[NSFW] The Singapore Occultists Thread

[chamfer]

 

非常感谢师父 @Huat Zai 时时刻刻的提点。让我在这道路上走得比较顺心。

Edited February 27 by chamfer

[Huat Zai]

13 minutes ago, chamfer said:

 

非常感谢师父 @Huat Zai 时时刻刻的提点。让我在这道路上走得比较顺心。

师父领进门，修行在个人，你不嫌我罗嗦就行了.

[Huat Zai]

 

[chamfer]

 

 

[chamfer]

 

[Huat Zai]

Utah introduces bill echoing 1980s Satanic Panic

SALT LAKE CITY – Last Wednesday, Utah State Representative Ken Ivory (R-district 39) introduced a bill in the Utah State House addressing sexual crimes.  The bill was introduced via the House Judiciary Committee and amends the sexual abuse statute to include ritual abuse.  The bill was backed by Utah County Sherriff Mike Smith who testified in its support.

Critics noted that it harkens to the Satanic Panic because it specifically codifies ritualistic child abuse.

House Bill 196, seeks to add “Ritual Abuse of A Child” to the sexual crimes statute. The bill defines “ritual” as “an event or act or a series of events or acts marked by specific actions, gestures, or words, designed to commemorate, celebrate, or solemnize a particular occasion or significance in a religious, cultural, social, institutional, or other context.”

The bill goes on to list the explicit actions that can fall under the newly proposed definition including animal sacrifice and torture, cannibalism, bestiality, and forcing a child to ingest urine or feces,  Other notable actions are “enter a coffin or open grave containing a human corpse or remains.” and “ participate in a mock, unauthorized, or unlawful marriage ceremony as an individual being married to another individual or a fictional representation;”

The inclusion of a marital act is particularly notable because various religious practices use marriage to supernatural forces as a metaphor.

In an emotional hearing about the bill during its introduction, several adults identified themselves as survivors of ritualistic child sexual abuse. The survivors testified that they experienced horrifying elements of abuse that included devil worship and animal cruelty to coerced bondage, rape, cannibalism, child prostitution, and mind control. The victims described these assaults as deeply physically and emotionally distressing, to the extent that they suppressed memories of the abuse.

One activist, Kimberli Raya Koen, who leads summits on ritual abuse says she experienced “everything named in the bill” while also never having seen her abusers brought to justice.

“Utah has an incredible opportunity to lead the country in naming and acknowledging this horrific abuse is real,” she said at the hearing.  She writes on her website, “Physical, sexual, and satanic ritual abuse battered my psyche and heart. I was tortured into forgetting my identity as a child of God and into believing I was “satan’s bride”, “demon child”, a tool, meant for him to use and suffered greatly as a result. There were literally hundreds of people who would rape and torture me as the years went on.”

Rep. Ivory described ritualistic sexual abuse as common in Utah.  In a press release from 2022, the Utah County Sherriff’s Office asked for the public’s assistance to help their  Special Victims Unit Detectives in collaboration with other agencies with investigations.  They wrote, “We are pleading with the public and encourage victims, or individuals with knowledge of these crimes, to contact the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, so that they can be offered all the assistance possible.  We understand that there are individuals who have concerns for their safety and/or well-being, who have been silenced.  We need your help.”

That information led to the arrest of David Hamblin, a former therapist, and his ex-wife Roselle Anderson Stevenson, both for sexual abuse of children in the 1980s.  The prosecution has been fraught with accusations of mismanagement and witness tampering.  Neither Hamblin nor Stevenson have entered pleas. NBC News reports that Hamblin’s attorney said in a statement that he “strongly denies the allegations”; Stevenson’s attorney said she “is adamantly denying the charges.”

At the hearing for the bill, Representative Nelson Abbott cited The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ practice of having teenagers reenact the journey of Mormon pioneers to Utah as an example. Reflecting on his own experience leading such a trek, he raised the question of whether it would qualify as “ritual child abuse” since they had the youths skip breakfast one day—considering that the law prohibits withholding food from a child as part of a religious ritual.

However, Ivory contested this viewpoint, emphasizing that the bill also necessitates the action to result in bodily or psychological harm.

“This isn’t a trek… or fasting for a meal,” he argued. “This is a form of ritual abuse.”

Other critics have noted the bill has many other issues. “This bill is a very good example of panic legislation, hastily cobbled together, on the basis of testimony from a couple of women recollecting childhood histories of satanic ritual abuse,” said Mary DeYoung to NBC News. DeYoung is a professor emeritus of sociology at Grand Valley State University who has documented the harms of the satanic panic. “It’s a bill that responds with the kind of approach where we get really angry and say, ‘There ought to be a law.’ And we don’t think about whether it can be enforced in such a way that adds any benefit to society or that ensures that justice is done.”

