TWH – Two videos that were recently created have attracted the attention of Pagans and Witches on social media platforms. The original “Pass the Brush” challenge appears to have originated on the social media platform, TikTok, around the end of March.
The first Pagan themed video, titled Pass the brush witch style was posted to YouTube on May 1 and features the passing of a “magical” makeup brush to a variety of people that results in transformations to “Witch.”
The second video, titled Pass the Rune was posted to Instagram and uses the same theme of passing an item, but in this case, a rune and the transformation is to Heathen.
View this post on Instagram
It’s here. After hours of editing, I can’t stop watching it and smiling. When I think of all of the beautiful spirits who contributed to this, I start tearing up. Thank you. My heart reaches out to all of you, and with the loving power of connection I believe we will not only make it through this dark time, but we will come out of it stronger together…. Be sure to watch until the very end for a cute surprise! All 34 participants are tagged in the end credits. Editing and Starting Sequence by Marin of @EmbercraftCreations. Song “Norupo” by Heilung, @AmplifiedHistory – Be sure to listen to their incredible new album and watch their enchanting music video for this song! Inspired by the #DontRushChallenge, a trend created by these incredible women: @lase_asolo @0yindasola @iyeesha @sylvs_kitenge @anu.asekun @feranmiii_xo @rellie.intoyou @derinoladimeji
* * *
LOUGHNAVALLEY, County Westmeath, Ireland – The tradition of lighting the Bealtaine Fire at the Hill of Uisneach is centuries long. Last week, David Clarke, the Keeper of the Hill, and his immediate family continued that tradition.
Prior to restrictions on gatherings and travel due to the pandemic, attendance expected for this year’s fire lighting and Bealtaine celebration had been around 5000 people. As part of the statement on their website, Uisneach – Mythological and Sacred Centre of Ireland stated, “…it was felt that the lighting of the sacred fire, should still go ahead – to symbolise hope and healing in brighter days ahead, in what is still a very trying time for us all.”
Video released of this year’s lighting opens with footage from last year contrasts greatly and highlights the impact of the pandemic on events.
The Bealtaine fire in antiquity was lit at sunset by the High King of Ireland on the top of the Hill of Uisneach and was witnessed by many, and then signaled to other watchers on other nearby sacred hilltops to ignite their fires and this would continue until there were celebratory hilltop fires all across the country.
The lighting of Bealtaine fires was historically viewed as heralding the arrival of summer after the end of winter and reflected the re-birth and rejuvenation of the land. This tradition has been revived over the past decade and has become a major Irish cultural celebration and brings visitors from around the globe each year.
In other news:
- Last week National Geographic released footage of a newly excavated burial and mummification preparation chambers at Saqqara in Egypt and in the shadow of the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Lead Egyptologist Ramadan Hussein began work on the site in 2016, but was unprepared for the scope and volume of what he would ultimately discover. Hussein began excavating deep shafts that had been passed over by previous excavators, one of which descended roughly 42 feet (13 meters). What he initially thought would be tombs or burial chambers turned out to be mummification preparation workshops. Excavations required the removal of many tons of sand and debris. Another shaft beneath the workshop led to six more burial chambers that contained over 50 mummies and date to the 26th dynasty which is defined as running from 664–525 B.C.E. Perhaps the most revealing information of the discovery is how it illuminates the practices of priests and the funerary trade in ancient Egypt much of which was previously either unknown or very incomplete. Priests were responsible for tending the dead and often owned many tombs. Their services were paid by the deceased’s family. Hussein’s find confirms what had previously been suggested by ancient papyri documents. The excavation is part of a four-part series titled Kingdom of the Mummies that will be aired later this week
- The Beverly Historical Society is offering a special “Happy Hour” virtual tour this Thursday from 5:00-6:30pm (EST). Beverly was part of the original settlement of Salem in Massachusetts and is home to several historic properties that can be toured–The Balch House, The John Cabot House, and Hale Farm. Historic Beverly maintains a wide collection that includes a section of the Salem “witch-hunts” and stories of the black population, and the fight to abolish slavery.
- An interesting article in Desert News explores the astronomical alignment of the intricate ancient ruins that comprise Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Chaco Canyon was home to Ancestral Puebloans, often referred to as the “Anasazi,” who were believed to have inhabited the area from around 850-1250 C.E. Like many of the other ancient sites around the world, some researchers believe that the area may be have been chosen due to its alignment with astronomical features. In 2013 it was designated as an “International Dark Sky Park” due to its positioning and the visibility of the Milky Way for the site. The Casa Rinconada “kiva” is believed to be a ceremonial space that aligns with the four directions and can be entered from the north and south of the circle.
Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Barbieri Tarot by Barbara Moore, artwork by Paolo Barbieri, published by Lo Scarabeo.
Card: Four (4) of Wands
The week ahead is likely to require a focus on self-care, and focus on sustaining the “inner fire.” Any fire, whether physical or ethereal, requires fuel. Attention to proper use of power is also warranted.
Decks generously provided by Asheville Raven & Crone.
The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content.
To join a conversation on this post:
Visit our The Wild Hunt subreddit! Point your favorite browser to https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/, then click “JOIN”. Make sure to click the bell, too, to be notified of new articles posted to our subreddit.