By John CastellucciJournal Staff Writer  PAWTUCKET — On the face of it, there was nothing irregular about Rhode Island Pagan Pride’s plans for a Sept. 22 autumnal equinox festival in Slater Memorial Park.

There would be opportunities for pagans of all persuasions, including Wiccans, shamans and druids, to practice their religion. (more…)

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan–Members of the Wiccan religion celebrated the arrival of spring outside the Christian fellowship centre at the NATO military base here.

Canadian Maj. Malcolm Berry smiles as he recalls being approached a few weeks ago by a group of soldiers of the Wiccan faith – a neo-pagan religion strongly tied to nature. (more…)

Magic
1. The unseen motivating power of the universe or creation, and the thread that determines all the laws of nature.
2. The physical practices required to bring about what the practitioners are trying to bring about, and the praying and calling upon the Divine to make happen whatever part they can’t complete. (more…)

At first glance, you’d never know that little Elizabeth Nettleton is Pagan. The vivacious four-year-old cuddles in her mother’s lap, floppy blond bangs dangling in her eyes as she clutches her green stuffed alligator and a red teddy-bear blanket. Then the girl reaches underneath her pink sweater and pulls out a long silver chain bearing a dime-size pentacle.

“Why do you wear the pentacle?” asks Tina, who would pass as a typical San Leandro mom were it not for the tiny silver stud in her nose. (more…)

Jacksonville, FL - Walking into Earth Gifts, one is greeted by the soft aroma of Sandalwood incense, calm new age music and smiling faces. Every wall in the store is covered in colorful fabrics or bookcases or ornaments. In the center of the store, there is a spiritual sanctuary motif,fit with stone statues and several meditations fountains.

The “Metaphysical Supplies” store and gift shop located on the Westside sells everything for the spiritually enlightened from incense and smudging sticks to herbs and crystals – a one-stop shop where you can pick up a new dashiki, aroma therapy oils and books on meditation. (more…)

Dover, DE - Books, gemstones, candles and jewelry are what draw customers to Dover’s Bell, Book, & Candle, which bills itself as “your one-stop shop for metaphysical needs.”

But retailing isn’t really what concerns Ivo Dominguez Jr., who became co-owner of the West Loockerman Street shop last August. (more…)

Sydney, Australia - On A darkened hilltop, against a rolling backdrop of electric storms, a group of Sydney pagans gather to celebrate the full moon.

Dressed mainly in black, some in hooded cloaks, one in top hat and suit, these adherents of one of Australia’s fastest growing religions, stake out their church by placing candles at four compass points, and invoke the four elements of earth, water, fire and air. (more…)

Minnesota Wiccans and neopagans are stepping into the limelight as they push for inclusion of the pentacle on military tombstones.

Long before Elysia Gallo identified herself as a neopagan, she felt drawn to mystical, magical things. (more…)

When many think of Paganism, it’s easy to jump straight to magic spells, tarot cards and other sorts of hocus pocus.

For Simon L. Delott, a junior double major in secondary education and philosophy and religion, being a Pagan is more of a religious experience. (more…)

The pentagram that hangs from a chain around Kate Dunning’s neck elicits raised eyebrows from many people who catch a glimpse of it. The emblem of a star enclosed in a circle symbolizes that she practices witchcraft.

Don’t expect to find any pointy witch hats or steaming cauldrons tucked away in her dorm room closet, however. Dunning, a junior English and French major, is like any other UB student, she just happens to be Wiccan. (more…)