A Summer of Psychics

June 26, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

CNN got a bit of flak for doing a puff piece this past Thursday on psychic prognosticators making predictions about the American (and global) economy. Roger Ebert helpfully clarified that, “no, this is not an Onion news report” (a point reiterated by Sheril Kirshenbaum at Wired). Nicole Belle at Crooks and Liars calls the report “more insidious than stupid,” while Josh Feldman at Mediaite called the segment “the most mind-bogglingly idiotic thing I have ever seen on cable news.” httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-MO0TTGkxc I’m not... Read more

Unleash the Hounds! (Link Roundup)

June 25, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

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. First off, congratulations to all same-sex couples in the state of New York, who will soon have the right to get married. Huzzah! New York is the sixth, and largest, state to legalize gay marriage. I’m sure there are plenty of Pagan officiants... Read more

Fifth Sacred Thing Film Update and other Pagan News of Note

June 24, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Top Story: The planned movie adaptation of Starhawk’s novel “The Fifth Sacred Thing,” has officially launched its Kickstarter fundraising campaign (complete with fundraising pitch video featuring Starhawk). They are looking to raise $60,000 dollars in 60 days. There has been just over $10,000 dollars pledged in the first two days. The money will be used to make a professional pitch video to the major film studios. [iframe http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fifthsacredthing/the-fifth-sacred-thing/widget/video.html 480 410] “Now we’re asking for your support. What will we do with the... Read more

Reactions to Ray Verdict from Native Voices, Victim’s Families, and Pagan Community

June 23, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

“What right does Ray have to mimic, mangle, and manipulate Native ceremonies that have been carefully handed down among indigenous cultures over millennia? Ray does not own any rights to Native spirituality, because they are owned collectively by indigenous peoples and cannot be sold.” – Valerie Taliman, Navajo, president of Three Sisters Media When three people died at the end 0f 2009 in a sweat lodge ceremony led by New Age guru, “Secret” booster, and two-time Oprah guest James Arthur Ray, few, including Ray himself,... Read more

Breaking: James Arthur Ray Found Guilty of Negligent Homicide

June 22, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

Local and national media are reporting that the jury in the James Arthur Ray trial has convicted the self-help guru of negligent homicide in the deaths of three participants in a sweat lodge ceremony held in 2009 at a Sedona resort. Ray was not found guilty of the more serious charge of manslaughter. He faces a possible prison sentence of up to 11 years. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXIIhWpAKWE Video footage of closing remarks. “Jurors deliberated a bit less than eight hours over two days.... Read more

Quick Notes: Stonehenge, San Francisco Peaks, and Vodun

June 22, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

A few quick news notes to start off your Wednesday. Problems With Summer Solstice at Stonehenge: Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones lashes out at Pagans and other revelers who congregate each year at Stonehenge, noting the lack of (ancient) historical grounding and implying that it is only permitted now to avoid “public violence.” “Eighteen thousand pagans, druids and – for all I know – modern Aztecsgathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice. There were some drugs arrests, but judging from reports, English Heritage... Read more

Patrick McCollum Q&A at PSG 2011

June 21, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

On Monday night, Pagan chaplain and activist Patrick McCollum held a press conference at the 2011 Pagan Spirit Gathering where he discussed the recent 9th Circuit Court ruling in the Patrick M. McCollum; et al., v. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; et al. case. The PSG Media Camp have provided me with audio of the entire Q&A, which I have uploaded to Archive.org for public dissemination. The audio is in the public domain and may be rebroadcast by any podcast or... Read more

Happy Summer Solstice

June 21, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

“In summer, the song sings itself.” – William Carlos Williams Today (and last night) is the celebration of the Summer Solstice*, also known as Midsummer, or Litha. It is at this time that the Northern Hemisphere is tilted closest to the sun (the opposite being true for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere who are celebrating the Winter Solstice). It is a time of fertility and celebration: bonfires, maypoles, dancing, and outdoor festivals have been traditional during this time for most of human... Read more

Unleash the Hounds! (Link Roundup)

June 20, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

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. Not too long ago hardliner Iranian clerics accused associates of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of “witchcraft” and “summoning genies.” If you’re President Ahmadinejad how do you respond to that? By launching a “non-governmental organisation to identify those engaged in divination and exorcism as well as ‘deviant... Read more

Protecting Native American Sacred Places

June 19, 2011 By Jason Pitzl-Waters

June 17th through June 21st of this year are the official 2011 days of prayer to protect Native American sacred places. Observances and ceremonies are being held across the country to honor and bring attention to the plight of Native sacred sites culminating in a Washington, D.C. Solstice observance on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30 a.m. on the United States Capitol Grounds, West Front Grassy Area. “Native and non-Native people nationwide gather at this time for Solstice ceremonies and to honor sacred places,”... Read more