now shrinks that are friendly and don't just write us off.

True. We in the SF Bay Area are very lucky. There is really not to much that is unacceptable. LOL They do not call SF the new Sodom for nothing!

I live in a small town, i work with two other people in my job and i would never let them know about my abilities. The town where i live is very small mined and i am already looked at becuase i am openly gay i would not like to add to wot poeple aready know about me they think enough already, but for there opions of me i don't really care. But for my abilities i would mined people findin out here as it would make things hard for me. People who are diffrent here are not treated with any respect at all there are some that are not like this but, most are even the younger kids are still brough up by wot there parnters believe right, so for now my abilities will stay hidin, except to those i love and trust, this is the choice i have made, it maybe wrong but for now its right for me.

darklass, I know exactly what you mean about a small town! I try to fit in as best I can & not seem so different! I don't think small towns are ready to accept people who are different! In my town, well people who are openly different they end up on the church prayer chain, then it spreads & pretty soon everyone knows! They start to look at you weird, mumble things under their breath about you! So hiding it is just easier!

I think that most of us would like to be able to use our abilties as we see fit. but, the facct that we must hide them kind of interferes with that.

More power to you takkun I feel the same way. Show them what your working with. I have made allot of comments on this subject but I honestly feel we should not live in fear.

I find hiding these types of things to be an easy situation. You simply need to trust your gut on who can know and who can't. People will out themselves to you the same way, out of sheer gut feeling that there will not be any issue. But this is a give and take situation, as if you are not willing to out yourself; others will not be willing in return. I suppose people have different reasons, mine have changed many times, but it’s usually a matter of knowing who's around.

I think it really depends on your life at the time.
can you show what you can do without losing something important? my girlfriend would lose where she lives. should she be open with her abilities? knowing she would have nowhere to live?

there are others that will be hurt physical also for showing their abilities?

it is easy for those of us where it is easy to be different(california) to preach about be open about your abilities without thinking that maybe others live in a place where it is dangerous.

huh id never hide my my powers id make the entire world bow down to me

Anarchy, it must be nice to be able to do that. but it sounds like your abilities are
such that you can do that.
But there are others who are not so lucky...

it would be hard for a mild empath to bring the world to its knees, don't you agree?

heh...i wish i lived in the bay area, i hide and practice, and theres noone really that would understand me in any way,stinks much

ive been open for thwe most part but there are some thsat i hide it from

you should always know your suroundings. I would have to agree that there are people who are not as lucky as I to live in California were I must say allot of shit is just accepted. If I lived in another time or place I may have a different stand on this subject or maybe be more resurved.

as much progress we have made in this century, there is still a lot of people an dplaces that are not moving with the same forwardness as some other places.

I am happy to be in the area I am like I said before my area is lucky that most things are accepted.

But there are so many that do not.

You are lucky that you live where you do. Unfortunatly my parents can't accept that type of thing, so I don't tell them what I am because they beleive the Hollywood representation of vampires. And I can't argue against that

my girlfriend is in the same way. she can't share with her family her ability either.

In a way I'm happy about that, but in a way I'm sad too. I want my parents to now, but at the same time not become more of a black sheep than I already am

Let me simply say what a friend of mine with telepathy told me once. There is safety in secrecy. My advice is to reveal only to those you know you can trust.

I can understand and relate. I am the black sheep of my family. though I don't really care, and often relish in it.but there members of my family that don't know about what I can do, and never will.
it is a very hard road to walk some times.

Indeed it is. And only people that I do trust know what I am. Other people would laugh at me and try to get me committed

that is very a strong suggestion. it is very sad that you fear that you would be commited.

I do fear that. I'm sorry that it makes you sad to hear that, but it's something that is always in the back of my head.

it is just so unreal when you think about it.

other people who have a gift with numbers or words, they are are not treated as most of us have because of their abilities.

I think it is truly unfair that we have to hide our gifts because of what others might do.

I personally feel that being in the shadows is a Power Within itself. Obviously there will be times where our Powers will be shown... We must be careful about letting those who live and walk the earth to know what we are capable of.

well that is true. but there are some that show what they are capable of now according to them.
the do not feel that they will have a problem.