At the hearing, Representative Brian King pointed out that physical and sexual abuse are already against the law and expressed skepticism about the necessity of the proposed legislation. He emphasized the need for more quantifiable data demonstrating that ritual abuse is a prevalent issue before he could endorse the bill.

“I am not convinced about the ritual abuse aspect,” he stated. “I’m not ruling it out entirely, but I require more information before reaching a decision.”  King was the only dissenting vote.

Representative Kera Birkeland motioned to advance the bill to the full House. She cried as she addressed the victims, expressing her support and shock at the realization that this type of abuse was occurring in Utah.

“We stand by you,” she assured them. “And we acknowledge your pain.”

For his part, Smith defended the bill and his investigation.  “I was attacked, I was ridiculed, I’ve had memes made about me because of it,” he said. “Without a doubt, these things do happen in Utah,” Smith added. “I believe they’re happening, I believe they have happened.

If the bill passes Utah will become the first state to codify ritual abuse since the Satanic Panic, a period in the United States during the 1980s and early 1990s when there was widespread fear and moral panic about alleged Satanic ritual abuse involving children. This panic was fueled by a combination of religious fervor, sensationalized media coverage, and the promotion of unfounded conspiracy theories.

Investigations and subsequent court proceedings found virtually no evidence supporting the existence of widespread Satanic cults involved in ritual abuse. Many of the accusations were discredited, and some innocent people faced unjust legal consequences.

 

https://wildhunt.org/2024/02/utah-introduces-bill-echoing-1980s-satanic-panic.html

[Huat Zai]

 

This is how all mantras are supposed to be chanted.

[chamfer]

 

[Huat Zai]

 

This is 艾草 to us Chinese, note that this plant is also slightly toxic, which the v-tuber failed to mention..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mugwort#Toxicity

[chamfer]

 

[Huat Zai]

 

[Huat Zai]

SALISBURY, England – In February 2024 campaigners lost a High Court challenge to prevent the go-ahead of the proposed road tunnel beneath Salisbury Plain, close to Stonehenge. The plans for the tunnel were originally rejected, for a variety of reasons which we have investigated in previous Wild Hunt articles, but were approved by the Department for Transport (DfT) again in July 2023. A subsequent challenge was brought by the Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) in December 2023 but this was thrown out by the High Court last month.

In a 50-page ruling, Mr Justice Holgate told the court that ministers had “rightly focused on the relevant policies” and said that the evidence provided by campaigners “provides no basis for undermining that conclusion”. James Strachan KC , acting for the Department for Transport, also told the court that the benefits of the scheme – which the DfT believes will minimise the impact of traffic on the site by taking it underground – will outweigh the negatives.

 

 

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, who manages the monument, told the BBC that the charity approved of this decision:

“We firmly believe that putting much of the busy, noisy, and intrusive A303 road into a tunnel past Stonehenge is right for the World Heritage Site. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore this internationally important landscape, which has been of great importance to people for over 5,000 years.”

The SSWHS says on its website, however, that a panel of independent experts have described the tunnel as the ‘wrong solution’ and would introduce “a greater physical change to the Stonehenge landscape than has occurred in its 6,000 years as a place of widely acknowledged human significance.” They say that they plan to appeal the most recent decision. In their press release, they note that

“In the face of Government indifference to the harm this road will cause the World Heritage Site, we had no choice but to bring this legal action. While this judgement is a huge blow and exposes the site to National Highway’s state-sponsored vandalism, we will continue the fight. We cannot let the Government destroy our world heritage.” (John Adams, chair of the Stonehenge Alliance).

“This is a devastating loss, not just for everyone who has campaigned against the
Government’s pig-headed plans for the Stonehenge landscape, but for Britain, for the world,
and for subsequent generations.” (Tom Holland, historian and president of the Stonehenge Alliance).

David Bullock, National Highways A303 Stonehenge Project Director, says:

“We welcome the decision, it’s a huge step forward in tackling the long-standing issues of the A303 at Stonehenge and it represents years of working with our stakeholders, heritage bodies and local communities.”

