This weekend, doorsteps are going to have pumpkins, people are going to be putting on their favourite costumes, and children will be going door-to-door gathering scrumptious treats. But Halloween isn’t celebrated the same way for everyone.
The Mystic Book Shop
Witches, Wiccans, and pagans. “OH MY”
The witches of forest city celebrate Samhain. (Pronounced SOH-WIN)
Halloween originated from a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic tradition. Witches believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world go away, allowing connection between humans and the deceased. Mary Beechie, owns the Mystic Book shop in London. The Mystic Book shop specializes in the mystical and occult. They sell; spiritual herbs, incense, spell books, and much more. She feels that people are drawn to being self-directed in their spirituality at this time of year, and she feels that the departed are very close. Mary also said that people are coming into the store picking up special, incense and teas, that help with being more connected.
Jen Smith is a local Witch that has been practicing for 30 years. Jen is celebrating Samhain and gave us some background about herself and her beliefs.
“I grew up in another religion, but I knew it wasn’t for me, and I knew that from when I was very little because I would go to church and sort of try to feel something. It just didn’t resonate with me at all. I picked up a book from a garage sale called “The Diaries of a Witch”. I read through and instantly knew it was for me”.
She explained that the author of the book experienced nature as being religious, and its where she got her spiritual sort of response.
“This sort of witchcraft or Wicca was faith, that I never heard of before. I instantly knew I was connected, and it’s been there ever since”.
The Mystic Bookshop
Smith is part of an active coven in London. She said that everyone practices differently and that you will not get the same answers from every Witch.
“I practice very solitary, so as a solitary you can kind of do whatever you want, whenever you want. I tend to keep things very simple myself, and not have a lot of items all over my self”
She doesn’t believe in the supernatural, or devil worship. She feels that it is a misconception of Wiccan, and Pagan beliefs. But there is still some who practice that sort of craft.
“I don’t believe in the supernatural at all, mine is just experience of the natural world being sacred or divine on its own”
She explains that Witchcraft is becoming more popular, especially through social media, and there is a new term for young witches called “baby Witch”
“I think it’s quite popular right now, oddly enough. Because of social media and Tik Tok. There’s even a hashtag called witch Tok. I follow it, and most of the things the younger practitioners are doing, I’ve never heard of ”
You don’t need a pointy hat, or sacrifice blood to be a Witch. Apparently, Witches spend their time healing, celebrating life events, and drinking tea with friends.
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