10.23.2007
Tis the Season (to interview Witches)
Halloween is quickly approaching, which means that journalists across the country are looking for willing (real live) Witches to interview. This time of year is usually one of the busiest (journalism-wise), and the theme often turns to "dispelling myths" concerning Witchcraft and Paganism. Such is the case in a recent interview with Salem's own Laurie Cabot.
"We don't dress up like the chainsaw massacre. We don't paint our faces green because we're not green. We don't have a hatchet sticking out of our heads asking to be murdered. We dress up like what we want to be ... I think propagandizing our holiday in such a nasty way is not educating anybody or making anybody happy. I'd rather see the whole world dressed up in something beautiful in October and have a great time and still party."
You don't have to be a (in)famous author/personality from Salem to get an October article, you just have to be willing to speak out about your beliefs. You can even get away with saying some rather contentious things about religious Witchcraft/Wicca like Utah Witch Daneen Deuel:
"Wicca is more than just being a witch ... Wiccan's have a deep love of nature, and work on self improvement, and sending good out toward the universe ... Wicca is an ancient Celtic religion which was revived around the twentieth century ... It's really hard to explain Wiccanism because there are really broad principles, and you can take whatever you want from it ... We believe that all Deity are aspects of the same universal power that we are all a part of and we are here in this sphere to learn and grow,"
Of course these articles also take time out to convey important facts about our lifestyle and the ethics we live by:
"Real witchcraft is not glamorous in any way shape or form ... We're not sacrificing babies and boiling cats, for crying out loud..."
Most Wiccans and Witches interviewed for an October article try very hard to come off as normal and harmless as possible, in an ongoing battle to normalize modern Pagan religions.
"The neighbors are really good. We've never had any problems because they know we are good people. We have a dog and a turtle and two children. We are a normal family ... We honor the gods and goddesses of ancient mythology. We honor the sun, the moon, the Earth. There is nothing evil about it [Wicca] ... Many witches believe in the wiccan rede - that what you do to others comes back to you threefold. So we don't do harm."
But no matter how "normal" we all try to appear, it is important to remember that journalists are drawn to odd eccentrics like moths to candle-flame, so expect a fair helping of Witch interviews to follow that trend.
"In 1999, when she went by the name Laurie Jean, the spirits commanded her to change her name and be reborn as a witch. What followed, she said, was a period of deep research on her part of the "ancient archives on the mysterious and unknown things" ... Israel [Shvhu V. Magdaglene] recognizes herself as the reincarnated spirit of Egyptian queen Cleopatra; she claims to be waiting for Mark Antony. If he shows up at the shop, though, he might miss her. Israel plans to move on, possibly in a year or two, to model goddess, witch, vampire and princess clothing in New York City ... Until then, however, she'll be content to run her store in Melvina with her two Timber Arctic wolves. She keeps them as pets and says they're kind and sweet."
So enjoy the Samhain/Halloween season, just watch out for journalists lurking in the shadows, they may want to interview you!
Labels: Halloween, journalism, Laurie Cabot, Paganism, Samhain, Wicca, Witch, Witchcraft
Comments:
Oh, goody - another Cleopatra incarnate. We have a standing rule at our festivals - no more than three incarnates of any one historic figure at a time. That includes Cleopatra, Crowley, Gardner, etc.
I have to say the quote about glamorous witchcraft cracked me up--the implication being that sacrificing babies and boiling cats are some peoples' ideas of glamor. Gotta love the creative use of elipses there. Too funny!
Post a Comment
Oh, goody - another Cleopatra incarnate. We have a standing rule at our festivals - no more than three incarnates of any one historic figure at a time. That includes Cleopatra, Crowley, Gardner, etc.
I have to say the quote about glamorous witchcraft cracked me up--the implication being that sacrificing babies and boiling cats are some peoples' ideas of glamor. Gotta love the creative use of elipses there. Too funny!
Links to this post:
