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

Legendary Welsh neo-Druid and poet Iolo Morganwg is being honored with a statue in London next year.

“A monument dedicated to Welsh poet and forger Iolo Morganwg, who created the first ceremony of the Druids of the Bards of the Isles of Britain at Primrose Hill in London in 1792, is to be placed at Primrose Hill next year. Iolo Morganwg, or Edward Williams, spent his working life as a stonemason. It is as Iolo Morganwg that he is remembered, chiefly for his role in (re)creating modern bardic ritual and philosophy. He founded the first Gorsedd, Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain, at a ceremony in 1792 at Primrose Hill.”

Despite his reputation as a forger, Morganwg is crucial to the Romantic-era rebirth of interest in the Celtic languages and Welsh culture, and it could be said that modern Druidry (as we now know it) wouldn’t have happened without his influence.

The Toronto Star has a Pagan-friendly history of the broom in today’s edition.

“Where does the broom tie in with the myth of potion-brewing hags? The origins of the association go back to the dark recesses of history, when pagans worshipped openly across Europe. In their religion, brooms were symbols of fertility and could also be used to sweep out an area of worship, both physically and mystically. By the Middle Ages, the pagan belief-system had been all but eliminated in most of Europe and the last remnants, persecuted by the church and branded as devil worshippers, were the witches of popular mythology.”

Its an interesting read but I wonder what Andrew Hind’s historical sources were. Some passages skirt the ever-controversial “Burning Times” legend.

The Asatru of Iceland are gearing up to celebrate the coming of Winter.

“The first day of winter is upon us. Asatruarfelagid, the Icelandic Pagan Community, will celebrate traditionally on Saturday 21st October. The pagan celebration, called Haustblot (autumn sacrifice), will take place in Morkin, in the facilities of Ferdafelg Islands in Reykjavik, starting at 7pm. It is open to everyone.”

Meanwhile Druids at Stonehenge are celebrating Samhain early in honor of the site being considered as one of the new seven wonders of the world.

“Around 50 druids gathered at Stonehenge, the 5,000-year-old British standing stones, Tuesday to celebrate its inclusion on a list of potential new Seven Wonders of the World. Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, Southwest England, is the only British landmark selected for a shortlist of 21, which will be whittled down to a final seven to be unveiled on July 7, 2007.”

They encourage all Britons and Stonehenge-lovers to vote for the site. Those of the Hellenic bent may prefer to vote for the Acropolis.

The New York Daily News reports on a cheesy Buffy-inspired remake of “The Initiation of Sarah” in which two groups of witches (posing as rival sororities) face off.

“There’s no pretense of higher meaning. “The Initiation of Sarah” is a story about rival sororities in which the young women and their house mothers are witches, of the real, spell-casting variety. Newly arrived sisters, Lindsey (Summer Glau) and Sarah (Mika Boorem), get caught up in a tug of war between the supernaturally powerful women of Alpha Nu Gamma and Pi Epsilon Delta.”

Morgan Fairchild who starred in the original tele-movie returns for a cameo in this film as well. I can’t see why this would be worth watching, unless your a hopeless “Firefly” fan and want to see Summer Glau playing a witch. The usual disclaimers about the depictions having nothing to do with Wicca apply.

In a final note, for those Pagans raising kids, I came across a new children’s book while at the library today. It is a beautiful collection of myths celebrating goddesses around the world called “Changing Woman and Her Sisters” by Katrin Hyman Tchana and illustrated by her mother Trina Schart Hyman.

Illustration of Ostara from the front cover.

“Collecting these stories was a transformative experience for me. It gave me images of a creator that I carry with me always. In the years since I discovered them, the goddesses in this book have offered my strength when I feel overwhelmed, comfort when I am in distress, and clear vision when I am confused. If you ask they will do the same for you.”

The art by her mother Hyman (this was the last book she illustrated before she died) is amazing. I don’t usually talk about children’s books (seeing as I haven’t fathered any myself), but I was impressed enough to check it out and write about it here.

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

Tags: Paganism