Author: Molly Montag

Source: Sioux City Journal

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/01/08/news/local/f1b72d9ec4df985c862573ca000e720e.txt

Casting spells and the study and practice of witchcraft is nonviolent and often misunderstood, experts say.

Lawrence Douglas Harris Sr., 25, of Sioux City told investigators he was casting a spell that "had gone bad" when his stepdaughters, ages 8...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Edinburgh Evening News

http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Group-calling-for-39witch39-to.3645599.jp

A PETITION is to be submitted to the Scottish Parliament asking for support in the battle to pardon the last person to be convicted of witchcraft in Britain. Paranormal group Full Moon Investigations will submit the petition to ministers urging them to pressure the Home Office into fully pardoning...

Author: BOB ANDERSON

Source: The Advocate

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/12997792.html

SPRINGFIELD — A man who describes himself as a Wiccan priest has filed suit against Livingston Parish over its soothsaying ordinance.

Inspiration from the divine transmitted by a Wiccan should be treated legally the same way as a message from God transmitted by a Christian minister, Cliff Eakin said Wednesday.

“To dictate what you can...

Source: www.wivb.com

http://www.wivb.com/global/story.asp?s=7561023

(Olean, NY December 31, 2007) - - We have a follow up to a vandalism case in the Southern Tier.

Police believe they've received a phone-call confession from the person who ran-over a holiday pentacle display in olean. This all started earlier this month in Olean. The city allowed people to put up religious symbols in front of city hall..but not long after someone erected a Wiccan pentacle sign.. Someone...

Author: Alison Bath

Source: The Shreveport Times

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071228/NEWS04/712280325

Watch out Cookie Monster. Being blue isn't cool in Vivian.

Ask Jennifer Harmon. The 39-year-old mother of one recently was told her blue hair was unacceptable after nearly a week of substitute teaching at Vivian Elementary/Middle School.

But Harmon, whose appearance...

Author: Mike Hoeft

Source: Green Bay Press Gazette

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071217/GPG0101/71217010/1206/GPGnews

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt has declared a moratorium on any more religious displays atop a City Hall overhang until the City Council can take up the issue at Tuesday’s meeting.

With a pagan Wiccan wreath knocked off the roof by a...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7141658.stm

The lower house of parliament in Tajikistan has endorsed a bill to try to tackle what it describes as fortune-telling and witchcraft.

Those found engaging in superstitious activities could be fined $200 (£98).

Belief in the occult is widespread in many former Soviet societies. The Tajik authorities say those claiming occult powers are...

Source: Newsday

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--symbolvandalized1211dec11,0,3764475.story

OLEAN, N.Y. - Police are investigating vandalism aimed at a symbol of the Wiccan religion set up next to a Nativity scene in front of city hall.

Officials in this city 60 miles south of Buffalo say someone in a pickup truck backed over the Wiccan pentacle around 10:15 p.m. Monday, then sped off.

Author: ANNIE NELSON

Source: Columbia Tribune

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Nov/20071103Feat001.asp

That members of local Wicca and pagan groups made a point to introduce themselves as regular people during a discussion panel Sunday - "Which Witch is This?" - was noted and quickly brought up by the audience.

"I moved here from Eugene, Ore., where paganism is very accepted. When you introduced yourselves, you all said, ‘I...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The New York Times

Wire Service: AP

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/us/04pagan.html

At Marshall University, pagan students are now allowed to miss classes to observe religious holidays or festivals.

A new policy makes the university in Huntington, W.Va., with an enrollment of about 14,000, possibly the only college in the country to protect pagans formally from being penalized for...

Author: Megan Twohey

Source: The Baltimore Sun

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.witches28oct28,0,1537366.story

ROSSVILLE, Ill. - Things were already going downhill in this small farming community when the witches arrived.

Area factories had shut down. So had the local high school. A suspicious fire had destroyed much of the downtown. The use of methamphetamine was destroying families.

So...

Author: Kyle Daly

Source: Themaneater.com

http://www.themaneater.com/article.php?id=27561

The sound of beating drums and the smell of grilled hamburgers enticed the senses of all who came to Peace Park on Sunday afternoon during Columbia’s fifth Pagan Pride Day festival.

Offering live music and dancing, special guest speakers and meditation workshops, the festival attracted not only Columbia residents but also students from MU.
...

Author: Erin Ailworth

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/17/on_pagan_pride_day_visibility_for_the_occult/

It was Old World beliefs meeting modern-day lifestyles.

Pagans gathering by a pond inside Harold Parker State Forest in North Andover socialized to the persistent pop of gunfire from a nearby hunting club. Witches in jeans and Crocs were elbow-to-...

Author: DON CUDDY

Source: South Coast Today/Standard Times

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070910/NEWS/709100344

LAKEVILLE — Drums pounded, witches danced and smudge wands wafted the aroma of burning sage and lavender on the afternoon breeze. It was Pagan Pride Day on Sunday and the gathering drew a diverse crowd that included musicians, spiritual practitioners, herbalists, crafters and...

Author: Stephane Massinon

Source: CanWest News Service