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have no understanding. It’s certainly not just teachers either, there’s a vast army of people
out there who don’t understand and as parents we will all face our fair share of them. I will
never forget the confusion on our GP’s face when he asked Bethany if she was celebrating
Halloween. Needless to say her informing him that she called it Samhain and that we
honoured our ancestors on this day left him rather puzzled.
Although Paganism is becoming more popular and understanding is better now than it has ever
been there are still misperceptions and beliefs about what pagans actually do. I have lost
count of the times I have been asked if I sacrifice animals. I have actually stopped joking
about it now too, just in case someone actually thought I was serious! (Although that doesn’t
stop Wil, whilst at Castle Hill hospital last year the very kind nurse who had taken the time to
read my notes and noticed that I was a Druid asked if there was anything special she could get
for me. Wil got a stern talking to from me for replying “a small goat”)
We are fortunate enough to be living in a time where information is readily accessed via the
internet and resources for Pagan parents are easily available. My current favourite is The
Earth Child’s Handbook by Brigid Ashwood, a wonderful resource for children. It focuses on
earth based spirituality and addresses basic beliefs and practices and explains the traditions
behind them. It also has a range of craft activities that children (and adults!) will love.
There are plenty of websites available too, paganparenting.com, the Pooka pages and NOD
(New Order of Druids) even do a Bardic Grade for youngsters. Google can be your best friend!
I have found that as my belief system is more like a life style than a religion, it is very easy for
my children to be involved. Being passionate about the earth and nature, loving animals,
caring about people and marking the wheel of the year are things that are taught by example
and the opportunity to attend rituals and moots furthers their knowledge and experience.
We are very lucky that we have found Abus Coritani as many groups don’t allow children to
attend moots, rituals or workshops. Bethany really enjoys the workshops and has learnt some
great new skills as well as meeting other (pagan) children and I particularly like that the
children can attend rituals as it takes away the mystery and secrecy and they soon learn not to
run in and out of the circle and generally not to be a nuisance!
Abus Coritani is also a great support network for parents.
Many of us are parents and