The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Wiccans in the US military are mourning the dead in Afghanistan this year as they mark Samhain, the original Halloween

  • Written by Helen A. Berger, Affliate Scholar at the Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University
Wiccans in the US military are mourning the dead in Afghanistan this year as they mark Samhain, the original Halloween

For most Americans, Halloween is a fun holiday when homes are decorated with symbols of the supernatural – witches, goblins and spirits – and costumed children go door to door collecting candy.

Halloween traces its roots to Samhain, a harvest holiday celebrated by the ancient Celts. These original inhabitants of the British Isles believed that the veil between the worlds of the living and dead was at its thinnest at this time of year. They left out treats[1] for spirits they believed would be returning to their former homes.

Today, Samhain is one of the eight major holidays in Wicca, a religion partly inspired by the practices of pre-Christian Britain[2]. Followers of Wicca are known as witches, regardless of their gender identity. Samhain, which is celebrated on Oct. 31, marks the Wiccan new year. It is a somber holiday to remember and mourn those who have died but also to celebrate death as part of the natural cycle of life.

As a scholar of contemporary paganism[3], I am aware that Samhain this year will be particularly poignant for Wiccans who are members or veterans of the U.S. military as they remember the fallen and process the aftermath of the 20-year war in Afghanistan.

Wiccan rituals

Wicca is one of the most popular forms of contemporary paganism, a set of religions whose practices are inspired by pre-Christian religions. In all of these religions – which include Hellenic paganism[4], druidry[5] and heathenism[6], among others – both the Earth and the spirits that are believed to reside in animate and inanimate objects are seen as sacred.

Rituals called sabbats[7] are central to Wicca. In each of these rituals a connection is made between the seasonal changes in nature[8] and what is occurring in people’s lives.

During Samhain, participants are asked to reflect on the death in nature and the shortening of daylight that occurs this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere. These images are then invoked in the ritual, in which those present typically form a circle around an altar that holds symbols of the season, such as colorful leaves, pomegranates and cornstalks. The gods and goddesses of the four directions – north, south, east and west – are called on to join the circle.

Normally there is a reading, often quite poetic, that describes the time of year and the changes that are occurring in nature and in the lives of those in the circle. I have attended Samhain rituals in which participants call out names of the dead whom they wish to honor and remember. Sometimes people bring a photo or other object associated with the deceased person.

Samhain is also a time for Wiccans to journey inward, as if they are entering Mother Earth’s “womb,” to reflect on their lives and particularly on areas that need correction or change. They focus on experiences – such as healing physical or emotional wounds, writing a book, or starting a new career – they hope will come to life in the spring[9].

Hands with sharp red nails arrange a display of candles, herbs, pumpkin, nuts, dry leaves and berries.
Samhain rituals connect the seasonal changes in nature to changes occurring in people’s lives. автор/ iStock Collection via Getty Images[10]

Wicca in the military

Since the late 1970s, Wicca has been included in the military chaplains handbook[11]. After a long court battle, the pentagram – a five-pointed star associated with Wicca – became an accepted symbol[12] for military gravestones in 2007.

The first official pagan circle – which is a gathering of Wiccans and other pagans – to take place on a military base was at Fort Hood, Texas, in 1997. Despite blowback from some Christian churches[13], the military reiterated its long-standing policy of supporting religious freedom for its members.

Others followed. For example, in North Carolina, Fort Bragg’s open circles – which are Wiccan gatherings open to anyone who wants to participate – celebrated their 20th anniversary[14] on Oct. 2, 2021.

There are no official statistics on how many Wiccans are in the military. However, Circle Sanctuary[15], a Wisconsin-based nonprofit church and nature preserve, has a partial list of 46 pagan circles it has sponsored and endorsed at military installations throughout the U.S. and abroad, including in Afghanistan[16].

To be recognized at a military site, a pagan circle must be endorsed by a recognized religious organization. Circle Sanctuary has endorsed the most pagan circles on military sites.

[This Week in Religion, a global roundup each Thursday. Sign up.[17]]

Fort Bragg and beyond

At Fort Bragg this year, Samhain rituals will focus on healing for military personnel who served in Afghanistan and their families.

The Rev. Christine Ahrens[18], a volunteer pagan chaplain, is using the seven stages of grief[19] – denial, guilt, bargaining, depression, upward turn, reconstruction and acceptance – as a central element at the open circle.

Ahrens told me earlier this month that she hopes Wiccans who served in Afghanistan and their friends and family members use this time of going inward to process their feelings about the end of the war and the deaths or injuries that they or their loved ones sustained.

Fort Bragg deployed tens of thousands[20] of troops to Afghanistan. Service members and their families on the base have reported feeling anger and disappointment[21] in the wake of the U.S. exit. Ahrens hopes the circle will begin the process of coming to acceptance or internal peace.

Samhain rituals will occur on the night of Oct. 31 on military bases and college campuses, in people’s homes and at other gatherings across the country. As many Americans mourn personal losses and the continuing restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe everyone can benefit from spending time this Halloween not only handing out candy but contemplating the seeds of change they wish to plant for the spring.

References

  1. ^ left out treats (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ practices of pre-Christian Britain (global.oup.com)
  3. ^ contemporary paganism (scholar.google.com)
  4. ^ Hellenic paganism (www.paganfed.org)
  5. ^ druidry (www.bloomsbury.com)
  6. ^ heathenism (www.equinoxpub.com)
  7. ^ sabbats (www.sussex-academic.com)
  8. ^ seasonal changes in nature (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ come to life in the spring (uscpress.com)
  10. ^ автор/ iStock Collection via Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com)
  11. ^ in the military chaplains handbook (www.nytimes.com)
  12. ^ accepted symbol (www.nytimes.com)
  13. ^ blowback from some Christian churches (www.washingtonpost.com)
  14. ^ 20th anniversary (wildhunt.org)
  15. ^ Circle Sanctuary (www.circlesanctuary.org)
  16. ^ including in Afghanistan (www.circlesanctuary.org)
  17. ^ Sign up. (theconversation.com)
  18. ^ The Rev. Christine Ahrens (www.facebook.com)
  19. ^ using the seven stages of grief (www.recover-from-grief.com)
  20. ^ deployed tens of thousands (www.fayobserver.com)
  21. ^ feeling anger and disappointment (www.fayobserver.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/wiccans-in-the-us-military-are-mourning-the-dead-in-afghanistan-this-year-as-they-mark-samhain-the-original-halloween-168555

The Times Features

Why a Garage Shed is the Perfect Addition to Your Property

The most straightforward and most wholesome extension for any property. A garage shed is a potential solution for you, whether you are looking for an additional space for storage...

Revitalising Homes Through Strategic Architectural Renewal

Residential window replacement is one of the few home improvement interventions that goes far beyond simple aesthetic upgrades. Door frames and windows constitute these vital archi...

The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Speech Therapy For Children

Speech therapy has long been a standard for supporting children’s communication and emotional development. But what happens when you introduce a furry friend into the process? Th...

The Hidden Dangers of Blocked Drains and the Ultimate Solution for a Hassle-Free Home

Drain blockages are a big hassle to every homeowner and business owner alike. Whether it is a sink in the kitchen or bathroom, a clogged toilet, or a foul smell circulating aroun...

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Times Magazine

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

LayBy Shopping