U Weekly. Serving The Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio

A Wiccan Halloween

By Ben Becker

The Fly-by-Night store is not your typical gift shop. The proprietor, Psyche North Torok, is a Wiccan high priestess and she has been providing Clintonville with magical resources since 1995.

For sale is a double-edged blade required for cutting a pentagram into the air. Using different herbs and a variety of scented incense offered at the shop, you can cast a spell to bring more love, happiness or prosperity into your life. More than a dozen types of Tarot cards are featured, as well as a black scrying mirror, which is also used for divination.

The shop is also a gathering place and sort of community center for the pagan community in Columbus.

"It's a place where people can come and feel safe and be themselves," said Torok.

Raised Catholic in Northeast Ohio, Torok learned to love both ritual and nature. But after a period of spiritual dissatisfaction, she became enchanted by the idea of witches. Later, Torok met a high priest and priestess couple, who took her as a student.

She trained formally but was never fully initiated as a witch. Despite losing touch with her teachers, Torok continued learning. Reading every book she could find, Torok started developing her own spells and was taking on students of her own. Within five years of practicing Wicca, she had started a coven - a congregation of sorts - but she was missing something she thought was important.

"A first-degree initiation makes you a witch. A second-degree initiation makes you a high priest or priestess and able to teach and to run a coven. Some people respect that a little more and I liked the thought of having it," said Torok.

Because of her experience, her previous teachers agreed to bypass the first level and initiate Torok as a high priestess.

'If it harm none, do what you will'

Torok calls paganism any "nature-based spiritual path or way of life." Neo-paganism refers to a variety of modern religious movements based on ancient belief systems. According to Torok, Wicca is the largest neo-pagan movement in the United States and is loosely based on the pre-Christian traditions of Western and Central Europe.

"Wiccans believe in the divinity of all nature," said Torok.

According to the Fly-by-Night Web site, Wiccans follow only one rule -, the Wiccan Rede - which Torok likened to a commandment. It states, "If it harm none, do what you will."

Beyond these starting points, Torok said many Wiccans have personal deities to whom they relate. The deities come from many cultures throughout world history. Some Wiccans worship Celtic and Norse deities and others relate to Egyptian or Roman gods and goddesses.

"To me, it's all the same. I believe there is a force or energy in the universe. It drives everything and I don't think we can really ever know or understand it," explained Torok.

Part of Torok's evening routine involves paying homage to the power surging throughout the universe as well as creation. Torok said it is common practice to light candles or incense among statues depicting personal deities, although the specifics may vary per penance.

"I kind of just pray as needed. It's not real formal, but I try to maintain a contact with the deity on a regular basis," said Torok.

Ceremonies of October 31

More formal rituals are held at each full moon and during eight holidays during the year, called sabbats. The New Year - the most important holiday - is called Samhain, celebrated on Oct. 31. Pronounced SOW-en, the holiday was considered the New Year for Celts, who would cull their herds in preparation for the darkness of winter.

"It was also considered a time when the veil between the worlds was thinnest," according to Torok. "There was a lot of fear that the souls of the dead could come and get you."

Hence the tradition costumes, which served as a disguise from spirits.

Samhain is also a time for reflection.

"I personally take the opportunity to remember the dead and think about loved ones," said Torok.

As in all rituals, the Samhain ceremony includes the designation of sacred space with salt water and incense. Certain deities are invoked and invited to join the ritual as the memory of the deceased is recalled, according to Torok.

On Friday, Oct. 30, Fly-by-Night is sponsoring A Witches' Ball for the holiday. Part party and part ritual, all pagans and their friends are welcome to attend the event, to be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church at 93 W. Weisheimer Rd. Tickets can be purchased for $8 exclusively at Fly-by-Night at 4145 N. High St., or for $10 at the door.

Originally Published: October 28, 2009

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