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How do you introduce witchcraft to children paganism or wicca? What age is a good age to start teaching ?

From the very beginning but its like feeding them you start out very easy and like any religion you let them experiance all of the so they can decide and you have to let them. Just like you chose your religion.

My personal thought about this is that any time is a good time i mean when they get older they will choose what they want anyway...

I agree with what charskiss said, you have to introduce it to them little by little, but let them choose for themselves, you don't want to tie them down, and you don't want to scare them.

I agree, start talking to them about it from birth. Eventually they will understand. Just be smart and don't force them to learn about it if they don't want to.

Lord Dacka

Thanks guys I appreciate it so what should I start with I mean they all ready know candles are hot but on the serious side we're did everyone else start with the little things? I know when there older it will be easier but I want to start now just don't know where

My reply to this would be with a question. How does one introduce any religion/belief system to a child? Start early. Begin sharing some basic principles with your children at an early age in an age appropriate way. Try to get down on the child’s level and not make it complicated. Make it fun and social actives help. For me as a child it was part of my families’ life-style. My father set an example for me that was easy to follow. Kids are like sponges they absorb what they see, hear, and experience in their environment. This has been my experinces.

I think it should depends on your children and how well you trust them not to abuse what you teach them.

From birth they will be around it and it will be a normal part of their life the way it should be if the parents are practicioners.

You let preform the rituals of the seasons, and you let the child observe them, you do this like clock work if the child asks to participate you have begun the childs process.

a very good question...i am looking to start myself and that was the big issue btw me and my boyfriend when my interest arose around a year ago. he was more or less like "what are you going into that for, what next your gonna make our son a witch?" safe to say to avoid more arguing about it I didn't pursue it. now and days he isn't so ignorant and i have started or at least trying to get started into learning about it...not sure where to start though...currently obtaining info from a recommended site from another post www.witchvox.com but once i know more that would have been my next question as i personally believe in teaching my son more then one religion and he can choose when he is old enough.

According to Pagan belief children should not be taught any form of witchcraft until the age of ascension which in generally though of as 13.

Personally i started learning it around 6 or 7, friends of mine started at 5 or 6, it just matters when the time comes, you don't lie to the child and you let the child walk the path he or she is meant

Officially, they get to be introduced when they reach the age of majority...18 in the USA. There are all sorts of exceptions like if their parents are coven mambers and accompany them, and only as long as no nudity or alcahol is ever involved. But that is for Traditional Wicca.

It is never too early to teach your kids the patterns of Nature, to see things that keep their imagination active and fill them with wonder. It is a matter of not teaching them to disbelieve like so many children are. If they grow up seeing magic in their lives from he start, they will be more receptive to it when they are old enough tomake the dicision for themselves.

And I have never seen a teenager yet who can be kept from reading, studying, and learning witchcraft when they set their mind to it.

If you practise witchcraft in your home they will probably see you doing it, well if they have any questions just answer them they do not have to learn it, just teach them when they want to know something...

Wow thanks guys I couldn't have asked for better answers!!!

Its good to start witchcraft with ur kids from the beginning. But you should also make sure that they know their limits and that they are other choices of religion to take. Ima teen and I didnt want to be forced. You can tell them and ask if they want to know more and stuff. But let them decide when they want to do things involving religion. Be patient!

LUV: Des.tiny

Tell them stories. Answer all their questions. Give them all the facts and in time they will decide for themselves. I have raised two daughters in just this manner. One has chosen to follow the Wiccan path. My other daughter is still looking.

It really depends on how you want to nurture your children. This is the ultimate key. It is one thing to introduce your children to the pagan or wiccan beliefs, but a totally different thing to actually teach them with the knowledge that you have. My personal thoughts on the issue, would be that it is actually up to our children whether or not they want to follow in our belief system.. the final decision would rely on our children, it has to be their choice.

