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Archive for the Articles Category

News for Pagans, Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 by AC Fisher-Aldag.

Tuesday, 11-1-11

Today is the actual day of Samhain / Calan Gwaef as celebrated by many Wiccans and Celtic Pagans. Thus, we have five and a half standard pages of news stories.

We expect that the amount of news about Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, psychics and paranormal events will be drastically reduced, now that the calendar day of Halloween has passed.

However, there is still a lot of important news that affects us as practitioners of Nature Spirituality and Magick. For example: Here is a report about the large public Spiral Dance held by “The Reclaiming Collective” in San Francisco, CA, which featured rituals, sacred altars, a choir and other musicians, a litany of the dead, and of course the dance. This report by the “Pagan Newswire Collective” features many beautiful photos and a complete explanation of the event. http://bayarea.pagannewswirecollective.com/

ITEM: There will be an article about the “Hail Columbia” movement and this past weekend’s “Celebration of the Divine Feminine” rally and ritual held in Washington D.C. This event was organized by area Pagans as an effort to counter the NAR’s “DC-51” campaign of “prayer wars.” Look for our report on the Articles page of www.magickal-media.com late Saturday 11-5-11.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2055636/Sudanese-man-beheaded-Saudi-Arabia-car-park-sorcerer.html A Sudanese man in beheaded in Saudi Arabia, as he was accused of being a sorcerer.

http://www.einnews.com/pr-news/586898-evidence-of-noah-s-ark-in-french-cave- A cave painting discovered in France resembles the story of Noah’s Ark.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/31/justice/scotus-highway-crosses/ Appeal upheld, public highway crosses in Utah for fallen police officers are unconstitutional.

http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=Community&article=4869 In “The Arab American”, reports that the FBI has been targeting investigations for specific races and religions.

http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/10/looking_back_halloween_pranks.html Halloween pranks in MI from 1893; below that article is a Halloween history.

http://www.sherwoodgazette.com/news/story.php?story_id=132010205751137000 New book called “A Celtic Yearbook” celebrates everything Irish.

http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2011/10/31/before-the-candy-corn-a-brief-history-of-halloween/ A history of Halloween, with a link to historyofhalloween.net

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111101/jsp/entertainment/story_14691659.jsp A discussion of the “Asterix the Gaul” comics, which have been translated into 111 languages, in a newspaper from Calcutta.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/World_history_Afri-centric_analysis-132976048.html A newspaper from Trinidad celebrates the United Nations’ International Year for People of African Descent”. African history did not simply begin with the slave trade.

http://asatruupdate.blogspot.com/2011/10/asatru-winter-nights-samhain-and-us.html From Steven McNallen of the “Asatru Folk Assembly”, the similarities between the Asatru celebration of Winter Nights and the celebration of Samhain.

http://www.betterhealthresearch.com/news/st-johns-wort-may-improve-emotional-well-being-800625877/ The herb St. John’s Wort can improve emotional well-being, says this article.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pagan-perspectives/2011/11/02/the-way-to-the-grove–celtic-magick-and-druid-ritual Celtic magick and Druid ritual on Blog Talk Radio’s “Pagan Perspectives”.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/11/1/mga-aphrodite-gods-love/ Exhibition in the Boston Museum features the Goddess Aphrodite.

http://www.wmicentral.com/news_premium/arizona-centennial-the-making-of-a-state-hopi-tribe-is/article_1fcafcd2-040f-11e1-ba46-001cc4c03286.html Discusses the Hopi tribe of AZ for the state’s centennial. Editor’s Note: A subscription may be needed to read this article.

http://www.statepress.com/2011/11/01/world-population-hits-7-billion/ The world’s population is now estimated at seven billion people. Can our Earth sustain us?

http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Homophobic_church_as_oxymoron-10990.aspx In “Extra”, Canada’s Gay and Lesbian news magazine, a pamphlet written by an attorney and minister explain why “homophobic church” is an oxymoron; makes a case against homophobia.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/132926563.html Celebration of “The Day of the Dead”, Dia de Los Muertos.

http://www.embassymag.ca/dailyupdate/view/canadian_interfaith_leaders_call_for_climate_change_action_10-31-2011 Canadian faith leaders call for action and awareness on global climate change, prepare for conference.

http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2011/11/alumni_explore_power_of_hypnotherapy_to_manage_illnesses_psychologically Use of hypnotherapy to manage illness.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article527065.ece King Abdulla urges Muslim ministers and leaders to reach out to other religious faiths.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/velocity/2011/10/31/the-solstice-ride/ Video of a Winter Solstice ride in Seattle.

http://en.ria.ru/analysis/20111031/168298882.html Pagan origins of Halloween / Samhain in Spain. Customs, photos and a Keats poem.

