TWH Today marks Memorial Day in the United States. It is a day to honor the many men and women who have died in military service. According to a news report onABC, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs together state that at least 1.2 million people have died fighting for America during its wars dating back 241 years. The VA has a breakdown of the losses per conflict since the American Revolution.In a 2016 blogpost,Druid John Beckett wrote, Let us remember our warrior dead. Let us remember those who answered the call to do what had to be done and who sacrificed all they had. It is right and good to celebrate their courage and valor.
Many Pagans, Heathens and polytheists have served and are serving in the U.S. military, and still others are members of military families. Memorial Day has a special significance to them. Veteran and Wiccan priest Blake Kirk said, Memorial Day isnt about veterans like me, who got to come home and go on with their lives.No, Memorial Day is supposed to be all about the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who came home in caskets or in body bags. Or who never came home at all.The modern military experience can bepart of themodern Pagan, Heathen and polytheist experience. Those who are wounded and die in service to our country are not an anonymous other removed from our society and daily lives. Today many will honor our Pagan, Heathen and polytheistbrothers and sisterswho have fallen in the line of duty.What is remembered, lives.
* * *
MANCHESTER, England The suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert May 22 naturally generated intense reactions from within the immediatecommunity. Local Pagans were no different, focusing concerns on the atrocity itself, the safety of their family members and friends, and the need for compassion for the victims rather than a vilification of the Islamic community. Pagan Heather Veitch, told The Wild Huntarticulating a response was difficult, that the shock was intense, but after that wore off, she began doing what she could to help.
Veitch explained, As I wasnt in Manchester city centre at the time, and the emergency services were asking people to stay away, I began doing what I knew I could do: holding space, offering healing, and reaching out to my gods and goddesses to aid my healing work, to comfort the bereaved and broken, to midwife souls as they transition. I sent up prayers and offerings to protect those who were working to find and heal those caught up in these events, and waited on my own friends and family to check in.
Veitch added that she is proud of the citys emergency services units, and the wider community who has stepped up and did what they could with what they, in turn, had: offering rooms, food, transport, comfort, and so much more, but she also aches for victims and their loved ones. She said, What started as an evening of excitement and joy ended in terror and death.
She also said that she is angry, adding, Once again a tragic event in the Western world has focused our attention on the war against terror but events such as the bombing in Manchester are happening on a daily basis in other areas of the world. We need to remember, honour, and work to heal the suffering throughout the world, not just in white and/or Western societies. As a collective consciousness, we keep doing this, we keep perpetuating this, allowing it. We are all connected.
[This is only part of a longer statement on the Manchester attacks. Read Veitchs full comment here.]
* * *
Kate Large
ENGLAND In another story out of England, Kate Large has stepped down as editor-in-chief of the Pagan Dawn, the official and long-running publication of the Pagan Federation. Large joined the Pagan Dawn staff in 2013 as reviews editor, and moved into the editor position the following January, having been appointed by her predecessor, Atreyu Crimmins. Large said that she has stepped down because she felt it was time. I have achieved so much with PD, thanks to an incredible team of people. I want to develop my own career, as well as spending more time away from the screen, improving my physical health (I have fibromyalgia) and working with my daughter, who is home educated.
Large is a freelance writer and longtime media professional, having worked in the television, magazine, and film worlds.What is next for her? She said that she will return to her role as reviews editor, and also increase her paid media work. She added, Political activism and social justice work are areas in which I want to deepen my engagement. I am closely following the post-Brexit political landscape in Northern Ireland, and am keen to increase the amount ofam keen to increase the amount of work I could be doing to support causes that focus on peace and community reconciliation.
As for Pagan Dawn, a new editor has not yet be selected, and the organization is currently looking for the ideal candidate. Large said, Its a demanding job, but incredibly rewarding, and many times, I have called it the best job in Paganism.' Reflecting on her time as editor, she added, My most lasting memories are the phone calls in my kitchen with former PF Publications Officer, David Spofforth, and of the PF gathering at Moonhenge at which I was finally able to put faces to so many names. Leaving has been an incredibly difficult decision and many tears have been shed, but its time to trust to the process, and hand over to a new successor to build on our established work.
* * *
TWHStaff membersfrom the Pew Research Center responded to our questions on the categorization of minority faiths in this years global religious landscape survey. Conrad Hackett advised that religions with ethnic ties were generally included in folk religions, while Wicca and other new faiths were aggregated into the miscellaneous other category along with New Age traditions. Generally speaking, we sought to distinctly measure those faiths large enough to be reliably measured in the censuses and nationally representative surveys conducted around the world. Unfortunately, in this project we did not have sufficient data to report on many of the important, fascinating but smaller faiths around the world. Hackett said that the recent Worldwide Heathen Census was not used as a source.
