Featured
Pagan Community Notes: Week of July 18, 2022
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In this week’s Pagan Community Notes, wildfires in California and the Mediterranean, more fake social media accounts, statue re-creations at the Met, and more news.
Paganism
Opinion: Instascam – Fraud and the Online Occult Community
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Storm Faerywolf covers the proliferation of spammers impersonating occultists on Instagram.
Canada
Canadian official recommends removal of zombie laws and witchcraft regulation
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TORONTO, Ont – On March 30, the news was announced that 37-year old Murali Muthyalu was being charged with fraud over $5,000, extortion and “pretending to practice witchcraft.” This last charge is an unusual occurrence in Canada and invokes Section 365 of the Canadian Criminal Code, which refers specifically to the false practise of witchcraft and other occult or “crafty science.” Muthyalu, who also goes by the name “Master Raghav,” is a citizen of India that has been a visitor to the country for less than a year. He was advertising his services as an astrologer and psychic in the Toronto area throughout February and March. It is alleged the Muthyalu attracted the attention of a 44-year old father, whose daughter is apparently suffering from a mental illness. Muthyalu reportedly told the father that his daughter was possessed by evil spirits and convinced him bring her to multiple healing sessions.