Violence mars Halloween in New Orleans, Washington DC and an English town: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/11/halloween-revelry-turns-deadly-in-new-orleans/1 and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/dc-halloween-shooting-georgetown_n_1069019.html and http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/11/01/youths-attack-parked-cars-in-birkenhead-in-hallowe-en-mayhem-100252-29696071/

Police presence in Bath, England helps to avoid Halloween mishaps. http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Fear-taken-Hallowe-en-Bath-police-operation/story-13722355-detail/story.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-halloween-offenders-20111101,0,7640167.story Restrictions on Halloween activities for sex offenders.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dogs-halloween-costume-parade-pictures,0,3503855.photogallery Slideshow of funny costumed dogs in Long Beach CA for Halloween.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2011/nov/01/1?newsfeed=true Funny video of exploding pumpkins.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/For-pagans-Oct-31-means-more-than-Halloween/-/1637132/4037078/-/1505cy2z/-/ CNN’s information about Samhain rites and customs, and Halloween history.

http://www.thedailyeastchester.com/news/eastchester-witches-offer-halloween-wishes Witches and Wiccans of Eastchester, NY interviewed.

http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=113864&cat=3 Samhain in Saipan. Editor’s note: contains some politics.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201111010515.html Brief note about Samhain from Nambia.

http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/Irish-traditions—Halloween-in-Ireland-132912653.html Revival of Samhain in Ireland, with links to other Irish articles about hauntings and legends.

http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/news/2011/10/herbs-well-researched-despite-media-bias.aspx Article states that herbs are well-studied before being released for public use.

http://www.healthcanal.com/alternative-therapies/22634-Ancient-Chinese-herbal-remedy-now-being-tested-prostate-cancer-treatment-drug.html An ancient Chinese herbal treatment is being tested as a drug for prostate cancer.

http://sippican.villagesoup.com/community/story/acupuncture-and-herbal-medicine-take-root-in-marion/180924 Mainstream news article about a new herbal store and acupuncturist opening.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/lifestyle/2011/10/31/vesagas-demystifying-superstitions-demonic-encounters-188158 Demystifying superstitions in the Philippines, by a registered nurse. Editor’s note: Has some interesting qualities although somewhat disparaging.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2011/oct/31/population-growth-buddhist-reincarnation?newsfeed=true Can the current population explosion be rectified with the Buddhist belief in reincarnation?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/varla-ventura/halloween-ghost-stories_b_1064392.html “News of the Weird” in “Huffington Post” confronts the supernatural at home.

http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-study/96891/americans-refuse-give-the-ghost How many Americans believe in ghosts?

http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1779489.html Article about Harry Houdini and his connections to Halloween.

http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111031/no-halloween-costumes-at-hamilton-school-111031/20111031/?hub=EdmontonHome Halloween costumes forbidden in a Canadian private school.’

http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/10/this_halloween_is_different_bu.html Halloween should be about trusting our neighbors, this article states.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/oct/31/sally-morgan-rejects-halloween-challenge?newsfeed=true Psychic Sally Morgan was accused of faking her medium abilities. She rejected the challenge to prove herself on Halloween.

http://www.the-world-heritage-sites.com/jelling-mounds-runic-stones_denmark.htm Rune stones in churchyard and a burial mound are a Denmark historical site. With photos.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/11/01/2252571/witches-in-philippines-siquijor.html Ethnic Witches who live in the Philippines.

http://www.kpho.com/story/15913254/psychic-jhessye-shockley-is-alive-and-in-phoenix Psychics are searching for a missing five year old.

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/salisbury/salisburynews/9337073.Permission_given_for_section_of_A344_to_be_closed/ Some of the highway near Stonehenge will be closed and returned to grassland.

http://www.examiner.com/paganism-in-charlotte/paganism-different-regions-moving-from-kansas-to-north-carolina Pagan blogger finds acceptance in NC.

