Wiccan Pentacle Headstone at Arlington National Cemetery.
TWH – Yesterday marked the 16th anniversary of the pentacle being officially recognized and approved as an “emblem of belief” by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for use on the headstones of fallen soldiers. The pentacle became the 37th symbol to be approved by Veterans Affairs and paved the way for other interfaith symbols that include the Heathen symbol of the mjölnir (Thor’s Hammer), the awen symbol of the Druids, the Native American medicine wheel, and many other symbols of faith.
Post from Selena Fox via Facebook
The mission to get the pentacle recognized by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), a division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs would ultimately take ten years. What would come to be known as the Pentacle Quest was spearheaded by Rev. Pete Pathfinder Davis, Archpriest of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) on August 27, 1997 when he submitted a formal request to Veterans Affairs. His request went ignored and there was no response from Veterans Affairs until late November of 2001 that advised Davis that the department was in the process of revising its procedure for new emblems.
In September of 1998, Rev. Rona Russell, Priestess of the Isis Invicta Military Mission of the Temple and Lyceum of Isis Fortuna would submit the second request for the pentacle to be approved as an emblem of belief. Then in 2003, Rosemary Kooiman, High Priestess of the Nomadic Chantry of the Gramarye, a Maryland-based Wiccan group, applied for the pentacle to be placed on her husband, Abraham Martin Kooiman’s headstone.
What would follow all of these requests and submissions would be years of deferment, denial, and miscommunication by Veterans Affairs. As the years passed more Wiccan churches and groups joined the mission and quest to get the pentacle added to the list of emblems of belief, while other more traditional symbols of belief were not only added but even expedited through the process.
In 2005, Rev. Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary submitted a request which would receive the same treatment that all of the other requests had–they would be ignored and eventually be informed that the procedures were being revised, Then in 2006, Fox submitted another request on behalf of Roberta Stewart for her husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, who had been killed in action while serving in Afghanistan.
Ultimately, after numerous phone calls and other communications, as well as multiple trips to DC, it would take the Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filing a total of three federal lawsuits against the VA before a settlement would finally be reached. On Monday, April 23, 2007, the pentacle was finally added to the list of emblems of belief. The decision made national news, and opened the door for many other symbols of faith to be recognized by the VA and the U.S. military.
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The Atheopagan Society logo
The Atheopagan Society announced Jarod K. Anderson as the keynote speaker at their upcoming Web Weaving Conference, scheduled to take place online on Saturday, June 3 from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm (PDT), and Sunday, June 4 from 10:00:am until 5:15 pm (PDT).
Mark Green, from the Atheopagan Society Council, told TWH, “Jarod K. Anderson, the Cryptonaturalist, creates such beautiful and thought-provoking writing about nature that we are completely thrilled he has agreed to be our keynote speaker.”
Anderson is an author, poet, and creator of “The CryptoNaturalist Podcast.” On his website, his work is described as, “Ranging from optimistic contemplations of mortality to appreciations of single-celled organisms, Jarod is forever writing love letters to the natural world.” His poetry collections, Field Guide to the Haunted Forest (2020) and Love Notes from the Hollow Tree (2022) reflect his fascination and wonder with the natural world. Anderson also has a forthcoming memoir about chronic depression and reconnecting with nature that will be published in 2024 by Timber Press.
The Web Weaving Conference is a weekend Zoom gathering for Atheopagans, that offers a variety of entertainment, community-building, workshops, and socializing opportunities. The conference will feature workshops on diverse topics such as “Sarcastic Tarot;” recovering from religious abuse; LGBTQ+ allyship; and includes a children’s circle.
“Web Weaving is an opportunity for Pagans following or curious about the non-theist path of Atheopaganism to socialize, learn about each other’s practices, and learn information they can apply to their practices.”
Registration for the conference is on a sliding scale of $10.00 – $50.00, with $20 being recommended, for the entire weekend. The group also notes that “none turned away for lack of funds.” Registration is open and more details, including the conference’s programming schedule, are available on their website.
According to their website and press release, “The Atheopagan Society is a federally recognized nonprofit religious organization working to provide support, resources, and events for those practicing the Pagan path of Atheopaganism.”
Atheopaganism is generally defined as a non-theistic or secular form of Paganism. The Atheopagan Society defines itself as “a naturalistic Pagan religious path” and as having “an approach to existence based on the natural laws found by science, on observable evidence, and on objectively confirmable experiments.”
The group notes that all Atheopagan events, including the Web Weaving Conference, are subject to the Atheopagan Community Conduct Standards, and attendees agree to abide by those standards when they register for the event.
The Web Weaving Conference is sponsored by Slivinski Art and JillianAurora.com.
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PHILADELPHIA, Penn. — The Troth made two major announcements this month: a shift in policy regarding marginalized demographics of the population, and the creation and release of their new logo.
In a press release, The Troth stated:
As an inclusive organization, The Troth is dedicated to advocating for the rights and wellbeing of all people. As a reflection of those values, the President and the Board of Directors have made a major change in how they do business.