 

 

Local opinion is mixed, with some of the WH’s local contacts relieved at the prospect of having the pressure taken off their villages, which often get used as a bypass or rat run if the A303 is busy or if there’s an accident, while others remain concerned about the significant impact on the landscape. Others may not be so concerned about the monument but don’t think that the tunnel will resolve the issues of the A303. Lucy Bennett, of Williton, told the Salisbury Journal that

“Until they build a dual carriageway from Countess Roundabout right the way down to Cornwall, I don’t think you’re going to solve the problem, because the problem at the moment is you’ve got dual carriageway, then it goes down to single carriageway, then it goes up to dual carriageway.”

Jeremy Budd, a resident of Salisbury, is quoted by the paper as saying

“I think it’s good. I think the traffic is horrendous going through there, so I think it’s great that it’s going ahead. Obviously, I hope they will do some proper excavations first to see what’s there. It would be nice to make sure they don’t destroy any kind of archaeological site or whatever. It would be nice if they obviously looked through that first. I know that will take time, but ultimately, progress has to be made somewhere.”

Local archaeology, under the aegis of private firm Cotswold Archaeology, is ongoing, although some of this is unconnected to the road developments (relating most recently to a dig scheduled prior to a new housing development in southwestern Salisbury). This uncovered a complex of Bronze Age burial mounds near the henge in January 2023. These barrows were constructed around the same time as parts of the monument, according to archaeologists, many of whom take the view that Stonehenge was primarily a burial ground with an additional communal function. There is, for instance, evidence of a mass Neolithic grave, but also other interesting features such as pits of red deer antlers which were used for a variety of tools, from digging implements to hair combs, throughout this period. Beakers have been found, further clues to the presence of the people named after this particular artefact. Signs of late occupation, such as during the Iron Age and Saxon periods, are also evident. A Saxon waterhole and tools such as knives have been found. On-site project leader Steve Bush says

“Developer-led archaeology projects now make up the majority of archaeological discoveries in the UK and help to increase our knowledge of the past enormously. The site has uncovered some brilliant archaeology and has been an amazing opportunity for our archaeologists to excavate and better understand how this area fits into a wider landscape of settlement.”

It is to be hoped that if the Stonehenge tunnel goes ahead, further rescue archaeology will at least uncover more of the secrets of Salisbury Plain’s unique history and release more clues about the lives of the people who built Britain’s primary monument.

 

https://wildhunt.org/2024/03/stonehenge-update-march-2024.html

[Huat Zai]

Researchers shed light on Philistine Religion and Mother Goddess cult practices

 

JERUSALEM – A team of researchers from Israel’s Bar-Ilan University announced the unearthing of botanical remnants and archaeological clues at a 3,000-year-old temple situated in central Israel. These findings are crucial in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the ancient people of south Canaan, commonly referred to as the Philistines. The researchers said that the evidence suggests a Mother Goddess cult, as well as the use of plant medicines that included psychoactive substances.

The research published recently in Scientific Reports describes the excavation of two successive temples at Tell eṣ-Ṣâfī/Gath, Tel Tsafit, an archaeological site located in central Israel. It is identified as the largest known Philistine settlement and is recognized as the ancient city of Gath. The site has been particularly interesting to archaeologists and historians because of its association with the Philistines, an ancient people mentioned in biblical accounts and known for their interactions and conflicts with the Israelites. Gath is mentioned in the Bible as the home of Goliath, ‘a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, whose height was six cubits and a span’ (Samuel 17:4), and famously felled by David.

David and Goliath by Michelangelo, on the Sistine Chapel ceiling (1509). [Public Domain

The site has previously provided valuable insights into the material culture, daily life, and religious practices of the Philistines during the Iron Age. Discoveries at Tell eṣ-Ṣâfī have included artifacts, structures, and remains that contribute to our understanding of the ancient history and dynamics of the region. The site is significant not only for its historical and biblical associations but also for the information it provides about the broader cultural context of the ancient Near East.

In the present investigation, archaeologists aimed to enhance our understanding of these ancient communities. They relied, in part, on charred seeds and fruits retrieved from the remnants of an ancient temple in Gath, covering two consecutive periods of its usage between the ninth and tenth centuries B.C.E. The ancient city of Gath/Tell eṣ-Ṣâfī is located about halfway between Jerusalem and the modern city of Ashkelon on the Mediterranean coast.

The focus on plants has helped the researchers describe not only their possible use but also how the site connected across the cultures of the regions. The researchers write that “plants in ritual contexts shed light on the seasonality of rites, the role of agriculture, medical/psychoactive activities, and the geographic origin of offerings.”

The researchers noted that the site links up many aspects of ritual practice and how the Philistines could tap elemental powers. Some plants appear to be used for incense, others as insecticides, and still others for medicine and magic.

