I write with regard to the article published in this week's Guardian concerning the vicar Rod Cosh condemning Hallowe'en.
I'd like to point out that the information contained within the article was incorrect and reinforces a negative,
totally untrue stereotypical discrimanatory image of practising pagans and witches.
If articles were to criticise any main stream religion in this way there would be a public outcry of hell and damnation on those who criticise and victimise a religious group.
For the record, Paganism and Wicca (witchcraft) do not contain any evil whatsoever.
There are no real 'black witches' as true Wicca only consorts with perfect trust and perfect love.
The only rule to which Wiccans adhere to s "to do as thou wilst but without harming others".
The only 'magick' that is practised is for the greater good, and fear has no place within Paganism.
Halloween is traditionally the night when the veils between this world and the next are at their thinnest, where the spirits of those who are no longer to the earth can pass more freely between this veil and where the 'living' can make contact more easily.
Halloween at its essence does not "celebrate evil and darkness" as Rod Cosh cares to put it.
Halloween is the time to remember love ones who have passed over, to reflect on the events of the past year and to come to terms with our ultimate destiny, death.
Halloween also marks the symbolic passing of the old Pagan God of the sun, who temporarily is absent from the earth, but who awaits rebirth of the Godess at Yule.
Whilst I agree that trick or treating can be a dangerous and frightening experience in this day and age, it has nothing to do with Pagan beliefs in fear of the dead and in installing fear in others.
Christianity has tried to strip all the Pagan festivals of their sacredness and the commercialisation of Halloween is yet another example of this.
Karen Teulon
Danesbury Road
Feltham
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