In this week’s comprehensive edition of Pagan Community Notes, the modern religious landscape faces the rapid integration of emerging technology as the Covenant of the Goddess (CoG) formally releases an official statement addressing artificial intelligence (AI) in sacred practices. Simultaneously, the broader global metaphysical and philosophical community mourns the passing of prominent figures, including Priestess Miriam Chamani and philosopher Brendan Myers. Balancing these solemn reflections with a moment of levity, the community also celebrates the triumph of Jinny Lu, a rescue pug from South Korea who captured the prestigious crown at the 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest.
The announcement by the Covenant of the Goddess marks a significant milestone in how traditional, organized earth-centered religions evaluate the intersection of modernity, digital automation, and spiritual integrity. While acknowledging that AI can serve utility functions under specific circumstances, CoG’s Grand Council has drawn a firm boundary regarding its use as a substitute for genuine human spiritual experiences, ritual leadership, and pastoral counseling.
Furthermore, the community continues to process the transition of revered elders and thinkers who helped shape contemporary pagan thought, while animal advocates celebrate an inspiring victory for rescue animals worldwide.
Chronology of Events
The events highlighted in this week’s community notes unfolded across multiple regions and digital spaces over the past several weeks:
August 14, 2026: In Santa Rosa, California, the annual Sonoma County Fair hosted its nearly 50-year-old tradition, the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. After securing a second-place finish in 2025 and three prior attempts, six-year-old rescue pug Jinny Lu—accompanied by human companion Michelle Grady of Ukiah—triumphed over eight other contestants to take home the crown and a $5,000 prize.
Mid-August 2026: Following robust debates and collective discernment during their annual Grand Council, leadership within the Covenant of the Goddess finalized a comprehensive position paper regarding the integration of artificial intelligence into religious and magical traditions.
Weekend of August 19–20, 2026: The Covenant of the Goddess initially shared its internal guidance with its membership base before releasing the statement to the general public via official channels and social media platforms.
August 20, 2026:The Wild Hunt published its weekly Pagan Community Notes roundup, bringing national and international attention to the CoG’s AI policy, the ongoing mourning periods for Priestess Miriam Chamani and philosopher Brendan Myers, and Jinny Lu’s heartwarming victory.
Supporting Data and Context
The Covenant of the Goddess AI Statement: Key Metrics and Considerations
The CoG’s statement does not merely touch upon philosophical abstractions; it explicitly targets the environmental and sociological realities of modern computing infrastructure. Key concerns outlined in the document include:
Environmental Toll: Massive data center footprints responsible for substantial consumption of electrical energy and water resources.
Ecological Impact: Generation of excess heat, noise, and land utilization that frequently proves incompatible with surrounding human communities and delicate local ecosystems.
Human Agency: The ethical hazards of employing automated systems to mimic human presence, emotional resonance, or spiritual authority.
The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest: Statistics
Event Longevity: Approaching its 50th consecutive year of operation at the Sonoma County Fair.
2026 Podium:
First Place: Jinny Lu (6-year-old rescue pug, Ukiah, CA).
Second Place: Pinky (Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix).
Third Place: Otto (Chihuahua mix).
Outreach Impact: The winner and runner-up dogs regularly participate in educational outreach, visiting elementary schools, hospice centers, and memory-care facilities to advocate for animal rescue and normalization of special-needs pets.
Official Responses and Statements
Covenant of the Goddess Leadership
Manny Tejeda y Moreno, National First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess, spoke with The Wild Hunt regarding the origins and intent behind the AI statement.
“The Covenant exists not only to secure the rights of Witches and Pagans, but also to share insights that secure the spiritual wellbeing of our community,” Tejeda y Moreno explained. “The statement is the outcome of collective discernment during our Grand Council.”
The complete text of the Covenant’s official declaration reads as follows:
Statement on Artificial Intelligence, Sacred Practice, and Environmental Responsibility The Covenant of the Goddess invites Witches, Wiccans, Pagans, and the wider religious community to reflect carefully on the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in ritual, magical practice, spiritual counsel, and religious expression, as well as its impacts on the sacred world that we all share.
The Covenant recognizes that artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool in some circumstances. At the same time, we approach its use in sacred practice with caution. The Covenant remains unconvinced that artificial intelligence can participate in or substitute for the lived spiritual experiences through which we encounter the sacred, deepen intuition, build relationships, and draw insight from the wellsprings of spirit, mind, and soul.
The Covenant also has serious concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to replace or diminish human creativity, restrict access to information in ways that undermine equitable participation, or present itself as though it were human or possessed human agency. These concerns arise from our understanding of the sacredness of human experience and our shared connection as spiritual beings.
In addition, the Covenant expresses its concern about the environmental impacts associated with artificial intelligence via data centers, including substantial consumption of energy and water, generation of heat, noise, use of land, and potential incompatibility with surrounding communities and ecosystems.
We therefore encourage thoughtful discernment by all religious communities regarding where artificial intelligence may appropriately support our religious lives and community needs, and where human presence, creativity, spiritual experience, relationship, and mystery should remain at the center of our practice. These considerations should be undertaken within a commitment to environmental stewardship and a deep respect for the dignity, agency, and sacredness of all human beings.
We believe that technological innovation should be considered alongside our responsibilities to one another, to our communities, and to the Earth.
(Note: Manny Tejeda y Moreno serves as the editor-in-chief of The Wild Hunt. His comments on behalf of the Covenant were reviewed by an independent editor to ensure editorial neutrality.)
Animal Advocacy and Rescue Community
Michelle Grady, human companion to Jinny Lu and operator of The Pug Hotel—a Ukiah-based sanctuary dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming senior and traumatized pugs—expressed immense joy over the public reception of Jinny Lu’s victory.
“She absolutely loves competition, meeting everyone, and everything the event stands for,” Grady shared following the announcement of the win.
Organizers of the Sonoma County Fair reiterated that the competition’s primary purpose is never to mock animals, but rather to spotlight the profound beauty found in rescue pets, disabled animals, and older dogs that might otherwise face neglect in traditional shelters.
Implications for the Modern Pagan and Metaphysical Community
1. Technological Discernment in Modern Spirituality
As generative artificial intelligence tools become ubiquitous, religious groups are increasingly forced to grapple with questions of authenticity. The CoG’s statement establishes a critical theological framework for earth-centered traditions. By asserting that AI cannot engage in "lived spiritual experiences" or access the "wellsprings of spirit," the organization reinforces the centrality of human consciousness, physical ritual spaces, and direct relational bonds with deities, ancestors, and nature. Furthermore, tying technological critique to ecological responsibility—highlighting the carbon and water footprints of data centers—aligns seamlessly with the core Pagan tenet of environmental stewardship.
2. Honoring Ancestors and Institutional Memory
The simultaneous mourning of foundational community figures—such as the late Priestess Miriam Chamani and philosopher Brendan Myers—alongside discussions of the future emphasizes the cyclical nature of the Pagan movement. As older generations pass across the veil, organizations and individual practitioners must navigate how to preserve hard-earned institutional wisdom while adapting to modern socio-technical challenges like artificial intelligence.
3. Compassion as a Spiritual Practice
On a grassroots level, the celebration of Jinny Lu highlights the intersection of animal welfare and contemporary spiritual ethics. Many modern pagan and magical traditions place high value on animism, compassion, and right-relationship with the animal kingdom. Stories like Jinny Lu’s transformation from a victim of the South Korean dog meat trade into a certified therapy dog and international titleholder serve as powerful reminders of the capacity for rehabilitation, joy, and community service.
To join ongoing conversations regarding these developments, readers can visit The Wild Hunt subreddit at reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/.
