4.18.2008
Updates on Recent Stories
I've got quick updates on two recent stories. We'll start off in Salem...
Mainstream Acceptance in Salem: The panel discussion in Salem featuring Margot Adler and Jerrie Hildebrand is continuing to get coverage from the local papers. This time, Lisa Guerriero from the Salem Gazette reports back from the "No Place for Hate" panel, and pairs it with a recent satellite television appearance by two Salem Witches.
"What is life like for a person who considers himself or herself a witch? How do Hollywood images of witches stack up to their real-life counterparts? These are some of the questions addressed by a No Place for Hate panel in Salem last Saturday [see story, Page 1]. Similar questions were posed recently on a Dish Network TV program, "Magnificent Obsessions." While the panel explored the beliefs and lifestyle of Wiccans and Pagans, the TV show addressed a different kind of witch. Wiccans and Pagans draw mainly from a resurrected tradition of communion with nature, whereas the Salem witches featured in "Magnificent Obsessions" focus more on psychic work and spells than Pagan traditions. They're typically the kind of witches you see walking Salem's streets in all black, sometimes with pointy hats."
The two Witches featured in the television show? Christian Day and Leanne Marrama, two Witches who recently opened their own shop in Salem. Guerriero's observation concerning a split between "Salem Witches" and "Wiccans and Pagans" is an interesting one. While Salem Witches like Day and Marrama may not be Wiccan, aren't they Pagan? Should a shift of emphasis in style and practice remove them from the larger Pagan family? Perhaps the problem with press coverage of Witches and Pagans is that it is so polarized between sensationalism and statements of normalacy that people like Christian Day and Margot Adler start to seem from entirely different movements, instead of part of a larger religious continuum.
First Shot Fired in British Psychic Wars: Since I first reported on it earlier this month, the controversy over Britain adopting EU reforms on psychic services and mediumship has grown. Today the Independent, the BBC, and the Telegraph all report on a protest organized by the Spiritual Workers Association in opposition to the new legislation.
"Today, representatives of British mediums will march up Downing Street to deliver a petition containing some 10,000 signatories demanding that the Government change its decision to repeal the 1951 Fraudulent Mediums Act in favour of a new EU directive ... The SWA complains that the 1951 law, which replaced the 1735 Witchcraft Act, guarantees "genuine" mediums legal protection, penalising only those who seek to hoodwink the public. However, by treating spiritualism as merely a consumer service, mediums believe they risk being sued if customers are dissatisfied with advice brought from the other side - advice they say they always point out should always be treated with care. The solution to the present impasse, according to lawyers advising the crystal-ball fraternity, is via the prosaic expedient of a pre-consultation disclaimer, describing any dialogue with the deceased in terms of either entertainment or scientific experiment. It does not sit comfortably with purist believers."
Meanwhile, the Spiritualists' National Union, the largest UK Spiritualists organization, is supporting the law. Expressing confidence that it will only harm con-artists and not divinations or mediumship performed in a religious context. Despite the protest and the petition, all signs point to these new regulations being passed. So we'll have to wait and see if it only harms con-men, or if it will be used as a cudgel by crusading skeptics or oppositional religious groups (a possibility acknowledged by EU regulations supporter Susie Collings, of the College of Psychic Studies).
Labels: Christian Day, Jerrie Hildebrand, law, Leanne Marrama, Margot Adler, Paganism, psychics, Salem, Spiritualism, Tarot, Television, UK, Wicca, Witchcraft
4.16.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
Jane Baker, from the Australian paper The Yass Tribue, holds up Hypatia of Alexandria as a beacon of inspiration when confronting various fundamentalisms and maintaining independent thought.
"In a time darker than ours, a time when reason was held hostage to fundamentalism, when only one form of thought and belief was permitted, when scholars were denounced and their works destroyed, Hypatia kept teaching and standing up for reason. "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all," she told her students. Those words should stay with us when we read the papers, listen to the news, hear the latest demagogue spruiking his zealotry. We have to think. We have to question. We cannot accept what we are told without thought and consideration. That is what stands between us and the darkness of ignorance and fanaticism."
