Category: Interviews

1. Congratulations on your new book, Cut Cords of Attachment: How to Heal Yourself and Others with Energy Spirituality. What made you decide to write it?
Since 1986, I have been cutting cords of attachment for clients, as part of my work with Energy Spirituality. Although the idea of cutting cords has become increasingly popular in certain circles, skill is often lacking. This is my polite understatement.

Really pathetic stories have come to me from clients, like “I have to keep cutting that cord to my mother” as though this were some kind of New Age manicure technique. Actually, I share some of the wilder stories like this in the first chapter, the one about quality control. Of course it’s appealing to cut cords, once you know what this can do for a person, but I believe it’s important to get skills.

Writing a book always teaches me a lot, as I move in the flow. In this book, the surprises for me include explaining how to read as many as 50 different databanks of information in every chakra you investigate, and a truly informative technique for reading auras through body parts like your butt. Preview the book here

2. What are cords of attachment exactly?
When you have an important relationship with someone, like a parent or lover, toxic energy patterns can be encoded. Usually these will last for the rest of your life, even if you don’t have contact any more, or the other person “dies.”

To do a quality job of cutting cords, so the healing is permanent, part of the job involves validating that pattern within a cord. Last night I did a phone session (most of my sessions are phoners) where the client’s cord to her mother included these patterns:

“You’re wrong to express yourself. I know what you should say, as my daughter. I’m not interested in hearing anything else.”
“No man will ever want you if you act the way you do.”
“So… my job as your daughter is to anticipate your every mood.”
Imagine the impact of having patterns like these circulate through your subconscious mind 24/7.

That’s exactly what cords do, unless they can be removed. I have had clients tell me they struggled for years, sometimes decades, “working on their issues,” until healing came through the simple act of cutting a cord.

3. What exactly does cutting cords do for a person?
Cutting cords helps you to be yourself without the distortion of toxic energy flows with other people. Subconsciously, you could be getting a ton of somebody else’s anger. Or the person on the other end of your cord could be draining your sexual energy. There are many revolting possibilities. But the good part is that cords like these can be removed, freeing you up.

The method I developed, 12 Steps to Cut Cords of Attachment™, permanently stops these toxic energy flows without hurting the other person in any way.

One of my favorite examples is what happened with K., who had been sexually abused as a girl. She didn’t want to be a victim. She went through loads of therapy and did everything else she could in order to stop having that old memory dominate her life. Nothing worked until—well, you guessed it.

What I’d say is that all the psychological work she had done brought insight, but essentially it only could help her to repackage the distress. Cutting the cord stopped the old energy pattern from repeating within her. Cords are real structures, on the level of someone’s aura. Removing them is a form of psychic-level surgery.

And you might be amazed how big a difference it makes, stopping that kind of toxic flow. We keep the spiritual ties of unconditional love, of course. Cords of attachment are completely separate, and it’s a privilege to help remove them.

4. Tell us about Energy Spirituality. Why haven’t I heard that term before?
You’re being kind, Rebecca. You know I invented the term, right? It flowed out of the same energy as writing Cut Cords of Attachment. Healing at the level of chi, or aura, or life force energy—that is a really 21st century approach to holistic healing. Today the average spiritual seeker has deeper perception than was available previously. Even though it doesn’t always seem that way, humankind is evolving!

While there have always been holistic forms of healing, they haven’t necessarily required consciously paying attention with really deep perception. But consider some relatively recent energy-healing modalities:

Energy Medicine, a term developed by my friend Donna Eden, has the physical body as the point of entry for healing. Examples are her techniques, Healing Touch, Pranic Healing, Bio-Energetics.
Energy Psychology, a term developed by Gary Craig and David Feinstein, involves using the mind as the point of entry for healing. Emotional Freedom Technique is the most famous form of Energy Psychology. Other examples are EMDR, Holographic Repatterning, Past-Life Regression Therapy.
By contrast, Energy Spirituality has the aura as the point of entry for healing.

I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if many readers of Magical Buffet are involved in some form of energy transformation work, and I’d be interested in whether you would define it in terms of one of these three forms of energy transformation.

5. Now, are you psychic, or are these learned skills, or both?
I consider myself a spiritual teacher rather than a psychic. Deeper perception, with face reading, aura reading, empathic merges (all the various techniques I teach and write books about)—they aren’t really flashy. Instead, they work just like holding up a magnifying glass to reality. So anyone can learn to do any of them.

Now, some people do have ultra-strong psychic abilities, and if that is part of your gift set, by reading my books, you would become a psychic face reader, psychic aura reader, psychic empath.

The whole idea of “learned skills” is very interesting to me, Rebecca. One of my biggest discoveries in the metaphysical area involves how everybody has a distinctive “gift set” for perception. This is in contrast to a “skill set” that you can learn.

