Culture

Column: Would You Open Your Arms Out to Me?

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Pagan Perspectives

A few years ago, I was visiting a Pagan event, which will remain nameless. The event was well-patronized and filled with participants from all sectors of our community writ large. It was organized by an amazingly competent team who were sensitive and caring. There were carefully prepared spaces that I am sure you have heard of, red tents to male mysteries. I visited one of these, the Pagans of Color safe zone, and was asked to leave; I was told the space was not meant for “straight white dudes.” (I am gay and multiracial, and while I have in rare cases been called a “dude,” it is not in any top ten list of nouns for me.) So I left.

Kirkwall Witchy Walk

Memorial planned for the historic victims of the Orkney witch-trials

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UNITED KINGDOM — In the islands of Orkney, a memorial is planned for the victims of the witch trials. The site will open in 2019. The inspiration for the project came when Professor Liv Willumsen of the University of Tromsø gave a talk at Orkney College in 2012. Professor Willumsen made a comparison between the witch trials in Scotland and those in Northern Norway, and she also mentioned a memorial to witches in Steilneset in Finnmark, Norway. Over 100 people were tried in that region, an unusually high number for Norway, with 91 people being burned at the stake.

Culture

Beyoncé, the latest female singer to be accused of Witchcraft: an analysis

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TWH – Singer and songwriter Beyoncé is the latest star to be accused of Witchcraft. News stories published by online media sources and tabloids explain that former drummer Kimberly Thompson is suing the singer for using “extreme Witchcraft” to control her and her finances. The reports also state that the ex-band member claims that Beyoncé used dark magic to stage a campaign of harassment against her. Beyoncé has not made a public statement in response, and Thompson was denied the requested restraining order. However, now Beyoncé joins a long list of other female performers who have been accused of Witchcraft for one reason or another.

Paganism

Pagan Community Notes will be back next week

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Several of our administrators are on vacation with their families this week, and we will not be publishing Pagan Community Notes today. Please enjoy our archives of recent stories, along this week’s tarot of the week.  Pagan Community Notes will return next week. Recent Wild Hunt stories

July 22, 2018 — Pagan scholarly journal to focus on art, fashion
August 15, 2018 — HexFest 2018 met with protests from Catholic groups
August 28, 2018 — Project Blitz, a strategic threat to religious freedom
September 1, 2018 — Column: “In Venezuela, Witchcraft is everywhere”
September 1, 2018 — Columna: “En Venezuela la brujería está en todas partes”
September 6, 2018 — Witch starter kit hits mainstream; angers modern Witches
September 13, 2018 — Pagans support petition to protect the UK’s ancient yew trees
September 15, 2018 — Column: the Hope of Being “Queer”
September 16, 2018 — Boy Scout helps Pagan food pantry

For more recent stories, look to the column at the right. For older stories, go to our permanent archives. Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte

Deck: Deviant Moon Tarot – Borderless Edition, by Patrick Valenza, published by US Games Systems, Inc.
Card: Expect the unexpected this week.

Culture

Pagan Music Awards honor artists, public service

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NASHVILLE – A hammered dulcimer and flute duo from Crete, an operatic-trained rock singer, and a singer/guitarist/keyboardist who calls his music “folk with fire” won honors at the Second Annual Pagan Music Awards. Belthain, the Crete duo composed of Erik Belenos on vocals, hackbrett (hammered dulcimer), bass, and percussion, and Samaela on vocals, flutes, and percussion, won Best Group for 2018. Singer-songwriter Rowena of the Glen (Rowena Whaling) won Best Female Artist for the second year in a row. Singer/guitarist/keyboardist B. Willie Dryden won Best Male Artist. The awards, which are administered by the International Pagan Music Association, were presented at an awards ceremony and concert held Sept.