6.16.2008
Slowly Drifting Out of the (Broom) Closet
Over at the Llewellyn Journal, author Kate West notices the slow, perhaps subconscious, drift away from strict secrecy within modern Paganism.
"As Witches, we used to be far more secretive; no wearing our pentagrams and Goddess symbols openly. No celebrating our Craft in our homes and lifestyle. We did wear long skirts, but that was the fashion. Visit the home of almost any Wiccan or Witch today and even the most discreet will have many clues to their path on display. I’d have counted myself among the discreet until I took a good look around me. Without moving from the keyboard I can see God and Goddess statues, decorative Witches and bats, and even a glow in the dark rat (but that’s got more to do with having a 10 year old than the Craft). There’s a crescent moon hanging in the window and a Horned God plaque over the door. My altar is not hidden, or even sensitively placed in the bedroom. There are witchy books stacked on nearly every step of the stairs (which can make coming down in the dark entertaining), and even the doormat says Blessed Be!"
As allegiance to a modern Pagan faith ceases to be a big deal in many places, some are finding that activities and strategies that used to be necessity, like making your own ritual implements, or keeping quiet when you have a party in your backyard, are no longer needed.
"Our secrecy extended further than appearances; many of my close friends (let alone my neighbours) lived in blissful ignorance of the Witch in their community. Now not only are my near and dear aware (and as at it happens, mostly supportive) but only the other day my nearest neighbour said how nice it was to hear us “enjoying our pagan parties” in the garden. It was only a summer barbeque, and I’d thought we’d been fairly discreet! We used to live with a fairly keen level of dread at being discovered: it could mean your job or even having your parenting skills examined by authorities with the power to put your children into care. But now my son’s school is not only aware that we’re not Christian, they’ve had my books into school to show to the children."
Obviously this newly-discovered freedom doesn't apply to all, there are still plenty of places unfriendly to Pagans outside the generally recognized "zones of tolerance". However, West does bring to light a very real trend that I have noticed in my own life. While I was never "in the broom closet", my friends and I were very cautious about exposing our beliefs to anyone who might disapprove or make life difficult for us. Finding other Pagans was done with the subtle art of jewelry spotting, and haunting the "metaphysical" section of bookstores. Today, if I don't mention I'm a Pagan, it is mostly because I don't feel it's a big deal, and finding other Pagans can be as easy as turning my laptop on.
How about you gentle readers, have any of you slowly drifted out of the "broom closet"? Where once you kept a discrete home, and watched what you said, do you now notice statuary and Pagan-oriented books lying everywhere? To paraphrase Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, did you not so much "come out" as "saunter vaguely outward"?
Labels: Broom Closet, Kate West, Llewellyn, Paganism, Wicca, Witchcraft
4.21.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
To start off, happy birthday to Rome, which was founded by the mythical twins Romulus and Remus on April 21, 753 BC. On that day a pagan festival ensues that some call the "Christmas of Rome", and hundreds dress in traditional Roman military garb.
The 'Natale di Roma' includes parades, fireworks, banquets, and gladiator shows. For more information check out this Italian web site devoted to the holiday.
The Wall Street Journal shows that gods and goddesses can indeed change over time. Representatives and mediums of anticommunist ancestor deities residing in Taiwan are softening their stance towards China as political relations thaw between the two nations.
"...after being anti-China for decades, some of the gods around here are having a change of heart. At least that's what their representatives say. The keeper of the temple of Lee Kuang-chi'en, a colonel in the Nationalist army who died fighting the Chinese in the 1940s, says Mr. Lee now wants to return to his homeland in peace. Su Ai-chih, a 67-year-old retiree and spiritual medium, says a woman who was drowned by Chinese soldiers and turned into a goddess has even asked believers for help in reconnecting with her family on the mainland. 'The goddess possessed me and told me that she wanted to go home,' she adds."
This is a perfect illustration of polytheistic theology in action. Gods can change, practice can change, and those who do not change risk losing worship. There is no singular text or law holding these faiths in a static position.
"Fortunately, Chinese folk religion -- a widely practiced mix of indigenous beliefs and elements of other religions -- is remarkably forgiving. Not only does it often co-exist alongside other beliefs, its worshippers can create, discard or modify gods. That's particularly true of gods who aren't considered to be ling -- effective or powerful. As ties between China and Taiwan improved, Kinmen's anticommunist gods started to lose their ling. 'Chinese folk religion doesn't have a scripture, so everyone has his way of interpreting a god,' says Chi Chang-hui, an anthropologist on Kinmen who has studied anticommunist cults. 'And nowadays, that is less hostile to the mainland.'"
The gods and worshipers remain, but to survive in different eras, they adapt and adjust (or they fade away). A common event throughout the history of polytheism, one that can seem alien to those growing up in a culture dominated by a "religion of the book".
