This article ran in the September 22, 1999, edition of the Westsider (vol. 6 no. 11), a community newspaper run by LA Independent Newspapers. It was written by Lawrence C. Ross, Jr. (Very cool guy). But the article is mistaken when it says "The 40 Pagans who gathered on the northwest lawn of the Federal Building ..." There were 150 people at the event, 75 of whom participated in ritual.

A PAGAN CELEBRATION

by Lawrence C. Ross, Jr.

When people think of witches and warlocks, the first thing that may come to mind is the late Elizabeth Montgomery, who played a witch in the 1960’s television show "Bewitched." With a scrunch of her mouth, Montgomery could turn a neighbor into a donkey. Or her young daughter, Tabitha, could crinkle her nose and make things fly.

But if you ask Brian Ewing, who really is a witch, he’ll tell you those images are just popular stereotypes. And yes, he’s a witch - not a warlock.

"A warlock is actually not a good term to be called," says Ewing. "It’s a Scottish term meaning oathbreaker."

The 40 Pagans who gathered on the northwest lawn of the Federal Building in Westwood Sunday afternoon were joining Ewing as they celebrated Pagan Pride Day. As part of a 61-city National Pagan Pride Day celebration, the local version in Los Angeles consisted of drumming, rituals and general information about the Pagan movement.

The term Pagan is an umbrella term for a belief system with many facets. But most Pagan practitioners have a belief system or religion based in nature. And not all witches are the same.

"Just there as all Baptists are Christians, not all Christians are Baptists," says Frater Hrumachis, the local leader of a Pagan group called the Ordo Templi Orientis.

Paganism is a broad, eclectic and modern religious movement that encompasses shamanistic, ecstatic, polytheistic and magical religions. Most of the religions termed Pagan are characterized by nature centered spirituality, honoring pre-Christian deities, dynamic personal belief systems, a lack of institutionalization and the acceptance of diversity.

Paganism is a worldwide phenomenon and includes revived and updated ancient European practices and religions, feminist goddess worship and religions inspired by science fiction writings. Many traditions celebrate rituals to mark transitions in the natural world, such as solstice, lunar phases or birth, as well as in a person’s life.

Modern witchcraft is called Wicca, which is traditionally based on the teachings of an Englishman named Gerald Gardner. Traditional Wiccans believe in the balance of male-female divinity.

Sunday’s gathering also allowed Pagans of every stripe to celebrate the fall equinox, which in Europe was traditionally observed with a harvest feast to celebrate and share the abundance of the past season.

"Our beliefs are based on nature," says Pat Devin, who is the co-national public information chair for The Covenant of the Goddess, a federation of Wiccan covens, or assemblies, that was created to secure for Wicca the same rights enjoyed by other religions.

"Rangers love us when we use the campgrounds at Angelus Crest," Devin adds. "We leave it in better shape than when we found it because of our respect for nature."

The tables set up on the lawn Sunday gave out information about the various Pagan groups in Southern California. One of the nation’s oldest occult stores in Los Angeles is Panpipes in Hollywood, which has been in business since 1961.

"I’m kind of the old curmudgeon of the occult camp," laugh George Derby, (employee) of Panpipes. "But I always said that there was a need for a Pagan Pride Day, and I thought that I should come out and support it."

Derby, who brought information and gift certificates, says Paganism is the only thing that he’s ever known.

"During the 1930’s to the 50’s, my mother was the most well-known card reader in New Orleans," says Derby.

According to Ewing, Paganism is a growing movement, and that most pagans would like to be able to be open with their beliefs.

"A lot of pagans are in the computer industry," he says. "I don’t know if that has anything to do with it being a new technology, and our beliefs being something new. But most pagans would like not to have to hide their beliefs. And we hope Pagan Pride Day helps."