Don't laugh, aslthough I am a witch (not wiccan though) I don't have a pentgram piece of jewelry - just haven't bought one! I have plenty of Celtic knots, etc.. but I just haven't found a pentagram piece of jewelry that demanded I not leave without it. I may well be one of the few who doesn't wear one. I have bumper stickers on my car - "witches heal" to encourgae a better understanding of witches. Maybe someday I'll find those pentagram earings that warrent my buying them but I just haven't yet - it seems that the spirals, knotwork of my ancestors stop me and command a purchase - funny , never thought of it before!

I do think it is good that people wear them though - it will get the public (Or more of the public) from seeing it as a negative symbol if they are tolerant enough to ask about it or take the time to find reputable soruces of info about pentagrams, witchcraft, etc..I agree that if people get used to seeing them, they may get curious and have atleast some chance to learn that witches are not "bad people".

Many Blessings,
RavenOwl

The answer is yes, I do. This isn't something I take lightly -- I'm sure we're all aware of the predjudices and ignorance that's out there.

I've just recently moved out on my own, and where I was from you had to hide your faith (or at least not advertise it) or you risked insult, discrimination, and sometimes even physical attack. (I was forced to defend myself on several occassions when some ignorant hotshot rounded up a few friends and thought it would be fun to "teach that little satanist a lesson.")

However, I am now at college and I find that attitudes are different. I wear my pentagram openly and answer honestly and proudly when people ask questions. I have explained to several people the basics about Wicca in an open manner and I've urged them to search for more information themselves. This is not proselytizing -- it is merely educating.

As Children of the Goddess we have every right to the free and joyous celebration of our faith. These rights are guaranteed, either by the Constitution of the United States, or here in Canada by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If anyone is ignorant and disagrees, calmly try and explain the truth. If they persist or act in a manner that is discriminatory, take appropriate steps. Walk away, or report the person to authorities if necessary. No one should ever be the target of hatred or anger because of their beliefs. Ever.
Merry Meet.
Rowan

Do you wear your pentagram in public? I never leave my house without it. I wear it everywhere, even to work.

How do you handle friends/associates who ask you to hide it? I tell them it is no different than wearing a cross or a Star of David and if they are going to have me hide my religious symbol then they have to ask everyone no matter what their religion hide theirs.

How do you deal with people's negative comments about wicca (calling you a satanist, etc..) and what can we do to improve the negative image we have? I have been very fortunate in that I haven't had a problem with people accusing me of satanism. When people ask me, as happened just a few days ago, "is that a pentagram" and "what is it for" I tell them yes it is and I wear it as a sign of luck and protection and if it seems appropriate that it is reminder of my belifs as a Wiccan.

I have been wearing my pentagram for the past three years in public now and I have not had "bad" experinces because of it, in fact I have had very good experiences because that was how I found others of a like mind.
Bright Blessings,
Maddini

I was raised as a Protestant, Episcopol to be precise. As I matured and got educated on the streets and in the schools I realized just how much male dominance there is in our world, including the churches. I didn't like what I saw and I didn't wish to support the male dominance anymore.

I began searching for a new faith and came to Wicca for the female aspect of religion as well the lack of male dominance and for the simple freedom to follow it according to my needs and desires.

I hated male domination so much, not only did I change my faith from a male dominated religion to a female dominated one, as well as turning my back on male domination in society in general, I changed my sex from male to female and became a lesbian. I also joined the NOW and I try to do, as time permits, as much work for them as well as devote my spare time to my new faith I've found in Wicca.

Blessings of the Goddess be with you always.
Kelly

I suppose that being over six foot tall and around 220 pounds may deter some direct confrontation, but my response is normally along the line of reminding them that we have no evil deities to worship or recognize.

I often get the lock down argument that any thing which isn't "THEIR" god is bound to be an evil version of Satanish. But I usually can point out that pagans have been practicing since before their religion was invented and that much of what they practice comes from pagan sources.

