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The witches will be out Sunday night. Real witches.
Not the kind of witches with green faces and warts. These witches aren't boiling children in oil or sacrificing kittens or worshipping the devil.
In fact, none of those stereotypes of witches is accurate, according to religious scholars and those who practice the Wiccan religion.
"It's 900 years of bad press and a great deal of ignorance," said Stanley Modrzyk, Wiccan high priest for The First Temple of the Craft of W.I.C.A., one of the oldest legal Wiccan churches in Illinois, based in Berwyn.
Wicca is a restoration of the ancient Celtic religion, according to the Rev. Julian von Duerbeck of St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle. A Catholic priest, von Duerbeck teaches world and ancient religions at Benet High School and Benedictine University in Lisle.
"We would classify Wicca as a nature religion, one that emphasizes the importance of ecology and the magical energies which are in nature," von Duerbeck said.
Yes, Wiccans are witches and cast spells.
No, they don't worship Satan or hurt people. And Wiccans aren't just women.
"A Wiccan is one who practices witchcraft," said MaryAgnes D. Costello, a Wiccan priestess and coven member from Maryland. "Witches are pagan, but not all pagans are witches."
Think of it like this: If you are Catholic, you are Christian, but not all Christians are Catholic. Pagan is term that applies to someone who doesn't practice Christian, Jewish or Muslim religions.
For Wiccans, Oct. 31 is a feast day - called Sam-hain (pronounced Sow-win) - that honors the dead and celebrates the new year. It's no coincidence that it falls on the day before Christians celebrate All Saints Day, also known as Allhallows.
"(Early Christians) were trying to take a day that already was sacred and give a Christian perspective...