Wiccan's In The News

[CatsEyeOfTheWiccan]

SALEM, Massachusetts (AP) -- A self-proclaimed high priestess of Salem witches and a second person were accused of tossing raccoon parts on the doorsteps of businesses, allegedly as part of a Wiccan community feud.

Sharon Graham, 46, and a fellow Wiccan, Frederick Purtz, 22, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of littering and malicious destruction of property. Graham also was charged with intimidating a witness.

They were accused of putting a raccoon head and entrails on the doorsteps of Angelica of the Angels and the Goddess' Treasure Chest in May.

Salem, a historic seaport famous for holding witch trials in the 17th century, has an active Wiccan community and thriving witch-related tourism.

David Gavegnano, a lawyer for Graham, and Sean Wynne, a lawyer for Purtz, both denied that their clients had anything to do with the incident. They also argued that at any rate, the malicious destruction charge wasn't valid because the storefronts weren't permanently damaged.

A witness, Richard Watson, told police he accompanied Graham, Purtz and other people when they put the raccoon remains on the doorsteps. He said Graham hoped to frame a Wiccan businessman who had fired Graham from a psychic telephone business last spring.

Watson also said Graham had a disagreement with the owners of the two targeted businesses over proposed regulations that would limit the number of psychics who come to the city during the Halloween season. He said he was told the group had found the raccoon dead.

Gavegnano declined to comment on Watson's accusations Thursday. Wynne told The Boston Herald said there were probably "internal issues within the Wiccan community," but the tossing of raccoon entrails may be a "bastardization" of Wiccan practice because the religion doesn't condone harming others.

sorce: CNN

-CatsEye

[Homicidalheathen]

sounds like a set up

[Fierce Critter]

Actually, I wouldn't doubt it.

There are, unfortunately, wack-jobs who pervert the whole meaning of what it is to be Wiccan and give non-pagans plenty of ammunition to decry Wicca as a bunch of hooey.

[Steven]

Actually, I wouldn't doubt it.

There are, unfortunately, wack-jobs who pervert the whole meaning of what it is to be Wiccan and give non-pagans plenty of ammunition to decry Wicca as a bunch of hooey.

had to chuckle a little bit - I feel the same way about certain people within the body of Christ.....

[Fierce Critter]

A Wiccan, if they be true to the faith, should have buried that raccoon with ceremony, probably involving lighting brown &/or blue or gray candles, and wishing it well on it's non-earthly path.

So even if they did find it dead and didn't kill it themselves, they're still assholes in my book.

Reminds me of this chick I met who claimed to walk the path to the letter. Then I discover her working spell magick to try to get some guy she was stuck on away from his new girlfriend.

I can't help but be under the impression that the only real true Wiccans aren't the ones who walk around like freakin' billboards proclaiming themselves all over the place, but the ones who keep things more on the low-key.

Am I off topic? NOt sure. Soft brain today.

[CatsEyeOfTheWiccan]

Your all good in my book..

-CatsEye

[Troy Spiral (13)]

In this particular story there is far to little info to really make any judgment.

"Wicca" is so widely varying in its doctrines & ideas that there's no way to say what their proper actions should be to stay consistent with their own practices especially in the more animist-leaning flavors. There are so many varying mix & match-your-own religion concepts within the blanket term that its near impossible to make any generalizations.

[Medea]

Wicca as a religion is actually more structured, though it has different traditions. This is why I've strayed away from calling myself Wiccan and using what is a more blanket term by going with pagan.

Though I still use mostly Wiccan rules and guidelines.

[CatsEyeOfTheWiccan]

Wicca as a religion is actually more structured, though it has different traditions. This is why I've strayed away from calling myself Wiccan and using what is a more blanket term by going with pagan.

Though I still use mostly Wiccan rules and guidelines.

I hear ya, It's hard call my self Wiccan even thoe feel like I am natural witch..and they misconspetion us in socity..even the burning times isn't anymore.

-CatsEye