Author: Lindsay Melvin

Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/feb/02/into-the-light/

They were led, blindfolded and in ritual robes and sneakers, through the darkness.

When their eyes were uncovered they stood in a room lit by a single candle at the center.

Kindling smaller candles from that flame, each candle was passed around until the group formed a blazing circle of light....

Author: Jennifer Riley

Source: The Christian Post

http://christianpost.com/Society/Polls_reports/2009/01/survey-wicca-unknown-to-majority-of-americans-26/

Although some say Wicca is the fastest growing religion in the United States, most Americans still say they have never heard of the term before, according to a new survey released Monday.

Slightly more than half of Americans (55 percent...

Author: David L. Hudson Jr.

Source: First Amendment Center

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/analysis.aspx?id=21124

Iowa prison officials did not violate the religious-liberty rights of three Wiccan inmates by giving them three hours to hold a religious ceremony, a federal appeals court has ruled.

The three-hour time limit for the ceremony did not impose a “substantial burden” on the inmates under the free-exercise...

Author: Lynda Waddington

Source: The Iowa Independent

http://iowaindependent.com/10388/three-hours-long-enough-for-prisoners-religious-observance

Three Iowa inmates, convinced that they were not allowed enough time for proper religious ceremony, have lost their claim on appeal. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a decision released today, affirmed the 2006 ruling of U.S. Magistrate Judge Ross Walters that...

Author: Victoria Handysides

Source: Metro

http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/local/article/158292

Hundreds gathered at city hall yesterday afternoon to celebrate the holiday season through pagan ritualistic chanting and calling to the four corners of the universe.

Winter solstice celebrations are among many alternatives that replace conventional Christmas traditions for thousands of Edmontonians.

“It’s a celebration...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=9516782

A woman has filed a lawsuit against the University of Nebraska, claiming she was fired because she is a witch.

The lawsuit was filed earlier this month by a plaintiff identified as Jane Doe.

The filing says the woman, who practices witchcraft as her religion, was hired by the university in February 2007 to direct a youth program. She...

Author: Bronwynne Jooste

Source: All Africa

http://allafrica.com/stories/200812081089.html

The pagan priestess who took the South African Air Force to the Equity Court for unfair dismissal is now set to meet defence authorities with the hope of changing their "discriminatory" approach to minority religions.

On Friday Donna Vos, also known as Donna Darkwolf, reached a settlement with the air force after two years of legal proceedings. The matter...

Author: Todd R. Brown

Source: The San Jose Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/x-1396-San-Jose-Culture-Examiner~y2008m11d16-Cool-Yule-in-the-South-Bay

As every good culture examiner knows, Christmas has pagan roots.

Amid the modern-day trappings of tinsel, plastic snowmen and competitive Christmas-light decorating, a hearty few still celebrate the traditions of their ancient ancestors, including Yule...

Author: Jessica Keil

Source: The Current Online

http://media.www.thecurrentonline.com/media/storage/paper304/news/2008/11/03/Features/Pagans.Want.Religious.Education.And.Acceptance.At.Umsl-3523386.shtml

Kristin M. Smith, sophomore, biology, goes by the name Kris, and spends most of her time in the depths of the Mercantile Library. In her freshman...

Author: Courtney Potts

Source: The Norwich Bulletin

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/lifestyles/spirituality/x199481844/Ways-of-Wiccans-Members-try-to-dispel-myths-about-religion

When members of the Coven of the Crow in Herkimer, N.Y., gathered to celebrate the autumn ritual of Mabon, there were no dark robes, no drunken revelries and no animal sacrifices. But there were Oreos. And...

Author: Frank Juliano

Source: The Connecticut Post

http://www.connpost.com/ci_10858408?source=most_viewed

No, this is not a joke. Wiccan Priestess Alicia Folberth wants to clear up what she says are confusion, misinformation and downright lies that years of cheesy horror flicks and people of other faiths have spread about witchcraft and neo-pagan practices.

"Halloween in the Wiccan religion is known as Samhain [pronounced Sow-en], which...

Author: Stephanie Rapp

Source: The Missourian

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/10/27/local-witches-host-educational-panel/

A witch is an ugly old woman, with warts on her face, dressed all in black with a pointy hat who rides a broomstick and performs evil spells, right? Wrong.

Hearthfires, the Mid-Missouri Pagan Spiritual Alliance, presented a panel discussion on Sunday titled, "Which...

Author: Barbara Cornell

Source: Reuters

http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKTRE49N45220081024?sp=true

Milan will sweep aside its Roman and Papal heritage this weekend to celebrate Samhain, popularly regarded as the Celtic New Year, at a festival which highlights Italy's awakened interest in its pagan past.

The city's Sforzesco Castle will host crafts like weaving, coining money and making chain mail to a...

Author: Carson Lemahieu

Source: The North Wind

http://media.www.thenorthwindonline.com/media/storage/paper1202/news/2008/10/23/News/Pagan.Movement.Continues.To.Expand.Says.Author-3502487.shtml

Paganism is alive and well in America, according to author and National Public Radio correspondent Margot Adler.

She spoke in Jamrich Tuesday night about the...

Author: Patrick George

Source: The Austin-American Statesman

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/05/1005pagans.html

Shiro Shine, a longtime Wiccan and follower of the moon goddess Selene, had never been to Austin's Pagan Pride Day before but said she went to Wooldridge Square Park on a whim Saturday.

"I think it's fantastic," Shine said. "You won't find anybody saying, 'You're not the right...