By Manny Tejeda y Moreno Published: September 10, 2026
Introduction and Main Facts
In this week’s edition of Pagan Community Notes, communities across the globe pause to reflect on a solemn milestone: the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As the nation remembers the lives lost and the enduring echoes of that fateful day, the Pagan and broader spiritual communities are holding space for collective grief, healing, and historical reflection.
Beyond this major observance, the news cycle spans a rich tapestry of cultural updates, institutional transitions, and seasonal announcements. Key developments include:
The New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple sharing its preservation plans following the passing of founder Priestess Miriam Chamani.
The Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) opening registration for the upcoming Hekate’s Sickle Festival on Orcas Island.
Spiral Moon Media Group expanding its accessibility via mobile applications, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
The EarthSpirit Community announcing its robust autumn ritual and retreat schedule across western Massachusetts.
Norwegian folk-rock band Gåte releasing "Mi Jord," the third single off their highly anticipated upcoming album, Sigil.
Chronology of Events and Recent Developments
The 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001
The marking of a quarter-century since the 9/11 attacks brings forth a wave of commemorative art, historical accountability, and community resources.
September 9, 2026: New York Harbor lit up with a breathtaking drone installation titled 2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor. Developed in close collaboration with the 9/11 community—including survivors, family members, and first responders—the display featured a single light for each victim, eventually forming a full architectural-scale outline of the Twin Towers.
Early September 2026: New York City launched a massive public records portal, releasing over 170,000 pages of previously unavailable documents concerning the government’s post-attack response, air quality assessments, and health inquiries.
Mid-September 2026: Circle Sanctuary rolled out specialized commemorative programming, rebroadcasting the Pagan Voices of 9/11 episode on the Circle of Nature podcast alongside archival reflections documenting Pagan resilience and mourning over the last twenty-five years.
Institutional Transitions in New Orleans
The New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple announced its operational roadmap following the transition of its visionary founder, Priestess Miriam Chamani.
Immediate Post-Passing: The Temple confirmed it will remain physically preserved exactly as Priestess Miriam left it, serving as a living shrine to her decades of spiritual labor.
Leadership Transition: Priest Allen Papa Gran Bwa Bakavi is helping guide the community, while Priestess Lilith Dorsey—a 30-year veteran of the Temple—steps in as interim Priestess. Additional support is being provided by Temple brother Jorge Lopez, Priest Louis Martine, and Witchdoctor Utu.
Supporting Data and Institutional Transparency
New York City’s 9/11 Records Portal
In an effort to provide long-overdue accountability, New York City allocated $34 million in its FY27 budget to create and maintain a comprehensive online document portal.
Scope of Data: The portal hosts over 170,000 pages, including the widely discussed Harding Memo and records recovered from 68 newly located boxes.
Health and Compensation Support: The administration has assigned dedicated personnel to assist survivors and first responders in locating documentation to verify their presence in the New York City Exposure Zone. This validation is critical for individuals navigating claims through the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
Long-Term Health Tracking: The World Trade Center Health Registry, established in 2003–2004, continues to monitor the long-term physical and mental health consequences for over 71,000 initial enrollees, highlighting persistent post-traumatic stress and respiratory conditions among high-exposure groups.
Festival Logistics: Hekate’s Sickle Festival
The Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) released vital structural data regarding its upcoming November gathering:
Dates & Location: November 6–8, 2026, at Camp Moran State Park on Orcas Island, Washington.
Capacity & Pricing: Capped at 148 beds in rustic cabins to maintain an intimate retreat atmosphere. All-inclusive weekend registration is priced at $299, with early-bird discounts ($50 off) running through September 15.
Accessibility Considerations: Acknowledging that rustic state-park cabins lack ADA compliance, ATC organizers have coordinated with nearby offsite lodging options and arranged dedicated shuttle services to bridge the gap for attendees seeking higher-comfort environments.
Official Responses and Statements
"The very least our city owes the families, survivors and first responders whose lives were forever changed by the September 11th attacks is transparency and accountability."
— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City
"They deserved the truth then, and they deserve the full truth now. Government records about September 11th belong to the people of New York."
— Former Representative Carolyn Maloney
"For the time being, the New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple will remain exactly as Priestess Miriam assembled, maintained, and left it. It will stand as a living shrine to her memory, a place for you to visit, mourn, celebrate, and commemorate the legacy of our beloved Priestess…"
— Official Statement from the New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple
"While the amenities of the hotel are comfortable, Witches want to be in the wild woods, under the moon, with firelight, and drums. Hekate’s Sickle is a witch retreat, dedicated to magic, deepening your connection with deity and each other, so we can return to our lives strengthened by shared mystery and sacred work."
— Belladonna LaVeau, Archpriestess and CEO of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church
"Our goal has always been to make Pagan media easier to find and easier to access. Being available through Streaming Pulse means someone can discover Pagan Public Radio on their phone, listen to it on their commute through CarPlay or Android Auto, or discover Spiral Moon TV alongside other streaming content."
— Rev. Janet Callahan, Director and High Priestess of Spiral Moon Family Circle
Implications for the Pagan Community and Cultural Landscape
The convergence of solemn historical remembrance and vibrant contemporary expansion highlights the resilience and maturation of the modern Pagan and esoteric communities.
Honoring History and Resilience: Twenty-five years after 9/11, the integration of Pagan voices into national grief archives—such as Circle Sanctuary’s Pagan Voices of 9/11—ensures that the spiritual diversity of those affected remains visible. It reinforces the community mantra: What is Remembered, Lives.
Preservation of Sacred Spaces: The transition of the New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple underscores the importance of institutional resilience. By keeping the temple intact as a living shrine under the guidance of seasoned initiates like Priestess Lilith Dorsey, the lineage of Priestess Miriam Chamani is protected for future generations.
Technological and Institutional Growth: Media and infrastructural expansions, such as Spiral Moon Media’s integration into mobile and automotive streaming platforms (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto) and the Aquarian Tabernacle Church’s organized retreat logistics, demonstrate that modern Pagan organizations are increasingly adopting professional, mainstream distribution methods to serve their global audiences.
Seasonal Engagement: The structured autumn calendars announced by groups like the EarthSpirit Community (featuring the Twilight Covening and regional ancestor rituals) and the artistic output from international acts like Norway’s Gåte (Sigil) illustrate a thriving cultural ecosystem deeply rooted in seasonal devotion, artistic expression, and localized community gatherings.
Upcoming Fall 2026 Dates at a Glance
September 13: EarthSpirit Autumnal Equinox Ritual and Sacred Land Walk (Glenwood, MA)
October 9–12: Twilight Covening Retreat (The Berkshires, MA)
October 25: EarthSpirit Ancestor Ritual and Sacred Land Walk (Glenwood, MA)
October 30: EarthSpirit Samhain Ritual (Williamsburg Grange, MA)
November 6–8: Hekate’s Sickle Festival (Orcas Island, WA)
December 19: EarthSpirit Yule Celebration (Williamsburg, MA)
