Wicca, a modern pagan religious movement, has a significant presence in Colorado Springs. Located in Colorado, United States, Colorado Springs is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and is often considered a spiritual and mystical place. Wicca, with its focus on nature worship and reverence for the elements, has found a home in this vibrant and spiritually diverse city. Wiccans in Colorado Springs embrace a variety of traditions and beliefs within their practice. Many follow the teachings of Gardnerian or Alexandrian Wicca, which are two of the most recognized branches of the religion. These traditions emphasize the worship of a god and goddess, celebrating seasonal rituals, and working with magic.
The Witches of Manitou Springs: History, hysteria and wand-waving Wiccans behind a stubborn urban myth
Manitou Springs, a picturesque mountain town nestled in the shadow of Pikes Peak, is full of whispers of witches and witchcraft.
Maybe you’ve heard it from an Uber driver on the way to an area bar or while scrolling through a travel site. It’s a tale that often wanders through word of mouth. Wherever it comes from, legend has it there are witches in Manitou Springs. More, perhaps, than usual.
But is there an overabundance of witches in this town at the foot of America’s mountain, where at least one apothecary sells miniature broomsticks — or is it just a persistent urban legend?
The reputation has such a stubborn legacy that Focus on the Family, an evangelical powerhouse in Colorado Springs representing a significant part of the religious ideology in the region, in a blog post last year warned about the “hidden traps of Wicca.”
The reality is a little more complicated. The witchy nature of Manitou Springs may be less about reality than lingering local lore.
These traditions emphasize the worship of a god and goddess, celebrating seasonal rituals, and working with magic. Colorado Springs offers a supportive community for Wiccans, with various pagan and Wiccan organizations and groups in the area. These groups hold regular gatherings, workshops, and events, providing opportunities for individuals to learn, connect, and practice their faith together.
Where did the ‘witches in Manitou’ thing come from?
In more than two dozen conversations with tourists, service industry workers, shopkeepers and passersby on a recent Tuesday afternoon in Manitou, 24 people said they had heard something about “witches” in this place that the Los Angeles Times reported in 2017 has a “weekly Wiccan meetup.” The travel site Afar.com describes Manitou as “a quirky mountain town with a large Wicca population.”
For Michelle Deborah Weisblat-Dane, who has lived in Manitou Springs for more than two decades, it seems like whenever she travels to another state and mentions her hometown, the witch thing comes up. She recalls bringing up her hometown in a conversation with a pair from Florida while in line at a California restaurant in the 1990s. “Oh,” one of them remarked, “the town with witches.”
They don’t exactly keep a formal registry of Wiccans and witches posted on the Main Street town bulletin board, so precise data about their presence in Manitou Springs — as in the rest of the country — is hard to come by.
A public Facebook page called The Manitou Witch currently has more than 200 likes. Rebekah Grace, a non-Wiccan witch who co-runs the page, conducted a poll of 120 members in a more private version of her page for the purpose of this story.
Manitou Avenue in central Manitou Springs Wednesday, January 29, 2020. (Mark Reis, Special to The Colorado Sun)
All 120 followers of the private page live in either Manitou or Colorado Springs, she says. Out of 34 people who responded to a question asking how they would identify their practices, she said 17 replied “eclectic witches,” and seven said they are “Wiccan.”
Wicca is a Pagan religion. Followers can be of any gender identification, practice any other religion or be of any age. Some Wiccans practice in covens, some solo. Some might celebrate the annual solstices and equinoxes, honor gods and goddesses, believe in reincarnation— or not. Modern day Wicca varies greatly among its followers. Clearly.
Pagan witchcraft is not always synonymous with Wicca. Witchcraft, simply put, is a practice of magick— spelled with a “k” to differentiate from performance magic — with or without connection to the Wicca religion. So to clarify: Wiccans are not always witches and vice versa. Wicca is a nature-based religion that respects life and energy, while witchcraft is a practice of magical skills and metaphysical abilities.
The number of people practicing Wicca worldwide is not known, according to the Pew Research Center, which studies religious affiliation around the globe.
Neither the Manitou Springs Library, Penrose Library in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs Heritage Center, nor the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum had solid historical resources regarding the origins of the Manitou legend.
But as far back as the 1960s and ‘70s, Colorado Springs-area Wiccan witch Curt Brasier remembers when there were a lot of witches in Manitou.
The natural landscapes surrounding Colorado Springs, such as the majestic Rocky Mountains, provide the perfect backdrop for Wiccan rituals and celebrations. Wiccans often explore these outdoor spaces, connecting with the earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, which are fundamental elements in their belief system. These natural surroundings offer a unique spiritual experience, allowing Wiccans to tap into the energy and power of nature. Colorado Springs is also home to metaphysical shops, bookstores, and spiritual centers that cater to the needs and interests of Wiccans and other pagan practitioners. These establishments offer a wide range of products, including herbs, crystals, ritual tools, and books on Wicca and related subjects. Additionally, they may host classes and workshops on Wiccan practices, divination techniques, and other spiritual topics. In recent years, the pagan and Wiccan community in Colorado Springs has grown and become more visible. Wiccan festivals, such as Beltane and Samhain, attract locals and visitors alike, showcasing the vibrant and diverse traditions within the Wiccan faith. These festivals often include live music, workshops, vendors, and rituals, providing a rich experience for individuals interested in exploring the Wiccan path. In conclusion, Wicca has established a strong presence in Colorado Springs, drawing upon the city's spiritual energy and natural beauty. The community of Wiccans in the area enjoy a supportive network of like-minded individuals and have access to various resources and events that allow them to deepen their connection with their faith and the natural world around them..
Reviews for "Wiccan Spells and Magick in Colorado Springs: A Guide for Beginners"
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