Covenant of the Goddess Issues AI Statement
MIAMI – The Covenant of the Goddess has released a statement on artificial intelligence (AI), expressing concerns about the use of AI in religious and spiritual practice and its impact on lived experience, community, and the environment.
National First Officer, Manny Tejeda y Moreno¹, told The Wild Hunt that the statement was shared internally this weekend, then released publicly on Covenant channels and through social media. “The Covenant exists not only to secure the rights of Witches and Pagans, but also to share insights that secure the spiritual wellbeing of our community,” he said. “The statement is the outcome of collective discernment during our Grand Council.”
Statement on Artificial Intelligence, Sacred Practice, and Environmental Responsibility
The Covenant of the Goddess invites Witches, Wiccans, Pagans, and the wider religious community to reflect carefully on the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in ritual, magical practice, spiritual counsel, and religious expression, as well as its impacts on the sacred world that we all share.
The Covenant recognizes that artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool in some circumstances. At the same time, we approach its use in sacred practice with caution. The Covenant remains unconvinced that artificial intelligence can participate in or substitute for the lived spiritual experiences through which we encounter the sacred, deepen intuition, build relationships, and draw insight from the wellsprings of spirit, mind, and soul.
The Covenant also has serious concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to replace or diminish human creativity, restrict access to information in ways that undermine equitable participation, or present itself as though it were human or possessed human agency. These concerns arise from our understanding of the sacredness of human experience and our shared connection as spiritual beings.
In addition, the Covenant expresses its concern about the environmental impacts associated with artificial intelligence via data centers, including substantial consumption of energy and water, generation of heat, noise, use of land, and potential incompatibility with surrounding communities and ecosystems.
We therefore encourage thoughtful discernment by all religious communities regarding where artificial intelligence may appropriately support our religious lives and community needs, and where human presence, creativity, spiritual experience, relationship, and mystery should remain at the center of our practice. These considerations should be undertaken within a commitment to environmental stewardship and a deep respect for the dignity, agency, and sacredness of all human beings.
We believe that technological innovation should be considered alongside our responsibilities to one another, to our communities, and to the Earth.
1. Disclosure: Tejeda y Moreno is the editor-in-chief of The Wild Hunt. His comments on behalf of the Covenant do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of TWH and are reviewed by an independent editor.↩
Crossings of the Veil
Priestess Miriam Chamani – New Orleans Voodoo Queen Rises In Power by Lilith Dorsey
Priestess Miriam Chamani – Courtesy: Lilith Dorsey
NEW ORLEANS — Priestess Miriam Chamani not only defied space and time, but she also defied words and description. She passed earlier this week, and as I sit down to write this as her student, friend, and spiritual daughter for over 30 years, I realize that it is likely the hardest thing I will ever write.
Priestess Miriam was born Mary Robin Adams in Pocahontas, Mississippi, on March 8, 1943. There were seven children in the family, and most of their activities revolved around sharecropping. She often spoke about these early years as lessons in hardship, joy, and ways to transcendence.
From an early age, she began having a strong connection to the divine. Like many at the time, she traveled north to New York for work, leaving only 4 days after her High School graduation. She was always grateful for the lessons and support she received during that time. She eventually traveled to Chicago, where she began her nursing career. It was also here that she started her time with the Spiritual church, serving as a bishop there for over 7 years.
She once told me that all “magic is medicine,” and that no matter what the situation, the solutions should be thought of as healing. Chicago was also where she met her husband, Belizean Obeah Man and Priest, Oswan Chamani. Despite having only a few dollars in their pocket when they arrived, they traveled to New Orleans to found the Voodoo Spiritual Temple in 1990. This was the beginning of the sacred institution that still stands today. Over the years, they have provided services, consultations, weddings, funerals, ceremonies, and everything in between.
Priestess Miriam Chamani – Courtesy: Lilith Dorsey
However, it was not without challenges. Priest Oswan passed away unexpectedly in 1995, but Priestess Miriam continued. Priestess Miriam and the temple survived Hurricane Katrina and also a devastating fire a decade ago. The temple has had several locations over the years. Its early beginnings were gatherings in the couple’s living room, and then there were multiple locations on Rampart Street until they came to their current temple space at 1428 N Rampart St in New Orleans.
But the Voodoo Spiritual Temple and Priestess Miriam’s reach was too big to be contained in one location, and over the years she traveled to Russia, Haiti, Belize, Canada, and several other locales, bringing the shining strength of her faith with her. Priestess Miriam has appeared in dozens of documentaries on BBC, NBC, Discovery, CBS, ABC, TeleMundo, Sci-Fi, MTV, Entertainment Tonight, and elsewhere. One of many shining moments was when she presided over the Krewe du Vieux parade as Queen with Jazz legend Dr. John as King in 2010.
She had the voice of a Goddess with the power to unlock worlds. A visit to the temple could always mean a laugh, a lesson, or even blasting James Brown and dancing around to “I’m Black, and I’m Proud,” Yes, this happened to me only a few short weeks ago. She didn’t just touch my life; over the years, she touched hundreds of thousands of lives, and her loss on this plane is felt with a heavy heart and a deep gratitude for the time we did have with her.
My blessings and love go out to her husband, Allen Villeneuve, who was by her side until the end; her son, her siblings, and family, as well as our spiritual family, Priest Louis Martinie, Utu, Jorge, Magdelyn, Chris, Gina, Norma, Pamela, Wendell, and the rest. May she continue to be a shining light and inspiration to us all.
