8.08.2008
The Dark Magic of ...Disturbed Teens!
A string of nine severed goat heads found in northwest Florida has some pointing the finger at a "dark branch" of Santeria.
"[Dee] Thompson [director of animal services for PAWS] said those involved in the investigation have discovered a possible link between the killings and Palo Mayombe, a dark branch of the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria, whose rituals call for animal sacrifice. "It's the closest thing that I've been able to find to what's been going on," she said. For example, separating the animal's head from its body is in line with the Palo Mayombe belief that the body is not sacred."
While five paragraphs were devoted to the spooky Palo Mayombe angle, only one paragraph entertained a different scenario.
"Other than the Palo Mayombe angle, Thompson said investigators also have talked to people who raise and sell pygmy goats. She said they did receive a tip from a caller who said three teenagers between the ages of 18 and 24 came into a feed store in Panama City Beach to find out where they could purchase pygmy goats."
The "three teenagers" angle isn't mentioned again in an update, but more seemingly ritualistic details were released to the press.
"There are striking similarities about eight of the nine goats found were such that Thompson said she can link them to one person or group. However, investigators are keeping those similarities to themselves. However, there is one link that's been publicized: Most of the goats were found with cut leaves and twigs arranged in their mouths."
Leaves and twigs! It must be the dark path of Palo Mayombe! Who else could do such a thing! Who else? How about a group of disturbed teens getting their kicks?
"...rumors are surfacing of Santeria and Palo Mayombe involvement in the beheadings. "It is far more likely, even in Florida, that such activity is caused by teenagers looking for thrills or some disturbed individual, than from any Afro-diasporic religious activity," Dr. Eoghan C. Ballard, an expert on Afro-diasporic studies, said in an e-mail. Ballard said that "paleros," or Congo priests, are very discreet in their practices and prefer not to call attention to themselves. Authentic Palo practices require little in the way of sacrifice. Most sacrifices are used for celebratory meals. "From my experience, both in the U.S. and in Cuba, there are no discernable reasons for a Palero to leave a decapitated goat head on a city street," Ballard said."
But, but, what about that "dark branch"! It's, like, dark! Plus, we totally know that practitioners of Santeria sacrifice animals, and the goats had LEAVES in their mouths, so it must be dark magic, right?
"Ballard dispelled theories suggesting Santeria or Palo spells. He said when paleros use spells that require an item to be placed somewhere, it is usually small, inconspicuous and intentionally unidentifiable. As for the azaleas and plants that have been found in the animals' mouths, Ballard said azaleas have no specific meaning in Palo, although goats or rams are often given straw or grass to eat before they are sacrificed. "I suspect this is either a game someone is playing, or the work of another disturbed individual," Ballard said. 'There's nothing in Palo that would justify doing this.'"
That fact that members of Afro-Caribbean faiths sacrifice animals has been sensationalized beyond all sense and reason, often with people who have never attended a ritual (or even met a Santero or Palero) passing cursory judgment on them. Local governments have banned their rituals, and police have harassed them for engaging in legal behavior. Every time a dead animal shows up in a public space in Texas or Florida, a leery eye turns their way, and "not in our backyard"-isms run rampant. The unspoken accusation: we know you did this, even if we can't prove it.
It seems to me, and this is just an opinion, but practitioners of Santeria and other Afro-Caribbean faiths are going through something very like the "Satanic Panics" of the 1980s. Just as Pagans were getting big enough to be noticed, all sorts of nasty rumors started appearing. That we worshiped Satan, that once you were "elevated" through the ranks you learned the REAL TRUTH of our nefarious ways. That we performed blood sacrifices, held orgies, peddled drugs, and on, and on.
We were there, where our theological "cousins" in Santeria, Vodou, and other Afro-Caribbean faiths are now. We don't have to personally approve of animal sacrifice to see that their faiths are being unfairly maligned, discriminated against, and sensationalized by the media. The least we can do now is stand up and say, these people have a right to their religion, and a right to practice it freely within the law. They have a right to fair and equal treatment, and should be defended from unfounded accusations and rumor-mongering in the press. These men and women are our natural allies in fighting for the rights of minority religions, and we should be ready to stand by them.