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2011/10/13-scariest-musicians.html Thirteen scariest bands of all time.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=48825 “Middle East Online” advises Muslims to remember Coptic Christians.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffery-self/little-boy-witches_b_1027490.html “Gay Voices” in “The Huffington Post” discusses gender stereotypes, asks why little boys can’t wear whatever Halloween costume they wish.

http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/10/salem-halloween-revelers-businesses-make-for-lost-time/fblj3mJP14ivm2GQF1M7II/index.html “Boston.com” reports low turnout on Halloween in Salem due to weather and arrests.

http://www.examiner.com/new-age-in-toledo/annual-witch-event-takes-hold-toledo Review of a Pagan “Witches’ Ball” in Toledo with a Samhain ritual, a dinner and dance.

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15918304/bell-witch-cave-named-one-of-worlds-creepiest-places The Bell Witch Cave makes Yahoo.com’s list of creepiest places.

http://showbiz.peacefmonline.com/news/201111/76973.php Nigerian actress with controversial tattoo proclaims “I am a Witch” in local online celebrity news.

http://dailysentinel.com/news/article_2f442986-035b-11e1-a3ec-001cc4c03286.html The truth about Wicca from a Texas newspaper.

http://www.tntmagazine.com/tnt-today/archive/2011/10/31/True-Blood-Meet-the-real_2D00_life-vampires-and-witches-living-in-London.aspx Real-life Witches and Vampires of London, England. Includes information about the International Witchfest which is held there, and a Vampire meetup.

http://tahlequahdailypress.com/features/x717140224/Halloween-traditions-steeped-in-ancient-lore Halloween history and customs.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/video/breaking/chi-video-inside-a-wiccan-cat-burial-ceremony-20111031,0,4246903.htmlstory Video of Rev. Selena Fox’s burial ceremony for her animal companion in the green cemetery at Circle Sanctuary. Another version here: http://www.cltv.com/videogallery/65746585/News/Wiccan-church-cat-burial-ceremony

http://global.christianpost.com/news/are-trick-or-treat-bags-a-place-for-gospel-tracts-59948/ From the “Christian Post”: is it acceptable to hand out religious tracts on Halloween?

http://www.rgj.com/article/20111031/NEWS20/111031037/Fact-checker-black-cats-more-danger-around-Halloween-?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CLocal%20News%7Cp Are black cats really in more danger around Halloween? Debunks the common urban legends.

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/10/halloween-the-wiccan-new-year-1.html Halloween, the Wiccan new year, with quotes from Starhawk and an image of Witch School’s bricks with names of contributors.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/31/for-growing-ranks-of-pagans-october-31-means-more-than-halloween/ CNN writes about Samhain celebrations. Quotes from Jason Pitzl-Waters and Holli Emore.

http://bayside.patch.com/articles/the-pagan-history-of-halloween The Pagan history of Halloween and Samhain.

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/news/halloween-traditions-why-do-we-trick-or-treat-dpgoha-20111031-fc_15720355 Slightly different take on Halloween history, with a reference to mumming and guising.

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/state/cursed-the-truth-about-arizona-witches The truth about Paganism and Witchcraft in Arizona from a local ABC affiliate.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2011-10/31/content_14007707.htm Halloween is a bonus for China, who produces many commercial trinkets, decorations and costumes. From “China Daily”.

http://brandon.patch.com/articles/10-things-to-know-about-the-history-origin-of-halloween Halloween and Samhain facts, with a video.

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/kids/article2584691.ece Halloween ideas and customs from India.

http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/what-religions-belong-to-spiritual-naturalism/ What religions belong to spiritual naturalism?

http://enumclaw.patch.com/articles/did-you-know-halloween-fun-facts-and-legends Halloween facts and statistics.

http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/125887/russians-reluctant-to-celebrate-halloween-amid-%C3%ABsatanic%C3%AD-warnings.html From a Turkish newspaper, statistics about Russians who do or do not celebrate Halloween. Worries about Satanism top the list of reasons to avoid the holiday. Editor’s note: Worth it for the quotes from the Ministry of Education about “Satanism”.

http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/83350/to-celebrate-or-not-to-celebrate-halloween-in-argentina To celebrate or to avoid Halloween in Argentina – not fear of Satanism but anti-American or anti-commercialism sentiments.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700193264/CNN-asks-Christian-leaders-about-Halloween.html CNN asks Christian leaders how they feel about the celebration of Halloween.

Halloween history and statistics. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/extras/2011/10/31/oct-31-history-of-halloween/ QUOTE OF THE DAY: “According to the National Retail Federation, the top five costumes of 2011 for adults are a witch, pirate, vampire, zombie and Batman character. The top five costumes for children are princess, witch, Spiderman, pirate and pumpkin. The most popular pet costumes are pumpkin, devil and hot dog.”