It is also refreshing to encounter some one who is ready to criticize my religion while they are holding a tabloid paper or the latest new age "must read"...

trnhaven@mail.bna.bellsouth.net

I do wear my pentacle every day, even to work. I am a nurse in an outpatient drug treatment program, and I have only recieved curious comments on it by my patients. One lady even said that her daughter wore one, and although she didn't understand it, she was happy to see "her nurse" wearing one, and she figured it was ok for her daughter. I told her thank you, and to please be supportive of her daughter, because not many others will be. Other patients have asked what it was, I explain it, and they accept it and move on. My co-workers see this happening, but I haven't been approached by them yet. All of them are Christian - or so they say - but they have some very non-Christian attitudes toward our patients. Anyway, I'm sort of hoping one of them will ask me about it one day...

My family is another story. I have to hide my pentacle around my mother and father - even though I am 28 and married with a family of my own.

They are strict Southern Baptists, and, well, I'm sure I don't have to go any further. Let's just say that they are the type who would try to get custody of my son if they did find out, and in Central Florida, they would probably win. My husband is supportive, and his family is religiously indifferent.

Have courage to express yourself, unless you find yourself in a dangerous situation. My thoughts and support are with you all. E-mail me if you get the chance - I always look forward to meeting others.

Bright Blessings,
LadyWolf

I'm a really shy person and in the past I have been paranoid that my pentacle necklace was showing. I can't show it at work because I would probably get fired(or spit on like the girl riding the bus). I have a bumpersticker that says Be Witched and I get comments on it at work that I have to laugh off "It's just a saying." "Yes, I do like the show, Bewitched" I don't know why I'm so paranoid about it, the only reactions that I've recieved are people trying to convert me to a god-fearing religion, or genuine curiosity from fellow college students. I think I will make a pledge to wear my necklace in full view from now on.
Gwydion Oshunchild : )

Hithere!

I always found it amusing in years onwards at school that a complete stranger would come up to me (a Christian of course, it was a Catholic school,) and ask me if I worshipped the devil. This was all very strange to me because at the time I wasn't wiccan and didn't wear a pentagram. At the time I was in fact the school's first atheist. People (especially the simple minded people at my school) couldn't grasp that I could be neither for or against. I ended up reading up on magick and presenting the information to my Enlish class in an effort to get people's heads out of their arses... however this was at the time a bad move. It only made their thoughts worse.

It was at this time that I actually became interested and read up seriously on it. A year or two later I did start wearing a pentagram in public. Once people knew about it the crowds parted like the Red Sea to let me pass. (appropriate biblical reference, I think.)

I couldn't believe how scared these people were, and they were also violent people, where as I certainly wasn't. I could only explain to them that I didn't worship Satan... nor did I believe in Jesus as the son of God... just as a really nice guy who died because people around him were ignorant. None of them were bright enough to spot the irony.

Although people asked "Do you worship the devil?", it didn't matter what I said. They were sure already. So just to annoy them I read the Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey from cover to cover. It's the greatest work of fiction since Dickens. I am now certain that I have no tendency towards Satanism. It is a highly agressive and violent religion compared to my beliefs, and I could now explain these differences to people. A few became convinced but most of the people are still too dense tochange their minds. Hell... every one of them believes I'm a devil-worshipping homosexual murdering rapist, who eats babies and is responsible for the disappearence of their pets. None of this is true though if it were they could not change my convictions...

Christians have proven to be the least spiritual, and least religious of people I have met. They don't need to practise anything because they all simply claim their comfort zone in the meaningless majority. Not one of them has been to church of their own free will and I know well that they lie to the priests in confession and repeat their sins. A lot of them are date-rapists, thieves, drug-dealers, and basically mindless fucking thugs, who threaten with violence and death anyone who disturbs the empty pool of lie they drown in! They anger me in their absolute hypocrisy. If they opened their eyes for a second they would weep at their own evil for they would realise that their own perfect religion condemns them to fire for all the things they think nothing of.

I'll get off my soapbox now... but as you can see I don't take well to accusations of Satanism. Outwardly there is no malevolence... but the next time someone asks me "Do you worship the Devil?" I'll say "Why do you ask? You're more evil than I could ever be." and I don't care of their reaction... I just hope they open their eyes.
-David Luke.