“Freshwater, agriculture, and the cyclical birth, death, and rebirth of a plant are recognized and venerated as transformative, and even magical, in the oldest myths, such as the Gilgamesh epic, the tale of Aqhat, and the worship of deities such as Tammuz, Ishtar, and Baal.”

The researchers also noted that “These widespread Mediterranean plants were known so far only in later cults,” the authors of the new study write, which they link to “early Greek deities, such as Hera, Artemis, Demeter, and Asclepios.” The plants also appear to highlight cross-cultic connections in regional traditions and practices.

The research team highlighted the chaste tree as an example. Although the chaste tree is widespread around the Mediterranean, its symbolic use is limited to ancient Greece. The plant is associated with cults in Sparta (Artemis and Asclepios), with Thesmophoria rites, as well as with the cult of Hera on Samos.

Archaeological findings at Tell es-Safi [Photo Credit Ori~

The archaeological team also found evidence of psychoactive plant use as part of the rituals performed at Gath/Tell eṣ-Ṣâfī. One plant, poison darnel (commonly called ryegrass), is a natural source of ergot, a fungus that “contains an LSD-type alkaloid, known to be hallucinogenic, used by midwives and as a fortifying ingredient in brewing.”

Ergot is known in other contexts related to the more recent Witch Trials of the 1600s. Some historians believe that an ergot infestation in Massachusetts caused strange activities among some women in 1691 and eventually led to the Salem witch hunts. Toxicologists now know that ergot poisoning can lead to convulsions, spasms, hallucinations, crawling sensations on the skin, and erratic behaviors.

The researchers noted the ergot’s “use in cultic contexts as a psychoactive is mentioned in relation to the Greek Eleusinian Mysteries, associated with cults of agriculture.” They added, “It is plausible that temple ritual praxis included the use of medicinal and mood-enhancing additions to regular foods.” The presence of ritual chalices suggests the use of these substances in this manner.

What seems clear is that the site had ritual use connected with season and offerings while also being a place of healing and connection to mother goddesses across the region. The findings also appear to show that the practices of using these plants were older than their presence in later cults of early Greek deities, such as Hera, Artemis, Demeter, and Asclepios.

“These female deities accord with the wide occurrence of female figurines in Philistine contexts,” the researchers wrote, adding that the discovery of figurines at Gath/Tell eṣ-Ṣâfī “connect Philistines with widespread cults of the Aegean or Mycenaean Great Mother Goddess.”

The researchers underscored that the Philistine religion clearly relied on the “magic and power of nature, such as freshwater and seasonality, which influence human life, health, and activity.”

 

https://wildhunt.org/2024/03/researchers-shed-light-on-philistine-religion-and-mother-goddess-cult-practices.html

[Huat Zai]

 

FYI: the concept behind 'draw the light down' version of mantra chanting works exactly like LBRP, so if you practice daily, it should rid most problems. Unless you're doing it wrong.

[The_King]

 

[Huat Zai]

The Left Hand Path ‘Irish Heiress’ psychic witch we should be aware of

 

BANGOR, Maine – Let’s begin by noting that this story, does not appear to be about our community and then take a serious turn. Once again, the story impacts our community by how it is framed and the actions taken by the alleged perpetrator of these scams.

Marianne Smyth has been found guilty of grand theft, asserting that her family excluded her from an inheritance. She now confronts extradition to Northern Ireland for distinct allegations of fraud and theft. Smyth is currently being held in a Maine jail, awaiting a hearing to determine her extradition to the United Kingdom regarding a scam dating back over 15 years in Northern Ireland.

Smyth, 54, is an American. She was born in Bangor, Maine.

She stands accused of embezzling over $170,000 from at least five victims between 2008 and 2010 in Northern Ireland, where, as per legal documents, arrest warrants were issued for her in 2021, as per legal documents.

Johnathan Walton was one of Smyth’s alleged victims, allegedly fleeced of US$100,000 and Smyth was convicted of stealing US$63,000 from him. Walton is a reality television producer whose credits include “Shark Tank: and American Ninja Warrior.”

Walton started a podcast in 2021 called “Queen of the Con,” to warn others about Smyth. “She’s a master of disguise completely changing her appearance and her grift to suit each mark,” Walton said. He noted that Smyth always dressed in designer clothes, and she needed the money to post bail and for a frozen bank account.

Walton also added that Smyth told him she was waiting for her inheritance from her wealthy family in Ireland whom she had been battling and was now awaiting a sum of about US$ 7 million (€ 5 million).

