Paganism

Pagan Community Notes: May 1, 2023

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Heartland Pagan Festival logo for 2023

ST. LOUIS – The Heartland Pagan Festival billed as “one of the Midwest’s largest festivals” that focuses on alternative spirituality announced over the weekend that this year’s will be their last after 37 years.  The festival is run by the Heartland Spiritual Alliance (HSA), “an all-volunteer organization which is dedicated to promoting the appreciation and acceptance of a variety of alternative religions and philosophies. HSA encourages participation in educational programs and activities, most of which deal with the various nature-oriented or nature-connected religions of the world, the similarities within all religions and the respectful free exchange of spiritual beliefs. We strive to maintain a well organized, dynamic and smooth running organization within an atmosphere which allows people of all religious traditions to coexist peacefully.”

In a public message on April 29, the Heartland Pagan Festival said that

After some really difficult conversations between the Directors and Officers, and despite our best efforts…it is with deep sadness that I must tell you that this will be the last HPF.”

At its peak, the Heartland Pagan Festival hosted over 1,400 participants.  The announcement noted a multi-year decline in attendance at the festival.  The covid pandemic and declining have resulted in financial struggles.  But they announcement also noted dwindling numbers of volunteers supporting the event with staff being required to assume multiple roles.  The announcement noted that “It would seem that the community no longer wants/needs a major campout weekend.

The announcement about the ending of the Heartland Pagan Festival clearly noted that the Heartland Spiritual Alliance will continue to serve the community.  They will be holding a membership meeting on June 11 and invite community participation.

Community reactions were swift noting sadness a the news.  Some individuals commented that HPF was where they had met their spouse while others noted it was the reason they located to the area.

The announcement added “Growth is difficult. Letting go even more so. However, as with the Phoenix, out of the ashes the next great adventure is born.”

The 38th annual and final Heartland Pagan Festival will take place during Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-29, 2023, at the Gaea Retreat Center.  Registration and information are available on the Festival site.

FaerieCon logo via Facebook

SALEM, Oregon – FaerieCon and FaerieWorlds Events announced that it was closing an filing for bankruptcy ins a post circulated to attendees and posted on their website.

The website which no longer hosts links simply shows a picture of participants with the statement:

A MESSAGE TO THE FAERIEWORLDS & FAERIECON COMMUNITY

As we are sure you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the events business, exacerbated by the current inflation and recession. For too many outdoor festivals and conventions it has been an extinction level event, as they have been unable to survive the sudden cancellations and the severe economic impact that occurred as a result. The pandemic had a severe impact on musicians as well, and we are unable to acquire the necessary visas international bands require to travel to our events. Finally, like so many other festivals, we are unable to get affordable insurance for our events which in itself makes them untenable.

Unfortunately, Faerieworlds and FaerieCon have not been an exception: both events last year severely underperformed at significant losses. As owners and producers, we are faced with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cumulative debt that is insurmountable. Any realistic hope of producing Faerieworlds and FaerieCon has expired and we have declared insolvency and been forced to legally dissolve the LLC that produced the shows.

We know that you, like us, have suffered the impact of this extraordinary global event. We also know the Faerieworlds and FaerieCon communities are strong in its heart and beliefs and will not only survive but prevail. Hold on to all the wonderful memories of Faerieworlds and FaerieCon in your minds and hearts and know that all of those moments are rich and real and will empower, sustain and inspire you in the coming days.

We thank you for your years of support.

The Faerieworlds Team

 

While the statement is clear what led to the announcement remain cryptic.  The event closed last year with the FaerieCon team posting an optimistic vision of the future.

The statement from November 3, 2022, read:

I want to personally thank everyone who attended for making Faeriecon a wonderful and inspiring experience. I am deeply touched by seeing all of these beautiful photos and reading your comments. It is such a pleasure to return to Faeriecon after two years and to receive such a warm welcome from all of you. I want to particularly thank our exceptional vendors who play such an important part in making Faeriecon the destination that it is; we so appreciate your support. Please know how much you inspire us to do what we do and how much we care about the community we are create [sic] together. Thank you for your creativity, imagination and magic. Please share it with the world until we come together once again next year!

A few weeks ago, at least one future attendee had noted that their ticket for 2023 had been refunded and asked if the event had been canceled.  There was no public reply to the question and commenting was suspended on the Facebook post.

The Wayback Machine internet archive shows captured information from the FaerieCon site announcing featured performers such as Albannach, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, That 1 Guy, Frenchy and the Punk as well as featured guests including H. Byron Ballard.  The site lists a capture on Feb 1, 2023, and info from the current version of the website.

