The Wild Hunt

The Rise of Wicca and Paganism in Poland?

2008-09-05T09:05:00.006-05:00

While small (sometimes nationalist) Pagan groups have existed in Poland for some time, it looks like Wicca is starting to make some headway into the overwhelmingly Catholic country.

"Witches are among us, says the weekly Polityka. Marion calls herself the first stationary witch in Poland. She was initiated in Great Britain in the Wicca cult, a pagan, nature-based religion popularized in 1954 by a retired British civil servant. This petite 30 year old works in a marketing department of a big firm and doesn�t want to reveal her real name. One never knows how her colleagues and bosses would react. It is impossible to say how many Wiccans there are in Poland. They fear intolerance in the predominantly Roman Catholic society. Often even their families don�t know about it. On the other hand, job migration to the British Isles facilitates their contacts with British Wiccans and books on the Wicca cult have sold in 10 thousand copies here."

You can find a link to the weekly, and downloadable table of contents (featuring a picture of Laurie Cabot), here. As the synopsis mentions, most Polish Wiccans live "in the broom closet", and often have a hard time coping with the need to remain anonymous.

"A very interesting element is also the relation between the catholic church and polish Wiccans � on one hand in catholic doctrine Wiccans are identified as Satanists; on the other hand Wiccans became discouraged by anonymous rituals and external religiousity of Catholic believers. It seems to be a very important element of Wiccans identity."

But perhaps as religious freedom continues to grow, and Pagan advocacy groups become more entrenched, the Polish Pagans and Witches there will finally find it safe to live a more public life. In what could be seen by some as a positive sign for redefining the role of "witches" in Poland, government officials recently put a stop to the ceremonial burning of witches in the village of Zielona Gora.

"Polish women's rights groups and government ministers have banned the display after protests that the stake-burning drama was anti-feminist. "Making peoples' tragic deaths into a tourist attraction is reprehensible and regrettable," said Monika Platek, head of Poland's Association for Legal Education. "The stakes where women were burned were the result of profound misogyny, discrimination against women and ignorance." Poland's women's ministry boss Berenika Anders told the town council it had to scrap the witch sessions."

Stories like these help to reinforce the fact that the modern Pagan movement isn't isolated to the UK, America, or Australia, but is a truly global phenomenon spreading from India, to Brazil, to South Africa, and Russia. Paganism isn't a decadent sign of a post-modern world (as some critics would see it), but a revitalized religious impulse finding its voice once more. So good luck to the Polish Pagans, whether they are Wiccan, follow a revived Slavic tradition, or engage some other path.

Joel Hunter Clarifies His Benediction

2008-09-04T10:40:00.011-05:00

Quite a bit of attention has been paid to the closing Democratic National Convention benediction made by evangelical pastor Dr. Joel C. Hunter of Northland Church in Florida. Specifically the closing instruction made by Hunter.

"Now I interrupt this prayer for a closing instruction. I want to personalize this. I want this to be a participatory prayer. And so therefore, because we are in a country that is still welcoming all faiths, I would like all of us to close this prayer in the way your faith tradition would close your prayer."

This openness to all faith traditions greatly moved many people, including Pagan delegate Rita Moran, who had this to say about the benediction.

"At the end of a wonderful, joyful night, complete with fireworks and confetti (including a cascade of white stars), came an invocation. Until the last, there was no hint of how it would close, but then it came: the minister said he would pause before the end of the prayer and encouraged everyone in Invesco Field to finish it as they would in their own faith tradition. And so the Gods came to that venue, as I completed the invocation with 'by the Gods of my people, so mote it be!'"

But apparently not everyone was ecstatic about Republican Hunter's careful prayer for the Democrats. Religion reporter and columnist Terry Mattingly points out that Hunter has posted an "open letter" explaining his prayer to those confused or upset at his unique closing instruction.

"I did not ask people to pray to another god; I asked them to finish a prayer according to their faith tradition. This may be a small point linguistically, but it is a huge point theologically."

In other words, he meant you should pray to the Abrahamic God in any manner you please, but that shouldn't be misconstrued as encouraging polytheism (or prayers to any other non-Abrahamic power). So it looks like a truly interfaith prayer has been "clarified" to exclude anyone Hunter's congregation and co-religionists might find too far outside the "norm" to be acceptable. After all, we wouldn't want to be caught praying with Pagans would we?

Breaking: Pagan Cluster Protester Repeatedly Tasered

2008-09-03T14:12:00.003-05:00

Word has reached us here that three members of the Pagan Cluster were arrested at the RNC protests yesterday, and one, Jason (aka Scarecrow), was repeatedly tasered and mobbed by police despite not resisting arrest.

Pagan Cluster member being tasered.

"Jason (Scarecrow) has been extensively tasered & is being denied medical attention. Jason & Ryanna were both snatched from the pagan cluster at the beginning of the Poor People�s March. PLEASE immediately try to connect with Jason � for tasers, we need to ground out that electricity and move it away � electricity is a form of energy, and we CAN ground this down into the core & move it out of him. Please, you witches know what to do; now let�s connect with Jason and help him move this energy. Riyanna needs your loving magic too, and we�re working on getting them both out NOW. Starhawk is in the streets with the Pagan Cluster, and we are safely back at the space."

The entire incident has been caught on video and is posted on the KARE 11 web site (warning: this video may not be appropriate for my more sensitive readers). In it, you can count him being tasered at least four times, and that is only what we can see on the video. No doubt the Pagan Cluster is already working to get him out, but I'm sure that prayers and spells of healing and protection would be appreciated.

Asheville Witches Win

2008-09-03T10:18:00.002-05:00

For over a year, Dixie Deerman (aka Lady Passion), a Wiccan from Asheville, North Carolina, has been a driving force in trying to save a century-old magnolia tree from being cut down by local developers. The tree has become a galvanizing issue in Asheville, gaining support from local environmentalists and community members, and being used as a political football in City Council elections. Recently, Lady Passion and others had been keeping a 24/7 vigil at the tree in order to protect it.

Lady Passion under the magnolia tree.

"The Magnolia Tree has become a modern-day Liberty Tree. Citizens of every description -- wealthy and homeless, developers and Earth Firsters, seniors and teens, Christians and Pagans, liberals and conservatives, even the mayor, several councilpersons and the police chief -- have stopped by to "sit a spell," share their troubles caused by corrupt government and a collapsing economy, and give us their heartfelt thanks for what we are doing. Many leave offerings for the tree, which seems to exert a magically peaceful aura -- partly because, as conservative councilman Carl Mumpower noted when he visited the tree, magnolia bark is known to have anti-depressant qualities. And they add their signatures to the thousands of others on a Stop Parkside! petition."

