As we approach the spooky season of Halloween, it's the perfect time to delve into the haunting world of gothic witches. With their dark allure and mysterious powers, these bewitching individuals have captivated our imaginations for centuries. Gothic witches are often depicted as powerful and enigmatic beings who harness the forces of nature and tap into ancient mystical knowledge. They are associated with broomsticks, pointy hats, cauldrons, and spellcasting. The image of a witch flying across the moonlit sky on her broomstick has become an iconic symbol of Halloween. One of the defining features of a gothic witch is her eerie and macabre appearance.

Why pagans need to support biodiversity act

The Tree of Life is one of my preferred visualizations and methods of grounding. Often, I’ll consider which large trees are close by when doing it, and use their shape and form to assist the visualization. Old willow trees are a favourite, especially trees that reach high to the sky, and low to the earth with their weeping branches.

This love of trees, and nature more generally, is one of the things that sets pagans apart. Our relationship with nature often develops early in life. Many people describe their discovery of paganism and/or the Goddess as a homecoming, forged in childhood memories of babbling brooks and forests and farms. Our sacred spaces are often marked by natural phenomena. Some temples, marked simply by groves of trees, form circles reaching above and below - as in the mystery of all things.

So when the corporations who clear-cut our forests start interfering in politics, pagans need to get involved as well.

That’s what is happening right now around the Biodiversity Act, proposed legislation that is designed to help protect wildlife and plants that are increasingly endangered as a result of climate change and unsustainable harvesting practices. The corporations who clear-cut our forests are opposed to this legislation because they want to continue their destructive practices.

The truth is that this legislation doesn’t go nearly far enough. It is a start, but even with this legislation, we will continue to see a major loss of biodiversity as climate change accelerates. Even with this legislation, clear-cutting and destroying forests will still be legal in Nova Scotia.

But the weakness of this legislation has not stopped the clear-cutting lobby from telling lies and half-truths about it. The so-called "Concerned Private Landowners Coalition" isn't a real group. It is a front set up by Forest Nova Scotia, who represents the clear-cutting industry. They do not speak for the thousands of tiny and small woodlot owners, or small farmers, who make up the vast majority of people that own rural land in our province.

Our forests have become so degraded that they are growing back much slower, with much less biodiversity. The impacts on our natural environment are easy to see. The impacts on human health, emotions, state of mind, and spirituality, are as intense, but more difficult to see.

Consider: Our native Beech, Elm, and White Ash trees are dying off due to disease and the impacts of climate change and globalization. Our Sugar Maples and White Birch are also threatened.

This is not to say that we can't have a forestry and lumber industry. With time, sustainable harvest practices and higher-value forestry much are still possible. To get there, we need to press pause, and allow our forests time to heal and grow. We need to make a shift as a society toward saying that extractive industries like clear-cutting are unacceptable - whether on public or private land. Ecosystems do not respect property lines.

For pagans, and everyone who cares about our forests, the intense campaign against the Biodiversity Act should raise alarm. Even a fairly minor attempt to support a more sustainable future is being vocally opposed by the clear-cut lobby. The only solution, that I can see, is to be equally as vocal. To say that we must go further. To say that we cannot allow any further destruction of the earth. To say that the land, trees and animals are sacred and that they have usefulness beyond human greed.

So please, take a moment to call your Member of the Legislative Assembly and ask them to support this legislation. A phone call to their office, even in evening hours when it will go to an answering machine, is much more effective than sending an email. Speak out against the lies of the clear-cutting industry.

Then, close your eyes, breathe deep, relax your muscles, and form in your mind the vision of glorious, mature, diverse forests from Yarmouth to Glace Bay. Dig your roots deep into the crust of the Earth, draw up the earth-fire, let it flow and grow and crescendo, then let it sink back to the Earth itself, and let us weave the strands of a different vision.

Another world is possible.

Druids Against Racism

The Grove of Nova Scotia Druids holds a longstanding value of upholding and working toward justice for all. We are a caring community, welcoming and respecting diversity, and working for social justice in our Grove and in the world. We acknowledge that the process is not always flawless, and we are committed to continuous improvement. We believe we must examine racism beyond the actions of individuals, for it is embedded in the very fabric of our society.

Recent events have compelled us as a group to examine and act against the multifaceted nature of racism. We are resolved to explicitly and publicly affirm our identity as an anti-racist group. We are shocked by the actions of our fellow man and committed to working with others toward an equal and fair society. In the end, we are all, after all, just distant relatives of each other, family that happened to be living in another town.

Ár nDraíocht Féin, Grove of Nova Scotia Druids and Isaac Bonewits

We are deeply saddened this day to share the below statement from the Mother Grove of ADF, about our founder – Isaac Bonewits.

In 2018, the late founder of ADF, Isaac Bonewits, was accused of sexually molesting a child. Just recently, allegations have been raised from among our membership that are similar in nature.

The Mother Grove publicly denounces Bonewits’ alleged actions toward children. We cannot and will not abide such actions. Children are our most precious asset, as they represent our future, and we have a sacred duty to protect them from harm, including teaching them about their own soveriegnty. For that reason, we also reaffirm our commitment to creating a culture of consent within ADF. The Mother Grove will work with our Human Services Specialist to create a consistent consent training program.

ADF may have begun as a single tree planted by Isaac, but in the years since, each new member has planted and tended their own tree. Some have chosen to plant a single tree, while others have together planted entire groves. Together, these trees make up the forest of Our Druidry. We stand now together, a forest of trees struggling in the darkness and shadow cast by that first tree.

