CATHOLICISM PREPARED ME FOR WICCA

BY JUNE AHERN

I grew up in a devotedly Catholic household and attended parochial school until

the eight grade. I am forever grateful for both experiences because they
prepared me for a strong spiritual life.
My seventh grade nun piqued my interest in theology by introducing
religious practices different from Catholicism. With curiosity provoked I wanted to
do more than learn about other religions: I wanted to participate in them,
something not encouraged or acceptable at school nor home
At that time I didn’t realize that what I was seeking was a spiritual
pathway that would empower me as a female.
In the United States many Catholics hold God in the highest position
followed by Jesus and then, Mary, His mother. My own mother, who was
completely devoted to Mary, taught her children to pray first to God’s mother in
times of need. Her devotion to the Mother stems from her Catholic European
influence where Mary is a pivotal holy power. Our family’s loyalty to Mary had a
great affect upon my trust in, and bond to, female deities and made for an easy
transition to a goddess religion.
Catholics also pray to other female deities known as patron saints.
Many countries and cultures have their own goddesses and female saints who
serve as protectors and guardians.
To me they are sisters to the goddesses: Saint Joan of Arc from France
is sister to the Greek goddess, Diana, warrior and hunter: pray to them for
strength and courage during life’s battles. Saint Rita of Cascia and the Hindu
goddess, Kali help deliver abused women from maltreatment while Mary’s
mother, Saint Ann and the Greek goddess, Hera, are patroness to married and
childless women. The Catholic holy women, though held in great esteem, are not
afforded the powerful positions as the goddesses who are equal to the gods.
With this unequal share of gender power and with great faith in Mary, I chose a
strong female spiritual path to put my faith in.
Coming of age in the 1960’s, my interest turned to yoga, karma, and
Buddhism. My new interests introduced me to meditation––a skill not learned as
a Catholic.  Eagerly I gravitated toward the silent peace and through meditation
envisioned my spiritual truth. With appreciation of my Catholic background and
later Buddhism, I choose a pathway right for me. Now I am free to dance with
wild abandonment under the moon skyclad, if I wish. I can conjure up magic and
be a powerful woman instrumental in the progress of humanity. I am whole.
My novel, The Skye in June, has strong female characters: a nun help
shape the main character's psychic spiritual connection.