In a region that has held its fair share of politically charged antiwar protests in the past few years, 15 people representing a Pagan group huddled on the Cambridge Common on Friday night to promote peace in what they called an apolitical, agenda-free event.

Local members of the Pagan group Earth Spirit sang chants about peace, aiming to create an antiwar protest less confrontational than recent rallies at the Boston Common and in other major U.S. cities.

“This is not a political event — there will be no speeches,” the group’s website stated.

Attendees discussed their ideas about war and peace and held candles in jars as they walked around the Common.

Jocasta Bryan, a seven-year member of Earth Spirit, said she attended to pray for her stepchildren in the U.S. military currently serving in Iraq.

“Tonight is to talk about them with other people and to take time to think about them,” she said.

Group members said they wanted to spread an overall message of peace for the world.

“Our hopes apply more broadly, not just in the current situation [in Iraq],” said Daniel Singer, who said many of his friends are involved with the group.

Earth Spirit Director Andra Arthen said though Friday night’s vigil may have dispelled certain misconceptions about Paganism, the event was simply intended to focus on promoting peace. A vigil, he said, is consistent with Pagan spiritual practices and values.

Earth Spirit, founded in 1980, has members throughout the country who work to promote a lifestyle based on people’s relationships with the earth.

The group plans lectures, concerts and ceremonies for Cambridge’s and Boston’s Pagan community. It has planned many vigils that drew thousands of people throughout the past 20 years, including Boston’s 1990 Earth Day celebration that drew 250,000.

“It is understandable” that some might be taken aback at first by the idea of a Pagan vigil — a religion many associate with Wicca, or even witchcraft, Arthen said.

“Once people hear what [Paganism] is, they will make up their minds.”