Unleash the Hounds! (Link Roundup)

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

• Today is World Tarot Day, “a celebration of the spirit of Tarot,” which includes the world’s largest Tarot reading, and other related events held across the world. Here’s a press release concerning the event. Here’s a quote from scholar and mystic A.E. Waite for World Tarot Day: “The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs.”
• The Krakus Mound in Poland, believed to be the pagan burial mound of a legendary prince, or perhaps a temple, will not be turned into a giant breast by two artists. Pitched as an installation piece for the ArtBoom Festival in Krakow by Ilona Barszcz and Marysia Bitka, the Committee for the Protection of Kraków Monuments and local residents complained, and the plan was ultimately scrapped.
• The Redding Record Searchlight runs an editorial in support of the the Winnemem Wintu tribe of Northern California, who are planning a “War Dance” of civil disobedience in order to hold their traditional ceremonies.  Quote: “How would you like to ask the government’s permission to go to church? How would you like hearing from the federal government that, because yours is not an officially registered religion, you can’t go to church — but that if you spend years navigating an inscrutably opaque bureaucracy, you might hope to emerge at the other end of the maze with a certificate of authenticity?” Meanwhile, a heavy law enforcement presence is expected, in order to keep the peace between boaters and the Winnemem Wintu.
• Congratulations to my friends Mojo and Sparrow at The Wigglian Way Pagan Podcast for hitting the 100th episode of their podcast! Quote: “YOU made this episode what it is and it made us tear up. More than once. We wish we could have played all the submissions but you all were so kind and it would have taken hours. We also had a bit of a hard time hearing such nice things about ourselves so we had to cut it short.” Here’s to 100 more!
• Yeshe Rabbit writes a tribute to Lady Loreon Vigne, founder of the Isis Oasis Sanctuary in California, who turns 80 on June 8th. Quote: “She is quite a benevolent Queen. She holds her position graciously as Lady of the Sanctuary, but is also approachable, real and personable.” You can purchase the autobiography of Lady Loreon Vigne, “The Goddess Bade Me Do It,” here.
• A San Francisco supervisor consulted the spirit of Harvey Milk with a Ouija board! Except that, no, he actually didn’t. It seems that in politics, no one can see you smirk. Journalists love “wacky” politics stories, even (especially?) if they aren’t true.

• Erynn Rowan Laurie’s new edition of  “A Circle of Stones: Journeys and Meditations for Modern Celts” is now out, featuring an approving blurb from your’s truly. To quote myself (a favored pastime here), “Circle of Stones was not only the first book introducing us to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, but was also the most sublime. A simple collection of meditations and instructions that simultaneously introduces the reader to the language, gods, and poetry of the ancient Celts. This is a workbook that rewards repeated returns to its pages, allowing novices and experienced Pagans alike to drink from Manannan mac Lir’s well of wisdom. The return of Laurie’s book to print is a boon, a gift to the wider Pagan community that should not be overlooked.” Congratulations to Erynn on the new edition, run out and buy dozens!
• In an update on Dan Halloran’s brain surgery, the removal of the tumor seems to have gone well, and he is expected to be back on his feet in a few days. Once he’s back to work I’ll be running a two-part guest post on Theodism and Halloran’s role within it from our resident expert Nick Ritter.
• The United Astrology Conference is currently underway in New Orleans, the Associated Press focuses on predictions of the future for their report on the event. Quote: “If you thought that the election of 2000 race was crazy, that’s nothing compared to what’s going to happen in November of 2012,” said astrologer Michael Lutin, an astrology columnist for Vanity Fair magazine for 25 years. “Don’t count on anything being smooth.” More coverage, here. Speaking of Astrology, Ivo Dominguez, Jr. has posted an essay counselling us on Saturn going retrograde.
• Complain about Christianity, get fired and harassed!
• Meet Baptism of Thieves, an “occult-wave” band that’s super into Eckankar.

That’s it for now! Feel free to discuss any of these links in the comments, some of these I may expand into longer posts as needed.