In an interview with the Associated Press, Walton said that Smyth bought him expensive dinners and luxury vacations during the time they grew close to each other while living in Los Angeles.  Her story fell apart when Smyth was arrested and later convicted with jail time, for stealing US$200,000 from a job at a luxury travel agency.

Image by Marine 69-71 CC BY-SA 4.0

 

But there’s more, Walton has received tips about Smyth’s activities and has been documenting them.  These tips detailed Smyth’s activities in a fictitious charity purportedly for Ukraine, along with other fabrications that she served as an envoy for Satan, that she is a witch, a hockey coach, a cancer patient. She also claimed to be best friends with Jennifer Aniston while also frequently altering both her name and appearance.

Heather Sladinski was reportedly scammed of $20,000 for “psychic readings, fake life coach sessions and cult-like retreats that included rituals, breathing exercises and yoga.”  Sladinski said that Smyth was also prepared to do a ritual involving a chicken on behalf of Sladinski so she could get back her boyfriend, who, it so happens also had also secured a restraining order against her.

Sladinski said that Smyth was witty, clever and, the story notes, “had credentials and other documents to back up her claims.”  Smyth even allegedly stole her daughter’s identity to rent an apartment in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Smyth registered a business in Maine called Satan’s Eye of the Storm LLC, incorporated in Kennebunk.

Maine Bureau of Corporation – Ratan’s Eye of the Storm registry

 

Under then LuciaBelia via her website, she writes:

My name is Lucia Belia. I am an Emissary of Satan, a practitioner of Black Magic, a psychic with Clairsentient, Claircognitive, Clairtangient, Clairvoyant, and channeling gifts. I practice many forms of Magick however the majority of my magic is Demonic Magick. For me, Demonick Magick is the strongest, most powerful magick there is. It is also the most satisfying, internal and personal Magick out there. I am a member of the Left Hand Path and follow Satanism. Pathworking, using Sigils and the Ars Goetia is extremely satisfying

She appears to have a second website, luciabelia.com.

She also wrote a book called Eastern Star Rising: How Satan’s Eye of the Storm Was Created.  On Amazon, she writes she is a “certified INLP Hypnotherapist and practicing life coach. She works with clients through shadow work.”

The book describes “LuciaBelia’s journey of healing from past trauma and mastering the Left-Hand Path. She accomplished this feat through hard work and 18 hour days of focus, determination and working with Magick as an extension of herself relentlessly using her 30 years of experience with Right Hand Path and energy healing. The path to ascension includes self-initiation, self-deification, and shadow work. It is a long, arduous journey.”

She also appears to have an Etsy shop, a YouTube Channel, and another on Tiktok as well as Instagram, Facebook, and even LinkedIn.  She offers readings, rituals for hire, and a range of spiritual and alternative psychotherapy services.

Lucia Belia/Smyth book via Amazon

 

On Etsy,  Smyth as LuciaBelia responded to  an accusation:

Apparently another practitioner felt it necessary to badmouth me on their social media. I find that most unfortunate, especially since I was open and sincere with them about my felony conviction with them in March and was told by them it was not an issue, until May, when the work stopped for them. We all have pasts. I disclosed my conviction on my website, in January, when I launched. I do not agree with it, but I served my time with dignity and moved on and do not judge others, and appreciate integrity and honesty. I am a firm believer in the path, the work we do with the Demonic forces and confronting shadows and the healing work from within. Anyone coming to my shop is treated with respect and their past is not an issue for me. I do my work, and show my proof and my work stands for itself. I work strongly with Santa Muerte, The Demons and Spirits that come to me, and I owe no one an explanation. If my past and the things said about me are an issue for you, then I am not the right practitioner for you and I wish you well. I will not comment on the things said about me because you cannot defend yourself from lies and scandal. What you do is do your work, follow your path and move forward with integrity, authenticity and purpose. I choose my battles and I refuse to fight ignorance, it lowers you to their standards and stunts your ascension.

Smyth was apprehended by U.S. Marshalls last month in Bingham, Maine on February 23, 2024.  She was denied bail on March 24, 2024. Her extradition hearing is set for April 17. She faces up to 80 years in jail in Northern Ireland.

The story has been picked up by media worldwide meaning that Smyth may have more victims she is not even aware of.

On her website, Smyth writes:

Is Demonick Magick Dangerous?

No It is powerful but not Dangerous.  Working with Demons is a Left Hand Path work and is different than Pagan or Wiccan Philosophy but it is not dangerous.

Walton said. “People like Marianne have wrecked people’s lives, and I am really hopeful she’s going to see justice.”

