Posted on 09/13/2007 12:14:04 PM PDT by Renfield
David W. Oliveira/Standard-Times special Participants do the sprial dance , symbolizing the journey to inner discovery, part of the Pagan Pride Festival in Lakeville.
LAKEVILLE — Drums pounded, witches danced and smudge wands wafted the aroma of burning sage and lavender on the afternoon breeze. It was Pagan Pride Day on Sunday and the gathering drew a diverse crowd that included musicians, spiritual practitioners, herbalists, crafters and the simply curious to Ted Williams camp.
Admission to the all-day event was free but all who attended were asked to contribute a non-perishable food item for local food pantries.
"It's been a very successful day," said Lisa Butler, who coordinated the event.
"We have had from three to five hundred people, and we also collected more than 400 pounds of food for local food pantries as well as about 100 pounds of pet food for the humane society."
An avowed pagan herself, Ms. Butler explained that paganism represents an earth-based, polytheistic approach to spirituality. Raised in a religious home she had embarked on her own search for meaning and that journey had eventually led her to paganism.
"To me this makes more sense," she said.
Sunday's celebration was held to mark the autumnal equinox, since ancient times an occasion for thanksgiving after the harvest.
Michelle Tompkins travelled to Lakeville from Sandwich, where she owns the Sandwich Village Herb Shop.
"I closed the store to be here today," she said. "It's good to meet up with everybody. I think these events serve to put a public face on paganism. It's good for people to see that pagans are not weird. They have kids, and are schoolteachers and nurses."
There was live music throughout the afternoon from several bands offering an eclectic blend of Celtic, mystical and New Age styles.
For 7-year-old Ian Vezina, the magic was in the handling of the exotic creatures brought to the celebration by C&D Reptiles of Providence. As many onlookers shuddered, he extended a nonchalant hand to accept the Chilean rosehair tarantula proffered by C&D's Derrick Arronholt.
"I learned a lot about reptiles," he said. "I learned that the gecco has no eyelids and has to lick his eyes to see."
Vendors offered a variety of products and services including Tarot readings, oils, incense, books, jewelry and Reiki massage.
A Boston resident who gave his name as Hermes said that he had been a practicing Gardnerian witch for 35 years. With a forked staff draped with leaves and amulets and a garland of leaves atop his head he cut a striking figure.
"Paganism is a world view," he said. "Today you are seeing people learning to live in harmony with each other and the Earth. Magic is consciously doing the right thing to make the world a better place."
This was held at Ted Williams Park.
Somehow, "Pagan Pride Day" and "Ted Williams" just don't seem to go together....
Also, apparently they didn’t realize that the Atumnal Equinox this yeaar is on September 23rd, not September 10th...
I don’t think the Equinox has been on the 10th September since the early Cretaceous period. Still, the park was probably booked up.
Pagans = fat people with tattoos.
Baseball Shocker: The Secret of Ted Williams’ Hitting was Witchcraft
they are burning stuff? But burning harms the Earth
“...Baseball Shocker: The Secret of Ted Williams’ Hitting was Witchcraft..”
Darn it!! I should have figured that out.
Thanks for clearing that up.
>> Pagans = fat people with tattoos.
ROFL!
Looking at the photo it’s easy to see how you’d draw that conclusion!
But Paganism is a “big-tent” pseudo-religion. I think they also include stupid people with tattoos. And they welcome obviously gay people with tattoos also.
We have a celebration every Sept 23rd, this year it’s my 51st. No pagans invited.
Can't help but wonder how many of these folks are pro-abortion. Seems like that would be contrary to their peaceful worldview, but track right along with their typical politics.
Pagans = fat people with tattoos
And, who are pretty much going to hell.
****************
LOL! Unintentional humour alert!
I’m a pagan/witch.
And I’m not fat, have no tattoos, don’t eat children, am pro life...
Can I ask why?
As long as they aren’t violent, though Biblically, witches and wizards are not supposed to be put up with....
Should have held it in Salem. Fond memories there ...
Why I don’t eat babies? (Cause it’s disgusting.)
Or why I’m a pagan? Because I have a lot of problems with Jewish/Christian/Islamic doctrines.
Lets not discriminate Tzimisce for his religion - there is freedom of that here in the USA you know - he is pro life and anti Hillary and that is OK in my book - I might not be a pagan but call me liberal for believing in freedom of faith.
We are all conservatives to one extent here at FR.
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