Category: Magic/Occult

Oberon Zell-Ravenheart News

by Administrator, posted in Books, Magic/Occult, Wiccan/Pagan

I’m sure many of you have been keeping magical elder statesman Oberon Zell-Ravenheart in your thoughts and prayers as he continues his journey to health after being diagnosed with colon cancer last year. You’ll be happy to know that he is doing his chemo and despite the side effects is in good health, “as if I was 30 years younger than I am” he says on his website. Oberon has been chronicling his journey with honesty and humor on his blog. To read his January 8th update, click here.

In other Oberon news, at long last “Green Egg Omelette” is here! I say at long last because I’ve been super excited about this since I heard it was coming out, and thankfully Hanukkah Harry, aka my husband, bought it for me for Hanukkah! What am I talking about?

From Oberon’s website:

Green Egg Omelette: An Anthology of Art and Articles from the Legendary Pagan Journal

by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart (Author), Chas Clifton (Foreword), Christopher Penczak (Foreword)

As acknowledged in every history of modern Paganism, the articles, poetry, art, and letters published in “Green Egg” over the past four decades informed, inspired, and shaped the emerging Pagan community into the fastest-growing religious movement in the English-speaking world. This richly illustrated anthology of favorite writings and artwork from those legendary issues opens a window into the birth, infancy, and adolescence of a transformative cultural revolution that is now, in the 21st century, entering its maturity.

Selections from 40 years of “Green Egg” include articles from numerous contributors, including: Antero Ali, Gareth Bloodwine, Isaac Bonewits, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Raymond Buckland, Phyllis Curott, Ivo Dominguez, LaSara Firefox, Ed Fitch, Jesse Wolf Hardin, Anodea Judith, Timothy Leary, Deborah Lipp, Ralph Metzner, M. Macha Nightmare, Diana Paxson, Gwydion Pendderwen, Starhawk, Robert Anton Wilson, Michael York, and many, many others!

I plan to start reading my copy this weekend!

To get your copy, click here.

And in super bad ass Oberon news you can pre-order “Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard Master Edition”. But Rebecca, like you, I already own “Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard”. Why on earth do I care about a “master edition”? Well, is your copy one of only 999 limited editions, with a green leatherette cover with dual ribbon book-mark, a special four-color signature bookplate designed by Oberon, and includes 24 pages of information, including a 17-page illustrated glossary, not in the regular edition and new appendices? I think not. To get all the details, click here.

From Oberon’s website:

For anyone interested in pre-ordering the “Master Edition of Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard” can e-mail sales@careerpress.com or call New Page at 1-800-227-3371 (in NJ 201-848-0310).

Here is the info that you will need to provide:

Name
Address
Phone
E-mail

Credit Card Number and Expiration (credit cards will be charged at the time of ordering).

Please mention the specific numbered copy you would like if any. This will be done on a first come, first served basis.

All books will be signed by Oberon. Oberon has graciously agreed to inscribe the first 100 copies ordered to whomever you wish so please provide the exact name or wording you would like.

10 Questions with Gary Lachman

by Administrator, posted in Books, Interviews, Magic/Occult

1. As I made note of in my review of your latest book “Politics and the Occult: The Left, the Right, and the Radically Unseen” you belonged to the band Blondie and were a fixture of the New York music scene, how did Gary Valentine the rocker become Gary Lachman the writer?
I had always wanted to ‘be a writer’ and wrote poetry before I became a musician. It was through the poetry that I became a songwriter. While in Blondie, my own and other groups, I always read philosophy, psychology, literature and so on.

2. What drew you to studying occult movements and philosophies?
I became seriously interested in the study of the occult through reading Colin Wilson’s excellent book The Occult, which takes a more philosophical approach to the subject than most other similar books do.

3. One thing that stands out in “Politics and the Occult” is the colorful cast of characters that fuelled these movements. Who are you particularly fond of and why?
In general I was attracted to the character of Freemasonry in the late 18th century, when it was motivated by what seems a real sense of universal brotherhood without class, religious or racial distinctions, and where men and often women of like mind could meet and discuss ideas about the nature of society.

4. Help me out here, is Aleister Crowley really as big of a deal as my friend’s college roommate told me he is?
Crowley is probably how most people today discover the occult. A colorful if often annoying character.