Posted in News, Articles | Print | 1 Comment »

News for Pagans, Sunday, 10-30-11

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 by AC Fisher-Aldag.

Sunday 10-30-11

TOP STORY: The rally / gathering / ritual for Pagans in Washington DC at Lafayette Park is today. We’ll likely have some news about it tomorrow. There is a website called “Hail Columbia” for information and suggestions for creating your own event: http://hailcolumbia.us/ Here is their blog link to with some poems for invoking the Goddess of Liberty: http://hailcolumbia.us/blog/ Here is information on the protest from “Works of Literata”: http://worksofliterata.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/pagan-protest-in-dc-october-30th/ A very thorough discussion of the issues, and a list of rules for the protest and gathering by Gus diZegera: http://blog.beliefnet.com/apagansblog/2011/10/dc-pagans-to-hold-halloween-ceremony-countering-the-new-apostolic-reformation-cursing-prayer-campaign.html It was featured on The Wild Hunt blog: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2011/10/guest-post-the-hail-columbia-movement.html#disqus_thread Pagan Newswire Collective’s “Capital Witch” writes about the reasons for the event, and will report on it tomorrow: http://www.capitalwitch.com/2011/10/dc-pagans-to-counter-dominionist-prayer.html Hail Columbia has a Facebook page, too: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hail-Columbia/223109444399124?sk=wall

Magickal Media attended a wonderful ceremony given by CUUPS of Hobart, Indiana yesterday. There will be an article and photos coming this Friday.

Be sure to check out Magickal Media’s “Super Samhain” issue on www.magickal-media.com

Now for the news:

http://www.lompocrecord.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/spiritual-life/article_436240f2-0297-11e1-95b1-001cc4c002e0.html Women find empowerment in indigenous spirituality.

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111028/CGY_jesus_ween_111028/20111029/?hub=CalgaryHome Anti-Halloween protest by Christians includes handing out Bibles.

http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=13768 Christian Halloween traditions. Editor’s note: This is a bit disparaging to Pagans, yet worth a look.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherhowse/8857566/Halloween-simply-cant-be-tacky-enough.html A British columnist denounces Halloween as “tacky” and states that it really did not have any historic origins as Samhain.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/online-witch-school-wicca-fastest-growing-religion-59799/ Disparaging article in the “Christian Post” denounces Wicca, uses quotes from Witch School and other sources.

http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111029/OTT_halloween_weekend_111029/20111029/?hub=OttawaHome Adults having fun on secular “Halloween Saturday”.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111030/NEWS01/111030001/Holiday-alternative-crops-up?odyssey=nav%7Chead More about “Jesus Ween”.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=360365 The “Faith and Feminism” conference is being hosted by a Christian Church, and is working with a Pagan priestess of Isis who does guided meditations.

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/blogs/thenextgreatgeneration/2011/10/listen_up_sabrina_–_real-life.html Interview with Wiccans in Boston mainstream press.

http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/547344/Origins-of-Halloween-a-timeless-tale-of-terror.html?nav=5002 Halloween origins, somewhat disparaging.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/borisjohnson/8857530/Mellitus-the-saint-who-retook-London-from-barbarians.html An article about a historical book concerning St. Mellitus, who fought “barbarians” and established churches in London.

http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2011/10/30/new_jersey/arts_and_entertainment/1.txt A history of Halloween / Samhain.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Halloween+murky+past/5629394/story.html A Canadian paper explores history and traditions of Halloween. Some older British Isles words and customs included.

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/do.we.really.need.halloween/28836.htm “Christianity Today” condemns Halloween and witchcraft.

http://libertyville.patch.com/articles/spooky-halloween-facts Halloween facts.

http://heraldnet.com/article/20111030/NEWS01/710309948 Banning Halloween in some public schools.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20111030/NJLIFE07/310300011/Don-t-know-jack-about-pumpkins-?odyssey=nav%7Chead Pumpkin facts and recipes.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4559510 A fairly thorough Halloween / Samhain history on a personal blog.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/projectconversion/2011/10/the-trouble-with-being-a-pagan-today.html On “Belief Net” a man is undergoing “Project Conversion” where he lives with a different religion for a month. During his month as a Wiccan, he faces persecution and discrimination issues.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=184562 Somewhat disparaging article about Halloween from a mainstream paper from the Fiji Islands.

