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Witching Hour In America

Submitted by Cerridwyn Morganne, Apr 25, 2007 05:22

The VA was only following the President's lead, though the fight to get the Pentacles approved for Pagan soldiers' headstones has been ongoing for coming up on a decade now. If you google the Pagan Headstone Campaign, which started before many others (by the often prickly Charles Arnold, though his heart is in the right place) you will see that MUCH hard work has been done for MANY more years than just these past few. It's been a long, hard fight where we have watched other symbols approved....including some that seemed further "out there" than that of Wicca! So why not Wicca? My guess is that there is a portrayal in the media that does not at all mesh with what Wiccan, Witchcraft and Paganism truly is. There is a movement as a result within Pagan communities to try to rectify the situation.

Though I doubt we'll be working to get rid of our parking tickets, the focus will instead be on educating the masses on what Paganism is, what it is not, what Wiccans/Pagans/Witches do and do not do - that we're not Satanists (that's a different belief system altogether! You'll have to go see Anton Lev for that one).
So what are we, then? We are just exactly like everyone else. We are parents, grandparents, children, we live our lives and work here and there - often without feeling the need to wear Goth makeup and clothing. We also don't always feel the need to wear pentacles the size of a Mercedes Benz hood ornament - most of us are, in fact, more subtle than that. You'd never know we were Pagan if you had a conversation with us largely because we choose generally not to advertise our beliefs unless asked. Given the opportunity most Pagans would choose to be silent about what they believe and would choose to live simply, naturally and quietly in tune with the cycle of the earth and the peace that brings. Many, however, choose to live in the public eye where they hope as you state above, that education will be the key to turning prejudice around. I am one such Pagan and hope that will be the case.

Dona Nobis Pacem,
Cerridwyn Morganne
www.witchgrove.org

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
Well- Praise the Goddess and pass the incense! It's about time Wicca became thought of as a serious- non-violent religion.... [MORE]	Wind Dancer	May 2, 2008 09:54
It is so deeply disturbing and thoroughly dispiriting when I hear and see hatred in religion, as I do every... [MORE]	Jennifer	Aug 20, 2007 00:09
Do other religions other than Pagans light candles and do chants? Think about it. Are magic spells much different than... [MORE]	Kara	May 16, 2007 11:28
After over two centuries of male dominated religon, the kinder, gentler distaff part of religon is now coming into the... [MORE]	Ashley	Apr 27, 2007 22:48
Ashley, I think you'd find the number of christians, muslims, hindus, and jews practicing medicine and bioscience is and has... [MORE]	alteredbeat	Apr 28, 2007 18:49
Just to set the previous poster's mind at rest, those of us who don't worship an angry, jealous, vengeful god... [MORE]	Harbor	Apr 26, 2007 12:40
You say you have gods. How do you follow all of them. I'm glad I have one and He is... [MORE]	Phillip Gaskins	May 4, 2007 17:29
This comment is directed towards Mr. Gaskins. Our country was founded on the idea of religious freedom - there is... [MORE]	Shawnee	Apr 26, 2007 10:19
Bottom line is--where are they spending eternity. Yes I honor them for their sacrifice but a pentagram is not the... [MORE]	Phillip Gaskins	May 4, 2007 18:06
Believing is a simple minded approach to explaining without proof. It takes all forms and has unlimited options. As such... [MORE]	Dale Netherton	Apr 26, 2007 08:49
Being a veteran I am foregoing being buried in a military cemetary as I thought I might be. Being from... [MORE]	Phillip Gaskins	Apr 25, 2007 23:23
--"Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me. Anything we put above God is our idol We're not supposed to... [MORE]	l Mallia	Apr 30, 2007 10:14
I, nor does God force my His beliefs on anyone. As here, I may comment or make a statement as... [MORE]	Phillip Gaskins	Apr 30, 2007 23:02
How can I as a Pagan be a follower of someone/something I don't believe in? Why would I go or... [MORE]	Gryphonelder	May 1, 2007 21:47
I agree we both have our free will and so the bottom line is where will I spend eternity, where... [MORE]	Phillip Gaskins	May 3, 2007 23:50
I'm glad you have your walk, but like I say it isn't mine and I don't wonder where my spirit... [MORE]	Gryphonelder	May 4, 2007 07:00
If your satisfied with your god more power to you and does that mean you believe we came from monkeys... [MORE]	Phillip Gaskins	May 4, 2007 16:43
Yes, I do think life has evolved and is still in many was evolving, even if folks are doing far... [MORE]	Gryphonelder	May 5, 2007 14:01
Sorry I was so long getting back to you. "crass commercialism" If I felt that way about it I'd join the... [MORE]	Phillip Gaskins	May 9, 2007 17:04
i think my biggest frustration with the va taking so long in recognizing this symbol in it's cache of "accepted"symbols... [MORE]	trinitymoonchild	Apr 25, 2007 22:41
The news that the Veterans Affairs has finally approved the pentacle. It is displayed point up with the circle complete... [MORE]	Charlayne Elizabeth Denney	Apr 25, 2007 17:59
Some tend to forget the battle for freedom of religion for which our country was founded. Why was the fight... [MORE]	Kara Highley	Apr 25, 2007 12:40
The VA was only following the President's lead, though the fight to get the Pentacles approved for Pagan soldiers' headstones...	Cerridwyn Morganne	Apr 25, 2007 05:22
The various branches of the Armed Forces recognized Wiccan as a religious preference well over ten years ago and the... [MORE]	John Kraft	Apr 25, 2007 15:45

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