Wicked Rumors

Sometime ago I wrote about the necessity of not sharing our religious affiliation with people outside our community who might not understand. Keeping our practice secret prevents us from being labeled as crazy or dangerous by our friends and loved ones. But what about keeping secrets within our community? Is secrecy necessity there as well? I think the short answer is; no, and here's why... Secrecy within the community leads to mistrust and suspicion. It does nothing but give our detractors a weapon to use against us later.

Whenever there is a discussion about the Salem Witch Trials, it's always mentioned that the people in power used suspicion to make us turn on each other. Neighbors turned on neighbors simply because one did not like the other and witchcraft was only used as an excuse. If you think this can't happen today then think again.

An example would be, something like...suppose that a shaman notices a friend in his circle is wearing a tin foil hat. The shaman says, "it's really great to see you here, love the new hat. I think it's really cool that you do your own thing and cause no harm to anyone. I just wanted to let you know that I heard a rumor about Mrs. Jones who lives down the street". The shaman gestures with his thumb to look to the right. "I heard that Mrs. Jones sacrifices chickens". See how easy it is to spread a rumor? The man in the tin foil hat may have laughed off what the shaman had said but it still remains in the back of his mind.

The only advantage that I can think for secrecy within my peer group is that it creates a feeling of reverence when conducting solitary work. When you keep a secret you're saying you're not going to taint what you do with your deities by bringing it into the open. It was 2001 when I left my parents and began going to circle shortly after that. Ever since then I made it my mission to normalize Wicca. In much the same way that Christianity,and Judaism are normalized. My goal is to create a new world where a witch wouldn't even think about hiding who she is or what she does because it is no longer necessary.

How much you decide to share about your solitary practice with your peer group is your call. I hope that sharing my opinion about it helps to make a more informed and wiser decision. As always keep walking with the Goddess!