Now that Hypatia's story is being adapted into a film, one wonders if the famous Neoplatonist will indeed become a sort of Pagan saint, invoked against intolerance and religious extremism by a variety of groups.
Students from Pagan/Wiccan club and Native American club at Joliet Junior College, inspired by one of their teachers, joined forces to create a Relay for Life team and raise money for Cancer research.
"Students from the Native American Club and the Pagan Wiccan Club joined together to create the JJC Thunderbirds team for the All-College Relay for Life being held this weekend at Lewis University in Romeoville. In a final push to raise funds for the walk, they created an event - 'Clips for a Cure' - on the JJC bridge Thursday afternoon. Anyone donating a foot of hair to Locks of Love was eligible for a free hair cut; others were given a hair cut with a donation as small as $5. Hairstylists from J&M Hair Salon in Joliet donated their time and talent to the cause, cutting both men's and women's hair."
Thanks in part to the efforts of these clubs, Joliet Junior College has raised over $25,000 for cancer research in the past two years. This is a wonderful example of young Pagans involved in making the world a better place, and showing that the future of our religious movement is in good hands.
The Florida Sun-Sentinel re-tells the myth of Eos and Tithonus.
"Naturally Tithonus loved Eos. Who could resist the love of such a beautiful goddess? Just as she does today, in those years long ago, Eos woke the world each morning with curling rings of light, and every morning she mystically brought the world out of darkness. Whenever Tithonus looked at her, he felt a glow, the way so many people feel at dawn - as buoyant as an April morning on those days when the first buds begin to bloom."
Just the myth. No commentary, no moral lesson, just the story. If re-printing the great stories and myths in newspapers is a new trend, I approve! Perhaps they can run a serial of the Trojan War?
A Druid from Portsmouth has turned in his ritual sword to the police in order to make a statement on the recent growth of stabbing incidents in the UK.
"A Druid who had to fight a legal battle to get his sword back after police confiscated it has now handed the weapon in to promote world peace. Merlin Williams used his blunt sword, Taliesin, to create a circle of safety around members of the druid order at ceremonies ... He said: 'The thought to hand the sword in to police came to me when I was meditating and thinking about world peace and the stabbings you read about in the papers all the time. 'I wanted to show that druids are peace-loving and although the sword was never used for violence, I thought handing it in to the police station where it was confiscated would be a good way of doing this. I also want to discourage others from carrying knives as it can lead to violence and people being hurt.'"
Williams is a member and chief bard of the The Insular Order of Druids, an organization that has had more than one run-in with the law over confiscated ritual blades.
The Oshawa Public Library in Ontario has generated a bit of scandal over providing a tarot workshop to local teens.
"It's not often that a school librarian takes issue with a library program. But Oshawa's Susan Packer said she was driven to act last week, after learning Oshawa's public library will be offering tarot card workshops for teens later this month. "I believe that tarot reading is a dangerous practice. Teenagers who might attend the program offered at the library will be dabbling in the occult," said Ms. Packer, who is the parent of three teenagers and a teacher-librarian at an Oshawa elementary school ... Ms. Packer shared her concerns with the Durham District School Board and sent a letter to the library board and local politicians last week, asking that the program be dropped."
While such a controversy might have played out differently in America, it seems that Canada has little tolerance for religious hysteria. A librarian at OPL said that "we don't let small groups of people dictate what large groups of people can see or do or learn", and they plan to go ahead with the workshop. The workshops are being held on April 19th and 26th, and will feature Zsuzsana, author of "The Now Age".
In a final note, a couple people passed along a link to a story from late last year that I missed. It concerns an ongoing rivalry between two Baltimore candle stores on the same street "Grandma's Candle Shop" and "Lucky Star Candles: Home of Old Grandpa."
