• Read this thoroughly to make sure you agree with the basic ideas.
• Change as much as you can to make it more specific to your situation.
• DO NOT use my words to deceive your loved ones.  I have great respect for family and believe in honesty. I do not want to lie to anyone's mother or be associated with the act of doing so.

I know you are concerned about me.  I suspect you're a bit frightened and a little angry.  I'm writing this to let you know how I feel, to clarify what I'm doing and to let you know that this is not about rebelling against what you taught me.

The word witchcraft has negative connotations, I'm not stupid--I understand that the term can make a Christian's hackles rise.  I could try to use other words that aren't so obvious, but I'm  sure that you'd catch on pretty quick.  (After all, you're not stupid either!)  I'd like to have the opportunity to sit down with you and explain what this witchcraft stuff is really about for me. 

You should know some basics:  I do not worship Satan.  I do not know, and would not associate with, anyone that does.  I believe in one divine power just like you taught me.  It's just that I'm more comfortable thinking about that power in terms that I can relate to one an emotional level.  I have a specific imaginary face for Deity; if you are interested, maybe I could describe it to you. 

There are many others that understand Deity in ways similar to mine.  Wiccans chose to see divinity in the Goddess and  in the God.  They feel that the supreme deity is best understood by two figures that represent, separately, the male and female aspects of the creator.  Some, women in particular, prefer to think of Deity as the Goddess.  Another group, Pagans, think of Deity as many-faced.  This is a quick and simple summary--I don't want you to think that I speak for everyone.

Now there's something else you should know up front, there is not a witch guru that I know of.  Though people like Wiccans and Pagans tend to consider themselves loosely associated, each individual comes to his or her own belief system independently.  There is a wide variety of  material available to read and study.  A hallmark of this kind of religion is that there is no "recruitment" of anyone.  This is not some cult.  I have not been brainwashed.

I want you to know that I am a moral person.  This path that I've chosen supports that.  One of the first things I learned is a basic and universal thought: Harm None.  I believe that actions that harm others in any way are returned to me threefold.

I want to ask that you try to keep an open mind.  You might not believe in what I call magick, but I do.  Please don't laugh at me when I seem flaky to you.  I'll continue to light candles, spend time outside--even at night, watch the phases of the moon, burn incense, read the Tarot cards, and such things.  Think of these as my way of showing my faith in Deity, magick and myself.  These things are no more dangerous than praying the Rosary or making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

I don't want to let this turn into some sort of lecture.  I figure we can sit down and talk about details if you want.  The most important thing I want to say is that I love you.  I respect you and your beliefs.  I hope you are willing to give me an opportunity to earn your respect as I make decisions that you don't necessarily agree with. 

I'm happy and I feel really good about what I believe.  I'd love to tell you about some of the historical legends and facts I've learned.  I'm excited about this stuff.  Isn't that what you've always wanted for me?