Over the years, I've noticed two reactions that I get from people when they first learn that I am pagan. There are those folks that think because I use the term witch, that I perform ritual sacrifice in my backyard and lead wayward christians astray ... The second is a weird romanticized view of witches where some folks think I wiggle my nose and *POOF* we're all on a tropical beach somewhere drinking a fruity alcoholic beverage with a little umbrella in it and they fail to take into account that there's a little thing called physics. I know it sounds strange but people have the oddest ideas of what exactly a witch is. To illustrate this, I was in the local grocery store a few years ago, just standing in the express checkout line with twelve items or less in my basket when I got this overwhelming feeling that I was being watched. I turned my gaze from the tabloid magazine rack to the gentleman (and I use that term loosely) behind me...I can't even begin to describe the look on his face...(it was somewhere between horror and repulsion) and out of his mouth comes "Are you A good witch or a bad witch?" as he's staring directly at my double pentacle necklace with the flower border.
Needless to say, I was truly at a loss for words. Who did I look like, Margaret Hamilton from the Wizard of Oz? So I just looked at him and raised an eyebrow and turned around to face forward as the line began moving and then from behind me I hear.."So, do you put spells on people ?" and "I hear you people dance around naked in the moonlight.." I knew he was trying to make me look foolish, but I had enough of it at that point so I turned back around and quickly replied, "Why yes, and If you ask me one more silly question, I'll put a real good whammy on you!" The audible gasp and resulting silence was almost too much and I dearly wanted to start laughing but I stifled my giggle and payed for my groceries and left.The other type of folks look at witchcraft as a novelty. These are the people that like to hang around and be your friend because they feel it's cool to say my friend "so and so" is a witch. Which comes with it's own set of grief when these people take it upon themselves to shove you right out of the broom closet and onto center stage. I hate when this happens, it's almost like that dream we all have about showing up to high school naked...talk about mortifying!
Not too long ago, one of these types dropped by to visit one day. I had recruited my kids to help me sweep the pine needles out of the driveway so we were all standing there, having just finished, when she pulled in. Looking at the brooms resting against the garage door she looks at me and asks..."Which one is yours?" Of course trying to be a smart ass I replied, "Oh, mine is actually in the house," and went inside grab my besom. When I came back out with broom in hand to show her she remarked "Oh, do you really fly that?" All I could do is shake my head. "No..." I said, "Gravity doesn't work that way." The look on her face was priceless because it suddenly dawned on her just how ludicrous her question was. She didn't hang out too long to talk. I would like to think that people are more informed in this world, I mean it's 2009 for crying out loud! But every now and then, another person comes along and I realize just how deep the myths and misunderstandings go.
* Thank you Fire Lyte for giving me the idea for this post's title!*
