Kids And Magic, How old is too young? Options

I wasn't sure if this was the right forum to post this in so if it gets moved, so be it!

My 11 year old daughter has expressed an interest in learning Tarot. I have told her that I would teach her when se was older. She askes me all the time and I have been putting her off for at least 6 months or more. My question is how young do you thing is too young to introduce a child to Magick? I am really interested in how other people view this. Thanks in advance.
DENK75

As an adult, and a parent of "older" kids (20, 23) . . . I think its a valuable question

Certainly it depends on the children, individually. As well as thier living situation and relationships with parents, siblings, friends (ie, thier general social stability) should certainly be considered.
But nearly as important (and perhaps more so) is whether the child is being guilded and instructed by a stable adult (and all the things that go into "stability") that has a background that warrents them as "teachers" ; or if they are simply "blindly" exploring occultism on their own . . . but with parental "consent".
(I assume that being taught "magick" that is destructive or by a parent that is unstable . . isn't even needing to be considered)

Assuming only the best case (stable parent with a long term, grounded, occult background attentitvely guilding an otherwise stable child) . . . I'd think that quite a bit of basic theory and supportive spirituality could be introduced throughout thier young life. Perhaps some developmental practices (divinition, patitioning, ancestrial-practices, mind/body control and strengthening) could be useful and productive just prior to puberty and leading inthrough adolescense. All of that assuming they WANT to participate and progress in the "practice"

After adolescence (proper), I'd leave them to explore and develop . . . of course, always positioning yourself very conspicuosly as an available guide/resource for them as they need (and also watching thier progress and behavior for "signs" of trouble or personal abuses).

though . . . just my opinion . . . I Know Nothing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by palindroem: Nov 13 2006, 01:50 PM

Well,I am 12 years old and I do magick so... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/baby.gif) Am I too young to do it?

I don't have kids, but when I was about that age I took an interest in the occult and my parents told me to put it away and not think of it. So of course, I did my own reasearch in private, when they weren't watching. It's good to learn about some things the hard way, though...

peace

As an adult, and a parent of "older" kids (20, 23) . . . I think its a valuable question

Certainly it depends on the children, individually. As well as thier living situation and relationships with parents, siblings, friends (ie, thier general social stability) should certainly be considered.
But nearly as important (and perhaps more so) is whether the child is being guilded and instructed by a stable adult (and all the things that go into "stability") that has a background that warrents them as "teachers" ; or if they are simply "blindly" exploring occultism on their own . . . but with parental "consent".
(I assume that being taught "magick" that is destructive or by a parent that is unstable . . isn't even needing to be considered)

Assuming only the best case (stable parent with a long term, grounded, occult background attentitvely guilding an otherwise stable child) . . . I'd think that quite a bit of basic theory and supportive spirituality could be introduced throughout thier young life. Perhaps some developmental practices (divinition, patitioning, ancestrial-practices, mind/body control and strengthening) could be useful and productive just prior to puberty and leading inthrough adolescense. All of that assuming they WANT to participate and progress in the "practice"

After adolescence (proper), I'd leave them to explore and develop . . . of course, always positioning yourself very conspicuosly as an available guide/resource for them as they need (and also watching thier progress and behavior for "signs" of trouble or personal abuses).

though . . . just my opinion . . . I Know Nothing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

That's A very good point of view i'd say...

I don't have kids, but when I was about that age I took an interest in the occult and my parents told me to put it away and not think of it. So of course, I did my own reasearch in private, when they weren't watching. It's good to learn about some things the hard way, though...

peace

Same for me...My brother is a Xian priest by the way...So If he knews... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Symbols_1911.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilB.gif)

Greetings!
IMHO, of course, they don't hand out Parenting Manuals when you have kids... As long as magic doesn't interfere in the child being a child then it is something that parents should discuss and come to agreement on. Not that this will change the mind of a young person who is dead set on learning about such things! LOL! I grew up in a very 'liberal' household when it came to religous studies and worship, yet my parents were not happy when I started delving into the occult. They banned my usage of various books and Tarot cards after an unfortunate incident with my best friend and his involvement with a satanic cult. I ignorred the ban and did what I wanted to anyways! If a child wants something bad enough, they will do so no matter what...you just have to pound some common sense into them, pat them on the head, love the hell out of them and hope that they absorbed enough of that to keep them out of trouble... and be there for them when they need you! Good luck! I'd say that unless your family is steeped into such things, keep preteens away from the occult! This is merely an opinion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ac42.gif)

I was about 11-12 when subjects like magick and mysticism first entered my vocabulary. I think it is a very appropriate age for children to start learning about these subjects from a realistic point of view. If parents let their kids grow up on charmed or buffy or dragon ball z or whatever other tv shows they might develope a warped sense about what magic really is.

