ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—Western Carolina continues to reel from Hurricane Helene’s effects and the massive downpours it spawned. The storm caused historic flooding and major damage. The storm washed out key water transmission lines, leaving parts of the area, including Asheville and surrounding towns, without access to running water. Mobile service was compromised and continues to be a challenge. Power is slowly being restored.
The flooding also displaced hundreds of residents, and recovery efforts are in progress to address the widespread devastation across the region. Social Media has been useful and links are below.
TWH has been in contact with Pagans and Witches in the area, but reporting and maintaining contact remains difficult. We posted earlier (with resource links):
There is also much incredible sadness and mourning. Emergency services in the region posted: “Remember, this is not the time for tourism. If you are in the area to drop off supplies, please do not drive around to our hard hit areas. ”
Moretellus and the Coven of Leaves have been responding to the needs of their neighbors. Mortellus has been baking bread for those in need. The Coven of Leaves also posted:
What are those programs where people write letters to people doing hard jobs? Lots of folks have told me they want to support but can’t for one reason or another. Firstly, that’s okay! All your supportive messages matter a lot! But also, why don’t you write me a letter or card or mail me kid drawings or catch me up on all the recent memes in print form or whatever. Something to smile at when mail starts working properly again? Mental health is a thing and I love getting letters! My postbox is:Mortellus130 East Court Street
Unit 3036
Rutherfordton NC 28139
The Mother Grove Goddess Temple in Asheville is a sanctuary in celebration of the Divine Feminine. They posted today “We just got a load of water and feminine hygiene products! Let us know where you are!”
The Mother Grove also wrote:
Mother Grove Temple is open.Dear tribe, in this time of uncertainty we have opened the doors of our tiny temple. You are welcome to come and be with Goddess.We are accepting water, feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes and shelf stable food.We are so grateful for you all!Blessed be!We are here from 11:00 to 3:00. Please check each day for hours.
We are aware of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville posting they had power. Yesterday, the UU posted:
We are working to compile a list of congregants with whom we have had contact & know that they are safe/what their needs are. We do have folx in every state of safety and need – some who have lost everything, many with damaged homes, almost all without water, etc….
In the days ahead, I’ll be glad to set up times for phone calls if you’d like a listening ear or to know you are loved. We also plan to meet at the church – probably outside, weather permitting – this Sunday at 10 am. The service will be singing and connecting. Remember to take consideration your gas situation if you decide to come, but we would love to see any of you who are able to come be in community. SAFETY FIRST.
They also posted earlier this week:
To report a person believed to be missing or unaccounted for, voicemails can be left for the Buncombe County Family Assistance Center at 828-8202761.
There are two shelters available at Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College:● General Population Shelter: A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville, NC 28801 (Please use Victoria Road Entrance.)
● Medical Emergency Shelter for individuals who are dependent on medical equipment requiring power is located at 10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, NC 28801.
A boil water advisory is in place for Western North Carolina and preliminary assessments show severe damages to Asheville’s city water system. Residents who currently have water should fill up bathtubs and other containers in preparation for potential loss of service.The State Emergency Operations Center will also be sending potable water to Asheville. Designated distribution points will be established and a distribution system is currently being put in place.As of a Sunday morning press conference, the water had not yet arrived and distribution plans were not available.Water is reportedly available at the following locations:● Lowe’s : 95 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville● Home Depot:● 795 Fairview Road, Asheville● 127 Acton Circle, Asheville● Pisgah Brewing Company: 2849 U.S. 70 (Water available from 2 to 5 p.m., BYO sanitary container)● Publix: 165 Weaver Boulevard Are any grocery stores open in Asheville?The following grocery stores are reportedly open:● Food Lion: 179 Paragon Parkway, Clyde● Trader Joe’s : 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville● Ingles Markets (Cash Only): 575 New Leicester Highway, Asheville.● Walmart : 1636 Hendersonville Road, Asheville● Publix : 165 Weaver Boulevard Food distribution is available at:● Monte Vista Hotel (Food and Wi-Fi): 310 W State St, Black Mountain● Bears Smokehouse: 135 Coxe Ave., Asheville
Prompted by former president Donald Trump outrageous tirade during his debate with Vice President Harris on September 10, 2024, during which he said “in Springfield, they’re eating dogs… they’re eating the cats. They’re eating […] the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame,” Covenant of the Goddess’ Everglades Moon Local Council (EMLC) released a statement in support of the Haitian Community last week.
