Halloween 2003: Celebrations and Spirituality

October 30, 2003

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/30/nyregion/30WITC.html?ex=1068094800&en=8c3a30ea2f3ed40f&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

On October 30, 2003 The New York Times reported on the diverse ways New York City witches will celebrate Halloween. 'In the past I've thrown huge parties,' said Kimberly Smith, 30, of Washington Heights, and a board member at Pagan Pride, a group that helps explain pagan traditions. 'It's a festive time of remembrance,' she said, 'so I've had altars stacked six or so feet high with photos and mementos of all sorts'... Although counting Wiccans in the United States is difficult, the American Religious Identification Survey estimates that the community grew to more than 134,000 in 2001 from 8,000 in 1990. As for New York City, 'Honestly, I think the Lower East Side has the highest concentration of witches,' said Joe Zuchowski."