On June 21st, on a warm dark night, four very normal looking people gathered at the banks of the a river to perform a not so normal ritual.
They had everything they needed, the mortar and pestle, the cauldron, and the herbs and candles.
The group sat in a circle and lit the candles. Jake Roberts (not his real name), the only male member, placed the herbs in the mortar, and while grinding with the pestle, proceeded to speak of the negative things in his life.
When he had "infused the herbs with negativity," he passed them counter-clockwise to the next person, who repeated the procedure. When the mortar came back to Roberts, he placed the herbs in a white pouch, tied it with a red string, and burned it.
As the smoke rose into the air, the group rose and walked clockwise around the cauldron. Each member then jumped over the cauldron, through the smoke.
"Our problems are burned away," Roberts said, "and the members are purified by the smoke."
These types of rituals are a common part of Roberts' life. He is a member of a coven of witches devoted to the Wiccan religion. Roberts describes it as "a religion centered on the Goddess of Fertility and the God of the Hunt."
When asked why the ritual at the river had to take place on that specific night, Roberts explained "The summer solstice ritual takes place when everything is at the height of its fertility."
According to Roberts, Wiccan members believe that the "divine spark" is innate in all natural things.
"This spark exists...," he said, "in rocks, wood, animals and in us. It can be drawn upon and amplified. A rock used as a paperweight appears to be devoid of energy, but energy exists within it. You can tap into it and direct that energy to your purpose."
When asked what that purpose was, Roberts answered, "To affect change in your life through personal power and divine empowerment."
Surprisingly, Roberts refers to himself as a witch, not a warlock.
"Warlock is an old derogatory Scottish term referring to an enemy or traitor," he said, "and is associated with satanic magic. The word witch is both feminine and masculine. As witches we are considered priests and priestesses of the Wiccan religion."
Roberts has no sympathy for satanism.
"We're not satanists." he stated flatly, "Satanists are against witchcraft as well as Christianity. The upside down pentagram used in satanic worship is offensive to Wiccan beliefs. It is a perversion of an age old protective symbol."
"We work under the protective rede," he continued, "or unwritten law, which says 'an it harm none, do as thou will.' We can practice magic, but it should harm no one, including ourselves."
"We believe in the threefold law," he explained "Do good and good shall befall you three times, do evil and evil shall three times return."
"We are not against Christianity," Roberts said, "only the fact that they consider themselves the only way to God. There are many paths to deity. Individuals should be able to choose their own path."
When asked if he practiced "white magic," Roberts replied, "Magic doesn't have a color, it's a neutral force. It's how you use it that makes it black or white to people."
He admits that he favors black clothing. "I wear black a lot," he said, "because it's an absorbent color. It traps light and energy. We also wear white at funerals because we don't believe in keeping the energies of those who have passed on."
Roberts certainly doesn't look like your stereotypical witch. He is rather ordinary in appearance, with a quiet voice, gentle mannerisms and a thoughtful expression. He admits that he originally investigated witchcraft as a "revenge tactic" when he was thirteen.
"I didn't like the way my life was going." he said, "I figured if I could frighten people, they would leave me alone."
He soon realized he wasn't satanist material.
"I couldn't cast negative spells." he stated, "My morality got in the way."
However, he continued to study. During the next six years he learned about witchcraft as "an art, science and religion."
"I dedicated myself to the Wiccan religion." he said.
Why do witches work in groups? Roberts explained that working within a coven is beneficial. "You're working with people of a like mind, combining energies toward a common goal."
He said that the rituals and spells were done for "prosperity, love, healing and success for the coven's members."
"Spells are most effective when done by those in need of them." he added.
Roberts has found some difficulties in being a male involved in what has been, traditionally, a female area.
"In Wicca," he said, "the masculine principle is active and aggressive, while the female is passive and responsive. Balancing these two principles within each individual makes one whole. Today there seems to be a major push for the goddess."
Although Roberts said he understood the reason for the surge in "witches lib," he went on to state that "the balance exists between male and female energies. If one is considered higher than the other, there is imbalance."
Roberts maintains that he will be a witch for the rest of his life.
"I have no intention of changing my faith." he stated, "I want to be a writer, and I hope to shed some light on the many misconceptions associated with witchcraft."
Roberts would also have us know that witches have a sense of humor. He closed his interview with the following observation;
"Unfortunately persecution still exists. Many would be witches are still locked in the broomcloset."