From Long Branch, NJ, we've gotten news that Sacred Circle, a popular metaphysical store, was destroyed by a fire on Monday. The fire apparently started in another tenant's space and spread, gutting the entire building, as well as several others.

Owners Adam Kane and Al Romao posted on the shop's Facebook page, We want to take this time to assure our community that although this physical space is gone, the community is still very much alive. We need a little time to regroup, talk to insurance companies, and figure out "where do we go from here". But then we will be putting word out to everyone and trying to keep you all in the loop. We will also be looking into continuing our classes either out of our home, or we have also had some generous offers from community members.

While no one was injured in the blaze, several animals were killed and a number of families have been left homeless after the fire. A fundraiser is being organized to help these folks out, because they lost everything. Donations are being accepted for household goods, clothing, and monetary contributions. For more information on how you can help, be sure to visit Brighten Up Brighton Avenue on Facebook.

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Lord Athanor, known by many members of the Pagan community for his work founding the Unicorn Tradition of Wicca with Lady Galadriel, has passed away. Athanor, whose mundane name was John Monogue, died on Monday.

His son Ash writes, Honor and celebrate him for all of the love, light, laughter, wit, wisdom, and magick he brought into your life by whatever means you think best. And when you are done celebrating him, hold tightly in your heart the fire of those things he stirred inside of you and carry them with you always. I know I will.

A memorial is planned for Sunday Feb 19th in Clarkston, GA. Speedy travels, Athanor, and may your ancestors be waiting for you on the other side.

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If you're near Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, and you're in the market for a bit of prime real estate, the pub used in the original version of The Wicker Man is up for sale. The Ellangowan Hotel in Creetown doubled as the Green Man Pub in the film, and featured smokin' hot Britt Eklund pulling pints for guests on their way to sacrifices.

The film, which starred Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward, is a cult classic and has become pretty popular in the Pagan community. You can buy the hotel - pub included - for the reduced price of £200,000.

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OK, so it may be a holiday named for a Christian saint, but it's still a fun day to show the people you love (and lust after) just how much you care about them. This entire month has long been associated with love and romance, going back to the days of early Rome. Back then, February was the month in which people celebrated Lupercalia, a festival honoring the birth of Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of the city. Part of the fun included a "love lottery". Although contemporary historians have questioned the existence of such activities, it's still a fascinating legend.

After Christianity moved in, the Pope Gelasius did away with Lupercalia around 500 c.e., denouncing it as an immoral Pagan practice -- go figure. However, love and romance couldn't be stopped, and so the pope declared St. Valentine to be the patron saint of lovers. Learn more about the legend of St. Valentine, and how he became famous here: Valentine's Day.

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