Now it seems that the Witches (and their allies) have won. On Aug. 28, Superior Court Judge Marlene Hyatt ruled in favor of the family who had originally donated the land to the county, saving the tree, and the surrounding park, from further development.

"The lawsuit asserted that Pack had donated the land on the condition that it be preserved in perpetuity for public use�and that it would revert to his heirs if it were ever sold for private purposes, as the county did in 2006. Coleman had planned to build the nine-story Parkside condominium project on that land and an adjacent parcel he�d previously purchased. �George Pack made it abundantly clear exactly what the purpose of this land was: It was meant for a courthouse, for county offices or for public purposes,� Ferikes told the court."

Lady Passion and Coven Oldenwilde are naturally quite happy with this ruling.

"We are thrilled with this unprecidented win, and very appreciative of the over 9,000 people who signed the Stop Parkside petition, the hundreds who actively enabled our tree sit in innumerable ways, and the God/desses who answered our hearfelt pleas: All hail Hecate, Herne, Themis, Maat, Flidais and Nike! We remain vigilant in preventing retribution against the tree until Hyatt signs the official order restoring the land into public use (she's on vacation at present). Please help us continue to defend the magnolia if you're nearby; if you live afar, do so by viewing the tree 24/7 via webcam..."

So it looks like those "Barbarous Words of Power to thwart the developer", and a lot of local activism, have won the day. Congratulations to Lady Passion, Coven Oldenwilde, and the Stop Parkside coalition on saving the tree, and the land surrounding it, from development.

The Wild Hunt Goes Back To School

2008-09-03T10:07:00.000-05:00

In the interest of full disclosure, I would like to announce that I have been voted onto the Board of Directors of Cherry Hill Seminary, the first and only graduate-level educational institution for Pagan ministry in the world.

"Last week the Board of Directors voted to receive three outstanding new board members, Tony Mierzwicki, Jason Pitzl-Waters, and Diane Edgecomb, who has been elected Treasurer. We are honored that they have agreed to serve with us, as each of them brings a distinguished background to their Cherry Hill service ... All of these individuals bring rich and broad experience -life, professional and Pagan - with them as they enter the sacred trust of volunteer leadership for Cherry Hill."

I'm honored to join the governing body of this institution. I look forward to using my talents during my three-year term to assist them as they work towards gaining degree-granting authority from the State of South Carolina, and ultimately, accreditation. I believe that Cherry Hill's goal of raising the bar for the education of Pagan ministry reflects the same ethic that urged me to improve the standards of journalism by and about modern Pagans.

Cherry Hill Seminary is currently in the midst of their 2008 Annual Appeal. The money raised will allow them to maintain their standard of excellence, pay for much-needed supplies, and work towards long-term goals. I urge my readers who are interested in Cherry Hill's mission to read this page about why you should consider giving. To pay online, or set up a recurring monthly donation, head to this page. All donations are tax-deductible (and tell them The Wild Hunt sent you).

For those of my readers not particularly interested in such things, not to worry, The Wild Hunt will not become a press organ for the seminary. In addition, all future stories that directly involve Cherry Hill Seminary will carry a disclaimer making plain my involvement with the organization.

Updates on Recent Stories

2008-09-02T07:54:00.004-05:00

Heath Status of Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and Patrick McCollum: We start off with the news that two prominent Pagans who have had recent health problems, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and Patrick McCollum, are both doing much better. Zell-Ravenheart, who was diagnosed with colon cancer, has successfully made it through surgery, and doctors seem confident that the cancer hasn't spread.

"His surgery was on Friday and it went well; they removed a large section of his descending colon and adjacent mesentery, his doctor is confident that he took out all the cancer and any pre cancerous lymph nodes. He said that he did not see any swollen or discolored nodes. The tissue was all sent to Pathology and we should have the results later this week since the Lab is shut down for the holiday. We will know that the surgeon successfully removed all the cancer when we receive that report. Until then folks the coin is, magickally speaking, still in the air."

Meanwhile McCollum, who suffered from complications after back surgery, is now out of the hospital and beginning the slow recovery process.

"Patrick was released from hospital this evening, with brace and cane and orders not to leave the house for two days minimum. He will have a long recovery. He remains heavily medicated to relieve intense pain. In spite of these difficulties, Patrick's recovery has been amazing, no doubt helped in great part by the workings and prayers of many Pagans."

The friends and family of both McCollum and Zell-Ravenheart request continued prayers and healing work as they recover.

Starhawk and the RNC Police Raids: Since I first reported, more information on warrantless police raids and arrests has emerged in the Twin Cities (including the arrest of journalists). While the RNC has been muted due to Hurricane Gustav, around 20,000 people are protesting outside (and yes, occasionally damaging property). Starhawk continues to post updates on her web site about the protests.

"All day we�ve been getting news that the police have been raiding houses, breaking down doors, arresting people, with or without warrants or warnings. We hold the morning meeting in a public park, because our Convergence Space has been raided and closed the night before. Someone says, �We�re a community that includes children�we can�t clear them out of their own living spaces. Remember if the police raid your space it�s important to have someone negotiate with them to get the children out.� I am a tough person. I�ve been through a lot of these things and in spite of all my efforts to stay open I�ve grown something of my own protective scales. But those words pierce through them, and I find tears welling up in my eyes. It just hits me, that we�re standing here in the United States of America, in the liberal city of my birth, talking about how to protect children from armed police."

For continuing updates about this issue, check out the Coldsnap Legal Collective web site, their Twitter feed, the Twin Cities IndyMedia site, and Pacifica Radio.

Ellinais Acropolis Protest: Since I first mentioned it a few days ago, Ellinais's planned (illegal) ritual to Athena at the Acropolis has made international news. Being covered by CNN, ARTINFO, The New York Times, The Guardian, and several others.

"Dressed in crisp white apparel, the pagans gathered before the east wing of the temple's imposing Corinthian columns and prayed to Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and patron of Athens, asking her to protect the Parthenon from further destruction. "Oh, goddess," roared high priestess Doretta Peppa, her hands extending over an offering of water and olive oil. "We are ready to defend your grounds. "[But] we ask of you to protect this site, this city and its civilization, and to rid it of all evils such as the deconstruction of the Acropolis." The Greek Culture Ministry forbids ceremonies of any sort at archeological sites. But in January, the pagan revivalists used a second century temple of Zeus in Athens to stage the first known ceremony of its kind in 1,600 years."

