Washington, USA - Today marks the official beginning of summer. For most of us that means vacation, swimming and doing whatever it takes to stay cool. But for the handful of people who identify themselves as Wiccans, June 21 - the summer solstice - will be spent celebrating the death of the Oak King, the God of the Waxing Year, and the birth of the Holly King, the God of the Waning Year.
In 1990, only about 8,000 people reported themselves as Wiccan, according to the U.S. census bureau - but by 2001 that number jumped to 134,000.
Wicca is a neo-pagan religion based on pre-Christian beliefs of Western Europe. The faith's canon includes several deities exist, and Wiccans generally practice magic, hold rituals and celebrate the seasonal changes. Like most religions, there are different interpretations of Wicca, and its many sects and denominations differ to varying degrees in their beliefs.
Heidi Davin, 30, considers herself an eclectic solitary witch, meaning she does not adhere to the same practices of more traditional witches. The Pharr resident rarely participates in rituals and does not belong to a coven, or congregation.
"I usually make a big feast and invite everyone over and celebrate friendship and the blessings we have. And maybe a silent ritual on the side after that," she said of the summer solstice.
Davin, the editor of Jacked magazine, a new entertainment paper due out in July, is a follower of the earth-based religion because she believes it is a way to use energy within and around her to make a better life for herself.
The most traditional Wiccan, however, adheres to a strict schedule of rituals and belongs to a coven - like Karl Sawyer. The 29-year-old owner of The Gallery, a gift shop in McAllen that sells a myriad of wares from shoes and purses to herbs, candles and cauldrons, calls himself a Gardnerian witch.
"Gardnerian Wicca is a tradition-based religion, and it is like a family tree. It's all passed down, so you never change anything."
He is currently the high priest of the coven he presides over and is teaching them all he knows about the religion. They gather in secrecy, shrouded in robes and perform symbolic rituals that celebrate changes in seasons and moon and life cycles. While Sawyer cannot reveal the specifics of the rituals performed by his coven, there is one book that serves as a sort of textbook for students of Wicca - A Witch's Bible by Janet Farrar.
According to Sawyer, it is the only book in existence that explains best what occurs in a traditional coven, though much of their world is still a mystery to those who do not practice. To be accepted in the inner circle, you must attend classes with a coven and essentially swear secrecy from all outsiders. After a year and a day, practitioners "graduate" and are allowed to learn the deeper secrets of Wicca.
When Sawyer first opened The Gallery, he was met with some opposition. An anonymous group of people burned a cross at his storefront. Sawyer says that isn't typical behavior when people learn of his religion.
"I try to explain to them about my religion and how similar mine is to Christianity," he said.
Davin has also experienced some knee-jerk reactions from others when they discover she's a witch.
"I'm very open about my religion, I'm not secretive, but I'm not going to broadcast it, either. Some people can be judgmental, but I chalk it up to ignorance."
While Wicca is still a small religion, it is growing and becoming more widely accepted. For Davin, it doesn't matter what religion you practice; it all boils down to faith.
"I believe that we as Wiccans and pagans believe a little differently than other religions, but we're all on the same path to become better people."