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 Trey Capnerhurst, a traditional witch, performs a naming ceremony by the altar in her backyard in Alberta.
October 30th, 2013
03:32 PM ET
For some Wiccans, Halloween can be a real witchBy Daniel Burke, Belief Blog Co-editor [twitter-follow screen_name='BurkeCNN'] (CNN) - Like lots of people, when October 31 rolls around, Trey Capnerhurst dons a pointy hat and doles out candy to children who darken the door of her cottage in Alberta. But she’s not celebrating Halloween. In fact, she kind of hates it. Capnerhurst says she’s a real, flesh-and-blood witch, and Halloween stereotypes of witches as broom-riding hags drive her a bit batty. “Witches are not fictional creatures,” the 45-year-old wrote in a recent article on WitchVox.com. “We are not werewolves or Frankenstein monsters. We do not have green skin, and only some of us have warts.” Warts or not, many witches say they have mixed feelings about Halloween. Some look forward to the day when witchcraft is front and center and no one looks askance at big black hats. Others complain that the holiday reinforces negative stereotypes of witches as evil outliers who boil children in black cauldrons. Capnerhurst falls into the latter camp. Hanging up witch decorations at Halloween is no better than wearing blackface costumes or taking a slur, like “Redskins,” as the name of your football team, she says. “Unless one actually is a witch, dressing up as stereotypical witches is bigotry,” Capnerhurst said. In June, the wife and mother of two started her own church for “traditional” witches called Disir, an old Norse word meaning “matron deities,” she says. (Capnerhurst draws a distinction between “traditional” witches, like her, who were born into the religion, and Wiccans, most of whom are converts.) Most Wiccans identify as witches, and they form the largest branch of the burgeoning neo-pagan movement, said Helen A. Berger, a sociologist who specializes in the study of contemporary Paganism and witchcraft at Brandeis University. A 2008 survey counted about 342,000 Wiccans in the United States and nearly as many who identify simply as “pagans,” a significant increase from the last American Religious Identification Survey, taken in 2001. Three-quarters of American Wiccans are women, according to Berger. “It’s harder to train male Wiccans,” Capnerhurst said with a cheery sigh. “Most men just aren’t going to sweep the kitchen and think about sweeping out the bad energy.” The faith is fiercely individualistic. Although there are umbrella groups like Wisconsin-based Circle Sanctuary, most Wiccans practice their own blends of witchcraft. After centuries of persecution in Europe and colonial America, modern witches still bear a sharp suspicion of authority. The rede, or ethical statement at the core of Wicca, is: Harm none and do as you will. Despite the rising popularity of their faith, many Wiccans remain “in the broom closet,” fearful of losing their jobs, their families or their reputations, said Berger and other experts.  Trey Capnerhurst in her traditional witch garb. Capnerhurst said she was “outed” in 2005 while running as the Green Party’s candidate for local office. A reporter noted the pentacle - a five-pointed star often mistaken as a satanic symbol - hanging around her neck. “I kind of became the poster girl for paganism,” Capnerhurst said. But the notoriety came at a cost. Neighbors have threatened to burn down the house she shares with her family, Capnerhurst says. She’s lost jobs. And people keep asking her whether the “Blair Witch Project,” the 1999 horror movie, is real. “I’m like, What the frick! No!” Raising her 12-year-old daughter, Maenwen, as a witch is not easy either, Capnerhurst says, especially around this time of year, when just about every classroom turns into a coven of construction-paper crones and black cats. In the United States, Circle Sanctuary has founded the Lady Liberty League to advocate for Wiccans' religious freedom and to fight discrimination. Unlike Capnerhurst, however, some witches see Halloween as a treat, not a trick. “Considering that I usually slap on a pointy hat at this time of year (and I have a black cat too), I’m fine with the image of the Halloween witch,” wrote Jen McConnel, a poet, novelist and Wiccan from North Carolina, in an e-mail. “Even though the word ‘witch ‘ is loaded, I have embraced it,” McConnel said, “but it is only one of many hats I wear (pun intended).” McConnel says she enjoys the yearly confluence of Halloween with Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest and winter’s coming darkness. It’s a time when the veil between the living and the dead