Church or Jail: Would a Local Coven Count?

Last updated on: September 26, 2011 at 10:34 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

The announcement of a new program in Bay Minette, Alabama has garnered nationwide attention due to the questions it poses regarding the separation of church and state. Bay Minette’s non-violent misdemeanor offenders will now get a choice: jail time or regular attendance at a local church. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzlebAQ-uks “Operation ROC resulted from meetings with church leaders,” Bay Minette Police Chief Mike Rowland said. “It was agreed by all the pastors that at the core of the crime problem was the erosion of family values and morals. We... Read more

Tori Amos and “Night of Hunters”

Last updated on: September 25, 2011 at 10:34 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Throughout the 1990s I was an unabashed Tori Amos fan. The type of fan who went to the midnight release of her 1996 album “Boys for Pele,” collected singles, covers, and b-sides, and considered myself lucky to see her on the “Under the Pink” tour. However, my passion for all things Tori cooled as the millennium turned, and a string of uneven albums convinced me that I wasn’t missing out on much. I expected that status quo to remain stable, and my interest... Read more

Pagan Community Notes: Open Hearth Foundation, Pagan Alliance Gender Conference, Merlin Stone Memorial, and More!

Last updated on: September 27, 2011 at 12:58 pm By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Pagan Community Notes is a companion to my usual Pagan News of Note series, more focused on news originating from within the Pagan community. I want to reinforce the idea that what happens to and within our organizations, groups, and events is news, and news-worthy. My hope is that more individuals, especially those working within Pagan organizations, get into the habit of sharing their news with the world. So lets get started! Open Hearth Foundation Signs Lease on Community Center: On Thursday, PNC-Washington DC... Read more

Happy Autumnal Equinox

Last updated on: September 23, 2011 at 7:54 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Today is the Autumnal Equinox which signals the beginning of Fall in the northern hemisphere (our friends in the southern hemisphere are celebrating the Spring Equinox). On this day there will be an equal amount of light and darkness, and after this day the nights grow longer and we head towards Winter. In many modern Pagan traditions this is the second of three harvest festivals (the first being Lughnasadh, the third being Samhain). Anderida Gorsedd, The Long Man of Wilmington, Autumn Equinox Some... Read more

Patrick McCollum Not Pursuing Supreme Court Appeal, Shepherding New Rights Cases

Last updated on: September 21, 2011 at 9:50 pm By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Last night on the PagansTonight show special guest Patrick McCollum, a noted chaplain and activist within the Pagan community, announced that he would not be pursuing a Supreme Court appeal to a recent 9th Circuit Court ruling that upheld a lower court decision stating he doesn’t have standing to challenge California’s discriminatory “five faiths” policy. This policy limits the hiring of paid chaplains to Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Native American adherents. “I have decided not to go to the Supreme Court.... Read more

A New Pagan Publisher Launches and other Pagan News of Note

Last updated on: September 21, 2011 at 11:20 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Top Story: Solar Cross, a non-profit religious organization dedicated to pan-magical practice, worship, education, research and outreach, co-founded by T. Thorn Coyle, Jonathan Korman, and Robert Russell, has announced the official launch of their organization’s e-publishing venture. “Solar Cross is pleased to announce the official launch of our e-publishing venture with the release of the formerly out of print Magick of Qabalah. This is the first in a line of magickal, esoteric, and Pagan books to be issued from the LVX/NOX... Read more

Interview with Owen Davies, author of “Paganism: A Very Short Introduction”

Last updated on: September 20, 2011 at 8:30 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Owen Davies is Professor of Social History at the University of Hertfordshire and author of books that specialize in subjects relating to witchcraft and the practice of magic, including “Popular Magic: Cunning-folk in English History”, “Witchcraft, Magic and Culture, 1736-1951”, and “Grimoires: A History of Magic Books”. His most recent work is part of Oxford University Press’ Very Short Introductions series, in which he tackles the subject of Paganism, both ancient and modern. I was lucky enough to conduct an interview with Davies about “Paganism: A Very... Read more

The Asatru Folk Assembly and White Nationalism

Last updated on: September 20, 2011 at 4:13 pm By Jason Pitzl-Waters

White nationalist organization the National Policy Institute (NPI) recently held their 2011 national conference, and Brian Powell from Media Matters was there to cover it. While listening to post-apocalyptic plans for a white “ethnostate” and endorsements for recreating apartheid in American towns, Powell runs into a contingent of members from the Asatru Folk Assembly during lunch. “I nodded reluctantly and the four well-groomed white males smiled politely and sat down. What followed was one of the more uncomfortable meals of my life, as I... Read more

Images from Faerieworlds Harvest 2011

Last updated on: September 18, 2011 at 8:43 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Yesterday I discussed my impressions of Faerieworlds, a Pagan-friendly event that takes place in Eugene, Oregon, today I’d like to share some more images from my time there. In addition, I also urge you to check out the latest episode of A Darker Shade of Pagan, which features an interview with Oliver s.Tyr of Faun, recorded at Faerieworlds Harvest (there’s also some great music to listen to). I hope you enjoy the photos. Websites for those featured: Faun, S.J. Tucker, Woodland, Lupa,... Read more

Reaping a Faerieworlds Harvest

Last updated on: September 17, 2011 at 10:46 am By Jason Pitzl-Waters

It’s a rare and wonderful think to have a major Pagan-friendly event happening in your figurative backyard. Living in Eugene, Oregon (home of the Slug Queen) I’m lucky enough to attend the yearly Faerieworlds festival during the Summer and witness amazing Pagan (and Pagan-friendly) bands like Faun, S.J. Tucker, Woodland, and Stellamara play in a friendly, colorful, and creative atmosphere. This year, in addition to the now-traditional Summer festival, they are holding a Harvest event taking place over this weekend.... Read more