Parents should not only teach their kids what magick is but also how to use it responsibly. Of course this statement is only valid if magick or magick related subjects fit within the religious structure of the family. In my family my mom is the source of my little sister's religious teachings. And these kids are only 5 and 6 yet they are already being introduced to things like candle magick and prayer as well as tarot cards and astrology. I think its best to get these kids thinking about spiritual subjects on their own as early as possible. With parental guidence of course but at least before society starts to teach them the stereotypes and fluff.

Well, i personally think that the philosophy that comes along with the practice can be introduced to child from an early age, say 9-10, however introducing them to magick i think, like palindroem said, depends really on the child. If the child is mature enough to take it seriously and not as a game or as something to amaze their friends and whatnot i think its ok. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/juggle.gif) Also, one thing i think worthy to note is that they still have to go through puberty which is a phase of a lot of confussion and could get into trouble without the proper guidance. If you think you can handle that and you decide to teach her just be sure to teach her also that tarot is not a tool to be played with and that there can be some repercussions if not handeled with care (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bicycle.gif) . Just like a ouija board.
But thats just me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blablabla.gif)

It depends by what you mean, as there is a whole lot to magic.

When my eldest daughter was 3 we began to sit down together and paint tarot cards. Now she is 6 and sometimes she will ask me for specific cards to colour in. which I print out for her. I don’t give her any theory but I would say that she is learning to directly interact with her subconscious.

I have also taught her a modified version of the middle pillar, avoiding the charka work and concentrating on the circulation of light - Which she loves! (young uns generally have much less energetic blockages than adults and so energy flows quite freely)

Children are very accepting, as I have always laid hands on her for some form of energy work when she is in pain, she accepts this as natural, and has developed a certain natural ability herself.

Sometimes she tries to join me in meditation and while unlike myself she can happily sit in full-lotus position I’ve never known her to last for more than a couple of minutes. I have never included her in ceremony work but have done so in informal rituals.

Theory is for the mind and if one day she asks about theory then I will try to give her it at a level she understands, but at the moment I don’t think she needs to put things into boxes.

I don't have kids, but when I was about that age I took an interest in the occult and my parents told me to put it away and not think of it. So of course, I did my own reasearch in private, when they weren't watching. It's good to learn about some things the hard way, though...

peace

I am 13 years old and I practice on my own. My parents don't want me to be a part of anything of the sort but i feel a natural drawing to it. Same as with vagrant dreamer, I do my research in private and keep all of it a secret. As I get older, I believe I will be able to explain it to my parents and they will understand my interest. I don't believe there should be a certain age, but a certain maturity level. If they have absolutely no idea what they are doing then there is no need to be practicing unless you are having help of some sort.....
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/face08.gif) I can't see anything wrong with young people practicing....

pink_witchie

I am 13 years old and I practice on my own. My parents don't want me to be a part of anything of the sort but i feel a natural drawing to it. Same as with vagrant dreamer, I do my research in private and keep all of it a secret. As I get older, I believe I will be able to explain it to my parents and they will understand my interest. I don't believe there should be a certain age, but a certain maturity level. If they have absolutely no idea what they are doing then there is no need to be practicing unless you are having help of some sort.....
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/face08.gif) I can't see anything wrong with young people practicing....

pink_witchie

Wow exactly what i would say, i am just like you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Emotional maturity is one aspect, but with my teen I find that he isn't able to stay focused for very long. Meditation is very difficult for him and he insists on doing his own version of meditation which is much harder than it needs to be. In some things he won't listen to me. I'd say that kids and teens tend not to have a great attention span and this limits them in what they can do. But before there were public schools, children learned things at home from watching their parents, absorbing things in a sort of apprenticeship. I've given my boy, normally addressed as 'the mongrel', attunements to level 2 reiki and taught him how to treat his mom and grandma. He does quite well and they all enjoy the experience.
It is more difficult for those young people who don't have parents who sympathize or can teach them some of the skills. Having a mentor is highly useful. Feedback and regular reality checks will keep them exploring more productive paths if they are open to listening.

I wasn't sure if this was the right forum to post this in so if it gets moved, so be it!