grows thin, according to Wiccan theology, and spirits can easily cross the divide. Many Wiccans hold “dumb suppers,” to which they invite deceased ancestors, making sure to prepare their favorite foods, said Jeanet Lewis, a witch who lives in Northern Virginia. “It’s a meditative, silent meal,” Lewis said. Other witches light memorial candles and cast spells for the new year. What do witches wish for? The same things as everyone else, apparently. “Health, wealth and love,” Capnerhurst said with a laugh. “Every single spell falls into one of those three categories.” Even though she dislikes Halloween, Capnerhurst has found a way to blend it with her own sacred days, Samhain. According to some historians, at this time of year, as the days grow darker, ancient Celts would don costumes as stand-ins for deceased spirits, going door-to-door and performing tricks in exchange for treats. Capnerhurst prefers to see the children who come to her door on October 31 as a re-enactment of that ritual. “I’m doing my ritual and they get candy,” she said. “Everybody wins!” And even though she bristles at the thought that some neighbors might abhor her religion, Capnerhurst tries to take it all in good cheer. As October 31 approaches each year, she places a sign on her lawn that reads, "This House Practices Safe Hex." soundoff (2,335 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Mocking Wicca and related "arts" ?
Spells, curses, covens, black magic, witches, voodooing dolls, hoodooing the results, shadow books, maypoles,
god(s) and goddess(es), Gerald Gardner et al??
Never!!!!
http://wiccanspells.info/#axzz2jIe5Q1af
http://www.wiccantradition.org.uk/spellhex.html (curses etc.)
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Voodoo_vs_Wicca
"ethical statement at the core of Wicca, is: Harm none and do as you will." A crock of crap. you cannot "do as you will" and not expect to hurt SOMEONE on some level in the process.
and I suppose you believe the 10 commandments are followed to the 'T"?
Sin lies only in harming others unnecessarily.
All other sin is invented nonsense.
They mean actual harm, not just making you uncomfortable.
It would seem that you need some assistance in understanding "Harm none and do what you will".
It doesn't mean exactly "Do whatever you want".
It means "If you want to do it and no one will be harmed, do it."
I am amused at the misunderstanding of the rede. The rede is not a law carved in stone but a guide. Trying to think ahead so as not to cause harm is always a good idea and I have made use of it for nearly thirty years and found it a very good guide. When harm is unavoidable then the next step is to do the least harm. It is simply a matter of taking responsibility for all that happens when you do, or say, or think anything. Call it another version of President Truman's comment of, The Buck stops here! As to the person who called it crap, you would appear to be a person that takes no responsibility for what you do. Thankfully I choose not to be that type of person in all aspects of my life, not just in matters of magic. by the way when crap dumps on me I make sure to at least not pass it on. Even doing that makes the world a bit better place, especially if we all practiced it. Excuses are ideas we invent to justify not doing what we should be doing, for not fulfilling our own responsibility.
We need to start treating vampires and werewolves with more respect... so they can go out and kill these witches....
There are people who identify as vampires. They usually end up with all the fun blood born pathogens. I'm sure you could find some werewolves, too, if you looked hard enough.
Ah someone that thinks that murder is a great way to get rid of people that you don't like. Sorry my friend but that has been tried before. Ironically few of the people that were accused and killed as witches, where. It was interesting to watch alleged Christians killing each other off. Meanwhile we just keep coming back and try to help with healing the planet from their mess.
There is no difference between a prayer and a spell, between witches and angels, or between God, ghosts and goblins. It's all make believe BS. It's the 21st Century. It's high time we ghave up on the sky-faireis, whether they be from Celtic Europe or Bronze Age Palestine
Trick or treat
Yah, trading one fairy tale for another doesn't make the new one valid.
You're griping that "Halloween" is not "valid" enough for you? Well Debbie Downer button your shirt collar up to your neck and stay home tonight watching PBS if you want too. Enjoy your fiber.
You need a little fiber too Colin, may I suggest Kashi whole grain. Better yet maybe a glass of Scotch or two.
