Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble
Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble
NAOMI CANTON
03 November 2006 09:53
At a secret location in Norwich, a group of witches, priestesses and healers gathered for a pagan ritual to celebrate one of the most important days in their calendar.
The day after Halloween is the Pagan New Year and the time when witches remember the dead and keep their memories of ancestors alive in their minds.
The Norwich Chant Collective, made up of 28 people from all walks of life, ages and spiritual persuasions, gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the festival.
The ritual began with cleansing the space with salt, water and a broomstick. They then cast a circle, setting up four altars representing the four elements of air, water, fire and earth.
This was followed by a quiet meditation where those present thought about those who had died, a poem was read and then the priestesses asked for the blessings of the four elements.
A large candle-lit spiral dance was performed, followed by the passing of bread and wine around the circle as a blessing. The group chanted in between each ritual, but no spells or magic were performed.
Gee Dunn, a priestess, witch and facilitator of the collective, said: “We had an eclectic group of people there; some perform magic, some were healers and some were people who didn't identify themselves as pagans but wanted to find out more.
“Halloween is one of the big rituals. For us it's a time of connection with the old, to contemplate the years that have gone, contemplate those we have lost and get a sense of oneness in this landscape and in this place.
“It's an opportunity to honour our ancestors and forebears and remember them and welcome in the new year, that's the key thing, to take time out of every day to contemplate who we are and reconnect with our forebears, the people who loved us but are no longer here.”
The 50-year-old, who lives in York Street, said people were becoming increasingly intrigued by paganism, while some chose to experiment with the power of chanting as a way of meditation.
She said: “There is a lot of interest in the pagan community in Norwich. We feel like we are accepted in the city, but the problem is it's hard for people to find out about us.
“By and large I have not had any prejudice and I am quite open about my practice, but lots of people are quite private. Many of the people who come here have regular jobs and family lives and practise as witches in private.”
The Norwich Chant Collective was formed in 1999. It meets every fortnight to chant and they hold full moon gatherings as well as celebrating the eight pagan festivals.
Paganism:
Paganism describes a group of contemporary religions based on a reverence for nature.
Pagans draw their faiths from the traditional religions of indigenous peoples throughout the world.
Wiccans , druids and shamans all make up parts of the Pagan community.
The Pagan Federation of Great Britain has no precise figures, but estimates the number of Pagans in the British Isles is between 50,000 and 200,000.
The recognition of the divine in nature is at the heart of Pagan belief. Pagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death.
Most Pagans are eco-friendly, seeking to live in a way that minimises harm to the natural environment and almost all Pagans celebrate a cycle of eight festivals, which are spaced every six or seven weeks through the year.
Pagan ritual may consist of informal prayer or meditation, or of formal, structured rituals through which the participants affirm their deep spiritual connection with nature, honour their Gods and Goddesses, and celebrate the seasonal festivals of the turning year and the rites of passage of human life.
One of these festivals Samhain, also known as All Hallow's Eve, takes place on October 31 and November 1.
Religious witchcraft is a Pagan mystery religion worshipping Goddess and Gods and venerating the Divine in nature.
For more information on the collective, log on to www.norwichchantcollective.org
Are a member of an unusual group? To share your story, e-mail Naomi Canton at naomi.canton@archant.co.uk or call her on 01603 772418.
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| Ruth Sanders performs a Halloween ritual. |
03 November 2006 09:53
At a secret location in Norwich, a group of witches, priestesses and healers gathered for a pagan ritual to celebrate one of the most important days in their calendar.
The day after Halloween is the Pagan New Year and the time when witches remember the dead and keep their memories of ancestors alive in their minds.
The Norwich Chant Collective, made up of 28 people from all walks of life, ages and spiritual persuasions, gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the festival.
The ritual began with cleansing the space with salt, water and a broomstick. They then cast a circle, setting up four altars representing the four elements of air, water, fire and earth.
This was followed by a quiet meditation where those present thought about those who had died, a poem was read and then the priestesses asked for the blessings of the four elements.
A large candle-lit spiral dance was performed, followed by the passing of bread and wine around the circle as a blessing. The group chanted in between each ritual, but no spells or magic were performed.
Gee Dunn, a priestess, witch and facilitator of the collective, said: “We had an eclectic group of people there; some perform magic, some were healers and some were people who didn't identify themselves as pagans but wanted to find out more.
“Halloween is one of the big rituals. For us it's a time of connection with the old, to contemplate the years that have gone, contemplate those we have lost and get a sense of oneness in this landscape and in this place.
“It's an opportunity to honour our ancestors and forebears and remember them and welcome in the new year, that's the key thing, to take time out of every day to contemplate who we are and reconnect with our forebears, the people who loved us but are no longer here.”
The 50-year-old, who lives in York Street, said people were becoming increasingly intrigued by paganism, while some chose to experiment with the power of chanting as a way of meditation.
She said: “There is a lot of interest in the pagan community in Norwich. We feel like we are accepted in the city, but the problem is it's hard for people to find out about us.
“By and large I have not had any prejudice and I am quite open about my practice, but lots of people are quite private. Many of the people who come here have regular jobs and family lives and practise as witches in private.”
The Norwich Chant Collective was formed in 1999. It meets every fortnight to chant and they hold full moon gatherings as well as celebrating the eight pagan festivals.
Paganism:
Paganism describes a group of contemporary religions based on a reverence for nature.
Pagans draw their faiths from the traditional religions of indigenous peoples throughout the world.
Wiccans , druids and shamans all make up parts of the Pagan community.
The Pagan Federation of Great Britain has no precise figures, but estimates the number of Pagans in the British Isles is between 50,000 and 200,000.
The recognition of the divine in nature is at the heart of Pagan belief. Pagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death.
Most Pagans are eco-friendly, seeking to live in a way that minimises harm to the natural environment and almost all Pagans celebrate a cycle of eight festivals, which are spaced every six or seven weeks through the year.
Pagan ritual may consist of informal prayer or meditation, or of formal, structured rituals through which the participants affirm their deep spiritual connection with nature, honour their Gods and Goddesses, and celebrate the seasonal festivals of the turning year and the rites of passage of human life.
One of these festivals Samhain, also known as All Hallow's Eve, takes place on October 31 and November 1.
Religious witchcraft is a Pagan mystery religion worshipping Goddess and Gods and venerating the Divine in nature.
For more information on the collective, log on to www.norwichchantcollective.org
Are a member of an unusual group? To share your story, e-mail Naomi Canton at naomi.canton@archant.co.uk or call her on 01603 772418.
posted by Aestrea Raven at Friday, November 03, 2006
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