Those are peole that are arrogant and cocky. I do agree that staying in the shadows is power in and of itself. It causes people to wonder, and then they pretty much leave you alone

I do not know if I would agree about the being the shadows. I mlove the dark, but I prefer others to be in the dark, espcially about me.
not the other way around.

I prefer darkness to light. Many years have I been in the dark and it has been my friend during the dark days. I prefer to have people leave me alone in real life and perhaps wonder why in shadow I hide, and why I wish to merely observe people and their actions

Misfitchick, I know how you feel. I dislike being around people, they have a tendency to upset my peaceful nature.

and break my concentration.

At least someone understands. The trick for me is to completely ignore everyone else, and look forward,never waivering in what you do in public. Make other people wonder

i think i have to hide it a bit cos my kids tell everyone im a witch already and that gets me funny looks lol
xxx

One couple I know, who are pagan, has a fourteen year old daugther that is openly known in her school as a witch. Well, you know how boys can be at that age. One boy in her class, that was sitting next to her, kept bothering her about the Craft. She slowing turned in his direction and very calmly asked him, "Do you really want me to turn you into a toad?" The boy never bothered her again. ;)
A child at that age does not fear or feel the need to hide, why do you?
Learn to be yourselves.

Very well put, BillytheJust. I just don't think it is that easy for some.

Takkun,with power comes responsibility.
Besides,I for one would not want to rule this Humanity.

I am with you Strigoi. This would not appeal to me either.

I am happy with who I am and my place in the world at the moment.

*looks at Billy*

Most of it depends on your family, how you were raised and what your environment is

I Almost never Use Them In Puplic Places Acept For Charming Other People

Stop looking for excuses.
You can also apply this to succeeding in wealth of any kind, not to just personal abilities. Other people will always try to stop you or hold you back. You must learn to cut all energy cords that prevent you from being you. This is the key for all manifesting things in your life.
Stop looking for excuses!

As far as abilities go I somtimes have dreams that come true. Although I there are times I dont know what they mean until after somthing happens, then it makes sense. I mostly consult my medicine women for when I dont understand. Only my friends know of my abilities.

Here's a question. Why do you feel you need to hide them?

I find that most people who claim to have supernatural abilities always try to hide them...but that most who hide it, talk about it online. Which is strange, considering how easy it is to find people, what with IP trackers and the like.

I also find it amusing that many 'powerful' individuals havn't mastered basic spelling or sentence structure.

Most seem to 'hide' their powers, because they don't have any, and just want to fit in. And those who may or may not possess such abilities, are always willing to talk about it, but never display them.

What sense does that make? If you are going to hide your abilities...why do you tell people about them?

That last part is my actual question.*grin*

Scybermonk, after review your post, I thought about what you had to say.

1. first being a computer geek for the last 25 years I can tell you that tracking an IP is really not as easy as it sounds. It would take someone with a lot of skill to track one out of say a few billion.


2. just because someone is not very well verse is not to say that they haven't been taught the things that they say they have. last I checked been literiate and computer savvy really wasn't a prerequiste to being born with a skill.

3. The internet has allot many the freedom to express themselves in ways that they would normally. how many of the billions perverts that online do you think go around asking people in their real-life if they want have sex in the most disagreeable fashion.

4. It is a known fact the the internet has in fact often spawned a sort anonymous persona for most anyone who wants. with this new persona you could be what
yourself or someone else.

5. talking about it a general discussion, such as this, is a lot different than going out on the street and saying "watch what I can do!" Again with the freedom of the internet. I will give that there ar emany people who talk a lot of bullshit. you get that even in real life(as opposed to online) and those you learn to ignore, just like you do in real life.

and lastly, the reason I started this thread is that for the most part I know that others such as my two sisters
and I who do have abilities, we do not go around advertising. both of my sisters are very sensitive and it who hurt them greatly for their friends to turn from them in distaste or fear. It is one of the reasons that many discuss the things that they do here. for most it is a safe outlet. I am sure you can understand that.

Being online you can never be sure who is telling the truth and who isn't. but, being the type of site that encourages people to be a bit more open about things, it is a very hard to be discrimating about who says what.

I try not to be too skeptical about things. people get enough skepticism in real-life why should they have to deal with it on a site that is made just for the reason of banishing that?