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111030/FEATURES/110300320 Haunted places to visit in the Poconos.

http://www.thenation.com/blog/164271/war-halloween-trick-or-treat-conservatives The debate about whether or not to celebrate Halloween, between two sides of political conservatives.

http://www.graysharbortalk.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/38848/Re_NJ_Adds_Wiccan_Pagan_Holida.html New Jersey adds Pagan holidays to their state school calendar.

http://www.enterprisenews.com/features/x163303794/Town-has-ties-to-witchcraft Article about the governor during the historic Salem witch trials.

http://news.discovery.com/history/halloween-history-slide-show.html A Halloween history slideshow.

Secular Halloween fun in Salem. http://www.npr.org/2011/10/30/141742546/competition-gets-fiercer-in-salems-scare-industry

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/10/were-salem%E2%80%99s-men-witches%E2%80%99-victims-of-politics/ Were male victims of the Salem witch trials targeted for political reasons?

http://newlondon.patch.com/articles/the-devil-in-the-insurance-city The state historian of Connecticut talks about witch trials and executions that occurred there.

http://www.jamestownsun.com/event/article/id/147330/ Facts and history of scarecrows.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/219642/ Gardening column includes information about pumpkins.

http://blog.syracuse.com/cny/2011/10/daily_inspiration_witches_see_nature_as_sacred_and_beautiful.html Mainstream newspaper blog on interfaith and spiritual issues has a guest column from a Dianic Wiccan.

http://www.news24.com/World/News/Fight-witchcraft-Pope-urges-bishops-20111029 Pope urges African bishops to fight witchcraft.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/132738318.html Events in Salem including a reenactment of the witch trials.

http://www.timescolonist.com/homes/Ghostly+renovation/5627658/story.html Restoration of an old house, said to be haunted.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/236892/lifestyle/know-your-ghouls-from-aswang-to-diwata Demons, monsters, and nature spirits of the Philippines.

http://www.demotix.com/news/902788/irish-halloween Legends and customs of Halloween from Ireland, with a slideshow.

http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/91065799.html A child rapist who convinced his victim that his actions were part of a Druid religion is convicted.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/85193/saints-not-ghouls-go-marching-in-bulacan In one town in the Philippines, children dress as saints for All Saint’s eve.

http://jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2077 Can folklore and festivals help to preserve the culture of the Jeju people?

Many more paranormal activity and investigations. Also, in next week’s edition of Magickal Media www.magickal-media.com read about our visit with paranormal investigators!

1. http://www.southwestiowanews.com/articles/2011/10/30/council_bluffs/doc4eacb049631e2797646340.txt

2. http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_e795e6d2-0298-11e1-bd66-001cc4c002e0.html

3. http://commercial-news.com/local/x1607579808/Paranormal-research-can-be-chilling

4. http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/8475679-418/secrets-of-munger-road.html

5. http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/ghosthunter103011

6. http://www.sacbee.com/2011/10/30/4017193/syfys-ghost-hunters-are-set-for.html

7. http://www.modbee.com/2011/10/29/1925986/who-you-gonna-callmodesto-paranormal.html

8. http://www.prweb.com/releases/unixmansion/paranormalactivity/prweb8919823.htm

9. http://abcnewspapers.com/2011/10/29/a-perfect-season-for-anoka-paranormal-investigations/

10. http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Utahs-ghost-trackers-test-Ogden-train-station/atBNAWtSpE2v3q6tzNmUZA.cspx

11. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/dead+people/5629407/story.html

12. http://enewscourier.com/x1607579374/Ghost-tales-have-integral-role-in-Southern-culture

13. http://commercial-news.com/local/x1990861353/Hobbyist-goes-in-with-skeptical-attitude

14. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-thorp/poshbrood-7-haunted-hotel_b_1063796.html

15. http://www.nsnews.com/life/Staff+ghost+haunts+restaurant/5629474/story.html

16. http://www.hdnews.net/Story/ghosts103011

17. http://www.thebradentontimes.com/news/2011/10/30/community/sunday_favorites_voices_in_the_dark_a_present_day_haunting/

18. http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/west-pittston-haunting-a-horror-story-come-to-life-1.1225207

19. http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/west-pittston-haunting-a-horror-story-come-to-life-1.1225207

20. http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Features/Profile/They-aint-afraid-of-no-ghost-or-is-it-just-dodgy-wiring-28102011.htm

21. http://www.wickedlocal.com/middleborough/fun/entertainment/x780395743/Jeff-Belanger-hosts-a-supernatural-evening-at-Middleborough-Library#axzz1cIXLCTSk

22. http://www.salina.com/news/story/ghosthunter103011

23. http://www.telegram.com/article/20111030/NEWS/110309315/-1/NEWS06

24. http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/10/the_ghost_of_the_kalamazoo_civ.html Last one is from our hometown.

