When I was younger, in my teens, I was in a coven with a few close friends and I really truly felt right. When my parents found out, however, I was put through a strict program of catechism, youth groups, and church every week. I didn't mind so much for a while, until I started slowly realizing that this wasn't right for me. I've taken a few exploratory religion classes in college and tried Taoism for a time, but it feels too passive.

I've been reading over the old Reede and thinking on the principles of the religion with a more sophisticated mind than when I was younger, and I'm curious about going back to Wicca. But my old coven has broken up and I don't know how to find another one, or if I could trust one if I did find one. I feel like I'm starting out too old and would need to be re-trained to be able to accept and use the energy of the universe after being told for 6 years that it was a mortal sin. I don't think I could do the solitary thing, either.

I'd be interested in seeing if others who practice have any suggestions.

Try www.witchvox.com they have an extensive network of pagan connections all over the US and in other countries. You can post if you want to meet with fellow groups in your area to see if they fit with you. Good luck and Blessed Be!

Thanks! I just signed up and I'll check it out.

Eh...you're never too old to get back into what feels right to yourself.

I'm sure that with all of the information regarding groups around the country out there on the web,you'll be able to track down others who can be trusted to help you step foot back onto the path.

Ya, never too old.

Hail and Welcome Elphie, back to the Pagan fold.
Blessings of the Lord and Lady.

Don't worry about being too old I was in my forties when I found my Path.

"Welcome back baby, rock and roll never for gets"

I can tell I'm going to like it here - I was fully expecting ridicule for wanting to go back to something I did when I was younger. I've found a group in my area for "Pagan Meetup" and I'm going to be joining them in their garage sale and pub meetup this coming week. Wish me luck, and thanks a ton for all your support!

ETA: In my research I've found many different people saying that they follow a certain sect (for lack of a better descriptor) of Wicca - IE: Green Witch, Kitchen Withcery, Celtic, etc. Can any of you point me in the right direction for either in depth websites on each individual style (those three are the only three I've heard of so far) or else a site that compares and contrasts them all decently so that I can decide which one is best for me?

Sounds good Elphie. And do you have anything else to share with us? Such as were there any mystical signs or synchronicity events while you were being forced to abandon your faith that kept pointing out to return? Or is it all internal feelings? I know some people see things in their life that for some reason click in their mind as being a reason to go back to their faith or like they are being called back?

Well, I was with my coven from about 15-17 and they quickly became my best friends. My Dad has always been Catholic and my mom some sort of more accepting spiritual Christianity. She was really the one who pointed all the signs at me, so to say. She started reading more spiritual (instead of just Christian) books and then would let me borrow them after. Reading through the descriptions of reincarnation by Sylvia Brown got me thinking of how I used to be, how much happier I was, when I was in my coven. Then I tried to do some energy manipulation on an investigation with friends and I just felt so much more ready to take on anything after storing the good energy and bringing it to a place with reputed bad energy. Since then, my boyfriend has been trying to explain to me that, even if the Christians are right, God would not condemn someone to an eternity in Hell for using the natural powers of the Earth.

I just know that I had such a better outlook and knew how to handle situations without being discouraged so easily when I was in my coven. I'd just go to my sister's and we'd talk it over and decide if a ritual was necessary or just support. Then, even if it was all just the mental confidence given to me by my sisters, I would just feel so at peace, no matter how bad the situation was. They helped me to get over phobias that have since returned 3 fold. I really miss it an want my confidence and playfulness back that I used to have.

Bah, I'm babbling, lol, I hope I answered your question. It was a good one, made me think quite a bite

Yes you did answer and a good answer too. It is nice how we get our inspiration sometimes but especially coming from your mother, even if that was not her intention, definitely means much, a very strong bond between mother and daughter. Your father maybe does not know but Catholicism has much ancient pagan influence riddles in much of their system lol but anyways I wish you the best on your path. Farewell and safe journey.

Here is a web site lists the different kinds of witchcraft and Wicca with a short explanation of them.

http://www.neopagan.net/Witchcraft-Classifying.html

I did the Wicca thing for a while, but I found Druidry a more suitable path for me. Good luck.