PV I applaud you!! One of your abilities just showed and I'm sure you didn't even try...I agree with what you said. But then again I believe only someone gifted would know this..

Perhaps all of us should list your special abilities so that we could have a better grasp of the discussion.

I myself have an internal bullshit detector

LordFangor, I also have that ability. but I have children and have a lot of practice at it.
and that is a bit off-topic. but that would make a great new thread if you would like to start it.

Yay. I love point counter/point.

1. Being a computer geek for the last ten years, I can tell you of a number of sites that give people very simple html embedders that list the IP of each and every connection that loads the page. It takes roughly 15 seconds to set up, and can be put anywhere HTML code can be placed...and can also be done invisibly, so you would have to View Source to see it, and by then...way too late. Hell, I could do it right now, and none of you would know it. Then, it's a simple matter of checking your profiles for overall location, and BAM. I'm at your house. Creepy, no? So that whole 'difficutly tracking IP's' thing doesnt hold much water.

2. Apparently not. Heh. And, sorry, but computer literacy is not the same as LITERACY. It takes only a moment to spell check yourself. But some people are so busy proving themselves and their points, that they cannot be bothered to take the time. Which is a shame, because otherwise valid arguments become incomprehensible when mangled by the Gibberish. Plus, I would should HOPE that anyone teaching anyone else some kind of mystic ability would teach them some pride in themselves, thus giving them the desire to appear to have something better than the vocabulary than your average 7 year old.

3. See, now yer floundering, confusing the issue, and repeating the point you just made, with a different dress on. There is a HUGE difference between Johnny Redneck typing 'wat r u wearing haha lolz', and a concerted, concentrated discussion between people that can be reasonably assumed to know each other. Also? It's spelled 'allowed'. heh. And to be honest? I know a fair number that DO go around asking others how they have sex.*snicker*

4.....I THINK what you tried to garble out was that people can be anyone they want on the internet, which brings me back to an earlier point...LIARS. People who come on here, spout off at the mouth about having powers, knowing they don't. I thought you were trying to have a serious discussion here, but it seems to me you just encouraged any number of LARPers to hop on the powers thread so they could feel neat about themselves.

5. Ayup! But I never once said 'Walk into the middle of fifth and main, and...I dunno....do something big and SHINY!'. I just wondered why people, who are ALWAYS so willing to talk about it, in person, with friends, with people they just met, and over the internet, where they have NO CLUE who is watching and tracking them...are so completly unwilling to provide ANY kind of proof when faced with a disbeliever (or, in my case, someone sick of the bullshit.), or someone who merely wants to see, in real life.

And lastly...you don't advertise? YOU JUST DID! JUST NOW! AND you told me about your sisters, who, I am CERTAIN, if they had any powers, and had hurt their friends by accident, would be INCREDIBLY upset with you for telling ANYONE online, and taking away their right to choose to conceal or reveal what they are. By making a THREAD online, in a huge database where, as you said, ANYONE could be ANYONE ELSE...you endangered yourself, and them, by trumpeting to everyone here the fact that you have powers. And with this thread, you endangered anyone else who chose who respond to it (though I agree it WAS their choice) with said abilities.

Granted. I don't for a second believe it. Sorry, but age brings knowledge, and knowledge brings cynacism.

See, that's MY power. The power of the MonkSmite (tm).

But hey, you more or less answered my question, in a garbled, roundabout fashion to be true, but you did. And I thank you for that.

I have always loved a good debate! so thank you for offering me one!

1. As far as your IP finders. Good luck with that. As I'm sure you know I can easily mask my IP. and as far as findiing where I live well I have made no secret about it. It is in my Profile. once you have the city and state, finding me should be a breezy don't you think?

2. I am so sorry that you misunderstood.
I was talking about them both. "LITERACY"
and "COMPUTER LITERACY". sorry, you thought I was talking about just the one.
but I think that writing on the fly there does tend to be a few mistakes. I was actually generalizing the problem with the combination of the two. But, if we are going to be specific, I will admit that when I am writing I do have a tendency to misspell and leave words out. for that I will apologize for if it made it hard to understand what it is I was saying.
But, I am pretty sure that is not the problem, isn't?