"Grandma's and Grandpa's have both been caring for the spiritual health of downtown Baltimore for three decades, squabbling like an old married couple the whole time. The feud isn't as hot as it was when Old Grandpa ran his store, but despite their similarities, there's no love lost between the candle merchants."
This story has it all: drama, allegations of intellectual property theft, bad blood, and different religious backgrounds (Grandma's is Pagan-friendly, Grandpa's is decidedly Christian in tone). Both uneasily co-exist while selling mojo and magical supplies to the locals. A must-read!
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: activism, Baltimore, Canada, candles, Druidry, Druids, Hoodoo, Hypatia, Myth, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Tarot, UK, Wicca
4.12.2008
Revamping a Classic Occult Character
Longtime readers of this blog will note that I like to keep tabs on occult and Pagan themes found in comic books. Several luminaries within the occult/Pagan community have written for comics, Rachel Pollack, Alexei Kondratiev, and David Sexton to name a few, while many comic writers and artists have dipped their toes into the occult arts and Pagan religion. Alan Moore and Grant Morrison, for example. There is just something about the medium of sequential art that makes it a fertile ground for explorations of the unseen.
Madame Xanadu from her 1978 debut.
The latest upcoming comic project to explore myth, magic, and mystery is a revamp of the classic DC Comics tarot-reading occult character Madame Xanadu. The project will be released under the Vertigo imprint (which put out Neil Gaiman's The Sandman), and written by Matt Wagner, who is well known for his myth-drenched work in titles like Mage and Grendel.
"Making her debut in "Doorway to Nightmare" #1 in 1978, Madame Xanadu was originally introduced as a reincarnation of the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend. Over the years, the character settled into a role as fortune-teller and resident occult advisor to the DCU. Wagner's Madame Xanadu's story also opens centuries ago in a medieval kingdom ripe with intrigue and "foul sorcery." 'This is her origin story and it's a long one,' Wagner told CBR News. 'The narrative begins quite a ways in the past but it progresses through both time and various, fairly famous locales until we ultimately end up in Greenwich Village.'"
According to Wagner, the book will be a re-imagining of the character, and will take time to explain her past (including why an Arthurian sorceress is named "Xanadu"). Handling art on the series will be Amy Hadley, who brings a fresh manga-influenced style to the project.
Madame Xanadu by Amy Hadley
"Madame Xanadu presents a challenge for Wagner as a creator even though his own character, Mage, had mythical ties to King Arthur and Merlin as well. 'This is an entirely new and different sort of project for me,' he said ... 'Her main activity is fortune-telling and predicting the future, so she's a character who's constantly looking for better ways to do that. She searches for pattern in all things because she feels that the events of the future are written in the constructs of the present and the past.'"
You can see a two-page preview of "Madame Xanadu" on Amy Hadley's LiveJournal. The first issue is scheduled to be released on June 25th, 2008, and should be available in finer comic stores everywhere. This should be a treat for fans of occult-oriented comic books.
Labels: Amy Hadley, art, Comics, Madame Xanadu, Matt Wagner, occult, Tarot
4.06.2008
First Shot Fired in British Psychic Wars
America isn't the only place dealing with laws banning or unfairly regulating psychic practitioners. Britain is set to pass a new set of regulations concerning divination, spiritual healing, and psychic practices in line with EU recommendations.
"...a whole list of disclaimers must be added to the spiritualists' spiel if they are to avoid an avalanche of writs following the repeal next month of the Fraudulent Mediums Act, to be replaced by the new Consumer Protection Regulations. Promises to raise the dead, secure good fortune or heal through the laying on of hands are all at risk of legal action from disgruntled customers. Spiritualists say they will be forced to issue disclaimers, such as 'this is a scientific experiment, the results of which cannot be guaranteed'. They claim the new regulations will leave them open to malicious civil action by skeptics."
The new Consumer Protection Regulations also places the burden of proof on the psychic or practitioner in accusations of fraud. A very different scenario than under the old Fraudulent Mediums Act (which replaced the repealed Witchcraft Act).