It is my belief you shouldn't induct children into the craft of wicca , or paganism. I am a wiccan myself and feel that if that path was for them they would find out themselves about it. If they do ask I would share my knowledge of it. I feel that they need to have thier own path to deciede what they believe in and not something forced apon them. Exposing them to multireligions may be another source. At that time that I think I would teach them the craft would be at the time of when they can deciede for themselves what they want to do.

I agree with Fiz.... I was raised Christian and truly I don't think it is for me.... I have done my own research and have found Wiccan to suit what I believe and it satisfies me completely.... Let them decide for themselves..... advise only when asked....

I'd have to agree that children should not be fully introduced into the craft or Paganism until they are more of an age to understand and appreciate it. It is something that I do not believe a child of a very young age can grasp.
I think that your job as a parent is simply to raise your children to be accepting and understanding of all beliefs and that no matter what path or religion that they choose to follow that you wil be there for them and love them.

I would suggest teaching nothing but respect, foster a love of life and learning, concepts of peace and harmony, do not give them answers....ask them questions and let them seek their answers..

openness to communicataion with your children. Let them ask questions and just answer in their terms....not over educate until they are ready. Teach values --respect of self, others, and nature for example and i think the spiritual side will flow naturally into the education.

I don’t see the problem, it’s not like your teaching them devils stuff lol
any age is good is good to start, get them celebrating the seasons, making Yule logs n what nots…. I recommend if your faith is wicca then get “Rasing witches “ by ashleen ogaea
There are plenty out there just pop into your local book shop.

As a mother, and a witch, I believe that everyone should have the right to choose. Especially children... Give them the option and dont hide who and what you are from them... But dont force it on them either.... In the end, alot of the time, they end up hating the person who forced them into something that they later disagree with.

youd think that if you introduced a religion to your child/children the younger the better... but i feel that you should wait till they are just old enough to understand.. then practice it to them that way they dont grow up to be disapointed or what ever the case may be....

i'm gonna say 6, like kindergarden

I feel that children are never to young to start getting involved. Start them off from the very begining.

Its one thing to introduce your children to your beliefs, but it is a totally different thing to actually "teach" them in your beliefs. Children have the be old enough to understand what they are learning. And again, the decision should be theirs if they chose to follow in our beliefs.

my daughter just started asking about it and that is what i have done is explained what i know she says its wierd but she is still intrigued by it so i let her decide

Smart way of doing it...

Start your kids off from birth let them see what it is like start them off slowly and as they grow the more they will want to learn.

I would never impose on my children my religious beliefs.. I am infact wiccan yet my children attend church every sunday . I feel the choice should be theres.. when they are old enough to decided what they want to beleive in. It is their choice to go to church .. infact they asked could they go.. and I would never stop them..

Allow them the knowledge throughout many religions and let them choose for themselves as they grow and once they do, they can be taught whichever path they choose. It's not right to press a path on one.

start teaching at any age but also let them choose the path thats right for themselves just give basics and teach toehr religions as well and exceptance of people for who they are and teach them to try not to convert any that dont wish to be

you teach by your actions -- when they ask, you tell them why.

They're children.
there is no specific time when is best to teach them.

early is best is all.
teach them and they'll learn and roll with it.
that's how children are.

I was razed by a atheist dad and my mum sees dead people our house has a stone circle like a three minute walk from my back garden and lots of pagans have gatherings and so forth. I was in a coven before I knew what it meant lol
Got a skeptical mind from my dad and believe my mum sees dead people.
I grew out of pagan and moved in to wicca and moved the heck out and back wards to the golden dawn and dear Dorothy, then moved into Alister n realized what he realized what they all realized …. Now im chaos and teach my kids nature and simple magic, im also keeping it open for them as the school teaches Christian stuff and the x mother in law is trying to make them be Christian …. Im not bothered by the religion as long as it don’t burn me lol
It’s the x mother in law, and her extremisms in that religion

yes it is true it would be better to start teachiung your child as early as they can understand but shoulldnt it wait till they can make a choice

My Daughter is 13 ,I started around 8 .

