Column: 11 Influential Pagans of Color – a Discussion

 Pagan Perspectives

There is something about a list in this culture: lists for best movies, most popular songs, best quotes of the year, best places to visit, most memorable books of the year. These are just a few of the many lists that are created in today’s culture every year. It is no wonder that the creation of lists are something that has also become a “thing” within the over-culture of Paganism as well. While we normally see the publication of these lists at the end of the calendar year, 2018 brought us a list early, starting conversations before the shifting of seasons begins. Everyone has been talking about the most recent list published on the Patheos Pagan blog Raise the Horns.

Pagan Community Notes: Fake Selena Fox profile, Witch Way Magazine awards, Dawtas of the Moon conference and more

TWH – It was reported April 23 that an unknown user has created a fake Facebook account using Selena Fox’s name. Several users alerted the real Fox immediately after being contacted by the owner of the fake account. Some users reported being contacted by the fake Selena Fox via Facebook messenger. Fox immediately changed her profile photo so others would know it was her, and announced publicly: “I have had several reports of someone who is claiming to be me doing some grant scam as well as making rude comments that are not my way. If you have encountered this person, please report these posts right away to Facebook. I have already done this, but need others to help so that Facebook can stop this person and take additional action so others are not hacked and not scammed.”

Collective of seven women join to birth “Dawtas of the Moon”

BALTIMORE — In a year’s time, our collective Pagan, Heathen and polytheist communities are offered countless opportunities to come together in person in order to celebrate, educate, worship or just to connect. These eclectic and wide-spread events consist of everything from indoor weekend conferences, day-long symposiums, and seven-day camping festivals to picnics, concerts, and small community gatherings. Some of these events provide a space for a vast diversity of programming, such as Pagan Spirit Gathering, Paganicon, or PantheaCon. Others are more focused in their theme, mission and service, such as Trothmoot, Merry Meet or HexFest. One of the newest such events, which was just announced in May, is the day-long gathering called Dawtas of the Moon.

Pagan Community Notes: Richard Watson, Dawtas of the Moon, Iliff Graduation and more!

SALEM, Mass. — Wiccan Priest and Salem resident Richard Watson was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in jail for the “possession of heroin with intent to distribute.” Watson was arrested Aug. 7, 2015, after a sting operation led police to his home where they found, reportedly, a total of 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of heroin and “indications that the drugs were being distributed, including packaging materials, cash and cell phones.” Watson cooperated with police, and eventually pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking. When news of his arrest broke, Watson’s religious community was divided in its reactions.