"For the past half-century, 'genuine' mediums have been protected by the 1951 Fraudulent Mediums Act, under which prosecutors had to prove fraud and dishonest intent to secure a criminal conviction, which was difficult. There have been fewer than 10 convictions in the past 20 years. With that protection gone, there will now be nothing between the medium and the trading standards officer - and no need to prove fraud. Instead it will be up to the trader, in this case the medium, to prove they did not mislead, coerce or take advantage of any 'vulnerable' consumers."
Those most upset over these impending regulations are the Spiritualist churches in Britain (which, according to latest census, has over 30,000 members), who rankle at having to describe sacred rites as "experiments", in effect denying their own beliefs in order to avoid accusations of fraud.
"Carole McEntee-Taylor, a spiritualist healer in Essex, said having to stand up and describe the invoking of spirits as an 'experiment' was forcing spiritualists to 'lie and deny our beliefs'. She added: 'No other religion has to do that. And how can you tell if someone is vulnerable? You would have to ask them if they felt vulnerable, or had mental health issues, or were of a nervous disposition' ... 'It is taking a religion, a way of life, and making it a commercial transaction,' said David McEntee-Taylor. 'If we hold a service in a village hall, we have to charge or ask for a donation to cover the cost of hiring the hall. There are bad mediums out there, and we would like to regulate them. But this is unfair on genuine spiritualists. Some people are very nervous of entrapment.'"
These regulations would also have an immediate effect on British Pagans and occultists as well. Did you charge for a healing? A tarot reading? Did you pass the hat to cover rent at a public gathering where a Priestess invoked the Goddess and gave advice? You could be held liable for fraud if the advice or healing doesn't work out. The British government, in response to criticisms, claims that no religious services "in themselves" will be affected, only "misleading" business transactions. Some are holding out hope that the regulations will only, as the government claims, affect the scam-artists. Leaving Spiritualists and other practitioners in peace.
"All that Spiritualism needs to do is to ensure that it's mediums operate within the new law regarding any services which involve transactions that could be interpreted as a "consumer contract". This may require some precautions such as verbal disclaimers and possibly in the case of private sittings, signed indemnity statements, but surely this is perfectly possible for any responsible Spiritualist medium to arrange ... In my opinion, the sky is definitely not falling, and the new legislation will serve to eliminate the undesirables, the fortune tellers and the con artists."
In truth, no one is quite sure how these new regulations will be enforced. Will it only target "undesirables", or will it create a litigation nightmare for anyone engaged in psychic practice, mediumship, or spiritual healing work. Is it fair to make a Pagan or Spiritualist call practices tied to their religion "experiments" that the "gullible" or emotionally "vulnerable" should avoid? Since it seems likely that these regulations will be put in place without much opposition in Parliament, we'll all just have to wait and see.
Labels: law, litigation, Paganism, psychics, Religious Freedom, Spiritualism, Tarot, The Witchcraft Act, UK
1.19.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
A priest in the Church of England has voluntarily resigned his clergy status after it was discovered he was taking courses in Witchcraft from The College of the Sacred Mists.
"The Rev Chris Horseman agreed to resign his licence to officiate at church services as an Anglican priest following a meeting on Wednesday with the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price. The decision will mean that Mr Horseman will no longer be able to conduct services in any C of E church"
Horseman, who is also involved in Druidry and Spiritual Humanism, plans to continue his "Rent a Rev" business within the context of his new spiritual home(s).
The Evansville Courier Press talks to local screenwriter Rod Spence about the superstition that served as an inspiration for The Hallmark Channel's production of "The Good Witch".
"The shadowy figure some believe haunts Willard Library suggested a legend featured in Evansville resident Rod Spence's screenplay for "The Good Witch," a two-hour movie set to screen at 8 p.m. tonight and again at the same time Jan. 25 and Jan. 31 on the Hallmark Channel. "I used the legend of the Grey Lady of Willard Library, only I made her the Grey Lady of Grey House," Spence said."
