The Devil's Work?
Katie Shutt
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: News
Ogle said she will probably spend Samhain meditating on the warmth and wisdom of friends and family members who have passed into Faery. She may also dress up in a costume and go to a party. "Pagans like to have fun," she said. "Most don't frown upon secular Halloween."
Mason-Foley said she, too, plans to dress up and attend a Halloween party. She will also celebrate Samhain by honoring her ancestors and performing rituals to contact her late grandfather. Her individual path in paganism is derived from different spiritual traditions, including Native American practices, she said.
Senior English major Melissa Mercer, who dresses as a witch every year for Halloween, said she does not know anything about pagan religions but assumed they celebrate the devil during the holiday.
Members of the PSU rebutted the common misconception that pagans view Halloween as a time to practice dark magic or perform animal sacrifices.
Though paganism is often confused with religions that worship the devil or perform satanic rituals, most pagans do not recognize Satan at all, Ogle said. "There's no evil spirit that makes people do bad things," she said. "We're responsible for ourselves, whatever we choose."
Others have no reason to fear pagans, Stairs said.
"Those who describe themselves as a pagan or Wiccan are in no way associated with doing bad things, practicing black magic or casting spells of any sort," he said. "They may hold beliefs that not everyone may hold, but the same can be said for people of all different religions."
Some people relate Halloween ghosts to the practices of paganism, said Jen Tracy, a senior classics major and president of the PSU. "Halloween comes from honoring the dead and remembering spirits, like during Samhain," Tracy said.
Tracy said the sabbat is about the passing of the seasons and preparing for the colder, darker days of winter.
"It isn't Halloween, but it's related," she said. "It's really just a memorial-type day to remember our ancestors."
newsdesk@dbk.umd.edu
Mason-Foley said she, too, plans to dress up and attend a Halloween party. She will also celebrate Samhain by honoring her ancestors and performing rituals to contact her late grandfather. Her individual path in paganism is derived from different spiritual traditions, including Native American practices, she said.
Senior English major Melissa Mercer, who dresses as a witch every year for Halloween, said she does not know anything about pagan religions but assumed they celebrate the devil during the holiday.
Members of the PSU rebutted the common misconception that pagans view Halloween as a time to practice dark magic or perform animal sacrifices.
Though paganism is often confused with religions that worship the devil or perform satanic rituals, most pagans do not recognize Satan at all, Ogle said. "There's no evil spirit that makes people do bad things," she said. "We're responsible for ourselves, whatever we choose."
Others have no reason to fear pagans, Stairs said.
"Those who describe themselves as a pagan or Wiccan are in no way associated with doing bad things, practicing black magic or casting spells of any sort," he said. "They may hold beliefs that not everyone may hold, but the same can be said for people of all different religions."
Some people relate Halloween ghosts to the practices of paganism, said Jen Tracy, a senior classics major and president of the PSU. "Halloween comes from honoring the dead and remembering spirits, like during Samhain," Tracy said.
Tracy said the sabbat is about the passing of the seasons and preparing for the colder, darker days of winter.
"It isn't Halloween, but it's related," she said. "It's really just a memorial-type day to remember our ancestors."
newsdesk@dbk.umd.edu
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Rebecca Ogle
posted 10/31/07 @ 10:04 AM EST
Okay, what I said was:
Faery is the other world as the ancient Celts know it. I wouldn't say most Pagans believe in it; most believe in reincarnation. (Continued…)
theo
posted 10/31/07 @ 10:57 AM EST
Rebecca, -- Thanks so much for that clarification in the comments.
Overall, this is an excellent article.
For the record, Faery is AN otherworld recognized by many pagans, mystics, and spiritualists. (Continued…)
????
posted 10/31/07 @ 11:23 AM EST
very interesting......never knew this about pagans but i agree that most people associated it with devils work
Brooke Opel
posted 11/01/07 @ 12:39 AM EST
ps...Pagans do cast spells, but they are not something scary and supernatural.They can be related to the more understandable concept of prayer. Also, Halloween has its roots with Samnhain (or Hallows). (Continued…)
Rick
posted 11/01/07 @ 4:09 PM EST
You have traded one set of supersitions (Christian) for another (Pagan).
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