A big problem with how aura reading is usually taught is that most experts assume that the only gift set worth having is their particular kind of clairvoyance. So students are taught to practice skills that relate to using this ability. Well most people don’t have that particular gift. No wonder, then, that trying this approach to aura reading brings very limited success!

In Aura Reading Through All Your Senses, I describe 12 different gifts, only one of which is universal. Then I supply loads of techniques to match them, so that people can develop the learned skills that really work. I spent 6 ½ years writing that book, and a lot of that time I was refining my counter-culture discoveries about gift sets.

In Cut Cords of Attachment, I took that concept further and explained more clearly than before what gift sets are, the unfortunate myths surrounding them, and how to appreciate and use what you’ve got. It is so important to honor what the Goddess gave you!

6. Stephen Colbert talked about/poked fun at you on “The Colbert Report”. How cool was that?
I just loved it. I’ve saved the link

Also, if you email me (rose@rose-rosetree.com.), I can send you the original readings I did of him and Jon Stewart for the Chicago Sun-Times.

7. In November you will be traveling to Japan to do workshops. How did this trip come about?
It was a natural follow-up to my teaching trips there #1-4. VOICE is a seminar company that sponsors Western teachers to give seminars. Japanese students have a real affinity for the kind of work I do and, in fact, Empowered by Empathy has been published in a Japanese edition.

Going to Japan for the fifth time this November, I’ll be teaching in Osaka for a week, as well as three weeks in Tokyo. Big honor!

Teaching there, and doing sessions (always with an interpreter provided by VOICE), I feel both a great affinity to the Japanese sensibility and my utter, enormous ignorance about Japanese society, language, etc. Here’s just one example. In one of my workshops, I needed an analogy to a concept, so I talked about how you might wet a washcloth and wipe your face with that.

Well, what I didn’t learn until later was that it’s common for Japanese people to carry around a personal washcloth. But it isn’t for face washing. It’s because you can’t always count on toilet paper.

BTW, in Japan they have three different types of toilet: A hole in the ground kind of setup, good for exercising one’s squat muscles; the kind of toilet you have in your home; and super-high tech toilets with buttons to warm the seat, squirt various parts of your bottom, etc. These are hysterically funny, kind of an amusement park for hindquarters. And the only thing funnier about them is imagining what it was like to be involved in the research, bringing the product to market.

8. What is one thing that you wish everybody, everywhere knew?
Besides the three kinds of Japanese toilets? How to honor your personal gift set for deeper perception.

By “honor,” I mean find out which gifts you’ve got and then find ways to use them to read people deeper. Miracles can result. Joy certainly does.

9. What is “Deeper Perception Made Practical”?
Thank you, thank you, Rebecca for mentioning the name of my blog, which is at www.rose-rosetree.com/blog. This is my way to interact with people who have questions, cool stories and wisdom to share. On the blog, I do short face readings or aura readings of people in the news, or sometimes empathic merges. Plus, I have started writing quizzes for the first time. I think they’re enormously funny, like the one I posted yesterday “Read My (Upper) Cheeks.” Let me know what you think!

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question?
What story can you share about how you read life deeper?

I don’t really feel I have a story to share here. I don’t know if I really read life deeper. I made the realization that people really are all the same, which is what led me to creating The Magical Buffet, and to meeting the varied group of individuals that I proudly call my friends.

About Rose Rosetree
Rose offers Aura Reading Intensives, using her distinctive method of Aura Reading Through All Your Senses™. She has over 100,000 books in print, including “The Power of Face Reading,” and “Empowered by Empathy.” One title has become a bestseller in Germany; in America, two were selections of One Spirit Book Club.

At Rose Rosetree’s website, you’ll also find free articles, FAQ’s, and practical ways to use Deeper Perception to make life better. Sign up for “Read Life Deeper,” her free monthly zine with face and aura readings of people in the news, at www.rose-rosetree.com.

You can order Rose’s books at www.rose-rosetree.com. or call toll-free 800-345-6665. To arrange an interview or an appointment for a personal session, call 703-450-9514 or email mitch@rose-rosetree.com.

1.Obviously this is a word that each individual defines differently, but for you, what does the term “Goth” mean?
Well, “Goth” was originally used as a derogatory term—much like “Witch” was—to refer to those who were uncivilized and trouble-making, in particular the Ostrogoths and Visigoths of Sweden. The Visigoths are famous for having sacked Rome in 410. Anyway, the Goths had a similar deital/religious structure to the Norse and other Germanic tribes, and were eventually driven underground.

Then comes the Gothic architecture style of the Renaissance, in which case “Gothic” is derived from the previous “Goth” or “Gothick” derogatory term, because the architecture of the time was very much against the grain and, though immaculately gorgeous, was not generally looked upon too fondly at the time.

