One of the key attributes of witchcraft is that it involves the use of supernatural powers and rituals to influence events, people, and the natural world. Witchcraft is often associated with the practice of magic and spells, which are believed to harness and direct these supernatural forces. **The ability to manipulate and control these forces is a defining characteristic of witchcraft**. In many cultures and historical periods, witches have been seen as possessing a special knowledge or connection to the spiritual realm. They are believed to have the ability to communicate with spirits, deities, or other supernatural beings. **This connection allows witches to access and channel supernatural energy in order to achieve their desired outcomes**.
At this time in Arkansas history, no one who practiced Wicca and Witchcraft had spoken publicly to the media in protest of the systemic prejudice they faced in the Bible Belt, and many felt pressured to practice their faith in secret to avoid persecution and bigotry. Sacraments were often carried out in the privacy of the home with like-minded individuals to avoid public hostility. Covens (small groups of people organized to practice and celebrate the tenets of the Wiccan religion) were formed in secret, as there were few places around the nation that practitioners could openly congregate without facing scrutiny. Terry and Amanda Riley appeared on the Jane Whitney Show later that year, and the news of what happened spread across the world.
A practicing Wiccan since June 1991, Terry Riley was elevated to Right Reverend by the Aquarian Tabernacle Church of Index, Washington, on September 1, 1993, and he became a licensed and ordained minister in Arkansas on September 10, 1993, in Jonesboro. In turn, Thurston said a lot of people look for what seems ancestral, ancient and rooted, which might be tied to geography, race or country of origin.
**This connection allows witches to access and channel supernatural energy in order to achieve their desired outcomes**. Witchcraft is often associated with beliefs and practices that are outside the mainstream or considered taboo by dominant religious or cultural authorities. **This defiance of societal norms is another key attribute of witchcraft**.
March on Religious Freedom (1993)
In summer 1993 in northeastern Arkansas, three teenagers, later known as the West Memphis Three, were arrested for the murders of three children in West Memphis (Crittenden County). After a long history of anti-occult prejudice and paranoia, the “satanic panic” of the 1980s caused the community to be wary of those who associated themselves with occult behavior. On the heels of the media spectacle surrounding the murders and the arrests of the teenagers, a thirty-eight-year-old Jonesboro (Craighead County) native became the target of religious discrimination and later led a march through the city that was known widely as the March on Religious Freedom, though some locals called it the “March on Fort God.”
A practicing Wiccan since June 1991, Terry Riley was elevated to Right Reverend by the Aquarian Tabernacle Church of Index, Washington, on September 1, 1993, and he became a licensed and ordained minister in Arkansas on September 10, 1993, in Jonesboro. Due to the limitation of available worship supplies—the books, ritual tools, herbs, and gemstones/crystals that are primarily utilized in Wiccan/Pagan practices—in northeastern Arkansas, Riley opened an occult shop, the Magic Moon, at 4914A East Nettleton Avenue in Jonesboro on June 21, 1993. Two days later, Riley was approached at his place of business by landlord Steve Griffin, who was accompanied by two members of the local Church of the Nazarene. According to Riley, the Christian ministers pressured his landlord to evict him and then appeared on television urging business owners not to rent store space to Terry and his wife Amanda Riley, cutting off their efforts to supply occult products to the Pagan community. After telling his story to the local newspaper, Riley attracted media attention from across the state and nation, including appearing on Inside Edition.
On August 1, 1993, Riley led a march for religious freedom through the streets of Jonesboro. Pagans united from across the nation to march in protest of religious discrimination, while those who were unable to attend sent donations and letters of support, including Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary in Moheb, Wisconsin; arch priest Pete “Pathfinder” Davis of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church in Index, Washington; Oberon Zell of the Church of All Worlds in Cotati, California; and several local covens in the tristate area of Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri. Gathering on Highland Drive in front of the local Wal-Mart, they made their way to the Craighead County Courthouse in the downtown area (which also later served as the setting for the West Memphis Three trial), only to be met by counter-protesters with a large wooden cross.
The counter protest was organized by Steve Branch, whose son was one of the three boys brutally murdered in West Memphis earlier that year. Riley stated in an interview that while he could not imagine the pain that Branch was going through, what happened to his son was not related to the practice of the Wiccan religion.
The march began at 9:00 a.m. with between seventy to a hundred marchers, many wearing t-shirts that read, “Salem Revisited! The Great Jonesboro Witch Hunt!” Along the way, the group was joined by many others expressing their right to protest. Around 3,000 spectators showed up to witness the event. Close to 100 police officers from across the state gathered to protect those marching, some riding four to a squad car, surrounding the formation as they walked through the city. Having to make frequent stops for safety concerns, the police eventually exited the vehicles only to lock arms to keep the counter protesters from attacking Riley and the people who marched alongside him as they pushed through the hostile crowd. In front of the courthouse, Riley spoke through a bullhorn calling for religious freedom and tolerance across the United States. After the march had concluded, Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary (who later helped to establish Wicca as a recognized religion to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) stated to Riley over the phone, “Terry, what you have done today with this march has poked a small pinhole in Christendom in the bible belt, and it will only grow bigger and stronger after today.”