Labels: African diasporic religion, animal sacrifice, Florida, law, Paganism, Religious Freedom, Santeria, Satanic Panic
8.07.2008
A Secular Symbol of Death
Is the Christian cross a secular symbol? That is the current opinion of Utah state officials and U.S. District Judge David Sam. This peculiar notion was reached in 2007, after local atheists challenged the placement of metal crosses along the highway to honor state highway patrol officers who died in the line of duty. Now American's United, along with the Anti-Defamation League, the Hindu American Foundation, The Interfaith Alliance, and the Union for Reform Judaism, are challenging this ruling.
I don't know how anyone could think this was religious!
"U.S. District Judge David Sam ruled in November of 2007 that the cross is a “secular symbol of death” and held that Utah officials and the Utah Highway Patrol Association can continue to erect the 12-foot crosses. Americans United is asking the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the lower court ruling. The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said he is offended by the claim that the cross is merely a secular symbol. “The cross is the preeminent symbol of Christianity,” said Lynn ... In its brief, AU points out that the cross has been tied to Christianity for many centuries. “In upholding the display of roadside crosses on public land throughout the State of Utah, the district court embraced the State’s characterization of the cross the clearest and most universally recognized marker of Christianity as nothing more than a ‘secular symbol of death,’” asserts the brief. 'This conclusion is historically inaccurate, blind to contemporary realities, and offensive to believers and nonbelievers alike.'"
Officials contend that the cross is secular, not religious, and it is being used regardless of the personal religious persuasion of the fallen officer. So atheist, Mormon, Pagan, Jewish or Hindu cops would all get the giant "non-religious" cross as a memorial.
The idea that the cross is "secular" ties into the larger notion that Christian religious expression and tradition, due to its size and ubiquity, is "normal" and ultimately beneficial. The corollary is that non-Christian religious expressions or traditions are "abnormal" and considered suspect. But popularity and tradition doesn't remove religious context from a religious symbol, instead it subtly reinforces that faith's dominance and "right" to utter ubiquity. If the cross was truly secular, we wouldn't have 39 different emblems of belief for military markers and headstones, nor would minority religions fight to have their own symbols added to that list.
There is no "secular symbol of death", any more than there is a "secular symbol of life", because a truly secular culture allows groups and individuals to choose and adapt their own symbols and instill them with meaning. When governments and judges start telling us which religious symbols are "secular", we enter into a hierarchy of signs, where the faith(s) with the strongest cultural hold gains official sanction in all but name. Undermining the idea that government should make no law "respecting an establishment of religion".
Labels: atheism, AU, Christianity, cross, law, litigation, Religious Freedom, Utah
8.06.2008
Remnants of the Ex-Satanist Movement
His name is Jeff Harshbarger, and he just wants to help you. Help you escape the evil clutches of Satan and his minions!
"Harshbarger and his wife Liz co-authored "From Darkness To Light: How to Rescue Someone You Love From the Occult," published in 2005 by Bridge-Logos of Gainesville, Fla. The couple has founded Refuge Ministries and hopes to have Bible study groups formed by this fall ... The book is partly an account of Harshbarger's own commitment to Satanism as an older teen, the collapse of his anti-faith and his journey back to God. It also offers a primer on forms of spiritualism and practical advice on presenting a Christian alternative for young people attracted to those and similar sects."
There is a certain sense of nostalgia in the air as I read this article, you just don't see the ex-Satanic cult members pop up the way they used to. This local news piece is really rather tame, to get some of the "good" stuff regarding Harshbarger's supposedly Satanic past, you have to dig a little deeper.
