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LETTER
Witches won't hurt a tree
16/08/2006 16:04 - (SA)
Dear Editor,
I have been reading the last couple of articles that you have published on Satanism. I am a Pagan and take offence to the comments, which are made out of ignorance.
Firstly, there have been comments made like "witches Mecca" (referring to the West Rand). In the Pagan religion I am also seen as a witch and also live in the West Rand, but that definitely does not make me a Satanist.
I understand that Satanists also call themselves witches, but please then mention them as "Satanic witches", as a Pagan witch believes that all life forms are sacred and basically won't even hurt a tree, we do not sacrifice any living thing, ever!
Also the Pentagram is often referred to as a Satanist symbol. It is not. It was originally and still is a Pagan symbol. Satanists only turn it upside down to represent the goats head, but the Pentagram itself is a symbol of the divine feminine, and there is nothing evil about it.
It is like saying the cross is a Satanic symbol, just because they turn it upside down or add different things to it does not change the fact that it is a Christian symbol. It is a beautiful thing, but it has been turned into something evil by Satanists.
I just don't feel that it is fair to label the Pentagram, in its original form as a Satanic symbol. Pagan holidays are also referred to as Satanic holidays. We have celebrations on the Solstices, Equinoxes, and Halloween etc. There are eight holidays a year.
Even a full moon to us is something to be enjoyed. Just because Satanists choose to have rituals on these days do not make the days or the holidays evil. I have heard of plenty people talking about Halloween being a Satanic holiday, it has no Satanic meaning, it has no evil meaning and is actually a very spiritual day for Pagans where they get a chance to say farewell to the loved ones that passed over during the previous year. There is nothing evil about it. Still it gets marked as a Satanic holiday.
I am aware that many of the misconceptions are due to ignorance, but I have now given you the facts. The "facts" in the papers and media ridiculed me and my beliefs, people fear the word Witch, when I am not to be feared, they are even believing that Pagan and Wicca and Witchcraft are all related to Satanism, when it is not at all.
We have the oldest religion on earth. It is one to be respected and admired, but never feared. We believe all life forms are sacred, our witches creed states "With love to all and harm to none".
Yolande Steyn, Krugersdorp
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