In perhaps a sign that the gods approved, Athena's father Zeus provided a thunderstorm for the 13-minute ritual. The protest-prayer comes in the wake of plans for a massive new Acropolis Museum which the remaining Acropolis statues will be moved into. Ellinais priestess Doretta Peppa calls the new structure an "architectural monstrosity" that will erode Greek culture.

"The new museum," Peppa said, "is a monumental eyesore, an architectural monstrosity within the most traditional and archeologically-rich part of Athens. It is an insult to our heritage, and if we start deconstructing our monuments for the sake of filling up a museum, then what will we be left with?"

Greek officials are hoping the new space will boost tourist income and pressure the British government to release the Elgin Marbles, which they claim were obtained illegally, back to Greece.

Orisha Veneration on Two Coasts

2008-09-01T07:56:00.005-05:00

If the last twenty years have been a large "coming out" party for the various forms of modern Paganism, the next twenty may be focused on Yoruba and the African diasporic religions entering the mainstream consciousness. A sign of this can be seen in a bit of journalistic synchronicity, as two papers, one on the West coast and one on the East coast, talk about events involving Orisha veneration. We start off with the Press-Enterprise's coverage of the 7th annual Ifa Festival near San Bernardino, California.

"The sounds of chanting, drumming and traditional West African music streamed Saturday afternoon from a backyard near San Bernardino, as about 100 people gathered for the biggest festival of the Orisa religion in southern California ... The afternoon began with prayers, chanting and devotional drumming in a large bamboo-walled shrine in the couple's yard. The prayers were to Orisa spirits, conduits to communicate with Olodumare, the name for God in the Yoruba language of West Africa. The devotees prayed for their ancestors and asked the Orisa spirits to guide them through their destinies."

The event is being organized by Chief Fama Adewale-Somadhi, and her husband, Chief Ifabowale Sohma Somadhi, who run a supply store for Orisa devotees, write books for practitioners, and publish a quarterly newsletter. The event, which drew around 100 people, attempts to eliminate misunderstandings through outreach.

"The prejudice against and misunderstanding of Orisa is one reason the seventh annual festival was so important, said Awobodebe Aworen�, one of many Orisa devotees who traveled from the Los Angeles area to attend the event. "Coming together allows you to share information and educate people," Aworen� said..."

Meanwhile, across the country in New York, outreach of a different sort was taking place as hundreds of Brazilians, and Brazilian-Americans, gathered to celebrate at the Brazilian Day festival in Manhattan (which is timed to coincide with Brazil's Independence day). While this was a secular event, elements of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candombl� were on display.

"20 women in white turbans, hoop skirts and flowing tops dancing, chanting and washing the pavement with a mix of water, perfume and petals poured from tall ceramic pots ... the women were performing a centuries-old ritual known in Brazil as lavagem (pronounced lah-VAH-zhen), or cleansing, which takes place every year in January on the steps of Bonfim Church, in the historic center of Brazil�s first capital, Salvador, in the state of Bahia. There, the ritual celebrates the syncretism between Brazil�s largest religion, Catholicism, and Candombl�, the religion brought to Salvador by the African slaves who first landed at its ports in the mid-16th century."

Both of these stories illustrate a growing visibility and awareness of African diasporic and Orisha-honoring faith traditions in North America. This visibility can only grow as immigrants from countries that originated these traditions grow, and curious outsiders get more involved. With tens of millions of followers around the globe, faiths that incorporate Orisha devotion are emerging from obscurity and claiming their rightful place as a world religion. This new visibility won't come without problems, but there is no turning back the clock. These faiths are here to stay.

Starhawk and the RNC Police Raids

2008-08-31T10:16:00.003-05:00

As St. Paul, Minnesota, gears up to host the Republican National Convention, local law enforcement agencies are engaging in a series of draconian crack-downs on local activist centers and homes (including the local homeless-feeding Food Not Bombs chapter) in hopes of intimidating groups planning to protest the convention. Pagan author and activist Starhawk, who is there with the Pagan Cluster to protest, files this report on the raids.

"One by one, protesters trickle out. Now we get more pieces of the story. The cops burst in, with no warning. They pulled drew their guns on everyone�including a five year old child who was there with his mother, forced everyone down on the floor. It was terrifying. They had a warrant, apparently, from the county, not the city, to search for �bomb making materials.� They were searching everyone in the building, then one by one releasing them as they found nothing. They continue to find nothing, as we wait through long hours ... And now it�s morning. I wake up to the news that cops have been raiding houses where activists are staying, bursting in with the same bogus warrant and arresting people, including a four year old child. They�ve arrested people at the Food Not Bombs house�a group dedicated to feeding protesters and the homeless. They�ve arrested others, presumably just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Looking at the latest from progressive news-wires, it is clear that a campaign of harassment and intimidation is being employed to stifle protest, and find members of the anarchist "RNC Welcoming Committee" that are planning to "crash" the convention on the first day. Bruce Nestor of the National Lawyer's Guild says the raids are politically motivated sweeps that are unique in Minnesota's history.

"We're not in this country yet where we're having mass detentions of people like this, so it really is about sending a message. I think what it really is designed to do is to send a message to people who agree with some of the viewpoints of people organizing activity and to say - you know what? You can write an email, it's okay to write a letter, to vote, but don't go out in the street, don't organize public activity, because do you want us bursting into your house? Do you want to be associated with people who are getting arrested? It's designed to somehow say these aren't citizens engaged in the exercise of political freedom, but that they're kooks, they're freaks, they're dangerous, stay away from them, don't get involved."

Starhawk is asking people to call the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul to protest the treatment of non-violent protesters by law enforcement officials. If things keep going in this direction, it may make the actions against protesters in Denver look quaint by comparison. Are these harbingers of the McCain/Palin ticket? After all what does a president who cozies up to Christian conspiracy theorists, equates his opponent with the Antichrist, and appoints a VP with dominionist ties care if some Pagans, anarchists, hippies, and progressives get locked up, harassed, and have their civil rights suspended?

(Pagan) News of Note

2008-08-30T08:55:00.006-05:00

My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.

The Vancouver Sun looks at how colleges in Canada are adapting to the changing realities of our religiously diverse society.

