Hello everyone. Merry Meet and Happy winter Solstice 
I am very new to all of this. I live in the Midwest. My family is very Christian and I am still mostly in the broom closet.
I just wanted to share this. My aunt came over to day for tea and to exchange Christmas gifts. She got me a copy of Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck. It made my heart so happy. Not only is it my first craft book but it was like saying “you be you”. 
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Welcome, @c11 and Merry Meet! We’re glad you’re here. 
I’m Feathertip, from SE Michigan. I’ve always been a pagan and only in the last year have I begun expanding my journey. I like to study spiritual beliefs and use Lenormand cards for divination.
How awesome is this? What a beautiful gesture from your aunt. She clearly gets you, and accepts you for who you are. 
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything around here - there’s a lot of information and it can be a bit overwhelming. We’re here to help!
I’m looking forward to seeing you around the forum and getting to know you. Blessings, and have a blessed Yule! 
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Merry Meet, @c11 
What a beautiful moment — thank you so much for sharing that. Being new, in the broom closet, and surrounded by a very different belief system can feel lonely at times, so that gift sounds like such a gentle, loving affirmation. 
A first craft book is special on its own, but receiving it as a quiet “I see you, and you’re allowed to be you” is truly magical.
I’m Stephanie, an eclectic witch from California 
, and my heart honestly warmed reading this. Green Witchcraft is a wonderful place to begin — grounding, nurturing, and deeply connected to nature, which tends to feel like a safe doorway when you’re just starting out.
Take your time, move gently, and trust that your path will unfold exactly as it’s meant to. You’re welcome here, just as you are, broom closet and all. 
Happy Winter Solstice and many blessed beginnings to you. 
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Hello and welcome @c11 . My name is Jenna and I too am a beginner. That is so cool that you had at least one person in your family acknowledge your path. Lol, did your parents see the book? How did your aunt know your secret? Hope you have an awesome winter solstice and Yule. Blessed be!
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I have a family (3 children&husband) and home of my own. My parents weren’t here at the time. My aunt knows I am interested in crystals and herbs. I think I may have mentioned making some witch bells for my house to her at one point. I think she is the most open minded of them. I kind of feel like it would really wound my mom to know that I don’t follow the Christian path. 
Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes! So glad to be here. 
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Greetings from New Mexico!
Welcome @c11!
So happy for you and your gift. It was more than the book. 
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Hi, @c11! I’m Amethyst from Southern West Virginia. Welcome to the forum! 
Don’t worry about being new to this. We all were once. There are lots of hidden gems in this forum, so make sure you look through the posts to see what might spark an idea or something.
I’m glad your Aunt supports you at least. Is there any way you can tell your parent that you are thinking of this? I’d hate for you to be estranged.
Well, anyway, good luck! And enjoy the new book! It sounds great!
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@c11 what a beautiful moment and maybe even universe giving you a sign!
Hi, my name is Katharina, I´m 52 and following the witch path for many many moons! I live in Vienna, Austria 
I´m on the artsy side of witchcraft, which means I´ll practice art as magick ritual but also that my home is overflowing with paintings, goddess figurines, shrines, poppets, spell-boxes, candles and way too many tarot decks and oracle decks.
You´ll find exceptionally kind and knowledgeable witches around here, many interesting topics to learn and grow at your own pace.
Warm greetings and happy winter solstice! 
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Hi @c11 I am new here also. This is my first yule. I feel the same as you and I am also still in the broom closet. Thats so cool of your aunt. This was such a heart warming story. It made my heart happy.
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Welcome and happy Yule! It is my first also. 
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Great comment!
I have a couple of friends locally who are Green Witches and one is slowly coming out of the closet. She is a wonderful spirit. There are several here who appreciate the path you follow.
I’m Dan and I study belief systems. My path loosely falls under the Chaos umbrella.
Jump in and enjoy!
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Merry Meet C,
What a blessing and surprise from you Aunt. How wonderful!!!
Have a great Yule cooking with your new present!! Lady Gene 
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I feel you on that piubt with it possibly hurting my mother if I told her. Glad you have someone who is open minded. Blessed be.
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So I came to realize that I am partially out lol. A select few know…
Blessed be everyone and happy Yule 
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Merry meet @c11,
Don’t mind me jumping on the welcome wagon - I’m Bry, an Eclectic Witch and one of the moderators. Just wanted to pop in and say hi! I hope you’ve been finding lots of resources around the site to help you with your studies 
What a lovely way to support you on your path! Your aunt is very thoughtful
Please make yourself at home here! I hope you had/are having a wonderful solstice. Blessed be!
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Hi Bry. I am finding so much! Its a little overwhelming. There’s so much I want to learn and try and so many people that seem great!
Thank you everyone for the support and welcomes.
Have a blessed day!
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I know the feeling - even after years in the practice, it seems like there’s always more to explore! That can definitely be overwhelming, but on the flip side, it also means we’ll never be bored, right? 
Wishing you all the best with your studies and I’m looking forward to chatting with you more around the forum. Blessed be!
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Greetings!
My name is Kat, and I practice nature magick with a bioregional focus, working closely with the natural world and drawing inspiration from plant and animal spirits. I’m drawn to herbalism, gardening, and various forms of divination - tarot, throwing bones, kipper and ogham.
Aww I just love this
We’re glad to have you here. 
Make yourself comfortable, explore, and feel free to ask questions!:
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