Pagans come out of the broom closet By:MATT MILNER, Courier staff writer
04/02/2005
OSKALOOSA - The seven people gathered around a table at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa do not look that different from anyone else. That, they say, is because they aren't.
A closer look shows a couple of details that many people wouldn't have. Several have pentacles, a five-pointed star within a circle, dangling from necklaces. Stars show up in many religions, but the pentacle is most closely associated with paganism.
Pagans cover a variety of religious faiths. Wicca, an earth-centered religion, may be the largest. Others adhere to Asatru, based on the Norse religion; Druidism, which stems from the ancient Celtic beliefs; Kemetic, followers of the Egyptian deities; or combinations of different philosophies and pantheons.
Even Wicca isn't monolithic. There are different denominations within it. Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Seax and eclectic Wiccans all come under the pagan classification.
Many pagans are quiet about their beliefs, avoiding public notice. Even friends and family may not know. They're said to be "in the broom closet," a tongue-in-cheek reference to the belief that witches ride brooms.
The people gathered in Oskaloosa left the broom closet. Kathryn, Maureen, Shane, Jaimie and Jeremy were asked to get together by Aiyanna Looney, a pagan cleric. Jen Freyermuth, another cleric, was called too. Most chose to give only their first names. That's not uncommon among pagans. Many are leery of public reactions, especially among those who accuse them of worshipping the devil.
"I find that the people who know less are more hostile," Kathryn said, a sentiment the rest echoed. "A lot of people come and ask questions."
One of the first questions is often about devil worship. It's something pagans become familiar with. The short answer is no, they don't worship the devil. In fact, the Christian concept of the devil isn't even recognized within many pagan faiths.
"We don't mind the questions. At least they're asking," Maureen said. An honest question opens the door for education.
Most at the table are students from Central College in Pella. Pagan students there organized a year ago. They just received formal recognition from the student senate, which voted 15-9 to accept the group's constitution as a recognized campus organization.
The margin was more than what several thought they would see. They said the group's willingness to allow students from other faiths to attend and ask questions helped.
"It wasn't as negative as I expected," Jamie said.
The group, a coven of sorts, is fairly unusual. Many pagans are solitary, working on their own as opposed to with a formal group. Many are also eclectic, taking elements of different paths for their own.
The two issues could well be related.
"When you are solitary, the information you can get is very personal. It's much more personal than with a coven," Kathleen said. "You tend to be on a certain path with a coven."
Shane started studying paganism six months ago. His experience is primarily with the coven.
"I'm a fairly new pagan, so I've been with a group since I came in," he said.
Neither solitaries nor coven work are shunned, though finding the right group can be a challenge.
"It's hard to find a coven," Jeremy said. It's important to find a coven where you fit with the others. One of the first he ran into was, in his words, "real whacked out." He didn't stay.
"I think it's an advantage to know how to do both," Jamie said. "You can be a member of a coven and still work as a solitary."
Freyermuth and Looney are ordained clergy through the Universal Life Church. The difference between an ordained pagan cleric and other pagans is not that big.
"We can sign marriages," Freyermuth said with a grin. The Universal Life Church is broadly accepting of religions. "They basically believe that everyone is inherently a minister by their own right. It's just a question of if you choose to become one."
Just why a person becomes a pagan varies. The reasons are often not all that different from why a person converts to Christianity, Islam or Judaism.
Most pagans are converts from other faiths. Some say they were never comfortable with the religion they were raised in. Some gradually grew into pagans after questioning mainstream religions. Still others say they were called, and point to specific gods and goddesses they say reached out to them.
Looney said pagans are gaining in acceptance from society. It takes time. Just how far tolerance goes varies from region to region, too.
"I think things are getting easier all the time," she said. "I think it's kind of a regional thing."
Jeremy agreed. He said Southern Iowa is so overwhelmingly Christian it can be hard at first to be different.
"It's gotten easier over time," he said, though full acceptance "may take another decade, or two, or four."
Mass media has played a role in making things easier, though it's not always a straight line forward. Ask a pagan what he or she thinks of the film "Practical Magic" or the TBS presentation of "The Mists of Avalon." Most reactions will be positive.
Then ask about "The Craft" or "The Blair Witch Project." You'll get a far different reaction. Pagans generally don't feel either movie was a particularly accurate or fair depiction of their religion.
"Harry Potter" movies have a split vote in many ways. Some believe the generally positive depiction of witches and wizards is good. Others say the public doesn't necessarily realize that the fantasy elements don't play a role in paganism. There are no quidditch games, in other words.
To these pagans, the best decision is to answer questions that come their way openly, honestly and in as straightforward a manner as possible.
"We generally want to be approachable," Freyermuth said.
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Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com.
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Resources online
www.witchvox.comA clearinghouse of information, articles and contacts with state-by-state listings.
www.mysticwicks.comA bulletin board forum for discussions on everything from deities to raising families.
www.ipan.orgHome of the Iowa Pagan Access Network, a group that meets in Coralville and coordinates events around the state.
www.ozarkavalon.netHome page for a pagan congregation and land sanctuary in mid-Missouri.
