As the sun sets on Wednesday, ushering in the longest night of the year and the beginning of winter, pagans throughout the Southland will celebrate the winter solstice.

In covens, circles, temples and groves, pagans will mark the coming winter with rituals and celebrations that evoke ancient myths of rebirth and light.

The winter solstice is also an opportunity for pagans to come together and celebrate publicly Ñ a practice that has not always been easy.

"There are thousands and thousands of pagans in Chicago, many of whom are, as we say, in the broom closet," {Teresa} Lynch (High Priestess of MoonBeats Circle) said. "There is a lot of ignorance and many misconceptions about witchcraft."

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