Pagans in the News

It's a relief to know people are starting to take paganism seriously. I hope that this article will be reprinted in Pagan newsletters all across the web. Below I have posted some highlights. This article paints a rather rosy picture of the Bay - I have several covenmates who do not feel comfortable talking about their spirituality at their work place (not that I think that should be a common experience, but I think people should be able to freely talk about what they do on the holidays!). It is critical now to establish this kind of safe haven across the U.S. so that people like us do not feel the need to hide.

May we take council from our ancestors, and may they light our path.

Samhain: Pagan celebration honoring the dead

...Bay Area witches said they don't need to hide their brooms in any closets. Several witches, in fact, stepped up eagerly to lay claim to the "pagan Martha Stewart" apron.

(That apron would surely be black. Said Starhawk: "Witches often do wear black because night is a time of power and mystery, and also because black is slenderizing and doesn't show dirt.")

"Martha and I both find crafty uses for herbs, flowers, home decoration and recipes," said Rabbit, proprietor of the Sacred Well metaphysical shop in Oakland and high priestess of the Come As You Are Coven. She added, rather craftily, "Our definitions of 'craft' might be different."

...The big events on Saturday include a spiral dance at Kezar Pavilion, where there will be altars set up for air, fire, water and earth, as well as for guests to honor their dead. One might call it Bay Area paganism's annual coming-out party - except that here witches feel little need to hide.

Making Rain

Near sunset on Friday, October 3rd, a cluster of witches gathered in a park behind a yoga studio in Berkeley. The witches stored their non-essentials in the yoga studio and headed outside with blankets, rhythmic instruments, and cookies and wine as an offering to the gods and goddesses. They built an altar and laid the blankets in a circle as the evening darkness settled in. When they were all ready to begin, one of the witches cast a circle with an umbrella. It began to sprinkle, without any chants or spells having been done! The witches screeched and hooted in pleasure, as two High Priestesses stepped into the middle to call Hera and Ixchel...