A haunted house is for sale: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/southern-tier/article612954.ece

Haunted Chinese Restaurant: http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20111030/NEWS01/110300309

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/237041/world/world-religious-leaders-atheists-talk-peace-in-italy The meeting of world’s religions in Assisi.

http://scienceblogs.com/evolutionblog/2011/10/the_pope_invites_agnostics_to.php?utm_source=sbhomepage&utm_medium=link&utm_content=channellink Commentary from an agnostic about the Pope’s meeting w/ other religious leaders in Assisi.

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2011/oct/oct30/news05.php The Hindu festival of Chhath, which is devoted to Surya the Sun God, commences in Nepal.

http://usa.greekreporter.com/2011/10/30/top-10-greek-themed-halloween-costumes/ From a Greek newspaper, Halloween costumes with Grecian / Hellenic themes, including Gods and legends.

http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20111030/FON04/110300320/Margaret-Jarek-column-Halloween-once-celebration-harvest Halloween history, and a First Nations ritual is attended by this Wisconsin columnist.

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/10/the-national-library-of-medicines-native-voices-exhibit-shares-native-concepts-of-health-healing-and-illness/ The National Library of Medicines has an exhibit about First Nations’ concept of healing.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=Filipino-Hallowe%E2%80%99en&id=40767 Filipino Halloween. Editor’s note: The translation to English is not great.

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/localnews/9333108.Recycling_advice__Keep_it_green_this_Hallowe_en/ “Keep it Green This Halloween”.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/oct/30/no-headline—bova_oct_30/ Ben Bova blogs about Halloween.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obamas-pass-out-halloween-candy/1 Mr. and Mrs. Obama pass out candy for Halloween at the White House.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/29/church-halloween-event-bans-cross-gender-costumes/ Mormons ban “cross dressing” costumes at church event.

http://www.uticaod.com/latestnews/x1535088040/Fort-Stanwix-hosts-Samhain-celebrating-fall-harvest-history Samhain history at Fort Stanwix in Utaca, NY.

http://waltontribune.com/opinion/columns/nicholas_harmon/article_1b4216d6-01e5-11e1-8ad2-001cc4c002e0.html Halloween history.

http://hillpost.in/2011/10/30/go-vegan-for-ritual-tibetan-exiles/33596/news-2/hp_news_network Tibetan exiles bid their fellow Buddhists to become vegan for their sacred ritual called Kalachakra.

http://times-news.com/columns/x783646894/Halloween-has-been-with-us-for-centuries A history of Halloween and Samhain.

http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2011/10/other-irish-saint Catholic history of St. Brighid.

http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts-and-culture/night-and-day/7351843/silent-halloween.thtml Silent movies for Halloween.

http://enfilade18thc.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/occult/ Strassburg museum gives a showing of art that was inspired by the occult.

More Psychics for Halloween in the mainstream press:

1. http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/article_cb19e404-01d0-11e1-acc8-001cc4c002e0.html

2. http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/article_4d52beb1-cdf1-5833-b687-9b4ec11c61db.html

3. http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2011/10/30/life/doc4eab5d9c3d34f408206208.txt

4. Fun in FL includes a town full of psychics http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/30/2472838/fun-shine-state.html

http://www.goerie.com/article/20111030/NEWS02/310309841/For-Erie-region-pagans-Halloween-is-a-harvest-festival Interview with local Pagans in the Lake Erie region. More coming on Monday.

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Info on the Pagan protest of the NAR in Wash. DC on Oct. 30

Wed, Oct 19, 2011 by AC Fisher-Aldag.

Information from the blog “Works of Literata” by Literata, who founded the “Hail Columbia” movement, about the Pagan gathering and protest of the New Apostolic Revelation on 30 October, 2011

http://worksofliterata.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/pagan-protest-in-dc-october-30th/

Pagan Protest in DC: October 30th

On October 30th, Pagans will gather in DC to celebrate the Divine Feminine and to protest the increasing efforts of religious fundamentalists to influence government. I’ll see you there!