We’ll miss you so much, Queen.
Ibaé Bayé Tonú
Brendan Myers
Dr. Brendan Myers – Courtesy
OTTAWA — Dr. Brendan Cathbad Myers, a Canadian philosopher, author, educator, and influential voice in contemporary Pagan and Druid thought, died August 13 in Ottawa following unexpected heart complications. He was 52.
Born July 4, 1974, in Guelph, Ontario, and raised in Elora, Myers earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Guelph before completing his doctorate in philosophy at the National University of Ireland, Galway, in 2005. His dissertation examined environmental ethics, climate change, and obligations to future generations. He later became a professor of philosophy at CÉGEP Heritage College in Gatineau, Quebec.
Myers was particularly known within Pagan and Druid communities for bringing academic philosophy into conversation with earth-centered spirituality. His work explored virtue ethics, environmental responsibility, mythology, animism, and questions of meaning, mortality, and the sacred. Loneliness was another recurring theme. In Loneliness and Revelation: A Study of the Sacred, Myers examined the fundamental solitude of human existence and its relationship to spiritual experience, a subject he also explored in his TEDx talk, “The Importance of Loneliness.”
An active Druid and member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, Myers received the Mount Haemus Award for Druidic scholarship in 2008. A prolific writer, he published more than 25 books spanning philosophy, spirituality, environmental thought, fantasy, and science fiction. His nonfiction works included The Mysteries of Druidry, The Other Side of Virtue, A Pagan Testament, and The Earth, the Gods, and the Soul.
Teaching was another important part of Myers’ life. As a professor of philosophy, he was remembered by friends and colleagues for the seriousness and enthusiasm he brought to the classroom and for his influence on students.
An active Druid and member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, Myers received the Mount Haemus Award for Druidic scholarship in 2008. His nonfiction works included The Mysteries of Druidry, The Other Side of Virtue, A Pagan Testament, Loneliness and Revelation, and The Earth, the Gods, and the Soul. He also wrote fantasy and science-fiction novels and published more than 25 books during his lifetime.
Across social media, friends and family remembered Myers as a person of deep convictions, curiosity, humor, and an enduring love of philosophy, music, storytelling, and the natural world. A guitarist and singer, longtime role-playing gamer, traveler, and avid hiker, he was also remembered for conversations that could move easily among philosophy, history, spirituality, politics, and the meaning of a good life.
“His life was guided by a love for philosophy, wonder, and spiritual thinking,” his family wrote, describing passions “he shared enthusiastically with anyone who would listen.” Yet remembrances of Myers also repeatedly return to his humor and silliness, suggesting that for him a life thoughtfully examined did not need to be a life solemnly lived.
Myers is survived by his parents, Robert and Linda Myers; six siblings; sixteen nieces and nephews; and an extensive community of friends, colleagues, students, and readers.
A community memorial for Myers will also be held at an Irish pub located in a deconsecrated church, where friends are invited to gather, share stories, and raise a pint in his memory. Organizers noted the presence of a statue of Brighid at the bar, a detail they believed Myers would have appreciated.
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Deck: The Divine Canine Tarot, by Zack Loup, published by Cosmic Corner Savannah
Card: Major Arcana (II) The High Priestess
This week, the intuition driven by divine feminine wisdom is liable to be in overdrive. It’s a good time to pay attention to the inner voice, follow dreams, and pay attention to signposts that can signify heading in the right direction. This week, the heart rules over the head, and trusting one’s gut is likely to be important.
By contrast, ignoring the inner voice and intuition could lead to missteps and missed opportunities. An undue focus on issues outside of oneself is likely to result in distractions and have the potential to create situations where needs at home and on a personal level are left untended. Time for rest, reflection, and a bit of soul searching may be the best course.
Congratulations Jinny Lu!
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Jinny Lu, a six-year-old pug rescued from South Korea’s dog meat industry, has been crowned the 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog, triumphing over eight other distinctively unconventional canines at the Sonoma County Fair on August 14.
Jinny Lu and her human, Michelle Grady of Ukiah, California, received the title after three previous attempts at the annual competition, including a second-place finish in 2025. Grady received a $5,000 prize, and the pair will travel to New York for an appearance on NBC’s Today.
Despite its name, the nearly 50-year-old World’s Ugliest Dog Contest isn’t really about ugliness. Organizers say the event celebrates dogs who might otherwise be overlooked while drawing attention to animal rescue and adoption.
Jinny Lu’s story fits that mission particularly well. Rescued from the meat industry in South Korea, she was adopted by Grady through a pug rescue organization four years ago. Once described by rescuers as “the shy girl,” Jinny Lu has developed into an enthusiastic performer who, according to Grady, flips, twirls, and screeches while playing with her toys.
Her work extends beyond the competition stage. Jinny Lu visits elementary schools with other rescue pugs to teach children about pet adoption and has visited hospice and memory-care patients.
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Grady also operates The Pug Hotel, a Ukiah sanctuary for senior and traumatized pugs that rescues, rehabilitates, fosters, and rehomes dogs that have been abandoned, abused, or are otherwise at risk.
“She absolutely loves competition, meeting everyone, and everything the event stands for,” Grady said.
Pinky, a Chihuahua-Pomeranian, finished second, while Otto, a Chihuahua mix, took third.
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