 

https://wildhunt.org/2024/03/the-left-hand-path-irish-heiress-psychic-witch-we-should-be-aware-of.html

[Huat Zai]

Editorial: New book is ripe with dangerous anti-Pagan rhetoric

Earlier this year,  The Atlantic published an atrocious piece about Paganism that we covered extensively. The Wild Hunt‘s editorial focused on why The Atlantic decided to publish such a piece on Paganism, and we raised a question: Why does The Atlantic, a leading magazine with extensive resources, seem to have such difficulty in locating a Pagan scholar or expert?

The major concern that we raised, and mentioned in other editorials and articles, is a rising tide of anti-Pagan rhetoric in some communities, particularly among Christian conservatives. Given the obvious hegemony of Christianity within the West, and the relatively small community of Pagans, Witches, Wiccans, Heathens, and polytheists, the language of “paganism” as a threat keeps surfacing.

That scapegoating language emerged again this weekend.

On April 4, 2024, Glenn Beck, the American conservative commentator, radio host, and CEO of Mercury Radio Arts, the parent company of his television and radio network The Blaze, interviewed John Daniel Davidson. Davidson is a senior editor at The Federalist, an American online magazine and podcast co-founded by Ben Domenech and Sean Davis in September 2013, which offers coverage of politics, policy, culture, and religion from a decidedly conservative perspective.

The New York Times says that The Federalist “leans hard into the culture wars,” with some pieces that question women’s experiences in the Me Too movement and others that describe recognition of transgender identity as a “war on women.”  That’s really just the beginning of their portfolio, but this article is less about The Federalist and more about Davidson’s book, Pagan America: The Decline of Christianity and the Dark Age to Come.

“America as we know it will come to an end,” or so Davidson claims. “Instead of a republic of free citizens, we will be slaves in a pagan empire.”

Davidson, who is a Roman Catholic, asserts that our current era is fraught with anxiety, as indicated by the erosion of long-held certainties, cherished beliefs, and social cohesion. He cautions against optimism, noting a prevalent complacency towards our Christian heritage, upon which America was founded. However, he laments the inevitable decline of this Christian culture, foreseeing its replacement by a despotic regime intertwined with a new, more virulent form of paganism rooted in antipathy towards Christianity.

He warns that there is no viable escape from this trajectory. Rather, he urges his audience to brace themselves for a future where power dictates every aspect of human interaction. Traditional Christian morality will be supplanted by a state-imposed code, with violence becoming commonplace, administered by an omnipotent state and its corporate allies.

---

Note: The video above shows presidential candidate Donald Trump claiming that President Biden declared Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). This statement is false. International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is an annual day of recognition, celebrated around the world on March 31st. Easter is a movable Christian feast that is occasionally on March 31. That both were held on the same day this year is coincidence, nothing more.

---

Despite the daunting challenges he envisions ahead of American society, Davidson finds solace in history. He reminds readers that Christianity flourished within the confines of a pagan empire. He calls for courage, fortitude, and unwavering faith as Americans embark on the duty and privilege of defending Christianity and reclaiming its influence in what he predicts will be a harrowing and brutal era.

Davidson ignores the reality of history. Christianity is responsible for some of the greatest atrocities of the West, including the Crusades, the Indigenous genocide in the Americas, and the xenophobic persecution of Jews that facilitated the Holocaust. He avoids these topics because it’s convenient, and because his sales would go down if he were honest to his audience.

On Beck’s show, Davidson claimed “the idea that the future will be this secular, woke utopia is totally wrong.”

Both men insisted that the U.S. was a Christian nation, but it would no longer be such in the near future. Without Christianity as a cultural force, they claim, all the churches will become mosques or apartment buildings.

As for Americans, “we become pagan.” He describes paganism as the only alternative to Christianity. That doesn’t sound bad at all, frankly, but there’s more.

Davidson notes, “I don’t mean that we are going to have temples to Zeus and Apollo popping up in Times Square, or a surge of Witchcraft, although we are seeing that surge.”

Instead, our public life will be defined by a “pagan ethos” where “nothing is true, everything is permitted” – a quote apocryphally attributed to the Order of Assassins in the Assassin’s Creed video games, based on a novel from the 1930s, with no basis in actual Islamic thought or history. He notes that this will make religion and morality more subjective. He then suggests that pagan societies were coercive enslavers of individuals.  Again, this ignores actual Biblical commentary on issues like slavery.

He and Beck identify pagan societies of the 20th century as the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, both of which rejected the idea of human rights.

Davidson is clear that the paganism he refers to also involves spirituality. He notes that paganism denies spiritual reality, by which he means to say, that Christianity is the only defining authority of reality.