"At Carleton University and the University of Western Ontario, the official calendar listing holy days when students can be excused from classes or exams includes those central to Wicca and Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion that originated in Iran and is now estimated to have about 200,000 members worldwide ... In an effort to serve students' spiritual needs, the University of Toronto counts two pagans, two Hindus, two Buddhists and a First Nations spiritual leader among more than 20 chaplains associated with the new multi-faith centre that opened last year. It features half a dozen prayer, meeting and worship rooms, says director Richard Chambers, along with facilities for foot-washing and a de-pressurized space that allows for fire and incense during worship ceremonies."

The University of Toronto's Pagan chaplains are Brian Walsh, who serves Celtic and reconstructionist groups on campus, and Catherine Starr, who serves the Wiccan community there. So if your thinking of going to college in Canada, this article is practically a guide for potential Pagan students.

A South African teen who killed a classmate with a sword and blamed it on Satan has brought forth the old "Satanic Panic" peddlers.

"[Pastor of Destiny Harvest Church in Umhlanga, Marc] Bredenkamp, who has been helping children involved in Satanism for the past 20 years and has housed recovering witches, said Satanic groups operated on fear and people could not get out because the group threatens to kill their family or do something to them. Apart from numerous death threats and attacks from Satanic groups, Bredenkamp recalled the time his eight-year-old son was abducted by Satanists. He said they threatened to kill his son and wanted him to offer his life in exchange for his son's. He approached the young girl who had abducted his son and began praying for her. In so doing, he helped expel the evil spirits from her."

"Uncle Marc" is a classic Satanic Panic con-man who used to be a part of the now-disbanded South African Police Service Occult Unit, and loves to warn of the dangers of heavy metal (and wearing black clothing). Bredenkamp is no doubt enjoying the renewed media attention, though he is "disappointed" that schools no longer tolerate his nonsense.

The Danville Commercial News in Illinois reports on the Correllian tradition Lustration ceremonies taking place this weekend in Rossville.

"[Rev. Don] Lewis conducts the ceremony, but a First Elder � a woman from Danville � performs the actual Lustration blessing. During the ceremony, Lewis also invokes an oracle, which means he receives a prophecy or message from the ancestors. Messages may involve events taking place in the next year or next few years. Some messages might talk about emotions."

This event of "purification and blessing" will also highlight a new clothing line entitled "Wycked Velvet" (not to be confused with the similarly-named erotica web site).

While I'm on the subject of central Illinois, my former employer, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is featuring an exhibit on the paranormal and occult sciences at its Main Library.

"...the occult collection contains more than 16,000 items relating to occult sciences and parapsychology and was originally endowed by Merten J. Mandeville in 1966, a retiring professor of commerce. Not all the items that are part of the exhibit today were around when the collection started, but it continues to grow. "(The exhibit) is everything 'X-Files,'" said JoAnn Jacoby, former selector for the Merten J. Mandeville collection. "It includes works on paranormal phenomena, werewolves, the possibility for occult powers, witchcraft, astrology and 19th century spiritualism," she said."

For more information about UIUC's occult book collection, check out The Merten J. Mandeville Collection in the Occult Sciences' web site.

Greek Pagan group Ellinais (aka The Holy Association of Greek Ancient Religion Believers) is planning to hold a service to Athena at the Acropolis this Sunday to protest the removal of statues and ask the goddess to protect the sacred site.

"Peppa's Athens-based group, Ellinais, is campaigning to revive ancient religion and has defied Culture Ministry bans to hold prayers at several ancient temples. She said she would not seek state permission for the ceremony, to be held near the ancient Parthenon temple, built between 447-432 B.C. in honor of Athena. 'We will just sing three hymns. It won't be a big ceremony,' Peppa said. 'I don't know how many of us will be there. People are afraid. The fact is that we are subject to religious persecution.'"

It was only in 2006 that Ellinais was granted the legal right to exist in the Orthodox-controlled country. There is still great resistance to the group, and they have had to partake in civil disobedience in order to worship at the old sacred sites.

The Delaware News Journal interviews Cherry Hill Seminary co-founder Kirk White at the sixth annual Delmarva Pagan Pride Festival.

"[Pagans] having outgrown the stages he called "forming and storming," paganism now is "norming," or becoming like some religions. Although pagans may continue to believe in magic, he said, "if we're not careful, we'll become the big white circle on Main Street where all the pews face forward." He urged listeners to be of service -- whether their calling is dance, music, drumming, ministry or filling out paperwork for government agencies so events such as the festival can take place."

Also interviewed is author and Wiccan elder Ivo Dominguez Jr., who helped organize the event.

That is all I have for now. Have a great day!

Paganism? Not In Our Neighborhood!

2008-08-29T09:18:00.006-05:00

In Warminster, PA, just twenty miles north of Philadelphia, a modern-day witch-hunt is emerging. Local resident Rick Fire, a licensed social worker, recently had his home rezoned to allow for limited grief counseling. This seemingly innocuous request has rallied around 70 residents of Warminster to protest the rezoning. The reason? Fire's involvement with the Pagan-friendly interfaith church Ecumenicon Fellowship.

"Some of Fire's neighbors, however, say they were not made aware of Fire's intentions to offer grief counseling at the house, which sits at the corner of Street and Lowell roads, at the entrance to the Wellesley Hills subdivision. But they're also concerned by information they found on the Internet that seems to link Fire to groups involved in paganism, witchcraft and various alternative sexual lifestyles ... 'We're here to protect our children, and our residential neighborhood,' said Debbie Kozlowski, who lives on the 500 block of Winchester Road ... 'We don't want that in our neighborhood,' said Ed Kozlowski, of the 500 block of Winchester Road. 'Would you feel safe with your son or daughter standing on that bus stop (outside Fire's home)?'"

Since Fire is acting completely within the law, the outrage vented against the Warminster board of supervisors did nothing to change the zoning board's ruling. The anti-Pagan mob tried to enlist the supervisors to their cause and was met with defensive equivocation.

"'The decision is very, very limited,' [Township solicitor] Savona said. 'If Mr. Fire engages in any activity that is outside the scope of that decision, then he is in violation of the zoning ordinance, and the township can and will prosecute those violations. If he breaks any laws, or commits a crime � if there's evidence of that then the township can and will prosecute those violations. What we cannot do, what we must not do, to any citizen, is begin to take anticipatory measures based upon what we think may occur, when there is no evidence that it has occurred' ... Savona advised the residents that they had 30 days to appeal the zoning board's ruling in Bucks County Court. The residents, who said they had a petition with 70 signatures, then demanded that the township join them in an appeal, an action the board seem hesitant to undertake. 'The laws are very specific in certain areas,' said Supervisors chairman Frank Feinberg. 'Our hands are tied.'"