Yes I do wear a pentagram in public. I am proud of who and what I am...Sure I get alot of negitive comments but so do I over alot of other things, such as the way I dress, the fact that my hair is jet black (from birth) and my mate is 10 years my jr, among other things. I've lost afew friends due to my religion but also have afew that are christens, they wear a cross proudly and I wear my pentagram proudly..You can be pround of your religion but that doesn't mean you have to flash it in others face or push it on others...just be proud, as the God/Goddress' are proud of you..
Brightest Blessings,
panthereyes

My problems started with my Mother-in-law. When she found out about me she said that I could not be a witch because only special people are witches. At the time my husband and I lived with her and she did everything to stopmy practicing. She broke into my bedroom and destroyed my alter. So I put a lock on the door. I tried to talk to her but she insisted that I was a devil worshiper. One of her friends said that I was trying to put an evil spell on her and must be stopped. She broke the lock to my room and pulled the wicks out of my alter candles. As you can tell I was not impressed.

My husband tried to talk to her and they had may fights regarding the subject. When I would go to coven meeting she would not let me use the food in the house to make food for the feast. Then one day my husband summoned me to his mothers bedroom. There on her night stand were some books. She had taken some books out of the library on Wicca. She had a few Sybil Leek books and stuff on Stongehedge. Still she didn't like the idea of me being a witch. We have moved out since but till this day she still stares at my pentacle. I guess since nothing ever happened to her she figured that I was not evil.
Blessed Be
Belladonna

I have never had any bad experiences with my Pentagram being worn. I wear it all the time (except when I'm sleeping). A friend of mine and I were at a James Taylor concert in June. A couple of guys noticed her Pentagram and thought it was the Jewish Star. She explained that was not the case, she told them about the points on a Pentagram and explained a little bit about Wicca. They didn't believe her, for when she left to get closer to the stage with my wife, they looked at me and asked; "She wasn't serious, was she?" I pulled my Pentagram out from under my shirt and said; "I'm afraid so!". They looked at mine, looked at each other, picked up their blanket and went to a different section of the park without saying another word. At work I always keep it under my shirt, off work I wear it outside about 1/2 of the time. I live in a small town in the bible belt, own a pool room that has a lot of kids going to it, and don't want the parents to think it is a Wicca training school. The Goddess lights my path, but my customers must find their own.
Ramsey Greyoak

I haven't really had any negative reactions, I'm not really a wiccan, but I do wear symbols of my pagan faith. The most Ive ever gotten as a reaction is some comments on asking why I wear it, and I explain that it's my choice, knowing that I'd be called a Satanist if I explained the real reason, I don't talk about it except with 2 friends, one being a wiccan himself.
just my 2 cents
frithrah@nwlink.com

As far as wearing my pendant in public... I live in the Bible Belt. I still wear it. I am from a Christian family, and they really don't accept me. (besides my dad...) Suffer my religion. :) I display my pendant at work and no one has actually said anything although I have received some funny looks. I have, however, come up with a few solutions of winning against this "Neo-Christian Crusade" that I would like to share.

1. "You need to be born again!" says the "christian" (note that christian is in quotations. There is a BIG difference between a Christian and a "christian".) Reply: "I was born alright the first time."

2. "You are such a nice person, I can't believe you're doing THAT!" quoth the "christian". Reply: "Judge not, lest ye be judged." "He who is without sin cast the first stone."

3. "You're a devil worshipper/satanist!" spouts the "christian". Reply: "Satan is YOUR boy, not mine." "Before you lecture me, please research your topic. Devil worship and satanism are two different things. Satanism has NOTHING to do with Satan. Have a nice day."

I have nothing against Christians or any other faith who HONESTLY believes and acts accordingly. I believe that everyone is entitled to their own way of life. If they don't like it, oh well. Thanks, here's your soap box back! :)

~Raven Dark~
direct any and all replies to: xencia_xodust@hotmail.com

and ye harm none, do what ye will!
Webpage

If the person with the negative comment is reacting in what I call 'fear consciousness' (which did happen to me once), I find it necessary to leave immediately. People who are reacting in fear can be very dangerous. I realize that the fear comes from them and has nothing to do with me, and since I don't want to be their victim, I get out fast.