I think any age would be good but personally i think that when they are old enough to know most basic things, that's when you should start. Some people start from birth and continue and others start later in life. But like many others said when they get older they will choose things on their own.

I think if you are practicing, you will be celebrating the different days important to you belief. Like Christmas, or easter, any aged child will be part of that family celebration and those first rituals practiced on those high days.

I completely think that raising a child from birth to be a certain religion is the best way to go, so long as you're not overbearing about it.

every knowledge should be taugh since birth, it allows them to have an open mind, the more you teach them the more they can open their mind and choose wisely, but lets be honest and lets teach more then one path to give our children the right to choose knowing what they choose, so they wont run to the place we fear.

Wiccans wouldn't want to raise or indoctrinate their kids into a religion. But there is a ceremony called a Wiccaning that is not a baptism, but a welcoming and protection of a community.

There are ways to set the example and show them what Wicca is all about. But in the end the decision should be left to the child when they are ready.

Here is a link for some family Wicca activities:

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/familyandparenting/Family_and_Parenting.htm

I wouldn't teach my children witchcraft. There are also PLENTY of things Christian churches don't teach kids right off the bat. As a Thelogian, I have not revealed a massive amount of Biblical content to my child.

I say start off with simple respect and good manners... build as they grow. You need to be mature to understand mature things.

I wouldn't teach my childreen, It is important to give them many options, and then guide them on the right choice for them, Just because you live a certain way, doesn't mean it's best for your children, I will wait and guide my daughter on her choices.

I have exposed my children to it since birth, but not to the point of pushing it on them. I want them to be free to make their own choices, and they know that.

i wouldnt teach my children religion i would let them discover it on their own. thats what my mom did and now i dont really have a religion lol

Well I'm part cherokee . And we teach our children to abserve the changing of seasons and what nots right when they are born .

I can see your points, but I was raised to believe in a blind and cruel faith, that was never my choice, and in the end... i stopped looking for a long time, thinking that they were all alike... I now know that its unfair, but when you are 'brainwashed' from a young age, its harder to learn later. Other then that, alot of the more un orthodox belief systems, are more involved... so an older child... say 8 on up, would be able to understand it a bit more, then starting really young...

The way I would start out teaching my child or children about the craft would be to teach them simple things like the Seasons and about nature and respect for others and build on from there

Have you ever thought about letting them learn about what witchcraft is, not really allowing them to try it until an older age where they would understand the wiccan law of three, but just allowing them to be inquistive. let them ask questions and try to answer them as truthfully as possible. some children will want to learn more while others will not seem to interested or in some cases...fond of it. I have always been courious about witchcraft from a young age. any report i had to do for a class was usually centered around wiccan beliefs but i was never able to actually pursue it. my mother was never fond of my interest in Wicca and i would never try something that would hurt her, my beggest fear is disappointing her. that has taught me that if i ever have children and they want to learn more about witchcraft then i would keep an open mind. basically what i am trying to say is dont force it onto the child and dont keep it away from them. let them know that the knowledge is there and when they feel old enough to understand let them ask questions. i'm not sure if that helps much...but i hope it did!

I think teach them young then when they get older let them chose their own paths. Just don't force them or make them feel as though its something they must do

I say think things through. Whatever path they are exposed to should be presented rated G no matter what. You can add mature topics as they grow.

Personally I wouldnt teach them about it, I'd like them to find out about it themselves, & make up their own mind & choose their own path.

On the other hand as for being the right time, when a child start a Catholic school at the age of 4, they begin to learn that religion straight away, so I'd say anytime...

Sharing your beliefs with your children is easier than you think. I think that if you start teaching them, the best age is probably going to be school entry age. You are the parent, so you can lead by example. Show your children what you do. Teaching by doing is the key. Think of some activities that you can do together. Take a walk in the woods, tell stories of experiences that you have had while you are walking together. Sing and chant along the way if you get the urge. Don't hold back. All kids like to sing. Clap your hands, stomp your feet, make it fun for them. Teach them to meditate. Even if you just start by laying in the grass with them for two minutes looking at the trees. If you have small children use breathing as a way to begin teaching them how to count. Hope this helps some.

