Narrative Summary
Interview with Wanda Fittro by Dizzie Hill
Wanda Fittro flies under the radar when it comes to her religion. I had known her for
almost a year when I found out that she is a practicing witch. Since I knew little about Wicca, I
wanted to find out more. Although Wanda does not proclaim her spirituality to everyone she
meets, she is dedicated and knowledgeable on the topic of Wicca. It has become the freeing
agent in her life after being raised in a Southern Baptist church. Born and raised in the Ozarks,
she has experienced a journey—finding where she truly belongs.
As mentioned earlier, Wanda Fittro’s first experience with religion was in the sanctuary
of a Southern Baptist church in the Ozarks with her mother. Unfortunately for her, this was not a
pleasant religious home. “Terrified” was the word Wanda used when describing her experience.
She could not find condolence in this place of worship, after constantly being told “you have to
be saved.” Even through many visits to the altar to be saved, she was never comfortable and
often left in tears, unsure of her fate.
As a young teen, she left the Baptist church and took a few years off to eventually find
Unity church. This new age church felt more comfortable than her Southern Baptist childhood
home. There they mediated, interpreted the text of the Bible metaphysically, and opened the
doors to any people that wanted to join. For ten years she stayed at Unity. Little did she know
Unity was a stepping stone to the religion she now reveres.
Her conversion to Wicca started with the memories of her grandmother. Although her
grandmother went to church, there was something always different about the way she practiced.
Back in her day, it was not acceptable to be anything but Christian in a small town located in the
Ozarks. But the more Wanda remembered, she realized that her grandmother had spirituality
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with the earth. This was displayed by her beautiful garden and loving gestures to the animals she
raised on her farm, along with rituals to the seasons.
After sickness struck Wanda’s grandmother, she was placed in a nursing home. Making
the best of a bad situation, Wanda became very close to her grandmother, asking and learning
about the spirituality Wanda remembered observing. This was how Wanda was introduced to
Wicca. She soon came to realize that Wicca is where she belonged in the “religious world”. She
started learning and went through the process of converting into the modern Paganism religion,
Wicca. According to Wanda, she had to study for a year and a day before the full transformation
could take place. By following a book, she learned about spirits, energy, making a circle, tools
for directing energy and much more.
One of the many interesting facts I learned about Wanda is that she is solitary in her
practice of spirituality. Many may think that one must have a coven to be a witch, but this is not
true. Many of the rituals such as creating a circle and celebrating the eight Sabbat a year can be
done alone in one’s own home. That is one of the attractive features to Wanda; there are no set
meeting times. It has fluidity to fit each practitioner individually. She can practice in her own
home at her altar. She can focus on the energy and elements that speak to her. She has chosen to
worship the goddess Athena, who stands for wisdom, reason, and purity.
Wanda spoke of many experiences that validated her spirituality such as talking to spirits.
Within the circle, during the Sabbat Samhain (Halloween), the veil between the worlds is the
thinnest. After making a circle, which is described as a safe spot, she spoke to many spirits and
even her mother. Although there may be a misconception that witchcraft is evil, Wanda
explained it as being only good. There is a credo in Wicca that says “no harm.”
Interviewing Wanda Fittro was an excellent experience. She is open about her
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spirituality and happy to answer any questions to those that know nothing about Wicca. She may
not describe herself as “religious,” but she definitely is spiritual. She believes that every person
has a different route and it is up to them to find what fits them personally. She is open to letting
everyone believe what it right for them, whether it be Wiccan, Christian or any other religion.
Through her experience finding her own path she is now working on increasing her energy and
continuing her spirituality.
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