The Marshall University Pagan Association will be performing a ritual honoring Ostara, the Virgin Goddess of Spring in the Pagan religion, in Buskirk Field Thursday.
"Christianity has Pagan DNA," said George Fain, president of the MUPA. "Easter is about resurrection and rebirth and this ritual is the most ancient form of Easter. I'm a gardener by nature and springtime is a very important time of the year. This ritual celebrates all the good things about spring."
Fain said the MUPA will be placing an altar with candles and a bowl of water on the field. Those participating in the ritual will form a circle. The ritual will begin with drumming, while the students participating will be sprinkled with water in order to be sanctified. The students will then proceed to call forth spirits as well as Ostara and Dumuzid, the Sun God, to help bring about a new year.
It is the first time the MUPA has ever done a public ritual.
"I am pretty excited about the ritual, because it allows others to get a better understanding of what we do and why we do it," said Amanda Dishman, freshman psychology and criminal justice major from Welch, W.Va. "I am looking forward to everyone's reaction and answering any questions that may arise. I am, however, nervous about people having a protest."
Dishman said while there will be some opposed to them openly practicing, she hopes everyone will view the ritual with an open mind.
"I am most nervous about protesters," Fain said. "I'm definitely a little wary of them, but it's great our organization is finally getting some respect on campus."
Other students look at the public ritual as a blessing.
"I like being surrounded by so many Pagans because we have been suppressed for so long and have been given no alternative than to practice in solitude," said Tracy Hodge, sophomore legal assisting major from Cleveland, Ohio. "Getting to practice openly is very, very spiritually fulfilling."
Hodge said being able to practice her beliefs with her fellow Pagans without being judged or ridiculed is also spiritually fulfilling.
"We finally found a place where we belong," Hodge said.
The ritual will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and consist of nine students.
The event will be open to any non-pagans who want to participate.
Samir Abdel-Aziz can be contacted at abdelaziz1@marshall.edu.
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