5. What was one of your most surprising or entertaining discoveries made while researching “Politics and the Occult”?
I was disturbed by the amount of far right and anti-semitic thought that informs much of western esotericism but encouraged by the many forms of progressive occult thinking.

6. Since one of these women is deceased, this is a purely hypothetical question. In a fist fight who would win, Victoria Woodhull (the first woman to run for President) or Hillary Clinton?
Victoria, I think. Women were tougher in her day.

7. Who gets more groupies, rockers or authors? Or is it about quality? Do authors get a better quality of groupie verses rockers?
I don’t get many groupies these days so its hard to tell.

8. What is your next project?
I’m currently working on a book about C.G. Jung.

9. Are you amazed we got through this whole interview without me asking you one question about Debbie Harry?
Relieved, actually.

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question.
Are you open on Sundays?

Thanks to the glory of the internet The Magical Buffet is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, barring server issues.

About Gary Lachman
Gary Lachman is author of “A Secret History of Consciousness”, “A Dark Muse”, “Rudolf Steiner”, and other books. A founding member of the rock group Blondie, in 2006 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.





Politics and the Occult

by Administrator, posted in Books, Magic/Occult, Politics, Reviews

I’m given many books and products to review. I’m not swimming in them, but at this point, I’ve had my share of emails from publicists and delightful packages of goodies sent my way. Yet nothing could prepare me for the email I received from Quest Books asking me to review “Politics and the Occult: The Left, the Right, and the Radically Unseen” by Gary Lachman. That’s right music fans, Gary Lachman, also known as Gary Valentine, bassist for the to die for band Blondie. What was this emotion I was experiencing? Could it be giddiness? Yes, I’m embarrassed to say, I was “as happy as a school girl”.

It took awhile to get into the book. Not because it wasn’t engaging, but because I kept sitting there thinking to myself, I’m one person removed from Gary Valentine! How cool am I? Once I finally pushed past the girlish giggles and congratulatory pats on my back, I came to a startling and delightful realization. Lachman has got game. (For the record, I have very little game, just enough to recognize the fact that Lachman has it.) “Politics and the Occult” isn’t pop culture fluff, and it’s not a rehashing of the ever popular Hitler and the occult genre, it’s a fascinating, thoroughly researched, and entertainingly presented look at the subtle influence that occult movements have on societies.


In fact, Lachman himself says in the introduction, “So as not to disappoint a reader who is expecting a different sort of book, I should point out what this book isn’t about, a practice most publishers frown on, but which I feel may be appropriate here. It isn’t, for example, an expose of secret societies whose occult machinations are behind the political movements of today. Nor is it a rummaging through the occult closets of famous politicians in order to uncover some hermetic skeletons. (That Ronald Reagan, for example, employed an astrologer may be an interesting bit of gossip, but it tells us little about the nature of occult politics. Likewise, the fact that Aleister Crowley, probably the most famous magician of modern times, wrote pro-German propaganda during World War I tells us more about Crowley than it does about politics.) It’s also not about any conspiracy to infiltrate earthly governments involving UFOs, although it is true that in 1960, aliens took an interest in US politics and backed a candidate for the presidency. I’ve also not focused on occult politics in the sense of the politics of special interest groups, for instance, how neo-pagans fit into contemporary society or the relationship between wicca and some forms of contemporary feminism. These and no doubt other, equally deserving elements are missing from my study, and I look forward to being enlightened about them by interested readers.”

What’s left, you may be asking? Lots. A few favorites of mine were the discussion of the link between spiritualism and the women’s rights movement that includes an introduction to Victoria Woodhull, an interesting section about Jung culminating with the his time as “Agent 488” helping the Office of Strategic Services by making psychological assessments of Nazi leaders, and a mind blowing look at the occult movements at work during the French Revolution.

Personally, I plan on reading this book again. This time with a notebook and pen at my side to make note of all the people I want to learn more about and the many books that I’m now chomping at the bit to read. Add to that I now feel compelled to read all the other books Lachman has written that I just learned about, and well, I’m never going to have time to read all those “Hellblazer” comics that are sitting by my sofa.

