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Publication: Daily Illini, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, Champaign IL.
Halloween serves as religious holiday for some Pagan students
Photo Courtesy of Clare Darnall
An assortment of herbs and supplies used by Clare Darnall for casting spells and celebrating Samhain.
Samantha Jones Toal, Assistant News Editor October 31, 2016
After Halloween when the candy and costumes are put away, Lauren Jakobsson will still identify as a witch and a Pagan.
The term Paganism was developed to encompass beliefs that fall outside of the three Abrahamic religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
Jakobsson, sophomore in LAS, said Paganism is often considered a "lesser form" of the Wiccan religion: a spiritual form of witchcraft that focuses on nature and harmony.
"You know people consider themselves like, diet Christians, and only celebrate big holidays like Easter?" she said. "It's like the same thing as being a Pagan."
One of these big holidays for Jakobsson is Halloween. Samhain, which falls on Halloween, is one of the four Greater Sabbats that Paganism recognizes.
Samhain is known as the darkest time of the year as it focuses on death, darkness and mortality. She comparesit to the Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos, a day to celebrate the lives of the dead.
To celebrate the day, Jakobsson will make an altar in her dorm room.
"An altar for Pagans includes candles, and two statues, one of the Green Man and one of...