But while Evansville cheers on its native son, television reviewers haven't been too kind to the film.
"Nightingale's enemies are as benign and generic as her magical arts. It says something when a movie about witchcraft and its detractors can unfold without a mention of religion or the occult. But the real missing ingredient here is any chemistry between Nightingale and her love interest. Bell's witch may not ride a broomstick, but she straddles the line between cool understatement and complete disinterest."
I'd just like to say that I totally called that one. Only Hallmark could produce a movie about a persecuted "witch" without mentioning religion or the occult.
Santeria (and other Afro-Caribbean faiths) continues to interact with the mainstream. First up, a Santero has been dealt a legal setback in Texas as he fights to gain the right to sacrifice goats in his home.
"A Santeria priest who sued Euless for the right to sacrifice goats in his home lost a key round in court Thursday when a judge ruled that one of the laws he sued under doesn't apply ... Mr. Merced argued that the ritual was protected under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which says governments must show a compelling public interest before enforcing laws that could interfere with religious practices. But U.S. District Judge John McBryde ruled that the city's slaughtering ban regulated only conduct, not the use of land."
Without the RLUIPA claims, the case will be much harder to win. A trial is set in March for the remaining claims. Meanwhile, in Florida, the Florida International University is reaching out to Afro-Caribbean faiths at a conference on African culture and religion.
"Scholars, priests and spiritual leaders gathered in South Florida on Friday, seeking an understanding of African culture and religion in the mainstream. The aim is to achieve mainstream acceptance of practices that some might view as extreme ... "So many Cuban Santeria here, Haitian Voodoo specialists, we want to use their knowledge and mainstream them into our academic curriculum," said Dr. Akin Ogundiran, who specializes in African New World Studies for FIU."
Also at this conference, Ernesto Pichardo, founder of the Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye and a visiting fellow at FIU's African-New World Studies program, has donated a very rare book of the Yoruba-Lukumi religion to the school.
"The text, The Book of Diagnosis in Ifa Divination, was drawn from the religion's oral tradition and first published in the 1940s. The original text and its copies were kept from the public until the present day ... The text is a compilation of Yoruba and Afro-Cuban history, culture and philosophy. It was written in Yoruba and Spanish."
For more of my coverage on the very public and vocal Ernesto Pichardo, click here.
Alabama paper The Dothan Eagle reports on a visit by crusading Christian apologist Cky J. Carrigan. Carrigan will speak about the "dangers" of the growing New Age movement and modern Paganism.
"Witchcraft is becoming less and less hidden," he said "Most every larger and medium-size town in America has some pocket of people practicing witchcraft, even in the Bible Belt. The greatest expansion is coming from teens and 20-somethings, but there are significant pockets of 30 to 50-somethings."
In addition to warning people about Paganism, Carrigan is also vigilant concerning the spiritual dangers of Unitarian-Universalism, Harry Potter, and Pokemon. No doubt he'll be a big hit at the Southside Baptist Church in Dothan (where Pokemon abuse is reaching critical levels).
The Rabbi's Tarot? Now I've heard of everything.
"Forget the ouija board - the occult has much more to offer. One option might be The Rabbi's Tarot, an illumination from the kundalini to the pineal to the pituitary, by Daphna Moore. While there are more tarot sets than you can shake a wand at available in every bookstore, The Rabbi's Tarot is special. According to Ms. Moore, it "reveals how the practical occultist develops the pineal and pituitary glands by energized currents coming through the seven centers or Chakras ... When the pineal gland is energized by the transmuted sex force (THE MAGICIAN's wand), the sex force is then turned into the White Light." Who knew that the tarot could be so spicy? I can only assume that this book was written with Reform rabbis in mind - energized pineal and pituitary glands can't possibly be kosher enough for the Orthodox."
