For witches, Halloween is a holiday

"I am a minister and a witch," she said. For her, Halloween — or Samhain, as it is called in the Wiccan religion she has practiced for about 15 years — is one of several holidays observed during the year. The word "witch," she said, is Old English for '`wise" and applies to any practitioner of witchcraft, including followers of Wicca.

As a day when the dead are remembered, the holiday has a serious side. When she attends a service with her study group today, she said they will light candles in memory of those deceased.

"It's a joyful time, because we know their spirits are still there," she said. "We can communicate with the dead."

Members will also use the time to acknowledge other losses such as the breakup of a romance or the loss of a job.

It's considered the time of year when "the veil between this world and the spiritual world is the thinnest," said Deborah Blake, one of the seven people in the group where Kemper is a high priestess. This gave rise to the ghosts and goblins and other supernatural beings that are part of holiday lore, said Blake, a Wiccan for four years.

Following the ceremony, the group will have a party. Since Wicca is an ancient religion, she said, the celebration also marks the traditional last harvest and the start of the new year. Food at the party includes homemade cider, apples, pumpkins, squash and pasta.

Instead of the pointy hats and brooms that signify witches in popular culture, Kemper said she will wear a velvet blouse and long black skirt for the holiday. Black is a traditional color, and "it's slenderizing," she said.

Witches also like pretty cloaks and jewelry, she said.

The pictures of ugly, old witches seen in Halloween decorations probably arose out of fear, she said. Witches were involved with healing and preparing the dead for burial. In the medieval mind "that was scary stuff," she said.

Kemper, like other witches interviewed, said she wasn't offended by such commercial portrayals.

Brett Percy, owner of Pentacles in Oneonta, has been a witch for more than 10 years. Wiccans disapprove of the term "warlock," he said. It is a derogatory term from Old English, meaning "oath-breaker."

He said his group of about 25 will start the evening by marching in Oneonta's Halloween parade. He is not hesitant to speak of his beliefs. "I'd rather let people know we are here."

Afterward, he normally attends holiday rituals in Neahwa Park, he said, but because of anticipated bad weather, the ceremonies may have to go indoors.

During the ceremony, the participants form a circle, perform chants and light candles to remember the departed. For the newcomers, the Samhain story is told.

Rumors of animal sacrifices, he said, are misconceptions created to make Wicca look bad.

In fact, he said, the religion is focused only on positive energy. Witchcraft consists of healing herbs, crystals, candles and meditation.

"We get accused of being devil worshippers," said Kemper, but that has nothing to do with witches or Wicca, which she described as "a nature-oriented religion."

Area ministers have differing views on Halloween.

The Rev. David Steensma of the Wells Bridge Baptist Church said, "I can see both sides of the issue. I see it as an innocuous time to get candy."

But the Rev. Mitchell Spring of Spirit and Truth Christian Assembly in West Oneonta said, "I'm against Halloween and the practice of Halloween.

"As a believer in Jesus Christ — who said 'I am the way' — another religion, whether it is Wicca or Islam, is a bad religion," he said. "The people aren't bad, but what they believe in is."

With warnings "not to consult with familiar spirits," he said the Bible is plainly against witchcraft of any type.

But Kemper said the holiday provides a time for Wiccans to answer questions about their religion. She said this can clear up misconceptions about their religious practices.

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Mark Boshnack can be reached at (607) 563-1493 or starsidney@wirelessthinktank.com.