Wiccans prepare to celebrate Samhain

Whether you are a believer, a non-believer or somewhere in-between – witches walk, work and play among us. But finding Wiccans willing to go on the record about their beliefs – a new religion steeped in ancient pagan traditions including witchcraft – was no easy task. Those we spoke to said they are concerned about discrimination and said they’re often misunderstood.

“The first thing people think is pointy hats, shoes and big cauldrons but that’s really not what it’s all about,” explained Denise Mitchell. She too had some hesitation about talking to us at first, not knowing how people would react. While she said many know that she’s a Wiccan and practices witchcraft, those that don’t may be shocked or begin treating her differently. She hopes that won’t be the case.

Halloween is an important holiday for her; in fact, she’s taken a week off work to celebrate. Mitchell says it’s an ancient pagan celebration associated with the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. In ancient times turnips were used instead of pumpkins and the belief surrounding Samhain, the Wiccan word for Halloween, is that the veil between the living and the dead is thinning during this time, making it easier to interact with the deceased. Celebrations take place honouring ancestors – the celebrations involve bonfires, a feast and various types of other rituals all aimed at communicating with, and celebrating, those who have died.

Mitchell explained that witches will either be solitary practitioners or part of a coven. She’s a solitary practitioner. Asked to define her beliefs, she said they are earth-bound. Her beliefs do involve spells and certain rituals but none of them are aimed at harming others. “Wicca is an earth-bound religion, connected to nature and the cycle of the seasons.” There are different schools of thought associated with the Wiccan tradition, Mitchell worships the Lord and the Lady associated with the sun and moon or the masculine and feminine. The full moon represents the two coming together, which is also a cause for celebration in Wiccan tradition, she explained. She said it is a very grounding belief system that involves being in tune with the earth, the change of seasons, magic and the energy that surrounds us.

Mitchell noted that what Wicca is not is Satanic. She said people are afraid of witchcraft because they perceive it as a dark magic which is associated with devil-worshipping, not Wicca, she explained. She said the intent behind the practice is important as Wiccans believe in the three-fold principle, meaning that what you put out comes back to you in spades. “Wiccans believe you don’t do harm onto others,” she said. “If I put harm on you, it’s going to come back to me three-fold and I’m going to get it just as bad.”

Thea Sabin, author of Wicca for Beginners (a book one of the Wiccans we spoke to, who did not want to go on the record, thought we should read) perhaps puts it best. “In America, we are used to hearing stories about Native American shamans who do magic and healing for their tribes, but people of European descent have a shamanic tradition too: witchcraft.”

Sue Hayes (left) and Denise Mitchell

Mitchell is more open than most about her beliefs; that’s probably because she’s the resident Wiccan with Paranormal Muskoka. The group also comprises Sue Hayes, who describes herself as a Christian. Hayes has always been interested in the paranormal but said a life-altering experience associated with a demonic possession is what truly made her a believer. She was helped by a pagan who used Wiccan rituals to dispel the spirit, after calling every church in town looking for help. “I find the Wiccans are closer to the spiritual world,” said Hayes. “There are so many similarities with different religions, but I think we all have a common bond.” Both Mitchell and Hayes pointed at rituals like the use of incense and holy water as well as talk of exorcisms in Catholicism, as examples.

Check out a related story about Paranormal Muskoka here and have a ghoulish Halloween!

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