Exactly 577 years ago on May 30th, 1431 Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake as a heretic and Witch. As Pagans, we should hold this martyr in our minds and spirits as a constant reminder of what can happen when individuals in power decide to use OUR faith to justify their questionable actions. While St. Joan did not self-identify as a Witch or a Pagan, preferring instead to believe that her "supernatural" visions and powers of premonitions were divine gifts from Christ, it is important that we as modern practitioners recognize what atrocities can be committed by those who don't understand nor appreciate our chosen path. Today however, that is not the world we live in. joan.jpg (17544 bytes)
As Americans the first amendment to our governmental constitution gives us the right to freedom of religion (for full reference please refer to the following web address: http://caselaw. lp.findlaw. com/data/ constitution/ amendment01/ ).
This can be translated to mean that the unjust processes committed on behalf of the Medieval Church will no longer occur.
For those of us at your friendly neighborhood Pagan Unity Campaign this anniversary is a great opportunity to join in our annual "IAm" campaign. This event is driven by a desire to inform our legislative representatives at all levels of government that we, as Pagans, are members of their community and their constituency and as such our interests should be taken into consideration! !
So please take a moment to honor the memory of St. Joan of Arc and numerous other women who were falsely murdered for their beliefs and raise your voice today. Let your leaders know that our voices and opinions matter. Send them a postcard today!!
(for more information contact your state chair or check out our website: http://www.paganuni tycampaign. org )