I'm trying to think of a word to describe this situation other than "an outrage" and keep coming up short. That a religiously bigoted mob can engage in this behavior openly, trying to intimidate Rick Fire over private matters, is shocking. What happens if the intolerant mob loses its (no doubt forthcoming) appeal? Will bricks be thrown through his windows? Will the threats against his life begin? Will his 13-year-old son be safe? How long can Rick Fire and his family live in a neighborhood turned against him?

I can only hope that the Pennsylvania Pagan, esoteric, and interfaith communities will rally behind Mr. Fire and his family. If the mob succeeds here, it will only embolden them elsewhere. We can't let hate and fear-mongers like the Kozlowski's succeed in their witch-hunt.

In Other News

2008-08-28T11:04:00.002-05:00

While Starhawk's meditation on McCain gets top billing from The Wild Hunt today, it isn't the only story of interest to our communities happening right now. Here are some links to other stories of note.

New Jersey's Packet Online looks at the careers of Darlene Prestbo and Hazel Staats-Westover, elders within the women's spirituality movement, who contribute a chapter to the recently released work "WomanSoul: The Inner Life of Women's Spirituality".

"Because of their longtime involvement in women�s spirituality, their professional reputations and friendships, Ms. Prestbo and Ms. Staats-Westover were invited by Carole A. Rayburn, a noted research psychologist who had visited the women�s spirituality groups and been touched by the experience, to contribute a chapter to Womansoul: The Inner Life of Women�s Spirituality. Ms. Rayburn co-authored the book with Lillian Comas-Diaz, also a respected psychologist and educator. The icing on the cake for the two local women was an invitation to the 116th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association in Boston, where they spoke Aug. 15. The book explores and advances the concept of �womansoul� � a gender specific way of embracing spirituality. It discusses the personal and professional impact of spirituality in the lives of women from a variety of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds � Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Native American and more."

Prestbo and Staats-Westover also co-founded (in 1987), and help run, a Princeton area women�s spirituality group called the Daughters of Gaia.

If you happen to be institutionalized, you have a right to write letters in "Atlantean" undisturbed, so long as it is integral to your belief system.

"DeSimone v. Bartow is a lawsuit by plaintiff who has been civilly committed to a mental health facility operated in part by the Department of Corrections. A Wisconsin federal district court permitted him to proceed with a claim that his 1st amendment and RLUIPA free exercise rights were violated when he was prohibited from writing in his Atlantean language, a practice plaintiff said was central to his religious belief. Officials said it took too long to translate the writings, and untranslated writings posed security risks, even though they did not impose the same restrictions on others who wrote in different foreign languages."

I can only assume that letters written in Enochian, Theban, Angelic, and Malachim scripts would be similarly protected. I wonder, is the "Atlantean" alphabet he is using the one invented by Disney?

In a final note, Switzerland has exonerated Europe's last beheaded witch.

"Swiss officials have granted a pardon to Europe's last beheaded witch - more than 220 years after she was executed. The parliament of the Swiss canton (state) of Glarus decided unanimously today to exonerate Anna Goeldi as a victim of "judicial murder," said Josef Schwitter, a government spokesman. Goeldi was executed in 1782 for an alleged case of poisoning."

Goeldi, who is something of a (in)famous figure in Swiss history, had a museum opened in her honor, and the Swiss government is donating $118,000 towards the creation of a play about her life.

Ready To Spread Those "Secret Pagan" Rumors?

2008-08-28T10:26:00.003-05:00

Tired of the "Obama is a secret Muslim" rumors? Starhawk has (jokingly) proposed that we fight fire with fire and start claiming that McCain is a secret Pagan.

Senator McCain? Is that you under there?

"You don't have to be a Pagan to win my vote--in fact, I'd advise you not to be a Pagan if you want to win an election. Hmmn, perhaps we don't make enough use of unpopular religions. Since there's a widespread internet lie that Obama is really a Muslim, perhaps we should counter with the rumor that McCain was seen dancing naked in the moonlight, wearing goats' horns. Really--it's true. I've seen it myself. Okay, it was a vision--and what a vision! I had to dose myself with ibuprofen and valerian tea afterwards to recover. But my visions are rarely false."

Who are we to say that Starhawk's visions aren't true? She also seem eager to offer her services as an advisor to the politically powerful. A Pagan version of Rick Warren if you will.

"How I would love to advise the candidates on religion! I believe I'm eminently qualified as a political strategist, on three key points: I've been in trouble more times than I can count for protesting one thing or another, generally some form of war; I've watched five seasons of West Wing on DVD; and I'm psychic."

So keep your eyes open for stag-horned crowns, or secret Pagan hand signals, at the Republican National Convention*. And if you happen to see any suspicious looking groups in robes heading out into the moonlight, check to see if any of them are secret service.

* If McCain were a "secret Pagan", if would explain why the RNC is being held in Paganistan.

Living God in a Red Bathrobe

2008-08-27T09:13:00.005-05:00

There are several Pagans who yearn for the spotlight. Who have no problem hamming it up for the press and reinforcing pop-culture stereotypes. When they appear on the screen, or in a publication, we brace ourselves, teeth gritted, for their latest antics. In the UK, no figure more typifies this than self-proclaimed "High Priest of British White Witches" Kevin Carlyon.

Kevin Carlyon

"O dear I upset practitioners of Wicca on the Gardnerian and Alexandrian path and probably the weird out of brain dildos who latch on to anything. My path of Earth Magic is 21st century reality, not the sex, bondage, drugs and power trips of others in the past, including 'The Kinks of Witches' Gerald Gardner and Alex Sanders. Its obvious that I touch a nerve with other Witches but thats normal as I am 'THE WITCH' and people are jealous. I am not classed as the King of the Witches as I would be too ashamed of some of the people involved ... Just to add to the controversy between other Witches I think I'll call myself The Living God Of All Witches."

Carlyon spends his time setting up media spectacles that the press in Britain seems to eat right up. Whether its "exorcising" the spirit of Aleister Crowley, setting himself up as official protector and "high priest" of Loch Ness, or engaging all manner of embarrassing media pronouncements the "living god" in the red bathrobe is there. His latest stunt is to cast a bad weather spell on a local Oliver Cromwell celebration as a punishment for the Cambridgeshire witchcraft trials.

"Mr Carlyon, who will cast the spell from woods near his home in East Sussex, said Cromwell failed to stop witchcraft trials during the 17th century, which saw women from Sutton and Haddenham executed and people of both sexes from all over the country imprisoned and hanged."

