🌙 Witches Are Everywhere (Especially Here)

Why the Twin Cities are a Hotbed for Paganism

Are you a witch or do you know any witches in your life? Living in the Twin Cities, you're more likely to answer "yes" to one of those questions than just about anywhere else in the U.S. On today's episode of the City Cast Twin Cities podcast, we talked with public historian Dr. Chantel Rodríguez about why up to 20,000 pagans call Minnesota home. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

What is paganism? Broadly speaking, pagans are people who hold spiritual beliefs or practices outside of major world religions, especially Christianity. People with pagan beliefs may identify as witches, druids, or something else personal to their beliefs. It's common for pagans to celebrate natural occurrences like the changing of the seasons, solstices, and equinoxes. The extreme way we experience seasons and our proximity to so many lakes, rivers, and green spaces in the Twin Cities make our metro area very compatible with pagan beliefs. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

• Speaking of solstice celebrations, I counted 21 (!) different solstice-related things to do around town this weekend on the events page of our website. Check it out if you need plans for the longest night of the year!

Publishing powerhouse: Llewellyn Worldwide, the largest publisher of New Age and metaphysical literature, has been based in the Twin Cities area since 1901. They are currently publishing about 2,000 titles and have thousands more on their backlist. Llewellyn and the formerly operating Gnostica Bookstore's presence in the Twin Cities helped to build a reputation for paganism in the Twin Cities and has attracted people from all over the country. [Minnesota Historical Society / Minnesota Unraveled Podcast]

Figuring out foraging: For many Minnesotans, gathering wild plants for food or traditional medicine is a long-held practice, but it’s technically illegal in many parts of the state. The rules were mostly written with conservation and safety in mind, but they don’t always reflect cultural traditions or Indigenous foraging practices. To better reflect the needs of all Minnesotans, a state task force has been reviewing state rules on foraging, and they expect to make recommendations for changes early next year. [MinnPost]

Bored on Christmas? If you don't celebrate Christmas or are looking to shake things up this year, we got you covered. Our host Sean McPherson celebrates Hanukkah every year with his family, and he put together a great write-up of things to do on Christmas Day – from coffee shops and bars to check out, to catching a movie at the best theater in the Twin Cities. [City Cast Twin Cities]

Out of jail: A couple charged with allegedly kidnapping an ICE agent have been released on bail. The couple drove to a police station after a Homeland Security Investigations agent entered the vehicle during an attempted arrest. The agent didn't know where they were headed and pulled his gun out, but the driver kept going until they arrived at a nearby police station. The couple is currently out of jail and awaiting trial. [MPR]

Fact-checking the U of M's 'cover up': Rumors have circulated on social media and Reddit in recent weeks that the University of Minnesota engaged in a cover-up of a student's death by suicide. Officials from the U have stated that a student was taken to the hospital and is receiving care after police responded to a crisis call, but that they are unable to share more information to protect the privacy of the student. [MPR]

New eats for Northeast: Classy cocktails and Mexican-Asian fusion have arrived in the old Modern Cafe spot next to 331 Club. Mestiizo just opened its doors on December 11, featuring tequila and Japanese whiskey on its cocktail menu as well as tacos and sushi on its food menu. [Bring Me The News]

GIVEAWAY: We're giving away two tickets to the Jungle Theatre's DINNER FOR ONE New Year's Eve Bash! We’ve seen the show, and it’s truly impressive. To enter, head over to our Instagram, follow Jungle Theatre and us, and tag a friend in the comments. Good luck! [Instagram]

Friday, December 19

• 🌙 Winter Solstice Family Fun Night 🆓 | Minneapolis American Indian Center
• 🎶 Black “Co-MingL” Nativity Matinee | Capri Theater
• 📚 An Evening of Children's Literature with Kao Kalia Yang & Friends | Ordway Concert Hall
• 📻 Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society: A Christmas Carol | Crooners
• 🪩 Call Your Girlfriend - A Robyn Dance Party | Fine Line
• 🔥 Le Cirque Rouge: Cabaret & Burlesque Show | 331 Club
• 🥁 Onwa December with Obi Original & The Black Atlantics | The Cabooze

Saturday, December 20

• 🕊️ Homegoing Celebration for Garry “Jellybean” Johnson | Shiloh Temple
• 🌱 Cannabis Classroom: Christmas Edition 🆓 | HEAL MPLS
• 🪶 Indigenous Holiday Market & Benefit Concert | Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center
• 🎞️ Sapphic Cinema Series: CAROL | Trylon Cinema
• 🚲 3rd Annual Winter Solstice Light Ride | Behind Bars Bicycle Shop
• 🏮 Winter Solstice Lantern Parade 🆓 | Powderhorn Park Rec Center
• 🌐 Hipshaker Presents: Worldwide Discotheque | Black Hart of Saint Paul

Sunday, December 21

• 🎄 European Christmas Market (Final Day) 🆓 | Union Depot
• ☀️ Solar Observing for Solstice | Bell Museum
• 🎭 A Christmas in Ochopee (Closing Performance) | 825 Arts
• 🔔 Solstice Sound Temple: Ecstatic Dance + Giant Gongs | Open Minds Studio
• 🎹 Kavy Tries Things: Kavytational | Berlin
• 🤺 Fight Scene Showcase 🆓 | Historic Mounds Theatre
• 💃 Winter Solstice Dance Party 🆓 | Black Hart of Saint Paul

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