Is your neighbour a witch?

Halloween is almost here, the favourite time of year of many witches and Pagans. Is your neighbour a witch? He could be and you would probably never know it unless he told you. And yes, witches and Pagan an be any sex.

Do you know if you live next door to a Pagan? Maybe you do. Paganism is the fastest growing religion in North America according to census figures, and that only counts those who openly identify as, and admit to being, Pagan when completing the forms. Many more Pagans are still hidden in the proverbial Broom Closet and keep their beliefs to themselves. Even those of us who are out rarely go around waving the fact in the faces of the people we meet every day. For a start ours is not a faith that believes in proselytisation, and we also consider that a person's faith is something between them and their gods and no-one else.

Anyway, most of us are too busy living our lives just like everyone else. We still have to juggle work, school, home, kids, bills and all the other facets of every day life. We're just like everyone else in that respect, and many others. We don't have two heads, we don't eat babies - except jelly babies. We don't put newts eyes or lizard legs in our supper, and we don't worship the devil. As an Abrahamic construction he's not even part of our cosmology so why would we worship something we don't believe in?

Generally speaking Pagans respect and honour the earth and everyone and everything on it. We note the passing of the seasons and the cycles of life, and of the Earth itself. Many of us worship in private, some alone, some in concert with like minded souls, depending on personal preference and circumstance. We consider that the gods will call who they wish to follow the Pagan path, so don't feel the need to actively seek out converts. Most of us, however, are more than happy to answer questions asked us about our beliefs as best we can.

Some of us do perform our religious rituals naked, many of us don't. Again it comes down to personal preference, location and the weather. The last being a not small consideration up here in Calgary. That and Pagans are no more likely to be exhibitionists than anyone else, so you're not likely to see us dancing naked in Olympic Plaza. Mind you, anything is possible!

Pagans respect life, so no we don't sacrifice animals or eat babies. We value children, especially our own and raise them to be free thinking individuals who know enough to be able to choose their own religion when they are mature enough to make an informed choice, even if they choose a religion different from our own. Pagans don't believe in any one right religion, only that the one a person is following is the right for that particular person. We accept and respect the existence of many gods, our own and those of others and do not disrespect the gods, holy places or sacred items of another religion. We ask only that other people show us the same respect.

Is your neighbour a witch? She could be but you probably wouldn't know just by looking at her. Pagans and witches come in all shapes, sizes and colours, and from all races, places, political affiliations and income brackets. In short, there are Pagans in all walks of life, you'd be surprised if you knew how widespread and diverse we are. But you know what? We're also just like you, we're no worse as neighbours than anyone else. Ask my neighbours, they live next door to a witch.

(Apologies for any typos - tiredness!)