Paganism

“Central to understanding the complexities of Halloween and its implications is the recognition that our world is not just physical; it’s a spiritual battlefield as well.” - DBTS Blog

“Visitors are welcomed by quotations from French artist Lucile Olympe Haut’s ‘Cyberwitches Manifesto,’ which urges readers to, among other things, ‘use smartphones and tarot cards to connect to spirits’ and ‘manufacture D.I.Y. devices to listen to invisible worlds.’” - Breakpoint

“Wicca… whose adherents, regardless of gender, call themselves witches, began in the U.K. in the 1940s. Wicca and Witchcraft are part of the larger contemporary pagan movement, which includes druids and heathens among others. All these spiritual paths, as pagans refer to them, base their practices on pre-Christian religions and cultures.” - RNS

“The common explanation for knocking on wood claims the ritual is a holdover from Europe’s pagan days, an appeal to tree-dwelling spirits to ward off bad luck or an expression of gratitude for good fortune.” - The Conversation

“The latest in a long, long string of examples signaling the increasing popularity of the neo-pagan climate religion comes from NBC News, which unveiled an online confessional this week for those who want to denounce themselves publicly for their environmental sins. This is a real thing being promoted by a real newsroom.

… instead of secularization it makes sense to talk about the fragmentation and personalization of Christianity — to describe America as a nation of Christian heretics, if you will, in which traditional churches have been supplanted by self-help gurus and spiritual-political entrepreneurs.

“Approximately 1,000 people have confirmed their plans to attend the hex event…. 50 percent of the proceeds from the event will be given to Planned Parenthood.” - WRNews

New poll finds even religious Americans feel the good vibrations

“Over the last decade, astrology, spiritualism, crystals, and alternative beliefs have exploded in popularity among millennials.” WRNews

“Astrology … has existed for over 3,000 years. It continues to have popularity in contemporary society. At least 1 in 4 Americans state they believe in astrology. Interestingly those numbers are higher for Catholics.” WRN