Modern Goths, however, have nothing to do with the historical Goths. The title “Goth,” in this case, comes from the literary usage of the term in the later European Romantic period, in which “Gothic” was used to describe darkly-themed literature. Modern Goths carry over this vibration, seeing as they are darkly expressive in their own art, including musically and visually. To me, the modern usage of “Gothic” refers to a particular energy pattern; that of dark beauty, emotional depth, and creativity shrouded in shadow. I find it to be a very spiritual thing, which is greatly the focus of my book Goth Craft.

2.According to your website, not only are you trained in Georgian Wicca, but also Buddhist philosophy. What influence has Buddhist philosophy had on your spiritual and magical practices?
Yes, I am very much aligned to Buddhism. I find the religion’s focus on love, compassion, and awareness to be like none other. Buddhist thought has many psychological levels that are applicable to anyone in any moment. Buddhists “take refuge” in the Three Jewels; the Buddha (as a teacher), the Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings), and the Sangha (fellow practitioners/seekers), and strives to do away with the three Mental Poisons of Greed, Hatred, and Delusion. Every school of Buddhist thought is different, but all emphasize compassion, awareness, and diligent meditation.

3.Um, now I have to ask, what is Georgian Wicca, and how is it different from other traditions?
Georgian Wicca is derived from British Traditional Wicca, and practices rituals and observations that are included in Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca. It has many different influences and is, like all traditions, a conglomerate of numerous preceding trads (though British Traditional is its main influencer). Georgian Craft was begun in 1970 by George ‘Pat’ Patterson, Zanoni Silverknife, and Tanith. I was lucky enough to be trained by Zanoni Silverknife herself, here in my hometown of Missoula, Montana.

4. Joy Division or New Order?
Oh gosh. Umm, they’re quite similar, seeing as New Order is basically Joy Division without Ian Curtis. New Order is considerably more dancey, though, which I adore, but I have lots of respect for Ian Curtis, so I’d have to say Joy Division!

5. What do you feel is one of the biggest misconceptions about the Goth culture?
Probably that we are sinister, self-serving, or bitter people. Most Goths are actually quite pleasant; we simply have different viewpoints from most people and tend to express the darkness of our minds and society through dark art.

6. Who are some of the people that have inspired you spiritually and magically?
Countless authors, teachers, musicians, magicians, Witches, and friends. I’ve known so many people over the years that I couldn’t even begin to count how many have had positive spiritual influences on me. I am so grateful for everyone I know. I would say that the people who have had the most impact are my two Priestesses, Estha McNevin and Zanoni Silverknife. If I were to name two musical artists as being profoundly influential, I would name Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins and Anna-Varney Cantodea of Sopor Aeternus and the Ensemble of Shadows.

7. What other Llewellyn author would you like to take out for some heavy drinking and general mischief making?
Hah! I actually did just that a few days ago with Kala Trobe (my new roommate!) and Christopher Penczak. It was a hoot-and-a-half. We are all soul-connected so it made for a magickal, bonding time.

8. Liquid or pencil eyeliner? Any brand you’d like to endorse?
Definitely liquid eyeliner; it’s like using a paintbrush. You can do anything with it! I actually go off in my book about how awesome it is. As for brands, I tend to endorse brands that don’t test on animals. For general makeup and cosmetics, I recommend the following brands that are cruelty-free (this list is taken from Goth Craft): Clinique, Revlon, M•A•C, Avon, Chanel, Almay, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Burt’s Bees, Prestige, Bonne Bell, Estée Lauder, Manic Panic, Stargazer, Urban Decay, and GoodGoth.

9. What’s next?
I’m gonna get a cup of tea and write some more of this short story I’m working on.

Oh, you mean in general? Well, my second book, Shadow Magick Compendium, is contracted and the manuscript is finished, so that’s going to be the next big project. I love writing! In the near future—October to be precise—, I will be going on a book tour and hitting up Chicago, Minneapolis, San Diego, LA/Hollywood, and Baltimore (see website for [up]dates), and will be working on book #3 after that.

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question?
Okay… What are your thoughts on genetically modified food?

I know I put too much faith in the FDA, but I take on faith that my non-organic food is safe. Thanks to advances in science we may not have achieved the fabled all breast meat Kentucky Fried Chicken ( http://www.snopes.com/horrors/food/kfc.asp), but our plants and animals yield more food than ever before. The tragedy to me is that we use all this science to generate more food and still so many go without. I don’t mind genetically modified food, I mind that those advances aren’t helping the people they should.

