Christmas

Taking back the Pagan holiday tree and where to find Pagan ornaments
Anyone who knows their history knows that the “Christmas” tree was first introduced by ancient Pagans.  The Egyptians decorated palm branches during the winter solstice to symbolize resurrection. Ancient Greeks decorated evergreen trees in worship of Adonia, who was resurrected by a serpent.  The ancient Germans decorated evergreen trees in worship of Woden.   Romans covered their trees with metallic decorations and candles to honor Bacchus.  All of these tree decorating traditions predated Christianity. Read full story from examiner.com

Welcome to Melbourne for the Parliament of the World’s Religions, December 3-9, 2009
On behalf of the spiritual ancestors and the traditional owners of Melbourne, I invite you to Melbourne in 2009, for the Parliament of the World’s Religions to share in the traditions, culture and spirit of Australia. Read full story from parliamentofreligions.org

Hidden Symbols of Thanksgiving
According to an article published on the Fox News website, there are five secrets of Thanksgiving and they are:
1- A secret society invented Thanksgiving.
2- There’s a secret connection between the Bible and Thanksgiving.
3- A manuscript lost for two centuries resurfaces with true Thanksgiving meanings.
4- Pilgrims preferred Thanksgiving to Christmas.
5- The Statue of Liberty holds Thanksgiving Day secrets.
Read full story from  examiner.com

SAUDI ARABIA: Kingdom steps up hunt for ‘witches’ and ‘black magicians’
When the popular 46-year-old Lebanese psychic Ali Sibat went on-air and made his predictions about the future, the phone lines of the satellite television station Sheherazade used to be flooded with calls.

But what the star psychic probably did not predict was that his claims to supernatural prowess would land him a death sentence. Read full story from latimes.com

[Killer son stabbed ‘witch’ mother 21 times](A divorced father of three stabbed his mother 21 times after becoming convinced that she was a witch and had put a curse on him, a court heard today. Kayode Kuye tortured and killed Christina Kuye, 69, because he believed she had ruined his life with a black magic spell, the Old Bailey was told. )
A divorced father of three stabbed his mother 21 times after becoming convinced that she was a witch and had put a curse on him, a court heard today.

Solitary or Social Pagan?
Pagans practice in one of three ways: solitary (alone), socially (in a group), or semi-socially. Here are some ideas of what these three entail and tips on if you are a pagan and want to change from solitary to social. Read full story from The Examiner

ENA and content filtering categories for the Indianapolis Public Schools
Based on Content Filtering Categories for the Indianapolis Public Schools opt-in listed at http://www.ena.com/help/BlueCoat/InSchools/, anything with a single asterisk (*) is content that is blocked by Indianapolis Public Schools. Anything with a double asterisk (**) is always allowed by Indianapolis Public Schools. On this page, it is also stated that, “Websites that are categorized in this way are always allowed regardless of multiple categorizations.” Read full story from The Examiner

Spiritual festival in the cards
Ann Marie Beale, minister of Unity Center of Tulsa, demonstrates a tarot reading in her home. She will read the tarot cards during Saturday’s Spirit Fair at the Unity Center of Tulsa. Karen Shade / Tulsa World Read full story from Read full story from tulsaworld.com

Boost morale and spirituality for Pagan soldiers overseas – send a Yule package
Most of us are probably aware of Circle Sanctuary, Lady Liberty League , and all Selena Fox’s other work for the Pagan community at large. Her work towards the success of acquiring the pentacle as an accepted symbol on veteran’s headstones was a wonderful achievement that is still fresh in our minds. Read full story from examiner.com

Martin Lecture Series explores Neo-Paganism
Magliocco is an old friend of Wheaton Professor of Religion, Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus. Magliocco was recently inaugurated into a group of Neo-Pagan “witches,” after years of researching the Neo-Pagan reclamation movement in San-Francisco Bay Area. Read full story from thewheatwire.com

How the Nazis tried to take Christ out of Christmas
For the perfect Nazi Christmas you had to hang glittering swastikas and toy grenades from the pine tree in the living room and, in your freshly pressed uniform, belt out carols urging German women to make babies for the Führer rather than worship the Jewish Baby Jesus. Then came the moment to light the pagan candle-holders — hand-made by labourers at Dachau. Read full story from timesonline.co.uk

2009 Wild Hunt Winter Pledge Drive, Nov 16-22
Since it started in 2004, the Wild Hunt has become a vital news source for modern Pagans, and a crucial resource for those outside the Pagan movement who want to explore the issues that are important to us. Read full story from The Wild Hunt

Retired policeman speaks in Farmville on occult
FARMVILLE – Juggalos, Wiccans, Satanists and vampires are all subcultures of the occult that are on the periphery of the mainstream. Read full story from timesdispatch.com

Wisconsin: Man-Wolf sightings
You all know how skeptical we here at GhostTheory are. Sometimes we even come off as being too tough on people. For example take the case with “Extreme Paranormal“. Read full story from ghosttheory.com

Be a good Christian: Say ‘Happy Holidays’
Here’s a fun mind game just in time for the year’s biggest shopping season: If Jesus were a clerk ringing up your purchase at The Gap, would he wish you “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”? What would Jesus do? Read full story from post-gazette.com

Herbalists call for legal remedy to protect traditional medicines
MEDICAL herbalists say their profession is under threat and they will no longer be able to prescribe traditional remedies such as St John’s Wort unless urgent action is taken by the UK government to regulate the sector. Read full story from news.scotsman.com
A living God cries after visiting Tawang and seeing first hand how the Chinese militia massacred the Tibetans - can India rescue Tibet from Chinese communists?
Tibetan spiritual leader, the living God Dalai lama sadly speaks about his ‘‘dharma’’, his escape from Tibet 50 years ago and the warm welcome he received in India. He came, he saw, he wept for all Tibetans. No one is there to rescue the Tibetans from the dark forces of communist China and its militia. Read full story from indiadaily.com

The Wild Hunt at The Florida Pagan Gathering
Assuming that all went well yesterday with my flights, by the time you read this I’ll be enjoying my first day at the 2009 Samhain Florida Pagan Gathering! During the three-day event I’ll be giving talks, and enjoying presentations and performances by festival co-headliners Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone, Donald Michael Kraig, and musical guests Kellianna & Coyote Run. The event runs from November 5-8th (the theme being “Hail the Honored Dead”), and has gotten positive reviews from former presenters  Thorn Coyle and Chas Clifton. Read full story from The Wild Hunt