3. actually the word that used was the word I wanted, "alloted" But it the "allows" is what you would rather use that is your choice. We actually agree on this point. What more is there to say. There are liars on the internet, thanks to the anonymity that has been "allotted" through online screen names.

4. Actually I think I was pointing out that not everyone on the internet is a liar. quite a few, that I will grant you. without have a knowledge of the person you are talking to, you make the decision for your self. you either choose to be yourself or you choose to be someone else. that was the only point I made here.

5. I think it is everyones choice whether to show their abilities or not. As I responded to BillyTheJust. It is not that easy for some, and they are not willing to lose that which is precious to them.
whatever that might be. It is a personally choice that they have a right to make.
Regardles of anyone's believe in them or not. Just as it is your choice to disbelieve everything you have read here.

6. If you had read through the entire thread you would have realize that both my sisters have posted on it. I have not advertise anything. anyone who has red this thread and the one before it would have known that my sisters both have announce what their abilities are. as a matter of fact, my youngest sister believes the same as BillyTheJust.
Both have made their views very clear.
Reading the thread you would seen it, as I do believe they both refer to each other and me. We often do.

At lastly. I don't thin anyone who has posted on this thread particular cares about your opinion of them or what they can or can't do. You have made the choice to not believe anything said here, that is fine. It is your choice and may you be satisfied in it. I chose to believe some and not others. that is my choice.
I am very glad that you feel that your question is answered. You are most welcome. That is always great feeling to help someone.
May your day be pleasant. :)

My ears are ringing...
Please stay on topic folks.

No, it is not off topic. There is a lot of babble about powers in this thread. So exactly what are the powers YOU THINK you have, that you need to hide.

Let's hear it

I think we now have a better idea why everyone feels the need to hide their abilities. Of course, it might be for just this reason, that maybe hiding is not such a good idea. It might be time, as it has been pointed out, that we all come out of the closet.

Though I still believe everyone has to do what is best for them.

I do apologize for the off topic discussion.

There was a thread on what abilities one has. This one is about should you hide or hold back yours - whatever they are. Please stay on this topic and away from others such as 'I can find you anyway' posts. As for me, I will always endorse self empowerment.

I have found that it is good to hide things, since it gives you less to worry about, no fears of the villagers coming with torches, but when you need to use them in a pinch, time can be wasted in explanations that could have been dealt with long ago. In essence, remaining in the shadows is both a blessing and curse to yourself.

I live all the way on the east coast and sometimes I have to becareful. Of course if I was living in Salem, Mass it would be perfectly fine. But totherwise, I have come to trust very few, from my job, to my personal relationship. If I were to see a group of people going after an individual with a gift, I will stop them in their tracks from causing harm. I understand very well what its like to be feared. One time I have chased off a group of people trying to vandalise a local elementary school with the cones. It was funny just watching them cowar at me like that...

i dont think you or anyone should hide what we can do, but its really up to the individual, i personally dont hide it, my veiw is if someone dosent like me being open with my abilities, they cant go fuck themselves

I have noticed that any odd or metaphysical abilities can sometimes freak people right out. Even people that I would not expect. If the wrong person gets freaked out, then word gets around to your employer and so on. Also, anything out of the ordinary brings a lot of fear to a mundane, and folks try to destroy what they fear, so not so sure it is good for the community as a whole or not. Understanding through knowledge is good, so double edged sword here.

Night

Personally, I've learned to keep my abilities to myself. A hard lesson learned, but a lesson learned nonetheless. I have to really, really trust someone before I open up that much, and I can honestly say even now, the number of those who do know (who are not of course vampires themselves) is less than 3.

I have learned that I do need to hide my abitlities. I had let out before some of my talents and I paid for it ten times over. One of my Nicknames is McGyver. Now for you younger folk that don't know what that is I'll tell you. MyGyver is a TV Series about a man that is a basic Genius. He could get out of any situation by making these crazy items out of the weirdest stuff. One reason why is my truck, I have automatic headlights. My truck is a 91, I have changed much of the wiring so that it works how I want it to or think it should have in the first place. And made it much safer. Along with just repairing things in ways no body had ever really thought of and they work right or last longer than other repair methods.

i've learned that i have to hide 2 of mine i see visions or preminitions as some call it and if i'm really in love with someone i can read their thoughts and their soul i feel its best to keep that 2 myself due to the fact i don't want others thinking i'm crazy.

