April 5, 2025 – Protests
Numerous Pagans and allies have been posting on social media about an upcoming “mass mobilization. This is what we know.
On Saturday, April 5, progressive advocacy groups will host a nationwide series of protests branded as the Hands Off! National Day of Action. More than 1,000 events are planned across the United States, with a flagship rally scheduled in Washington, DC.
Organizers describe the protests as a response to perceived threats to democratic principles, bodily autonomy, and climate justice linked to figures such as former President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. They accuse Trump and Musk of undermining fundamental freedoms through their political and economic influence.
The coalition leading the effort includes groups like Third Act and Reproductive Freedom for All, anticipating thousands of participants across all 50 states. Third Act, an advocacy group co-founded by environmentalist Bill McKibben to empower older Americans in activism, is joining forces with organizations like Indivisible and MoveOn to spearhead the upcoming protests.
Demonstrations will range from small-town gatherings to major urban mobilizations, with the timing aligned with key primary contests and ongoing legal controversies involving Trump.
In Washington, DC, identified as the flagship gathering, protesters are encouraged to gather at the Sylvan Theater at 11 AM, with the main program starting at noon. Headlining speakers include Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost, American Federation of Government Employees President Everett Kelley, and Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. MoveOn has indicated that more speakers will be announced.
A statement on the Hands Off! website reads: “Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. They’re taking everything they can get their hands on, and daring the world to stop them. On Saturday, April 5th, we’re taking to the streets nationwide to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!”
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them,” Third Act’s website says. “They’re grabbing everything they can, and it’s up to us to push back. On April 5th, we’ll take to the streets with a clear message: Hands off!”
According to MoveOn, more than 250,000 protesters are expected to participate, which would make it the largest single-day demonstration since Trump’s second inauguration.
The coalitions’ decision to target both Trump and Musk may reflect mounting frustrations over recent developments. Over the past weekend, protests occurred at more than 200 Tesla showrooms nationwide, amid reports of declining sales and vandalism.
A map published by HandsOff2025.com, reveals protests spanning the nation from Anchorage, Alaska, to Miami, Florida. Major rallies are anticipated in cities like Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Philadelphia, with smaller demonstrations planned at college campuses and public squares across the country.
Image via HandsOff2025.com
Protest locations for state capitols are evolving. The most current information is available here.
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) – Official Portrait – Senate of the United States [Public Domain
WASHINGTON – In a display of stamina and determination, New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker made history with a marathon speech on the Senate floor that stretched overnight and into Tuesday night, setting a new record to underscore Democrats’ resistance to President Donald Trump’s sweeping policies.
Booker began his speech on Monday evening, vowing to remain on the Senate floor for as long as he was “physically able.” His commitment lasted an astonishing 25 hours and 5 minutes, making it the longest continuous Senate floor speech in the chamber’s history. The 55-year-old senator, known for his resilience and past as a football tight end, finally concluded his speech and limped off the floor. Fellow Democrats aided Booker throughout the ordeal by posing questions, allowing him brief moments of respite during the extended address.
The feat served as a powerful symbol of Democratic resolve, as the party strives to demonstrate to its supporters that it is actively challenging Trump’s agenda. Booker’s persistence also carried significant historical weight. By holding the floor for more than a day and night, he shattered a record set 68 years earlier by Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina—a segregationist and southern Democrat—who had infamously filibustered the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1957. Reflecting on his achievement, Booker acknowledged the painful history his speech had surpassed, noting his own ancestry as a descendant of both slaves and slave-owners. “I’m here despite his speech,” Booker declared, adding, “I’m here because as powerful as he was, the people are more powerful.”
Aquarian Tabernacle Church’s Temple of Hestia priesthood presented the senator with a certificate of appreciation and acknowledgement.
The certificate was accompanied by a public comment from the Temple:
On behalf of the Temple of Hestia, we offer our deepest respect and heartfelt thanks for your extraordinary 25+ hour vigil in the halls of the Senate. In that time, you did more than speak—you tended the sacred fire of our nation. You became a hearthkeeper for the American spirit.