In a final note, a new web site is aiming to unite "geek culture" in Montreal. The site's co-founder explains who is into what when talking about geeks.
"Megelas hopes the website will unify seemingly disparate elements of Montreal geekdom. "If you've got a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, that's probably someone who's pretty keen on pagan culture," he explains. "And your average hacker is going to be a big Star Wars fan."
There it is folks. If you are into Buffy, you'll probably love Pagan "culture", if you aren't already into it.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: Christianity, Ernesto Pichardo, Pagan News of Note, Santeria, Tarot, Television, The College of the Sacred Mists, Wicca, Witchcraft
10.07.2007
Taxing the Fortune-Tellers
The State of Michigan, in a severe budget crisis, has approved an expansion of its 6% sales taxes on a number of previously un-taxed services.
"Starting Dec. 1, lift tickets at Michigan ski resorts will be taxed 6%. Fees to play golf or to bowl won't. Personal fitness training will be taxed, too. Fitness centers won't. The TV repair guy will charge tax. Cable and satellite providers won't. Businesses will have to pay taxes on consulting, landscaping and janitorial services. But not for lawyers, lobbyists and accountants. Weird? Two lawmakers in the middle of final negotiations to extend the state's 6% sales tax to many services as part of the solution for the state's $1.75-billion budget deficit said they tried to focus on services not used by low and middle income people. But they acknowledge the result is muddy -- produced by sleepy legislators in marathon, pressure-packed sessions last weekend aimed at avoiding or quickly ending a state government shutdown."
Among the services "not used by low and middle income people" that made the list are fortune-telling, astrology, numerology, palm-reading, psychics, and phrenology. A situation that isn't exactly thrilling local practitioners of such arts.
"Of course, I don't want it. Nobody wants it," said Okemos astrologer and psychic Lynne Crandall, who will pass along the bookkeeping work to her accountant. "But I'll get in line with what I'm supposed to do." Crandall, who writes an astrology column for NOISE, a weekly publication of the Lansing State Journal, said she knew Granholm would be forced to make some tough calls on taxes. The governor's astrological chart showed she has a moon in the sign of Capricorn, she said, which means "financially, she's a really tough cookie, and she would make sure all the bottom lines are covered." "I just pray the state returns to some kind of financial health so we don't have so many people leaving," Crandall said.
Metaphysical shops in Michigan who offer psychic readings and other related services will also feel the pinch.
"Mona Lindsay, co-owner of Wisdom of the Ages in Howell, said she's equally perplexed as to why psychic readings and the related services her business offers will be taxed. The business charges $35 for a 30-minute psychic reading, and the same amount for Tarot card readings. The tax comes to $2.10 per reading. "I thought that was just ridiculous. I was totally shocked when I was listening to the news yesterday morning that that stuff would even be taxable," Lindsay said. Lindsay said she didn't think that amount of service tax will boost Michigan's overall tax base. She said she'll be meeting with her business partner to re-examine how they charge for readings."
Defenders of the tax expansion say that they are only taxing "nonessential" services used primarily by high-income people. However, anyone who has met or frequented tarot or psychic practitioners know that these fields are filled with lower- and middle-income people catering to those of similar socioeconomic backgrounds. Services that are used often by the upper classes, like country clubs, lawyers, licensed stockbrokers, lobbyists and accountants are immune to the new tax expansion. Much of the list defines services that legislators apparently feel people shouldn't use. Despite the claims of defenders, this expanded list is regressive in nature and doesn't really increase the tax burden of the rich.
9.08.2007
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
The Cambridge Evening News profiles poet and Pagan priestess Janis Oulfkih (aka Moonwillow), and discusses how she came to modern Paganism and her role as Pagan clergy.
"It wasn't until I went rummaging in a bookshop, and found a copy of Prediction magazine, that I realised ... There was an article in there about trees and tree magic which really appealed to me; when I flicked through, I found all this information about Pagans ... Recently I did a hand-fasting - that's a Pagan marriage ceremony - for a Pagan friend and her partner who's an atheist. They're academic people."
