Canada

Pagan Community Notes: Dr. Bones, Canada Witchcraft, and more

By |

This weekend, a now former writer for Gods and Radicals, “Dr. Bones” a self-described anarchist / egoist-communist, occultist, and gonzo journalist, was accused of sexual misconduct in a lengthy Twitter thread. Gods and Radicals promptly responded to the accusation and tweeted a brief statement early Sunday morning supporting the accuser and announcing that they would be removing all of Bones’ articles. Gods and Radicals added that they would no longer be distributing his book. Later on Sunday, Dr. Bones posted an apology on his blog site, The Conjure House, stating “This will be my last post, and it is not to ask for pity. It is to firmly and clearly state I have committed unforgivable actions, and as such will retire completely from both writing and politics.”   He further added that “I have violated not only the trust of my readers, of my comrades, but most of all my wife.

Canada

Pagan Community Notes: World Druid Survey and more!

By |

A major survey project by Larisa A. White, M.S.Ed., Ph.D. of Quercus Academy in Central California late was announced last month.  The survey project intends to gather data on how modern Druidry has evolved and how practices have shifted around the world. The survey will track how Druidry has spread around the globe as a major nature spirituality path and examine what practicing Druids hold in common, and how their practices differ. White is seeking input from Druids of all levels of practice, from beginners to those who have decades of experience.  World Druidry Survey is supported in part by the OBOD’s Mount Haemus Award program. The findings of the project are set to be published at Beltane 2021 and presented at Mount Haemus Day in 2024 in conjunction with other publications.  
*   *   *
 

Lilith Dorsey who authors the blog Voodoo Universe on Patheos discussed cultural appropriation and the recent controversy at Pantheacon.  Doresy allowed Witchdoctor Utu and his mentor, Baba Teddy Olujimi Jauw, to both make statements clarifying their practices, the history of African Traditional Religions (ATRs), and address the accusations of cultural appropriation.  Dorsey add her own analysis in the matter.

Canada

Pagan Community Notes: Statement from Pantheacon, Many Gods West goes on hiatus, and more!

By |

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Glenn Turner, the coordinator of Pantheacon released a statement last week regarding the removal of two presenters, Max Dashu and Witchdoctor Utu from the schedule. Turner’s statement included a commitment to providing a safe and inclusive space to all attendees and staff. The statement also included details regarding future submissions. Presenters and the subject matter presented will be given greater scrutiny, in addition to verifying presenter credentials, and more thoroughly research presenter backgrounds.

Canada

Pagan Community Notes: Satanic Temple Settlement, PCon, and more

By |

SALEM, Mass.  — Two weeks ago, we reported that co-founder of The Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves had filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement, trademark violation, and injury to TST’s business reputation against Netflix and Warner Brothers connected to the use of a Baphomet statue in the show The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Greaves issued a statement Wednesday, November 21, 2018, on TST blog, For Infernal Use Only on Patheos.com that a settlement and been “amicably” settled. “The Satanic Temple is pleased to announce that the lawsuit it recently filed against Warner Bros. and Netflix has been amicably settled.  The unique elements of the Satanic Temple’s Baphomet statue have been acknowledged in the credits of episodes which have already been filmed.

Canada

Column: The View from Pagan Meet and Greet at PWR

By |

Pagan Perspectives
Guest columnist Karen Dales attended the Parliament of World Religions and shares her view from the Pagan Meet and Greet Booth. * * *
The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love, was the theme of the Parliament of World’s Religions (PWR), held in Toronto, Canada from November 1st – 7th, 2018. This theme thread its way through the Pagan community doubly so. Its eye found in the Meet and Greet Space, given to the Pagans by the PWR after local High Priestess and Toronto Steering Committee Member, Catherine Starr, fought tooth and nail to secure the Pagans four spaces: a Pagan Faith Booth; a Pagan Faith space, which was for morning meditations and evening rituals, facilitated by many Pagans and Pagan organisations; the Pagan Family Festival Booth, and the Pagan Meet and Greet Space. The Pagan Meet and Greet Space could not have been better placed, as an estimated ten thousand people at the PWR had to walk past the very distinct chalkboard declaring the space and listing daily Pagan events.