By John Burton
RED BANK – It’s the season of the harvest and of Halloween just past, and a continuing celebration of all things scary, including goblins and ghouls and zombies, oh my… But witches get a bum rap, some believe.
“I think the problem with people is,” suspected Chris Midose, who co-owns and operates Monmouth Street’s Earth Spirit, “when they think witchcraft they think Satanism.
“It has nothing to do with that.”
Midose has operated Earth Spirit, a Metaphysical book and supply shop, 25 Monmouth St., for 25 years. Midose has psychic and astrology readings and his shop continues to be the go-to place for incense, crystals, tarot cards and New Age music.
But Midose doesn’t consider himself a witch. “I have a very open spirituality,” he said, explaining that his brand of spirituality to a large degree embraces Wicca, which many see as a form of witchcraft. “I’m very motivated by it.”
Natalie Zaman, who as well gravitates toward the ancient practice of Wicca, does consider herself a witch (though she’s quick to say she eschews labels). The term is used in relationship to the Wiccan practice. And that Zaman describes as “an embrace of the natural and supernatural and a dual deity.” That deity combines both feminine and masculine qualities, equal and opposite divine cosmic forces. “It’s all part of the same one,” Zaman said.
In essence, “It’s a modern interpretation of ancient pagan rituals,” Midose explained. It is practiced individually and in groups called covens.
Zaman, a Bridgewater resident, is an author who has contributed to a series of almanacs on mysticism and New Age spiritualism; for her latest work, about the magical tradition in the U.S., she has interviewed and collaborated with Midose. In addition, Zaman has written a series of young adult novels.
Halloween is one of the six major Wiccan holidays (which includes the twice annual equinox among them) and is the most important. For most Halloween is a celebration of the scary, maybe get dressed up in some kind of costume and for kids to collect hyperactivity-inducing junk food from the neighbors. But for wiccans it is actually a big deal, maybe even their most important holiday. “This is a welcoming time,” Zaman observed. “It is fun, sure,” she continued, “but it’s a serious holiday; it’s solemn.” For believers it’s a day about honoring the dead, especially loved ones, with hope of reconnecting with them.
The omnipresent jack-o-lanterns, carved out of pumpkins (which are still seen on people’s front porches) are really part of the ancient pagan tradition. Illuminated with candles (and now more likely by electric or batteries), “The light would be welcoming your ancestors,” Zaman said. The use of pumpkins, by the way, is a North American tradition. In pre-Christian Europe, especially in the Celtic isles, people would carve turnips. “But turnips are difficult to carve,” Zaman observed.
Wicca is actually recognized by the U.S. Government as a religion, Midose pointed out.
“This is not evil,” Zaman stressed. “It is about healing and balance.”
And about using the four basic elements – water, air, fire earth (and the fifth being spiritualism) as forces of the universe, Midose outlined.
“As a form of spirituality, bringing comfort and healing,” is its role, he said. “Which any religion, worth its salt is suppose to do.”
Of course, some have corrupted the principles for their own purposes but that has been the case in all religions, Midose maintained.
“And unlike any other religion,” he contended, “Wiccans don’t practice discrimination.”
As a witch Zaman does work on casting spells. Unlike how they’re portrayed in pop culture, what spells amount to are prayers. It’s not like in the Harry Potter novels and movies. “I think people really think this is how magic works,” Zaman said, with a note of incredulity in her voice. “Magic is really focused energy,” Zaman hoped people would appreciate.
The vilification of what they accept started long before the accepted images made their way in to our popular culture consciousness. That public relations battle started back prior to the Middle Ages, when Christianity was looking to gain a stake hold in Western Europe.
“The best way is to demonize it, right?” Midose noted.