"We constructed a pentagram, stood within the pentagram, he [a "Satanist" he had met] prayed over me, and laid hands on me. When he laid hands on me, I was literally filled with a demon ... When a demon is around you or inside of you, with the sensation of their presence, you lie to yourself. You think that is your power level ... I saw each and every one of them [fellow cult members] become demon possessed, and I noticed something in my heart. My heart felt for them. It was like I was convicted. I knew it was wrong. It was like I knew this shouldn’t be happening. I fought that because I’m a satanist. I don’t care about anybody or anything but me. [But] Here I am a caring satanist. I began to ritually try to kill this part of me -- this heart, this part of me that cares."
Still, even that just doesn't seem very...evil. No crimes, no sacrifices, just a bunch of teens who think they're demon-possessed. Mike Warnke he isn't. But anyway, he's totally saved now, and wants to save kids from the occult, and has teamed up with ex-witch Annie Fintan to warn Christians about Wicca!
"We know what salvation is because our involvement in the occult nearly killed us. And, we have a passion to reach and effectively serve the youth that are being mislead into believing the lies of Wicca and Paganism. We desire to serve you, the parent, in giving you the tools to parent your child in these times. We desire to serve you, the pastor, in effectively helping the youth of your church, so that they will not need a reason to go looking for their answers anywhere else because the Answer is Jesus Christ. And, we desire to serve anyone who has been or knows someone who is considering or involved in Wicca and Paganism, because sometimes you just don't know what to do to reach those that you love."
Nowadays, anti-Pagan books are far more polite. Most Christians have learned their lessons regarding whipping up "Satanic Panics", and know that such spiritual scorched-earth tactics will often backfire. Instead, Christians are taking a cue from marketers, and spreading FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) under the guise of "informing" parents who are "concerned" about their child possibly getting mixed up with the "subtle dangers" of Paganism. Just be careful to not scratch their polite surface, or the old demonizing tactics will spill right out.
Jeff Harshbarger is a relic of a time when Paganism and other new religious movements hadn't fully emerged from the shadows and into the mainstream. When outright falsehoods could be bandied about without any real opposition or focused criticism. No doubt there will always be a segment of the Christian community who will see demons around every corner, but we can at least be thankful that the time of "Satanic" blood libel, and the merry band of un-convicted ex-Satanic criminals who profited from it, has shrunk to a petulant whisper.
Labels: Christianity, evangelism, Paganism, Satanic Panic, Satanism, Wicca
8.05.2008
The Wild Hunt's Music Picks!
It has been awhile since I discussed music here, so I thought I would provide some capsule reviews of recently released music that sings to the Pagan soul (or at least my Pagan soul). All of these artists can be heard on my weekly A Darker Shade of Pagan podcast, and are easily obtainable through mail-order or digital download.
Falling You - "Faith"John Zorko and his rotating band of "magicians" have created yet another magnificent collection of haunting ethereal soundscapes enhanced by masterful female vocals. This album, like previous Falling You efforts, explores a common theme as expressed through a variety of guest vocalists including Suzanne Perry, Amanda Kramer, and Dru Allen (among others). While "Faith" and Falling You's previous albums may engender admiration from the New Age music scene, don't let that fool you. These compositions are dynamic, engaging, and deeply moving. You can purchase a digital copy of "Faith" from Magnatune for a sliding scale charge of $5-$18 dollars. Physical copies will be available later this month through a variety of online distributors (CD Baby, Amazon).
Incus - "Fire and Bone"While Incus has always evoked the word "tribal" when discussing the band's sound, it hardly seems adequate in discussing the festival-touring juggernaut (including stops at Starwood and the Pagan Spirit Festival) this ever-evolving group of individuals, lead by singer and composer Jason Cohen, has become. As a result, "Fire and Bone", unlike their previous release "Burning Thread", seems to carry the aspirations of a group trying to capture the magic of its hard-won live energy. At times this is successful, like on the energetic opening cut "Claudia Always Eyes", or the slow burn into Russian folk-jam of "Weight (Wait)". However, elsewhere, this album strikes me as transitional, with some missteps keeping the album from eliciting an unreserved endorsement. "Fire and Bone" is a snapshot of an evolving band that hasn't quite captured its lightning in a bottle. This album hasn't been released yet, though you should be able to order it from CD Baby soon.