I tend to keep a low profile with my Wicca, where the mundane public is concerned, so you see that I do not invite comments from people regarding this. As I say, there was only one instance. In another instance, I got a negative reaction from some fundamentalist aquaintances about some harmless New Age ideas I brought up. I was told that I thought 'just like Jeffrey Lundgren', who also felt that he was part of "God". There are some people who just are not at a level where they can be reached. I don't even try.

Regarding negative comments about anything New Age or Wiccan, I say that if the person can be reached, and is not reacting to fear, then anything positive that can be said is what I would try. For instance, I have explained to people about the Kabalistic concept of 'the Above' and 'the Below'. Most people can relate to 'the Above' as 'God', which is fine. I explain 'the Below' as the positive, healing energies which abound in the plant, animal and mineral kingdoms, and also from the chakral centers of humans. In other words, "As Above, so Below" invites us to use both the God energy and the Green Earth energy, and that they are both good. Even the medical profession sometimes uses the herbs in their medical preparations. Most people are able to accept this explanation. We in Wicca are, after all, healers; I try to put forth that explanation all the time.

It's strange, reading all the comments and tales of woe. I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which most of you have never heard of, likely, and these sorts of things just never happen. Maybe it's the city, but when people see my pendant, they never comment. Sure, when I was in high school people were idiots, but there are always idiots in a high school setting, and as soon as I was out, I barely heard a thing.

Maybe us wiccan netheads get a kind of skewed version of the truth, because when people mail in responses to questions like these they often have a negative experience to relay. I mean, if you've got nothing to complain about, usually you don't call in.

As for me, when people see my pentagram, they usually assume I'm either one of those new age nature freaks or some dumb kid who doesn't know left from right and is going through "a phase." In either case, they never fail to leave me alone. Those few who do react know what it means and are eager to talk to a fellow pagan.

Well, maybe it's Edmonton. :)
Moonchild

My husband and I have pentacle pendants and wear them frequently. We also have a bumper sticker on our car with a pentagram on it. Since we live in a tiny town in Northern Minnesota I fully expected quite a bit of negative feedback from the fundamental Christians in the area, but as yet, get some disapproving stares and little else. I do not wear my pentacle visibly at work, but not by choice; NO jewelry is allowed, religious or otherwise, because it is a food processing facility. I am, however, verbal about my religion if anyone asks. My 10 year old son has a pentagram drawn on his "school journal" and has gotten some negative comments from other students but not teachers. If someone DOES choose to remark disparagingly (sp?) on our proud public statement of who we are, I will not become defensive but instead tell them, "you knew me before you were aware of my religion, and you were my friend/co-worker/teacher/parent before and seemed to like me, so why change your opinion now?" To a Christian Fundamentalist who may insist we need exorcism or something, I'd say, "Well, we ALL need a cleansing of old bigotries and ignorance, don't you think?" I prefer the subtle approach, you see ;)
Paghan

Toronto, where I presently hail from is a fairly cosmopolitan city - but that doesn't mean it's not without its share of fanatics and ignoramuses...Still, I wear my pentacle in public...I don't on the job, oddly enough but that's just a personal preference. But if I am out and about - I make sure it is visible.

I think it's important that we do this - why? Because such exposure helps ease the 'shock'...When such symbols become common place - people don't notice them much anymore - they become 'part of the landscape'. This is achieved when a comfort level is reached.

Human beings are basically pretty suspicious creatures - when they get only part of the picture, or are exposed to esoteric things only occasionally, the old programming kicks in and we tend to fill in the blanks with whatever we have learned from the media...

But I digress - perhaps one of the funniest experiences I ever had was when I was out with some friends at a local pub and the waitress asked if I had a "pentagon" around my neck - to which I responded coolly, "unfortunately not - it'd be too crowded". She merely stared at me then walked away...

Unfortunately, it became un-funny when she insisted that I was wearing a devil-worshipping symbol - but I think I was able to convince her that it was nothing of the sort.
Blessed be,
Moira

When I first was intersted in wicca, I borrowed some books about it, and the first reaction of one of my friends was that it was "so bad" to read that kind of stuff. I've since become wiccan (I'm a high school student) and I think it's really stupid of people to judge us without giving us a chance to explain!!! If people aren't willing to listen to us and see what wicca really is, then they have no right to say what we do is wrong!! I haven't had anyone call me a Satan worshiper or anything like that, but I have been asked if I worshipped Satan, and it bugs me that people think that. But these comments come out of ignorance, and if given corect information about wicca, most people are really okay about it. Anyone who can't see past there own predudices towards witchcraft itn't worth bothering with.
Amanda P.