My sisters both have premonitions as the have stated. I do not think they share that fact with others, but I do not think they hide it either.

Premonitions are actually more accepted then say empathy, telepathy, or always being able to steer out of the way of trouble. I did know that empathy was unacceptable until I read a post here.

I only hide any abilities when i am around my family members. they are very unaccepting. Other than them, I do not feel the need to hide anything I am, And if the inquisition comes to destroy me, I will take as many of them with me as I can.

i hide in general lol. but in all accuallity i think ppl of the"normal" cant understand abilities.. good or bad and You all know that once deemed different every one hates it because they are almost scared of it. i hide mine for not only their mental well being but my own "social" life if that makes sence

I have some empathic ability and I hide it simply because whoever I tell always asks me to guess what theyre feeling, I'm not a circus sideshow! Leave me alone! lol

Back when I was living in Bloomington IN only my closest friends knew what I was and or what I could do, for the most part I kept it very quiet for personal reasons. I belive some people where suspicious of me, but I never let it get to me, as far as living here in Topeka, nobody knows except my wife and one other person.

i dont have any powers, nor have i seen anything that makes me believe that there are people that do, BUT im not counting you out. I think you should feel free to be open with the people around you. if someone told me they had powers i might tease them a little but thats what i do to everyone, i would think no less of that person, and, in the end, would be more intrigued by them than anything else. and intrigued is not a bad thing...

No need to hide, no need to advertise either. Be yourself. Chances are your family and friends all have something out of the ordinary in their lives that they do not reveal willingly until it/they are 'discovered' by others. Use discression as 'powers' need not be exploited just because you have them.
One would hope you only use your abilities when they are most needed, if that's the case then I'm sure it'd be understood.

i hide mine not to worry others but they still show sometimes

KenalViesha, in some cases that is true. but when there are still times when you are trying to help someone who is need, when it is all over they don't want to talk to you anymore, and they spread word that you are weird and creepy.

It is not an easy road for sure, but what you say is true. for me personally, I don't rightly give a damn. But my children have to live with it also. and for a 10 year old it can be a bitch when your friends parents don't want their kids to play with you because your mom is strange. My 19 year old doesn't care. but the younger ones have an issue.

Not to get off subject but.. if that's what the parents think and are going to raise their children the same way then I personally feel it'd be better for your child not to associate with them in the first place. I know it seems harsh on the child but it's obvious that your child is being raised with different ideals (being far more open minded) then their friends.
I personally deal with parents judging me every day of my life. I have peircings in my face that for a parent is often unacceptable because other parents like to think they have a 'higher standard' in the way they live, talk, act. I can bet you bottom dollar I live just as comfy as them if not better (with making a few sacrifices) and to me, makes me no different to any other. If my childs-friends-parents didn't accept me for who I am then my child would not associate with them outside of school whatsoever. I wouldn't want my child around people that are so willing to judge when they can't even look in their own backyard. We all have what others would call 'faults and flaws' that are perfectly normal to ourselves. Yes we should care for the affects being different may have on our children but we also shouldn't be sending out signals to them that we have to pretend to be something else then what we are. True friendships are gained by those that take the time to understand and although childhood can be tough it'd be much easier for your child to find true friendships based of trust, loyalty and honesty rather then hiding who you are and what you do. I know I'd rather my children find friends (including their families) that accept my children and myself for who I am because then I will know that that friendship will last a lifetime rather then until they find out I'm different.

i prefer to hide. Too manyt people will shun you and stop the feeding cycle.

I want to show my abilities but who can I trust not to make fun that dont beleive or go straight to the newspapers and have them call me a lying freak!!! Theres just so many that dont believe because there afraid too!!! So Im not sure If I should tell anyone other than ppl on VR, cuz I cant trust enough of humans!!!

KenalViesha, I have the same thought as you. I think that it is a damn shame that kids just can't be kids.

I do not want my chhildren around narrow-minded morons. But, show me a place where aren't any, and I am so there. But we know no such place exist. I am inclined to go with the BillyTheJust and the others who say be yourself fully and screw what everyone else thinks and says. I just don't know if I can.
But, I won't know until I do it. hell and if worst comes to worst I will just move to the Rez. I know that I am accepted there, and my kids will be with others just them and around others just like me.