Oulfkih is also a member of the UK-based Baphomet Lodge, a group with the stated purpose of guiding seekers "towards the light of truth".
Think Euro-focused Goddess worshipers are the only ones who subscribe to the idea of ancient Goddess-based matriarchies? Think again. Press releases are circulating about a book written by Mama Zogbe (aka Vivian Hunter-Hindrew, a member of the Mami Wata tradition) that claims Africa was once ruled by an order of matriarchs, who are the originating point for all the famous oracles in Africa, the Middle-East, and Europe, and that their wisdom was used to formulate the writings of the Biblical New Testament.
"For 6,000 years, Africa was ruled by a powerful order of Sibyl matriarchs. They produced the world's first oracles, prophetess and prophets. known as "Pythoness," they worked the oracles in the Black Egyptian colonies in ancient Greece, Rome, Turkey, Israel, Syria and Babylon. Their holy temples were more numerous than the churches of today. In ancient Rome, they first established the "holy seat" of the Vatican advising the world's heads of state. Centuries before Christ, they cured epileptics, the blind, lepers and "casted out demons." It was a Sibyl who called-up the spirit of "Apostle" Samuel. Their "pagan" prophecies were used by the emerging Roman papals to create a "western theological" foundation and became the undisputed precursor for the Christian Bible. Previously published in "Mami Wata: Africa's Ancient God/dess Unveiled," and supported by solid evidence, African women's religious history is finally being unearthed, exposing shocking revelations buried for more than 2000 years."
Let the debates begin!
Pagan Pride Day activities continue to make the news, Madison, Wisconsin is holding their celebration today (official site) featuring Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary (which is located near Madison) and Don Lewis the "Paramount High Priest" of the Correllian Tradition. On Sunday the SouthCoast, Massachusetts Pagan community will be celebrating the Autumnal Equinox for their PPD celebration.
"The daylong festival will be held at the Ted Williams Camp in Lakeville and will include everything from information on Pagan spiritual practices to a drumming circle and Pagan religious ceremony, according to Lisa Butler, local coordinator for South Eastern Massachusetts Pagan Pride. "This is an opportunity for all of us to get together and celebrate the annual harvest season," said Ms. Butler. "It's also an opportunity for us to invite other people to come in and see what we do." The day's events begin at 10 a.m. and will run until 6 p.m."
Previous write-ups of PPD events in the press include Dover's (in Delaware), and Nanaimo's (B.C. Canada). My home in Milwaukee is hosting their PPD next week (though I haven't decided if I'm going yet).
The Telegraph reviews a new book entitled "Thames: Sacred River" by Peter Ackroyd. Ackroyd's book looks at the long history of the river, including its significance to ancient British pagans.
"Ackroyd is especially good at evoking the old religion, from the cursus trenches (neolithic constructions) marking longbarrow burial grounds to be found by the banks in the countryside, to the images of Lud and of Father Thames. Like the Ganges and the Nile, the Thames has its own spiritual presence."
Looks like a must-read for those interested in the spiritual landscape of Britain.
Finally, the Tonawanda News reports on Onyx Serpentfire, a Wiccan tarot reader from Kenmore, NY who was looking to find a place to do readings and ended up opening a coffee shop as well.
"Coffee & A Spell, a newly-opened coffee shop located at 3100 Delaware Avenue in Kenmore, offers a wide selection of coffee, tea and espresso in front and tarot readings in the back ... Even though she's a practicing Wiccan, Serpentfire doesn't want the shop to be a place just for Wiccans. The back lounge, still a work in progress, houses a blend of pews salvaged prior to the demolition St. Mary on the Hill, comfy chairs and sofas. The bookshelves are filled with donated books and a volume entitled "How to Turn Your Ex-Boyfriend into a Toad" sit comfortably next to a copy of the Bible."
