Peg Aloi Peg Aloi is a writer, film and TV critic, and former professor of media studies. Recently Peg was featured in the documentary film ‘The Witches of Hollywood.’ She is currently editing an anthology on women and folk horror for the University of Liverpool Press, and writing a book on witchcraft and popular culture. Peg is a traditional singer who has hosted many open mics and bardic circles at Brushwood.
Hags, Crones, and Wisewomen: Who Are They/We? Hags, crones, and wisewomen are well-known figures in literature and popular culture. From fairy tales to television, “witchy” older women are portrayed in radically diverse ways: ugly, scary, glamorous, eccentric, wise, dangerous, useless, mysterious. The idea of older women as somehow “invisible” or beyond utility is a common trope, despite the empowering images of older women in contemporary paganism. This talk will explore these figures and their many permutations, through exploring their portrayals in contemporary culture and mass media. Adult Only. Sankofa: FRI, July 18 11:00 -12:30 p.m Storytelling
Hags, Crones, and Wisewomen: Who Are They/We? Hags, crones, and wisewomen are well-known figures in literature and popular culture. From fairy tales to television, “witchy” older women are portrayed in radically diverse ways: ugly, scary, glamorous, eccentric, wise, dangerous, useless, mysterious. The idea of older women as somehow “invisible” or beyond utility is a common trope, despite the empowering images of older women in contemporary paganism. This talk will explore these figures and their many permutations, through exploring their portrayals in contemporary culture and mass media. Adults Only. Sankofa: SAT, July 19, 11:00 -12:30 p.m. Storytelling
The Satanic Panic: Why Did it Happen? Thanks to a storyline on the series ‘Stranger Things,’ there’s been a recent revival of interest in the late 20th century Satanic Panic. This social phenomenon arose from a confluence of factors: the 1960s occult revival, the social upheaval of the 1970s, increased religious factionalism and the rise of right-wing politics in the early 1980s, as well as tabloid journalism. This talk will look at some under-explored causes of the Satanic Panic, including popular horror films and emerging spiritual movements, like contemporary witchcraft. Adults Only.. Sirius Rising: TUE, July 22, 5:00-6:30 p.m North Stage
Witches and Pagans in Folk Horror. Characterized by stories rooted in folklore, earth-based magic, pagan imagery, and an uncanny portrayal of landscape, the folk horror genre has exploded in recent years. One consistent element seen in many films and series is the presence of witches and practitioners of paganism. This talk will explore the representation of witchcraft and paganism in folk horror, from popular examples like The Wicker Man, The Witch, and Midsommar, to lesser known stories like The Ritual, The Third Day, You Won’t Be Alone, True Detective, In the Earth, and others. Adults Only. Sirius Rising: THU, July 24, 5:00-6:30 p.m. North Stage
The Wicker Man: Its Influence on Modern Paganism. The iconic 1973 film The Wicker Man was dubbed “the Citizen Kane of horror films” by Cinefantastique Magazine. It had a disastrous release in the UK, but soon inspired an enormous cult following in the US, in part because of its appeal to the newly-evolving neo-pagan movement. It has not only influenced many horror films, TV series, novels, and songs in its wake, but has had an indelible impact upon the culture of modern pagan witchcraft. This talk will explore the ongoing legacy of this fascinating, erotic, satirical, inventive, relentlessly weird, and truly terrifying film. Sirius Rising: SAT, July 26, 5:00-6:30 p.m. North Stage