In those days of burgeoning feminism, Stone's words had an effect on the young Brown: "It is shocking to realize how little has been written about the female deities who were worshipped in the most ancient periods of human existence and exasperating to then confront the fact that even the material there is has been almost totally ignored in popular literature and general education," writes the author.

She asserted that Christianity basically buried and hid evidence of those female-oriented religions in order to give males power and superiority, even in humanity's image of God "the father."

Brown talks about the seasonal cycle, and how it relates to the four stages of women: child and spring, maiden and summer, woman and fall, crone and winter.

Eventually, she and five other women formed a close relationship and, while not forming a coven or formal group, have clung together “in good times and bad, through highlights and lowlights,�?Brown said. They have retained their friendship and practice for more than 30 years.

“Four of them were raised as Catholics,�?Brown noted, and one of those women, whom we shall identify as "Marie," said she feels "a strong link to the female energy (Earth Mother, Mother Goddess) and has drifted toward that energy with all my might."

She said that the pagan rituals that she has practiced since her late teens belittle no one for what they believe and "honor both the female and male energy in a respectful and honest way," a consideration, respect and courtesy she doesn't see extended to women by patriarchal religions.

"I could not have faith in an organization that is so patriarchal and keeps women down," said Marie, explaining her reason for giving up her Catholic faith and becoming a Wiccan.

Brown, who worshipped as a youth at Mesa Presbyterian Church, a building now occupied by La Renaissance Restaurant, credits her father, still a devout Presbyterian, for "laying in my life a foundation of unconditional love and intellectual openness."

It's clear that she loves her dad, who now lives in Longmont, "even though he's a conservative, leaning noticeably to the right, and that's frustrating to me, a liberal, as we argue politics."

Like many Wiccans who avoid joining formal groups or covens, Brown, Marie and their four friends essentially practice their religion in solitary fashion, but gathering occasionally for community events, such as last week's bonfire at Brown's place.

As she chats, Brown absent-mindedly toys with the pentagram that dangles on a chain from her neck. Though often given a bad rap, the ancient symbol signifies not much more than the unity of fire, water, air, earth and psyche - the five elements that make up the human person.

At one time, the pentagram symbolized the five wounds of Christ, though that is not the symbol's origin, but points out how it is, Brown said, "that many symbols and rites that once were pagan in origin have been borrowed, maybe stolen, by other churches."

'Cafeteria Wiccan'

Brown describes herself as something of a "cafeteria Wiccan," taking what she finds useful in her own life and spirituality, "but generally illiterate about the old days, the lore and oral traditions."

As to those spells that witches are supposed to cast, Brown said, "Oh, sometimes, when bad memories or bad internals and experiences are in me, I'll utter this little rhyme that expresses that this particular thing should be banished from me. That's about it."

"We try to live by what's called 'The rule of three,' that says, in effect, 'Your acts, good or bad, will return to you three times.’Ê�?/FONT>