Weekly Pagan News Round Up: August 1
- Tish Owen
- Aug 1
- 8 min read
This is all the pagan news you need to know about from this week, some community events, astrological movements, and PUP-dates (Pagan Unity Press updates).. get it.. I’ll see myself out
ANYWAAAYYYY yall aren’t here for the puns so let’s get into it!
Faith & Freedom
Constitution Over Campaign Rhetoric (PUP deep dive coming)
Republican candidate Monty Fritts said in a recent sit-down interview that, if elected, he would work toward banning mosques and what he described as "pagan religions," incorrectly grouping Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism into that category.
His comments have drawn immediate constitutional criticism after Fritts argued that the First Amendment does not prevent states from enacting such bans. Legal experts and religious liberty advocates strongly dispute that claim, pointing to the Constitution's Free Exercise Clause, which protects the right to practice one's religion.
The controversy has intensified in Tennessee, where constitutional scholars have also cited the Fourteenth Amendment's incorporation doctrine. For decades, this legal principle has established that First Amendment protections apply to state governments as well as the federal government, directly contradicting Fritts's assertion that states can lawfully prohibit specific religions.
Court Upholds Religious Liberty Commission (PUP deep dive coming)
On July 27, 2026, U.S. District Judge John Cronan dismissed a high-profile lawsuit challenging the administration's Religious Liberty Commission.
The lawsuit: A coalition of interfaith, Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh organizations argued that the commission violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), contending that its membership is overwhelmingly composed of conservative Christians and does not meet the law's requirement for a "fairly balanced" advisory body.
The ruling: Judge Cronan dismissed the case, finding that although FACA calls for balanced advisory committees, the President has broad discretion in appointing commission members, leaving those decisions beyond judicial review.
The concern: The decision has drawn criticism from advocates of minority faiths and secular organizations. They point to a June draft report from the commission that called for "building bridges between church and state," arguing the language raises concerns about the continued separation of church and state.
Congress Weighs Expanded Chaplain Protections (PUP deep dive coming)
Congress is advancing a House bill that would significantly expand statutory conscience protections for military chaplains.
The context: The legislation follows the enactment of a separate law affecting CIA chaplains, which established a more limited framework for conscience protections within the intelligence community.
The push: As the Pentagon continues implementing broader religious liberty policies, advocates representing minority faiths (including Heathen and Wiccan service members) are closely monitoring the bill. They are urging lawmakers to ensure any expanded protections are applied fairly and equitably to chaplains of all faith traditions, not solely those from Abrahamic religions.
Human Rights & Global Advocacy
History Repeating?
A widely shared essay circulating this week examines the long history of suspicion and persecution directed at wealthy, independent women. It explores how women who challenged social norms, held influence, or possessed financial independence were often branded as "witches", a label historically used to marginalize, silence, and punish those who defied traditional expectations.
Our Source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jul/26/women-witchcraft-financial-independence
Standing Against Modern Witch Hunts
As August 10 approaches, international Pagan organizations and human rights advocates are mobilizing for World Day Against Witch Hunts.
The mission: Led by humanitarian organizations such as Missio and supported by global advocacy networks, the campaign raises awareness of the ongoing persecution and violence faced by people accused of "witchcraft" in parts of the world. Organizers point to recent cases in countries including Papua New Guinea and Nigeria as reminders that these abuses continue today, calling for greater education, legal protections, and action to end witch-hunt-related violence.
Our Source: https://endwitchhunts.org/day/
Earth, Ecology & Spiritual Practice
From Protest to Restoration
A widely discussed community essay featured in The Wild Hunt highlights a growing movement toward "Regenerative Foodways" in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing environmental stewardship as a form of community activism.
The movement: Community writers describe a shift away from political counter-protests and toward hands-on restoration through local food systems, habitat rehabilitation, and sustainable practices.
The goal: Advocates say the approach seeks to heal the relationship between people and the natural world by fostering a deeper, seasonal connection with local plants, wildlife, and soil. The movement encourages practical environmental care as a pathway to long-term community resilience and ecological renewal.
Our Source: https://wildhunt.org/2026/07/connecting-to-regenerative-foodways-in-the-pacific-northwest.html
Ancestors, Artifacts & Historical Memory
Ancient Mosaic Sheds Light on Pagan Past
Archaeologists have uncovered a rare and remarkably well-preserved Roman mosaic in southern Turkey, offering a striking glimpse into the region's ancient religious landscape.
The find: Discovered near the biblical city of Perga, the mosaic prominently depicts the pagan river god Eurymedon, reflecting the artistic and religious traditions of the Roman era.
The significance: Dating to when Christianity was beginning to spread, the mosaic provides valuable insight into how polytheistic beliefs and practices continued to flourish alongside the growth of early monotheistic faiths. Researchers say the discovery adds to the historical understanding of religious diversity and cultural coexistence in the ancient eastern Mediterranean.
Our Source: https://archaeology.org/news/2026/06/19/mosaic-depicting-a-river-god-uncovered-in-turkey/
Pachamama Controversy Revisited
A widely shared historical and legal retrospective in The Wild Hunt archives revisits the lasting cultural impact of the Pachamama display controversy and its broader implications for religious and cultural representation.
The history: The review examines the 2019 incident in which Indigenous Andean fertility figures associated with Pachamama were taken from a church in Rome and thrown into the Tiber River by conservative Catholic activists who accused the display of promoting "pagan syncretism."
The focus: As the anniversary of the controversy draws renewed attention, commentators are exploring larger questions about how European religious and cultural institutions engage with Indigenous traditions, including the display, preservation, interpretation, and potential suppression of polytheistic and ancestral artifacts.
