Archive for February, 2009
Non-private events for Pagans, like anything else, always have their advantages and disadvantages. One very positive aspect is that they enable people with similar interests and minds to network and become familiar with one another, along with also giving Pagans an opportunity to show the critics that they are no different than everyone else. However on the negative side, any non-private event will always attract the “unruly” crowd of people who tend to set off a bad image, regardless of spiritual beliefs or rituals they may follow, these are typically the people that will be remembers and associated with the event and its participants.
Recently in Avebury, Great Britain, though not easily done, a vote was held which will enable Pagan campers to come back to the area to participate in festivals at a Stonehenge in the location. Residents made it clear that the decision was made on the basis of what the consequences would be if they denied the event from taking place. At previous events similar to this one there were hundreds of cars that crowded the roads of Avebury. Avebury happens to be the only village in Great Britain which is entirely inside of a Neolithic stone circle.
An opportunity like this is the perfect way to prove critics wrong and all the more reason for those attending the even to behave appropriately. The use of drugs or alcohol and unruly behavior will only make matters worse and prove critics correctly in looking down upon Pagan rituals and will make it much harder if even possible at all for the next group wishing to hold an event to do so. It would be wise to read up on proper Pagan Ritual rules and general guidelines before attending this even as well as having the general respect for those around you, no matter who they are.
February 12 2009 | witchcraft/wiccan news | Comments Off
A columnist working for The Washington Times named Miss Vicki giving advice to those who request it recently got a letter from a Wiccan mother detailing several issues at her child’s school, which can be read at Dear Miss Vicki. Basically, the woman’s children have been being harassed after others discovered that the family is Wiccan. Not only are these children being harassed by other students but by professors as well as members of upper authority at the school. The mother continues to claim that she has attempted to support her children through this, but the father is afraid of the consequences and the way it might reflect on his Air Force career. The mother is now left with the question on what to do.
The answers of Miss Vicki were as usual relatively good, though she did admit that she did not know very much about Wicca and she agreed that the most important thing was the well being of the children. Her suggestion was to talk to both the family’s Wiccan group for assistance as well as the military for more information. It was not evident if the family participates in an organized group or just practices solely as a family, though if she is in a group which offers support the advice of Miss Vicki should be found to be very useful. Along with this information it was also suggested by Miss Vicki that the children seek some form of counseling in order to help them to deal with the harassment from the other children.
The advice wasn’t bad at all especially coming from a person who is not a part of the Pagan or Wiccan community. I am not sure if the mother who was seeking advice reads this blog, but I will offer my advice to her as well as anyone in a similar situation. I believe that she should seek legal representation with an attorney or someone with affiliation to the ACLU as quickly as possible so that she can be made aware of her and her families rights in regards to this matter in their state. The right to an education in a safe and un-hostile environment is one that every child is promised in this country, and it is obvious that these children are having this right stripped from them. If the professors and other forms of authority are not only neglecting to protect these rights but at the same time participating in violating them then it is up to the mother to take the matter into her own hands, as she clearly is already attempting to do.
If you or someone you know has young children, you may research about the Rights of Pagan Students.
February 06 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
In accordance to a survey published on Monday many Americans claim that they haven’t ever heard of the religion Wicca before, although many experts claim that it is currently the fastest growing in the US. The Barna Group states that over half of Americans, nearly 55%, don’t know of Wicca and that of those who are familiar with the religious group, most do not support the faith.
Residents of both the South and the Midwest were the most likely to be unfavorable or even against the Wiccan faith. 67% of Christians and 61% socio-political conservatives were the two groups most likely to be unfavorable toward the religion.
Members tend to believe strongly in karma, reincarnation, initiation rites, and worship gods and goddesses found in nature, and do not follow any form of morality.” According to one of the interviewed participants of the survey.
The continuously growing religious movement tends to be more popular among younger participants, they are very intrigued by witchcraft as well as the idea of nature being worshiped. Says The Barna Group.
Even though its popularity is increasing, a limited number of people claim to be Wiccan. Over 4,200 adults were interviewed in 2008 to discover that Wiccans currently represent approximately 0.1% of all American adults meaning that only 250,000 adults of 230,000,000 claim to be a part of the Wiccan faith.
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Technorati Tags: american witches, wiccan popularity
February 05 2009 | real spells | Comments Off
Apparently a federal court ruling on a case that had been appealed from Arkansas ruled that a prison inmate had to remove his Tarot cards from his cell, and they will not be accessible within the prison. Mark W. Singson, the inmate, tried to argue that this policy not allowing the use of his cards violated the rights given to him through the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. He stated that it prevented him from performing spontaneous readings for fellow inmates. Prison officials argued that it was a necessity to have this policy in effect in order to prevent illegal gambling among prisoners, because the Tarot cards can substitute as playing cards, as well as many other safety precautions.
“The court found that Singson had been permitted to check out the tarot cards several times without chaplains rejecting his requests, and that he is allowed to keep other religious items in his cell. They said that “even if the check-out system burdens Singson’s religious beliefs, it is the least restrictive policy that promotes prison safety while accommodating Singson’s religious beliefs.” It does indeed sound as though the Department of Corrections is trying to meet the religious needs of prisoners, while still maintaining order and control over the general inmate population.”
What are your thoughts on this case and the decisions that were reached?
Technorati Tags: tarot cards
February 03 2009 | witchcraft/wiccan news | No Comments »
