Is there such thing as being too emotionally vulnerable for witchcraft?

QUESTION - Is there such thing as being too emotionally vulnerable for witchcraft?I mean if you've been raped or abused or stuff like that? Can it make you too vulnerable to be a witch?

ANSWER - There are dangers inherent in following a craft path for some individuals certainly but I would say that the danger is less to do with becoming a witch and more to do with unscrupulous individuals who may prey on and take advantage of the vulnerable. Although the vast majority of people who embrace an alternative spirituality or magical path do so in the genuine spirit of honest personal growth there are those who seek to manipulate others for personal gain. There is always a risk that people who have suffered abuse will be looked upon as easy targets for those seeking an ego trip.

Now that is not to say that a person who has been abused or raped is a weak person. On the contrary if they have survived their experiences and are looking toward their recovery then that makes them a very strong person. But all of us are vulnerable at times and recovering from a deep emotional trauma must be a very vulnerable time indeed. Would I suggest it wise for a person to leap into the craft arms open wide and eager to make changes that will permanently affect the core of who they are? Possibly... But what I would not suggest they do is make long term commitments to covens or groups without taking the time to allow themselves to fully heal first. I'd suggest if they wish to start a journey toward a craft path they start out as a solitary and build any relationships slowly until trust can be established. And I'd tell them never to trust anyone who promises that anything, even witchcraft, is an instant way to relieve their trauma and pain. Nothing can do that but the passing of time and the will of the person themselves. If more people understood this better there would be fewer vulnerable souls for the egoists to harm.

I do think that the practise of witchcraft or the observance of pagan practises could be very beneficial in allowing an emotionally distressed person to achieve their healing. Basic rituals and meditation can have a positive effect on calming the mind and strengthening a person. I'd be very encouraging to somebody who wanted to take these positive steps to aid their recovery. This isn't necessarily full blown witchcraft but it is a starting point and it's pointing the way forward and building a foundation of a craft path.

There is of course another side to the coin. When a person (note not woman, person, it happens to men too) is raped or abused their suffering is through no fault of their own and I'd question why any abuser should be allowed to influence the lives of their victims further than the initial impact of their attack. For some people getting on with their lives and living in the way they would have done before their abuse gives them a power back over their lives. If it feels natural for a person in such circumstances to follow a craft path then I don't think any abuser should be granted the power to make another person feel so vulnerable that they cannot continue with their life in the  direction that feels right to them.

So I suppose its down to taking sensible safety precautions and listening to your own intuition. If it feels right to you then it probably is but do be aware that not everyone in the craft is all love and light and some people will see vulnerability as a weakness and look to exploit it. Never offer more of your trust than you feel comfortable with.

Image http://www.deviantart.com/art/Abuse-51167741

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