EMLC covers part of the southeast including all of Florida which is home to one of the largest number of people of Haitian heritage and one of the largest diaspora communities.
It’s that time of year again, and as our annual bills come due, we find ourselves in the humbling position of asking for your support.
The Wild Hunt exists because of the generosity and commitment of our community. Your financial contributions and encouraging words make it possible for us to continue our work.
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As always, thank you for your support of The Wild Hunt!
And now, a moment to reflect on what a friend we have in cheeses…
Mummies in a cemetery in China were found with traces of cheese smeared on their heads and necks. (Image credit: Wenying Li via Cell)
BEIJING – A mysterious white substance discovered on the heads and necks of 3,600-year-old mummies found in China’s Tarim Basin has been identified as the world’s oldest known cheese. Originally found at the Xiaohe Cemetery in northwestern China’s Tarim Basin, DNA tests confirmed the substance as kefir cheese, a probiotic soft cheese made from cow and goat milk. The cheese contained bacterial and fungal species, such as Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens, found in modern kefir. This discovery offers insights into the ancient diet and culture of the region, as well as the evolution of probiotic bacteria over time.
Researchers also found that the kefir culture in the cheese likely originated from Tibet, based on gene sequencing of the bacteria. This helps scientists track how probiotic bacteria have evolved over thousands of years. However, it remains unclear why the mummies were adorned with cheese. Studying these ancient dairy products sheds light on how early humans interacted with their environment, including their food preservation techniques. The preservation of such ancient cheese is a rare find, offering a glimpse into Bronze Age practices related to food and culture.
“This is the oldest known cheese sample ever discovered in the world,” study senior author Qiaomei Fu, of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, said in the statement. “Food items like cheese are extremely difficult to preserve over thousands of years, making this a rare and valuable opportunity.
“Our observation suggests kefir culture has been maintained in Northwestern China’s Xinjiang region since the Bronze Age,” Fu said. “[We] observe how a bacterium evolved over the past 3,000 years. Moreover, by examining dairy products, we’ve gained a clearer picture of ancient human life and their interactions with the world.”
Why the mummies were buried wearing cheese remains a mystery.
Do you have news to share with our community?
Announcements? Elevations? Events?
Let us know at pcn@wildhunt.org.
Carolina Pagans with a Purpose hosts Carolina Pagan Fest (October 5, 2024)
A Festival to gather as a community, to celebrate the Harvest, our religious diversity, and
for those in the community curious about what Paganism is.
Carolina Pagans with a Purpose will host this educational festival for the community on
Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 10 am to 6 pm, at the Maynard Center 1135 Jameson Rd,
Easley, SC.
Carolina Pagan Fest formerly known as the SC Upstate Pagan Pride Day has been educating our local community in one form or another, for the last 20 years. Through workshops, music, speakers, entertainment, and vending booths you can delve into the many aspects of what it means to be a Pagan.
Our mission is to produce an annual event for the purpose of education, networking, and
coming together in harmony. Where we strive to dispel erroneous misconceptions of Paganism.
The Carolina Pagans with a Purpose team, come from all corners of the Upstate, and have
experience working on many other Upstate Events. Events such as The Quirky Fest, Pagan Pride Day, Goddess Fest, and Earth Worship Weekend.
Our goal is to bring our local Pagan Community together for a day, to show the community at large that we are ordinary people, we are not scary, we are your neighbors, and we can all enjoy this beautiful place, called the Upstate of South Carolina.
The cost for the event is free with a nonperishable food item, for either people or pets.
You might also want to bring a chair or blanket, so you can take a class and enjoy the entertainment.
More information is available on their site.
Happening Soon…
EBSAT Meeting 5:00 pm PDT to 5:30 pm PDT – Ame Vanorio “Climate Anxiety”
What will be shared?