I think this is a very personal choice everyone has there own reason for hiddin there abilities or not hiddin them, I only show mine to the people i love and trust. My girlfriend know about me and some of my friend on here who i consider family. In my home life i choose not to tell as it would cuase to much trouble, but as i said everyone has there own reasons for hiddin and not hiddin. And really the choice belong to everyone to choose.

I think it is even more prevelant nowadays to hide 'Special Abilities' as you reference them, because of modern methods of communication. ... At the same time, it gives attention-loving individuals the chanse to shrowd the airwaves with non-sensical lies, and soon, imposters are everywhere, and so it is easier to hide ones truths in the mass of pointless babble.

I, personally, am not about to try and sort real from fake. If you want to quote me on anything:

"Imposters lie in the attempt to convince themselves that they are what they say. The genuine article, however, doesn't have to."

Darkie, I think that is a good point. I didn't think of that angle. and you are very right.

Your quote really does say alot.

My abilities were the reason why I was chastised, humiliated, and why I was the end of all jokes made as a child. I was a child so naturally I never quite new how to hide them, now-a-days it's not so bad but I can't go with any groups in the same predicament. I have my family sure but they aren't teenagers and can't follow me anywhere I go. I would like for a little group to be with but have not found anyone in the vicinity. I'm still not quite sure how to restrain from my abilities.

For the most part i still tend to keep things to myself because most people around me dont understand... I do share but only with those i really know Well and those i can Trust... Wicked Kisses and Blessed Be... Like a few others have posted... It is bad enough being the Black Sheep or Rebelious One! Lol... Darla...

Wow Darkie I like the quote it makes sense if only everyone could live by it.

In my case I was told not to do anything that might be an embarassment or that might make people ask questions about me.
I don't have a choice in the matter. I would lose my home and be hurt. so it isn't a choice for everyone.

Why thank you

These are all great examples.
...proof that there are just some things in this world best left hidden from others.

Yet I think there is a controversy in deciding who is trustworthy enough to know and who is not.
Some powers are personal enough to be kept to oneself safely, but there are some people who have powers they struggle with, and it is a burden to keep their secret inside. Sometimes they need someone to trust their secret with, so they can feel less lonely in the search for theirself.

...
Just a plausable thought.

I agree with Billy on this. The "need" to hide it is an excuse you hide behind. No matter what abilities you have or think you have is no good reson to hide. Of course you do not need to wear a neon sign either. I am from a small town too, and yes, gossip finds it's way easier there, but if you have faith in yourself and what you stand for then there is no reason to hide any kind of special ability.

Another question, what is special ability really?

Is it one who sees ghosts or a girl that can always pick the right shoes? Special is in the eye of the beholder, and in some way, every single person on planet earth has special ablities in one way or another.

i dont hide my powers i use them wen ever and wher ever so every one cen see me

I agree with Nianna. I mean don't wear a sign that says "WATCH ME, WATCH ME" on it, but there really is no reason to hide who you are.

And as far as special abilities, I know that there are some people who think that people are going to think they ar efreaks for the things they do.
But think about it realistically, the same people that you are afraid of think you you are a freak probably already do. So truly what have you to lose?

i agree with what earth child said its okay if they find out but dont show off

I tried to tell my friends mine but they just look at me as if to say whatever.

some of my friends have noticed i have the ability of foresight before i do. cause if i concentrate i can finish their sentences when they are in the middle of speaking and can many times predict what can happen in the very near future if i try but if i dont then i have no clue

well where i work wouldnt except me for who i am really i work for the hardees down the street from my house it mostly older people that work there and i left work one day in my goth clothes that all gave me a weird look so if they do that with the only how i dress i wonder what they would do if they found out how many times i should have died but got up with no scratch or the times i knew who people where before i met them or knew what was giong to happen i have had many strange things happen to me that cannot be scientifically explained

I live in a very small fishing community...if I ever came out with my strange power...I['d be sent to a mental ward *smiles sadly* these ppl are very narrowminded..and even though they know me for a nice person If I came out with it I'd be scorned till the day I graduated and moved off of this cage

I only hide my "powers" when around my family and my boyfriend at home because they dislike the craft and feel it is evil. But when these people are not around I feel that to share the craft is a great reward from the Goddess and I'm now helping people begin the journey in the craft.

