So, what exactly is a pagan?

“It means for me not believing in the traditional Christian deity or one-god philosophy,” Fyre said. “Pagan is actually a derivative word of ‘native,' so it's nature-based. Many pagans have one deity or a variety of deities they believe in. Many don't even honor a deity, they just worship nature.

“I think it's more of a catch term for all of the traditions that don't follow the accepted, monotheistic Christian God tradition.”

Pagan Pride is an international organization that spun off the Gay Pride movement, Fyre said.

“It's very similar to the purpose of Gay Pride and mirrors that origin very closely,” Fyre said.

“There is a twofold purpose. One is to give members of the pagan community a place and a day to stand with pride in what they believe about themselves, about their spiritual path, about their tradition.

“The other is to make the greater community outside the pagan tradition aware of who we are and to really correct misconceptions and misunderstandings about what we believe and what we do. To give outsiders an inside view.”

She added that Pagan Pride Day “is open to everyone no matter what your traditional belief or path.”

Paganism is an umbrella term that includes such traditions as the Norse and Greek pantheons, Strega (an Italian tradition) and Wicca, which Fyre describes as “more of a New Age, philosophical tradition based on ancient studies of witchcraft.”

Paganism also includes, among others, Odinism, Heathenism, Druidry and a variety of Celtic traditions.

Because of the vast number of traditions, it's hard to make a head count of the number of pagans in southern New Hampshire, Fyre said.

“The other thing that makes it difficult is any type of study or census of spiritual beliefs is typically Christian-based, so you're not likely to get as much openness in terms of people coming forward and admitting what their path is,” she said.

There's still fear about encountering oppression and discrimination “by coming out and saying, ‘I am pagan,' ” she added.

Wicca doesn't acknowledge the existence of the Christian concept of the devil.

“A lot of the common misunderstandings of what a witch is, and witchcraft is, are now the filters through which people see me. And I rarely get an open opportunity to explain what that truth is,” Fyre said.

“I've talked to other pagans that have had that same experience. Many also who are hesitant to be very public about that belief at work.”

Some pagans are afraid to “come out of the broom closet” for fear of what their landlords might do, or of reproach by “whatever community they live in depending on the predominate atmosphere of that community,” Fyre said.

“Part of the purpose of pagan pride is, number one, to give them a place to go and feel comfortable, but also to show all of those other people you don't need to fear us, there's nothing that we do that is deserving of that fear.”

Fyre has been active in Southern New Hampshire Pagan Pride for nearly a year and heads a committee organizing the event. The day is being advertised through its Web site, www.snhpaganpride.org, as well as through MySpace, Facebook, local newspapers and shoppers.

Activities will include more than 20 vendors with pagan products; reiki practitioners; card-readers; workshops on various pagan traditions, astrology, candle-making and other activities; a drum circle; and musical entertainment.

People attending also will be invited to walk a meditation labyrinth and to attend a public ritual that will conclude the day.

There is no admission charge, but money and other contributions will be accepted for the Animal Rescue League and New Hampshire Food Bank.

“Pagan Pride Day takes place specifically in a window in our fall harvest festival season,” Fyre said. “We have three seasons over the fall that we consider to be harvest, where we express gratitude to the spirit for the things that we have received in the past year.

“In expressing gratitude, one way to do that is to give back. Pagan Pride offers to give back to the greater community, because we are not just pagans that exist in our little shell, we are also part of that greater community.

“New Hampshire Pagan Pride has chosen this year the New Hampshire Food Bank and the New Hampshire Animal Rescue League as recipients of our charitable donations. We do not charge admission at the door, but we do ask that people bring a nonperishable item for either one of the charities, or a cash donation if they choose.

“We have in the past collected thousands of pounds of food and goods to give. On an international level, we'll collect tens of thousands of pounds in a year's time.”

The day will begin with a ceremony at 10 a.m. and the closing ritual will start at 6 p.m. Silicon wristbands inscribed with “Pagan Pride” and symbols of various pagan traditions will be given to the first 100 people.

Fyre hopes Pagan Pride Day will help show the greater community “the truth of what pagan worship is and paganism is, and there may not be the need for that ‘broom closet' eventually.”

She added, “We're welcome and open to everyone. We have nothing to hide, so come down and take a look.”

Patrick Meighan can be reached at 594-6518 or pmeighan@nashuatelegraph.com.