As Witchcraft Mainstreams, it's Halloween Every Day

Nearly 25 years ago this October, I attended my first full moon ritual. There, surrounded by people eager to harness the power of the celestial body, a Wiccan high priestess told me that a witch's day begins at dusk. I understood her point — the night promises mystery — but I couldn't relate to it.

After all, my maternal grandmother's kitchen in the Bronx bubbled with magic at nearly every hour. While the stovetop brewed hearty pots of tomato sauce, minestrone and pig's feet, the counter held only a small bowl filled with water. To the untrained eye it was nothing special; in fact, the bowl looked like any other culinary accessory.