It might not be considered by some a traditional religion but this weekend its followers hope to raise awareness and shatter stereotypes.
This Saturday is the 8th annual Autumn Moon Festival celebrating Pagan Pride Day in Virginia Beach.
The woman helping coordinate the festival admits she's a practicing witch. She says she's proud of it and there's nothing to fear.
Deborah Foley is co-owner of The Mystic Moon. She calls it a working witch-craft store.
"I come to the altar in the morning I light the candles I light the incense. I focus on first and foremost on healing."
"I follow a path of Celtic traditionalist and I consider myself a descendant of Irish Scottish witches so yes I'm a practicing witch."
Deborah says witchcraft is just one of many belief systems that falls under paganism.
"We believe in nature, honoring nature, honoring of humanity and respect for all life in universe."
Which is one of the reasons she's helping organize an event this Saturday in Virginia Beach - the 8th annual autumn moon festival celebrating pagan pride. Deborah hopes it will raise awareness.
"Just have an alternative way, according to the norm of society, of celebrating our spirituality."
In addition to dispelling myths about paganism there will be a lot of stuff going on at the festival, including workshops on how to do spirit dances. There will also be a pagan choir performing, and a ritual of thanksgiving offering honoring the earth.
"Magic is basically the rule of what you send out you get back. You send out positive energy and love and healing and harmony and you get those things back."
If you're interested in checking out the 8th annual Autumn Moon Festival celebrating Pagan pride it's this Saturday in Virginia Beach from 10 to 7 at Bayville Farms Park shelter number 3.
This Saturday is the 8th annual Autumn Moon Festival celebrating Pagan Pride Day in Virginia Beach.
The woman helping coordinate the festival admits she's a practicing witch. She says she's proud of it and there's nothing to fear.
Deborah Foley is co-owner of The Mystic Moon. She calls it a working witch-craft store.
"I come to the altar in the morning I light the candles I light the incense. I focus on first and foremost on healing."
"I follow a path of Celtic traditionalist and I consider myself a descendant of Irish Scottish witches so yes I'm a practicing witch."
Deborah says witchcraft is just one of many belief systems that falls under paganism.
"We believe in nature, honoring nature, honoring of humanity and respect for all life in universe."
Which is one of the reasons she's helping organize an event this Saturday in Virginia Beach - the 8th annual autumn moon festival celebrating pagan pride. Deborah hopes it will raise awareness.
"Just have an alternative way, according to the norm of society, of celebrating our spirituality."
In addition to dispelling myths about paganism there will be a lot of stuff going on at the festival, including workshops on how to do spirit dances. There will also be a pagan choir performing, and a ritual of thanksgiving offering honoring the earth.
"Magic is basically the rule of what you send out you get back. You send out positive energy and love and healing and harmony and you get those things back."
If you're interested in checking out the 8th annual Autumn Moon Festival celebrating Pagan pride it's this Saturday in Virginia Beach from 10 to 7 at Bayville Farms Park shelter number 3.
