Pagans have flocked to one of the spiritual homes of Christianity for a weekend of magic, music and witchcraft.
The annual Goddess Festival and Parade kicked off yesterday in the cathedral city of Canterbury, with visitors promised a large number of performances and exhibitors.
Wrongly associated with devil-worship and witchcraft, paganism is an umbrella term for a number of religions – including druidry and heathenry – which are almost all focused around nature.
Organiser Matthew Callow, 19, told Kent on Sunday he had received no complaints over choosing Canterbury to host the event.
He said: “Paganism has nothing to do with the Devil – that was just an old Christian concept used to scare people away from paganism. We have a saying ‘harm none, do what you will’, which means do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody.
“Canterbury is very multi-cultural and all sorts of people and religions are welcome.
“We’ve had no problems at all and everyone has been supportive in what we are trying to achieve.”
A Canterbury Cathedral spokesman said he did not realise such a festival was taking place in the city, but added that “Christianity is the best form of religion”.
He added: “People are free to make their own choices about what they want to do, but I think they’re better off going to church.”
Giants, drummers, dancers, stilt-walkers and magical performers were all due to take part in yesterday’s opening parade through the main high street, which marked the opening of the festival in the Westgate Hall.
Today’s opening ceremony takes place at 10.30am and will be led by modern witches Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, who have written a number of books on paganism, magic and witchcraft.
Performances will be given by a number of spiritual groups including Faeries Wear Boots, and Dragonfly Moon, while visitors will be able to take part in workshops on dance, musical instruments and chanting.
Mr Callow said: “There are all sorts of things going on and anybody can come along.
“We are celebrating the freedom to express what we believe in because a lot of people still don’t understand what paganism about. We believe there is a Goddess as well as a God, and that nature is sacred and should be respected.
“Hopefully as many people as possible come along and find out what it’s all about.
“I have lots of friends who have no spiritual beliefs at all, but when I explain to them what paganism is they seem to understand it a lot more than some other religions.”
Admission to the festival is £5 for adults, £2.50 for children and £2 for pensioners.
See www.goddessfestivals.co.uk for details.
POSTED: 16/08/2009 13:00:00
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