Paganism

Is Witchcraft Too Mainstream?

April 6, 2020

In the East Village of New York City, filed away in a row of neat storefronts, a neon sign reads “CRYSTALS, MINERALS.” Packed full of sparkling gems and cut stones, Rock Star Crystals is the type of place you might expect to see a geologist or gem collector.

But stepping inside is a different story. Signs point customers toward chakra stones for energy healing, boxes of brightly-colored agate for creativity and strength, and even bundles of sage for purification. The store is one of many businesses that aims to appeal to a rising demographic: witches.

Superstitious or just a little 'stitious? Friday the 13th is nothing to fear

March 13, 2020

It's a date that happens once, twice, maybe three times per year. It's inspired a horror film franchise, several novels and two extremely long words (paraskevidekatriaphobia and friggatriskaidekaphobia, both meaning the fear of Friday the 13th).

But for some in the Fargo-Moorhead area, Friday the 13th is not something to fear. In fact, the date represents two things — and neither of them are scary.

Omni Rogers-Mueller, a pagan and Covenant of the Moon High Priestess in Fargo, says while other pagans may not view things in the same way, Friday the...

The Witches of Manitou Springs: History, hysteria and wand-waving Wiccans behind a stubborn urban myth

February 17, 2020

Manitou Springs, a picturesque mountain town nestled in the shadow of Pikes Peak, is full of whispers of witches and witchcraft.

Maybe you’ve heard it from an Uber driver on the way to an area bar or while scrolling through a travel site. It’s a tale that often wanders through word of mouth. Wherever it comes from, legend has it there are witches in Manitou Springs. More, perhaps, than usual.

But is there an overabundance of witches in this town at the foot of America’s mountain, where at least one apothecary sells miniature broomsticks — or is it just a persistent...

Paganism in Boston

Paganism—a term that encompasses a wide variety of Earth-based religions—has a distinct community in Greater Boston. Home to Celtic, Wiccan, Greek Reconstructionist, eclectic, and other pagan groups, Boston has a longstanding Pagan history. Salem’s historical connection to witchcraft has made it the modern-day locus of covens, activism for Witches’ rights, and other Pagan groups. Because of the stigma sometimes still attached to Pagan religions, many groups choose to keep their contact information, worship space, and membership information private.

What Are Pagans And Does CAOS Tell Any Truth About Them

January 28, 2020

Warning: Spoilers for season 3 of CAOS are ahead.

Hell isn’t Greendale’s only problem in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 3. The second fans got used to the Satanist witches worshipping Lilith (Michelle...

Nevada Guard soldier receives OK to sport Norse pagan beard

December 30, 2019

A Nevada Army Guard soldier serving in Afghanistan has received a uniform religious exception to sport a beard based upon his Norse pagan beliefs.

The Nevada Army Guard said this month Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper is the first guard soldier to receive a religious accommodation approval for a beard.

Norse paganism is a polytheistic religion that is based on ancient beliefs and practices associated with the geographic area of...

The Pagan Power of 'Frozen II'

December 2, 2019

When I say that Frozen II was a profound spiritual experience for me, I know that makes me sound a bit insane. But it’s nevertheless true and I know from conversations I’ve had in the week since the film’s release that I’m not alone. For me, it spoke to my own spiritual practice as a Wiccan and student of goddess lore but it works on a deeper level too. Frozen II is an amazing film that takes its heroine on a profound journey and in doing so it touches on elements of paganism and goddess archetypes in a way that’s rare and astonishing. Source: ... Read more about The Pagan Power of 'Frozen II'

eight High Holidays

(also: cross-quarter days) Neo-Pagans attune themselves to the annual cycle of time through observing eight High Hoidays: the winter and summer solstices, the spring and fall equinoxes (which mark four quarters of the year) and the four mid-points (cross-quarter days) between them called Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasad, and Samhain in the Celtic tradition. These holidays are sometimes called Sabbats.

Minoan

The Minoan tradition flourished on the island of Crete from the third to the second millennium BCE. Central to its religious practice was the worship of magnificent goddesses, who were frequently accompanied by male consorts. Most Minoan cultic activity appears to have take place outdoors, especially on mountains and in caves. Today, certain groups of Neo-Pagans have specialized in the revival of Minoan practices and beliefs.

Faerie

Faeire is a tradition within Celtic Paganism that comes out of Ireland and is based on belief in lore about little people, tree spirits, and other spirits.

Celtic

Although the Celtic peoples were originally spread across much of Europe, by the first centures CE they were confined mainly to France and the British Isles. In the Celtic religious world view, groves of trees, bodies of water and elevated landscapes were closely associated with various gods, goddesses, and faries and hence became important sites for worship. Today, these beliefs and practices are being revived within the Celtic school of Neo-Paganism.

Silver Crescent

The Silver Crecent tradition is a variation of the British Pagan tradition that is specific to a a small locale in California.

Paganism Glossary Terms

coven

A coven is a community of Pagan witches (often Wiccans) who gather for ritual. It is usually a small, intimate group of no more than thirteen that meets privately. A coven may also offer open rituals to the public.

shamanism

Shamanism refers to practices and beliefs that involve communication with the gods, the spirits of nature, or the dead through a medium or shaman. Certain groups of Pagans have specialized in reviving shamanistic practices and beliefs.