The Five Points of the Pentacle Pagan Identity in Sarasota Florida

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Baram, Uzi

Keywords

Ethnography, Community, Anthropology, Wiccan, Gardner, Gerald

Area of Concentration

Anthropology

Abstract

In this thesis I explore Pagan identity in the medium-sized city of Sarasota, Florida. My research takes the form of an ethnographic study. This study focuses on a small shop called The Fountain which sells goods used in Pagan ritual practice. As part of a religious minority, Pagans in Sarasota define themselves in opposition to many forces. This thesis demonstrates how typological lists of traits and beliefs fail to address the intricacies of Pagan identity, and explores the social factors that Pagans define themselves with and against. I show how Pagan holidays and Pagan books illustrate the dialogue between Pagan identity and American culture, and how this cultural approach lends itself to better understanding the ideas and practices by which Pagans nderstand themselves.

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