I'm sure there is a joke about getting your morning cup of coffee while finding out how your day is going to go that the reporter missed out on. But in any case, congratulations to Serpentfire on the successful business venture.
That is all I have for now, have a good day!
Labels: Mama Zogbe, Mami Wata, Moonwillow, Pagan News of Note, Pagan Pride Day, Paganism, River Thames, Tarot, The Goddess, UK, Wicca
8.02.2007
The Tarot of Marvels
Yesterday Marvel Comics (home of Spider-Man and the X-Men) released "The Marvel Tarot", a single-issue look at the magical archetypes and laws of their superhero universe.
Magik as Justice, Brother Voodoo as The Hanged Man, and Nina Price as Death.
"Sorcerer and outsider Ian McNee has been plagued by disturbing dreams and unsettling omens. Something is not right with the world and he needs to know what it is. To gain insights into his growing unease he turns to his most prized mystical possession, The First Tarot! Created in the distant past, The First Tarot is mystically attuned to reflect and track the archetypes of the Marvel Universe. Can this 'Tarot of Marvels' show Ian what is wrong? Or is something wrong with it as well? Peek inside the fascinating and disorganized files of a Magician on a Mission as he examines the current concepts behind Marvel's Myth and Magic and adds a few of his own. How do the Elder Gods connect to the Four Elements? Who are The Get of Set? And a Who's Who of Marvel characters presented in the context of the Tarot's Major Arcana."
The issue was written and designed by David Sexton, creator of the "Winged Spirit Tarot", and the "Tarot of Oz". Sexton has been charged with reviving Marvel's stable of supernatural and occult-based characters, and is currently writing a four-issue miniseries that explores Marvel's magical characters. This "revival" strikes me very much like the beginnings of the Vertigo imprint over at DC, in which most of the supernatural/occult books (Hellblazer, Swamp Thing, Sandman) were moved into their own "adult" imprint free from the constraints of tying into a larger superhero universe. Even if that doesn't happen, it should be interesting to see what develops nonetheless.
Even if you aren't a fan of comics, this issue is a must for fans of tarot ephemera, and stands well by itself as a talented piece of occult-influenced art and design.
Labels: Comics, David Sexton, Marvel Comics, Tarot
2.25.2007
Marvel Gets Mystic
Marvel Comics (home of Spider-Man) has announced a limited series to revive its stable of magic-based characters. Leading up this effort will be David Sexton, creator of the "Winged Spirit Tarot", and the "Tarot of Oz". Unsurprisingly, the series will have a tarot-based theme.
"The series is called Mystic Arcana because the characters all have "mystic and arcane" pedigrees, but also because the Minor Arcana of the Tarot will serve as a unifying "element" to the stories. And we are all working hard to, through this series establish the status quo and ground rules for Magic in the Marvel Universe...The four books will connect to the four suits of the Tarot's Minor Arcana, which in turn correspond the four classic Elements; Air, Earth, Water and Fire."
Sister Grimm (wands), Scarlet Witch (cups)
The Black Knight (pentacles), Magick (swords)
During the interview, Sexton also takes some time to discuss the tarot for comic readers unfamiliar with the concepts.
"Tarot cards are symbols of important kinds of people (like an Empress or a Magician) and important ideas (like "Everything changes" and "It's always darkest before the dawn.") The person who wants to learn something draws a predetermined number of random cards from the Tarot Deck. Then the Tarot card reader puts the people and ideas (on the cards) into special patterns called folds. The way the cards end up fitting into the pattern or fold tells a story to the card reader about the person who drew the cards."
Sexton isn't the first tarot expert to foray into comic books, Rachel Pollack (author of the classic tarot text "78 Degrees of Wisdom") wrote several comics for DC, including "Doom Patrol" and "Brother Power the Geek". Other comic-tarot connections include artist Dave McKean ("Sandman", "Cages"), who has illustrated two tarot decks.
The series will debut in June at your local comic shop.
Labels: Comics, David Sexton, Marvel Comics, Tarot