Sharron Kraus - "The Fox's Wedding"Fans of pastoral British folk are in for a treat. Sharron Kraus, who has been generating buzz for some time now among fans of darkly-inflected folk music, delivers a masterwork that is both mythic and deeply personal. There isn't a weak track to be found here, all the songs seem to lead you towards an ever-shifting seasonal journey that reminds you how deeply personal turning the wheel can truly be. That sacrifice and rebirth are simultaneously inside and outside of us. For fans of "The Wicker Man" soundtrack, surely, but also for those wondering who is envisioning the future of folk music. Wonderful. You can buy a digitial version of "The Fox's Wedding" at Amazon, or order a physical copy from Jnana Records (or Amazon).
Silver Summit - "Silver Summit"A heady mix of psychedelic folk and mysticism, Silver Summit's debut album is an ode to what lays beyond. The album plays like an initiatory journey to the otherworld, from the opening chimes of "Music In the Afterlife", to the breathy chant-like "In-Between Place" (appropriately placed near the the middle of the album) to somber and spooky closer "The Bridge". You are left feeling changed and deeper entwined in mystery than before you started. It is little wonder that other reviewers are describing Silver Summit as "bewitched", "a collision of heaven and earth, fire and water", or for "sonic voyagers seeking to ascend to the next level." You can buy a digital copy of "Silver Summit" from Amazon, or you can order a physical copy through Drag City/Language of Stone.
Other picks:
Fern Knight - "Fern Knight" - A mix of folk, prog, and classical elements that serves as "an ode to all things green and living", and showcases the amazing songwriting abilities of Margaret Wienk. [Purchase]
Lux Interna - [a lantern carried in blood and skin] - A retrospective collection of haunting neo-folk that explores a Gnostic band finding the "inner light" in a world of illusions. [Purchase]
Pamela Wyn Shannon - "Courting Autumn": A psych/pastoral-folk exploration of the waning year that highlights a shining musical talent. [Purchase]
Labels: A Darker Shade of Pagan, music, Paganism, review
8.04.2008
Conventional, Unconventional, Alternative
UK technology site TechWorld investigates the recent controversy over the Birmingham City Council blocking access to atheist and Pagan sites, while allowing normal access to "mainstream" religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. Bryan Betts interviews a spokesman from Bluecoat Software, who allegedly provides the council's filtering service, and uncovers a general arbitrary cluelessness concerning the categorization of religions.
"The problem is that it lists organised religions such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism in one group, while relegating less mainstream - but recognised and perfectly legal - faiths such as Wicca and Paganism to an "Alternative Spirituality/Occult" group. Rather oddly, it lists atheism both in the latter group and under Politics. And a company spokesperson couldn't explain what the difference is between "unconventional religious or quasireligious subjects" (listed under Religion) and " alternative religions" (listed as Alternative Spirituality/Occult)."
You can read a run-down of Bluecoat's filter categories, here. The dirty little secret of the web filtering business is that the categories are mostly cribbed from conservative Christian-backed programs and services. These programs are then sold to schools, libraries, and government institutions, which can lead to controversy and litigation once individuals realize the bias inherent in the filter.
"Alternative Spirituality/Occult: Sites that promote and provide information on religions such as Wicca, Witchcraft or Satanism. Occult practices, atheistic views, voodoo rituals or any other form of mysticism are represented here. Includes sites that endorse or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, incantations, curses and magic powers. This category includes sites which discuss or deal with paranormal or unexplained events."
The National Secular Society, who calls the current filtering scheme "slightly deranged", is hoping that the negative publicity will be enough to change their filter policy, though they will take the matter to court if they have to. In the meantime, followers of "conventional", "unconventional", and "quasi-religious" faiths will have full access to the web, while the "alternative/occult" adherents will be treated as second-class citizens by a government agency. Something, no doubt, will have to give soon.
