12/08/2020
The Pagan Federation has a new website and a fresh makeover to its online presence. Founded in 1971, the organisation is the largest representative body for followers of a variety of pagan spiritual traditions in the UK, including Wicca, heathenry and druidry. The organisation explains: “Paganism is the ancestral religion of the whole of humanity. This ancient religious outlook remains active throughout much of the world today, both in complex civilisations such as Japan and India, and in less complex tribal societies world-wide. It was the outlook of the European religions of classical antiquity – Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome – as well as of their “barbarian” neighbours on the northern fringes, and its European form is re-emerging into explicit awareness in the modern West”. Although it is true that there are elements within pagan belief systems that have been homophobic and transphobic, these are very much minority viewpoints, and the majority of pagan groups, local and national, remain open and welcoming to LGBTQ adherents. The Pagan Federation even boasts its own LGBTQ officer as well as a disabilities officer and one dedicated to fostering good relations with other religions. The Pagan Federation has launched its own series of podcasts to explore aspects of belief in Britain today, and episode two, available on Spotify and Apple as well as other platforms, allows one to hear from LGBTQIA pagan practitioners. Whilst we are on the subject of audio content, our media team note that there are a wide range of pagan themed podcasts across all platforms. In the realm of streaming radio, there is also Wyldwood Radio, a British based station streaming music by pagan musicians and creatives. International Pagan Radio from the States airs spiritual music and podcast programmes about spirituality and life events. It promises educational and fun shows as well. Wicca Radio transmits from New Orleans in the US and includes First Nation American music in its repertoire of spiritual tunes, but at the moment is in the process of rebuilding its website.