They will now place a special emphasis on those who are continuing to be marginalized in international society. The Troth will stand with those who call for an end to any actions that harm the mental, emotional, physical, social, educational, and economic well-being of LGBTQ2S people, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and women.
Since 2020, there have been over 500 anti-LGBTQIA2S+ bills filed in the United States. These bills are part of coordinated and poll-tested campaigns by anti-LGBTQIA2S+ organizations that contain almost identical language. These bigoted campaigns spread misinformation and propaganda, which demonize those who do not fit within cisgendered, white, conservative, Christian heterosexuality.
In addition, many of these same states have introduced laws that restrict access to voting and gerrymandering that have been proven to disproportionately affect people of color. These same states have also passed or attempted to pass laws that remove access to reproductive healthcare.
This gender essentialism and bigotry has been exported internationally to many of the countries where the Troth has members.
As a part of their inclusive commitment, The Troth resolves that they will no longer hold Trothmoot, their annual convention, in locations that restrict the rights of women, LGBTQIA2S+ people, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
They additionally resolve to create scholarship programs to help offset the cost of attendance in person for those in affected areas as well as prioritizing facilities with internet access to be able to provide hybrid conferences when possible.
Their statement comes at a time when the U.S. has seen a steep increase in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation, as well as regressive actions to limit access to both gender care and reproductive health services.
The Troth’s new logo
The Troth’s new logo, the first in 35 years, seemed designed to better reflect their shift in policy:
“Our logo was designed to embrace who The Troth is today – a religious education organization that serves the many inclusive faith traditions within Heathenry,” said Benjamin Kolwalsky-Grahek, Communications Director for the Troth.
Designed by Dee Waggoner in collaboration with the Troth Communications Department and the High Rede, the new logo is composed of five main elements: the tree, the apple, the golden background, the blue ring and the runic inscription.
The tree stands for the World Tree, called by many names in Heathenry, the many branches and leaves represent the wide variety of belief and practice in the Troth community. The apple pays homage to Idunna, both as the patron of the organization and the name of its primary publication, Idunna Magazine. The golden background represents prosperity and shining a light of education out into the world.
The blue ring represents the oaths of service its volunteers take to support the organization, and the runic inscription, which translates to ‘Education and Service,’ is a guide for the future of the Troth.
The Troth has positioned itself as a refuge for those who felt marginalized or locked out of Heathenry because they didn’t fit a rigid, ableist, sexist or racist framework of what a Heathen was supposed to be.
“While The Troth has always been open to all, we have learned that we are at our best when we are an organization where we are not just open to all, but genuinely create an inclusive space where those who have been marginalized feel welcome,” said Ben Kolwalsky-Grahek.
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Announcements:
- The Association Tradizionale Pietas ritual marking the founding of Rome was held in collaboration with the Gruppo Storico Romano. This is the year 2776 AVC (ab urbe condita), from the founding of Rome.
- The Fredrick Pagan Pride Day announced that it is seeking applications for entertainers, event sponsors, local groups and charities, vendors, volunteers, and workshop and Ritual Leaders for their 7th annual Pagan Pride event, scheduled for September 9, 2023. Organizers request all inquiries be made via their website.
- The Philadelphia Pagan Pride announced that they are accepting applications for entertainment, vendors, volunteers, and workshop presentations. The 11th annual event will be held on September 2, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm in Clark Park B in Philadelphia. The event seeks “to bring together Pagans of all traditions to advance understanding, communication, and fellowship among the various communities.” More information about the event can be found on the Philadelphia Pagan Pride website.
- Cherry Hill Seminary’s lecture series, “Coming to the Center” will host Jo Carson on May 20, 2023 at 3:00 pm (EDT). Information on the lecture and how to register is available on the CHS website. CHS provided this background on Carson, “Pagan priestess Jo Carson seeks to create positive visions of the future through Feraferia, A Love Culture for Wilderness. She is Chair of the Board of Feraferia, which she joined in 1972. She also holds the rank of 7th Degree in the Order of the Temple of Astarte, having been initiated in 1970. She was active in a Reclaiming-inspired Wiccan circle called Eye of the Crescent for 17 years. Jo holds a master’s degree from UCLA in film production, and her professional life has included camera work on many feature films. She directed and produced the documentary feature Dancing With Gaia: Earth Energy, Sacred Sexuality and the Return of the Goddess, plus documentary shorts A Dance for the Goddess about Feraferian rites, and Himalayan Pilgrimage: A Visionary Journey. She authored Celebrate Wildness: Magic, Mirth and Love on the Feraferian Path, an introduction to Feraferia through art. She is currently working on a Feraferia Tarot deck and book.”
- The 31st annual St. Louis Pagan Picnic will be held on Saturday, June 3, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, June 4, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (CDT) in Tower Grove Park. The event is free and family-friendly, featuring a variety of workshops, musical performances, rituals, and vendors. The event also offers a Kid Zone that will include crafting and other activities for children.
- Circle Sanctuary announced last week that registration for Pagan Spirit Gathering is now open. The annual event includes a variety of vendors, workshops, music, and rituals.