GOTH CRAFT DESCRIPTION:
“When Paganism and Gothic culture collide, a powerful blend of independent thought and magickal transformation is often the result. Raven Digitalis explores this dynamic intersection and what draws us to the dark side. Digitalis introduces many kinds of Goths and Witches, and the philosophy of each. Practical as well as insightful, Goth Craft covers the basics of magick, with special attention to blood magick, death magick, and necromancy. You’ll also learn how to channel dark emotions, express yourself through the dark arts (clothes, hair, makeup, body modification), choose appropriate Goth music for ritual, and myriad other ways to merge magickal practice with the Goth lifestyle. Also covered is vampyrism, BDSM, gender/sexuality, and the magickal-spiritual use of drugs. From working shadow magick to spellcasting on the dance floor, Goth Craft revels in the exciting convergence of two vital subcultures.”

AUTHOR BIO:
Raven Digitalis (Missoula, MT) is the author of Goth Craft: The Magickal Side of Dark Culture, and the forthcoming Shadow Magick Compendium, both on Llewellyn. He is a Neopagan Priest and co-founder of the “disciplined eclectic” shadow magick tradition Opus Aima Obscuræ, and is a radio and club DJ of Gothic, EBM, and industrial music. With his Priestess Estha, Raven holds community gatherings, Tarot readings, and a variety of ritual services. From their home, the two also operate the metaphysical business Twigs and Brews, specializing in magickal and medicinal bath salts, herbal blends, essential oils, and incenses. Raven holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Montana and is also an animal rights activist and black-and-white photographic artist.
www.ravendigitalis.com
www.myspace.com/oakraven

1. How did “The Witchin’ Hour” come into existence?
The truth is, about 7 years ago in my home area of Norwich, CT I got pissed off watching someone on a public access show bash witchcraft and lie about what the symbol of my faith meant and so having got to the point of my give a damn being busted I marched down to the studio and demanded equal time to clear up the lies I had heard and (gasp) they gave it to me. I had to go thru training first but that’s how The Witchin’ Hour was born….you can’t make this kind of stuff up fact is stranger than fiction!!!!

2. If our readers would like to see “The Witchin’ Hour” where they live, what can they do?
E-mail me at rapidfreeman@yahoo.com. If you are willing to go to your access studio I’m willing to send them tapes .

3. You follow the Cabot Tradition. Can you tell our readers a little bit about it?
Yes, the Cabot tradition was founded by Dame Laurie E. Cabot. It is a no nonsense approach to witchcraft, breaking the craft into three parts: the science, the art, and the religion of witchcraft it can be traced back to Kent, England and it just works for me!!! (RAPID ADDS TWO SHAMELESS PLUGS) If you want to learn more you should buy Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot and watch Witchin’ Hour tv.

4. What made it the right path for you?
Laurie herself. At first she is the kind of person you can’t help but love and the way the teachings of the Cabot tradition are just make perfect sense to me. The people of the temple have over many years have become my family. The Cabot temple is now and will always be my home.

5. Who has been your favorite interview and why?
I’ve interviewed about every known witch on earth at this point so its hard to pick just one, and i love these people for all kinds of different reason. So I’ll have to say all of them !!!! Maxine Sanders gave me hope that one day craft unity could happen as a life long witch i want to see that more than words. Raymond Buckland was an honor for me because as a male witch he was always one of my heroes in the craft and he carries himself with a pride that the horned god is given glory with his every word or laugh. I love Ray. Laurie Cabot of course is my heart. She has become like a mother to me, her teachings have helped me beat alcohol (I’ve been sober for over 8 years now) she is my guiding light and my true north. I love her more than words but everyone’s time and knowledge has meant so much to me.

6. Who would you like to interview that you haven’t gotten to yet?
I’ve interviewed almost all the elders of the craft, some of them more than once. This is going to shock most people but G.W. Bush Jr. because I would not let that man off the hook. I’d call him on the carpet about the war, the treatment of my pagan brothers and sisters both at home and in the service. 2nd choice Sully of godsmack or I’d like to get Stevie Nicks to admit she’s a pagan and get it over with!!!!! It’s not like we don’t all know it Stevie!!!!!

7. This has become kind of a standard question, but I’m always interested in the varied and sometimes similar answers. What challenges do you feel face the Wiccan/Pagan community, and how do you suggest overcoming those challenges?
My goddess? How many pages does your webpage have? I think the number 1 challenge is ourselves. We need to keep our standards high when it comes to personal honor. We need to know when to speak up as well if something is a truth it’s a truth if it’s a lie than it’s a lie and we can not let others define us we must define us! And stand up for the truth.

8. Our readers may not realize, but you’re also a tattoo artist. What is your favorite tattoo on you, and what is your favorite that you have done on someone else?
On myself that’s a two way tie. My 3rd degree mark on my forehead for my commitment to the temple and the gods and the name Cabot on my neck that has the spiral off Laurie’s face for the O in Cabot. It is the first thing anyone sees when they look me in the face, it underlines my deep love for Laurie and in my mind it really says mom!!!

On someone else anything that “outs someone as a witch by choice”. It is a great thing to be part of it’s an honor to be part of that choice. Then its not really a tattoo anymore its a birthmark!