However, this time around the local media isn't swallowing Carlyon's inflated claims of leadership and power.

"More than 800 people from the pagan and heathen community have signed a online petition to dethrone Mr Carlyon from his place as King of the White Witches, saying he does not speak for them ... Cambridge-based pagan Derek Wood spoke to the Ely Standard said: 'My personal opinion is that Kevin Carlyon may claim to be the high priest of white witches, but I am a Regional Coordinator for the national Pagan Federation and have never heard of him. We occasionally get people like this, usually with no affiliation to serious minded pagans, people with an ego looking for a cult to worship it. Such people give paganism a bad press because they are outspoken and usually define themselves by some perceived injustice hey must rebel against.'"

If anything points to the growing mainstreaming of Pagan religions it may be this. Instead of treating any media-hungry narcissist who comes into view as a spokesperson for all of us, they did some research, and contacted a local Pagan advocacy group for a quote. In the end, good journalism, more than any disavowal or petition from the Pagan community, may successfully "dethrone" these media-hungry cranks from their self-appointed lofty perches.

Alters Your Mind, Causes Cancer

2008-08-26T10:08:00.003-05:00

Just months after a team of neuroscientists found that frankincense biochemically relieves anxiety, a new team of researchers have come forward to say that there is a link between heavy incense use and respiratory cancers.

Frankincense resin.

"In a study of more than 61,000 ethnic Chinese living in Singapore who were followed for up to 12 years, the investigators found a link between heavy incense use and various respiratory cancers. The findings are published in the medical journal Cancer."

So just how much incense burning constitutes "heavy" usage?

"Study participants who used incense in their homes all day or throughout the day and night were 80 percent more likely than non-users to develop squamous cell carcinoma of the entire respiratory tract. The link between incense use and increased cancer risk held when the researchers weighed other factors, including cigarette smoking, diet and drinking habits."

In other words, the occasional stick of incense at home or at a ritual probably won't give you cancer, but if you live in a constant haze of sweet smelling smoke, you might want to cut back a bit (especially if you have other increased risk factors). The study also said that incense posed no overall effect on lung cancer risk, but increased risks of upper respiratory cancers.

"This association is consistent with a large number of studies identifying carcinogens in incense smoke," Friborg's team writes, "and given the widespread and sometimes involuntary exposure to smoke from burning incense, these findings carry significant public health implications."

So with incense, as with many other things, moderation is the key. Treated as a spiritual tool, and not as a daily air freshener, most people should be safe from increased cancer risk. You won't be imperiling anyone's life with cancer if you "light up" at your next ritual gathering.

Exporting Anti-Witch Hysteria?

2008-08-25T11:20:00.006-05:00

There has been a debate within modern Paganism, specifically within the various Witchcraft and Wiccan traditions, over whether the issue of persecutions and killings of "witches" in places like Africa, India, and the Middle East is a "Pagan" issue. While some correctly note that these alleged "witches" are often not associated with any Pagan or pre-Christian religion, others, like Phyllis Curott, argue that we are bound by a common label.

"I don't think that Fawza was practicing anything resembling what most of us now call Wicca and Witchcraft. If she was doing anything, which is not clear, it may have been some kind of old traditional folk magic. It doesn't matter - she is sentenced to die by beheading for Witchcraft. That is the word many of us use to identify ourselves. That word means that she is a member of our community. And we are not a community if we don't take care of each other. We may not be able to save Fawza, but we must try."

This view has been echoed by modern Pagans in India and South Africa, who have seen an all-to-real connection between the persecution of "witches" and the rights and freedoms of modern Pagans living near them. But can the problems of "over there" impact those of us living in the West? Mary Leland, writing for the Irish Independent News, argues that the anti-witch fanaticisms of "over there" may be finding a new home among us.

"In this case it was the revelation that the guest speaker was a man representing a church in Dublin which advertised among its services a protection against witchcraft. The chat diverted into such issues as whether alternative therapies such as Reiki or yoga or hypnosis could be considered contrary to biblical strictures ... before occasionally hitting on the immediacy of superstition among, in this case, largely African congregations. Whatever else many of our African immigrants may have brought with them to Ireland, they have included a belief in witches, seen as an active threat to the well-being of families and communities ... Christianity may have outgrown that horrible idea by now, but not before exporting it, with evangelistic missionaries, to Africa. It's not easy either for a woman to listen to any debate about witches and witchcraft without remembering that it was women who were accused, tortured and executed in their thousands over several centuries."

Leaving aside issues of tensions over immigration and possible xenophobia, can immigrants from countries known to persecute so-called practitioners of "witchcraft" bring with them the hysteria that has destroyed so many lives? Some are saying it is already here, with suspicious deaths and child abuse linked with a fear of malicious magic and witchcraft among immigrant communities in the UK. Leland worries that those offering immigrant communities in Ireland "protection from witchcraft" could eventually spark a larger witch hysteria.

"To hear that witchcraft is on the religious agenda of an African church in Dublin is to feel some alarm at the possibility that this tradition of evil-seeking has been re-introduced to Ireland. Of course we have to be racially and religiously sensitive to cultural differences, but the fanaticism of this particular cultural difference, and the brutality with which its victims are treated, must not be ignored, even on a radio chat show."

Is it possible that the witch persecutions we read about in the paper could come to us? Could cultural misunderstandings and tensions among various communities result in violence and harassment towards modern Pagans? While debates will continue regarding whether the persecution and killing of "witches" in distant lands is "our" issue, we may soon find ourselves having to contemplate the problem much closer to home.

Reminder: Check out Pagan Coverage of the Democratic National Convention

2008-08-25T09:05:00.004-05:00

Just to remind my readers keeping track of the Democratic National Convention that our own embedded Pagan reporters over at Blue Pagans at the DNC will be sending in regular updates as everything unfolds. Maine delegate Rita Moran has already posted her impressions of the opening interfaith ceremony.

"The high point for me, where Rev. Daughtry proved how inclusive she had planned the service to be, came when she stated, "We are created in the image of our Creator, whatever we call Him or Her." Acknowledgment of the feminine divine truly demonstrated how inclusive the Democratic Party is, and made me proud to be a Democrat."

Be sure to read the entire post. You can keep track of future posts from Blue Pagans at the DNC in a number of ways. Follow them on Twitter, subscribe to their feed at LiveJournal, place a widget on your site, subscribe to their syndication feed, or have the posts e-mailed to you. We here at The Wild Hunt will also be checking in with the Blue Pagans team as the convention progresses. I wish Rita, Ed, and other Pagans at the convention good luck, and hope this is just the beginnings of a Pagan presence within American politics.