Where Art Meets the Occult: Sacred Art Tarot

by Administrator, posted in Art, Magic/Occult, Products, Reviews

For not actually being a tarot reader, I love tarot decks. Perhaps it’s because tarot decks are generally where quality artwork meets the occult, two things that I can appreciate. Although finding most decks pleasing to the eye and a thing to make my inner occult geek go, oh yeah, I rarely feel inspired by them. You know, like maybe I should turn off “The Big Bang Theory”, get my ever widening butt up off the sofa, and learn me some tarot. The “Rider-Waite Tarot” gets me every time, and now I can add the “Sacred Art Tarot” to the list.

The images used on the cards are great classic works of art primarily of a Christian orientation. Yet the way those images are used invoke a very Western esoteric tradition that I find compelling. The creator of the deck, Andre St. Dryden, does say that the meanings are based on the teachings of Qabalists and occultists with a mixture of the creator’s own beliefs and esoteric decks such as the “Golden Dawn Tarot” and Aleister Crowley’s “Thoth Tarot Deck”.

The “Sacred Art Tarot” is a 78 card deck that comes with an instruction booklet and a custom spread sheet. If your tarot tastes run more towards the occult I highly recommend checking this deck out.

10 Questions with Deborah Blake

by Administrator, posted in Interviews, Magic/Occult, Wiccan/Pagan

1. Tell our readers a little bit about your first book “Circle, Coven, and Grove” and why you chose that subject matter for the book?
Circle, Coven & Grove is a year of rituals (New Moons, Full Moons and Sabbats) set up by month. It was primarily written with groups in mind, as you can tell from the title, but I have had many Solitaries tell me that they use it too.

I wrote it because it was the book I wished I’d had for my first year as a High Priestess, and couldn’t find. And because I realized that not all groups have someone in them who is comfortable writing rituals.

2. What can my readers expect from your next book “Everyday Witch A to Z”, which releases in October?
Well, the subtitle is: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft, and that ought to give you a pretty good idea. Some of the book is funny and light-hearted, some of it is deeply spiritual and all of it is intended to share useful information and make you think. There are lots of little sidebars, like “Simple Spells” and “Magic’s Herbal Hints.” (My black cat Magic co-wrote the book.) My hope is that there will be a little something for everyone in it!

I also have a third one finished, which will be coming out next summer. It is called The Goddess is in the Details: Wisdom for the Everyday Witch, and it is all about integrating your spiritual life as a witch with your mundane everyday life. Walking your talk, if you will.

3. I see that in October you will be featured in Laurell K. Hamilton’s newsletter. I love Hamilton so I have to ask, how did that come about?
It was kind of funny, actually. The publicist at Llewellyn suggested when my first book came out that I get a myspace page, for networking and such. I’ve gotten in touch with many other very cool authors through that site, and made a number of friends. At one point last year, I wrote a note to Laurell congratulating her on her newest book, and her assistant Darla Cook wrote me back. Darla explained that Laurell is a technophobe, and so she doesn’t answer her own email. We chatted back and forth a bit, I mentioned that I was an author, and presto, Darla invited me to be in the newsletter. I have to say, I’m pretty excited about it, since I love Laurell, too!

4. You’ve been leading a group, the Blue Moon Circle, for several years. What are your thoughts on the Coven verses Solitary Wiccan practitioner?
Well, they’re both equally good paths, of course. Some people are more suited to one or another, and other folks would like to be in a group but there isn’t one available that suits them. When I first discovered that I was a Witch, I was amazed to find out that I was a group Witch—since I am primarily a solitary person in most other ways. I still practice on my own at times, but I was with my first group for over 5 years, and I have been leading Blue Moon Circle for 4. I find group work very rewarding, in part because of the extra energy that can be generated by a bunch of Witches all working together, but also because I love the feeling of being an extended family. Blue Moon Circle is an unusually tight-knit group, we even take vacations together (husbands, kids and all), and many of the Blue Mooners come along with me to author appearances.

5. What advice would you give someone interested in learning about Wicca?
Buy a lot of books! There are many different forms of Wicca, and the best way to discover what works for you is to do a lot of reading. And if you can find some local Witches to practice with, which can help you really get a feel for ritual and magick.

And listen to your own inner wisdom. If something doesn’t seem right to you, don’t do it.

