Month: March 2026

The following post has been written by the Chair of the PPA – Andy Pardy

“As we arrive at the Spring Equinox, the Police Pagan Association extends warmest wishes to all our members, colleagues, and friends celebrating Ostara. May this season of balance, renewal, and growth bring you clarity, hope, and fresh energy for the months ahead.

Ostara marks the point in the year when day and night stand in perfect balance, before the light begins to take the lead. It is a powerful moment in the natural cycle, symbolising new beginnings, fertility, and the reawakening of the land after the long winter months. Across many Pagan traditions, this turning of the Wheel is recognised as a time to plant seeds, both literally and metaphorically, and to embrace opportunities for personal growth.

The festival takes its name from Eostre, a Germanic goddess of dawn, spring, and renewal, whose energy is reflected in the returning light and the stirring of life across the land. She is often associated with fertility, growth, and the cycles of nature, and is symbolically linked with hares and eggs – enduring emblems of abundance and new life. Eostre represents the promise of new beginnings, the balance between light and dark, and the quiet but powerful transition from winter into spring.

Historically, celebrations of the Spring Equinox would have centred on the changing season: the lengthening days, the warming earth, and the return of life to the natural world. Agricultural communities, in particular, would have recognised this as a critical time for preparing the land and ensuring future prosperity.

Today, contemporary Pagans observe Ostara in a variety of meaningful and personal ways. Some mark the occasion with rituals honouring balance and renewal; others decorate eggs, light candles at dawn, or spend time outdoors connecting with nature. Planting seeds is a common practice, as is reflecting on intentions for the coming year. Acts of kindness, creativity, and community are also central themes, reflecting the growth and vitality of the season.

For those in public service, Ostara also offers a moment to pause and reflect on the importance of balance in our own lives, between duty and wellbeing, service and self-care.

However you choose to observe this time, we hope it brings a sense of peace, purpose, and connection.

Happy Ostara to all”

https://policepaganassociation.org/document-library/

The following post has been written by the Chair of the PPA – Andy Pardy

“In 2024 I had the distinct pleasure, for a second year running, of being invited by Asatru UK – AUK – the UK’s largest inclusive Heathen organisation – to speak at their annual national moot on the critical issue of extremism and radicalisation within our communities.

In my presentation I explored the history of British fascism and its ongoing appropriation of Heathen Paganism. I wanted to provide our Pagan and Heathen communities with something practical, accessible, and immediately useful, so attendees were given a free quick-reference guide designed to support those who host or attend moots, hearths, groves, and covens in recognising potential warning signs of extremism and radicalisation.

This guide is intended as a vital safeguarding tool for Pagan communities, empowering individuals to confidently identify concerning behaviours, language, and influences, and to take appropriate action where needed. It supports our collective responsibility to keep our spaces safe, inclusive, and free from those who would seek to exploit them.

The guide includes:

• A brief history of Pagan extremism in the UK

• Pagan extremist groups in the UK

• Pagan ‘militias’

• The ‘Brosatru’ movement

• Pagan terrorist groups

• Right-wing clothing brands

• Extremist words, phrases, and terminology

• Right-wing books and publications

• White supremacist music

• Sources of support

• Counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation contacts

If you lead or are part of a Pagan or Heathen community, group, or organisation, I strongly encourage you to download and share this resource. Awareness is one of our most effective tools in preventing harm.

If you work within an organisation or agency that would benefit from training on counter-terrorism or anti-radicalisation from a Pagan perspective, please feel free to contact me directly: andrew.pardy@herts.police.uk or andrew.pardy@sleipnir.consulting“

Charlotte Pardy – 08/03/2026

Today is #InternationalWomensDay a day to honour the achievements of women and girls, and to recommit to building a world where every woman is safe, seen and valued.

This year’s theme is #GiveToGain the idea that when we give our time, our knowledge, and our support to women and girls, everyone gains. Stronger communities. Safer spaces. More trust.

At the PPA, we’ve spent the past year asking our community what you need. You told us. And we’re listening.

 From our national consultation:

 Half of all respondents said fear of misunderstanding stops them, or their community, from contacting the police.

 But when contact is made and trust is in place 73.7% of you had a positive experience.

We know policing isn’t perfect, but we are here to help close the gap by improving police training and knowledge around our Heathen and Pagan communities and helping our communities have robust safeguarding policies and practices in place.

 Our #SaferPaganSpaces pledge, launched this January, is already bringing organisations together across the UK to commit to the protection of women and girls in our community spaces.

“We need to look after one another.”

Your words. From our consultation, and we couldn’t agree more.

 If your group, coven, moot or kindred hasn’t yet signed the pledge, today is a perfect day to do it.

Pledge holders receive free safeguarding training, policy templates, and the support of the PPA network, because this work should never be carried alone.

To every woman and girl in our community, you deserve to feel safe in every circle, every gathering, every space you call yours. Happy International Women’s Day. 

#IWD2026 #GiveToGain #SaferPaganSpaces #VAWG #Safeguarding #PolicePaganAssociation #WomenInPaganism #PaganWomen