Labels: atheism, discrimination, Internet, occult, Paganism, UK
8.03.2008
The Blue Pagans and The Convention
I would like use this light news day to alert my readers to a new blog/project that I have a hand in coordinating. You may remember my interview with Maine Democratic Party official and out(ed) Pagan Rita Moran back in April. Ms. Moran, though losing her superdelegate status, has been chosen by the Maine Democratic Party to be a part of the delegation for that state. Realizing that this was a unique opportunity, she offered to report back from the Democratic National Convention and deliver a Pagan perspective on the proceedings. So Rita, along with fellow Democratic Party official and credentialed blogger ?Ed Lachowicz, have started a special blog to post their reports.
"We've got a great opportunity here, a chance to make our mark on a campaign for change, a chance to be a constant reminder that we expect "Change We Can Believe In" means an America that treats Pagans fairly and equally....from an ensured right to worship for military Pagans (including Pagan chaplains), to true enforcement of the separation of Church (Grove?) and State." - Rita Moran, Change Who Can Believe in?
I believe that this is a unique opportunity to have an embedded Pagan voice at a major political event, and The Wild Hunt will be posting links to their coverage of the convention. In the meantime, Rita and Ed have already started blogging in anticipation of the upcoming event, and there are a variety of subscription services and tools at the site that allow you to follow along and promote their posts. I hope those of you interested in the project will help promote Blue Pagans at the DNC by adding it to your blogrolls, telling your friends, and linking to the convention coverage later this month.
I would also like to take this opportunity to put out a call for openly Pagan Republican delegates or credentialed press who are planning to attend the Republican National Convention in September. If you would like to see a "Red Pagans at the RNC" blog happen, send me an e-mail. While I happen to "trend blue" personally, this site refrains from endorsing any political candidate or party, and remains a "neutral" ground open to Pagans of all political persuasions.
Labels: blogging, Democratic National Convention, Democratic Party, Edward Lachowicz, Paganism, politics, Presidential election, Rita Moran
8.02.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
We'll start off with the shameless plug department of The Wild Hunt, head over to John Morehead's blog to read an interview with me concerning issues in Pagan-Christian dialog.
"I'm a big believer that Pagans shouldn't isolate themselves. While we are growing quickly, we are still a tiny, and often misunderstood, minority. What Christians do and think can have serious ramifications on us, and we would be foolish to ignore that. Not to mention the fact that the million-plus Pagans in America alone have millions of Christian relatives, friends, and co-workers. A rational and peaceful dialog is the only way forward from the tensions that produce "Satanic Panics", bitter custody fights, lost jobs, broken friendships, and isolated families. We don't have to agree, but we do need to find away to get along."
This discussion is just one of many to be spurred by the new book "Beyond the Burning Times: A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue". Expect interviews with the two main participants of "Beyond the Burning Times", Philip Johnson and Gus diZerega, on this blog in the near future.
Christian prayer or Pagan spells, which will prevail!? We may soon find out. Focus on the Family's Stuart Shepard is imploring Christians to pray for "umbrellas-aint-gonna-help-you" amounts of rain to fall on Barack Obama's outdoor acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Meanwhile, Isaac Bonewits unveils the latest edition of "Spells for Democracy" where he asks for coordinated (ethical) spell-work to, among other things, unearth scandals or personality flaws of your "least favorite candidate".
"Cast a revelation spell around your least-favorite candidate, to expose any aspects of their history or personality that would make them unfit for office."
Wouldn't it be interesting if Obama gets rained on, while McCain get embroiled in a major ethical scandal? Would we be left with a celestial stalemate? The theological implications are boggling.
Racist idiots are garnering more bad press for Asatru. A skinhead in Arizona was arrested after threatening a group of Hispanic people (who were quietly mourning the death of a loved one) with a shovel and a knife.