Gregory Smith, associate director of research, initially provided information pertaining to the United States in particular, which appears to use a slightly different scheme. Smith said, The Pagan/Wiccan category, which accounts for 0.3% of the U.S. adult population, consists of people who used one of those exact terms (or sometimes both terms in combination, as in Pagan Wiccan) to describe their religion. The Other New Age category includes a smaller number of people who gave a variety of responses that we placed within the New Age family. These include responses like Asatru, Druid, Eckankar, New Age, Pantheist, Polytheist, Satanism, Scientology, Theosophy, Transcendental Meditation, Urantia Book and Ancient Aliens.
* * *
Coming up this week:Two men were fatally wounded in Portland Friday after standing up to a man harassing two Muslim women. One of the victims is well-known in the Pagan community through his family: Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche. We will have more on the story and his life in the coming week.
In Other News
Originally posted here:
Pagan Community Notes: Memorial Day, Manchester, Pagan Dawn, and more! - The Wild Hunt
- The terrible evil of the witch and the satanist - American Thinker - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- The Blood on Satan's Claw: unearthing the locations for the witchy ... - British Film Institute - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Here's how many modern day witches and Satanists are living in Southend - Yahoo News UK - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- When the Satanists Moved In - The Smart Set - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Letters: Boris Johnson and co must not be allowed to get off scot-free - HeraldScotland - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Toil and Trouble Misunderstood: Rise in witchcraft forces a rethink of ... - Frederick News Post - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- The Religion of Sexual Humanism - Answers In Genesis - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- The rise of the French Intifada - The Spectator - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- Who/what is Baphomet? - GBTIMES - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]
- What is a heathen? - GBTIMES - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]
- Why Israel Treats Its Prisoners Of War With Dignity -By Joe Dauda - Opinion Nigeria - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]
- Sunday School Scapegoats: How D&D And Heavy Metal Became ... - FANGORIA - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The Age of Democracy Ushered in the Age of Degeneracy - The New American - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Yule - Wikipedia - December 16th, 2022 [December 16th, 2022]
- The Satanic Bible - Wikipedia - November 27th, 2022 [November 27th, 2022]
- Pentagram - Wikipedia - November 21st, 2022 [November 21st, 2022]
- Wicca - Wikipedia - November 21st, 2022 [November 21st, 2022]
- Early Norwegian black metal scene - Wikipedia - November 21st, 2022 [November 21st, 2022]
- Satanic panic - Wikipedia - November 21st, 2022 [November 21st, 2022]
- Black Sun (symbol) - Wikipedia - October 23rd, 2022 [October 23rd, 2022]
- The Occult and Satanism in America - The American TFP - October 23rd, 2022 [October 23rd, 2022]
- Satan - Wikipedia - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Witch trials in the early modern period - Wikipedia - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Left-hand path and right-hand path - Wikipedia - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Putin Accuses West of Satanism and Announces Annexations in ... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Putin Annexation Speech: The Russian Leader's Denunciations of Western Imperialism Are Hypocritical - Foreign Policy - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Earth religion - Wikipedia - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- F.A.Q. Fundamental Beliefs - Church of Satan - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Lucis (Lucifer) Trust Exposing Satanism and Witchcraft - June 3rd, 2022 [June 3rd, 2022]
- Modern Witchcraft: It May Not Be What You Think - June 3rd, 2022 [June 3rd, 2022]
- Celebrities involved in Satanism, who are they? - Legit.ng - June 3rd, 2022 [June 3rd, 2022]
- Satanism | occult practice | Britannica - December 19th, 2021 [December 19th, 2021]
- Albert Pike Exposing Satanism and Witchcraft - December 5th, 2021 [December 5th, 2021]
- Demon Names and how to Identify them Exposing Satanism ... - December 5th, 2021 [December 5th, 2021]
- The Anatomy of Satanism in Hollywood - James True - October 7th, 2021 [October 7th, 2021]
- The All Seeing Eye and the Occult Meaning - Exposing Satanism - October 7th, 2021 [October 7th, 2021]
- 10 Forms Of Satanism That Exist Around The World - Listverse - October 7th, 2021 [October 7th, 2021]
- Frank Zappas favourite books about the occult - Far Out Magazine - July 16th, 2021 [July 16th, 2021]