I started teaching mine at the age of 5 both my daughter and my son, I started by letting them help me "cook" up the ingredients and teaching them by doing. They learned thier chants and spells by first listening to me, and then saying them with me. She is now 8 years old and he is 6. They both are major green mothers, because anything they plant or cast has a very good turnout.

I should also say that I agree very much with Fiz on his points. My children are also exposed to the Methodist religion and baptist christian religions through my family and the Mormon Christian religion through thier godmother and they attend some type of church every week. They will decide for themselves what path they will follow when they are old enough and when they are ready, but it is there for them to decide, no hiding, no force.

Disinfect those dangerous rabid dogs
AND MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS STAY IN
cause if you wanna be immortal
YOU GOTTA HAVE SOMETHING TO TRADE IN

I say start really young with just the broad idea. BUt has they get older get in to more detail.

I find that the community you are living in has a lot to do with this decision. I live in a very christian community, where witchcraft is still considered the work of the "devil"- I have had people ask me if I signed the "black book" and if I could turn my life around and embrace Jesus. Therefore, I have decided not to teach my daughter anything until she's 13. Her going into kindergarden and telling her teachers that her mother is a practicing witch is a one way ticket to CYS knocking on my door with an army of social workers. If you have the community that generally accepts and embraces witchcraft as a respectful religion, you can start earlier, about the same time the child begins school, with ethics and principles- but leave out the spell work for later years when control has already been established. Otherwise, wait, maybe till they come to you with questions or when you notice some of your incense stock is missing, approach them then.

I don't believe in forcing any type of belief on anyone, especially children. I had Christianity shoved down my throat and I hated it.

My children have been exposed to my Pagan beliefs and my ex-husbands Christian beliefs. Even though he doesn't agree with my beliefs, he did agree to let them make up their own minds about faith and religion.

I've always encouraged my children to be open to all religious paths and traditions, and to chose the one that suited them best. My oldest is now somewhat agnostic, and my youngest is studying the different traditions of Paganism.

I think that it's fine at any age. Just make it simple and fun for them. Besides when they are older they will have to oportunity to choose any religon that they want. If their your kids why not try and sway that decision a little before hand. LOL

i say dont do anything...just leave it up to them...when they start asking questions answer them or tell them where to find the answers but just kinda stay back and let them figure things out for themselves

I don't really "teach" my children anything, except perhaps by example. When they ask questions I answer. I do try to instill morals and ethics into their lives. I've also told them that there are many different spiritual beliefs and to be tolerant of all. I let them know it isn't a good idea to go around telling everyone about my spiritual beliefs because 1) its nobodies business 2) I don't care what they think about me, but I don't want my children persecuted for my beliefs. I explained how a lot of people misunderstand witchcraft and think its wrong. (we live in the Bible Belt)
I do not hide my spiritual beliefs or what I do, so they are aware and a little knowledgable on the subject. They know more about the spiritual aspect of my beliefs than the magickal, due to the fact that I do keep most of the magick to myself, not to hide it, but I am private like that.
I personally believe they need to be mature enough to understand how powerful magick can be and the effects of it. They do know there is some magick involved and when it comes up, I always remind them that I never do any magick that would harm another or bend someone elses will.
I celebrate the holidays and make them aware of them, I explain the TRUE meaning of the holidays, etc. They are already nature lovers/animals lovers and respect all living things.
If they want to go to Church with friends or family, I will not prevent them from doing so. Its a social activity, but if they are confused about things that are said compared to how I believe then we discuss it.
I believe at least my daughter was a natural born witch but I have not told her this. She can make up her own mind and/or explore other religions if she wants to and I will support her. I believe that witchcraft finds the person when they are ready.