"Peters then yelled that he wanted his step-daughter and raised a shovel saying he was a skinhead and would kill someone, court records say. Peters realized he was outnumbered and backed down from the confrontation. He was arrested nearby, court records say. Court records said Peters told police he was looking for his step-daughter and said he was a skinhead and wanted to intimidate the group of Hispanic people. He also told Mesa police he pulled out a knife, court records say."
Once in custody, Kelley Peters thought it was a good idea to tell the court that he had Hitler tattoos and that he was an adherent of Asatru (which the article claims is "a common practice in the Skinhead culture"). Another moron without honor sullying a religion he probably has no deep understanding of.
The Ashland Daily Tidings reports on the formation of a new Pagan preschool by Rowan Tree Pagan Ministries.
"Rowan Tree Director of Children's Programs Selyna Faola'n plans to offer Rowan Academy, a preschool and kindergarten program for children ages 3 to 5, starting Sept. 22. The program can proceed if it meets an enrollment minimum of 10 students, but Faola'n said she could go ahead with as few as seven. Rowan Tree Pagan Ministries is an organization that offers programs and resources for the Southern Oregon pagan community. The group received its nonprofit certificate this week. The Rowan Tree Pagan Art and Ritual Supply Shop, which serves as a community hub, is located in the Underground Marketplace downtown."
The article, unfortunately, has attracted some anonymous trolls who begin to find any weak points (real or imagined) in which to mock the subjects of the piece. A sadly common event now proving John Gabriel’s Greater Internet F*****d Theory, and calling into question the utility of appending the ability to comment to everything on the web. Luckily, I'm blessed with a thoughtful and intelligent bunch of commenters here, and have never had to entertain abandoning the ongoing dialog with my readers.
In the wake of tragedy, Unitarian-Universalists keep the faith.
"Across the country, as well as in the Washington area, hundreds of Unitarian Universalist congregations held services and candlelight vigils this week after a deadly rampage at a Knoxville, Tenn., church to show support for their denomination's long-standing progressive tradition ... At the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax in Oakton, about 60 people from five UU congregations in Northern Virginia came together for a service Monday evening. Bill Welch, the congregation's minister for programs, talked about how isolating it can be to be a liberal in today's world of right-wing talk radio and conservative Christians "that talk about liberals as if we are bad people." "In our prayers, we should remember that we're not alone, that there are people who share our beliefs, that we are part of a larger body," Welch said."
The article notes the Unitarian-Universalism's post-Christian identity, and that modern Pagans are included and welcomed within the denomination.
In a final note, Canada's National Press pays tribute to the "riches of ancient Greece", and raises some interesting questions about the goddess Nike.
"Nike, goddess of victory, has emerged in our time as the greatest celebrity among all the Greek divinities. On the streets of every city, sweaty worshippers proclaim their love on T-shirts and shoes. Nike was always impressive: Look at her as the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a don't-miss-this stop for every tourist in Paris who gets to the Louvre. Still, she was hardly in the top rank. She was an attendant of Zeus, the chief god, and now she's eclipsed him in every gym in the world. Zeus doesn't even have a line of underwear named after him. She's made him an also ran."
Is Zeus still the king? Perhaps we should consult Tom Stone, who recently published a biography of the great thunderer.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: Asatru, Beyond the Burning Times, law, Nike, Oregon, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, politics, prayer, Presidential election, racism, shootings, spells, Unitarian-Universalism, Zeus
8.01.2008
A Blessed Lughnasadh
Today is Lughnasadh (also known as Lammas) the first of three harvest festivals celebrated in many modern Pagan traditions. Lughnasadh originated as one of the four main Celtic fire festivals and was dedicated to the Celtic god Lugh/Lugus the many-skilled (or, in the case of Ireland, Lugh's foster-mother Tailtiu). It is a time of thanksgiving, first-harvests, and the end of summer (though it doesn't feel like it here in the Midwest).
Lammas food altar (Photo: BBC)
Here are some quotes for the holiday.
