- TWH wants to see your Ancestor altar pictures!
- The Wild Hunt is seeking pictures of ancestor altars for inclusion in an article for publication that highlights and celebrates Samhain.
- Submission guidelines:
- Must be an original picture(s) that has not been published online and that the submitter has taken.
- Include a location and name of the submitter, e.g. – Photo taken in Northeast Ohio by D. Witch. We need this to credit the image.
- Sending an image implies permission for TWH to publish it.
- The deadline is midnight on October 29, 2023.
- Must be formatted as a jpg, png, or pdf.
Submissions can be emailed to pcn@wildhunt.org with the subject: Ancestor Altar and must be received by midnight (EDT) on October 29, 2023.
Archaeologist Kathrine Stene shows one of the five new gold foil pieces recently discovered at Hov outside Lillehammer. (Photo: Museum of Cultural History / University of Oslo)
OSLO, Norway- A small yet prominent Norse temple in Hov, Norway was discovered in 1993. It has been excavated since then and archeologists working on the site have uncovered some 30 gold foil figures over the last thirty years.
Last month, 5 new gold pieces have now been found by the roadside in nearby Vingrom between the Mjøsa Bridge (which spans the biggest lake in Norway) and Lillehammer. The pieces are about the size of a fingernail, just about 1cm.
“It doesn’t get much more spectacular than this,” says Archaeologist and project leader Kathrine Stene. “It’s extra special that we can link the gold foil figures to the various parts of the building’s construction,” Stene added.
The five new gold foil figures. The center image piece appears to have been intentionally crumpled before burial. (Photo: Museum of Cultural History / University of Oslo)
The gold pieces are called “gullglubber,” which translates to “golden old men” and they have been found in the region since 1725. They were not likely worn as jewelry and were most likely used as offerings which were given as admission to the temple.
The pieces date to the Merovingian period in Norway which began in 550 CE and then into the Viking Age.
Ingunn Marit Røstad, an archaeologist and associate professor at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, said “They’re found in almost all of Scandinavia, but only in Scandinavia… You have the same images spread all over Scandinavia, so they must have meant something, the people must have known what they meant, and I think they must have been important to be handled in this way.”
“This is a very special find,” Stene said. “Each foil is quite small and measures about the size of a fingernail.”
The pieces had been packed into post holes. Among the deities depicted include the god Frøy (Freyr) who is associated with kingship, fertility, peace, prosperity, fair weather, and good harvest. and the goddess Gerd (Gerðr), who is associated with gardens, fertile earth, and enclosures necessary to protect crops.
Stene told Science Norway “It’s extra special that we can link the gold foil figures to the various parts of the building’s construction….The many gold foil figures found here earlier were discovered in and around another post hole in the old temple, on the opposite side of the two that recently appeared.
It’s possible that some of the gold foil figures they found here earlier were also placed in the wall, but there’s uncertainty about exactly where they were once found. Now, with these three that we found under the actual structure of the wall, it’s clear that they were intentionally placed there before the wall’s construction”
“Modern excavation has provided more knowledge about this,” Stene says. “The gold foil figures in the post hole were not visible to people. Those we found in the wall would also not have been visible to others. So, this doesn’t appear to be an admission ticket, but rather an offering or a religious act to protect the building.”
A close-up of one of the Gullglubbers depicting Freyr and Gerðr (Image credit: The Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo)
Announcements:
20th Conference on Current Pagan Studies: 2024
Re-Emergence: The Great Pause is Over, What Now?
The world has witnessed an unprecedented global pause as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting individuals and communities to re-evaluate and adapt their practices, beliefs, and ways of life. For contemporary Pagan religions, which encompass a diverse array of spiritual paths rooted in ancient traditions and modern innovations, this period of disruption has led to introspection, transformation, and innovation. As we move beyond the pandemic and re-engage with the world, questions arise: How have Pagan communities navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic? What adaptations were made in rituals, gatherings, and celebrations? How has the re-emergence brought about a reconnection with nature, the divine, and one another?
The Conference on Current Pagan Studies invites papers and presentations on the re-emergence of Contemporary Pagan practice after the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s conference will be a hybrid offering, taking place January 13 and 14, 2024.
The Conference on Current Pagan Studies invites papers that explore this theme from historical, creative, psychological, spiritual, and other points of view. We are looking for papers from all disciplines, because a community needs artists, teachers, scientists, healers, historians, philosophers, educators, thinkers, activists, etc. As usual, we are using the word Pagan in its more inclusive form, covering Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, and the numerous other denominations of polytheism as well as any indigenous groups that feel akin or want to be included in the conversation.
Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and are due October 31, 2023. Go to our website at www.paganconference.com for advice on presenting. Please email abstracts to pagan_conference@yahoo.com.
Do you have news to share with our community? Elevations? Events? Let us know at pcn@wildhunt.org.
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Announcements & Upcoming Gatherings:
Open Coven is running the following in-person events in Western North Carolina this Fall and early winter. Open Coven is run by TWH writer Liz Watkin, a fiber artist and educator with an online learning background.