As a Wiccan temple devoted to Hestia, the Greek goddess of the hearth, home, and sacred fire, we recognize the sacred nature of what you have done. In ancient Greece, a sacred fire was kept burning at every temple and in every home—a living symbol of peace, unity, and well-being. The Romans honored this fire as Vesta, and her eternal flame represented the life of the Republic.
In that long vigil, you echoed that ancient and sacred duty.
At times, you were quiet—offering truths, reflections, and bearing witness to the state of our union. You spoke of hardship and beauty, of the resilience and struggle of the American people. And at other times, you roared—a flame rising high, igniting the hearts of many, stirring a nation with the fierce light of justice and love. That fire, we believe, did not just burn in Washington. It was felt in homes across the land.
Our own temple honors this legacy through our ritual of keeping a 24-hour sacred hearth fire, a modern echo of that ancient devotion. In honoring you, we see your actions as keeping America’s home fires burning—tirelessly, compassionately, and courageously.
Please accept our commemorative certificate of honor as a token of gratitude, naming you a Keeper of the Sacred Flame. You have reminded us that true leadership is not only forged in power, but in presence. In the firelight of your vigil, we saw the heart of our democracy.
May the warmth you’ve tended return to you a hundredfold.
Together let us redeem the dream!
With reverence and respect – Blessed Be,
N’Mier LaVeau & The Temple of Hestia Priesthood
By utilizing a spectrum of light color bands, researchers were able to detect long-faded ink residues. [Courtesy: Cambridge University Library]
LONDON – Researchers at Cambridge University Library have uncovered a lost medieval manuscript that tells a previously unknown sequel to the legend of Merlin and King Arthur. Hidden for nearly 400 years, this fragment of the Suite Vulgate du Merlin, a rare Old French manuscript written around 1300, was found folded and stitched into the binding of a 16th-century archival register of property deeds. The manuscript reveals a fascinating new twist to the Merlin legend, portraying the magician as a blind harpist who later reappears as a bald child issuing edicts to King Arthur while wearing no underwear. Furthermore, Merlin, whose powers are attributed to being the son of a woman impregnated by the devil, aids Arthur on the battlefield by bringing forth a magical, fire-breathing dragon.
The manuscript fragment was mistakenly cataloged as a story about Gawain and not properly inventoried, so its true significance went unnoticed. Stylistic evidence suggests it was written by an unknown scribe in a northern French dialect popular among English aristocrats. It is believed to be part of the Suite Vulgate du Merlin, which chronicles Arthur’s early reign, his marriage to Guinevere, the establishment of the Round Table, and his heroic battles against the Saxons. The fragment also plays a crucial role in connecting Arthurian legends to the story of the Holy Grail, serving as a bridge that unifies the various narrative strands.
Modern imaging technology, including multispectral imaging (MSI), CT scanning, and 3D modeling, allowed researchers to digitally capture the fragile, folded parchment without causing damage. This cutting-edge process revealed long-faded ink residues and illuminated details otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Images were carefully processed and pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle to reconstruct the text. This discovery demonstrates how technology can resurrect lost history, offering scholars unprecedented insight into the crafting of medieval manuscripts. It also highlights the ongoing relevance of Arthurian legends, which continue to capture imaginations through their themes of heroism, transformation, and mystery.
The full story is available on the BBC website.
Veneralia began on April 1
Mazarin Venus Courtesy: J. Paul Getty Museum
The Veneralia was an ancient Roman festival held annually on April 1st in honor of Venus Verticordia (“Venus the Changer of Hearts“) and Fortuna Virilis (“Manly Fortune“). Dedicated primarily to Venus, the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and desire, the festival also paid homage to Fortuna, the goddess of luck and fortune. Statues of Venus were lavishly adorned with roses, myrtle, jewelry, and other luxurious offerings, and the day was also marked by acts of reconciliation between lovers or spouses.