9. If someone made your life into a movie, who would be cast as Rapid?
Sully from godsmack. He’s a Cabot. He acts and he would understand the choices I’ve made in my life. Yes sully would be the one!!!!

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question?
Do you need a 3rd degree priest on your staff? I believe in what you’re doing and i want to help. Also because I’m a pushy TV Host. What was in the bread you had at the covenstead? The c.o.c. loved it!!!!

The Magical Buffet doesn’t currently have a staff. We’re still at the very beginnings of our quest for eventual global domination. However, we are always looking for new and interesting content for our readers. If anyone, including you Rapid, is interested in submitting an article, take a look here.

It’s funny that you guys liked that bread so much. To Jim and myself it tasted essentially like chocolate and sugar (perhaps not too bad after all). It was a zucchini orange chocolate chip loaf. I would share the recipe, but Jim and I were so under whelmed that we threw it out. Don’t worry, if you invite us over we have plenty of other yummy recipes to share!

About Rapid Freeman
Rapid Freeman is a Witchcraft Activist of Cherokee decent. He is the son of award winning photographer Rex “Big Bear” Freeman. Rapid is the producer and co-host of “The Witchin’ Hour” a Wiccan/Pagan TV Show that airs in parts of CT, MA, AND NOW NY!!!! The show is in its seventh year of broadcasting. For many years Rapid was an active I.R.P. for the CT chapter of the Witches Public Awareness League. He is now with Laurie Cabot’s Project Witches Protection. His magickal practices are based mostly on the writings of Dame Laurie Cabot from whom he is very proud to hold his third degree. He lives openly as a Witch and was previously seated on his town’s wetland commission as a” public witch” to protect his town’s wildlife and waterways. He also has helped local police understand matters involving witchcraft. A gifted tattoo artist, he is skilled in every aspect of ritual body modification. In Sept. 2007 He will be starting the Cabots of Connecticut Coven in Wallingford CT with a sister coven of the C.O.C. in Schenectady NY as well. His Goddess is Scathach. His heart first and foremost belongs to Laurie Cabot and the Cabot Tradition of Witchcraft and that is where his loyality is totally, forever and without any apologies. When he’s not working Rapid enjoys playing with his cat Cricket! P.S. I love my cat Cricket more than words, black cats rule!!!

To learn more about Rapid, The Witchin’ Hour, and Laurie Cabot, visit www.lauriecabot.com and www.myspace.com/loyal2cabot.

1. As a Rebecca that prefers not to be called Becky, why do you prefer Christopher to Chris?
Well, it comes down to practicality, at least at first. I was in a rock band in college with another Chris, and we got tired of both turning around when someone yelled Chris, so I started going by Christopher. Now, despite the recent NewWitch cover that has me as Chris Penczak on the cover, I prefer Christopher. Only folks who know me before college still call me Chris. My mom won out. She preferred I was called Christopher and as a kid I didn’t like it. Looks like she’s got a powerful Magickal Will in the long run.

2. I have met with several different covens and solitary magic practioners, regardless of tradition or philosophy; all them have at least one of your books in their library. Why do you feel your books are so well suited to just about everyone?
Wow. Well, I’m pretty honored by that. I think in the end, I try to write books I wish I had when I was learning, compiling ideas and exploring new things all in one place. I have a pretty wide range of traditions I draw upon myself, and I try to be respectful to traditionalists and eclectics alike, and drawn on both, and many things in between. I find it funny that most traditionalists see me as very modern and new age, and not very traditional, and some die hard eclectics see me as too traditional, as I emphasize discipline and digging deep spiritual roots. I guess I have aspects of both.

I think in general I like to show many different ways of doing something, so that I rarely give the impression there is only one way to do something. It makes the teachings more open and accessible to a larger group of people. I like to explain the ideas behind a technique, and then give examples. Once you understand the why, you can be creative about the how.

3. You wrote the book, “Sons of the Goddess: A Young Man’s Guide to Wicca”. With so much emphasis seemingly placed on the Goddess in Wicca, how can Wicca be a fulfilling religion for men?
I think witchcraft can be a fulfilling religion for everybody who is called to it. While there has been an emphasis on the Goddess for many traditions, there is also the balance of the God. Sons of the Goddess was a book to explore the relationship, particularly the mother and son relationship between the Goddess and the God, and what that means to modern men practicing witchcraft. Our whole Wheel of the Year cycle is really about the relationship of the God, as a transitory force, with the Goddess, as the eternal force. The god waxes and wanes with the shift in the Sun. By learning to align with the solar forces ,and exploring the energies of the Dark and Light gods, along with the Goddess, men and women can find a more complete sense of the mysteries and magick in witchcraft.