6. In your opinion, what piece of modern pop culture (for example movies or television shows) do you feel has done the best job of portraying female magic practioners (witches)? What has done the worst?
Interesting question. To be honest, I kind of liked Charmed, although it wasn’t what you’d call realistic. And of course there’s Harry Potter… I’m not sure I can think of any good examples of realistic portrayals of the modern witch, except a book or two maybe. As for the bad stuff…well, all those movies that confuse Satanism and witchcraft, or feature so-called evil witches make me twitch.

7. What challenges do you see facing the Wiccan community? How can the community resolve those issues?
I think that in many ways, we are our own worst enemy. I get frustrated sometimes with people arguing about the proper ways to practice, or what we call ourselves. (There’s a little rant in Everyday Witch about unity, in fact.) I think that we need to realize that we have much more in common with each other that we do with anyone who is not a pagan/witch/Wiccan, and be kind to each other.

8. Who is your favorite Llewellyn author?
Okay, now you’re trying to get me in trouble! I don’t know how I could pick, really, there are so many. I enjoy Ellen Dugan’s garden witchery books, and I’m currently reading Christopher Penczak’s The Mystic Foundation, which is fascinating and deep. And anything by the late Scott Cunningham is very useful for reference material. But the book I am most looking forward to reading next is the Shadow Magick Compendium, by Raven Digitalis, coming out in October, too. I got a sneak preview of it, and what I saw looks absolutely amazing. I recommend it highly.

9. I’m from the Albany, NY area. You live in Oneonta, NY and I see you refer to it as upstate New York. Wouldn’t you say upstate would be more like Glens Falls or Plattsburgh? I always think of Oneonta as like central New York.
I guess I’ve always thought of everything above NYC as Upstate. I grew up near Albany, and that’s how everyone there (and everyone here) refers to the area. The “official” name for this section of the state is “The Central Leatherstocking Region,” however, so maybe you’re right!

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question?
If you could ask an author to write a book about Wicca or the magickal world, what would you want the book to be about?

I couldn’t possibly ask. I find it all so interesting I wouldn’t know what to ask for!

Author Bio:

Deborah Blake is a Wiccan High Priestess who has been leading her current group, Blue Moon Circle, for four years. She is the author of Circle, Coven and Grove: A Year of Magickal Practice (Llewellyn 2007) and Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft (Llewellyn 2008). Her third book will be out in 2009. Her award-winning short story, “Dead and (Mostly) Gone” is included in the Pagan Anthology of Short Fiction: 13 Prize Winning Tales (Llewellyn, October 2008).

When not writing, Deborah runs The Artisans’ Guild, a cooperative shop she founded with a friend, and works as a jewelry maker, tarot reader, an ordained minister and an Intuitive Energy Healer. She lives in a 100 year old farmhouse in rural upstate New York with five cats who supervise all her activities, both magickal and mundane.

Visit Deborah at www.deborahblakehps.com, www.myspace.com/deborahblakehps, and www.bluemooncircle.net.

Dunn Answers My Geeky Prayers

by Administrator, posted in Books, Magic/Occult, Reviews

Anyone who spends anytime at all reading about or discussing magic with those who actually work magic will hear that magic is meant to be practiced. That study and theories mean nothing without practice. This is generally why books about magic read more like how-to guides than scholarly essays. Obviously I’m not saying that those how-to guides aren’t carefully researched and developed after years of experience, what I am saying is that I want scholarly essays! And like an answer to my geeky prayers, Patrick Dunn wrote the book “Magic Power Language Symbol”.

This book is dense and rich like some sort of triple dark fudge cake. Not a single word is wasted. I made my way carefully and deliberately through the text and can honestly say that I will benefit greatly from reading it again, and probably again. Dunn packs in so many interesting thoughts and theories, along with copious research, that I challenge you to feel like you absorbed all the information in one reading! That said, the book is not a dry read. Dunn, in my opinion, is a gifted writer. He presents complex ideas in a conversational and easy to understand manner. The book is littered with amusing examples and footnotes.

What does the book cover? Just about anything you can think of that falls under the headings of magic, power, language, or symbol! Speaking in tongues, magical alphabets, mantras, the Qabalah, Enochian, glyphs and sigils, incantations, and more!

As far as I’m concerned, just about anyone would find this book a fascinating read. Regardless of what kind of magic you practice, this book is an essential.

