Witch Hat Society 8 Chapters and Still Growing
by Regina, founder of the Witch Hat Society
(note: this is a reprint of an article that was printed in "Water" on Feb. 2008. "Water" is a publication of PEN, Pagan Educational Network. Subcriptions are available, contact PEN at P.O. Box 586, Portage, IN. 46368)
The Witch Hat Society had its first meeting on September 30, 2004. Three years and eight chapters later, we have come a long way baby!
I created the WHS because I felt that there was a need to provide a place for individuals to share and learn about the Craft and Paganism without joining a coven. A place a person could go to seek out other like-minded individuals and have discussions.
The idea came to me while I was in Salem, MA, around Samhain. I had seen so many women, having so much fun, wearing all of those beautifully decorated witch hats. I immediately thought of the Red Hat Society. I thought why not a Witch Hat Society!
I created a Yahoo group and the next thing I knew other like-minded individuals joined. I have been involved in a coven for over eigtheen years and must admit that since the internet, Paganism in general has definitely grown!
I have been criticized for creating the Witch Hat Society by people who feel that I am making fun of the Craft and not taking the Craft seriously. On the contrary, I want to creaate a place where individuals feel safe learning about the Craft and Paganism in general, not feel intimidated or frightened by what some right wing religious fanatics might have said. I wanted to create a place where individuals can share and learn about the Turning of the Wheel, herbs and natural healing, tarot, astrology, and so on and so forth. What safer place than a Witch Hat Society!
We have chapters in Indiana, Missouri, Arizona, Illinois, and Canada! Each chapter developes its own chapter logo and group name. Group coordinators are referred to as Witch Moms, members under 50 are referred to as Witch Maidens, and women over 50 are referred to as Wise Witch. We even have a newletter called "What's Brewing" and a Witch Hat Society cookbook that has various Craft recipies. (If you are interested in purchasing a cookbook, contact Regina at witchhatsociety@yahoo.com).
We get together once a year with the witch hats in Missouri. What a wonderful feeling it is to see over seventy women all wearing their witch hats, being proud of who they are! Some Witch Hats have yearly picnics while others have yearly midnight picnics. Some groups take field tirps to candle making, birding, woodworking, and astronomy lectures just to name a few. Other gorups have monthly discussions while still others have witch hat decorating parties. Yet other groups have worn pink witch hats and marched for breast cancer.
I must say that the WHS has provided me the opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals who may have never otherwise learned more about the Craft. Even thught we are called the Witch Hat Society, implying that the group is Wiccan, I would really consider the group more Pagan based. Some members are Pagan, with others are specificlly Wiccan. Children have been welcomed to some of the meetings so that they too can learn about Paganism. While dominantly female, men have also attended our meetings.
We just ask at the meetings that you rmember the 3 HAT Rules:
H-have fun!
A-always be true to yourself
T-to help fellow hatters find their true spiritual self!
Come join us as we wear our witch hats proudly and speak of the magick that life brings forth to us all. We are a group of people who enjoy getting together for fun, fellowship, and spirituality. If you would like to learn more about the WHS, you are invited to join our Yahoo group at: www.groups.yahoo/group/witchhatsociety.
Blessed Be and welcome.