Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44375-2003Oct30.html

On October 31, 2003 The Washington Post reported on a new book on Wiccans that applies social science techniques and unearths certain demographic patterns. "Typically, Wiccans are white, college-educated and middle class, according to 'Voices from the Pagan Census: A National Survey of Witches and Neo-Pagans in the United States,' which polled 2,000 believers...

Source: Forward

http://www.forward.com/issues/2003/03.10.31/living1.html

On October 31, 2003 Forward published an article on Jewish "witches," or individuals who "have a strong sense of Jewish identity but also practice magic, cast spells and tend to identify with 'goddess-directed' worship. Their beliefs run the gamut from strict monotheists to those who worship a pantheon of goddesses... their numbers could be in the hundreds. In September, Jewitchery.com site...

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/116/story_11615_1.html

On October 31, 2003 Beliefnet published an editorial by Selena Fox on her experiences as a Wiccan in rural Wisconsin. "At nightfall on October 31 we celebrate the Feast of the Dead in my household. I set a place at the kitchen table and invite our deceased loved ones and ancestors to be with us there in spirit... Later in the evening, and on several subsequent nights, I review family history...

Source: Heartland News

[kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=1503111&nav=8H3xIp1q]

On October 31, 2003 the Heartland News reported that "Halloween is just around the corner, but for some people it's not just a time to dress up or go trick or treating; it's time to focus on a much more spiritual event. Wiccans are people who have earth based pagan beliefs, and part of a religion that's not only one of the fastest growing religions across the country, but also one that's gained the support of hundreds of believers here in the...

Source: The New York Times

Source: Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03300/234525.stm

On October 27, 2003 Post-Gazette reported that many children of conservative Christian, Jewish or Muslim religious traditions will opt out of Halloween parties this year because they view Halloween as a day that commemorates the devil or encourages pagan worship. "'There is a cultural war over Halloween,' said Charles Haynes, a senior scholar at the First Amendment Center who has become a national expert...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3203687.stm

On October 22, 2003 the BBC News reported that "a Norwegian woman setting up shop as a witch has been awarded a government grant worth 53,000 kroner ($7,500; �4,500). Her business, Forest Witch Magic Consulting, will tell fortunes, teach magic tricks at corporate seminars, and offer potions and creams to cure for problems ranging from sleeplessness to bad habits.

A condition of the grant is that...

Source: Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows News

Source: The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=61197&ran=105263

On October 18, 2003 The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star published an editorial in which Michael Murphy discussed the unease with which many pagans celebrate Halloween. "Most Pagans will, as I do, stay at home and find private ways to celebrate," he writes. "It isn't that we don't want to participate publicly in the occasion; we...

Source: Des Moines Register

http://www.dmregister.com/business/stories/c4789010/22452013.html

On October 16, 2003 Des Moines Register profiled Jo VonStein, a Wiccan practitioner and the owner of a Des Moines store specializing in Wiccan Practices. VonStein claims that her eclectic methods of counseling and teaching are today reaching a broad spectrum of Des Moines residents, with Iowa residents embracing her philosophy. "Some of the people who...

Source: The Sylva Herald

http://www.thesylvaherald.com/a-pagans_100903.htm

On October 9, 2003 The Sylva Herald reported that "religious debate returned to Sylva last week as a local Baptist preacher and pagan high priestess traded volleys during an Oct. 2 meeting of Sylva's town board. Speaking for the pagans, High Priestess Lianna Costantino-Cardon of the Sylvan Hearth Pagan Temple refuted statements the Rev. Larry Perry made about her group during the board's Sept. 4...

Source: The Press and Journal

Source: Laurel Leader

Source: The Morning Sun

http://morningsun.net/stories/092803/loc_20030928046.shtml

On September 28, 2003 The Morning Sun reported: "At first sight, the gathering Saturday at Lincoln Park could have been a typical church picnic, with burgers on the grill and children playing on the grass. But there were a few differences, such as all the tie-dye clothing and the drums, and the 5 p.m. ritual in observance of Mabon. 'That's the Autumn Equinox, and perhaps the...

Source: Azle News Online

http://www.azle-news.com/news/get-news.asp?id=2393&catid=1&cpg=get-news. asp

On September 26, 2003 Azle News Online reported that "a [Texas] school district policy that allows student-led religious groups to meet allowed the formation of Azle High School’s first 'pagan' club this year. After a failed attempt to form such a club two years ago, AHS senior Ashleigh Skaggs got permission to form SPELL (Society of...