Siouxland Wiccans organize -- They're pagans, not Satanists

Gathered in a circle of worn chairs and couches in a Sioux City church basement on a pleasant Sunday evening, members of the congregation listen intently as their teacher leads a discussion of their beliefs. Their "magickal" beliefs.

The Rev. Jacki Saemodarae is talking about the history and mythology of the faerie folk, the different kinds, from bogarts to goblins and gnomes, and their place in the astral realm. The casually dressed members of the predominantly female congregation ask questions and even joke about missing personal items that may have been taken by trickster goblins.

And they talk about other, less ethereal creatures -- crickets and frogs and spiders and their place in the Wiccan world.

"Never kill a frog. They are considered holy in the old religion," Saemodarae said.

The same goes for spiders. They bring good luck.

OK, this isn't your average Siouxland congregation.

Saemodarae is one of six ordained ministers in Siouxland First Wiccan Congregation, a neo-pagan, earth-centered religion that was organized here in 2001 and formally incorporated in September 2002. The 10 official members and other interested Wiccans-to-be meet every Sunday in the basement of Unitarian Universalist Church on Jackson Street.
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