Rambling Index

First, let me say that Marlevane and I are WAY out of the broom closet. We decided to tell our friends and family about two years ago. I'm not telling this story to try and convince anyone to tell their own family if they don't feel comfortable with it just yet. I'm just telling it to show others what we have done. I also hope for those that are just peeking out of the "broom closet, they will find some comfort in our story, and help them take the big step. Ok...here is how it begins...

We were wondering what would be the best way to tell them that we are Witches. We went over all the options.. you know.. just being blunt and tell them to their faces, maybe writing a letter, and at one point in time, we almost chickened out from telling anyone.

After thinking, and thinking some more, we came to a revelation. We thought, "Why not build a website, and e-mail the link to everyone?? Then they will surely get the hint!!!" So that's what we did, we created Magickalpair Realm, and sent the link to everyone we knew. (What a way to come out, huh?? ~lol~) Of course back then, our website was not as large as it is now. It was only a few simple pages that explained Wicca and stated how proud we were to be Witches.

After everyone heard our news, the reactions we recieved were very strange. Some people were very accepting. I think the reason for that is because Marlevane and I have always been on the "strange" side, so they all expected something like that from us.

But on the flip side, there were some that wanted to disown us. Mostly just the very Christian family members, because they thought we were going to hell. They started praying for our souls right away! ~lol~

And some people seemed "numb" to me. By numb, I mean they had no reaction. They didn't care one way or the other. Maybe they just thought if they had nothing nice to say, maybe they shouldn't say anything at all. I'm not sure. I'll never figure that one out.

But a year and a half later, everyone in this small, Indiana town knows us as Witches. Marlevane and I wear our pentacles high, and we don't care who knows it. All in all, everyone accepts us for who we are, and I thank the God and Goddess for that!!!!!!!!!!

If you are wishing to share your spirituality with your family, my advice is; if you can share you're "coming out" with your spouse, or close friend, or anyone else that you know in Wicca, you should lean on their shoulder for their support. It will make it so much easier knowing that you have someone on your side.

But for the folks that don't have that option, then I would say put all your faith in the Lord and Lady, and they will take care of you. And always remember that you are not truly alone, because there are many, many Witches in this world who are on your side!!!!!

Has anyone out there noticed the unusual phenomena in the world of children's toys lately? I certainly have, and the phenomena that I'm talking about is the "witchcraft based" toys that are out in department stores today. Yes folks, Barbie now has a besom, Book of Shadows, and a cool chalice to mix magic potions in. And...so she doesn't get lonely, she has fairy and mermaid friends to hang out with. (Or invoke! ~lol~) I even seen that Wal-Mart is going to have an exclusive collection of Zodiac Barbie's, each representing one of the 12 astrological signs. But, Barbies are just the tip of the ice burg! Other companies are making an assortment of fairies and Witches, and there is also a series of children's books entitled W.I.T.C.H.

And what do I say about this new, witchy phenomena? I say wonderful!!!! To me, this new movement shows that real life Witches are a lot more excepted within society as normal people. Granted, these toys show us a bit more glamorous than we really are, but I think that's alright because the glamour will keep us as mysterious as we always have been. To make it even better, these toys will allow children to use their imagination, and find magick within their daily play, which seems to be a lost art nowadays. It's a win-win situation for everyone!!

This is an article I (Magenta Rose) submitted to the Llewellyn Halloween essay contest. I haven't heard anything back from them, so I'm assuming I didn't win. ~lol~ But I still wanted to share it with my readers. So...here it goes!

Halloween has always been my very favorite holiday. I have been obsessed with it since the day of my birth because well, it IS the day of my birth! :) But the attraction to Halloween didn't come to me just because it is my birthday, I always knew there was something else about it...a certain magickal mystery that I couldn't quite put my finger on. (That is until I started my journey down the path of the Witch and the true meaning opened up to me.)

As a child, my Halloween tradition was pretty basic. I would dress in a costume, which was usually a Crone Witch or a ghost, and I would collect candy door-to-door. But before my yearly trick-or-treating expedition, my family would always come over for my birthday celebration. As a kid, I always thought it was pretty cool to be born on Halloween because not only did I get tons of candy, I received gifts too! What could be better then that?!?

But as I became a teenager the whole "trick-or-treating" thing wasn't fun anymore, but I didn't want to give up on my favorite holiday. I just knew there was something great about it! So I started searching for other ways to celebrate it, and my search lead me to an Ouija board. From that day on it became a tradition for my friends and family to come to my house to hold a seance on the "spookiest" of holidays. We all tried to contact Spirits from the Otherworld, especially our deceased loved ones. Of course, none of us were Witches, so we never knew the significance behind our efforts. We mostly just thought that Halloween was the best time to contact the Other Side because it was well...Halloween.

But almost 4 years ago, I discovered then dedicated to the path of Wicca, and now know the true meaning behind my beloved holiday. I really don't celebrate the commercialized idea of Halloween anymore...I celebrate the beauty of Samhain. And instead of trying to "conjure up" my ancestors with an Ouija board, I honor them within my Samahin ritual and invite them to visit if they so wish. I do take my 4 year old daughter trick-or-treating, but when we get home her father and I start our grown-up festivities by opening our Samahin circle. Halloween/Samhain is a beloved time for every member of my household, and our #1 tradition is spending time with family...in this plane or the next!

About a month ago, supermodel/talk show host Tyra Banks asked the following question on Yahoo! Answers: What can we do to help teen girls build self-esteem, overcome insecurities and form supportive relationships? I could not help myself, so I my answered to her. (Along with 7,000+ other people.)The followng is my answer to her.......

Actually, I find it quite humorous that a question such as this is coming from a supermodel. ~lol~ Please don't get me wrong, I think your wonderful Tyra. I really enjoy your show and you seem so down to earth. But, I still think it's funny that you want to know how we can build self-esteem in teenage girls, because deep down, I believe you know the answer. Anyhow, here is my answer (as if it matters...):

The media needs to stop plastering images for perfect, model skinny women all over the place. This is telling young girls that the only way to be truly beautiful is to look like someone such as you. When you and your model friends do photo shoots, put on some regular clothes that flatter your figure, instead of clothes that make you look like a supermodel. Photographers (or whoever does this job) need to stop airbrushing and touching up your photos. Leave your blemishes and imperfections in there. This is will tell girls that it is OK to be less than perfect.

It would also help if normal looking women got a chance to be models. This would tell young girls that beauty is everywhere around them and it comes from all walks of life.

Also, the toy companies need to stop making fashion dolls that look like they are models as well. I have a 6 year old daughter, and the dolls on the market are already influnincing her idea of beauty. My daughter will not leave the house unless she is wearing "fashion clothes." And, for those of you that are saying, "Why not buy her different dolls", my answer to that is that I cannot because dolls that promote healthy body image do not exisist....I've looked. The dolls today have belly-button piercings, highlights in ther hair, fashionable clothes, etc.. These types of dolls are influincing little girls from a very young age.