4. What challenges do you see facing the Wiccan community? How can the community resolve those issues?
That’s a big question. And a good one. I think we have to figure out collectively and individually our role as a “mainstream” religion. We are often seeking legitimacy in mainstream eyes, a seat at the table of global religions, and while I think that’s good, I think we have a different focus and purpose than the mainstream religions. I’m not sure if we are best served by emulating them. But we don’t have many other models to go by. As a personal, mystical tradition, much of our work is to transform the soul. We must do the magick, not necessarily just talk about it, or simply profess faith. While we are doing our spiritual work, how do we fit into social services, prison ministry, economics, politics, minister training, environmentalism and other forms of activism? Some traditions are tied to these issues intimately, and others are not. Some, in their effort to be more involved in the mainstream, are loosing the mystery traditions, personal development and relationship with the spirit world. Much of our responsibility is moving energy between the worlds and aligning ourselves and our world with the hidden spiritual forces, to be a bridge between the worlds. We can’t forget that. But we also know that all magick needs real world follow up. We can’t just wish a better world and hope it will be so with no action. It’s tough territory, as both are important, and I believe neopagan traditions have a lot to offer the world as we approach the next age. While I think we have something valuable to offer, we first have to learn to define and embody our values a bit better, and then be able to share them with the world.

The modern revival of paganism is still going through growing pains and this is a critical time to decide what we are really going to be. If our recent history is anything to go by, perhaps we wont’ have one voice, one purpose, one way of going about things, and each group and practitioner will do as their will indicates. It will make it harder to present ourselves to the mainstream with any coherence, but perhaps that view point is a part of what we have to offer too. Perhaps we don’t need one cohesive voice and vision.

5. What does the term d20 mean?
It refers to a twenty-sided die, used in table top, paper and pencil role playing games. D20 systems are most popular in Dungeons & Dragons style games. My husband designs role-playing games, also known as RPGs and writes related game fiction, and his game Mutants & Masterminds, is considered a d20 RPG.

6. Who generates the longer line, you at spiritual events, or Steve (Christopher’s spouse) at gaming conventions?
Depends on what we’re offering and where we are. If Steve is releasing a new book or game product at a major convention, I think they have a pretty big line. If I’m selling books after a class at a convention such as Pantheacon, I have a pretty big line too. It’s pretty wild to think about it. It makes up for the events and book signings we both do where only a few people show up. The balance keeps us humble. You never know when you sign on for an event what it will be like. I’ve done gigs for over 500 people and I’ve had events where only two show up. I think Steve’s job is much the same. You just never know who will show up. Sometimes the best events are with the two people though.

7. In your opinion, is there a difference between Witchcraft and Wicca?
That depends on what day you ask…. For some reason it’s become a big issue lately. When I began my journey, there wasn’t much difference between the two. Wicca was defined as the modern revival of the religion of witchcraft, or the legally recognized and protected form of witchcraft. Some think of the religion as Wicca and the spellcraft as witchcraft. I was taught witchcraft, and called it witchcraft, and it included science, spells and religion. I now look at it as a modern form of witchcraft in the sense that it has been influenced by Theosophy, ceremonial magick, shamanism and eastern thought, yet I think there were parallels between those traditions and more indigenous pre-Christian European forms of spirituality we would consider witchcraft. I consider myself a practitioner of modern Craft, taking the best of the old and the new to move towards the future.

We used Wicca as a “safe” word. When someone asked me about my religion, I would start out and say “earth religions” and see what they said. Then I’d move on to pagan or neopagan. Then I would use the term Wicca, because at the time not many people knew what that was, and then work my way up to witchcraft. And that was a gentle approach. Since I’m now associated strongly with witchcraft, I just start there and if someone can’t handle it, they can’t handle it, and that’s fine.

Due to the popularity of eclectic approaches and self initiation, championed by Scott Cunningham, there became a schism between Eclectic Wicca and Initiatory Wicca, such as the Gardnerian and Alexandrian lines. I was surprised at the adamant insistence of Gardnerian/Alexandrian initiates in the UK claiming what they practices was truly Wicca, and everything eclectic and solitary was just another form of witchcraft. Usually Americans call it British Traditional, though it’s gotten confused with people professing pre-Gardnerian traditions, popularly called Traditional Witchcraft. Such groups would include those in line with Robert Cochrane, a contemporary and vocal critic of Gardner, and the Cultus Sabati. Though it’s a fairly recent development, most people will now say British Traditional Wicca to differentiate it from pre-Gardnerian Traditional Craft. Each of these lines – Trad Craft, Gardnerians/Alexandrians and solitaries/eclectics want to differentiate themselves from each other. They each have their own mysteries and attitudes toward magick, and can be very different from each other. Yet, I think they have more similarities, at least the serious practitioners of each, than most would like to admit.

