I have been following the Wiccan path for around five years now. I’ve encountered many problems with my choice of religion, but not as challenging as this one. Late in 2002 I learnt that my parents were going to send me to a Catholic High School. I’m not sure why, but I began to freak out. I was, after all, in a Catholic Primary School at the time. But the prospect of spending more of my education in a Catholic High School was a terrifying thought.
First of all, I had to send in an application form so I could get an interview with the principal. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do, considering it is a good school and could be better than the other two High Schools available. My parents got the form back asking me to come along to an interview. Everything ran smoothly and I was accepted.
I began in the summer of 2003. Things were okay for a few weeks, until my pentacle necklace accidentally made itself visible outside my shirt collar. Did I mention it was in Religion class and this teacher was strictly Catholic? All hell broke loose and I nearly got a detention. I was requested to take it off and I refused. I refused to take my necklace off because of one of the school rules outlined in my diary:
The wearing of jewelry is not permitted, with the exception of a simple necklace with religious symbol. In the end, I took my necklace off and put it in my pocket to prevent even more trouble. This was how I evaded receiving a detention.
I asked some of my friends if they thought that this rule applied to all religions. As they weren’t quite aware of my Wicca beliefs, they said this rule only applied to the crucifix. I said what about a Star of David for Jewish people? They said it had to be a cross. But in the rules, it didn’t specifically say that it had to be a crucifix.
I came across some discrimination when I said what I believed in, in some of my classes. Although some teachers were open to the idea, some of the students made my life a living hell. It wasn’t the girls; they didn’t like me much anyway, but the boys were a different thing altogether. They decided to annoy me all the time with stupid tiny things like “Cast a spell on so-and-so.” No can do; do it yourself.
In year eight I came across a bit more trouble. I got in trouble for a spot of heresy now and again. But I think my beliefs clashed with too many of my subjects. I found myself in German class, speaking about my beliefs. I couldn’t help it. I could’ve been classified as a fluffy bunny Wiccan, but that can’t be possible. I never ever did anything like them. I was always so quiet about my beliefs but it was like I couldn’t gag myself. In the end, my German teacher found out about Wicca and questioned me every spare moment she had.
I also had a different Religion teacher. He was cool, but I made the mistake of asking him why we needed Bibles in class when we didn’t really use them. The response was quite funny: “You’ll need it now, write out this Psalm.” After that, I found myself trapped.
I was labeled a Satanist a few times. That was in Design and Technology, Music and Art. Unfortunately, I have dropped those subjects in order to learn two different ones. I think that could contribute to why I will never set foot in those rooms again. In German, those boys were in my class. They threw things at me and the teacher had to shift them so I would get a decent Language Education. And I did.
In History that year I got a nice surprise. Our teacher began to talk about Wiccans. He even knew a few. That was really cool, and I am still deliberating whether to tell him there was a Wiccan in his class that day.
This year, year nine, I have been coping better. But I still feel trapped in a way. Religion seems to be pressed into all aspects of our education. It seems more in Drama because it is a bit Christian-orientated. I can tell from my teacher, she looks a bit fed up with it!
I do have a bunch of friends who support me. When I am at school and people make a nasty comment about me, they reply with, “Well, you know, Christians aren’t perfect either.” Or something like that. Some of my friends are also Wiccan and we sit around at Lunchtime discussing some issues about it.
I actually have some teachers who are on my side too. They aren’t Wiccan but they respect what I believe in and this has made my time at this school a bit easier. They seem to care about what I say and they actually gave me a voice in a school that looks down upon Wicca and Witchcraft.
I seem to have more confidence in myself for going through all of these events. I think I have grown in my faith and I have become stronger, like I could endure anything. I will need it considering we go to mass numerous times a year! Also I think I have become a better human towards other people. I find that I don’t snap at people as often as I used to. People at school don’t come and tease me as much any more; they come up and ask how I am. More importantly, if they are interested, they will be more than happy to talk about my spirituality. Sometimes they don’t agree with it and avoid me altogether, but at least it shows me that they are open and willing to find out more.
It has been a rough ride and a strange approach to the path, but so far it’s been fun.
This article of mine was featured at Witchvox (see links page) on the 17th July 2005.