Children learn through the examples we set. I am not of one particular faith. Purely a naturalist...

with children and religion i thinkthere is no right or wrong way of doing it. I think waiting till they are old enough to understand is the best way. also let them go with friends and family to see what other religions are like. the worst thing a parent can do is force their beliefs on children, they will rebel and if you want them to belive in what you belive in theny have to make that choice..

i was taught by my grandmother. At no time did i ever feel i was being made to learn. I had a fasciation from the very start. I have never regreted learning at a young age.

Ive been thinking about this and with the above comments given I agree with alot of them!
Moonsong raises some good info. I think that maybe you should just let it be. They will ask questions, but do not bring up anything unless they ask. You should also think about the other parents and their thoughts of how their children are raised. Im sry to bring this up if I offend anyone... Ima catholic and I was taught to believe in Santa Claus.. which I do not now so dont get any ideas... I was a reading buddy for kindergartens and near x-mas time we started to read x-mas books. 1 kid started saying Santa is not real.. my mother told me so. I wasnt to pleased with this kid... because alot of children were asking him and calling him a liar and stuff... If you do raise ur children in witchcraft make sure that they do not get other kids involved... if these are younger kids... I know that this does not show who they are then... but I dont think you want a mob of parents at ur door. Just be aware of the consequences of ur actions. Raise them that they know there are other beliefs and you cant go disturbing the peace. If that hurts anyone please do not be mad.

LUV: Des.tiny

I dont think it really matters at what age, I think it depends on how well they can take things in and relate to things. I believe u have to be honest with kids let them make up their own minds, we should push our views onto them but we should teach them everything so that they grow up and make a sound option on there own.

sorry that should of been shouldnt push our views.

If as a baby your children see you practicing then it is a part of their life within the family. Questions may be asked when they start going to school. I think you should answer them truthfully, age appropriate, and with knowledge. If say you decided to practice Wiccan and your children are older. They should decide the path they will choose and I think parents should suport their decision.

my daughter is old enough and is learning with me..the 2 grandbabies doesnt see anything but does hear us talking..if it is what they want to do when they get older i am all for it..

i agree about getting older in school and hears a right word and blurts out everything but..long as they dont see the actual rituals or things..shouldnt be a problem

I beleive that the craft should be tought from the begining. If the child as he/she grows older decides to follow another path than thats okay as well.

agrees but doesnt think mine will follow my path..isnt trying to shove it down anyone's throat so

I was raised with Wicca as the prominent 'religion' I was exposed to, although my mom (ladyminamurray) let me do my own thing as well. She took me to Unitarian church as a small child as well and talked to me about several paths in life. When I was 9 and 10 I began to learn more about the Native American 'Red Path' and 'Rocky Path'. When I was a teenager and into high school, I began doing personal research on Existentialism, Taoism, Buddhism Judaism, and even Islam. I also participated in a Masonic Youth group upon which the only moral requirement was belief in some sort of God.

What I suppose I am getting at is that I was raised with a bit of a religious smorgasboard, and then pursued knowledge of my own accord when I was old enough to be curious enough and interested enough. In that light, I think it is perfectly acceptable if you introduce your child to Wicca/Paganism while also letting them know that there are many paths they can pursue if they want to.

Children will seek out information in their own time. Most children intrinsically have this interest

my mother is like 4th generation wiccan. or something like that. something big i guess. im not sure what she said. she had a teacher and crap. and she teaches some about it. getting them to read books and crap.

as me and my sisters grew up. she let us be apart of it. took us to meetings, and let us do rituals. and so on. she taught us the basics as we were growing up. and let us make up our mind. but she introduced us to it.

as we got older. my older sister stuck with it. and my little sister stuck with it. and i have chosen not to. and she is not trying to force me. if they feel comfortable to it. they will follow it. if not they wont. they will make up their minds, best time is to start young. introduce them to it. so they know if its right for them or not.