There comes a time in the life of a grove where such trees must be felled, to allow for the growth and health of those which remain. This is such a time.

To preserve the health of our organization, we must cut out the blight that is Isaac Bonewits’ legacy. We sever the ties both historical and spiritual that bind us to him. For his actions against children, Isaac Bonewits will no longer be named as a beloved ancestor of ADF, nor is he welcome at our sacred fire.

May his memory and his dark actions fade with the rising of the sun.

We pray that those in need of support and healing find that swiftly, members and non-members alike, and remind members that they may reach out to the Members’ Advocate ([email protected]) or Human Services Specialist ([email protected]) for support.

Blessings,

The Mother Grove

For those of you who may not know, The Grove of Nova Scotia Druids - is a local Grove/chapter of ADF – an international public pagan “church” dedicated to Druidism. Issac was the founder of our international church - a brilliant academic that laid the foundation for one of the largest organized Neopagan groups today, in a time when Christian dominated societal norms would give us no rights to worship as we choose. BUT Isaac was not alone – we are an organization that is now thousands strong, that has been growing organically for decades, with the dedicated help of hundreds of individuals establishing local and mostly autonomous chapters worldwide. We can not, and should not, try to erase or whitewash the past, but we can and will move forward knowing that we as an organization run solely by volunteers (both internationally and locally) will always do our best to support our faith, our families, and our communities. Unlike the revealed religions such as christianity, the only dogma of our church has always been the Dogma of ArchDruid Fallibility – stating that our leaders are still just people and should never be “worshipped” as perfect or infallible. This is not in any way said to make excuses or brush off criticism for our leaders, but to say we stand firm in the knowledge that the felling of one tree does not ruin the entire forest. While we as a local grove have had no involvement in this decision by the Mother Grove, we put our trust in their hardworking guidance and leadership in these difficult times, and must believe that this decision was not made lightly and was given significant deliberation.

We, as a local grove in Nova Scotia are highly family focused, and have spent a lot of time and effort over the years to carefully craft our bylaws and our codes of conduct. We echo the sentiment that children are both our future and most precious asset, and must be protected to be allowed to be just that – children. We strongly condemn, in no uncertain terms, ANY action that violates the trust and personal sovereignty of children or any vulnerable member of our community. We grieve for both our community and for victims everywhere, and we ask for patience and understanding from both our membership and the wider pagan community to have faith that major discussions around communication, consent culture, and leadership training are happening within our international organization, and have always been a part of our local organization.

Cape Breton pagans launch new programs to combat food insecurity

A small pagan society in North Sydney that helps feed people in need is expanding its efforts with a new location for free meals and a community garden.

One of the defining features of a gothic witch is her eerie and macabre appearance. Dressed in flowing black garments, adorned with symbols of darkness and magic, she exudes an aura of otherworldly beauty. Her pale complexion, intense gaze, and long, unkempt hair add to her enchanting charm.

Circle of the Raven Society is expanding its free meal program to Glace Bay and is planning a community garden

Candice Hannah, a founding member of the Circle of the Raven Society, shows off the group's food pantry with Joe Townsend. (Christian Roach / CBC)

Gothic witches are often depicted as solitary figures, living in remote and desolate places. They are guardians of ancient knowledge and are believed to possess supernatural abilities such as healing, divination, and shape-shifting. Their connection to nature is strong, and they are often portrayed as being in tune with the elements and the cycles of the moon. While gothic witches have been portrayed as villains in many folklore and fairy tales, they also have a complex and nuanced history. In some stories, they are the heroines, using their powers to protect and defend the innocent. They are often seen as rebellious figures who challenge societal norms, embracing their individuality and embracing their own unique brand of magic. The allure of the gothic witch lies in her duality. She is both feared and revered, mysterious yet alluring. She represents a powerful female archetype that challenges traditional gender roles and empowers women to embrace their inner darkness. As Halloween approaches, it's the perfect time to embrace the haunting beauty of the gothic witch. Whether you choose to dress up as one or simply admire their captivating allure from afar, these enchanting beings capture our imaginations and remind us of the magic that lies just beyond the veil of reality. So, let yourself be transported to a world of mystery and enchantment, where the gothic witch reigns supreme..

Reviews for "Gothic Witchcraft in Pop Culture: From Salem to Sabrina Spellman"

1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Haunting Halloween Gothic Witch". The plot was cliché and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. I found myself rolling my eyes at the cheesy dialogue and the overuse of jump scares. It felt like the filmmakers were trying too hard to be spooky and ended up falling flat. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie if you're looking for a genuinely scary Halloween flick.

2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Haunting Halloween Gothic Witch" was a complete waste of my time. The acting was terrible, the special effects were laughable, and the story was uninteresting. I found myself constantly checking how much time was left, hoping it would just be over already. It's disappointing to see such a promising concept executed so poorly. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one.

3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Haunting Halloween Gothic Witch" but was let down. The film had potential, but the execution was lacking. The scares felt forced and the atmosphere was not as eerie as expected. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed resolutions. The movie felt disjointed and left me unsatisfied. It's a shame because with better direction and storytelling, it could have been a great addition to the Halloween genre.

4. David - 2/5 stars - I'm usually a fan of Halloween movies, but "Haunting Halloween Gothic Witch" missed the mark for me. The plot was weak and unoriginal, following the same clichés that have been done countless times before. The scares were predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. It felt like a generic attempt at cashing in on the Halloween hype without putting in the effort to create a truly memorable film. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one.

Bewitching Blooms: Dark and Moody Floral Arrangements for a Gothic Witch Halloween