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

Familiars, pets and totem animals
Many Pagans have a favorite “familiar” –  a household pet that is very close to their hearts and souls. Familiars may inspire writers and artists, become very interested in any rituals or magick you may be performing or watch you as you fashion your own ritual tools. (And don’t worry, familiars may cross into and out of a sacred circle without the customary cutting of a door. The innocence and pure spirits of small children and animals confirm that they are safe to do so.) Read full story from The Examiner

The reality of impermanence in this month of November
In the Buddhist traditions of our country the dead are always remembered with periodic and regular almsgivings and various meritorious acts. In addition special remembrance days are also observed in memory of the valiant military that died in the continuing war we have had for almost thirty odd years. Ranaviru day is given special significance and continues to keep in our minds the debt the nation owes to the service personnel who fought so valiantly and sacrificed their lives on many an occasion. Dr. Narmmasena F. Wickremesinghe, former head of Ranaviru Seva Authority in an article referring to the sacrifice of the forces states that the ballad of Bill Ray Cyrus adapted and sung at the Memorial Service for the late Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa,is very apt :“All gave some, some gave all, Some stood through for a nation, so true and some had to fall ,and if you ever think of me ,think of all your liberties and recall some gave all’. So we will always continue to honour and remember with various acts   of merit , those who defended the peace and integrity of Mother Lanka. Read full story from DailyMirror

Child Exorcisms in Africa deserve attention, help
Do you believe in witchcraft? No? I don’t either. But I do think there are a good number of believers in Africa, as we can see by the number of children tortured, mutilated and murdered following accusations of witchcraft. There have also been more than a few bodies found disemboweled and missing their organs (which are believed to be used as charms). Read full story from jackcentral.com

‘Christmas’ to stay in name of event in Birdsboro
Wiccan resident suggests name of event emphasizes Christianity; council disagrees Read full story from readingeagle.com

Confederate flag banned again
HOMESTEAD – Just days before the annual Veterans Day parade in Homestead, the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) group announced on Wednesday that the Confederate battle flag has been banned from the event Read full story from sfttime.com

Atheists take message on road
TAMPA – Motorists along one of Lakeland’s major thoroughfares are being greeted with a billboard asking a provocative question: “Don’t believe in God?” Read full story from TBO.com

Historic sites teach Thanksgiving from a Native American view
As she often does at this time of year, Richmond was explaining the origins of Thanksgiving from a Native American point of view — how the so-called “First Thanksgiving” was actually part of a much larger cycle of Native American thanksgiving festivals and how roast turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie probably weren’t on the menu. (Instead, the Pilgrims and their Wampanoag dinner guests most likely sat down to a meal of venison served with dried corn and fruit). Read full story from Read full story from projo.com