YAKIMA -- It may not be what you believe, but it's still a religion.

By STACY BYRNE
Tribune Staff Writer

Sheri Metcalf's house is pretty ordinary, for the most part.

There's an entertainment center with a television tuned to HGTV and several DVDs on the shelf. Cozy chairs sit around the room along with a bookshelf and computer desk. Family photos adorn the walls.

But there's also a shiny pentacle sitting on the old wooden cabinet in front of the picture window. To the right of the magic symbol is a double-edged knife, called an athame, and to the left a small black cauldron holding a bundle of sage.
Crystals, glass containers of sea salt and holy water, a pendulum, and tarot cards sit on the cabinet as well. Two candles stand at the back — the silver candle is representative of the moon and the goddess, and the other gold for the sun and the god.

Hundreds of Pagan worshippers locked up in British jails have been given the right to take twigs into their cells to use as magic wands.

The ruling, which also allows hoodless robes and rune stones, was made to ensure the 300 or so Pagans currently serving sentences have the same rights as other religions.

The permission to use the “religious artefacts” was agreed after consultation with the Pagan Federation which advised the prison service on what equipment its members needed.

Christian Feast... or Pagan Festivity?

Rob Tillett looks at the history and meaning of Candlemas (February 2) and how it ties in with the ancient pagan festival of Imbolc, or Oimelc, celebrating the cross-quarter day marking the beginning of spring. This day is also linked with the worship of Brigid, the primeval goddess, marked in the modern age by St Bride's Day, February 1.

By DYLAN THACKSTON / Pulse Correspondent Halloween is a wonderful night full of spooky joy and wonder, but most of us think of it as just a night to go to parties, or go trick-or-treating, or take younger sibs out for candy collecting.

But Halloween comes in many other names, such as All Hallows Eve, Snap Apple Night and Allhallowmas. Halloween is one of many harvest holidays celebrated worldwide.....