2.22.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
A paper in Livingston County, Michigan reports on the closing of a Pagan/Metaphysical shop in downtown Howell. The paper cites a depressed local economy and competition from larger retail and outlet stores as the primary reasons for the shop's failure, achieving what Christian protesters failed to do eight years ago.
"Wisdom of the Ages has withstood a religious protest against the store's Wiccan tradition and set up shop in mostly Christian Livingston County, but has fallen victim to Michigan's struggling economy ... The year Wisdom of the Ages opened, two Howell-area churches protested outside the building, praying for the souls of Lindsay and store staff. The Daily Press & Argus and television stations in Detroit, Lansing and Jackson picked up the story. Business spiked as a result, Lindsay recalled. "They wanted us shut down. It was the best thing that could have happened to us," she recalled."
The owner, Mona Lindsay, will be opening a smaller shop (called "Moon Magick") in nearby Hamburg Township, where no doubt rents are cheaper and the chances for success in a struggling economy a bit better.
Student Newspaper The Appalachian explores divination, magick, and Paganism, through the lens of a new class taught by anthropology professor Dr. Gregory G. Reck.
"As an outgrowth of Reck's anthropological interests, this spring semester he instructs a 'Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion' course that strives to understand different theoretical approaches to religious behaviors and beliefs. 'We use religion and magic as a kind of prism through which we can explore questions of the nature of the human experience,' Reck said. It is through that prism that such individuals as psychics, tarot card readers, or Pagans regard their world."
The article also talks to James Crew, an interdisciplinary studies major with a concentration in contemporary Pagan studies, and local tarot card readers Cheryl and Sage.
The American Muslim has posted a petition to appeal the execution in Saudi Arabia of Fawza Falih Mumammad Ali, a woman who has been accused of "witchcraft, recourse to jinn, and slaughter of animals". Among the signatories are Pagan leaders like Phyllis Curott, Ellen Evert Hopman, and Selena Fox.
"Surely it is the wisdom of God who is, as so many of the verses of the Qur'an teach, much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace, which must inspire mercy for Fawza Falih, and it is you who embodies that compassion in this realm where the least of humanity most needs your protection. In the name of God, please, halt the execution of Fawza Falih immediately and release her from the Quraiyat Prison."
You can add your signature, here. The New York-based Human Rights Watch has also written to King Abdullah asking for clemency. I'm still wondering why Abdullah's good pal George W. Bush hasn't responded to this controversy.
Executive Pagan points out that two major Druid organizations now have regular podcasts. OBOD's Druidcast, hosted by Damh the Bard, and Tribeways, the official podcast of the ADF.
"ADF's very first podcast, Tribeways, was released into the wild on February 19, 2008! You can download the podcast directly from our host, or through iTunes ... The February Feast features the following contributions: "Make Offerings, Dammit!" by Rev. Kirk Thomas ... "Comparative Mythology - Why Bother?" by Rev. Jenni Hunt ... "Trance Meditation" by Archdruid Emeritus Ian Corrigan"
The Tribeways podcast also comes with "liner notes", featuring notes and transcripts from the show.
In a final note, last week was Pantheacon, one of the largest indoor Pagan-themed conventions in America, and reports, pictures, and videos have been trickling in from the event. Cherry Hill Seminary has photos and commentary, Deborah Oak discusses embracing paradox at Pantheacon, Chas Clifton shares the news of who won the Llewellyn and BBI Media co-sponsored Pagan fiction contest, T. Thorn Coyle discusses the magic of possibility, and M. Macha NightMare leads us to some videos of the WOW Besom Brigade.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: academia, discrimination, Druidism, Druidry, Druids, law, Metaphysical Shops, Pagan News of Note, Pagan Studies, Paganism, Pantheacon, podcast, Witch Killings, Witchcraft
12.23.2007
A Little Holiday Music (and other things)
Over at my podcast site A Darker Shade of Pagan, I have just posted a Winter Festival music special, featuring songs from Gwydion Pendderwen, Unto Ashes, Faith and the Muse, Dar Williams, and more!
[direct download]
[subscribe via iTunes]
[podcast feed]
For a semi-extensive accounting of news and commentary concerning Yule and the Winter Solstice, check out Wren's Nest. Also, for an interesting discussion concerning news coverage of Solstice events, check out this Get Religion post.
As for me, I'll be taking the rest of the day off from blogging to spend time with family. I'll be back tomorrow, though blogging will be lighter than usual until after Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (the birthday of the unconquered Sun, AKA December 25th). Plus, be on the lookout for my posts concerning the top Pagan stories of the year come the end of December.
Labels: A Darker Shade of Pagan, Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, Get Religion, Paganism, podcast, The Witches Voice, Winter Solstice
9.06.2007
Where Asatru is Going
Astrid at The Northern Path brings to my attention a series of podcasts interviewing representatives of national Heathen organizations. The program "Ravencast" has just posted an interview with Heimgest of the Odinic Rite.
"In our continuation of organizational interviews we were very pleased to speak with Heimgest of the Odinic Rite. During the interview Heimgest touches on many subjects such as prison ministry work, environmental activism, and programs for children."
Previous interviews included Patricia Lafayllve of The Troth, and Stephen McNallen of the Asatru Folk Assembly. Next month they plan to interview a representative from the Asatru Alliance.
This sounds like an excellent way to see where Asatru as a whole is going, and how different Heathen organizations envision the future. Kudos to "Ravencast" for this excellent service to Asatru and the wider Pagan/Heathen community.
