source: Wiki Commons, public domain
TUSCUMBIA, Ala. – Concern from some residents of the city of Tuscambia over a permit issued to Hesperia Mystic Shoppe for their Festival of Yule event has resulted in the City of Tuscambia initially adding a public comment segment an hour prior to their scheduled Work Session Monday evening.
As word began to spread of the meeting and the potential for confrontation grew, the City Council corrected its initial schedule stating that public comment on the Festival of Yule would merely be a small segment of their regular meeting. The City Council also added a public comment segment on a proposed “cannabis dispensary” in the 4:30 pm slot.
Tuscumbia is near Muscle Shoals and about a mile from the Tennessee river. The city of Florence, which sits on the other side of the river, was the host of last year’s Festival of Yule.
This year’s Festival of Yule is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 3 in Tuscumbia on Main Street, and is set to run from 1:00 pm till 9:00 pm (CST). It is billed as a family-friendly event featuring entertainment, food, and vendors with locally-crafted merchandise.
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Some of the activities include cosplay and attendees are encouraged to dress up and “to join in the Germanic, Scandinavian Viking vibes as well as other cultural mystical vibes as we celebrate Winter Solstice!” The festival will also include a seven-and-a-half-foot tall figure of Krampus that attendees can have their picture taken with.
Apparently, some of the residents of Tuscumbia have interpreted the festival as promoting “Satanic” practices, and have voiced their concerns on Facebook.
TWH spoke with Kendall Gilchrist, owner of Hesperia Mystic Shoppe, and organizer of the Festival of Yule.
Gilchrist said she was “shocked by opposition to the event” and had no idea there was escalating concern by a seemingly small number of people until a customer sought Gilchrist out at her husband’s business to let her know what was being said on Facebook.
Facebook post screenshots taken before the poster either removed or changed who could view the posts.
Gilchrist has stressed that both former Tuscumbia Mayor Kerry Underwood, and newly appointed Mayor William Foster, as well as other members of the city council, were in support of the Festival of Yule. She was dismayed when she saw the posts claiming that Yule was a Satanic holiday.
Another holiday event, titled, “It’s a Dickens Christmas, Y’all” is scheduled for the following Saturday, December 11, and will feature horse-drawn carriages, cookie decorating, a tour through the historic areas of Tuscumbia, an art market, and more, all designed to conjure an image of a Dickens-themed Merry Old England.
One of her goals in speaking at the meeting tonight is to make sure the event is a safe space and to help educate people about Yule traditions. Gilchrist is part German and feels a deep connection to the holiday traditions associated with Yule. She stated, “I’m going to this meeting to ensure vendors and attendees have a safe space—why I am going to the meeting at all. And enlighten people on the origins of Yule, and pay homage to the Christian season.”
As of this morning, Gilchrist received word from the City Council that she would be given an opportunity to speak during the meeting about Yule and its meaning and roots. All questions and comments on the matter will only be addressed at the meeting after all other Council’s Work Session’s business has been heard and addressed.
According to Gilchrist, the Mayor’s office apologized and said the mix-up with the notices that were issued was due to an error made by the clerk. The Festival of Yule was never supposed to be part of a public comment session. The only reason it was on the agenda of the meeting at all was so she could give a detailed description of Yule in response to the misinformation that had been circulated.
Gilchrist who was raised as a Seventh-Day Adventist said she understands firsthand how fear and misunderstanding of other beliefs and traditions can drive confusion and even create strife. While she is no longer a part of the church she was raised in, she said she is a “Spiritual being on a spiritual journey charting my own journey. It’s about love.”
There is also a certain irony in all of this since the very people objecting to the Festival of Yule, claiming it is “Satanic,” were decked out in witch hats just a few weeks ago during a recent Trunk-or-Treat event.
The bottom line for Gilchrist is that “This is not anti-Christian, or exclusively Pagan, it is for everyone. To bring everyone together to learn about and celebrate the roots of the holiday season.”
Whatever the outcome of the meeting tonight, Gilchrist said she has received confirmation this morning that the event will be held as scheduled, on Saturday, December 3 from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Main Street in Tuscumbia.
TWH will continue to follow this story and report on any new developments.
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Announcements:
- The Earth-based Spirituality Action Team (ESBAT) of Citizens’ Climate Lobby will hold its monthly Zoom meeting on December 12, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm (PST). Interfaith chaplain, spiritual mentor, and peace counselor H.E. Rev. Patrick McCollum will be sharing his thoughts on why “Eco-activism with indigenous peoples is peace work.” According to the press release, “McCollum works with indigenous leaders in various parts of the world including the Amazon. With over half a century of peace work and eco-activism, Patrick will share a bit about what he does and why.” The meeting will run 30 minutes. EBSAT defines itself as, “a group that welcomes anyone who holds the earth sacred to join us in our meetings.” And that, “As with all grassroots groups, we appreciate everyone that shows up and even those that spread the word.”