Letter From Oberon

by Administrator, posted in Guest Authors, Magic/Occult, Wiccan/Pagan

For once, I find myself without anything to say. Those of you familiar with me, or the site, know that you are witnessing a rare occurrence. Last night I learned that Oberon Zell-Ravenheart has been diagnosed with colon cancer. I have confirmed this information, and now I find myself at a loss for words.

Who is Oberon Zell-Ravenheart? Someone far too important to have ever needed to acknowledge the existence of The Magical Buffet, let alone do an interview for us, and yet, he suffered this fool gladly. For those of you who missed it, or want to relive one of my moments of glory, click here.

I have this info to share:

8/14/08

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

Yesterday I had a meeting yesterday with my doctor, Stephen Denigris, to discuss the results of the biopsy they did on the golfball-sized tumor (lesion) they discovered during my recent colonoscopy, just two days ago. He says it is indeed cancerous, and colon cancer is aggressive and nasty. However, it is far enough up that it can be surgically removed along with about a foot of my descending colon (left side). He said that it appears to be less than a year old, so the chances of a complete removal of all cancerous tissue are excellent.

The only concern is that some of the cancer cells may have migrated into my lymph nodes, which would be a really serious problem, requiring radiation and chemotherapy. To help determine whether or not this may be the case, they took a few vials of my blood for testing, and tomorrow at 2:45 PM PDT, I am scheduled for a CAT scan. The results of the blood work and the CAT scan will be available next Thursday (8/21), when I have an appointment with an abdominal surgeon to discuss upcoming surgery—which we’ll schedule as soon as possible.

The best things about all this so far are that we caught this early enough that it should be completely operable; and at the same time, they’ll be able to repair an abdominal hernia which has been plaguing me for many years.

However, Dr. Denigris also emphasized the importance of prayers and healing energy. Right now, to shrink and contain the tumor as much as possible, so that none of the cancer gets out into surrounding tissue or lymph nodes between now and the surgery. After I get the results of the CAT scan and blood work, I’ll let everyone know the status going into surgery. Then I’ll need all the healing energy I can get on the actual day of the surgery to ensure that everything goes perfectly.

Love,

OZ
Photo by Nemea Arborvitae

Magic users all over the world have been doing what is being called a Rolling Thunder working, which is when different magical practitioners of varying systems of magical practice all work magic for one specific goal, in this case, to help send healing energy to Oberon. Unfortunately, technically the working ended last night, but I suspect that if you want to pray, work magic, or do both in good measure, Oberon won’t object.

For those of you who would like to send cards or letters of encouragement, you can mail those to:

Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
PO Box 758
Cotati, CA 94931

I will try to keep you guys up to date with what is happening with this elder statesman of magic. Oberon hopes to be able to keep everyone up to date at his site www.oberonzell.com.

10 More Questions with Raven Digitalis

by Administrator, posted in Interviews, Magic/Occult, Wiccan/Pagan

1. The last time we talked was in November 2007 a little while after your first book “Goth Craft” was released. What have you learned between then and now?
I’ve learned many things, particularly spiritually! It’s hard to quantify; I don’t entirely remember who I was then; I only know who I am in the present… I’m sure I’ll say the same thing in another year! But, I can safely say that I’ve learned what it’s like to put myself ‘out there’ on a larger scale. And I wouldn’t take it back for anything in the world. I’m so happy I’m “spreading my wings,” if I may use the pun.

2. Your new book “Shadow Magick Compendium” looks like it covers a lot of different stuff: toxic herbs, fasting, dispelling harmful behavior patterns, the Witch hunts, mysticism and more. What do all the different things you discuss in your new book have in common, if anything?
For me, I see certain things as having a strong connection to shadow or darkness as a spiritual force of nature; I compiled the book with this in mind, and have tried to stay close to that examination throughout. When I was doing my edits for the book, I realized how deep some of the material actually is. I hadn’t really considered its spiritual scope until I took a “bird’s eye view” and examined it from a reader’s perspective (editorially). I hope beyond measure that the material will help positively and progressively influence other peoples’ evolving spiritual paths. There is far too much suffering in the world; it’s all we can do—and should do—to help both ourselves and one another as brothers and sisters in this experience of reality.