I'd say don't hide it from them, my friend is wiccan and she has never hidden it from her daughter, whom is 6 I do believe now. She doesn't really teach so much as if the child has a question she answers it. I think when they start showing interest in it, teach or just tell them, if it continues to grow, then encourage it. But surely don't force it upon anyone.

personally with me i will talk about it to my children but i wont let them see what i do untill they are certain that is what they want. its not for the faint of heart or those that want an easy way out of things. i want my children to understand what is out there and not just choose the faith of the parents. there is so much diversity out in the world and the only way they can find what they want is if they find it on their own. however i will support them with their decision

I think there has been a similiar thread to this. But either way it's a good question.

I would say that whenever they r ready to learn is the time when u begin to teach. If u teach them at an age of like 5 then sometimes they won't really grasp what ur talking about. Wait until they understand things and then open their eyes to "ur" world of religion. If that makes since. U'll know when it's time.

I agree with Unigon trust your children with what they learn. But expose them to little bits of it at a time and see how they manage it. There is no time like the present after all like some of the others said they will eventually make their own life changing choices. Just support them in whatever they choose even if you do not agree with it. After all it is their lives of their own not yours. Just love them and be happy for them and when the mess up say so what did you do to mess things up and when they answer you just ask them if they are going to do it again.

I would say whatever you feel comfortable in doing. I did not force my daughter into it she just got curious and decided to start.

Yeah,let the kiddies choose for themselves..when they are arround that time in there life..to make a choise for religins.
Never force them.
You shouls tell them..what your into though..and what you are.Usually..I'd say..tell them about this when they are between 9 to 11 years of age.

Well if they show natural abilities it would be wise to teach them at a young age .. I myself dont force anything on my children as WC stsaed above children have indepted curiousity , and will ask on there own

I personally think that , a true practitioner, of the arts knows and will have a good sense o when to bring there young ones into it, its all based on timing in this day and age , people forget, even though its a religion and its growing fast, its still thought of as being a outsider, we are still persecuted, even to this day, just cause the catholic church doesn't run our lives no offense to anyone catholic, doesn't mean that there still won't be trouble, i would say slowly bring them onto it when the time is right.

Rev.DMD

personally IMO, a child will choose on their own accord, it is up to the parent to use what sourses they know to show then the correct way. there are way too many people out there that pretend they are something and then they are not. (been there done that route)

My daughter if she chooses to practice wicca, druidry or any pagan religion is fine by me, I'll take the time to steer her in the right direction and make sure she knows what she is getting into.

When I have kids I let them explore the proper channels of religon study and choose themselves

I think you should introduce them to the lifestyle at an early age, it makes it easier for them to get used to it and really feel a part of it... Though in the end, I think it's the child's choice whether or not he wants to follow the pagan lifestyle, but at least you would have shown him one way... And then he can chose what to do with it. :)

I beleive we should guide a child but we cant choose for them because they are the ones that will have to live with the decisions they make...

My grams started teaching me when I was 5 . But she explained alot to me when I was 2 when I started seeing my Spirit Guide or Guardian Angel , who I talked to alot and watched over me .

I have to pretty much agree with InfernalImage and Gwendolyn and many others.

I don't believe there really is any 'formal' introduction. You do what you do and live how you live and your own life and beliefs become the example.

If they see the positive effects it has on your own life they will in time naturally become curious and want to learn more. Take this opportunity to share with them your story and your beliefs and also the beliefs of others. They will find their own path which I think is what every parent really wants.

My own daughter who is now 32 was curious from a very young age. By the time she was 10 we would sit up late discussing the universe, religion, philosophy, history, etc. In her life she explored many paths from the very traditional western religions to very on the edge stuff. Eventually she chose Wicca and has become a very powerful and enchanting practitioner.

I see it as not our job to be the comformist of the child, but let the child choose their own way. Too many things forced upon the youth of today.

I think you should let them find it on there own. Trust me, kids are going to say that they dont want you to make them anything, they'd much rather find it on their own.

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