HOWELL -- There are witches in Howell.
But people needn't panic. There's no need to look to the midnight sky.
They do, however, practice the religion known as Wicca or witchcraft, all the while holding teaching jobs, raising children and participating in the community.
And they take umbrage with the many misconceptions people hold about witchcraft.
John M. Galloway
Pilon spreads tarot cards on a table for a reading at the Wisdom of the Ages store. She says that though she was born with her psychic ability, practicing witchcraft is something she chose.
Wisdom of the Ages
Where: 201 South Michigan, Howell
Phone: (517) 552-1380
"It's not as bad as it used to be," said Terri Pilon. "But every once in a while we still get kids riding by saying 'I rebuke you,' and things like that. We are not looking to get people to believe what we believe. That is a person's own choice to make. But we do want to be able to believe what we believe in peace."
While witchcraft has been practiced for centuries, Wicca is a product of the late 20th century. The various forms of Wicca are said to have several hundred thousand practicing members worldwide. It is recognized by the United States government -- and the Internal Revenue Service -- as a full-fledged religion.
Pilon's mother knew when Terri was 3 years old that she was different. Pilon knew when the phone was about to ring and with stunning accuracy could predict who was calling, she said.
"I thought everyone knew what people thought. I didn't know until I was 11 that I wasn't like everyone else and that I had a gift," she said. "Luckily I was taught not to be afraid of it and was encouraged to develop it."
Pilon said though many witches are psychic and many psychics are witches, the two don't always go together. She says she was born with her psychic ability; witchcraft is something she chose.
Witchcraft in its truest form is a sort of nature religion, she said. Those who believe do so with the help of gods and goddesses available to them in the universe, she said.
"You call your god what you choose and so do we," Pilon said. "I believe in the end it is all the same god."
Pilon said contrary to popular belief, witches do not worship Satan, and in fact do not believe in an evil counterpart to their gods and goddesses. Wisdom of the Ages owner and practicing witch Jennifer Lincoln said they also do not perform sacrifices.
As lovers of nature, sacrifices would be contrary to everything they believe. They do practice rituals and spells, but it's not like most people think.
"We pray the same as anyone else," Pilon said. "Just like Catholics light novena candles and say their prayers, we have prayers, too. But we call them spells and we write them ourselves."
Lincoln said they follow the phases of the moon and the changes in season. Their holy days are comprised of eight "sabbats," which correspond to the changes of season, and "esbits," which go along with the changes of the moon.
Witches can't levitate people or force them to do things they don't want to do, Lincoln said.
"You have to be careful what you ask for," Lincoln said. "I tell them if he doesn't love you, he may never, and that's his misfortune. But no one can make someone do or feel something against their will."
Though Lincoln and Pilon talk openly about their religion and ability, some witches prefer to keep it to themselves.
"I usually don't tell people what I am," said Mona Lindsay, also a practicing witch. "They think I'm a freak when I tell them. And you know I may be, but I don't need other people to point it out. People see what they want to see."
Pilon said people might learn something about Wicca if they knew how normal she is.
"I'm 38 years old, I'm a mom, I like to cook, I do laundry and I love my dogs," she said. "I'm just a normal human being who chooses to use a set of gifts I was given instead of throwing them away, and practice a religion I believe in. At least I'm honest about it."