8.23.2008
Tom K. (Phoenix) 1933 - 2008
Gardnerian Wicca elder Tom K. (aka Phoenix) passed away on Friday, August 22nd, at the age of 75. Phoenix, along with his wife Judy (aka Theos), was hugely influential on the development of Wicca in America.
Tom K./Phoenix
Phoenix and Lady Theos were initiated into the Craft by Rosemary and Raymond Buckland, who were largely responsible for bringing British Traditional Wicca to America. When Rosemary Buckland retired as High Priestess in 1972, Phoenix and Theos took over the coven and became spokespersons and leaders for the Gardnerian tradition in America.
These new duties included Phoenix editing and publishing a Gardnerian Craft newsletter entitled "Gardnerian Aspects" within the Church of All World's "Green Egg" magazine, and co-writing a set of notes and guidelines for American covens to use. Phoenix also contributed to Margot Adler's landmark book on modern Paganism "Drawing Down the Moon" where he explored questions regarding initiations, validity, and ego that many in the Craft continue to wrestle with.
"I have come across those who have carefully and proudly constructed their own "Traditions." initiated themselves, and have gone on to keep their secrets and to function with inspiration, sincerity, and effectiveness. On the other hand, I think we have all, from time to time, had contact with those who are apparently well able to substantiate a so-called "valid initiation" (in fact, more than likely a dozen initiations, the majority being "honorary" or otherwise non-working and non-learning) but to whom the Wicca means little or no more than a publicity gimmick, or a way of supporting themselves, a power/ego excursion... Who of these, then, is truly of the Wicca?"
In addition to all this, Phoenix, along with Raymond Buckland, Rosemary Buckland, Lady Theos, and other elders, created what they designated as the authentic first-degree Book of Shadows for American Gardnerian Craft. An ever-evolving work that is still used in active covens across America today. Phoenix's contributions to Wicca, and modern Paganism, are hard to fully quantify. Needless to say, we owe him a debt of gratitude for his service and dedication. May he rest with the Lord and the Lady in the Summerland, and return to us again.
Labels: Gardnerian Wicca, Paganism, Passings, Phoenix, Wicca, Witchcraft
Comments:
Minor quibble: British Traditional Wicca, please - there is enough confusion between Wicca and trad. witchcraft.
Ive always wondered why the jealousy between WITCHES and WICCANS.. seems one is in the spotlight and the other isnt.. anyone who claims to be a NON wiccan WITCH.. is just a hater.. and in my mind if you werent practicing your craft before 1950 your just a hater.. you say potato i say BTW.. and the W is WITCH and WICCAN..
Phoenix was a great priest and man and his presence in the Craft will be missed. May he be born again to those who loved him.
I hate to quibble in the middle of an obit, but the authoring of the notes and guidelines is not the cause of any Gardnerian schism. In fact, there is a notes and guidelines document co-authored by Phoenix, and there are schisms within Gardnerianism, and there are Long Island and Kentucky "lines" (two different Kentucky lines, in fact), but these three things are not really related to one another.
Phoenix should be remembered for his kindness, humor, bluntness, prolific writing, and deep devotion to Wicca, and not as the author of a schism.
Shadowhawk, there is a specific tradition known as "British Traditional Witchcraft." There is also a phrase, "British Traditional Wicca," that refers collectively to certain other traditions, including Gardnerian and Alexandrian. Distinguishing between two different terms doesn't make anyone jealous or a hater.
"Phoenix should be remembered for his kindness, humor, bluntness, prolific writing, and deep devotion to Wicca, and not as the author of a schism."
You are right, and I have removed that portion of the article. I only included it initially because it was mentioned in "The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism".
Phoenix was my first HP and initiated me into the Craft back in the early '70's and for this I am humbly grateful! He was a funny, wise and down to earth man and I know he will be reborn in the same place and time as those he loved!
BB
Mariposa
P.S. In the old days we didn't worry about labels so much.
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Minor quibble: British Traditional Wicca, please - there is enough confusion between Wicca and trad. witchcraft.
Ive always wondered why the jealousy between WITCHES and WICCANS.. seems one is in the spotlight and the other isnt.. anyone who claims to be a NON wiccan WITCH.. is just a hater.. and in my mind if you werent practicing your craft before 1950 your just a hater.. you say potato i say BTW.. and the W is WITCH and WICCAN..
Phoenix was a great priest and man and his presence in the Craft will be missed. May he be born again to those who loved him.
I hate to quibble in the middle of an obit, but the authoring of the notes and guidelines is not the cause of any Gardnerian schism. In fact, there is a notes and guidelines document co-authored by Phoenix, and there are schisms within Gardnerianism, and there are Long Island and Kentucky "lines" (two different Kentucky lines, in fact), but these three things are not really related to one another.
Phoenix should be remembered for his kindness, humor, bluntness, prolific writing, and deep devotion to Wicca, and not as the author of a schism.
Shadowhawk, there is a specific tradition known as "British Traditional Witchcraft." There is also a phrase, "British Traditional Wicca," that refers collectively to certain other traditions, including Gardnerian and Alexandrian. Distinguishing between two different terms doesn't make anyone jealous or a hater.
"Phoenix should be remembered for his kindness, humor, bluntness, prolific writing, and deep devotion to Wicca, and not as the author of a schism."
You are right, and I have removed that portion of the article. I only included it initially because it was mentioned in "The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism".
Phoenix was my first HP and initiated me into the Craft back in the early '70's and for this I am humbly grateful! He was a funny, wise and down to earth man and I know he will be reborn in the same place and time as those he loved!
BB
Mariposa
P.S. In the old days we didn't worry about labels so much.
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