My 11 year old daughter has expressed an interest in learning Tarot. I have told her that I would teach her when se was older. She askes me all the time and I have been putting her off for at least 6 months or more. My question is how young do you thing is too young to introduce a child to Magick? I am really interested in how other people view this. Thanks in advance.
DENK75

Hello, I began my occult studies as a freshman in highschool. Ironically in the school library. I went to catholic school for
twelve years. Today I am a practicing wiccan and I have learned that it not only is natural for a parent to raise a child in
craft practice, it is our inheritance as children of this earth.

I wasn't sure if this was the right forum to post this in so if it gets moved, so be it!

My 11 year old daughter has expressed an interest in learning Tarot. I have told her that I would teach her when se was older. She askes me all the time and I have been putting her off for at least 6 months or more. My question is how young do you thing is too young to introduce a child to Magick? I am really interested in how other people view this. Thanks in advance.
DENK75

I think it would also depend on what you're teaching. I mean teaching a kid tarot cards is one thing, but you wouldn't want to hand them a copy of the necronomicon and say "here, have a blast." Well, I would...

I remember bumming 6 bucks off my mom to go buy my first necronomicon...Those were the days.

pilgrim child you are genius!! i don't have any children but i m sure i ll be doing something similar. this summer while i was visiting my sister i taught her 4 year daughter 'pore breathing' child loved it.
@denk in my opinion specific and more practical things require maturity and theoretical base, you can always start slowly and see how she understands levels of symbolism in Tarot. Tarot can be lifelong study, for scratching surface of it i think its never too early or too late, it can be interpreted on many levels. she also may lose interest after studying for while. i have 7 years younger sister who was always asking questions and getting answers from me, but only until recently she didn't show any serious interest in occult. shes studying kabla now (sister's little angel (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) ).

When i was a child my mother practiced magick regularly. In my opinion at the time though, her magick was "childs play" in comparison to mine. I could make anything appear and dissapear, and i could kill people and bring them back to life. I am yet to meet any adults who can still do these things. I could fly and move mountains, and i saw the flame of eternity in everything, especially in nature. Animals, birds, rivers and rocks spoke to me of secrets in a language that no crowley or regardie or fortune or bardon or any other wisened adept can hear or understand.

I work with children and am taught new methods by them daily. When i am a parent it will be my job to allow my childrens magick to be revealed to me, and to remind them of it when they forget. I might offer them advice on ethics and morals; the dos and do nots of what to achieve with magick, but as far as how to "do" magick, that is something i will leave it up to my children to tell me. I agree wholeheartedly with pilgrim child about avoiding theory and categorisations with children. The magick in watching a flower blossom, or a child grow is not one i am adept enough to harness. I hope for my children that they choose not to embrace the love of power, but in fact the power of love!

This post has been edited by extinctionspasm: Nov 27 2006, 03:13 AM

hi ... i'm a mom of a 6 year old (well almost 7 years old now, 20 days away!)

we used to home school so i taught her what i wanted ... we used the philosophy of education from Sudbury Valley School in Massachusettes ... they had two principles ... (1) freedom, and (2) personal responsibility. that children should be free to exerience and learn whatever they wanted whenever they wanted, but that everthing must be done responsibly. i have taught my daughter esoteric truths and magic since she was born. she takes it in stride and context. she did her first magic spell at the beginning of the school year when she decided she wanted to go to a "real" school. i bought her her first magic wand last summer, she was told how to 'pack' it with her blood (of course, she wanted to wait until she hurt herself rather than prick herself with a needle ... that's responsible!), i added a herkimer diamond and told her why ... she didn't really care, but agreed because it looked pretty. her first spell with it was over her school application when we were told it was impossible as we applied the week before school started!

she doesn't care for the tarot, but has been learning the medicine cards because she loves animals and understands the simplicity of those cards. she understands a lot about tarot because she hears me talk about it, she asks questions about astrology all the time, and now that she is in school and learning "math", we talk about numbers quite a bit too.

i guess my nutshell is, do it naturally at a level they are ready to assume responsibility for; teach them what they ask about or what you are excited about sharing with them ... the younger they are and the more "part of their life" their seemingly 'strange' beliefs or philosophies or however you describe it, the less unsure and insecure they will be about them, and hence, the less it will be an issue for osterization, teasing or prejudice. the more integrated it is in their life, the more it will be natural not just to them but to their environment. when i describe what i do or what i believe, people do not look at me strange or funny, they ask me questions. because what i do, know, learn and study is part of me naturally and not forced or done as a reaction to something else, people do not respond to me with defense mechanisms that usually show up as discrimination and separation.

embrace anything your child wants to know about as being a good thing in context to their present reality ... if you let them lead their own way on what they want to learn, they won't be exposed to something too early or too mature for them ... its like the sex question ... when they just mention it, our adult minds have a lot more information and we get worried they are talking about sex at our level ... and if you lead the discussion, you may give them information they are not ready for, but if they lead the discussion, you may find out they are just talking about holding hands with the cute boy in science class.

