There are a lot of questions you get asked when you label yourself "Wiccan" in public. That is often why many are "in the broom closet" so to speak. We don't like calling ourselves what we are, because we get asked all sorts of questions about events like Halloween.

Every year I get asked questions like "What is the bigs deal with rats and spiders anyway?"

"Why do witches where those stupid pointed hats and have those ugly noses and warts?"

"Why do you see cats everywhere you see witches, or even frogs and snakes? I mean they are so...gross!!"

Let me try and cover some of the basics and the details you don't think I've covered, you are free to go and look up on your own at your own pace and in your own time. Deal? Cool.

First off, witches and warts are NOT synonymous with each other! A wart is a skin condition which people find disfiguring and therefore ugly. During the rise of Christianity, when the Witch Trials were happening all over Europe and the new colonies later on, people associated all things "ugly, horrid, disfiguring" with what they thought of as evil; witches and demons mostly.

Secondly, the hats. Conical hats are now a days known as a flimsy device worn for comical purposes and meant to enhance a stereotype which was created to make fun of witches during the Witch Trials. When the Witch Judges were traveling around and handing out pamphlets on how to spot and test a witch in your midst, they also had illustrations which made these "witches" look foolish for consorting with "the devil and his demons" and condemning themselves to hell.

Thirdly, the animals. Cats, spiders, snakes, and even toads are often used by modern day Wiccans as familiars. These are also known as "spirit animals / guides" by Native American tribes. The term isn't so scary when you hear "spirit guide" but culture and religion have taught us that "familiar" means something evil; yet the dictionary and common speech teach us that familiar is something comforting!

The only reason these animals have taken on an air which is even remotely sinister or haunting is because culture has been bred that way. At one point in our long forgotten past, we were Pagans. I answered a hub on the topic of why I am one! (A good read too...)

I would highly encourage anyone who wants to know more about the origins of Halloween (or technically All Hallows Eve) to spend some real time doing research. The details I offer are the ones I chose to learn after years of being asked and getting tired of not having solid answers to offer. Some years I take a day and add new facts to my own booklet of knowledge. Some I stay home and avoid the crunch of people who make fun.

It is up to each of us how we honor what others see as a holy day on the calendat...