“Blacklisted”
The 2025 Asheville Film Festival is this weekend, August 15th-17th, at the Asheville Masonic Temple in beautiful downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
The Asheville Film Festival is an annual nonprofit festival dedicated to uplifting independent filmmakers and storytellers. This year, the festival starts off its opening night with a screening of “Blacklisted: The Sacred Magic of Black Cats” at 6:30 pm on Friday.
Produced by The Fetzer Institute, “Blacklisted” was filmed right here in Asheville and highlights local nonprofit cat rescue, Binx’s Home for Black Cats, and the work they’re doing in partnership with House of Black Cat Magic, a local woman-owned black cat lounge and magical supply shop.Film Synopsis:
“In Asheville, the House of Black Cat Magic is turning bad luck into second chances. With love, ritual, and a fierce devotion to the misunderstood, this rescue is proving that black cats aren’t cursed- they’re magic.”Join us for the opening night film block and screening of “Blacklisted” and delve into the magic of black cats and the lifesaving work that’s being done in our community.
Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased on our website at www.ashevillefilmfestival.org
Cat Nights Begin on August 17
Cat Nights begin each year on August 17, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, and mark a curious piece of Irish folklore that has survived in the seasonal calendar. The term reportedly references an old legend in which witches could transform themselves into a cat eight times. But only eight, on the ninth transformation, they would be unable to return to human form.
Some have suggested that the association with the number nine is thought to have contributed to the popular saying, “A cat has nine lives.” But that may not be the case.
The phrase “A cat has nine lives” is a centuries-old proverb rooted in European folklore, symbolizing the cat’s remarkable resilience, agility, and ability to survive dangerous situations. It appears in English sources as early as the 16th century, including William Baldwin’s 1561 Beware the Cat, often cited as the first English novel, which references the belief as already familiar to readers.
William Shakespeare reinforced the imagery in Romeo and Juliet when Mercutio jests with Tybalt, calling him the “good king of cats” and threatening to take one of his “nine lives.” While English and some Northern European traditions attribute nine lives to cats, Spanish-speaking cultures typically say seven, and Arabic and Turkish folklore attribute six. The variation may stem from differing symbolic associations with numbers.
Cats’ unique physical traits—exceptional balance, the ability to land on their feet, and a knack for slipping away from danger—helped cement their reputation as supernatural survivors, and we think that’s appropriate.
The choice of August 17 connects the story to seasonal change. In the Northern Hemisphere, this date falls just after the “Dog Days” of summer, when the heat begins to ease and the nights grow longer. That is another cat mystery for us to ponder.
Faun logo [courtesy
On August 8, 2025, Pagan folk band FAUN premiered the release of their new single, “Nimue,” from their forthcoming album Hex, arriving September 5th. The song is a collaboration with American singer-songwriter Chelsea Wolfe, who is known for a gothic-folk musical style.
With “Nimue,” FAUN ventures into the legendary realm of King Arthur, recounting the poignant story of Nimue’s love for the sorcerer Merlin. The song features acclaimed American artist Chelsea Wolfe, whose haunting, powerful vocals weave mysticism and ethereal beauty into the narrative. The composition moves fluidly from hushed, intimate verses to surging, percussive passages layered with electric guitar and the rich textures of the hurdy-gurdy, creating a soundscape that feels both ancient and cinematic.
With Hex, due September 5, 2025, the band promises a return to their roots—blending mystical, archaic folk traditions with spellbinding ballads that channel the magic and myth at the heart of their music.
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Events and Announcements
Southern California Divination Conference Returns for 2025: A Gathering of Mystics, Practitioners, Spiritual Healers, and Seekers in the Heart of Southern California
LOS ANGELES – The Southern California Divination Conference is proud to announce its return for a third magical year! The 2025 Southern California Divination Conference (SCDC) will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3131 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa, California. The conference is returning with mystical insights, spiritual connections, and healing arts from across the region for a day of insight, connection, and transformation.
