Religion news 22 January
First mosque in Britain opened as vaccine hub; Vatican bank top official jailed for embezzlement; Virtual commemoration wall for International Holocaust Remembrance Day; “Batgate” witchcraft allegation wins a football match
Witchcraft
Halloween is here – but what does it have to do with modern witchcraft?
The image of dark and horrifying witches associated with Halloween is at odds with contemporary Pagan witchcraft, which venerates the earth and celebrates ancestors.
Summer’s over: Paganism and the festival of Samhain
The festival of Samhain on 31 October, has ancient origins marking variously the end of summer, the beginning of the Celtic new year, the veneration of the dead and a fire festival in the agricultural year. It is observed by many Pagans and is associated with divining the future.