http://statenews.com Naomi Mendelsohn wears a pentacle around her neck. Its encircled upright five-pointed star represents earth, air, fire, water and spirit — the elements of her Pagan beliefs. Because she wears a symbol of a religion that is commonly misunderstood, Mendelsohn said she and Pagan friends have received ridicule and challenges to their beliefs in the past from people who didn’t understand them. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 webmaster@statenews.com