Movies, TV, and Literature
Wicca and Paganism is sometimes portrayed accurately -- and sometimes, not so much -- in movies, television, and books. How much can you learn about Wicca from Harry Potter, the Charmed sisters, or the Sweep series? Here's the place to get the scoop on which films, books and tv shows get it right -- and which ones don't!
Share Your Favorite Witchy Fiction
Got a favorite novel that includes witches, wizards, magic or Paganism? Share it with our other readers here!
Got a favorite novel that includes witches, wizards, magic or Paganism? Share it with our other readers here!
Summer Reading: Witchy Fiction
It's summertime, which means there's ample opportunity to do some reading. For fun, I put together a list of my favorite Pagan Fiction books and series. Although not all of these are written by Pagan or Wiccan authors, all include elements of magic, witchcraft, Paganism, or a combination of the three. Titles are presented in no particular order.
Robert Burns, Scottish Poet
Poet Robert Burns wasn't Wiccan or even Pagan, but his work is highly regarded by many members of the Pagan community. Find out why, and see which poems are most popular.
Poet Robert Burns wasn't Wiccan or even Pagan, but his work is highly regarded by many members of the Pagan community. Find out why, and see which poems are most popular.
Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey
Joseph Campbell was a well-known scholar on the topic of myth and comparative religion. His analysis of the hero's journey can be connected to many of the legends and lore in modern Pagan traditions.
Joseph Campbell was a well-known scholar on the topic of myth and comparative religion. His analysis of the hero's journey can be connected to many of the legends and lore in modern Pagan traditions.
Sir James Frazer, Folklorist
Who was James Frazer, and why do so many modern Pagans keep his books on their shelves?
Who was James Frazer, and why do so many modern Pagans keep his books on their shelves?
Music Review - "Secret Voyage" by Blackmore's Night
Ritchie Blackmore, formerly of Deep Purple, and singer/songwriter Candice Night formed Blackmore's Night in 1997. Since then, they've been collaborating on Renaissance-themed music, and "Secret Voyage" is their sixth CD. Read a review here!
Ritchie Blackmore, formerly of Deep Purple, and singer/songwriter Candice Night formed Blackmore's Night in 1997. Since then, they've been collaborating on Renaissance-themed music, and "Secret Voyage" is their sixth CD. Read a review here!
Meet Pagan Musician David Wood - Interview With David Wood
David Wood is a Pagan musician who marches to his own beat. Learn what drives David and keeps him going in this exclusive interview!
David Wood is a Pagan musician who marches to his own beat. Learn what drives David and keeps him going in this exclusive interview!
Book Review: Circle of Five by Dolores Stewart Riccio
Herbalist Cass Shipton and her friends have recently formed a Wiccan coven. When a child killer begins preying on their small New England town, the five of them band together in a dangerous hunt that will test all of their strength and power. Read a review of "Circle of Five" by Dolores Stewart Riccio.
Herbalist Cass Shipton and her friends have recently formed a Wiccan coven. When a child killer begins preying on their small New England town, the five of them band together in a dangerous hunt that will test all of their strength and power. Read a review of "Circle of Five" by Dolores Stewart Riccio.
Book Review: Charmed Circle by Dolores Stewart Riccio
The second book in Dolores Stewart Riccio's Circle series finds herbalist Cass Shipton and her Wiccan friends up to their pointy hats in danger when they hunt for a missing family. Read a review of "Charmed Circle" here.
The second book in Dolores Stewart Riccio's Circle series finds herbalist Cass Shipton and her Wiccan friends up to their pointy hats in danger when they hunt for a missing family. Read a review of "Charmed Circle" here.
Review: Wicked, the Broadway Musical
Long before Dorothy dropped in on the Land of Oz, there were two friends named Elphaba and Glinda (that's Ga-linda, with a "Ga"). If you've ever wondered why the Wicked Witch of the West got such a bad rap, seeing "Wicked" will give you a whole new perspective!
Long before Dorothy dropped in on the Land of Oz, there were two friends named Elphaba and Glinda (that's Ga-linda, with a "Ga"). If you've ever wondered why the Wicked Witch of the West got such a bad rap, seeing "Wicked" will give you a whole new perspective!
When Will Hollywood Get Witchcraft Right?
Ellen Leventry's excellent article from Beliefnet about the inaccurate portrayals of Wiccans and Pagans in modern film and television. Leventry addresses the three stereotypical Hollywood witches: historical ("The Crucible"), funny ("Hocus Pocus") or sexy ("The Witches of Eastwick").
Ellen Leventry's excellent article from Beliefnet about the inaccurate portrayals of Wiccans and Pagans in modern film and television. Leventry addresses the three stereotypical Hollywood witches: historical ("The Crucible"), funny ("Hocus Pocus") or sexy ("The Witches of Eastwick").
Judika Illes on TV Witchcraft
Judika Illes, author of "The Elemental Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells," blogged about some of the inaccuracies presented in television shows such as "Charmed" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." An excellent article, and one that should make you stop and think about stereotypes and the media.
Judika Illes, author of "The Elemental Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells," blogged about some of the inaccuracies presented in television shows such as "Charmed" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." An excellent article, and one that should make you stop and think about stereotypes and the media.
Vatican Exorcist Condemns Harry Potter
In 2006, Rev. Gabriele Amorth, the chief exorcist for the Vatican wrote a scathing condemnation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, announcing that once children start believing in magic, it's just a few steps until they're worshipping Satan. Despite the fact that Potter is fictional, this is a worthy read just to get some perspective on how intolerance spreads.
In 2006, Rev. Gabriele Amorth, the chief exorcist for the Vatican wrote a scathing condemnation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, announcing that once children start believing in magic, it's just a few steps until they're worshipping Satan. Despite the fact that Potter is fictional, this is a worthy read just to get some perspective on how intolerance spreads.
Kitty Campbell on The Ghost Whisperer
Blogger and writer Kitty Campbell wrote this clever article about the television show, "The Ghost Whisperer," and points out that for all its silliness, the show manages to get portray Wicca far more accurate than most movies or tv shows.
Blogger and writer Kitty Campbell wrote this clever article about the television show, "The Ghost Whisperer," and points out that for all its silliness, the show manages to get portray Wicca far more accurate than most movies or tv shows.
Discovering Tarot in Literature
This clever list is a compilation of different works of fiction that include information about Tarot. From Piers Anthony to William Butler Yeats, if you enjoy Tarot and you enjoy literature, this is a great list to have handy when you head to the library.
This clever list is a compilation of different works of fiction that include information about Tarot. From Piers Anthony to William Butler Yeats, if you enjoy Tarot and you enjoy literature, this is a great list to have handy when you head to the library.
Witches' League for Public Awareness
The Witches' League for Public Awareness (WLPA) has spent years monitoring the depiction of Witchcraft in movies and television. Also has a section for book reviews. Some of the information is a bit dated, but still a useful resource.
The Witches' League for Public Awareness (WLPA) has spent years monitoring the depiction of Witchcraft in movies and television. Also has a section for book reviews. Some of the information is a bit dated, but still a useful resource.