3. Also, what made you decide to not write more about the Goth culture in your new book?
I’m over it. Hah! Yep, it’s true: I put my piece out there about dark subculture, and now it’s time to move on to strictly spiritual focuses. I don’t want to be known as “that Goth guy,” because there’s much more to my writing and spiritual path than that. Though dark culture is significant and beautiful, there’s no need for me to keep trippin’ on it. I’m concerned with consciousness, Awareness, and compassion, and the mediums for musing those frequencies is always changing. You will also find that my focus in writing will not always stay “dark,” though metaphysical darkness is my own familiar spiritual root, so I’ll still always pull from that area to some degree naturally.

4. Another Llewellyn author who encourages a darker look at magic is Konstantinos (author of ‘Nocturnal Witchcraft’). Are you familiar with his work, and if so, do you feel you share in the philosophy of working with darker energies is not evil?
Well… I’m familiar with his work, but personally draw no parallels between his writing and mine, save for the fact that darkness (as an energetic force) is examined. I much prefer dark occult authors like Michelle Belanger, Robin Artisson, John J. Coughlin, Michael Alexandra Davida, Corvis Nocturnum, Nathaniel J. Harris, and Leilah Wendell.

5. I know you love music, so I have to ask, what are you listening to right now?
Oh shoot… right now? Lemme think. Well, today I listened to CDs by The Mission, Sopor Aeternus, and Fiona Horne. Sitting on this pile next to me is Monica Richards, Stevie Nicks, God Module, and the Gypsy Nomads. In my car I’ve been playing Nick Warren, Aphex Twin, Collide, Tori Amos, The Congos, and of course my beloved Smashing Pumpkins.

6. I totally can’t wait for the soundtrack for “Repo! The Genetic Opera” to release. Have you heard any music from it yet? I think you would dig it.
No clue! Never heard of the film or soundtrack. I’ll keep an eye out for it, though!

7. I can’t believe I didn’t ask you this last time, but how did you come about taking the name Raven Digitalis?
Well, the Raven has always been one of my spirit animals (I also discuss spirit animals heavily in Shadow Magick Compendium). I’ve known the Raven as my primary astral guide since I first got into the Craft back when I was 16. He’s stayed with me since, and I’d imagine he always will. I’ve recently also discovered that Cricket is a new, additional spirit animal I’ve been Given. As for Digitalis, well, it’s the Latin name for the foxglove plant. Just as people have spirit animals, we also have spiritual plant allies—foxglove happens to be mine. So, the names sounded nice together—and, this was before I discovered that Digitalis is also the name of a heart medication; an extract from the foxglove plant—and I went with it. But, my birth name is Colin (shhh).

8. Any chance you could help me come up with some cool sounding alias? I’m so lame even my City of Heroes character is just named Amazing Rebecca.
Hmmm. Well, my alias is a portion of my magickal/spiritual name, so that’s one option. It’s not an easy process to find one’s spiritual name (if one was to use their spiritual name as their alias), but we are all vibrationally aligned to different forces, and can use those alignments to form our magickal names (I discuss spiritual/magickal names in Goth Craft). And thanks—I also think ‘Raven Digitalis’ sounds cool, and I’m lucky to have it as part of my spiritual name! For you? How about Mozilla Firefox? –oh wait, that’s already taken. Damn!

9. I asked last time, and I gotta ask again, what’s next?
Oh, the future is rarely predictable. As far as writing, I have a number of things in mind… a fun little spellbook, some fiction, and some other projects. I also tour in various parts the country fairly regularly—mostly the Northwest, as well as Denver and San Jose (for PantheaCon!). One can always stay tuned to my website or MySpace to hear about my updates!

10. Parting shot! Ask us here at The Magical Buffet any one question?
Okay! Hmmm… do you think that Gerald Gardner should have created more involved codes of ethics with the founding of Wicca? And, do you think that his fabrications about the history of Witchcraft and its origins served the Neopagan revivalism well, or just put a bad taste in peoples’ mouths in terms of legitimizing earth-based spirituality?

Raven, you make me crazy, which by the way makes my husband officially your biggest fan. Let me see what I can say to all of that, and remember folks, I’m not an expert…I’m not even Wiccan!

