Europe
Finds from a Temple to Apollo in the Cyclades
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TWH journalist Sean McShee updates us on findings at an excavation in the Aegean archipelago
News
Pagan Community Notes: Loki ban rescinded, Hellenic Polytheists attacked in Greece, and more
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PHILADELPHIA – Last week, Robert L. Schreiwer, Steer, announced on behalf of The High Rede of The Troth that the organization was officially rescinding the ban on hailing Loki at Troth-sponsored events. In the official statement released on January 2, 2019, The High Rede reported that, after deliberation on various related issues at their fourth quarter Rede meeting in 2018, “Loki may be hailed freely at Grand Sumbel and at any Troth-sponsored event.”
The statement went on to detail some important considerations. The Troth statement noted that although the change in policy now allows for hailing of Loki, at all official Troth events, Troth Kindred Program [TKP] kindred thew (virtues) is sovereign and each kindred’s rules, culture and etiquette how and who is hailed at their events. The Troth noted that another exception to the hailing of Loki would be the annual Idunna Blót at Trothmoot because Idunna is the Patroness of the Troth and deserves singular veneration at that event. The Troth commented that “Idunna deserves to be recognized and honored in that role, the Idunna Blót at Trothmoot will be reserved for hailing only (solely Idunna by any of Her known names).”
The statement went on to say that since the ban on Loki lasted for ten years, “the organization will hold an official Loki Blót for the next ten Trothmoots in a prime time slot. After the tenth Trothmoot, Loki Blóts may be held as any other blót or Sege, and the timing of the Blót will become adjustable to meet scheduling needs.”
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ELEUSIS, GREECE – On Saturday, December, 29 outside the archaeological site of Eleusis in Greece, about 10 miles northwest of Athens, a group of Hellenic polytheists of the Cultural group, Γλαυκώπις [Glaukopis], were attacked while performing a ritual for Demeter.
News
Greek Paganism legally recognized as ‘known religion’ in Greece
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ATHENS, Greece – On April 9th, the Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes (YSEE), a religious organization working to restore the indigenous religion of Greece, put out a statement saying Greek polytheism has received legal status in Greece. Prior to this, Greek Pagans did not have religious freedoms such as the ability to buy land to create houses of worship nor could Pagan clergy perform marriage ceremonies. Yesterday the Secretary of the Supreme council of Ethnic Hellenes (YSEE) announced that after more than twenty years of struggle, the Greek state has finally recognized the Hellenic Religion as a ‘Known Religion’ according to paragraph 17 – the only form of recognition for a religion in Greece. The mentioned paragraph includes the permission to build a temple as well as the right of public exercise of any recognized religion. The recognition of Hellenic Religion as a ‘Known Religion’ is only the first step towards a general recognition of Hellenism.
Pagan Community Notes
Pagan Community Notes: HUAR, Lily and Deirdre, Black Witch, and more!
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Last week, Heathens United Against Racism (HUAR) issued a statement concerning a public Facebook comment made by the Asatru Folk Assembly director Steven A. McNallen. On Jan. 10, McNallen wrote, “Germany – that is the German people, not sellout traitors like Merkel – deserve our full support…Where are the Freikorps when we need them?” The Freikorps were “private paramilitary groups” created after Germany’s defeat in World War I. They were used to stop uprisings and were consider to be largely nationalistic and conservative. McNallen’s comment was made in reaction to recent reports of violence in Germany.
News
Thargelia once again celebrated in Greece
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The ancient Pagan festival of Thargelia is once again being celebrated publicly in Greece by members of The Supreme Council of the Greek National (YSEE), an umbrella group working to restore the traditional polytheistic religions of Greece. This isn’t the first time YSEE members have celebrated the Thargelia, a celebration honoring the Gods Artemis and Apollon. The Thargelia was celebrated May 17, which roughly corresponds to the 6th day of the month Thargelion in the ancient Athenian calendar. In pre-Christian Athens, the observance took place over two days. It focused on driving bad things out, such as diseases that affect humans or crops, and bringing good things back in, such as healthy children and the first barley harvest.