Stuck in the broomcloset?

So, you've got parents/siblings/friends/relatives/significant other who you can't let know you're pagan? Have no fear, I have tips for you! These all seem to work well for me. I love them!

1. Make a wand/athame hider (crafts page) and velcro it to the bottom of your altar

2. Use a piano bench as an altar. That way you can store things inside.

3. Do rituals in the bathroom with the shower on. Your parents won't hear your chanting over the water. Jump in and take a "ritual bath" before you do your workings, that way you are clean, and ready to do magick!

4. Buy a trunk with a large lock from k-mart or other places. Store your supplies in there. Wear the key around your neck or find a clever place to hide it (in my house we have hardwood floors, and in my room I pried up a board and store my keys and things under there. But don't do this! If you ruin the floors someone will get angry!) Sometimes you can tape them to the inside of a book no one reads. Tape it onto your lucky number page so you won't forget.

5. Use a diary with a lock as your Book of Shadows. Use tip 4 to hide the keys.

6. Hide books and papers under your mattress

7. I have a corner shelf in my closet. I put some of my supplies on it and then put sheets on top. It just looks like a nice place to store blankets and sheets. No one will know magickal supplies are on there

8. Trace runes  or magick sybmols with water underneath your bed, dresser, desk etc

9. Cast a constant circle of protection all around your room. No one will know and you are as good as protected from prying eyes of siblings.

10. If your parents are catholic, use statues of Jesus and Mary as your god and goddess images. Your parents will think you're being a good catholic. They don't have to know that they are your interpretations of the god and goddess!. 

How to tell your parents you're of the wiccan persuasion

The key here is to let them down easy. Consider these things: Are they understanding? Do they trust you? Are they tolerant of all religions? How much do they already know? If you have parents who openly express their hatred of wiccans it may be for the best to keep it a secret. If you think your parents will understand, or have a good chance of learning to understand, go ahead. Some tips: Don't use the word "witch" until a month or two after you've told them. It freaks people out. Remind them that wicca is an earth based religion and they do not believe in satan. Tell them that you love them but you want to make your own choices about religion. If they don't agree with you, don't scream at them, don't get angry. I think as your last resort if your parents tell you that you cant be wiccan, you can say "you may take away my tools, but you'll never take away my beliefs!" This may make them think but it may also make them angry. Well, now what? It may take them some time to get used to, but they'll get over it, hopefully. I personally have never told my parents and never will. My mom is understanding and was a buddhist, but she still thinks that wiccans are bad. My dad is on the slightly chauvanistic side. He would never accept it. Hope I helped!