The 2025 conference builds on the success of its previous years, to include new workshops, vendors, and more opportunities to explore the art and practice of spiritual connections in all its forms—from Tarot and astrology to Qigong, augury, and practical applications of these skills.
“This is more than a conference—it’s a community experience,” says Lilith , one of the founders of the Southern California Divination Conference. “We’re creating a sacred space where people from all backgrounds can gather to learn, grow, and share their gifts.”
Event Highlights Include:
- Hands-On Workshops with experienced practitioners
- Inspirational Panel featuring thought leaders in spiritual and metaphysical fields
- An Expansive Marketplace of metaphysical tools, books, handmade goods, and mystical services
- Live Readings and demonstrations
- Community-building rituals and opportunities to network
This event welcomes everyone—from the divination-curious to seasoned readers. Attendees can expect a rich day of learning and connection in an atmosphere grounded in respect, inclusivity, and magical exploration.
Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities
Early bird registration and sponsorship packages are now available. Visit https://www.socaldivcon.com to learn more, secure your spot, and get involved as a presenter, vendor, or sponsor.
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About the Southern California Divination Conference
The Southern California Divination Conference was founded to provide an inclusive, educational, and empowering gathering place for the metaphysical and spiritual community. With a focus on personal growth and intuitive practices, the event aims to uplift and celebrate the ancient arts of divination and spiritual exploration.
More Events at our new Events Calendar
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Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Golden Black Cat Tarot, by Helena de Almeida, published by AGM-Urania/Konigsfurt-Urania Verlog GmbH
Card: Ten (10) of Pentacles
This week, there is likely to be an emphasis on financial security, family, traditions, and the culture they are derived from. Awareness of the importance of honesty and respect within relationships and familial structures is also likely to be a focal point. It may also signal that a project or body of work has reached a successful completion.
Conversely, the potential for reconsidering what is valued, as well as the actual emotional, mental, and spiritual price(s) of continually pursuing financial gains and wealth. There also exists the possibility of financial loss, and insecurity as it applies to family, finances, and relationships.
The Ides of Diana in Nemi
NEMI, Italy – On August 10, 2025, about 1,000 people joined the Magica Fiaccolata sul Lago di Nemi, a torchlit procession around Lake Nemi in Italy commemorating the Ides of August—when the ancient peoples of Lazio gathered at the sanctuary of Diana Nemorensis, goddess of moonlight and rebirth. The Feast (or ides) of Diana began on August 13 and continue through the 15th.
Torchbearers assembled in Nemi’s historic center, where they were welcomed by Genzano City Council President Patrizia Mancini, organizer Paride Bocale, Regional Councilor Edy Palazzi, and Marta Bevilacqua, Councilor of the Metropolitan City and Genzano.
Views of the torchlit procession around Lake Nemi – The Mirror of Diana Nemorense [Photo Credit: S. Ciotti]
At sunset, participants set off with their windproofed wax torches casting golden light over the lake’s surface and the spiral path down to the Sanctuary of Diana. The 6.5-kilometer route followed the ridge toward Genzano, cooled by evening breezes and illuminated by the Perseid meteor shower.
The procession continued along Via Nemorense toward Genzano, ending at the “Michael Ende” Municipal Amphitheater. There, festivities unfolded with performances by artists, including the “Tarantacco” group directed by Silvia Alfieri, and tastings of local specialties such Nemi’s famous wild strawberries and the liquor made from them, Porchetta di Ariccia (a savory, herb-stuffed Italian roast pork with crispy, aromatic crackling), wine from grapes grown near the sacred woods, and Campoverde watermelon.
Views of the torchlit procession around Lake Nemi – The Mirror of Diana Nemorense [Photo Credit: S. Ciotti
Participants said that the event was steeped in nature, legend, and magic. It was “more than a walk, it was a shared offering of fire, earth, water, and sky.”
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