ASHEVILLE, N.C. (TWH) – Syren Nagakyrie revealed a new project earlier this month, Deepening Resilience: Earth-based Responses for Climate Change. The project provides a platform that is focused on bringing together Pagans, Witches, Polytheists, Animists, and other spiritual practitioners to discuss how earth-centered communities can build resilience in the face of climate change.
The basis of the project is to encourage others to write and share their articles on topics outlined. The program spans 12 weeks and covers seven topics, everything from what ecological resilience looks like to addressing grief and implementing and applying resilience and green initiatives within communities.
The project is currently in week three which began on March 15 and explores the topic: What are your fears about climate change? What barriers to preparedness do you face?
Anyone can choose to participate in the program at any time by submitting and sharing an article under the topic that is being examined and discussed. The project runs through May 12, 2019. In addition to the resources for sharing and discussion to be found on the Deepening Resilience site, there is also a Facebook group by the same name and open to those who wish to participate.
* * *
FLINT, Mich. – The tea drinking Witches of Flint have announced several new events. This week on March 20, 2019 at 6pm they will be hosting their second “Tea Talk” at Totem Books located at 620 W. Court Street in Flint, Michigan. This newly launched, regular monthly event is free and will feature a specific topic of discussion.
The guest speaker for this month is Melodie Bolt and will offer a discussion and workshop on “Poetry in Praise of the Divine”. Bolt’s writing has been published in a variety of Pagan publications, she holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing from Pacific University, and is President of Flint Area Writers. She is also High Priestess of the Sisters of the Burning Branch.
Witches Tea Flint’s mission is “to raise awareness for the Pagan Community and raise funds for local charities while having a magically good time.” They have raised several thousand dollars with their teas and other events for charities like: YWCA of Greater Flint, Wellness Services, The Ellen Bommarito Book Fund, The Vanessa Goldman Scholarship, The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Humane Society of Genesee County, VFW Post 822, and the Flint Public Library.
They have several upcoming fundraising events: Tea and Tarot Bingo on April 12, 2019 at 6 PM, Love of the Mother Fair on May 10, 2019, and Magical Goods Fair on June 14, 2019 all taking place at The Good Beans Café, located at 328 N. Grand Traverse Street in Flint, Michigan.
* * *
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Community Seed, a Santa Cruz-based nonprofit organization, announced will be presenting a one-night-only concert as part of its annual Beltane celebration. Community Seed serves the local Pagan community by providing opportunities to gather, learn and celebrate.
The concert will feature musicians Sharon Knight and Winter performing their Celtic-infused music, as well as a performances by dancer Faelan Shiva, director of the Satinka Belly Dance troupe and founder of the Trillium Belly Dance Studio, and Angus McMahan on percussion and congas.
The concert will take place at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center located at 320-2 Cedar Street in Santa Cruz on April 26, 2019 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available online.
In other news:
- Members of the Black Power biker community performed a Māori traditional tribal dance known as a Haka outside of the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch, NZ to honor those killed and injured last week. A report from the New Zealand Herald contains video of the tribute.
- As reported by Wired, Romanian witches, also known as the vrăjitoare, are using social media platforms and websites on the internet to live-stream rituals, consult with clients, and offer other services. Witchcraft is recognized in Romania as respectable profession, as evidenced by its inclusion in legislation in 2011 that required practicing Witches to pay taxes.
- A glass witch ball found in the collection of Historic Environment Scotland was recently examined and found to date to be somewhere in the 20th century, despite earlier testing suggesting it was a hundred years older from the 19th century. The Scotsman article reporting the dating change also reviews the history of “watch balls” and how their name got changed to “witch balls” and how they were used as protective charms.
- Irish Central Morgan Llywelyn’s book, Lion of Ireland will be the basis for an eight-part mini-series about Brian Boru, the 11th century king of Ireland. The rights to Llywelyn’s novel were purchased by Irish author Michael Scott and BCDF Pictures. No date for release of the mini-series has been announced yet.
In “witch hunts” news:
- JAMSHEDPUR, Jharkhand, India – Pandugda Mundain, a 70 year old woman was murdered by her 25 year old nephew, who believed his aunt was practicing witchcraft. The nephew, Isha Munda was arrested and charged with murder.
- KABALE, Uganda – Tom Karegyesa, 65, his wife Jessica Mbirirwe, 66, and their daughter Miracle Natamba, 22 were brutally beaten and then set on fire by relatives of a woman, Anet Fridah, who died in her sleep of unknown causes. The relatives of Fridah believed Karegyesa was responsible for using “witchcraft” directed at Anet and causing her death and the deaths of several others in the area. It is unclear from news reports whether authorities have arrested anyone, though they are actively investigating the deaths.
- JHARKLAND, India – Two brothers, Vijay Malegandi, 28 and Singhe Malegandi, 26, from the Simbanda village were arrested for the murder of Phulmani Devi, 30 after her headless body was found on railroad tracks in northeaster India. The police have charged the two men with murder and have identified their actions as a “witch-hunt”crime. This is the fourth murder since the beginning of January that has been identified as a “witch-hunt” murder.
- GHATAL, India – In the Ishwarpur village, 51-year-old woman, Adarmani Hansda was lynched after being forcibly brought before a group of villagers who accused and “convicted” her of practicing “black magic” and making others in the village sick. Four other women who were also accused of being “witches” were rescued by police and were taken to Ghatal hospital, where they were admitted. The police were initially blocked from entering the village and had to wait for reinforcements. They also recovered the body of Adarmani Hansda. Arrests were not initially made and reports on the matter are not clear if anyone has been charged in the murder.
- SAMFYA, Zambia – Rodgers Chapo 49, of Sakana village, chief Kalasamukoso in Samfya district was poisoned and died by a local traditional healer, Emmanuel Kasuba, after seeking help for his 20 year old daughter who has epilepsy. Kasuba instead decided Chapo was a “wizard” and administered an herb under the guise of cleansing him. Police have arrested Kasuba but the exact charges are unclear.
Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte
Deck:Tales of Mystical Cats by Lunaea Weatherstone, art by Mickie Mueller, published by Llewellyn Books.
Card: Two (2) of Sea
This week could provide opportunities to fall in love or renew a relationship that has seemed to wane. Remember, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a person–we fall in love with many things, and express passion in many ways. Conversely, if there is an absence of love, look for blockages caused by fear, unfinsihed business, and jealousy.
Decks generously provided by Asheville Raven & Crone.
The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content.
To join a conversation on this post:
Visit our The Wild Hunt subreddit! Point your favorite browser to https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/, then click “JOIN”. Make sure to click the bell, too, to be notified of new articles posted to our subreddit.