Actually I have a story from the other end of the spectrum...I went to a private school in Maine, it used to be a catholic school that was split down the middle-boys on one side girls on the other...a lot of the teachers that were there had either been teaching there since it was a catholic school or had gone to school there as catholic students. Now you would think that would mean that even though it was no longer a catholic school it would still pretty much be run that way, really the only difference is that a board of trustees runs it now instead of the church...then I met my junior year English teacher...this man had a bookshelf in his room that had such books as Adler's Drawing Down the Moon, crammed next to a copy of the Koran, next to a king james bible, next to Starhawk's Spiral Dance-Which ended up being the first book I ever read on witchcraft...this man let me do all of my term papers on the craft, giving me the ability to learn as much as I possibly could...Now you must remember that this man is not a witch, actually I think that he's Lutheran, but he's been to all of the sights in Europe, Stonehenge, Salisbury hill, the Faery mounds etc..and he shared it with every student he had...one week we might be reading excerpts from the bible, but the next we would be learning about the earth mother...this gave me the confidence to wear my pentacle every day, I never hide it, I even wear it when I work, In an extremely professional environment...I wear my dress clothes and always my pentacle...I have been very fortunate to never have been harassed for my religion, although some of my covenmates have not been so lucky...
vamp94@hotmail.com

I realize that you can't change the way people think. People believe what they want to believe and you have to remember that society condemns who aren't like them. It may not be that way where you live, but I live in a province where people believe strongly in christianity.

What I'm trying to say is that we've already been judged. But I was taught that to be predudice is always to be weak.
Echo

I've worn a pentacle in public for years. I've never been asked why except by a few spiteful people trying to make a point at my expense. An old adege I follow is to simply consider the source. If there is someone who wants to geniunely and sincerely have a discussion with me, then that's quite alright. I do want to stress however that once someone wants to resort to name calling or to imply that I'm less than a human being because I don't follow the dictates of the Judo-Christian religion, they come away from our little discussions somewhat wiser and not as prone to attack someone else in quite the same manner as they had previously done. Rudeness is never an option. This is something that needs to be conveyed when one feels "put on the spot".My point of view is to treat all persons with respect and dignity regardless of what they may feel towards you and your beliefs. To learn from example is a powerful teacher. We cannot change how people react towards those of us who chose to wear a pentacle but we can counter intolerence with grace and dignity. Thank you for this opportunity to allow me to express my views.. A grateful Witch.

Well, When I was young, I was taken to church and taught to be a christian. When I was old enough to understand what it was "really" about, at least to the people in my area (good'ole Bible Belt USA) I realized I wanted no part of it. I go to the Night clubs and hear the other guys bitching about getting home so they could get up and go to church the next day, most took cabs. Their main topic of discussion was their personal sex-lives and spreading rumors about others sex-lives. I understood that those people had to beleive what they wanted to make them feel good about themselves, as they have no other reason to feel good. I feel that you are wiccan from birth, it just takes time to realize it. Some never do. The goddess is in everyone and everything, living or not living, She is there. Unfortunately it took a report on my family history and the dreams I had been having since I was little to realize what I really was. Needless to say, I finally realized I was Wiccan. After several years of reading and study, I became a witch. I took my time in choosing my pentacle and when I found it, it was like it was a part of me. It is never out of my reach. I wear it everywhere, to work, in public. I was asked to take it off at work once, I tried to explain it was a part of me and that if I had to take it off, He, my supervisor, had to take off his crucifix. He wasn't pleased and told me to just go home and to leave the pentacle at home the next day. I returned to work the next day and was asked by co-workers if I was a "demon worshipper". I told them that their ignorance of my religion was my only "Demon" and I was, by no means, going to worship their intelligence. And that I have been educated on their religion and if they wanted to get rid of my "demon" they should be educated a little about my religion. I told them if they wanted to know anything about my beliefs to ask me and I would tell them what I could. To the few that asked about it, I told them all I could and explained the Law of Three, and from those, I haven't heard so much as a peep, (kind of leads me to believe they are questioning their own beliefs. Since then I have had no negative comments, only rude stares from people who notice my pentacle. Oh well, I've rambled long enough !
May the Goddess hold you in her arms and light your path.
Brightest Blessings to all !
clticdrms@aol.com