I am twelve I have mentors that help me learn proper ways to practice magick,and I do my own research privatly my mom is an Xian and she doesn't know my path nor does she know that I practice magick so I figure that the yunger they start to practice it the more knowledge they will have of it when they get older.

**tries to do this without extricating myself**

My first time know what magick was when I was 5, I had some previous (or inherited) knowledge that I didn't understand what it was. I started learning more about myself through dreams, visions etc. I got a better hold of it when I was 10, and just like any child it was treated like some sort of game. Who could I screw with, how could I get what I wanted that sort of thing. I had no proper guidance, or anyone to talk to about it because I was surrounded by Jehovah witnesses. My attitude changed after I was visited quite frequently by malicious and mischievous entities. It would seem that using magick without circles or grounding, or any type of preparation and just going at it half cocked and without protection attracted quite a few things. I couldn't stand fighting them off for much longer, I thought I was going to go crazy or die. I couldn't tell anyone so there was a lot of depression. They just kept coming and I didn't know how to stop it so I figured if I got ride of all my power the they would go away. I put everything I had into a quartz crystal ( I think it was quartz... swiped it from a science far project) and tossed it into the ocean. But I could still see these things lingering about and I didn't' like what what I saw so I just wanted desperately not to see them... so as a result my third eye is permanently closed (well squinting). I was born with it open and now I can't even use it. Lets not even get into the bad chakra health.

Speaking from personal experience, if your child has an interest in magick. Educate them well and don't let them get themselves into trouble, I've just now gotten cleared of the karma 2 years ago.

I practice on my own. My parents don't want me to be a part of anything of the sort but i feel a natural drawing to it. Same as with vagrant dreamer, I do my research in private and keep all of it a secret.

I know the feeling ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/face08.gif)


I live with my mother (A devout Southern Baptist. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Symbols_1911.gif) )
If she ever knew what I was doing, she'd hit the ceiling! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yikes.gif)




I don't talk about it too much around her, lest she think I'm involved with Satan worship or something like that (I'm not.).

This post has been edited by The Sorceress: Apr 25 2007, 10:22 AM

I think I was five the first time I remember granny praying over my bed and going to sunday school reading teh (IMG:style_emoticons/default/book.gif) and stuff.

I think a knowledge about how to enter the cards would had been waaay cooler. And, call me prejudiced, but not so close to child abuse as teaching your kid about one of the religions which believe in believing.

While there is plenty wrong with indoctrinating your kid in a belief system - What can be wrong in learning an art?

Nox

[font=Times New Roman]I'm 14 and have Christian Parents, But i've always been intrested in Magick and I Really Regret not learning about it Earlier. So I'd say teach your kids about Magick when they get intrested.[/font]

I grew up in a fear-gripped household when it came to magick, as anything that might possibly be outside what is expressly written in the Bible is labeled as Satanism. Even the oral tradition and Talmud of the Jewish rabbis are met with raised eyebrows and suspicion. "Satanic" is the one and only word that describes anything and everything that doesn't meet their narrow-visioned box-thinking. They sometimes even use it to describe politicians they don't like, describing them as a "servant of Satan"! I'm sure you can guess how far my lead kite would fly if I ever told them what I involve myself in. It won't matter eventually anyway; I've all but disowned them (for entirely different reasons however).

Relating to this topic though, is looking back, 11 years of age would have been the best time for me to start delving into the occult. The disillusionment, the realization of the hypocracy in my family, my understanding of reality and knowing there's more than what I was taught, etc. made that time the ideal age for me to begin my path down this road less traveled. Alas, my environment inhibited me and made me almost hate the idea of spirituality all these years until earlier this year, when a former close friend introduced me to astrology.

Before 11, I was very enthusiastic to learn all I could about the supernatural, but I now know I was too young. My family, however, happily taught me all the erroneus dogma they could. When is the best time to start practicing magick? I'd say roughly 12 years of age, around the onset of puberty. Some kids will be sooner, others later, but the child should know the difference between right and wrong (known as "coming of age" in some cultures, especially the Jewish culture) to see the world clearly before practicing magick so that he/she fully understands what they're getting into rather than just following mommy or daddy's instructions.