"Although in the heat of a midwestern summer it might be difficult to discern, the festival of Lammas (August 1) marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The days now grow visibly shorter and by the time we’ve reached autumn’s end (October 31), we will have run the gamut of temperature from the heat of August to the cold and (sometimes) snow of November. And in the midst of it, a perfect midwestern autumn." - Mike Nichols, The Witches' Sabbats
"It may still feel distinctly like summer outside, but Aug. 1 has long been celebrated by some Europeans as the beginning of fall. Known to some as Lammas and others as Lughnasad, the festival of the harvest is most commonly celebrated by baking a loaf of bread from the season’s new grain supply. Although predating Christianity, the celebration has been incorporated into church traditions as well, as the first loaves of bread were brought to Mass on Aug. 1, from whence the name Lammas (loaf-mass) is derived. In addition to the celebration of the year’s bounty, some traditions also incorporate a farewell to the sun, as the days become shorter and the nights cooler. Whether the celebration is spiritual or merely symbolic, there’s something to be said for reconnecting with the seasons and with the sowing, growing and reaping of food in our community. Sitting in air-conditioned cubicles and commuting by car, we can so easily become separated from the natural world that we have little chance to recognize the rhythms of nature which were so essential to our ancestors." - Theresa Hogue, Corvallis Gazette Times
"The first ripe fruits in Ireland in August are the bilberries, a cousin of the North American blueberry. In Ireland, it became a tradition to gather the wild berries on the last Sunday in July (known, variously, as 'Bilberry Sunday,' or 'Lughnasa Sunday.'" - Cathleen Falsani, Chicago Sun Times
"In modern times this agricultural core of the festival is all that has survived, but formerly, when Celtic lands were under native rulers, Lúghnasadh was the occasion of major assemblies where legal matters were settled, political problems were discussed, craftsmen, artists and entertainers got a chance to show off their talents, and sporting events brought scattered communities together. All this was under the patronage of Lúgh (the 9th-century Sanas Cormaic explains 'Lúghnasadh' as "the assembly of Lúgh"), who was said to have instituted the games in memory of either his wives or of his foster-mother Tailtiu, whose name (from Old Celtic Talantiu, "The Great One of the Earth") and life-history give her a special affinity with the Harvest. But it is Lúgh alone who allows the Harvest to actually begin, by setting the right conditions for it and by combating the hostile elements in the Land that are trying to destroy the crops." - Alexei Kondratiev, Lugus: The Many-Gifted Lord
"Have a magical picnic and break bread with friends. Do a meditation in which you visualize yourself completing a project you have already begun. Make a corn dolly charm out of the first grain you harvest or acquire. Bake a sacred loaf bread and give a portion of it to Mother Earth with a prayer of appreciation. Make prayers for a good harvest season. Do prosperity magic. Harvest herbs in a sacred way for use in charms and rituals. Kindle a Lammas fire with sacred wood and dried herbs. If you live in or near a farming region, attend a public harvest festival, such as a corn or apple festival." - Selena Fox, Lammas
May you have a fruitful holiday!
Labels: Festival, Harvest, Lammas, Lugh, Lughnasadh, Paganism
7.31.2008
Closure in the Salem Psychic Wars?
Last year I devoted several posts to a local struggle in Salem over the licensing of psychics. One group, led by Laurie Cabot, wanted to limit licenses and inhibit traveling "psychic fairs" (which they felt "poached" their profits), the other, led by Christian Day, wanted more relaxed rules that would allow for a greater number of licensed psychics. Eventually a compromise measure was reached, but in the process, remains from a dead raccoon were left on the doorsteps of two local metaphysical shops.
"The remains of a mutilated raccoon were left at the doorways of two of the city's psychic shops. At 12:41 a.m. yesterday, John Ray of Salem flagged down police Sgt. Richard Gagnon and alerted him to a raccoon's skull and a pile of intestines that had been left at the entrance to Angelica of the Angels, a shop at 7 Central St. While patrolling Essex Street about an hour later, Gagnon discovered more remains at the door to The Goddess' Treasure Chest at 172 Essex St."
