News: Pagans, Father Christmas, Vikings, Witches

“Santa Claus’ Pagan Origins: Why Do Christmas Traditions Come From Old Europe?” – story at International Business Times: http://www.ibtimes.com/santa-claus-pagan-origins-why-do-christmas-traditions-come-old-europe-2455341

“What religion was practised by the people of Lithuania before their conversion to Christianity in the 14th century?” – blog post about the last European country to be officially pagan at BBC History Magazine: http://www.historyextra.com/qa/religion-lithuania-pagan-conversion-christianity

“Clive Standen and Maude Hirst travel to Scandinavia as Real Vikings looks at Paganism” – story at Monsters and Critics.com: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/clive-standen-and-maude-hirst-travel-to-scandinavia-as-real-vikings-looks-at-pagan-beliefs/

“Woman who rescued Nigerian ‘witch-child’ beats Obama, Pope Francis to top list of world’s most inspiring people” – story at The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/worlds-most-inspiring-person-2016-ooom-anja-ringgren-loven-nigeria-witch-child-a7460976.html

“Did a witch’s curse kill a retired army captain and magistrate?” – story at Stoke Sentinel: http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/north-staffs-legends-did-a-witch-s-curse-kill-an-army-captain/story-29951044-detail/story.html

“Woman aged 101 escapes death over witchcraft claims” – story at Times of Zambia: http://www.times.co.zm/?p=90068

The picture shows a 1881 illustration by Thomas Nast who, along with Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, helped to create the modern image of Santa Claus

To read more posts like this visit A Bad Witch’s Blog at www.badwitch.co.uk