Learn strategies for dealing with your climate anxiety from the author of “Climate and Eco-Anxiety: A Guided Journal and Workbook.”
The meeting will be hosted on Zoom and facilitated by a member of our Action Team.
Join Zoom Meeting or
Meeting ID: 890 3027 2698
Passcode: CCL
Twilight Covening (October 11-14, 2024)
The Earthspirit Community announced the Twilight Covening event last month and that they “have already filled more than half of the available spaces! Thank you. It feels good to know that so many want to attend again this year.”
They said “Again, we are prioritizing Clan assignments by week so that everyone has a reasonable chance of getting into one of their top choices. The first week filled up one Clan already, but there is space in many others – and frankly, all of the Clans that are on offer will provide something special to those who attend.”
The Earth Spirit Community wrote,
Twilight Covening is a continuous 3-day ritual that holds and shapes an intensive learning experience of Earth spirituality and a time to develop our collective wisdom in a shared sacred space as we move into the dark time of the year.
Each year since 1986, members of the EarthSpirit Community gather deep into ourselves and into communion with this time of year and with all of Nature. We explore the depths of a range of spiritual practices, learn new skills together and experience the joy and power of a living community ritual. We invite you to join us.
Twilight Covening is held in the autumn during the strong natural transition taking place all around us from light into dark, summer into winter, and outward focus to inward contemplation. During the gathering, we use this current of change, along with our focused practices, to find inspiration and insight that can feed us in the dark months to come and motivate us to make changes that we can use to deepen our own spiritual practice.
The intensive work of Twilight Covening takes place in practice-specific Clans of 10-15 people and in full-community rituals that flow together through the weekend.
More information is available on the EarthSpirit website.
Pagan Pride Los Angeles (October 13, 2024)
Here is a sample of offerings….
One more time: The Wild Hunt exists solely because of your financial support and the incredible encouragement from our community. We bring you stories you won’t find anywhere else—stories that matter deeply to our shared family of faiths and spiritual paths. Here’s how you can help keep the hunt going:
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November 1-3
Hekate is the Queen of Witches, do you know the specific rituals to worship Her and when to do them? This year Hekate’s Sickle Festival is happening on the Dark and New Moon, Nov. 1-3, allowing for the Goddess of Time and Space to be honored on the same days the ancients did.
On the Dark Moon (Friday), we honor Hekate with the Deipnon, a ritual of gratitude and cleansing. The Noumenia will be held on the New Moon (Saturday) to receive her blessings and honor new beginnings. Come and be gifted with a special altar piece for working magic with Hekate at this sacred time every month.
Enjoy Celia Farran in Concert, Drunken Divination, Workshops on Magic and Spell Casting, a Witches Ball, and Casino and MORE.
This year we are bringing back the Community Awards, so those in the Pagan Community can be thanked and recognized for the hard work they do. The Wild Hunt is being recognized for their impact to the community. We would love to have you join us and share in the magic!
For 2025…
Turning the Tide 18: “Lunar Mysteries” Festival is happening the weekend of February 7-9th, 2025. Reservations are now open and we are excited for you to reserve your spot! Come join Everglades Moon Local Council as we celebrate our 18th year of hosting our wonderful Turning the Tide Festival in Northern Miami-Dade County. This small but fantastic festival is full of rituals and great workshops. This year we are delving into the Lunar Mysteries Want to join us? Go to Turning The Tide 18 Reservation Link and Reserve your spot today.
Tarot of the Week in honor of Star Bustamonte
Star is in Western Carolina and messaging is unreliable. This week’s tarot was done by the TWH team in honor of Star.
Deck: Ghosts & Spirits Tarot, by Lisa Hunt, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Card: Ace of Swords
The week ahead brings the power of intellect and the ability to cut through confusion or obstacles with logic and insight into relief. The energy of the week ahead shows reason, justice, and personal empowerment are coming together to foster personal intellectual growth, especially in removing fears and paralysis by analysis.
Conversely, the energy for the week ahead cautions against susceptibility to confusion or mental blockages. A lack of focus combined with unclear intentions can lead to an overwhelming flight of thoughts that create unnecessary uncertainty and make us susceptible to destructive thoughts and behaviors.
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