The Broom Closet

Many of us make decisions in regard to the broom closet. Do you practice secretly or reveal yourself as a Pagan, Wiccan or Witch?Some will stay in with the door tightly shut. Others will put a foot out the door. A few will come completely out of the broom closet. Once one is out of the broom closet, it is very difficult to become anonymous and go back in. Therefore coming out is a decision to be made with care.

Our history is plagued with intolerance. Think about the past violence against Witches and the “burning times.” “Perfect Love and perfect Trust” really meant something back then when through torture and pain of death, other witches’ names could be confessed. Many of those people were not Witches, but the practice of Wicca went underground. Even in today’s world prejudice exists against us. To learn more see Suggested Investigation below.

What are some of the compelling reasons for staying in the broom closet? Things to consider are the probability of the loss of a job, livelihood, a place to live, friends and family. Included in this list would be a violent act by a scared intolerant individual who might come one’s way. I am a Witch and Wiccan. For some of the following reasons I have a foot out of the door, but I am not completely out of the broom closet. Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s when I was teaching in the Bible Belt I did not come out to colleagues, staff and the children. I have since moved on into a more tolerable position. Many members of my family do not know that I am Wiccan. They are Mennonite and would either turn their backs on me or try to “save” me. I do not know which would be worse! Yes, you can be kicked out of your family’s life, and that is something to consider in the decision to come out. I have told my brother and his wife, and they are supportive of me. It is an act of trust to tell a friend that I am Wiccan. I have told members of a Unitarian Universalist congregation about me and my religion and have good feelings about that. People there are open minded and accepting of me as Wiccan and have curiosity and good questions about Wicca. The larger Unitarian Universalist churches have Pagan groups, and that is worth checking out.

If you decide to stay in the broom closet for at least a while and are (yikes!) living with intolerant person who seems to think that you worship the Devil, a common misconception, what do you do? First realize that this is most likely temporary. Use the situation as incentive to find other housing as quickly as reasonably possible. If you cannot display books on your bookshelf, read what you can online. Be careful! Not all sources on the internet contain accurate information. Get a library card and read ebooks. What do you do about your practice? If you have enough privacy in a room in dwelling in which you live, that is one place to do your rituals and practice. If you do not have the privacy that is needed, consider doing your practice in a secluded natural area such as a park. If you can find one that is suitable for you, join a Pagan group or a coven. What do you do about an altar? Make it something that you can put up temporarily for ritual, and put away items when you are finished. You may find the need to tuck certain items in the back of a socks drawer. Many items that do not look “witchy” like plants, a candle in a jar or crystals may be some items you can leave out in your environment. If you feel the need for jewelry, consider wearing one or more stones. A pentacle can come later, or you can wear it hidden.

What are some reasons for coming out of the broom closet and revealing yourself as a Wiccan, Witch or Pagan to others? One is a sense of freedom. You do not need to keep this important part of your identity a secret and tightly under wraps. You do not have to live a lie. You do not have to watch your tongue quite so much and you can thank the Goddess out loud. You can decorate your dwelling or office as you wish. You can choose jewelry that you wish to wear and wear it openly. You can get a tattoo and display it. Standing with other Wiccans and Pagans in general, you can educate the public about our religion. You can also help in the fight for our rights and acceptance. I need to mention that Selena Fox is a leader in that fight. To learn more see Suggested Investigation below.

How do you come out of the broom closet? First know your religion and history of Wicca, Paganism and Witches well enough to be able to describe it to others and answer their questions. Allow yourself at least a year and a day of study to be ready for this. Consider the area that you live in. Do people who live there tend to be open or closed minded? Consider each person to whom you want to reveal yourself. How will s/he react? Is it worth it to tell him/her? Remember for better or worse that your relationship with the person you tell will change. It is important to take time to think it through and to avoid errors in judgment. When you have that discussion, make it face to face and arrange a good time for it. Make sure to allow enough time for a discussion that is not hurried and that the place is is private. Be calm and in control. Be ready to educate the person about any misconceptions. Know that some people will make bad jokes, and be ready for them. Note that we do not convert or recruit people. But we offer assistance if someone asks for it. Take care with this process and make the decision that is best for you.

Enjoy learning more about the tactics of staying in or coming out of the broom closet and decide what is best for you!

On the day of this post the moon is a waxing gibbous. Do some magick that grows along with the moon.

I will continue to post on Wednesdays.

Auburn Greene


Suggested Investigation:


Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon, Penguin Books, 2006.

Cantrell, Gary. Out of the Broom Closet? Universal Publishers. 1998.

circlesanctuary.org/index.php/lady-liberty-league-liberty-league

Fox, Selena. “Pagan Freedom & the Lady Liberty League,” Circle Sanctuary Podcasts, September 27, 2020.

Fox, Selena. “Stories of the Veteran Pentacle Quest,” Circle Sanctuary Network Podcasts, May 30, 2021, Encore from April 30, 2013.

Hutton, Ronald. The Witch: A History of Fear from Ancient Times to the Present, Yale University Press, 2017. Available as an Audiobook.

Murphy-Hiscock, Arin. Out of the Broom Closet: 50 True Stories of Witches Who Found and Embraced the Craft, Provenance Press, 2009. Available on Kindle Unlimited.

Plaidy, Jean. The Spanish Inquisition, Barnes & Nobel, 1994.

Reddit discussion board. Try r/broomclosetwitch, r/wicca, r/wicaan, r/covenfinder and r/elderwitches.

The Administrators of the Community to the Pagan Mama. Coming Out of the Broom Closet: A Collection of Stories from Modern Day Witches. Available on Kindle Unlimited.