DC Pagans to Hold Halloween Ceremony Countering the New Apostolic Reformation Cursing Prayer Campaign

On October 30^th in Lafayette Square Park

Silver Spring, MD, October 19^th, 2011 Priestesses and priests from the Washington, DC Pagan community will hold a Celebration of the Divine Feminine and Religious Freedom in Lafayette Square Park across from the White House on Sunday, October 30^th, 2011, as a protest to the New Apostolic Reformation’s 51-day prayer campaign targeting Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Druids, Heathens, and other Goddess-worshipers nationwide.

The New Apostolic Reformation is a Dominionist group of Christians preaching that all feminine forms of deity are demonic. The NAR is engaged in a 51-day campaign of imprecatory prayer to create a fundamentalist Christian theocracy in the USA. Republican presidential hopefuls Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry are influenced by the NAR agenda.

Reverend Barry Lynn, United Church of Christ minister and executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said, “Some people think the Dominionists and the New Apostolic Reformation are a newfangled movement. I call them what they are: the Religious Right in a new gown. They’re not fooling anyone. This is the same old bunch of theocrats we’ve been dealing with for more than 40 years. It’s the same crew that believes only its narrow version of Christianity is acceptable and pleasing to God. It’s the same collection of people who believe their religion gives them the right to run everyone else’s lives.”

Rev. Lynn went on to say, “I have news for them: Wiccans and Pagans are part of the American religious mosaic, and they’re here to stay. Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison gave us religious liberty – and that means religious liberty for everyone. The followers of nature-based faiths are going to use it because they don’t want to lose it. What could be more in keeping with the great American tradition?”

Katrina Messenger, a writer, teacher, blogger, poet and Washington, DC native, will be the main celebrant in Lafayette Square Park. Ms. Messenger said, “The methods used by the NAR and other Dominionists are founded upon hate, fear, and ignorance. Their demonization of our Gods and Goddesses uses inflammatory language that can lead to violence and discrimination against followers of minority religions. We have choices in how to respond to this threat to our freedom and our faiths. Many are resorting to prayer, some to writing letters, and some to defensive strategies. We decided to honor the Queen of Heaven, the Goddess Inanna, in a public space, and demonstrate the very freedoms the Dominionists seek to destroy.” Ms. Messenger is the founder of Connect DC and the Reflections Mystery School in Petworth.

Event organizer Caroline Kenner is a Washington, DC-born shamanic healer and teacher who now lives in Silver Spring, Maryland. “Nationally, many in our community are appalled by the scurrilous lies about our Goddesses spread by the New Apostolic Reformation. We Pagans are proud American citizens entitled to all the religious freedom granted by the Founders of this country in our Constitution. We are dismayed by the hate-filled rhetoric the New Apostolic Reformation uses, and we wish to show the public that our Goddesses are beneficent and peaceful deities.”

The event in Lafayette Square Park begins at noon and ends at 5pm on Sunday, October 30^th, Samhain eve to many Pagans, leading into one of the most holy days of the Pagan year. “Samhain, or Halloween, is the Feast of the Ancestors in some of our Pagan religions. We will invoke the Founding Fathers and Mothers of our nation during our ceremony, along with a multitude of Goddesses from pantheons both ancient and modern. Among our Goddesses will be Lady Liberty and Columbia, the Goddess who stands guard atop the Capitol Building,” said Ms. Kenner. “The New Apostolic Reformation people would topple Columbia from Her pinnacle, and rename DC the District of Christ.”

There will be a number of people offering prayers during the ritual, including a Unitarian Universalist minister and celebrants from several Pagan faiths. After the religious ceremony, there will be drumming, dancing, chanting and energy raising designed to protect people in all fifty states and DC who support freedom of religious belief and practice for everyone. People of all faiths or none are welcome to join the event.

Sacred Space, an annual conference on metaphysics, mysticism and magick, now in its 22^nd year, is the sponsor of the celebration in Lafayette Square Park on October 30^th. Supporting organizations include Connect DC, Reflections Mystery School and Gryphons Grove School of Shamanism. Individual supporters include Washington, DC Pagan bloggers Hecate Demeter, Literata and David Salisbury.

For more information or to read the NAR curse against Pagans, visit: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2011/09/the-new-apostolic-reformation-message-to-pagans.html

CONTACT: Caroline Kenner

301-384-8455
301-412-1760

mythkenner@aol.com