This lady is one of the few witches that does not like this time of year. In fact, this is a time of many celebrations for the Wiccan community. Just the fact that this lady expresses hate in her language should tell everyone, she isn't a natural, nor a real witch by belief nor by practice as most witches feel no hatred toward anyone or anything. They may have a sense of dislike, but will make the best of almost every situation. Sorry, this article is pretty out there.
Omg get over it, I'm Wiccan and I adore Halloween! You don't see doctors getting upset cause a child trick or treats as a doctor. The woman has no sense of fun. Somethings are not this huge deep deal.
mmm mmmm Good! Cotton candy journalism, tastes great and doesn't fill you up!
For the record Wicca is not "demon" worship. Wiccan's do not believe in the existence of Satan. Many wiccan's don't believe in the existence of demons. So if you go into a Wiccan shop and even most New Age book stores looking for information on fallen angels you're going to be sol.
"Wiccans".
“I’m like, What the frick! No!”
Talking like that does not sell me on the cause.
So... some proper English, maybe a little smooth talking, and boom... you'll join some cult.
That's terrific.
Nice! Yet another way for people to act nuts over a ridiculous cult! Yay
No different than making fun of Catholics or any other mythology believer. I find it repugnant that they equate it to real racism since skin color is not a choice, but believing in magic is completely optional. Beliefs can and should be examined, and even ridiculed; if it can’t stand the heat of examination, then it is probably a fallacy to begin with.
Though I agree that a religion is not a race, I don't advocate xenophobia. The irony of your post is that the nature of "belief" is an idea unsubstantiated by evidence, therefore if we accept your suggestion no one would have any beliefs. It's just my opinion of course but I find your suggestion a little too close to crushing imagination entirely.
Imagination is fine, fiction is fine; the moment it crosses to a belief of reality that others infringe upon by exercise of their own imagination or freedoms of expression, I have an issue. It's like the Islamic nations that are trying to get a UN resolution passed that makes criticism of religion a violation of human rights. Sorry, but their belief is sacred only to them and I should not have to abide by it. My freedom of expression should not be curtailed due to their sensitivies.
I can see your point to an extent, however I wonder if the opinion is backed by beliefs or if it is the other way around. Maybe the beliefs are there to back up an unchanging opinion. It could be the case.
just as most "holidays" the original meanings were lost long ago; replaced now by manufactured commerialized puritan hog-wash.
i've never much cared for "holidays" especially the american version of them; most are just an excuse to get drunk for no other reason than to be drunk. i.e. st. patricks day
I don't believe in this but this is the origin of St Patricks Day...
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, the saint's religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast–on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
yup and that origin has been lost. now you see people in green hats running around drinking green beer and acting stupid.
exactly as i stated, it's been commericalized and sold without the meanings behind them.
Now the pagans are going to start pushing us around.
How many witch babies are born each year?
I'm not a judge only Jesus can but good ir dad witches are not of God
WHAT?!?!
Since I've yet to meet the Pagan who believes in the Christian god anyway, I doubt they're terribly fusted about your "non-judging" judgment.
Nothing funnier than one crazy mythology believer criticizing someone elses' mythology.
I don't see her any different than someone wearing a Harry Potter cape with wand and calling themselves a wizard. It's ridiculous and showing her kid that living in a fantasy world is acceptable. Grow up weirdo.
Good Gawd- praying (and forcing children to pray) to an invisible, or what I call an imaginary God of Christianity and Catholicism isn't weird? Grow up and let those who want to believe, believe in whatever they want.
Why does this society seem like its malicious? Maybe because we micromanage everything and cannot forgive or let things go? We talk about people being Obsessive , yet our own society is baring down on us. We cannot please everyone all the time! Let it go!
Halloween is racist !!
I don't have beliefs and never will, but I find the resurgence of this once (nearly) extinct collection of religions kind of refreshing. There's a kind of romanticism and mystique about it and its decentralized nature makes it quite harmless and benign. I wouldn't mind seeing more of it around just so long as they don't try to make me feel ashamed for celebrating Halloween. That goes for you Christians, too: Don't take away my Santa Claus and fireplace stockings!
So CNN, if you don't want to build into the stereotype and erroneous connection to the occult, why are you running the story at Halloween?