Open Coven provides resources on using fiber art for magick. This includes embroidery and fiber art kits, classes, and online workshops. For more info. visit their website:
- 10/19 – Pop-Up: 5 – 7 pm at Of Wand and Earth (20 s Main Street, Marshall, NC)
- 11/18 & 11/19 – Pop-up: 11 am – 7 pm at Asheville Raven and Crone (640 Merrimon Ave #207, Asheville, NC)
- 11/25 – Magick Talisman Class: 2 – 4 pm at The Well (3 Louisiana Ave, W.Asheville)
- 12/9 – Tarot Bag Class: 2 – 5 pm at The Well (3 Louisiana Ave, W.Asheville)
- 1/13 – Altar Cloth Class: 1 – 5 pm at The Well (3 Louisiana Ave, W.Asheville)
The Michigan Witches Ball 2023 has announced dates! It will be held on October 28, 2023, at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, Warren, Michigan, USA.
Are you ready to immerse yourself in a world of enchantment and mystery? Look no further than the highly anticipated Michigan Witches Ball, where magic comes alive and dreams become reality. This extraordinary event is not to be missed, as it promises an unforgettable evening filled with spellbinding music, captivating people, and a bewitching atmosphere that will leave you mesmerized.
Step into a Realm of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Prepare to be transported to a realm where witches and wizards roam freely. The Michigan Witches Ball is a celebration of all things mystical and supernatural, where attendees can embrace their inner magic and indulge in an evening of pure enchantment.
Indulge in Delectable Delights
No magical evening would be complete without delectable treats to tantalize your taste buds. The Michigan Witches Ball offers a wide array of culinary delights that are sure to satisfy. Savor mouthwatering food. Indulge in desserts. And of course, no witch’s gathering would be complete without a selection of potions and elixirs to quench your thirst at the open bar.
Dress to Impress in Your Finest Witch Attire
The Michigan Witches Ball is the perfect occasion to unleash your inner witch or warlock. Embrace the opportunity to dress up in your most extravagant and spellbinding attire. From elegant witches’ gowns adorned with intricate lace and velvet to dapper warlock suits complete with top hats and canes, let your imagination run wild.
Meet and Support Michigan Pagan Charities
Be dazzled by the shining stars that are the volunteers who staff Pagans In Need food pantry, Wolf Run Wildlife Spiritual Sanctuary, and the Michigan Pagan Scholarship. Chat with these magical altruists adept at the conjuring of compassion.
Tickets and information about the Michigan Witches Ball are available on their website via Eventbrite
Please join the Chicago area Reclaiming Pagans and extended community on Sunday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m., doors open at 5:30, at the Unitarian Church of Evanston as we celebrate Samhain with a Spiral Dance, ritual, and a vegetarian potluck meal. The Spiral Dance is a Samhain ritual honoring the memory of our beloved and mighty ancestors as we who live set our intent for the coming year. This ritual has been held by the Reclaiming Collective in San Francisco for the last 43 years, and we are excited to bring this ritual to Chicago and thank UCE for hosting us. We are also looking for volunteers for both logistical and ritual roles.
We strive to make this event accessible to all. If you have any special or specific accessibility needs, please feel free to contact us at spiraldancechicago@gmail.com
Masks are encouraged but optional; they will be provided. Please do not wear perfumes or strong scents. If you feel called to bring something for the potluck, please label all ingredients. Weather permitting, the potluck meal will be outside.
If possible, please pre-register via Eventbrite. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Donations of between $0 and $20 dollars are welcome to defray costs; any surplus donations will be given to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Image via Announcement
Public Samhain Ritual at UMass Amherst Stone Circle- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2023 AT 5:30 PM. Please join us for a public Pagan ritual at the UMass Amherst Stone Circle in honor of Samhain and the turning of the year/end of the harvest season. All Pagan and Pagan-leaning people are welcome to join us in the common purpose of honoring our ancestors, those who have recently passed and those who have recently been born. This ritual is inclusive of all traditions, paths, perspectives, backgrounds, ages, cultures, gender identities, abilities, experiences, etc. Please consider bringing a photo or two of those who have passed that you would like to honor during our time together.
In the spirit of supporting the larger community, we will be collecting donations at the ritual for our neighbors and are requesting non-perishable food and/or toiletry items. There is no cost to attend the ritual. Food donations are only requested of those who are in a place to be able to donate.
This is an outdoor ritual. Please dress appropriately for the season and weather.
Learn more by visiting our event page on Facebook.
If you have an announcement to share with the community,
send it to The Wild Hunt at pcn@wildhunt.org
Positively Noteworthy
A decade ago, astronomy aficionado, Christine Malec, who has been blind since birth, “discovered a completely new way to experience astronomy when she saw astronomer and musician Matt Russo, Ph.D., give a presentation at a local planetarium in Toronto.” The process is called astronomical sonification, into converts orbital resonance into sounds. It manifests some of the music of the universe.
“It was unforgettable,” Malec told Salon, where readers can find the full interview. “I compare it to what it might be like for a sighted person to look up at the night sky and get a sensory intuition of the size and nature of the cosmos. As a blind person, that’s an experience I hadn’t had.”
“It really does bring a connection that you don’t necessarily get when you’re just looking at a cluster of galaxies that’s billions of light years away from you that stretches across many hundreds of millions of light years,” said Kimberly Kowal Arcand, Ph.D., a data visualizer for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Here are some samples:
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Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Tarot of The Witches, by Stuart R. Kaplan, Paintings by Fergus Hall, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Card: Two (2) of Cups
The week ahead has the potential to be underlined with love, whether it applies to business, familial, or romantic partnerships. Finding common or mutual ground upon which to build future endeavors will be key.
Conversely, self-love and -respect are factors to be considered, especially in situations that may seem out of sync. Transparency and honesty can help shift the energy to restore balance.
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