Jazz Musicians of the Theological World

2008-08-24T07:48:00.002-05:00

Ian Vince, writing for The Telegraph, attends a Druidic Lughnasadh ritual at the Long Man of Wilmington and seems to have a great time.

"Having attended similar events before, I'm looking forward to the singing, which is odd, as I have an awful voice that I don't usually like to bother others with. On a windy hillside, for some reason, I'm not so shy. Pagans are the jazz musicians of the theological world, however. They like to improvise, throw in some bardic ad-libs or riff a little on poetry, so there's no set pattern to rituals beyond opening and closing the circle, calling the elements and the hail and farewells. I admire this approach..."

Vince also seems quite impressed with the closing "sacrifice" of John Barleycorn.

"The centrepiece of Lughnasadh is the symbolic sacrifice of John Barleycorn, the corn god. With his arms outstretched and fists clenched, a golden sickle is drawn across his throat. He falls to his knees and releases the ripe grain he holds in his hands. It's hard-hitting stuff, artfully done on a hillside, but that's the essence of pagan life."

The pleasant thing about this short article is that it treats Pagans as normal religious adherents. He shows up, he admires and participates in the ritual, and he writes about it. No joking references to animal sacrifice, no attempt to paint the participants as weird, strange, or socially inept, and he doesn't make stuff up to suit his preconceived notions. As Pagan religions continue to enter the mainstream, perhaps more reporters on the religion beat will follow Vince's suit.

Tom K. (Phoenix) 1933 - 2008

2008-08-23T11:51:00.009-05:00

Gardnerian Wicca elder Tom K. (aka Phoenix) passed away on Friday, August 22nd, at the age of 75. Phoenix, along with his wife Judy (aka Theos), was hugely influential on the development of Wicca in America.

Tom K./Phoenix

Phoenix and Lady Theos were initiated into the Craft by Rosemary and Raymond Buckland, who were largely responsible for bringing British Traditional Wicca to America. When Rosemary Buckland retired as High Priestess in 1972, Phoenix and Theos took over the coven and became spokespersons and leaders for the Gardnerian tradition in America.

These new duties included Phoenix editing and publishing a Gardnerian Craft newsletter entitled "Gardnerian Aspects" within the Church of All World's "Green Egg" magazine, and co-writing a set of notes and guidelines for American covens to use. Phoenix also contributed to Margot Adler's landmark book on modern Paganism "Drawing Down the Moon" where he explored questions regarding initiations, validity, and ego that many in the Craft continue to wrestle with.

"I have come across those who have carefully and proudly constructed their own "Traditions." initiated themselves, and have gone on to keep their secrets and to function with inspiration, sincerity, and effectiveness. On the other hand, I think we have all, from time to time, had contact with those who are apparently well able to substantiate a so-called "valid initiation" (in fact, more than likely a dozen initiations, the majority being "honorary" or otherwise non-working and non-learning) but to whom the Wicca means little or no more than a publicity gimmick, or a way of supporting themselves, a power/ego excursion... Who of these, then, is truly of the Wicca?"

In addition to all this, Phoenix, along with Raymond Buckland, Rosemary Buckland, Lady Theos, and other elders, created what they designated as the authentic first-degree Book of Shadows for American Gardnerian Craft. An ever-evolving work that is still used in active covens across America today. Phoenix's contributions to Wicca, and modern Paganism, are hard to fully quantify. Needless to say, we owe him a debt of gratitude for his service and dedication. May he rest with the Lord and the Lady in the Summerland, and return to us again.

It's All Buffy's Fault!

2008-08-23T09:13:00.003-05:00

According to sociologist Dr Kristin Aune, Christian churches in England have been losing 50,000 women members per year since 1989, and some of the blame can be placed on the shoulders of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Buffy and Willow. Art by Jo Chen

"Today�s modern woman sees more relevance in TV icons who promote female empowerment such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, than in church and traditional religion, according to new research to be published in the Church Times this week. Dr Kristin Aune, a sociologist at the University of Derby, says the church (all Christian denominations) must act to halt the steep decline in female attendance at services across the country. She says: 'In short, women are abandoning the church.'"

So if all these women are leaving the pews, where are they going? To Wicca and Paganism of course!

"It says that instead young women are becoming attracted to the pagan religion Wicca, where females play a central role, which has grown in popularity after being featured positively in films, TV shows and books. The report's author, Dr Kristin Aune, a sociologist at the University of Derby, said: ... 'Because of its focus on female empowerment, young women are attracted by Wicca, popularised by the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Young women tend to express egalitarian values and dislike the traditionalism and hierarchies they imagine are integral to the church.'"

Aune's research, which appears in the book "Women and Religion in the West: Challenging Secularization", also cites English Church Census data that claims teenage boys outnumber girls in the pews for the first time in history.

"Over the past decade, it claims, women have been leaving churches at twice the rate of men. In addition, the census is said to show that teenage boys now outnumber girls in the pews for the first time. Dr Aune says the church must adapt to the needs of modern women if it is to stop them leaving in their droves."

So in short, while old men argue about whether women can be bishops, or if gays should be treated like human beings, the women have been leaving in droves to faiths that are more relevant to their lives. You can all do the reproductive math and figure out what happens to a religious tradition with a shortage of women. Somehow I don't think introducing "Saturday morning breakfast clubs" will stem the tide. Maybe if they gave out free Buffy comics?

(Pagan) News of Note

2008-08-22T08:38:00.003-05:00

My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.

We start off with a request for healing for Pagan chaplain and activist Patrick McCollum. Patrick recently underwent spinal surgery, and due to recent complications has been moved to the ICU.

"The reason I'm writing all this about Patrick -- and I am only scratching the surface -- is to tell you that he is dealing with a medical condition for which I'm asking your help. On August 15, Patrick underwent surgery for a long-standing problem with his spine. The surgery itself went well, but two days later Patrick suffered a complication that necessitated further surgery on August 18. He has been in ICU at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, California since then, and remains there, although much improved. Patrick welcomes healing. Given what I've told you about him, and that you have a photo and know where is is, I ask that you remember him in your prayers and rituals, light candles, appeal to his Lady Brigit, and do whatever else you can to hasten Patrick's relief from extreme pain and his ultimate recovery."

McCollum, due to his extensive work with prison chaplaincy, recently appeared before the US Commission on Civil Rights in Washington. A first for any modern Pagan. We here at The Wild Hunt wish him a speedy recovery.