Venus Verticordia was invoked for assistance in matters of love, fidelity, and beauty, while Fortuna Virilis was petitioned for good fortune in relationships, with hopes that men would overlook imperfections.
Veneralia continues to be celebrated by some Pagan traditions and solitary practitioners. Their observances often echo traditional practices, such as ritual baths and offerings of flowers, incense, and food to Venus. Prayers or invocations are made to enhance romantic relationships, beauty, or self-love.
Practitioners may focus on themes of love, beauty, creativity, and reconciliation, often adapting traditional elements to suit individual beliefs and needs. Whether through ritual baths, artistic expression, or meditative prayers, the Veneralia continues to inspire those who honor Venus today. Since Venus is also associated with the arts, many practitioners dedicate the day to creating art or poetry, as well as engaging in beauty rituals. Additionally, the festival serves as an opportunity for reconciliation with loved ones or renewing romantic commitments, maintaining the spirit of social unity and personal renewal that characterized the original celebration.
Happenings This Weekend!
NEW ORLEANS – The second annual New Orleans National Vodou Day brings together a cross-continental gathering of spiritual practitioners, strengthened by a new partnership with Xavier University. Scholars, artists, and Vodou practitioners from Benin, Haiti, and New Orleans will participate in an academic symposium hosted by Xavier’s Department of African American and Diaspora Studies, followed by a processional and Vodou ceremony.
Inspired by a similar event in Benin—the West African nation where Vodou has deep historical roots—New Orleans National Vodou Day aims to promote cultural education and “ancestral remembrance.”
Local leaders of New Orleans National Vodou Day include President Nate Debos; culture bearer and sacred storyteller Denise Augustine; Creative Director Lilith Dorsey, a best-selling author, Voodoo Priestess, founder of the House of Maman Brigitte, and member of the Voodoo Spiritual Temple of New Orleans; and Secretary and culture bearer Divine Prince Ty Emmecca.
The public portion of New Orleans National Vodou Day begins Saturday at Xavier’s Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion. From 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the pavilion will host a symposium titled “African Traditional Religions and Connections to Global Healing: Demystifying the Most Ancient and Mysterious Traditions on Earth.”
More information about Vodou Day is available on their site.
More Events and Happenings
Pagan Community Retreat
Pagan Community Retreat (PCR) is a pagan camping event that brings the pagan community together, in nature, for an enlightening, spiritual, and educational camping experience enjoyed by pagans and their families.
Our 12th year theme is “Unity in CommUnity” and it is held April 11-13th, 2025 in Sage California (just north of Murietta)
Our website: https://pagancommunityretreat.org/
Our 2025 programming app: https://pagancommunityretreat.lineupr.com/pagan-community-retreat-2025/
Current membership pricing is $70 for the weekend; this includes general camping and all programming. Food offerings and private sites are an additional charge.
Children 17 and under are FREE.
We have rituals, workshops, talks, and children’s programming.
We are very excited about our Midday Crow Party on Saturday!
We will celebrate all things corvid, as we have a chance to socialize
Restored Rites of Eleusis to Return for 39th Year at Spring Mysteries Festival
Spring Mysteries Festival, the premier event dedicated to the revival and celebration of ancient spiritual traditions, is thrilled to announce that the Restored Rites of Eleusis will be performed in Seattle, Washington this coming spring. The sacred rituals, once lost to time, will be brought to life through an immersive experience during the festival, a vibrant celebration of the ancient Greek Mysteries held in honor of Demeter, Persephone, and the agricultural cycles that define the seasonal rhythms of the Earth.
The Eleusinian Mysteries, which date back over 2,500 years to Ancient Greece, were deeply rooted in themes of life, death, and rebirth. For centuries, they were held in secrecy and exclusivity, open only to initiates who experienced profound spiritual awakening through symbolic rituals, including the myth of Demeter and Persephone. The Restored Rites of the Eleusinian Mysteries at the Spring Mysteries Festival will carefully recreate these sacred rites, blending historical authenticity with modern interpretation to create an awe-inspiring, immersive experience.