For me, I’m a witch. And much like Doreen Valiente once said, “a witch is a witch is a witch.” I embrace the teachings and ideas from all these different currents and though I’m eclectic, I believe in respecting and honoring the past as your build the future. You must be respectful to where something comes from, but at the same time, we are children of the global era, and have access to all this information and experience. We’d be unwise not to explore it all and find what works. We are a scavenger religion in many ways, and always have been, from modern witches to our ancient forbearers. For me, I prefer the terms witch and witchcraft, but I can embrace and certainly don’t shun Wiccan and Wicca.

8. If someone wanted to start reading your work, with what book would you suggest they start?
It depends on what they are interested in first…. If it’s witchcraft, then perhaps The Inner Temple of Witchcraft might be the best place to start. If you don’t know anything specific about metaphysics, I’d suggest the Mystic Foundation. It’s the book for people interested in alternative spirituality and personal mysticism, but for those who are either not sure what path they are on, or are interested in looking at a wide range of paths and traditions.

9. What book has most inspired you?
What witchcraft book? Well, probably my teacher’s book, Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot. It was the first book on the Craft I read, and it was important for me because it connected the science aspects of the craft with the religion and spell work. I think without that piece I wouldn’t have gone further. With it, I was able to appreciate the work of Scott Cunningham and Doreen Valiente. But I started as a skeptic, so I needed to understand the ideas behind magick before I could do it. I took that approach when I started teaching, and in my level one book, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft.

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question?
What was your first initiatory spiritual experience? I always like to hear about people’s awaking and deepening experiences, and how they sometimes occur in formal rituals and traditional initiations, and they often occur in the process of life and personal practice. My first one was experiencing a psychic healing and diagnosis, when I thought there was no way I could perform such a thing. It changed my life.

You and I have a lot in common Christopher. I find faith and belief to be absolutely fascinating and one of my favorite questions to ask is, “What made you decide to follow the spiritual path you’re on?” Unfortunately for you, asking me that kind of questions is horribly disappointing. I have yet to have an initiatory spiritual experience. It’s not for a lack of putting myself out there, it just hasn’t happened yet. Of course, if I had found that experience with something, The Magical Buffet may never had occurred. The Magical Buffet is definitely the work of a seeker, who loves the Bill of Rights.

About Christopher Penczak
Christopher Penczak is an award-winning author, teacher and healing practitioner. Beginning his spiritual journey in the tradition of modern Witchcraft and earth based religions, he has studied extensively with Witches, mystics, shamans and healers in a variety of traditions from across the globe to synthesize his own practice of magick and healing. He is an ordained minister, herbalist, flower essence consultant and certified Reiki Master (Teacher) in the Usui-Tibetan and Shamballa traditions. Christopher has been involved with the Gifts of Grace Foundation and is a faculty member of the North Eastern Institute of Whole Health, both in New Hampshire. He is the author of many books, including Magick of Reiki, Spirit Allies, The Mystic Foundation, Instant Magick and The Inner Temple of Witchcraft. For more information, visit www.christopherpenczak.com

1. Can nature oriented faiths benefit from the internet?
Absolutely. The Internet (and specifically, the world wide web) is an incredibly powerful tool for communication. It provides a forum for magickal groups to describe and discuss their beliefs and practices. At the same time, it allows for a great deal of anonymity. For example, I could have published under my craft name (Maat) and there would have been no easy way to know that Maat and Lisa Mc Sherry are one and the same. Another benefit is that some groups can be made up of people from diverse geographies. I can only imagine how lonely it was for people interested in exploring alternative religious practices that had no ‘likeminded’ groups to learn from. Or for the nascent ceremonial magician surrounded by Erisians!

2. How do covens perform rituals and celebrate holidays using the internet?
I think the most evocative (and accessible) way uses a combination of physical performance and real-time chat. (Perhaps it is no surprise that this is what my coven does.)

Set up a physical altar, with specific energy spent on ‘dressing’ it for the ritual. For example, at Lammas a blade of grain; at Mabon, an apple; at Ostara flowers, etc. As well, if the ritual includes sharing cakes and wine, or another physical element, set up the altar to include it. (For example, at Yule, we begin the ritual with no fires lit. At specific points we light candles and wood-scented incense.)

Any ritual can be done online, but special attention must be directed to transforming physical actions into text that describes the action being done. We use a narrator to describe what the leaders are doing when they are busy Aspecting or engaging in some activity that requires their attention sufficiently that it would be distracting to type.

If the participants actively visualize what the text is describing, the energy raised (and felt) is palpable. In the end, visualization is the key. Practice helps as well. It has taken me several years to write virtual rituals as easily as I once wrote rituals for physical enactment. The timing is different, the flow, the need for far less words, but those with richer meaning and deeper content.

As for tools: a computer, Internet Relay chat (mirc.com) and internet connections. That’s all that is required!

