Sunday, September 17, 2000

Pagans greet equinox

By Jason Kosareff
Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH Practitioners of paganism gathered Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Church in the Los Altos area to celebrate the autumnal equinox, the start of fall.

Pagan Pride Day 2000 was much like any ordinary fair or picnic on a warm, sunny day with a gentle breeze rustling through the trees on the church grounds at Atherton Street and Bellflower Boulevard.

More than 400 came for a festival that rings in the harvest season.

"Pagans are just like everyone else," said organizer Brian Ewing, who considers himself a witch.

So, what is modern paganism?

It boils down to a reverence for nature, which pagans symbolize with different gods and goddesses. Each god or goddess symbolizes a different aspect of nature, Ewing said.

Paganism is a blanket term, like Christianity, with many sects that fall under it, such as druids and Wiccans.

Despite misconceptions, pagans do not, in any way, worship the devil, organizers said.

They do cast spells, Ewing said, however the spells are more like prayers a request for guidance or assistance, he added.

"Most people have some Pagan beliefs and don't even realize it," said Peggy Jentoft.

Popular icons like Easter eggs and Christmas trees are symbols originating in Pagan beliefs, she said.

Though hosted on church grounds, the Unitarians did not sponsor the festival.