Unleash the Hounds! (link roundup)

There are lots of articles and essays of interest to modern Pagans and Heathens out there, more than our team can write about in depth in any given week. Therefore, the Wild Hunt must unleash the hounds in order to round them all up. 

Now that September has arrived, it won’t be long before the mainstream media increase their interest in exploring modern Witchcraft practice. A television news outlet in New York state got a jump on the rest sharing a story titled “Speak No Evil: Witchcraft’s popularity on the rise in Hudson Valley.” As noted on the site, journalist Tara Rosenblum  spent “four months exploring and gaining access to a mysterious, secretive world that most people don’t even know exist: a thriving underground community of witches.” The video opens with haunting, fast paced music over four Witches wearing dark hooded robes and standing with an outstretched arm by an altar.

Phoenix, Satan and the Constitutional Win-Win

PHOENIX, Ariz. — In January, The Satanic Temple of Tuscon was given the co-ahead to offer an invocation before the Feb. 17 Phoenix city council meeting. When the news was made public, there was an immediate backlash led by council member Sal DiCiccio of District 6. On Jan 28, DiCiccio tweeted, “Another dumb idea by the City of #PHX.

Arizona and the continuing quest for religious freedom?

After weeks of debate and protest, the show-down in the Copper State is finally over.  Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed State Bill 1062, the so-called anti-gay bill. With high stakes and increased pressure from corporations, Brewer had little choice but to object. On Feb. 26 she said:
I have not heard of one example in Arizona where business owners’ religious liberty has been violated … The bill is broadly worded, and could result in unintended and negative consequences.