The Wild Hunt (https://wildhunt.org/tag/ardantane)
In this week’s Pagan Community Notes: Supreme Court rules in favor of LGBT discrimination protection, Summer Solstice online celebrations, Juneteenth social media exodus, and more!
JEMEZ SPRINGS, N.M. — Ten years ago, a group of Pagans in northern New Mexico created a Pagan school and retreat center called Ardantane. Since that time, students have enrolled in 1,275 of Ardantane’s classes. To learn more about the success and operations of this unique place, The Wild Hunt spoke with two members of Ardantane’s staff: Rowan and Amber K. Rowan serves as dean of the School of Magick and Witchcraft. Amber K, who is also a prolific Pagan author, serves as executive director of Ardantane. Both Amber K and Rowan follow the Our Lady of the Woods tradition.
HOLMEN, Wis. — The Wisconsin Pagan community lost one of its elders last month. Carol Lee Wiggins Olson Gainer, known as Lady Cybele of Rowangrove, died Nov. 26 at her home. Lady Cybele followed the Family Tradition Craft, was a longtime member of Circle Sanctuary and the Society for Creative Anachronism. She regularly attended Pagan Spirit Gathering until her health made it difficult.
Lady Cybele was born in 1942 in Winona, Minnesota to Leland Edward Wiggins and Mabel Cecilia Johnson. After high school, she earned a bachelor’s degree from LaCrosse State University and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison.
TWH – The 2017 People’s Climate March brought over 200,000 protesters to Washington D.C. and smaller venues around the world. Saturday’s event was planned prior to the election, although many protesters focused on recent decisions being made by the Trump administration. Paul Getsos, the National Coordinator for the People’s Climate Movement said:
“This march grew out of the relationship building among some of the country’s most important progressive organizations and movements. In 2014, the march was planned as a singular moment to pressure global leaders to act on climate change. There was a simple demand – act.”
In an update to a past report, David Hindsley and Nicole Leffert have both been sentenced to 42 years in prison with a two-year probation for three felony counts of sexual crimes, including the conspiracy to commit child molesting and child molesting. Leffert received her sentence Jan. 10, and Hindsley was sentenced last week. Before their arrest in May 2016, Hindsley and Leffert were active members of Indiana’s Heathen community. They both worked as artisans, making kilts and jewelry.