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Articles on Pagan

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People gather for Pagan sunrise celebrations in Ireland, on the morning of the winter solstice. Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images

Yule – a celebration of the return of light and warmth

Yule, celebrated by Wiccans and many other Pagans in the Northern Hemisphere on Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice, is a time for reflection.
WitchTok is the subculture of pagans who use TikTok to share spells, learn about mythology and connect with co-religionists. (northeasternherb, showthe8thhouse, greenwitchmystics/TikTok)

How modern witches are enchanting TikTok

Whether someone is scrolling mindlessly or actively conducting research, WitchTok connects witches to their practices and community.
The pagan tradition of celebrating the winter solstice with bonfires on Dec. 21 inspired the early Christian celebrations of Christmas. Gpointstudio/ Image Source via Getty Images

How Christmas became an American holiday tradition, with a Santa Claus, gifts and a tree

Christmas was popularized in the United States during the American Civil War, when Harper’s Weekly featured the image of Santa Claus visiting the Union Army on its front page.
Knocking on wood may be a holdover from the pagan days of Europe, when tree spirits were believed to bring luck. saiful bahri 46/Shutterstock.com

Why we knock on wood for luck

The curious history of a ritual meant to ward off bad luck.
A painting showing Saint Francis Borgia, a 16th century saint,, performing an exorcism. Francisco Goya

Exorcisms have been part of Christianity for centuries

Forty-five years ago, ‘The Exorcist’ terrified viewers with its portrayal of a practice that goes back several centuries and continues today in Christianity.
The proposition that Easter is a 100% Christian affair is manifestly unsustainable. Hartwig HKD

Easter scuppers the certainties of modern fundamentalists

The proposition that Easter is a 100% Christian affair is manifestly unsustainable. It shows an ignorance of history. Worse, it shows a failure to understand the way religious traditions work.

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