Wishing all a Happy and Safe New Year!
Happy New Year
January 1st, 20102009 In Review, Part 4
December 31st, 20092009 In Review, Part 4
via About.com Paganism / Wiccan on 12/30/09
A lot of people had things to say about some of the stories here on About Pagan/Wiccan in 2009. Many people thought that the group boycotting the Gap because of an inclusive ad was being pretty Grinchy, but a few folks called for a boycott of Bath and Body Works when a Wiccan employee was fired. Finally, I wrote a number of blog entries following the case of Rifqa Bary — despite the fact that the story concerned Muslims and Christians, lots of Pagans and Wiccans had comments and concerns.
Then …
2009 In Review, Part 3
December 31st, 20092009 In Review, Part 3
via About.com Paganism / Wiccan on 12/30/09
This year was an interesting one for the changing ways that people view religion. A number of surveys and studies revealed some results that were significant to people in minority faiths.
One survey indicated that a lot of people have never even heard of Wicca — although since the survey is from the Barna Group, it may have been a bit skewed. Meanwhile, the ARIS study was released, and indicated that a lot of the mainstream religious groups are losing members, and a lot of formerly religious people now self-identify …
2009 In Review, Part 2
December 31st, 20092009 In Review, Part 2
via About.com Paganism / Wiccan on 12/30/09
The year 2009 had its share of stories covering the legal battles between the boundaries of religion and government. A number of lawsuits were filed and resolved, and many of them were significant to people who follow the matter of religious freedom in the news.
A Sikh woman sued her employer, the Internal Revenue Service, for discrimination after she was prohibited from wearing her ceremonial kirpan at work. Google faced a lawsuit filed by a former employee who claimed not only religious but sexual harassment, and Bath and Body Works …
2009 In Review, Part 1
December 31st, 2009As the count down begins to the end of the first decade of the new millennium and the birth of a new decade, I recount this infantile blog (started this year) and choose to solicit assistance in revising this year and what amazing (both fantastic and terrible) things have happened. Over the course of the new few hours I will post a four part review conducted by Patti Wigington: Here is part 1, enjoy.
2009 In Review, Part 1
via About.com Paganism / Wiccan on 12/29/09
It’s that time of year again, when bloggers around the globe are recapping their favorite stories …
Yule Countdown: Magical Mistletoe
December 19th, 2009Mistletoe is magical!
Image © Getty Images
It’s small, it’s cute, and if you’re really lucky, you might get a lip lock from someone special when you stand underneath it. Any plant that gets me a kiss is okay in my book — but there’s a lot more to mistletoe than this. Over the centuries, it’s been known as a cure for tumors and boils (decidedly unromantic), a call to lay down one’s arms, and the center of ancient agricultural rituals. No matter how you look at it, there’s far more to this botanical parasite than meets the eye: Mistletoe: Myths, Mysteries …
Arabs and Jews
December 16th, 2009Saw this item on Paulo Coelho’s blog – although not directly written about Wicca, in Wiccan tradition of knowing, researching, and respecting other traditions I post this. I really enjoyed and like the messages here, I hope you do too…
Arabs and Jews
In light & blessings,
Mat
Posted via email from Mat’s posterous
The Pagan Origins of Christmas Decorations
December 10th, 2009With Yule rapidly approaching and the Christian celebration of Christmas, here is an interesting article on the Pagan origins of Christmas decorations. It makes interesting reading for the seeker, or initiate in terms of understanding much of what is common within Christian celebrations actually stems from much older traditions.
Point in case the weath that so many Christians place on the front doors, over their hearths or smaller wreaths on their trees, the wreath is a Celtic Yule symbol for the Wheel of the Year, the same Wheel of the Year that Pagan’s and Wiccan’s hold very dear. Enjoy.
http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_pagan_origins_of_christmas_decorations
Posted via email …
The Witch’s Blade – Some Athame Basics [Bronwen Forbes]
December 7th, 2009I am currenlty configuring our new store and recently added some of our Athame stock to the store, I was surfing Witchvox (something I do regularly) and came accross this very good article on the Athame. I hope you enjoy it.
The Witch’s Blade – Some Athame Basics [Bronwen Forbes]
via Witchvox – RSS Feed – New Articles This Week on 12/5/09
The athame – the tool that some say is the most important for any practicing Witch or Pagan, and the one most misunderstood by law enforcement and other non-Pagans. What is the athame? How do you pronounce “athame”? Should it …
Owl Mythology, Folklore, and Magical Interpretation
November 20th, 2009The owl has specific and significant meanings for me personally as well as the widely known symbolic representations and associations with Wisdom, The Goddess (inc Athena & Lakshmi) and Death in some cultures.
I happen to wear a pentacle with the owl, my wand has a pewter owl on the base, due to the symbolism; the owl is a reminder for me of the beginning of my journey into Wicca. I have posted the article below from the Witchvox site, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Owl Mythology, Folklore, and Magical Interpretation [Mi Kali D.]
via Witchvox …