Beck asks if Davidson is a Christian Nationalist, with an obvious smirk suggesting that he is voicing a leftist argument. Davidson rejects the notion. He claims that Christians are not ascendant nor powerful in every metric, but instead a persecuted minority. They both argue that the U.S. Constitution is prima facie a document for a religious society, as only a Christian nation would have free speech and tolerance, human rights, and respect for everyone.

Davidson and Beck flip back and forth between lower-case paganism and upper-case Paganism, the former a description of a brutal secular world and the latter a description of the actual polytheistic theologies familiar to current practitioners. They capitalize on this ambiguity, never letting it be clear whether or not they are talking about the religious and spiritual movement the rest of us mean or whether they are indulging their paranoid fantasies about the end of Christianity. Again, this language belies the reality of history, and its use is dangerous, especially for minority religions and spiritual practices who are framed as the modern persecutors of Christians.

Despite the objective minority stance of Paganisms and Pagan-adjacent spiritualities, Davidson is stoking dangerous fires about the pagan threat.”Evil is coming,” he claims, “worse than you can imagine.” Considering we appear to be the evil he is warning against, we should be paying attention to where this rhetoric leads.

 

https://wildhunt.org/2024/04/editorial-new-book-is-ripe-with-dangerous-anti-pagan-rhetoric.html

 

No, we're still not safe.

[Huat Zai]

Explosive device thrown at The Satanic Temple: No one injured

SALEM, Mass. – Federal and local authorities have launched an investigation after an explosive device was thrown onto the porch of The Satanic Temple (TST). There were no injuries, and TST was not open at the time of the attack. “This was a horrific act of terrorism and people could be hurt,” said Lucien Greaves, one of the co-founders of The Satanic Temple (TST).

Let’s reinforce one issue first: TST is not a Pagan organization, but its societal work is highly adjacent to many Pagan endeavors. It is a non-theistic religious and activist organization that advocates for the separation of church and state, social justice, and individual freedoms. It was founded in 2013 by Lucien Greaves and several others. The organization uses Satanic imagery and symbolism, but its beliefs are not based on the worship of a literal Satan. Rather, it uses these references as metaphorical symbols to represent rebellion against tyranny, free inquiry, and personal autonomy, as well as to challenge religious privilege and promote secularism.

The Satanic Temple logo

 

The device was thrown in the early morning hours. The event was captured on TST surveillance cameras. The video shows a lit object, apparently an improvised explosive device, thrown onto the TST porch from the other side of the property’s fence. The device was launched at approximately 4:14 AM on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

According to reports, at approximately 4 p.m., the Massachusetts State Police bomb squad and Salem Police arrived at TST headquarters at 64 Bridge Street in Salem, nearly 12 hours after reports of an improvised explosive device being thrown onto the porch of the Satanic Temple.

 

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has since joined the investigation, collaborating with the Salem Police Criminal Investigation Division and other authorities. Upon arrival, the bomb squad secured the device and ensured it was no longer a threat. Authorities also secured the property, while K9 units thoroughly searched in and around the Satanic Temple for any potential secondary devices.

Greaves said that the device “fizzled out, but scorched some of the side of the house.” There was some damage to the building, and neighbors reportedly heard a loud noise, which they mistook for a truck hitting a pothole.

 

USA TODAY reported that state police spokesperson Dave Procopio said, “Upon impact, the item caused a flash of fire in several areas on the porch before self-extinguishing.” At the scene, the team found “a cylindrical PVC object filled with a black powder” near the porch designed “to cause detonation and inflict injuries.”

Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said in a statement, “Yesterday, the Satanic Temple here in Salem was the target of a terrorist attack,” said Pangallo. “While I am glad no one was injured in this attack, I nevertheless condemn this action in the strongest possible way.” He referred to the attack as “utterly reprehensible.”

This assault wasn’t the first of its kind on The Satanic Temple. Earlier this year, a man was arrested in Michigan and faced charges of plotting an attack on the TST building, while another individual was arrested and charged with arson in 2022.

The investigation into the bomb attack is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Salem Police Department at (978) 745-9700 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Anonymous tips can also be left by calling (978) 744-0171, ext. 50116, or online at tips.fbi.gov.

Pangallo stated that the city will work to enhance security measures in the area to ensure the safety of all individuals.

Greaves said he is confident that investigators will identify the individual responsible for throwing the explosive device onto the porch during the early morning hours.

The Satanic Temple released a statement on Twitter/X saying: “Thank you for standing with us.”

