I had never before given myself the official "Wiccan" label until I came to prison, but only for a short while. To try it out. Then I took it back, and went back to just being me, an "Other". Although, as it turns out, that particular ideology did best define what has been my lifelong belief when it comes to spirituality. I had grown accustomed to my mostly unbranded solitary practice in the privacy of my own home (or the occasional cemetery) - experimenting with my candles, music, rituals and potions. Pretty much keeping this nocturnal practice to myself, except for my family and close friends who joined me every now and then for "some fun". These meditative rituals are what bring me peace, quietude, and tranquility in an otherwise chaotic world.
It was never fun to hear the non-boyfriend say that I "scare him," but that he finds my witchy ways fascinating... "just don't do any witchcraft on ME." Ha! Too late!! Sucker!!! What do you think that is going on at my bedside table? Do you think that candle burns 24/7 because I like the way it Smells? Or because it's PRETTY?
"Of course not, love! Why would I even THINK to do something like that? Don't worry ... that there has nothing to do with you." In truth - it DIDN'T have anything to do with him. That bedside candle burned steadily for the real love of my life living a few states away. But he didn't need to know all those silly details.
In all actuality, with this particular man glued to my ass, I didn't need to do any special rituals or magick to keep him around. He did that all on his own. It was pretty hard trying to get rid of him, in fact. "Hey love, don't you have anywhere to be? Don't you need to go to Work any time soon?" I'd ask, as I fed him another Flaming Hot Cheeto. His only "cheat" treat after six hours of pumping iron at the gym, followed by another four at my house. I tried to keep him eating "clean", but, hey...a man has to indulge every once in a while. He supplied the Cheetos, anyway. I didn't even have to do that. So, it was a classic win-win situation.
"No. But thank you for asking." He'd always reply. UGH!!! The residual magick making its way to him didn't hurt any, though. Eh...I like to think that it "enhanced" his enchantment of me. It was either that, or the Viagra.
There really was no need to put him under any spell to keep him worshipping at my feet. It was quite endearing for a stretch - until it just wasn't anymore.
All of my life I had aligned myself with the "Other" category when it came to religious preference - prison was no exception. I hadn't had real world exposure to many other women who were like me in that respect until I got here. The type of women who worshipped the way they wanted to, in a way that felt natural to them, and that didn't care what other people thought about them or their beliefs. It was no wonder then on how quickly I made my association with this group of women who are confident, self-assured, and at one with nature.
There is a fair amount of religious tolerance in prison, probably not because the officials want it necessarily, but because religious freedom is protected under the Constitution, as well as the Prisoner's Bill of Rights. If you are going to prison, or know of someone who is in prison - get to know the rights afforded under that Bill. But keep in mind that where rights are afforded, there are also personal responsibilities to maintain.
Because prison allows for a variety of religious practice, this is a good place to explore which practice resonates with your own personal beliefs. If you are still unsure of who you are, or what you stand for, take the time to explore the spiritual side of you while you are in prison. Although every prison I have been to is skewed more toward Christianity, there are plenty of allowances for those "Others" out there like myself.
Some of the things that I thought I was going to miss out on the most here in prison, were my incense, candles, oils, bath scrubs, and nightly rituals. But, as it turns out, prison is very accommodating to my spirituality. We are allowed (either by special order or through the prison chapel) almost all of the tools of our practice. We are provided with a beautiful outdoor worship area - an earthen circle in which to cast our sp...er...do our ritual "worship"; an equally beautiful meditation room with rugs and floor pillows; a Maypole with colorful ribbons; a bonfire pit centered within the circle for our lunar worship and practice; caldrons; an altar; essential oils; sage; candles; and even a special meal to celebrate Samhain in the Fall. By special order, we are allowed Tarot Cards, a pentagram necklace, and our own personal Book of Shadows.
Even though we are not allowed to cast "spells" in prison, all of these other wonderful things are available to us under the Freedom of Religion Act; however, it is up to each individual facility to make these accommodations available beyond just the basics necessary to comply with the rule of law. At the facility I am currently at, we are extremely fortunate to have a caring Chaplain and administration which makes these allowances for us, without us having to forcefully exert our rights through the courts.
Find out if the facility you are expecting to go to has an active and involved Chaplaincy. Do some research and seek out a facility that best suits your religious needs - it will make all the difference in your new prison world.