I have recently over the past year found a true religion that I can believe in - wicca . I am not ashamed of who I am or what I believe, but there are certain situations that arise that make wearing my pentagram twenty - four seven very difficult. For example my place of employment houses quite a lot of straight "christian" beliefed people. That can make it quite hard to announce to everyone that yes , I am a witch! Society itself can be rather harsh at times as well , like when the local news stations plaster a story over the headlines for days about local murders and it was all supposedly linked with witchcraft since the victims and the killers were known to be involved with some kind of new age cult. Especially when the victim was found wearing his pentagram. Things like that give us a bad wrap and it makes it harder to come forward publicly. But I believe that if we continue to have public meetings and balls then we will all eventually be able to express to others our religion and beliefs without backlash.
Blessed be! -- Jason

Yes, I wear it out all the time. In fact, I never take it off. I am a student in high school in PA and I have recieved some negativity but not too much. I had to laugh when one of my classmates called it the "bad star"!! I explain to those who will listen what exactly I believe and there is nothing "evil" about it. Most people though just dont notice it, or don't bother me about it. At home its a different story. My father was raised Brethren, and he insists I worship Satan and has even threatened to throw me out. I have educated my mother to Wicca, and she understands its nothing satan- related now. Unfortunatly, my dad will take more convincing.
Blessings, Rian (not a misspelling of rain!!)

I'm a practicing Solitary Wiccan. I was raised to be Christian, but never really agreed with the beliefs. No offense, but it seemed rather stupid to me, and it obviously wasn't my thing. Lately, I've turned to Wicca and found it spiritually fulfilling in a way other religions couldn't. I've felt more like I'd entered sanctuary when I go up to the mountains than I ever did inside a Christian church. As of right now, I live with my fiancee's parents, who are Christian. I don't want to come out in front of them because they are our Landlords, and I don't know how lenient or understanding they would be. The people I'm friends with know, and I have no problem telling people I become close enough to to talk about things as important as religion. Ever since I was eleven, I role-played (Think of D&D - Dungeons&Dragons) and was often..VERY often..called Satanist/Devil Worshipper/Evil and all that. Even my own family thought these things. I think their beliefs would be "confirmed" if I told them I was Wiccan. I don't believe in Satan. I think he exists to Christians, but thats the way I view things. Basically, it's real to SOMEONE. True Christains don't bother me and I bear them no ill will. The wannabe "christains" who are utter fanatics and think I'm a bad person for enjoying and seeing the beauty and divinity in nature upset me. I wish everyone would understand other people's ideas and beliefs, though even if this understanding arises, it will be a LONG time in coming.

Blessed Be and Merry Part :)
MoonWolf

Do I wear my pentagram in public? What do I do about friends/family?
I always wear my pentagram in public and I simply tell anyone that asks that I am not a Satan worshiper, but Wiccan and that I don't believe in Satan. I tell the same thing to friends and family that don't know either.

I figure a Christain can wear their cross in public, a Jew a Star David; why should I not be able to wear the jewerly that represents my religion and path in life? And sometimes it can be a great conversation starter, and I have had many a good, infomative conversation with people that didn't know anything about the religion until we spoke.

Negative people/what to do?
I usually look at negative people and those that don't believe as people that live in a different reality as my own. People who are from the basic Chrsitian background are people that no matter what I say will never believe me. But then I also don't believe in forcing Paganism/Wicca on anyone. If someone doesn't believe they aren't going to...and it may just be better off. When someone tells me that I am a Satanist, and I tell them that in my faith there is no such thing as Satan, that opens a whole new story and I spend the time in that conversation trying to say that that my be their beliefs but not my own. I don't believe in Satan, you don't believe in the Goddess.