Building the Modern Pagan Community
A Cautionary Tale for Pagan Communities
A widely discussed essay by Heathen author Ryan Smith, examines the rapid rise and equally swift collapse of Graham Platner's influence within alternative political and spiritual circles.
The warning: Smith uses Platner's trajectory as a cautionary example of the risks posed by a "cult of personality,"arguing that charismatic individuals can quickly gain influence without meaningful accountability.
The takeaway: According to Smith, the decentralized nature of many Pagan communities often lacks formal systems for leadership vetting or oversight. He argues that this can leave spiritual spaces vulnerable to individuals who leverage personal charisma to build political influence, underscoring the importance of transparency, shared leadership, and community accountability.
Social Media Shifts Challenge Pagan Creators
Changes to social media algorithms are reshaping how decentralized Pagan news, educational content, and spiritual discussions reach online audiences.
The algorithm pivot: Many creators report that platforms such as TikTok are increasingly favoring videos featuring people speaking directly to the camera or engaging in live interactions, while static text-based posts, landscape footage, and faceless slideshow-style videos receive less visibility.
The "shadow-drop" issue: Content creators have also reported a recurring technical problem in which newly uploaded videos fail to appear on their public profiles or remain at zero views for an extended period after posting. While experiences vary, many creators believe the issue stems from delays between backend processing and frontend analytics. As a result, community members are encouraging creators to verify video performance through desktop analytics dashboards rather than relying solely on the mobile app's view counters.
Astrology Updates
The rare Total Solar Eclipse in Leo coming on August 12, 2026.
The Path: The eclipse will trace a highly unique path visible across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal.
The Magic: Because it coincides closely with the post-Lughnasadh harvest cycle, coven networks are organizing specialized spellwork and shadow rituals to safely channel the disruptive, transformative energy of a darkened sun
As a fire sign, a Leo Solar Eclipse highlights themes surrounding authenticity, creative expression, leadership, and ego validation. It prompts a collective reassessment of how we seek external approval versus how we honor our true self.
The four Fixed signs of the zodiac (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, and Scorpio) will be the most heavily affected by the August 12th total solar eclipse. Because the eclipse occurs at 20° of Leo, anyone with major planetary placements or chart angles between 15° and 25° of these four signs will experience the most intense personal shifts
Leo (The Epicenter): As the eclipse happens in your sign, you are undergoing a massive identity overhaul. With the South Node moving through Leo, you are being forced to shed old versions of yourself, drop the need for superficial external validation, and step into authentic leadership.
Aquarius (The Mirror): Sitting directly opposite the eclipse, your axis of relationships is being completely reordered. Expect sudden shifts, endings, or rapid new beginnings in your closest partnerships and a restructuring of how you balance your independence with commitment.
Taurus (The Foundation): The eclipse squares your sign, shaking up your 4th house of home, family, and inner security. Your literal living arrangements, family dynamics, or psychological foundations are shifting, forcing you to find stability within rather than relying on external comforts.
Scorpio (The Ambition): This eclipse hits the peak of your chart, squaring your sign and igniting your 10th house of career and public reputation. Professional crossroads, sudden changes in your career path, or a major reassessment of your legacy and power structures are taking center stage.
An additional fire sign, Aries, will also feel a profound impact as the eclipsed Sun acts as their exaltation ruler, sparking sudden, unexpected new chapters. As a fellow fire sign, you will experience highly creative and dramatic awakening in your sector of passion, joy, and self-expression. You are being pushed to take radical, courageous risks to burn down what limits your happiness.
Saturn Retrograde: Astrological updates confirmed that Saturn has officially entered retrograde from Earth's viewpoint, sparking community dialogue on boundaries, restriction, and internal reflection
The Cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn) are the ones most affected by the current Saturn retrograde
Taskmaster Saturn stationed retrograde on July 26 at 14° of Aries and will remain in backward motion until December 10. Because this transit is taking place in Aries, anyone with major natal planets or chart angles (Ascendant, Descendant, MC, or IC) between 9° and 19° of the Cardinal signs will feel a profound cosmic reality check.
Additionally, Capricorn and Aquarius will feel this deeply on a structural level, as Saturn acts as their natural planetary ruler.
Aries (The Epicenter) Because Saturn is spinning backward directly in your sign, you are bearing the heaviest structural load. This retrograde is a cosmic audit of your identity, personal boundaries, and long-term vitality. It is time to review where you have overcommitted yourself, cut corners, or let your self-doubt undermine your leadership potential.
Libra (The Mirror) Saturn is moving backward through your 7th house, making your committed partnerships and legal contracts the main arena for growth. You must confront unbalanced dynamics. It is time to redefine your personal responsibilities versus what you expect from others.
Cancer (The Ambition) This retrograde targets the absolute peak of your chart your 10th house of career, public legacy, and professional authority. Expect a massive review of your current projects. Use this period to correct business errors or restructure your long-term career strategy
Capricorn (The Foundation) As a sign ruled by Saturn, you always feel its retrogrades intensely, but this specific transit hits your 4th house of home, family, and inner emotional security. You are being asked to fix your internal and domestic foundations before trying to conquer the outside world
To help you plan your upcoming activities, keep an eye on these major cosmic and cultural events through the rest of August 2026:
🌿 August 5: The Celtic Tree Month of Hazel officially begins, traditionally focusing on inner wisdom, creative inspiration, and poetic insight.
🌑 August 12: A powerful New Moon in Leo aligns with a spectacular Total Solar Eclipse visible across parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal.
🔥 August 23: The Roman festival of Vulcanalia arrives, honoring the element of fire and seeking protection for late-summer fields and homes.
New Events Added Daily: https://spiralgrotto.wixsite.com/paganunitypress/community-events
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PUP-dates:
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Thats all we have this week folks! See you next week!
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