In other news:
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- Last Thursday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced it would rehear the case brought by Apache Stronghold concerning Chi’chil Bildagoteel (Oak Flat) which mining company Resolution Copper has slated for a mining project that utilizes “block caving” techniques which would completely eradicate the site. TWH last reported on Chi’chil Bildagoteel in September. The case originally went before a 3-judge panel which ruled 2-1 against Apache Stronghold. The rehearing of the case will be heard by the full 11-judge court and vacates the previous 3-judge panel ruling. According to Becket Law, who is representing Apache Stronghold, the Court will hear the oral argument the week of March 20, 2023.
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- Archaeologists working on various dig sites at Saqqara in Giza have made a series of amazing discoveries–a pyramid belonging to Neith, a previously unknown queen; over 300 coffins containing well-preserved mummies; and a series of 22 shafts that are all interconnected. Researchers performed excavations on the pyramid of the Sixth Dynasty King, Teti (2345–2333 B.C.E.) of the Old Kingdom (2686 B.C.E. – 2181 B.C.E.). What they found were a series of New Kingdom (1550 B.C.E. – 1070 B.C.E.) burials some of which are believed to possibly be those of some of the generals and other officials who served 18th Dynasty King, Tutankhamun. “Teti was worshipped as a god in the New Kingdom period, and so people wanted to be buried near him,” according to Zahi Hawass, Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities in Egypt. Hawass pointed out that prior to this discovery, all of the burials discovered dated to either the Old or Middle Kingdoms, “Burials from the New Kingdom were not known to be common in the area before, so this is entirely unique to the site.” He went on to describe some of the find, “The coffins have individual faces, each one unique, distinguishing between men and women, and are decorated with scenes from the Book of the Dead. Each coffin also has the name of the deceased and often shows the Four Sons of Horus, who protected the organs of the deceased.” A variety of other artifacts have been unearthed: statues of the god Ptah-Sokar, small figurines known as shabtis, games like that of the ancient game of Senet, and a metal axe that was being held by an army soldier. The scope of finds is vast and many of them will eventually be on display at the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which is expected to open sometime in 2023, though an opening date has yet to be announced.
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- Ritual dancers of the Zimbabwe Gule Wamkulu Organization have undertaken a new campaign to educate people in the country about the dance, known as the Gule Wamkulu. The Gule Wamkulu or “the great barefoot dance,” which traces its roots to the Chewa people of the countries of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia in southern Africa, was recognized by UNESCO in 2008 and included on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. However, in recent years in Zimbabwe copycats and other impersonators have used the dance to commit criminal acts by using the secrecy that surrounds the identities of the dancers to their advantage. Kennedy Kachuruka, leader of the Zimbabwe Gule Wamkulu Organization and also president of Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association said the Gule Wamkulu is “a ceremonial dance to connect with the dead,” and traditionally performed at funerals, weddings, or other important life events. Karchuruka went on to say, “We have to remove the stigma attached to our dance. We want people to respect us and not fear us. We don’t want to push them away, but we want to charm them. That is the only way they can appreciate who we really are.” While there remains a good deal of secrecy within the ranks of the dancers, they are also seeking to demystify and help others understand its cultural and spiritual value. Kachuruka said, “It’s not just a dance, it’s a way of life. It’s a culture and a religion.”
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- A critically endangered species, the black-naped pheasant pigeon, which has not been reported as being seen in 140 years, was captured on film on Fergusson Island in Papua New Guinea. While the find is terrific for researchers, the land on which it was rediscovered was recently placed under contract to a logging company. Researchers are concerned for the bird’s future with the potential destruction of its habitat and are currently trying to raise enough funding to return to try to determine how many more of the birds might exist.
In another episode of “reporters being interrupted by animals,” Kenyan Public Broadcasting Service, KBC Channel 1 reporter, Alvin Kaunda found himself the subject of a baby elephant’s interest. A clip of Kaunda went viral last week of him attempting to report while the adolescent elephant began exploring his neck, ear, and head with its trunk, finally reaching over his head and snuffling his face with its trunk before Kaunda lost his composure and burst out laughing.
The segment going viral helps further Kaunda’s cause which is bringing the stories of wildlife to a larger audience and more awareness to the plight of endangered animals around the globe. KBC opted to interview Kaunda on his experience after the clip went viral.
Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: The New Mythic Tarot, by Juliet Sharman-Burke and Liz Greene, with illustrations by Giovanni Caselli, published by St. Martin’s Press.Card: Major arcana, The Star
The incoming week, while potentially fraught with difficulties, may also be infused with a sufficient amount of faith and hope to create enough of a balance to manage a way through. A promise of better times to come is on the horizon for those who possess the ability to back up their dreams with actions.
Conversely, blind hope that is not rooted in either a plan of action or a blueprint to guide the way, is liable to result in dissatisfaction, disappointment, and self-defeat.
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