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Weekly Pagan News Roundup | July 18, 2026

  • Writer: Tish Owen
    Tish Owen
  • Jul 18
  • 5 min read

Today we are giving briefs, links, and information about all the Pagan news that happened this week! Please sit, sip, and read!



Legal and Community


State Zoning Laws:

A pending U.S. Supreme Court home worship case involving Orthodox Jews could have major implications for Wiccan covens and minority faith groups that hold rituals and gatherings in private residences.

Our Source: https://wildhunt.org/2026/07/supreme-court-to-hear-home-worship-case-decision-could-affect-covens-and-other-minority-faiths.html fbclid=IwY2xjawTIr7BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOMVNWbjBtVVlDNHk4UFZrc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjBnISQzXo8A_rWzU9LHzYK4ujkUhV4WmNuJia3FyK0gEDPeH_QnfkuHkBYL_aem_3dqtDUzuDvWnwC2lr8gEKA


Fortune-Telling Bans: (Full PUP Deep Dive: Coming Soon)

A legal challenge is underway in Pennsylvania as the owner of The Serpent's Key seeks to overturn a state law that prohibits fortune-telling. The case raises broader questions about free speech, religious expression, and whether laws written decades ago still have a place today.


Pagan Motorcycle Club Trial: (Full PUP Deep Dive: Coming Soon)

Jury selection recently began in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, for three members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club who are charged in connection with a 2025 shooting outside a Wawa convenience store that left several people injured. The case stems from an alleged confrontation between rival motorcycle clubs and is expected to draw significant attention as it moves through the courts.



Environmental


Ritual Litter:

Across the Pagan community, leaders, educators, and researchers are raising awareness about the growing impact of non-biodegradable items being left behind at sacred sites. From plastic ribbons and synthetic offerings to melted candle wax and other materials, these items can harm the very natural spaces many practitioners seek to honor.


Global Ecology:

Communities are exploring how Indigenous spiritual traditions can play an important role in protecting the natural world. In Benin, for example, traditional Vodoun practices are helping support the preservation of mangrove forests by reinforcing the cultural and spiritual significance of these vital ecosystems.



Arts, Culture, and History


Media Representation:

New programming is bringing fresh perspectives to the occult and paranormal community. New Blood follows occult author and investigator Michelle Belanger, offering an inside look at her personal magical practice and investigative approach alongside a predominantly queer team of researchers.


Meanwhile, Inhuman Beings explores the world of high strangeness and paranormal phenomena, bringing together practitioners from a variety of magical traditions to investigate, share experiences, and explore the unexplained.


Roman Cult Discovery:

Archaeologists in Georgia unearthed a gold votive plaque at the Apsaros Roman fort that links the site to the eastern mystery cult of Jupiter Dolichenus.



Events, Gathering, & Community:


Mystic South Conference:

Mystic South is on its second to last day of its 9th year in operation!


CUUPS 40th Anniversary:

For nearly four decades, the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) has worked to build connections between Pagan practitioners and the Unitarian Universalist community. Since being chartered by the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1987, CUUPS has supported Pagan-identified UUs through education, community building, worship, and interfaith dialogue.


Hexe Hause Closure:

After serving the Edgewater neighborhood for many years, Hexe Haus, a longtime metaphysical shop with roots dating back to Alchemy Arts in 1989, will be closing its storefront in late July or early August.


Upcoming Community Events:


The Wicked Market X Strega:

A local artisan pop-up featuring spiritual goods, 20+ local artists, tarot readings by Mystic Storm, and live flash tattoos.


In Person Brew Haha - Pagan Pride Day and Southern Hearths and Cauldrons:

Whether you’re looking to make new friends, share ideas, or just chat over a great cup of coffee, this is the perfect space to plug into our incredible Middle Tennessee community.


A Special Note for This Saturday:

We have an extra exciting meetup because Nashville Pagan Pride Day will be hosting a volunteer meetup right alongside us! If you’ve been looking for ways to get involved, give back, and be a part of one of the biggest Pagan events of the year, this is your sign to show up. Come find out how you can help make this year's festival amazing!


  • When & Where: Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | The Daily Grind Coffee House (3844 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN)

  • Cost: As much as you wanna spend on coffee!

  • More Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1923256831694644



Midday Game Cafe

Take a break, grab a sweet treat, and join us for the Midday Game Café! Whether you love board games, card games, TTRPGs, or simply enjoying good company, there's a seat at the table for you. Come play, connect, and support Pagan Unity Fest, one game, coffee and, dessert at a time.



Upcoming Astrological & Seasonal Observances


Upcoming Celtic Tree Month:

In Celtic traditions, trees hold a deeply significant place in spirituality, symbolism, and seasonal cycles. Similar to the modern zodiac, the Celtic tree calendar connects different periods of the year with specific trees, aligning with the cycles of the moon. Each lunar month is associated with a native tree, carrying its own meanings, qualities, and symbolism.


This tradition is also connected to the ancient Ogham alphabet, a symbolic writing system in which each character, or feda, is associated with a tree or plant and carries its own spiritual significance.


We have just moved into the month of the Holly! It rules the eighth moon, carrying with it symbolism of peace, goodwill, and protection. As one of the trees associated with the winter months, Holly stands out with its evergreen beauty, offering a reminder of resilience, hope, and grace during the darkest time of the year.


In traditional folklore, Holly was believed to hold protective qualities. While oak was said to attract lightning, holly was thought to repel it, leading people to plant holly near their homes as a safeguard against storms.


Holly branches and leaves were also brought indoors during winter because of their vibrant greenery when much of the natural world appeared dormant. Folklore held that holly provided shelter for fairies and other spirits during the cold months, making it a cherished symbol of protection, renewal, and the enduring spirit of nature.


The Full Buck Moon:


Rising on July 29, 2026, the Full Buck Moon spiritually symbolizes growth, inner strength, and forward movement. Named for the time when male deer grow their new antlers in velvet, it serves as a powerful reminder to shed old habits, stand in your personal power, and build resilience to achieve your goals.


Remember: you can work with the full moons energy 3 days before, the day of, and 3 days after! Make some moon water, do a ritual! If you're terrible with calendars, the universe will forgive you!


Birth of Osiris:

In esoteric and metaphysical traditions, such as those taught by the Egyptian Wisdom Center, invoking the “Osiris” within yourself represents an acknowledgment of the cycles of transformation, decay, and spiritual regeneration. The story of Osiris serves as a reminder that endings are not always final; rather, they can become the foundation for renewal and growth.


By connecting with the energy of Osiris, practitioners reflect on the idea that every form of “death”(whether a loss, failure, transition, or ending) holds the potential for rebirth. Through this process, challenges become opportunities for deeper understanding, personal transformation, and spiritual awakening.


This article was edited on 07/18 to add events








 
 
 

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