Christian blogger and academic John Morehead, editor of the recently released "Beyond the Burning Times", reviews the new book "Generation Hex: Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca" so I don't have to.

"...in a chapter where the authors discuss the surprises they encountered in their research for the book, one of the authors (Burroughs) addresses one of the surprises he encountered in terms of alleged links between Wicca, Satanism, sexual promiscuity, and child abuse: "I've found these assertions to be unfounded (at least in mainstream Wicca)." I italicized the last portion of the quote to draw attention to the issue I'm raising here. While Burroughs was pleased to discover that Wicca does not engage in the worst of its stereotypical associations, nevertheless, for Burroughs this appears to be the case with "mainstream Wicca," which appears to leave room for non-mainstream or underground Wicca, whatever those may be."

If you want to hear many of the routine (and often sensationalist) Christian criticisms of Wicca from "Generation Hex" co-author Dillon Burroughs, you can listen to an interview with him on Debbie Chavez's Christian radio program (warning, this is a Christian echo-chamber, listen at your own risk).

An Irish and Canadian paper each run their own version of the standard "meet the Witches" article. The Belfast Telegraph interviews Sarah Cavanagh of Co Armagh about her journey into Paganism.

"Years ago, I would have worried about what people thought and would not have told anyone I was a witch. Now there are so many people like me, that I simply think that the people who matter don�t mind and the people who mind, don�t matter."

Meanwhile the Nanaimo Daily News interviews the organizers of an upcoming Pagan Pride Day event.

"Anyone hoping to see animal sacrifices or disemboweling during Pagan Pride Day Saturday, will be greatly disappointed say two spokespeople for the Pagan church which is hosting the Nanaimo event at Kin Hut Park in Departure Bay. "One of the main reasons we hold Pagan Pride Day each year is to debunk myths like that," said Kam Abbott of Nanaimo's Temple of the Green Leaf Cauldron Church."

So sorry folks, no disemboweling here, move along!

A double "witchcraft" slaying I covered back in January is finally coming to trial, and the prosecutors want to enter a Satanic bible and an affidavit from a Satanic high priest as evidence against Lawrence Harris, who murdered his two step-daughters.

"Prosecutors say Harris was practicing satanism and that the killings were part of a ritual from a satanic bible. Harris' attorney, assistant public defender Michael Williams, said during a court hearing on Wednesday that prosecutors are seeking to link what Harris says and does to satanism. Casting spells and practicing witchcraft is not proof of satanism, Williams said. "(They) want shock value, sensationalism and knit-pick analysis of religious text in order to satisfy an inference," Williams said."

Needless to say, I would LOVE to read this affidavit from the alleged Satanic high priest (and know his identity). Lawrence Harris is pursuing an insanity defense. Trial is set for Oct. 14.

In a final note, medievalist and blogger Bo was shocked to hear Old Irish in the recently released Hellboy II.

"I went to see Hellboy II: The Golden Army last night, and to my slack-jawed disbelief, the elves were speaking Old Irish (or an awkward version thereof). It was like being a twitcher who draws the curtains one morning to see a pink flamingo standing on the windowsill. It was oddly accented (Balor was the best) and I'd need to see transcriptions to be sure that it was correct, but I don't think there's any doubt that they were trying to use the language ... Nothing in all the film's wonders moved me so much as hearing the meaningless preverbal particle no- with a 2nd singular Class A infixed pronoun (leniting)."

More proof of how awesome Guillermo del Toro is? Yes. Yes it is.

That is all I have for now, have a great day!

Happy Anniversary Venus!

2008-08-21T12:08:00.004-05:00

2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the Venus of Willendorf, a 25,000 year old statue that some believe represents proof of widespread prehistoric goddess worship. Excavated on August 7th, 1908, the figurine has since become a true modern icon, and is being celebrated with a special exhibition at Vienna's Natural History Museum.

Venus of Willendorf

"The first and only statuette of her kind before the French Venus of Lespugue and the Russian Venus of Kostienki joined her two decades later, the lady from Willendorf still attracts crowds. "I think a lot of visitors come to the museum just to see the Venus," said Mr Antl-Weiser. But where she came from and whether she represented a goddess or women's elevated place in society remains a mystery ... "we can't prove that women played a predominant role during this period and that these female statuettes honoured them. There are many other statuettes [from that period] representing animals, part-humans and part-animals or asexual human beings." Rather than being a goddess, the Venus of Willendorf could have been part of a ritual or a belief shared by several tribes over 20,000 years ago. Although excavated at opposite ends of the continent, the French and Russian venuses are similar in form to their Austrian sister. "They could have been expressions of a single belief that spread through Europe," said Ms Antl-Weiser."

Though we don't know the true name for this goddess, the Venus of Willendorf's image is venerated once again throughout the West. You have Venus of Willendorf-shaped soap, coffee mugs, jewelry, refrigerator magnets, wands, t-shirts, and chocolate treats. While the once-popular theory of a matriarchal golden age (which the various "Venus" figurines played an important role in) has come under scholarly fire since its hundred-year heyday (1870s through the 1970s), the Venus remains an important key to understanding the minds of our ancient ancestors. Not to mention the cultural and religious shifts that came in the wake of her, and similar finds, discovery.

So happy anniversary to the lost goddess, found once more. Oh, and if you happen to be in Austria anytime soon (you lucky devils), the special exhibition will run through February.

Barry Lynn and the Psychic Wars

2008-08-21T10:17:00.004-05:00

On his syndicated radio program Culture Shocks, Barry Lynn, the executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, examines the law banning fortune telling in Montgomery County, Maryland.

"Is an anti-fortune telling rule discriminatory or protective? Pagan witch and shamanic healer, Caroline Kenner joins us..."

Lynn interviews local Pagan activist and organizer Caroline Kenner, and "dirt worshiper" and diviner Diotima Mantineia about the law and its arbitrarily discriminatory nature. They also discuss the current lawsuit against the law brought by Nick Nefedro, who claims the law violates his rights.

"A fortuneteller is suing Montgomery County after he learned he would not be allowed to open a shop in Bethesda because the county bans the business of forecasting the future. Attorneys for Nick Nefedro, previously of Key West, Fla., say county officials violated his First Amendment rights to free speech and discriminated against his �Roma,� or Gypsy, culture when they refused to give him a business license."

You can listen to the program online, here, or download the entire program. Lynn seems very interested in this case, and promises to write about it at length over at his new blog at Beliefnet. Something tells me we aren't so far away from some planned civil disobedience and Americans United getting into the legal fray.