neopaganism
Can Wicca’s two equal deities, once celebrated as revolutionary, make room for nonbinary believers?
By Heather Greene — June 29, 2023
(RNS) — A balanced but gendered theology has lately presented problems for Wiccans proud of the religion’s progressive framework.
Witchcraft isn’t scary on stereotype-busting ‘Comfy Cozy Witch Podcast’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 4, 2023
(RNS) — Jennie Blonde says her message of comfort and coziness appears to be resonating not just with other witches, but with all people ‘who want to find a little bit more magick in their everyday.’
Christian groups step up harassment of pagan festivals
By Heather Greene — August 22, 2022
(RNS) — American pagans and witches depend heavily on assemblies with names like Pagan Pride and Between the Worlds to share information and camaraderie.
Lúnasa, paganism’s August harvest holiday, becomes a moveable feast
By Heather Greene — August 1, 2022
(RNS) — A loose combination of Irish harvest customs, Lúnasa has been adapted to match the calendar around the world.
Pagans honor the Earth on May Day. But for many, nature is not enough.
By Heather Greene — May 2, 2022
(RNS) — Holidays such as Beltane can lead to a misunderstanding that all paganism is pantheism.
Witches remember those lost to COVID-19 among the dead at Samhain
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 28, 2021
(RNS) — A solemn occasion with Celtic roots, Samhain takes place at a time when many religions and cultures believe the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest.
How some ‘Jewitches’ are embracing both Judaism and witchcraft
By Heather Greene and Emily McFarlan Miller — October 25, 2021
(RNS) — Rabbis and witches alike are bringing together magic — often called witchcraft — and Jewish ritual.
In Japan, Greek-influenced Olympics meet another kind of pagan heritage
By Heather Greene — July 23, 2021
(RNS) — Greek pagan pageantry encounters a culture with its own deep sense of myth and magic.
‘An excuse for the feast’: Witches celebrate the summer solstice with cakes, mead — and salsa
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 18, 2021
(RNS) — For many pagans, spirituality is tied to nature, and eating local seasonal foods connects them to the earth and with a specific time and place.
Natural by nature, pagans expect some digital rituals to survive the pandemic
By Heather Greene — March 16, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Having used online resources for the past year has allowed us to think of community in new ways,’ said one ritual leader.
Convictions upheld for British pagans who trespassed at Stonehenge
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 11, 2021
(RNS) — Lawyers for Lisa Mead, Maryam Halcrow and Angel Grace argued the trio had a ‘reasonable excuse’ to enter a restricted area at the prehistoric monument, based on their religious beliefs.
This Valentine’s Day, some pass up chocolates and flowers for love spells
By Antonio Pagliarulo — February 12, 2021
(RNS) — Though magic is a cornerstone of modern-day witchcraft, many who practice spells are not witches but seekers looking to make positive change in their lives.
Imbolc’s celebration of hearth and home resonates with Pagans in a pandemic year
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 1, 2021
(RNS) — Many Imbolc traditions revolve around the Celtic goddess Brigid, who shares the sabbat's associations with transformation, inspiration, wisdom, fertility and the hearth fire, among other things.
Heathens condemn storming of Capitol after Norse religious symbols appear amid mob
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 8, 2021
(RNS) — Lea Svendsen, a heathen author, said it was 'heartbreaking' to see her articles of faith at the center of the violence.
Taylor Swift’s ‘witchy’ new album fuels speculation about her interest in the craft
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 22, 2020
(RNS) — It’s unclear if Swift’s most recent references to witchcraft are simply part of the ‘cottagecore’ aesthetic of her 2020 twin albums or more personal commentary on her spirituality.
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