This post has been edited by Slayden: Aug 15 2007, 12:43 AM

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/search.gif)

I don't have kids, but when I was about that age I took an interest in the occult and my parents told me to put it away and not think of it. So of course, I did my own reasearch in private, when they weren't watching. It's good to learn about some things the hard way, though...

peace

I research in my room or in the basement because my parents laugh at the idea also. And, when I get the chance i bike a good 6 miles to the library to use the computer and read the books they have. At least 4 times a week I'm alone, so I can use my home computer.

You could familiarize her with some of the terms and stuff before you actually spend the time teaching her so she will have some idea of whats going on

I wasn't sure if this was the right forum to post this in so if it gets moved, so be it!

My 11 year old daughter has expressed an interest in learning Tarot. I have told her that I would teach her when se was older. She askes me all the time and I have been putting her off for at least 6 months or more. My question is how young do you thing is too young to introduce a child to Magick? I am really interested in how other people view this. Thanks in advance.
DENK75

Right now is a good time, discussions of religious beliefs, mythology, legends and your beliefs can come out of these lessons in the Tarot. A great time for your daughter to see what is out there before everyone else gets their hands on her! Be discreet and balanced in your beliefs, above all never preach.

When I was 14, I started feeling a want/inclination to approach the tarot- and rather wished I could, though my father either didn't want me to, or wouldn't let me.

When you are that young (or, younger than 18), I would not advise against allowing a younger to pick up the tarot, the Iching, or the Runes.


What I would advise against (if younger than 18) is the actual, REALLY Serious Stuff. And that would be Ceremonial Magick, Transcendental Meditation, Alchemy.. things in that ball park.

You want a young person to have AS MUCH "normal" experiences as possible, before they start having more serious/abstract/reality-shattering/defining ones.


Please heed this info.

I think no age is too young kids have minds that older people loose as they get older if they learn basic things like a child in sunday school lol teach them history tolorence and how to invoke a god or gods goddess for protection basic spells that dont use candles and such my kids first spell was to get rid of the boogy man by calling out to Michael a kabalic angle and then to cast a light of protection (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blablabla.gif)

This post has been edited by Azrael lee: Aug 17 2009, 01:22 AM

I suppose really all you can do, is go by what you feel.
I'm not going to sit down and tell you my life story as to how I came to find my own beliefs in the study and practing of magick.

I will however tell you that children whether they are going to admit it or not are in a terrible need of guidance, and that the ages of 13, 14, 15 are critical years in anyones life that will shape them into the adults they will be.

Now I'm not going to profess to be an all knowing parent. I'm not! I will tell you that she is you're daughter and that you better then anyone will be able to gauge her maturity level and her spirituality level, and i can tell you that most kids in my experience at that age just want attention from their parents...

now i don't mean to imply that they are needy and whiney and are just screaming for someone to look at them. Though at that age i can remember for myself that the world was just starting to open up to me terms like politics, religion, good and evil, were being introduced to me, I had to find my own place to stand. (not that i hadn't heard the terms before but from the philosophical stand point) I.e. what makes a desicion right or wrong. you follow?

all that aside and back to my main point, the world is opening up to her and shes finding interests in all aspects of things. this could prove to be a bonding time for you and her.

I must admit I myself am a little envious of her situation, to me I see the opportunity for her to have a mentor to guide her on her own spiritual journey. many other occultists as you have thus read don't have that luxury.

so to answer you're question how young is to young... I'd say if you feel she is ready delve in together, I mean if you ask a Jew or a Christian how long before you started teaching your kids how be a member of the faith i can almost gaurentee that they will say "I've been bringing my child to mass since birth" but it's something they have done together, and they have been their to guide them and direct them.

NOTE: I'm in no way advocating that you give you're daughter a grimoire a candle stick, blasting rod, brass vessel and wishing her the best of luck. but i suppose if shes interested in the occult why not give her a deck and start her with the tarot contemplation ritual as described in Modern Magick, and work with her let her be free to grow but in my opinion i'd say the best thing you can do is get involved...

I never really had parents that were that involved in my life as a child growing up maybe if i did I wouldn't be here now typing, I don't know, but I can say she is you're daughter and if shes interested in it why not give it a go. If she wanted to take dance or swim you wouldn't discourage her from that would you?

anyway, I'm not an expert parent in fact I'm not parent so I'm really not qualified to answer you're question, In high school I use to console troubled youths in a peer program so i do have some insight.

Hoping this message finds you and helps,
wishing you the best.