3. What advice do you offer Pagans exploring the internet?
Use your brain! If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Also: Don’t be seduced by the highest tech – low tech is often easier to use, less intrusive on your computer, and more adaptable to your needs.

4. What challenges do you feel the Pagan community will face in the next 10 years?
There are several, but I think the biggest and most complicated challenge will come from the tension of having group members who have no desire to become a priest/ess, but actively prefer (and consistently choose) the role of follower. I think we need to consider and address that tension – can we truly be a religion of priest/esses? If we all speak directly to God/dess, what need do we have to work in groups? Do groups create hierarchy?

The second biggest challenge will come from the tension between group and solitary practice. The bulk of pagan publishing is directed towards working on your own and there are an enormous number of groups started by people with inadequate training. These two factors make working in a group unattractive – but traditional (nature-based) teaching is based on the concept of group work.

These challenges both come from the enormous growth the Pagan community has seen in the last 20 years.

5. What advice to you have for someone interested in starting their own website?
K.I.S.S. – keep it seriously simple.

I am not a professional when it comes to websites (or even technology in general – that is my dark secret). I am, however, an excellent end-user. I have made a point to learn the most efficient ways to do what I want to be done. And I happily pay people who are professionals to fill in the gaps.

I always start with a diagram of how I want the site to look. Ask yourself about the different components, maybe a blog, a collection of knowledge (say, a Book of Shadows that visitors can add to), graphics, etc. The elements you want to include will help you decide how to design the site. For example, my webhost (drak.net) provides a huge number of free site installations, like Wikis, content managers, image galleries, and blogs. This allows me wide latitude when deciding how I want my sites to look, and what they should contain.

Facing North, for example, is my review site. Because it is a huge collection of data (with accompanying graphics) it was best to use a CMS (content management system). So the site is in Joomla, with the template modified to be clean-looking, and a professionally re-designed main graphic.

JaguarMoon, my cyber coven’s site, is a collection of data, but also serves as central point for password-protected data. This data includes our calendars, class logs, class work, and coven-only data (like rituals). This site is in the process of going from an ‘old-fashioned’ html-encoded site to one with a series of discussion boards, supported by content.

Cybercoven, my writing site, is the most complicated site I maintain. For one thing, I actually own a bunch of domains which I forward here for my convenience. The main site is in Joomla, and I update the look (and image) each sabbat. The site links to my blog (in wordpress) and JaguarMoon. Some of the pages are static, others are actually collections of information (like my various writings).

As you can see, I am a big fan of Joomla. If even a technologically inept person like me can manipulate the templates, it is a seriously easy technology to use.

6. Microsoft, Apple, or open source?
I’m pretty much locked into Microsoft products. But I use a lot of open source products to get the nifty things done. Like IRC programs and Joomla. I used Macintosh back in my college days and they were easy to use. But now they just seem great for people who do a lot of graphic work.

7. What’s your guilty pleasure website?
Witchvox.com – it is full of incredibly interesting things to read, updated weekly. Oh, and craigslist.org. Lots of yummy things to buy, trade, sell, and give away for free there.

8. The cup holder on my computer is broken, what do I do now?
LOL! Cheap replacements can be found on your local craigslist.org site – search for ‘cd drive.’

9. Can you explain for our readers the concept of the “cyber altar”?
A cyber altar is a virtual altar, virtual sacred space, that you create as part of your practice. I have seen some gorgeous ones graphically created. (For example, http://aheartsease.com/nuke/modules.php?name=Altar. http://angelnet.com/altar2.html is particularly interesting, but http://home.znet.com/quan_yin/ is my favorite.)

My own cyber altar is the physical manifestation of the items I use in my cyber rituals. Having them ‘to hand’ during ritual adds extra energy to the work I am doing.

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question?
What made you decide to start this venture and what are your future goals?

Many different things went into the decision to start The Magical Buffet. Much of it is outlined on our philosophy page (http://www.themagicalbuffet.com/Philosophy.html), but at this point it’s evolved into more than just a celebration of the generalist, it’s become my obsessive mission to start dialogues between different communities. The idea being that once you meet the face behind the belief, that belief system becomes less alien and thus less scary.

My future goals? Global domination. Seriously, I’m asked this a lot and honestly our goals range from just trying to get our next issue done to maybe one day hosting interfaith discussion groups. At this point our little publication and website has evolved into more than we could have expected. Who knows what goals we’ll be able to achieve?

About Lisa McSherry
A practicing Witch for more than 25 years, Lisa McSherry is the author of Magickal Connections: Creating a Healthy and Lasting Spiritual Group (New Page, 2007) and The Virtual Pagan: Exploring Wicca and Paganism Through the Internet (Weiser, 2002), the senior editor and owner of Facing North: A Community Resource (www.facingnorth.net) and can be reached at: lisa@cybercoven.org.