The Witching Hour

Recent news stories have me convinced that we're entering yet another satanic panic...while at the same time entering yet another occult revival. It may not seem odd for these similarly-themed events to occur simultaneously, but unfortunately for those of who are actual practitioners, scholars, or open-minded cultural observers familiar with new religious movements (including neo-paganism, modern pagan witchcraft, Wicca, druidry, Asatru, etc.) the vast majority of people reading about it won't … [Read more...]

Well, it's official. My blog has become part of the Patheos family. I am very excited to be here and am looking to jump-start this blog with new life in its new home. Life has been very busy and stressful of late but there has been no shortage of interesting pagan media news, so watch for me to report and comment here. I'd like for this blog to be a place for thoughtful commentary as well as news sharing. I also welcome feedback and discussion so I hope you'll all stay with me and share anything … [Read more...]

Like many people, I have been following the ongoing GOP presidential campaigns with increasing levels of amusement, horror and amazement. Mostly I'm amused by how gullible people seem to be (accepting statements as truth regardless of whether they are factual or even logical), horrified by the rampant sexism, homophobia and jingoism that abounds in the GOP's rhetoric, and amazed at how the current administration is under attack for things it has not done. But of course this emotional roller … [Read more...]

After much hard work the team behind The Spirit of Albion, a film based on the music of pagan musician Dave Smith (also known as Damh the Bard) is ready for its premiere in Sussex on Beltane Eve. Yes, the UK will be seeing this film well before any of us in the US, as it should be! But those of us who know and love Damh's music will be eagerly awaiting a chance to see it stateside!For those able to attend, here are some details from the film's Facebook page:We are delighted to announce that the … [Read more...]

Shock Till You Drop announces the pub used in Robin Hardy's 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man is up for sale. Also known as the Ellengowan Hotel, this grand old building was the site known as the "Green Man Inn" where Sergeant Howie heard Willow MacGregor singing and dancing (naked) on the other side of his bedroom wall...The pub is listed for sale for two hundred thousand pounds, or about $316,000, which seems a bargain these days, and considering the potential for marketing the place as a … [Read more...]

Earlier this week,m it was announced that PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary. This is not unexpected news, as the film was short-listed and has been generating a great deal of buzz. There were a lot of great documentaries this year (some of which did not get nominated, to my surprise; what happened, BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK?), so to receive a nomination is a distinct honor. Well done, Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger, and the entire production … [Read more...]

If you have HBO, I hope you're planning on watching the premiere of the third installment in the PARADISE LOST series tonight! PURGATORY concludes the eighteen year saga of the West Memphis Three, who spent nearly two decades in prison after being convicted of the brutal murders of three eight year old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas.I had the pleasure of seeing the film in New York last fall when it had its US premiere at the 2011 New York Film Festival (an earlier version, finished prior to the … [Read more...]

This was a terrific year for movies and TV, and of course that has in some measure impacted media that portrays or references paganism and the occult. There were also some media stories that came from within or directly impacted the pagan community. Here, in no particular order of importance, are some highlights...Zombies just won't die. It's finally becoming clear that the proliferation of "zombie" (or, if you're a purist like me, you call them "ghouls") stories in film, TV, comics and other … [Read more...]

On August 23rd, 1992, Kathleen Dempsey (known to friends and loved ones as Kathy or KD) was brutally murdered in her apartment in Lexington, Massachusetts. Neighbors in this well-to-do suburb of Boston were shocked, and her many friends in the Boston pagan community were heartbroken. Perhaps most shocking and heartbreaking of all: Kathy, who had been stabbed fourteen times, managed to call 9-11 and ask for help. But the dispatcher on duty did not send anyone to help her. Questioned by … [Read more...]

Exciting news about Pixar, the excellent purveyor of animated films...their newest project will feature a FEMALE hero!Not only that, she is SCOTTISH!And an ARCHER!AND A REDHEAD!Oh...and a princess.Sigh. Really? It's not enough for her to be a badass with a bow and arrow? She has to be a PRINCESS, too?Brave looks to be a fun historical romp, obviously inspired to some degree by Braveheart (it was previously titled The Bear and the Bow), and will be a nice way to have some kind of Celtic culture … [Read more...]