Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The Wandering Witch

Home
Pagan

2018-05-08T09:06:56-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Groundhog Day is actually an old pagan divination holiday

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am By Julia Penelope

Every year on February 2, news channels across the country broadcast from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where Groundhog Phil emerges from his burrow to look for his shadow. “If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole. If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.” Most people think about this quirky holiday as just a whimsical part... Read more

the blog

The History of Paganism

2018-05-08T09:06:56-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Pantheacon 101: How to Survive Your First Con

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am By Julia Penelope

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Pantheacon season is almost upon us! For those of you not familiar with it, Pantheacon is the largest indoor pagan festival in the country. Held every year over President’s Day Weekend, upwards of 3000 people come from all over the world to San Jose, California to attend. There are over 200 presenters, a giant vendor room, hospitality suites, and much more. Check out the schedule of events here. As one Tripadvisor reviewer who... Read more

2018-05-08T09:06:56-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Reclaiming the sacred sites of the Twin Cities

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am By Julia Penelope

Exploring the Sacred within Mississippi National River and Recreation Area As an American of Swedish heritage, it’s no surprise that I have lots of family in Minnesota. I’ve visited many times throughout my childhood but its only been as an adult that I’ve been able to explore a bit on my own. I have a deep love and respect for indigenous cultures so the last few times I’ve been, I have focused on visiting and learning about local sacred sites.... Read more

2018-05-08T09:06:56-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How come no one talks about racism in the Salem Witch Trials?

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am By Julia Penelope

The Salem Witch Trials are one of the most notorious events in the history of the New England Colonies. While many explanations, ranging from mundane to bizarre, have been suggested through the years; they still remain a fascinating historical enigma. One of the most misrepresented characters is perhaps that of George Burroughs, or as they called him in Salem- The Confederate of the Devil. The story of the man who would hold the distinction as the only minister executed during... Read more

the blog

The History of Paganism

2019-12-09T15:41:23-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Sankta Lucia: The Survival of a Nordic Sun Goddess

Last updated on: December 9, 2019 at 3:41 pm By Julia Penelope

In Pre-Christian Scandinavia, the sun was represented as a solar goddess-Sol or Sunna. She is the sister of the moon and drives the chariot of the sun across the sky every day. Read more

the blog

The Craft

The History of Paganism

2019-04-16T18:00:39-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mary- a mother goddess?

Last updated on: April 16, 2019 at 6:00 pm By Julia Penelope

The concept of a mother goddess is one as old as humanity itself. Much of the world’s earliest art, such as the Venus of Willendorf, is speculated to be a representation of a mother goddess idol. Therefore, it is no wonder that in Western Art we continue to find the dominance of the mother goddess. This time, however, she is in disguise; hidden from the oppressing theology of monotheism as Mary-Mother of God (Gadon, 206). Despite having quite a minor... Read more

The Black Madonna

the blog

The History of Paganism

2018-05-08T09:06:57-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is witchcraft evil? and other common misconceptions

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am By Julia Penelope

This post was prompted by an interaction I had in one of my classes last week. My professor, a very kind and experienced anthropologist, was talking about a women she met who was a witch. My professor mistakenly used the terms Wiccan and witch interchangeably. While explaining to the class that this woman practiced magic that was neither white nor black. I, of course, piped right up and stated that the woman clearly had not actually been Wiccan, as the... Read more

2018-05-08T09:06:57-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Washington DC has a massive shrine to the Goddess

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am By Julia Penelope

Washington, DC is a city full of secrets. Just watch National Treasure (I actually hate this movie but whatever). It’s a place steeped in symbolism, Masonic legend, and hidden meaning. And it also happens to be full of secret references to the divine feminine. On my most recent trip to the city, I visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (thanks to a recommendation from a friend on Instagram!). Opened in 1959, it is the largest... Read more

2018-05-08T09:06:57-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How to start honoring your ancestors

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am By Julia Penelope

The word ancestor comes from the Latin words ante(before) and cedere(to go); meaning the ones who go before. As I wrote in my earlier post about ancestor veneration, the practice of honoring those who have literally ‘gone before’ can be very meaningful and impactful in our spiritual lives as pagans. Since we have such a strange relationship with death and the elderly in our society, I thought it may be beneficial to outline a few ways that we can being... Read more

2018-05-08T09:06:57-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Greatest Halloween Special Ever

Last updated on: May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am By Julia Penelope

Stop everything you’re doing and watch this. It’s a 1974 interview with Tom Snyder featuring Ed Fitch, Isaac Bonewits, Fred Adams, and Caroll Runyon. The 1970’s special effects are super tacky and the host is a bit of a pain, but it’s amazing to see some of our most influential pagan ‘foreparents’ speak live. Also, throwback to when people still pronounced Samhain, SAM-Hayne. And the commercials are pretty funny too. Read more

The Basics

the blog

The Craft

The History of Paganism

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Samuel's mother promise if God gave her a son?

Select your answer to see how you score.

To move to Jerusalem To offer a burnt sacrifice To fast for 40 days To dedicate him to the Lord

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Archaeology France The Basics The Black Madonna the blog The Craft The History of Paganism Thoughts Travel Uncategorized United States witchcraft Witchcraft in Literature Witchery

Select a Month May 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 July 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Pagan