At this time in Arkansas history, no one who practiced Wicca and Witchcraft had spoken publicly to the media in protest of the systemic prejudice they faced in the Bible Belt, and many felt pressured to practice their faith in secret to avoid persecution and bigotry. Sacraments were often carried out in the privacy of the home with like-minded individuals to avoid public hostility. Covens (small groups of people organized to practice and celebrate the tenets of the Wiccan religion) were formed in secret, as there were few places around the nation that practitioners could openly congregate without facing scrutiny. Terry and Amanda Riley appeared on the Jane Whitney Show later that year, and the news of what happened spread across the world.
In 1994, a year after the march, Riley founded the Southern Delta Church of Wicca, carrying over traditions from the Motani Coven. In 1997, the church moved from Jonesboro to Brookland (Craighead County), where Riley opened a new shop, Dagda’s Cauldron, at 101 W Hinkley St. on April 27, 1999. The landlord, Kirby Smith, came under pressure to evict Riley. Threats were made against his family by the local community, who called for the resignation of Mayor Joe McKeel for not blockading the occult shop. The Southern Delta Church of Wicca finally settled at 104 Main St. in Lake City (Craighead County), providing open sacraments to the public as well as community outreach programs, and became an affiliate of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church.
Since the march in 1993, Paganism has been on the rise in the United States, increasing the need for places of worship. As a sign of Paganism’s increasing prominence, in 2007, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officially recognized the Pentacle as a religious symbol, allowing it to be placed on headstones for fallen service members and veterans.
For additional information:
Huston, Jerry, and Kenneth Heard. “Petitions Try to Expel Shop Owner, Mayor over Occult Store.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 11, 1999, pp. 1B. 5B.
March on Fort God: Paganism Emerges in “the Bible Belt.” Whitlock Independent Cinemagraphic Coverage of America, Children of the Circle. Online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW2bdQpzW-Y (accessed June 22, 2021).
Mitchell, S. “New Occult Shop Disturbs Citizens.” Jonesboro Sun, May 2, 1999, 1A, 16A.
“Pagans, Foes Awaken Streets of Jonesboro.” Commercial Appeal, August 2, 1993, p. 1A, 10A.
“Self-Proclaimed Witches Hold March in Arkansas.” Orlando Sentinel, August 2, 1993.
Shapiro, L., and D. Glick. “Do You Believe in Magick?” Newsweek, August 23, 1993, p. 32.
Glenn Garrison
Southern Delta Church of Wicca—ATC
Traditionally, witches have been seen as outsiders, often marginalized or persecuted by their communities. This outsider status gives them a unique perspective and the freedom to act outside of social or moral constraints. Furthermore, witchcraft is often perceived as a female-dominated practice. **The association of witchcraft with women has historical roots in the witch-hunts and trials that took place during the early modern period**. Women who exhibited non-conformity, independence, or were deemed too powerful were often accused of witchcraft. This gendered association has persisted in popular culture and folklore, contributing to the stereotype of the witch as a powerful, mysterious, and sometimes dangerous woman. The ambiguity and fluidity of witchcraft is also a noteworthy attribute. **Witchcraft often defies clear definitions or boundaries**. Practices and beliefs associated with witchcraft can vary greatly from culture to culture and even within different traditions. Some witches may focus more on herbalism and healing, while others may specialize in divination or spellcasting. This flexibility allows witchcraft to evolve and adapt to different cultural and historical contexts. In summary, one of the key attributes of witchcraft is the ability to manipulate and control supernatural forces. Witches are seen as possessing a special knowledge or connection to the spiritual realm, and their use of magic and spells allows them to influence events and people. Witchcraft is often seen as an outsider practice that defies societal norms, with a historical association with women. Furthermore, witchcraft is characterized by its fluidity and adaptability, allowing it to take on different forms and meanings in different cultural and historical contexts..
Reviews for "One of the key attributes of witchcraft is its association with herbalism and plant medicine."
1. Jennifer - 2/5
I found "One of the key attributes of witchcraft is that" to be quite underwhelming. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without providing any solid explanation or context. The book lacked a clear structure, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, I felt that the writing style was overly complex and difficult to understand, which hindered my overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, I was expecting more from this book on witchcraft, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. Mark - 1/5
I was really disappointed with "One of the key attributes of witchcraft is that". The author seemed to have little knowledge or understanding of the subject matter, as the information provided was vague and often misleading. The book lacked depth and failed to explore the complexities of witchcraft. Furthermore, I found the writing style to be dull and uninspiring, which made it hard for me to engage with the content. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of witchcraft.
3. Sarah - 2/5
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4. David - 1/5
"One of the key attributes of witchcraft is that" was a highly disappointing read. The author's writing style was convoluted and excessively verbose, making it challenging to understand the main ideas being presented. The book lacked clear structure and organization, causing the content to feel disjointed and confusing. Moreover, the information provided was superficial and failed to delve into the intricacies and historical significance of witchcraft. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive and well-written exploration of witchcraft.