I use mine all the time... I don't really fit anyone's stereotype of a pagan or anything... i do hide them but i use them and no one ever geusses it was me I also live in a small town too

There is nothing to hide! Your abilities are a gift, and you should use them to their fullest extent!

Use them yes but to let others know is not smart. I have pych test that if i gave them one more reason they would lock me up and start the elocto shock therapy. Look at the x-men movies and you'll see the way the worlds still works. One day it might be better but most people fear what they don't have or is not "normal"

I think the need to hide our abilities comes out of fear of other people knowing the truth of what we can do, and out of protection for ourselves and others.

I work in computers, most of the time for large fuddy-duddy narrow minded, bean counting companies. I don't think its appropriate to talk about things like energy healing, energy, or even dagorhir swordfighting with them. Unless I find someone there that I sense is on my wavelength, then I might broach the subject very carefully. I have confided with my closest coworkers that I'm taking such and such day off to go camping and swing padded swords at people, but that's about the extent of my discressionary openness.

It doesn't do me much good at work to mention in a related conversation that I can't wear a watch because I'm always draining the battery, or that "you know that headache you have, I can help you with that."

BUT, I have surrounded myself with a great group of friends in my personal life that I feel I can talk about almost anything with.

I agree with the "no need to advertise" statement above. Although I feel badly when I see someone in pain at work and I know I can help, that is simply not the side of myself that I want to be presenting in the office.

I'd have to be friends with this person outside of the office in order to "go there."

I like to use my empathic abilities....it helps when you find people in your past that you have known and it helps finding new people you can relate to..

I dont hide, but I dont go around advertiseing to everyone what I can do, I have found that people do not want to accept things they do not understand.

I hide my abilities often times because I would be "run out of town". I have found that subtle and well places clues help draw like-minded people to me. This has worked so far.

Blessed Be

This seems a bit like the theory of heroes or mutants in fiction. The theory that if one were to find out what you could do, that there would be kidnappings and experiments, fear and genocide...a witch hunt.

The truth is probably much more mundane. The likelyhood that you'll even be believed is almost nil. Think of people who have come forward in recent years with claims of power. Kirlian photography on suffis or mystics. Martials artists trying to prove chi or ki and their ability to use it against people. Swamis who can overcome pain or heal themselves. Even when the results are 'inconclusive' as opposed to flat out false, they do not become mainstream targets for study.

In almost every case where a claim has been made, the common response is simply this: Completely prove it or be marginalized as a fraud or a nut. That isn't an attack on your belief, that's simply how it will be viewed by the majority of the world and or scientific community. Since the ability to even measure pranic or psychic energy doesn't exist, your abilities can't be proven and whether it's real or not, you will be marginalized...but that's hardly being hunted or destroyed.

So my point is simply this...if you are worried that you must hide what you are because you fear being hunted or the victim of violent prejudice, you have little in fact to worry about. If on the other hand, your concern is more for your reputation or social status, than I wouldn't offer up the fact that your a vampire, much less make claims about hidden powers...Since:

A) there is no reason to offer that up unless you are looking for a donor and it's really not the best way to start that conversation...

and B) because the reaction will be the same every time. "Prove it"

I agree with the small town thing- I have nothing special about me except for my way of thinking- if you even think differently then you are subject to verbal abuse. I live in the heart of the Bible belt and most everyone is so closed minded to the possibility of anything else being out there. It's ridiculous because they are closed minded about everything- but they can go to church on Sundays then it's okay to go out and get drunk..... Not everyone is like that- but more often than not in this area it's the case.

Since i started using my abilities again i have been open with everyone but my family. I dont tell my dad or brothers. But lately i have found to save my daughter ritacule at school i have to hide my pent i wear. youknow kids dont know dick from harry but yet the kids inher class tease and say mean things to her because im a "witch". If parents would learn to be open minded and keep thier mouths shut around thier kids about things thy dont understand then the society would be a better place. We would not have to hide so much.

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