The Wild Hunt will continue to follow this story.

 

https://wildhunt.org/2024/04/explosive-device-thrown-at-the-satanic-temple-no-one-injured.html

[Huat Zai]

@chamfer

[chamfer]

 

Never did astral projection before but i'm curious.....

[chamfer]

 

[Huat Zai]

The Pagan Federation announces charitable status

The Pagan Federation announced extraordinary news yesterday:  After more than 25 years of dedication and hard work by numerous volunteers within the Pagan Federation (PF), has successfully attained charitable status!

First, from all of us at The Wild Hunt, Congratulations!

The Pagan Federation is a UK-based organization that promotes understanding and acceptance of Paganism, an umbrella term encompassing various earth-centered spiritual traditions. Founded in 1971, the Pagan Federation provides support, resources, and networking opportunities for Pagans, as well as advocating for their rights and freedoms. PF aims to foster a positive image of Paganism in society and offers guidance on ethical and spiritual matters within Pagan practices. The organization also hosts events, publishes literature, and engages in community outreach to educate the public about Pagan beliefs and practices. While it is based in the UK, the Pagan Federation has branches and members worldwide.

Charitable status in the UK is granted by the Charity Commission for England and Wales to organizations that meet specific criteria and operate for the public benefit. Charitable status enhances an organization’s credibility and legitimacy in the eyes of the public, donors, and potential partners from around the world. Receiving charitable status also demonstrates a commitment to serving the public good and adhering to rigorous standards of governance and accountability. The recognition, naturally, improves trust with stakeholders and creates safeguards against misuse of funds.

When an organization receives charitable status, it means that it is recognized as a legally constituted charity under UK law.  The benefits to the PF are extensive.  Foremost, as a charity, the PF will generally be exempt from paying certain taxes on income generated for charitable purposes. Additionally, donors to the PF can often claim tax relief on their donations.

Charities may be eligible for reduced business rates on the property they occupy, and they may also benefit from exemptions or discounts on other operational costs.

The PF will also now be able to seek grants and similar resources. Many grant-making bodies, both governmental and private, require organizations to have charitable status to apply for funding. The PF may also have access to specific funding streams and support programs available only to registered charities.

 

In a statement, Sarah Kerr, president of the Pagan Federation wrote:

I’ve got some fantastic news to share with you all. After over 25 years of effort and commitment from many PF volunteers, we have officially been granted charitable status.

This achievement marks a monumental milestone in our journey, one that holds profound significance for the entire Pagan community. For decades, we’ve worked hard to foster understanding, promote inclusivity, and celebrate the rich tapestry of Pagan traditions and beliefs. And now, with charitable status, we’re poised to make an even greater impact than ever before.

But what does this mean for us, you ask? Well, let me break it down for you. Firstly, charitable status provides us with a solid foundation to expand our reach and amplify our voice. It opens doors to funding opportunities, which will allow us to support vital initiatives, events, and resources that benefit both Pagans and the wider community.

Moreover, it grants us legitimacy and recognition on a broader scale, helping to lift our status within society and enhancing our ability to advocate for Pagan rights and representation. In a world where misconceptions and stereotypes often overshadow the truth about our beliefs, this legitimacy is invaluable.

But perhaps most importantly, charitable status signals a significant step forward in our ongoing quest for acceptance and understanding. By achieving this milestone, we’re not only affirming the validity of Paganism as a legitimate faith but also challenging outdated perceptions and encouraging a culture of respect and tolerance.

So, to all our members, supporters, and allies, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your dedication and support have helped to bring us to this moment, and together, we will continue to shape a brighter future for Pagans everywhere.

Here’s to the next chapter in our journey—a chapter filled with boundless possibilities, endless opportunities, and, above all, a profound sense of unity and purpose.

Sarah told The Wild Hunt that the news from the Charity Commission was fantastic. “It’s huge news in so many ways and I can’t wait to see where it takes us!”.

 

https://wildhunt.org/2024/04/the-pagan-federation-announce-charitable-status.html

[chamfer]

 

 

[Huat Zai]

 

 

 

[chamfer]

I seldom talk about my personal journey here.

 

I felt i have to sort of 'restart' despite been on on and off practice with a proper teacher(@huatzai) for almost 5 years. 

 

Felt i lose touch with my 'gift' and meditation practice and thus lost my 初心 . Another is my ego problem which on and off surface up which i acknowledge and trying hard to be humble.

 

I chose to ignored the signs and continue thinking everything is ok.....until that book(@huatzai). 

 

So back to the drawing board again and re-do....