In this issue of The Rune [Winter, 1999], Fiona Firefall reviews for us some fiction with a Pagan point of view. These books are fun reading and seemed to me fair in their depictions of Paganism, albeit in a fictional context appropriate to moving the story along in an exciting way. But you'll find as you go to the movies, the video rental store, or the bestseller stand at the big, chain bookstores, magic and witchcraft are popping up everywhere. And the representations of magical people are very often favorable. Practical Magic and Sleepy Hollow depict both use and misuse of magic by witches, most of whom not only are not evil, but are even charming and likable. In the Harry Potter books (numbers one, two and three on the New York Times Best Seller List as I write this) the protagonist finds a place for himself through magic. Television's Buffy the Vampire Slayer's best friend, Willow, calls herself Wiccan and casts darned effective spells. Charmed features a whole family of witches. What can all this mainstream magic mean?

A friend of mine lamented that she didn't want to be part of something that was mainstream, and she feared that Wicca was becoming just that. Why would she be disinclined to be recognized as a practitioner of a legitimate religion, one respected rather than reviled and persecuted? What could be bad about more and more people knowing about and accepting witches, magicians and Pagans?

In truth, witchcraft can not and should not be a mainstream religion. It is not for followers, for those who seek to be a part of a faithful congregation led by dedicated and pious clergy. Traditionally, every initiate of Wicca is a priest or priestess of the Craft. Each strives for their own enlightenment, magic, center of power. A coven is a small group of individuals, neither leaders nor followers, though sometimes for a while teachers and students. The group traditionally remains small so that each person has a voice and a part, can be important to the whole.
Magic can be a part of everyday life -- it certainly is for many children -- but a magical way of life is not for everyone nor is it for all the time. Magic is the special way, as singing is the special communication. To sing all the time is to be unreal, ungrounded, odd and even annoying. Living the magic can only be done by those who have mastered certain skills, certain knowledge, and who have a deep understanding of their own place on the earth, in time and among people.

There are many religious paths and the magical way is not necessarily the glamorous way of life depicted in fiction. Nor would a magical person want constantly to be immersed in magic. It would be as exhausting as singing all the time. Magic, like song, requires control, focus, concentration. The magic is not inborn, as so many television witches are portrayed. It is not a matter of carelessly speaking a spell or waving a magic wand or wearing a talisman. Magic comes from within and from uniting with the power that is around us.

I doubt that Paganism in general and witchcraft in its many forms, including Wicca in particular, will ever replace the "mainstream" religions. But I and others have mixed feelings about the portrayals of magical people by those who entertain. I thank them for often showing us as good and caring, but no, I can't cast a spell and rescue you from your perils. I want to tell Hollywood, "There are many things I can't do, but many of the things I can do, you cannot even imagine."

Magic will always fascinate humans. We must expect people to be curious. Better that curiosity is friendly and favorable than frightened and angry. Perhaps it is too much to ask that it be accurate as well.