Episode 118 – The Satanic Panic

Summary:

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode deals with some sensitive and difficult concepts including child abuse. Please take care of yourself and do not listen if that will cause you harm.
In this episode, we are tackling the historical and cultural phenomenon of the Satanic Panic that occurred during the last half of the twentieth century. We’ll trace its roots, try to figure out how it spread so widely, and look at its legacy in the magical community. We’ve got a pair of experts to help us out, too: folklorist Bill Ellis and Wiccan author/former law enforcement officer Kerr Cuhulain.

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Producers for this show: Heather, Jenna, Achija of Spellbound Bookbinding, Corvus, Khristopher, Ye Olde Magic Shoppe, Raven Dark Moon, Little Wren, J.C., Mandy, Josette, Jen Rue of Rue & Hyssop, Catherine, AthenaBeth, Cynara at The Auburn Skye, Victoria, Johnathan at the ModernSouthernPolytheist, Montine, Regina, Hazel, Michael, Patrick, & Sherry (if we missed you this episode, we’ll make sure you’re in the next one!). Thank you to everyone supporting us!

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Download: Episode 118 – The Satanic Panic

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 -Sources-

For some background reading on the Satanic Panic, you can read this brief history of it, and read the entry about it in the Encyclopedia of Urban Legends (ABC-CLIO, 2012).

Bill Ellis is a Professor of English at Penn State and the author of numerous books on rumor, legend, and folklore. Some of the ones mentioned (and which would be most germane to interested listeners) include:

• Raising the Devil
• Lucifer Ascending
• Aliens, Ghosts, & Cults
• The Global Grapevine

 Kerr Cuhulain is a retired police officer/dispatcher who has been a Wiccan for 48 years and was involved in anti-defamation activism and hate crimes investigation for the Pagan community for decades. He is the author of the Law Enforcement Guide to Wicca, Witch Hunts, Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick, Magickal Self Defense, Pagan Religions: A Handbook for Diversity Training, Modern Knighthood, How to Be Glorious: Step by Step Empowerment, and The Wizard: The Story of the First Wiccan Cop to go Public About His Pagan Beliefs. Kerr is also the Grand Master and founder of a Wiccan order of Knighthood called the Order of Paladins. You can find out more and contact him through his website.

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 Promos & Music

Title and closing music is “Homebound,” by Bluesboy Jag, and is used under license from Magnatune.

Incidental music by DR (“Sedativa I & V”) and is used through Creative Commons license on SoundCloud.

The song “Fatal Flower Garden” is a recording by Nelstone’s Hawaiians, based on older Child Ballads and the recording is from the Smithsonian’s Anthology of American Folk Music in the public domain.