My 11-year-old daughter "Amy" has really become interested in Wicca through a friend at school. She wants me to take her to a local Wiccan store so she can get candles, oils and other things she needs to cast spells. I wasn't concerned at first; Wicca is essentially a nature religion. But I have to admit that I'm uneasy about her casting spells because it often amounts to trying to manipulate the weather, other people, and so forth, for one's own ends. I'm worried about possible spiritual damage such a mentality may bring. Should I be concerned? — Dave, Georgia

Dear Dave,

Thank you for caring enough to learn more about your daughter’s newfound interest in Wicca. She's fortunate to have a father who remains open-minded while still being concerned for her welfare!

We forwarded your letter to our friend Zsuzsanna Budapest, a Hungarian-born lecturer, retreat guide, television director, and author of many books, including Grandmother Moon and The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries. Herself a teacher and practitioner of Wicca, she replies:

“The Wicca craft is not based on faith but on observation. It is a way to bend nature this way and that: to make rain, stop storms, heal wounds…in other words to aid and protect life.

“The built-in safety latch, however, is Nature’s wisdom. What must happen will, no matter how many spells you cast; what won’t happen won’t. Within the possibilities we can petition and communicate, and things do come true. But Nature will not ‘obey’ humans.

“What i teach is casting spells on ourselves: against fear, protection of home and property, healing spells, inner peace. Love spells are the hardest to cast because that is totally supposed to be outside human powers. Only in movies do they work, not in life.

“So there is little danger if a kid starts casting spells, so long as she or he has some direction. The worst that can happen with a young person casting spells is that she or he fails and learns some humility, which can be helpful.”

Many thanks, Zsuzsanna!

-- Your Gratefulness Webteam