druid

9 Stories

At Air Force 'Stonehenge', a Pagan Sanctuary

'We're here to accommodate all religions, period,' faith chief says

(Newser) - The United States Air Force Academy in Colorado is taking its commitment to respect religious minorities very seriously, the Los Angeles Times finds. Earlier this year, the academy dedicated a Stonehenge-like worship center on a hill for the use of current and future cadets who are pagans, druids, Wiccans, or...

'King Arthur' Can't Reclaim Stonehenge Remains

Self-styled Druid chief loses bid

(Newser) - The injustice! King Arthur Uther Pendragon cannot reclaim 5,000-year-old remains that were dug up at Stonehenge, a British judge has ruled. But don’t get too riled up: Pendragon isn’t actually related to the legendary kind of yore, although he is chief of the Loyal Arthurian Warband Druid...

Pagans, Hippies Celebrate Solstice at Stonehenge

Thousands gather to witness traditional ceremonies

(Newser) - More than 18,000 people gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate summer solstice, witnessing sunrise on the longest day of the year. The Telegraph ’s article on the event is full of fun little tidbits: The revelers are described as “an eclectic mix of sun worshippers, hippies, and pagans,...

Thank the Druids for Mistletoe Kisses
Thank the Druids
for Mistletoe Kisses
Dec 25, 2010 10:25 AM CST

Thank the Druids for Mistletoe Kisses

Mistletoe has long been considered a magical plant

(Newser) - Thank the ancient Druids for finding the magic in mistletoe, the plant that inspires Christmas kisses, writes Christopher Beam in Slate's Explainer column . Mistletoe has long been believed to have magical powers: For the ancient Druids, mistletoe could make barren animals fertile again. In Norse mythology, Loki used a spear...

Britain Recognizes Druidry as a Religion

It's gaining converts because of an emphasis on nature

(Newser) - Druidry has been officially recognized as a religion in Britain, complete with charitable status and tax breaks. The UK government acknowledged that the Celtic pagan faith, which originated in Ireland and Britain thousands of years ago, is a religion in its own right and deserves the same benefits as the...

'Sister' Stonehenge Discovered
 'Sister' Stonehenge Discovered 
Jul 22, 2010 7:45 AM CDT

'Sister' Stonehenge Discovered

Finding indicates far vaster religious complex

(Newser) - Rejoice, druids everywhere. An underground wooden Stonehenge "sister" has been discovered less than a mile north of the famous structure, convincing researchers that the site was a far grander prehistoric religious complex than previously envisioned. Scientists using sophisticated ground-penetrating X-ray machines have found what appears to have been a...

Crowds Throng Cloudy Solstice at Stonehenge

Revelers amassed at Stonehenge for sunup on the year's longest day

(Newser) - Normally fences keep the public from brushing up against Stonehenge's mossy monoliths, the Times of London reports, but for today's summer solstice, a record crowd was allowed to pack the British monument site. Druids, drinkers, and curious early risers filled the area to capacity well before sunrise, and the only...

King Arthur Chucked Out of Stonehenge

County council dragons aim to slay druid's protest

(Newser) - A British court has ordered King Arthur to stop hanging around Stonehenge, the Daily Telegraph reports. The pagan protester—who legally changed his name to King Arthur Pendragon decades ago—has been camped near the ancient stone site since last June. He argues that the site should be open to...

Solstice Shines at Stonehenge
Solstice Shines at Stonehenge
Jun 21, 2007 4:02 PM CDT

Solstice Shines at Stonehenge

Thousands gather to welcome longest day of the year

(Newser) - Spiritually inclined crowds converged on Stonehenge this morning to celebrate the summer solstice, greeting the dawn of the longest day of the year with dancing, drumming, and drinking. The mystical monument shone with floodlights and the glow of the rising sun as more than 20,000 druids, pagans, and other...

9 Stories