- The Scottish Goddess Conference 2023 will be held online from September 13 – 17 as well as in person in Paisley, Scotland on September 16, 2023. This theme for 2023 is “Oracles of the Divine, and will be dedicated to all things related to communicating with the other realms and spirits. From oracle work to séance, spiritism, necromancy, omens, trance work, psychedelic plants, medium, divination methods, ancient oracles, and much more!” Speakers include Professor Daniel Ogden, Dr. Jeffrey S. Kupperman, Kristoffer Hughes, Caitlin Matthews, Ivo Dominguez, Jeff Cullen, Chris Allaun, Lucya Starza, Starr Ravenhawk, Susana Aguilar, Michael Mayo, and Cara Hamilton. Super Early Bird Tickets are currently available on the Scottish Goddess Conference Website. The Conference will also hold a Virtual Goddess Market till September and a live Goddess Market at the event venue at the Wynd Centre in Paisley, Scotland, to support the Goddess Temple Alba.
- The Goddess Temple Alba, with its aim to open a Community Space for Pagans in Scotland, will be hosting several Charitable Goddess Markets this year. The first one was held on February 4, and the next is scheduled for April 29 and will celebrate Beltane, and the third market will be held during the Scottish Goddess Conference on September 16. According to the organizers, “All donations towards spaces for traders will go directly to the Goddess Temple Alba Fund towards a space. Ness Bosch, the Head of the Goddess Temple Alba, and some of the members of the Temple are working very hard to open this Temple space! Go and support the Goddess Community in Scotland by paying a visit to the forthcoming Goddess Markets!” Those interested can now also join the Goddess Community In Scotland Facebook Group to keep up with goddess happenings in Scotland. Anyone interested in securing a space as a trader/vendor with the Goddess Markets can email the organizers. All markets will take place at the Wynd Centre in Paisley, Scotland.
Dusty Miller XIII 1935 – 2023
On April 14, Dusty Miller XIII, who was the current patriarch of the Miller clan, left this plane of existence. His son, Dusty Miller XIV will now take on that mantle.
The Miller clan claims direct descendants from the “Indigenous” people of Great Britain, who some believe lived on the land long before England became an island, along with several other tribes who were also Indigenous. The Miller clan traces its current ancestry back to 1742, which lists Dusty Miller as the thirteenth Dusty Miller in the line.
Ancient knowledge and traditions are often lost over time, but the Dusty Miller family has worked to preserve what magical knowledge and traditions of their line hold.
The traditions of the Dusty Miller family align themselves and work closely with the spirit of trees or dryads. Dusty Miller XIII, like his father (XII) and grandfather (XI) before him, carried on the family tradition in his work with the tree spirits, which was taught and handed down to him.
He labeled himself as a “brown witch,” and worked with what he termed, “Dryad Consciousness.” Dusty Miller XIII devoted most of his life to teaching people how to connect with trees and their souls. His service to the tree spirits was reflected in his work of bringing the wisdom and knowledge of the trees to humanity.
In addition to his Dryad Consciousness work, he was also a craftsman and artist. He produced an array of magical wands and tools from what he referred to as LiveWood–wood that held a duplicate of the spirit of the dryad of the tree it came from.
There was a tremendous outpouring of remembrance posts on social media that expressed deep affection and appreciation for Dusty Miller XIII. Many people recounted their experiences of how he and his work had enhanced their lives and helped them to better connect with nature and, of course, the trees.
Dusty Alun Miller XIV and Claudia Amisha Miller will continue the teachings and traditions of the Dusty Miller line.
What is remembered, Lives!
Positively Noteworthy
EXMOUTH, Australia – Last week a rare hybrid solar eclipse occurred that was fully visible in only a few places. It was considered to be a hybrid eclipse because it appeared as both annular and total depending on the vantage point of the observer within the eclipse’s central path. The eclipse also exhibited all three types of the moon’s shadow–umbra, penumbra, and antumbra–as well as displaying the three types of eclipses, partial, total, and annular.
A hybrid eclipse happens rarely–the last one being in November of 2013, and the next one will not occur until November 2031. As for viewing within the U.S., there will not be a visible hybrid until March of 2164.
From an astrology perspective, eclipses like other celestial events can have a variety of effects, even when they occur out of view. This particular eclipse occurred in Aries and has the overall potential to affect personal approaches that are reflected in courage, independence, self-expression, and self-assertion. It is also largely viewed as a sign of new beginnings and being favorable to new endeavors. Exactly how the eclipse might influence an individual chart depends on various factors that include what house of the chart it occurs in.
Here is footage of the eclipse for those who were not in one of the few places where it was visible.
Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Guardian of the Night Tarot, by MJ Cullinane.
Card: Major arcana – I (1) – The Magician
The week ahead is likely to call for informed decision-making that is supported by clear and concise information in order to achieve whatever the objective or goal might be.
Conversely, impulsive and rash choices that are largely reactionary and fueled by emotions are liable to lead down the wrong path, resulting in delays, and even causing a project to be aborted.
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