On March 4, 2023 admins paused the FaerieCon group on Facebook. Some vendors have noted that they may have possibly lost their registration funds but there remained no comment from the FarieCon organizers.

FaerieCon is produced by Faerieworlds, and Oregon Limited Liability Company organized in 2012.  The LLC submitted articles of dissolution on March 16, 2023.

At the time of writing, TWH was unable to locate any bankruptcy court filing. We will update this story as we obtain additional information.

 

Announcements:

  • TWH contributor Antonio Pagliarulo released his new book The Evil Eye: The History, Mystery, and Magic of the Quiet Curse on  May 1, 2023.  The book “explores the phenomenon of the Evil Eye: what it is, its origins and causes— and, most crucially, how to avoid, repel, and remove it. Rich with cultural anecdotes and traditions, mystical lore, and modern concepts, The Evil Eye offers practical advice for shielding yourself from the destructive and lingering power of this mysterious and persistent force.”   In the book’s forward, Judika Illes, author of Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells and Pure Magic: A Complete Course in Spellcasting, wrote “Finally, there is a book written by an actual practitioner, in plain language, with warmth and compassion, that takes the Evil Eye and the misery it causes seriously. If you have been wondering about the Eye; if you fear it or think you have been struck by it; if you feel drawn to Evil Eye jewelry, this book is for you. May it provide you with safety, relief, and happiness.”  The text is available on Amazon and published by Wesier Book.  

  • TWH contributor Nathan Hall has released a new book Path of the Moonlit Hedge: Discovering the Magick of Animistic Witchcraft on May 8, 2023. The book is “an exciting approach to witchcraft that teaches you how to see and work with the life in all things, from animals and plants to rocks, rivers, and beyond. Nathan M. Hall provides an in-depth and thoughtful exploration of animism, guiding you down the path of the moonlit hedge with more than thirty exercises that support the needs of your wild soul.”  Mat Auryn, bestselling author of Psychic Witch wrote “An illuminating exploration into the world of animism and witchcraft. Not only does it provide an incredibly in-depth and thoughtful exploration of animism in a witchcraft context, but it also provides unique and insightful perspectives on the subject…This book is sure to expand your tool kit of connection through its many wonderful exercises and give you a better understanding of the power of animism.” The text is available on Amazon and published by Llewellyn.  
  • Cherry Hill Seminary (CHS) announced it would be holding its Summer Intensive at Mystic South 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia on July 14-16. More details can be found on the CHS website.

Upcoming Events:

  • 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.”

  • 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.

In other news:

  • Earlier this year, children in the Kamfyokoto village in Malawi said that they were being taught witchcraft.  The village reportedly hired a witchfinder to locate the individuals responsible for the teaching. However, police were given an anonymous tip about the hiring of a witchfinder and rescued one person who had been accused of witchcraft.  Police arrested the individuals who hired the witchfinder. Mzuzu police public relations officer Paul Tembo has identified the suspects as Gabriel Phiri (45), Linda Mkandawire (40), Tryness Mhango (63), Stella Mkandawire (42) and Hastings Kumwenda (61).  As it turns out, hiring a witchfinder is also illegal under Malawi’s Witchcraft Act.
  • In an unsurprising display of ignorance, Nigerian “Actor /counselor/Christ Lover” Anita Joseph spontaneously announced how to identify a witch or wizard on social media.  She says, “The easiest way to know that you have become a witch is when good news hurts you, and bad news makes you happy.”  She added “If good news irritates you, then you need redemption. Shalom.”

Positively Noteworthy

A team of scientists at Tampere University in Finland has created Fairy robots that may help pollinators like honeybees complete their tasks.  Inspired by dandelion seeds,  the lying Aero-robots based on Light Responsive Materials Assembly, or FAIRY robots, are controlled by light and fly on the wind. “Superior to its natural counterparts, this artificial seed is equipped with a soft actuator,” explains Research Fellow Hao Zeng. “The actuator is made of light-responsive liquid crystalline elastomer, which induces opening or closing actions of the bristles upon visible light excitation.” That is, the tiny robot can change its shape based on light. The FAIRY robots can potentially move around and assist with pollination.  “It sounds like science fiction,” Zeng said, “but the proof-of-concept experiments included in our research show that the robot we have developed provides an important step towards realistic applications suitable for artificial pollination.”


Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte

Deck: Dreams of Gaia Tarot, by Ravynne Phelan, published by Blue Angel Publishing.

Card: Ten (10) of Earth

This week ahead holds a lot of potentials when it comes to finding harmony and balance and reaping the rewards of one’s labor. There may also be a prevailing sense of inner peace that fuels the ability to move forward with self-assurance.

Conversely, changes and shifts can be challenging and uncomfortable and result in a sense of loss or having missed the mark.

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