More information about Spring Mysteries is available on their event site.
Spirit Northwest: West Coast Pagan conference in Portland, May 1 – 4, 2025.
Spirit Northwest is a transformative and new format gathering for seekers, offering 90 and 120-minute immersive workshops on Paganism, witchcraft, and natural magick.
We heard from many in the occult community that people longed for in-depth workshops and rituals, hands-on learning, and make-and-takes with well-known speakers, ritualists, and practitioners.
Amy Blackthorn is the award-winning author of the best-selling Blackthorn’s Botanicals series.
J. Allen Cross is an accomplished author and folk magician known for his book American Brujeria: Modern Mexican American Folk Magic and The Witch’s Guide to the Paranormal.
Maria Minnis is a tarot reader of 20+ years who teaches people about blending their spirituality with magic, liberation work, and eroticism in their everyday lives.
Your Hosts: Courtney Weber, Kanani Soleil, Hilary Whitmore, and Silent.
More information is available on the Spirt Northwest website
Kithaka Dun
We received the following from the First Polestari of Marion:
We host a Mayday festival every year called Kithaka Dun out at Shelby Forest. Standard adult admission for the weekend is $55, which gets you access to all activities, lodging in the bunkhouses, and 5 meals. Our vendor tables are just $10 extra for a 10×10 space, and a vendor can claim up to 3 spaces. We also ask for an item contributed to our raffle & auction that benefits a local non-profit. This year’s proceeds will go to Friends For All Memphis.
More information and registration is available at their website: First Polestari
Mystic South is coming back to Atlanta, GA! Join us July 11-13, 2025 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia for 3 days of workshops, rituals, panels, academic PAPERS, and community building. Come for the weekend, or just for the day, and enjoy all the offerings Mystic South has to offer.
Our headliners this year are Pamela Chen, Mawiyah Kai El-Jamah Bomani, and Courtney Weber. They will be joined by over 100 other presenters from around the country who are presenting offerings during our conference weekend. Mystic South will also feature a Friday evening performance by Ginger Doss and Lynda Millard, along with our Saturday evening dance party.
The Mystic South Vendor Hall features over 20 vendors selling their handmade Pagan craft items. The vendor hall is open to the public, so if you’re in the area, stop on by! Our divination room is making a comeback, too! Also, open to the public, come by for a reading from one of our talented community members.
Tickets are on sale now! For more information and to purchase your tickets, head to the Mystic South Website
Do you have news to share with our community?
Announcements? Festivals? Elevations? Events?
We’ll share it with the community!
Let us know at pcn@wildhunt.org
Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: White Sage Tarot by Theresa Hutch, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Card: Knight of Pentacles
The next seven days are apt to have a focus on appreciating whatever bounty is held, as well as recognizing the hard work and diligence involved to achieve it. Having a plan and executing it in a methodical and practical fashion is likely to offer the most reliable path forward. There may also be opportunities to share resources that exceed one’s needs.
Conversely, attempting to change course mid-stream or taking on additional projects is more likely to produce scattered results rather than staying the course. If there are feelings of boredom or stagnation, changing up routines, even merely taking the scenic route in travel to and from work, can help to shift one’s perspective. Sometimes, just a slight change can allow for a greater recognition of the beauty and prosperity that exists.
/Squee
The Tagalaog word, gigil, has become an official word in English, according to the venerable Oxford English Dictionary (OED). The word was added last week. It is one of 42 words that have been added to OED, recognized for being untranslatable or lacking a direct English equivalent
Gigil (pronounced “ghee-gill”), a term recognized by the OED since 1990 and commonly used in Philippine English, describes an overwhelming feeling so powerful that it compels us to tightly clench our hands, grit our teeth, and pinch or squeeze whatever or whoever we find irresistibly adorable, according to the OED’s latest update.
This is Veronica, who enjoys haunting Manny’s backyard. [Photo Credit S. Ciotti]
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