- Is False Positive a True Story? Is the Hulu Movie Based on Real Life? - The Cinemaholic - June 28th, 2021 [June 28th, 2021]
- Satanism - Founders, Philosophies & Branches - HISTORY - June 15th, 2021 [June 15th, 2021]
- Music Styles Live and Die, But Rock is Forever Heres Why - Music Mayhem Magazine - March 31st, 2021 [March 31st, 2021]
- The Deification of Donald J. Trump: The Prince of Pieces - The Good Men Project - March 31st, 2021 [March 31st, 2021]
- Church of Satan and Satanism in Australia explained: from rituals to religion with the controversial group - 7NEWS.com.au - March 3rd, 2021 [March 3rd, 2021]
- Every Johnny Depp Movie Ranked From Worst to Best | Screen Rant - Screen Rant - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- Far-right conspiracy QAnon surging in Europe as fanatics plot return of Nazi Reich and link Satanists to - The Sun - February 2nd, 2021 [February 2nd, 2021]
- Satanic Temple Abortion Ritual Advertised on Miami Billboard - Miami New Times - January 1st, 2021 [January 1st, 2021]
- The Boomer Rock Renaissance 2020 Never Saw Coming - Vulture - December 26th, 2020 [December 26th, 2020]
- Modern Satanism | Spiral Nature Magazine - December 6th, 2020 [December 6th, 2020]
- The Evolution of Modern Satanism in the United States - December 6th, 2020 [December 6th, 2020]
- The Story Of Black Metal In 14 Songs Kerrang! - Kerrang! - December 6th, 2020 [December 6th, 2020]
- Fact check: There is no evidence to support claims that Lady Gaga is a witch - USA TODAY - November 7th, 2020 [November 7th, 2020]
- BERNSTEIN: We live in two different Americas - RU Daily Targum - November 7th, 2020 [November 7th, 2020]
- The History Behind the Ouija Board is Both Pure and Evil - Nerdist - October 27th, 2020 [October 27th, 2020]
- What It Really Means To Be A Satanist - Kerrang! - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Pittchcraft: The true history of Wicca and Witchcraft - University of Pittsburgh The Pitt News - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- 10 Bands Who Have Been Banned By The Church - Kerrang! - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- CHLOE WYMA ON THE ART OF AGNES PELTON - Artforum - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- A Modern Witch's Guide to Paris: Where to Find the Occult and Esoteric - Frenchly - February 4th, 2020 [February 4th, 2020]
- Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Conjures Up a Strong Season 3 - The Spool - January 27th, 2020 [January 27th, 2020]
- Best Documentaries of '19 - Fort Worth Weekly - January 17th, 2020 [January 17th, 2020]
- Sam Dunn: The Journey of the World's Most Famous Headbanger - Daily Hawker - January 17th, 2020 [January 17th, 2020]
- Fears Hampshire Horse Ripper has returned after 26 years and psycho culprit could be next Ian Brady - The Sun - January 14th, 2020 [January 14th, 2020]
- Occult symbols found on New Forest animals killed, and in church vandalism - The Wild Hunt - December 6th, 2019 [December 6th, 2019]
- Concert Review: Spinal Taps Derek Smalls Revives Mock-Rock at the Wiltern - Variety - November 11th, 2019 [November 11th, 2019]
- Curro pupil speaks: 'Stop the satanic panic, art is meant to provoke thought' - News24 - October 27th, 2019 [October 27th, 2019]
- Creepy countdown the 20 scariest horror movies of all time - NNY360 - October 27th, 2019 [October 27th, 2019]
- What does it mean to be a modern witch? 3 real-life witches share their experiences - Vogue India - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- Judas Priests Rob Halford: The metal community has always been inclusive, yet weve been kicked around like a football over the years - NME.com - October 23rd, 2019 [October 23rd, 2019]
- The 20 scariest horror movies of all time - The Columbus Dispatch - October 20th, 2019 [October 20th, 2019]
- What are the 20 scariest horror movies of all time? - Peoria Journal Star - October 20th, 2019 [October 20th, 2019]
- I'm a founder of the Satanic Temple. Don't blame Satan for white supremacy. - Washington Post - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- Wash Post column cheers Satan, jeers Christians - WND.com - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- The Devil's Cradle: The Story of Finnish Black Metal - The Gauntlet - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- Court orders new trial in satanic sacrificial murder case - RT - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- We Asked Diehard Swedish Metalheads What They Consider to be 'Metal' - Noisey - August 22nd, 2017 [August 22nd, 2017]
- A Brief But Very Informative History of How Fascists Infiltrated Punk and Metal - Noisey - August 22nd, 2017 [August 22nd, 2017]
- Why Some Christians Are Calling White Supremacy 'Satanic' - HuffPost - August 20th, 2017 [August 20th, 2017]
- Satanic Leader Calls Upon Christian America to Face Their Contribution to Racist Right - Patheos (blog) - August 16th, 2017 [August 16th, 2017]
- The Wild Hunt | Tag Archive | paranormal investigation - The Wild Hunt - August 16th, 2017 [August 16th, 2017]
- Nottinghamshire sees increase in Witchcraft complaints - The Wild Hunt - August 11th, 2017 [August 11th, 2017]