Some Salem residents cast suspicion on Day, accusing him of working malignant magic, but it soon came to light that the perpetrator was psychic and Salem Witch Sharon Graham, who had been nursing a grudge against Christian Day.
"Richard Watson said he went back to his Bridge Street apartment on the night of May 26 to a disturbing scene: his roommate, Sharon Graham, dressed in black, surrounded by four young men, also all in black, standing around a jar. Inside that jar was the eye of a raccoon, police say. And in two trash bags in Watson’s refrigerator was the rest of the critter, which had been dismembered."
Now, nearly a year later, and after further accusations of witness intimidation, it looks like we have some closure. Sharon Graham, in a plea agreement, has admitted to a judge that she placed the raccoon remains in front of those shops, though she claims to not know why she did so.
"A self-described Wiccan high priestess admitted yesterday that she had placed pieces of an eviscerated raccoon on the doorsteps of two local businesses last year. But Sharon Graham said she still can't explain why. Graham, 47, formerly of Salem , admitted during a hearing in Salem District Court that prosecutors had sufficient evidence for a conviction on charges of littering and wanton destruction of property. Judge Dunbar Livingston called the case "certainly a somewhat bizarre and troubling incident" but agreed to go along with a plea agreement that called for the charges to be continued without a finding for a year on condition that Graham perform 20 hours of community service and remain in counseling. If she complies with those conditions and stays out of further trouble, the charges will be dismissed in a year. Prosecutors also agreed to drop the most serious charge against Graham, a count of witness intimidation."
Graham has moved out of Salem, is receiving counseling, and is being supervised by a probation officer. Christian Day has gone on to become an even bigger fish in Salem's pond, working with the city to promote Halloween season tourism, and co-running his own Witch shop Hex. Laurie Cabot continues to be as famous (infamous?) as ever, celebrating her 75th birthday in March with Godsmack frontman Sully Erna, among others, in attendance. So it looks like this matter is finally closed, and life in Salem, in all its Witchy glory, can continue.
Labels: Christian Day, Laurie Cabot, law, psychics, Salem, Sharon Graham, Wicca, Witch, Witchcraft
7.30.2008
How "Earthy" Is Your Religion?
The Los Angeles Times brings us another edition of the ever-familiar "meet the Pagans" article. It has many of the usual "clever" lines journalists use when reporting on Pagans, allusions to Stevie Nicks, allusions to Harry Potter, Pagan Witches don't all wear pointy black hats, you get the idea. But Matthew DeBord's article rises from mere mediocrity into truly bad journalism thanks to some outright falsehoods and bizarre assumptions.
"Contemporary paganism doesn't draw its inspiration from the multiple-gods worship of ancient Greece and Rome so much as from less classical, earthier antecedents (although pagans can and do worship different gods and goddesses). Think Druids, or the shamanistic traditions of Native Americans. Satanism, being associated with the post-Christian world, is not usually considered part of the neo-pagan movement although neo-pagans, being exceedingly tolerant, would probably not object to Satanists being allowed to do their thing, as well."
Really? What does that mean for members of Feraferia, Hellenismos, the Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, and Nova Roma? What about the large swathes of modern Pagans, including the Druids, who engage in "multiple-gods worship" (we call it "polytheism" round these parts). I also love that shamanism is somehow "earthier" than "classical" paganism. I wonder how one measures the "earthy" quotient of a spiritual/religious system. Is their an earthy hierarchy I'm missing out on?
I'm not sure if DeBord's assumptions are born from misinformed interview subjects or his own preconceived notions, but if your sweeping statements can't pass the Wikipedia test, then it's time to reevaluate your journalistic abilities. Then again, maybe modern Paganism has been taken over by earthy Druid-shamans and nobody told me.
Labels: Druids, journalism, LA Times, Paganism, shamanism, Wicca, Witchcraft
