Neo-paganism sees growth in numbers

Real witches try to break old myths

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Story and Photos By Vincent Pierri Daily Herald Staff Writer/Photographer

[size=-1]On Halloween night, scores of pirates, princesses and superheroes will ring doorbells and receive M&M's in return. [/size]
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While kids beg for candy, another group will peer into black mirrors, cast spells, read tarot cards and generally take advantage of what they say is the best time of year to commune with spirits.

Pagan minister Adam Holtzinger says "the veil between this world and the next is thinnest" during Halloween - what Wiccans call Samhain. Holtzinger's Antioch store, At Sacred Earth, is busy this time of year. He says it's the only place between Milwaukee and Chicago for local witches to buy their tools.

Holtzinger admits it's getting easier to be a witch, but the practice is still misunderstood and feared.

"As soon as you tell people you're a witch, the curtain goes down," he said. "We want to reclaim the word and remove its negative connotation. It's a matter of education."

Getting a grasp of the facts can be tricky. Wicca, the modern name for witchcraft, doesn't fit into neat categories. It lacks a central organization and has no creeds, rules or buildings. There isn't one main god or goddess, and the rituals are as varied as the people who practice them.

"Pagans honor all faces of the divine," Holtzinger explained. "Who you choose as your deities is up to you."

Choosing gods based on feelings doesn't sound like a good idea to the Rev. Mel Svendsen, senior pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in Vernon Hills. "Wiccans worship created things rather than the creator - Jesus Christ," he said. "They are looking for life's answers in all the wrong places."

In contrast to Christianity and other mainstream religions, Wicca is considered Neo-pagan - a modern version of ancient, earth-based spiritualities. The goal is to gain harmony with the basic cycles of nature and communicate with the spirit world.

Pagan is the umbrella term that covers Wicca and several similar practices. Ron Miller, head of the religion department at Lake Forest College, says Paganism dates back thousands of years and is a blend of the ancient Greek and Roman mystery religions. Pagan was a pejorative term that meant "country dweller," referring to those who didn't accept Christianity and fled to the hills for fear of persecution.

Tools of the craft may include ritual daggers, pentagrams, incense, candles, cauldrons and spells. When people hear that, Holtzinger says, they draw the predictable, two-word conclusion.

"Devil worship," Holtzinger says with a tired smile. He believes the stereotype is unfair and illogical.

"Our beliefs predate Christianity," he explained. "Satanism mocks Christianity. We have no interest in criticizing anyone's spirituality. We don't care if the cross is upside down or right-side up."

Holtzinger says daggers are never used for cutting but for directing energy during rituals. The pentagram symbolizes the five primitive elements of fire, water, earth, air and spirit. Spells can only be cast for the good of others and are never evil, Holtzinger said.

The number of adherents across the country is dwarfed by the established religions, but Neo-paganism saw significant growth in the last decade. A study by City University of New York noted a jump in the number of adult Pagans, from 8,000 in 1990 to 274,000 in 2001. By comparison, there are more than 159 million Christians, 2.8 million Jews and 1.1 million Muslims in the United States.

Pagan Pride Days are becoming common, especially on college campuses. Believers are urged to use the event to "come out of the broom closet" during the annual gathering. The celebrations are usually held in September.

Not surprising, the Internet is bringing Pagans together. A popular site, www.witchvox.com, boasts 7,000 links and includes daily Pagan news updates. Pagan parents raising their kids can find help at www.PaganParenting.com.

Pagans in the armed forces can get support from the Military Pagan Network at www.milpagan.org.

Shelves at chain bookstores are well stocked with Wiccan titles. The "Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft" is a sign the movement is hitting mainstream.

Holtzinger says people like Wicca because there are no rules or authority figures to obey. The self-styled, solitary nature of the religion allows for "creativity in worship."

Miller noted another possible cause for the spike in the Pagan population.

"I think you're seeing a reaction to the male hierarchy in Western religions," he said. "This is a system that empowers women."

Angie Buchanan agrees. She heads a Pagan group called Gaia's Womb in Bannockburn.

"Women who are trying to revive the goddess within their religious traditions are being met with resistance," she said. "Paganism offers the perfect balance between male and female divinity."

Wiccans observe eight "sabbats" or seasonal celebrations each year. Four are considered major holidays, tied to equinoxes or solstices.

During the Oct. 31 celebration of Samhian (pronounced SOW-en,) Wiccans may gather together to share a Dumb Supper. The meal is eaten in total silence and an empty chair is reserved for any visiting spirit or deceased relative. Other rituals may include burying apples and pomegranates to be enjoyed by spirits as they pass through the curtain separating this world from the next.

The practice of scrying, which literally means "to see," is a favorite on Halloween night. People seek messages or images from beyond by gazing deeply into cauldrons filled with dark liquid or by peering into black mirrors.

Holtzinger's store is stocked with ritual items such as Wiccan spell candles; varieties of small, smooth stones used for healing or divination; patchouli incense for gaining wisdom; and a host of small idols.

Witches apparently also have a sense of humor. You can buy a bar of "Dragon's Blood Soap" or a bumper sticker that says, "Witches Do It In Circles."

Humor aside, the movement has its critics.

Steve Harmantas, senior pastor at Good Shepherd Bible Church in Lake Zurich, says people following this spiritual path are trifling with evil powers whether they know it or not. He said participants open themselves up to spiritual oppression if not possession.

"Satan has a kingdom," he said. "The powers of darkness are real. The Bible says that the devil masquerades as an angel of light. The devil doesn't show up wearing horns. He sugar coats his presence."

Holtzinger is convinced that if people were educated about Wicca, the prejudice would lessen.

"Fear comes from ignorance," he said. "Once the truth is laid out, people are reasonable. Once they see there isn't anything from Hollywood or horror novels, they're not much concerned." Wicca: Halloween ritual includes Dumb Supper [/SIZE]