When I meet someone online (which when I'm on AOL happens all the time...people see in my profile the words "witch", "Wiccan" and so forth so they IM me with some nasty comments at times), I try to talk to them and then ask if I could send them some information via email that they may like to read and educate themselves with. Most are willing and read the stuff I send and sometimes even change their attitudes. Others wont take the email saying that it is a temtation to depart from Jesus and therefore is Satans work. Those people I shrug my shoulders and go back to the altar, so to speak. I just let them alone.

I think that anyone that is serious about the path of Wicca and wants to see it become more understood should join or start and anti-deamation league in their area. I'm in 2 and they are fantasic ways to educate non-believers and also a great way to network with other witches.
Brightest Blessings!
Athena

I just bought a pendant about one month ago. While I was going to work, on the bus, this older lady sat down beside me. When she saw my pentagram, she decided that it was her "mission" to rid me of the devil and started praying. At first I tried to ignore her but other people on the bus started staring. I tried to explain what Wicca was and that it was a religion that had nothing to do with Satan, but she wouldn't listen to me. When I got to my stop, I got up and as I was leaving, a woman by the door spit on me. I think it is really unfair that most Christians/Catholics can wear crosses and it's accepted. I respect their right to practice whatever religion they want- I don't go around trying to preach Wicca, so why do Christians feel that they have the right to decide what religion I am? Even if I did worship Satan-that's my business, not theirs. I always wear my pentagram in public because I really don't care if people think I worship the devil-What I do in my own time is my business as long as I am not hurting anyone.
ezrena17@geocities.com

I don't allow anyone to tell me to do anything that interferes with my enjoyment of my life. I wear my pentagram when I want to, however I want to and if I want to. Freedom is a fabulous thing. If someone is so uncomfortable with my choices in how I believe in the Divine, then they can remove her/himself from my presence. I won't be offended.
Durite11@aol.com

My story starts on my first day of my senior year in high school. One of the teachers noticed the small, golden pentagram necklace. I could tell, because the entire time she was talking to me, she was stareing at it. Later in the class, she took me aside and told me that I was a nice girl, and that she didn't expect me to be a Satan worshiper! I calmly tried to explain to her about wicca, and I really tried to explain the rede, meaning that I would harm none, but she just said, "witchcraft, devilworship, same difference." I tried not to get angry, but by then an entire crowd of students had formed! they were all shaking their heads in disgust. I knew that If I said something rude or mouthy, she would just say that it was the devil influencing me or something, so all I said was, "please, do not assume something that you know nothing about." I knew I had to do something about this, so the next day, I came in to school and explained to the teacher that she had hurt me yesterday, and all she said was, well, did I hurt the devil, too?" with a smirk on her face. that was it. I got my class switched, and now whenever someone tells me to take my pentacle off or stop worshiping the devil, I just explain to them what wicca is first, and then, if they don't understand, I just pretend they didn't say it and try to be nice to them anyway.
Lady Alista Earth-Moonlight

I just got my pentagram pendant in June, and I do wear it frequently in public. To date, no one has asked me about it in either a positive or negative way. I don't display it at work, my boss is Catholic, and I do not believe he would in any way even be interested in my explanation, so I do not wish to even have the discussion. Also, since I work in a professional office, I respect his wishes regarding wanting his staff to project a professional, conservative image.

On the other hand, I wear it proudly anyplace else that I go. I'm not on a "crusade," but neither am I going to be afraid to be Who I Am to the world. :)
Morg

I have over the last few months begun wearing my pentacle or goddess symbol in public. I do not wear it out in a work situation, but anywhere else, I do. Interestingly enough, I have not had one comment on it. Most people do not even seem to see it.
Bright Blessings
Mina110305@aol.com

those people piss me off! it's perfectly fine if they have their own beliefs, but i think that people should learn more about something they're criticizing before they criticize it. i wear a pentacle necklace and EVERYONE always demands that i'm satanic and told believe me when i explain to them that i don't even believe in satan. it's definetely necessary (sp?) to rid the world of their false and negative view of witchcraft. we don't deserve this treatment! okay i'm done. thanks for your time. :)
danielle