From what I understand Gardner took a hodge podge of old traditions and managed to pull them together and present them to a more modern audience in a way that obviously resonated with them. Although many modern Wiccan practices can be traced back way past Gardner’s existence, without him I don’t know how many people would know about them today. If I could do that, I wouldn’t hide that knowledge, I would share it. I’d be like, booyah, I took a bunch of ancient practices and created this pretty cool thing that people like. Yet he felt people wouldn’t be that impressed and since many Wiccans deny the idea that maybe, just maybe, Gardner did a little fabricating, he was probably right. Personally, I think his hype served the revivalism well in the beginning but now seems to leave more of a bad taste in people’s mouths.

I’m not entirely certain what Gardner’s founding ethics were, but I’ll share a little bit on my thoughts about Wiccan ethics. I’m a total fence sitter. Yeah, I’ll admit it. I like the rule of three and harm none and all of that. I think it’s responsible and a good way to live your life, not just practice magic. That said, I know people who don’t concern themselves with those ethics, and I still find them to be wonderful, moral people. I think the flexibility in perceived ethics is one of the things that makes Wicca such a diverse faith. So many philosophies falling under the same banner. Of course that same diversity makes the faith full of schisms. Perhaps if Gardner had laid down the law more Wicca would be a more potent unified faith, but I think a lot fewer people would be involved it.

That’s it Raven, gloves off for the next interview…I’m making you jump through all kinds of hoops!

Author Bio:
Raven Digitalis (Missoula, MT) is the author of Shadow Magick Compendium: Exploring Darker Aspects of Magickal Spirituality and Goth Craft: The Magickal Side of Dark Culture, both on Llewellyn. He is a Neopagan Priest and cofounder of the “disciplined eclectic” shadow magick tradition and training coven Opus Aima Obscuræ, and is a radio and club DJ of Gothic, EBM, and industrial music. Raven holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Montana and is also an animal rights activist and black-and-white photographic artist. He has appeared on the cover of newWitch magazine, is a regular contributor to The Ninth Gate magazine, and has been featured on MTV News and the ‘X’ Zone Radio program.
www.ravendigitalis.com
www.myspace.com/oakraven

Freeze! It’s the Vice Squad! Part 3: The Saudi Arabian Edition.

by Administrator, posted in First Amendment, Magic/Occult, Politics

On February 13, 2008 the organization Human Rights Watch sent a letter to King Abdullah bin Abd al-‘Aziz Al Saud on behalf of Fawza Falih, who has been sentenced to death by beheading for the alleged crimes of “witchcraft, recourse to jinn, and slaughter of animals”.
 
The letter highlights in aggravating detail the gaping flaws in the Saudi Arabian justice system.  It starts with her being held in detention at the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice for “witchcraft”.  Does this mean Saudi Arabia has their own Vice Squad?  You know, like this or this?  What did this wily “witch” do?  According to my pals with the Vice Squad a man allegedly became impotent after being “bewitched” and a divorced woman (Can there be divorced women in Iran?  With the way the Vice guys are going I just assumed they wouldn’t allow divorces anymore.) reportedly returned to her ex-husband during the month predicted by the witch said to have cast the spell. 
 
Misery loves company.  Read the letter so you can feel my pain.  I’ve got to say, Christoph Wilcke, the letter’s author, has laid out a rational argument for a pardon for Fawza Falih.  Let’s hope it helps.

2008…You Dirty Rat!

by Administrator, posted in Events, Magic/Occult, New Age

For those of you playing along at home, the Chinese New Year is February 7, 2008, and we are about to enter the Year of the Rat.
 
The Chinese lunar calendar is cyclic, with the same 12 representative animals going around and around.  We’re about to leave the Year of the Pig behind us.  Then, it will be all about the Rat, the first in the 12 year cycle of animals.  So, what does it mean to be in the Year of the Rat?
 
According to the anonymous posters at Wikipedia, “Rat is associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities.”  For any expecting parents out there, a child born between February 7, 2008 and January 25, 2009 is a Rat.  Again, according to the folks at Wikipedia, you have the following to look forward to. 
 
“Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiacs, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat’s natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.
 
Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.
 
Rats consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.
 
According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night. Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rats in general should guard themselves against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.
 
Professions include espionage, psychiatry, psychology, writing, politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective work, acting, and pathology.”
 
To learn more about the Chinese New Year, check out the Wikipedia entry.  For more ratty details, check out the rat specific entry.