If you think the myth of "The Burning Times" is overblown and harmful, wait till you start to explore the Christian persecution complex. A "discursive entity", according to Professor Elizabeth A. Castelli, "impervious to critique, self-generating and self-sustaining."
"This trend mobilizes the language of religious persecution to shut down political debate and critique by characterizing any position not in alignment with this politicized version of Christianity as an example of antireligious bigotry and persecution. Moreover, it routinely deploys the archetypal figure of the martyr as a source of unquestioned religious and political authority."
The article is wide-ranging and covers a growing spiritual militarism within Christianity that is fueled by a deep-seated (though often illusory) sense of persecution. The Reveler web site offers only an excerpt, for the entire article head over to the Differences journal page, where you can download the entire piece, along with several related works.
Speaking of "The Burning Times", Christian blogger John Morehead interviews Christopher S. Mackay about his brand new translation of the infamous "Malleus Maleficarum" ("The Hammer of Witches"). A tome that is blamed for enabling the execution of thousands of innocent men and women for the crime of "witchcraft".
"I'd say that the Malleus was responsible for the acceptance of a new "paradigm" (in the sense advocated by Thomas Kuhn) about witchcraft. That is, the dissemination and widespread acceptance of the point of view (or world view) that underlay and instigated the so-called "craze" of witch hunting in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries can be attributed (ultimately) to the Malleus."
The new version, which is apparently far more coherent and readable than previous translations, gives us a means of understanding how this establishment of "diabolism" (Satanic witchcraft) still lingers in our world today, and helped inform such tragedies as the "Satanic panics" of the 80s and early 90s. An important text to have, though I think I'll wait for the soft-cover edition, since the two-volume hardcover runs for several hundred dollars.
Over at "Blog o' Gnosis", Anne Hill criticizes efforts by Reclaiming to reach out to racial minorities in order to make the group more "diverse". Hill questions why the organization should be on a diversity recruitment drive when they don't even have their own "house" in order.
"...the obsession with proselytizing, I mean bringing in new blood - no, I mean reaching out to others who could be helped by people like us. As several people at my table mentioned, other religions are not diverse, and they seem to have no problem with it. Wasn't the point of a spiritual community to give aid to its members? Why were we even discussing strategies for bringing different kinds of people in, when we were gathered for a rare opportunity to meet each other face to face? It was at this point that I had to point out the essential backwardness of our discussion topic. Reclaiming is insular. Painfully so, embarrassingly so. We really needed to be asking the opposite question: why don't we get out more? Why aren't more of us involved in interfaith activities? There's plenty of diversity there, but that would involve going to meet others rather than reeling them in to us. Why don't more folks even make the trek to San Jose for Pantheacon each year? Isn't there anything we can learn from other Pagans?"
The issue of expanding racial diversity (and similar issues) is, according to Hill, a "red herring" that prevents Reclaiming from working through deep divisions that already exist within the community. A state of affairs that has distanced several Reclaiming veterans from the tradition they helped create.
In a quick final note, a Llewellyn Journal article tells you what you really need to do.
"The only thing that we as new magickians really need to do is rely on a made-by-reputation company like Llewellyn Publications, because nothing is as easy as it seems."
Indeed, nothing is as easy as it seems.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: China, Christianity, John Morehead, Llewellyn, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Polytheism, Reclaiming, Rome, Satanic Panic, Taiwan, The Burning Times, Witch
3.18.2008
Llewellyn and Advanced Pagan Books
If there is a 500 lb gorilla of the Pagan/metaphysical publishing world it has to be Llewellyn Worldwide. Formed in 1901 as a publisher of books and annuals of astrology, the company now boasts yearly gross sales of over 16 million, and has recently moved to an 80,000 square foot complex in Woodbury, Minnesota. A quick look at the selections of most book-sellers (mainstream or occult) will show shelves dominated by the Llewellyn moon logo on the spines.
Despite this success (or perhaps because of it) there has been an increasingly loud groundswell of criticism towards the company. One common complaint is that the company constantly re-hashes basic introductory (or "101") material and rarely provides "advanced" literature for the more experienced practitioners. Now Carl Llewellyn Weschcke, president and owner of Llewellyn Worldwide, has come forward to say he agrees with those dissatisfied by the company's output.
"Where are the Advanced Books? We hear this question as a complaint. People say there are mostly 101 books available and too few 202 and 303 books. And as a publisher I agree with the question and the complaint. I want to see more advanced books. I want to read and study more advanced books. I want to sell more advanced books. I want our community to have more advanced books."
He then asks people to e-mail him directly and suggest what sorts of "advanced" books they would like to read. For some critics of the publisher, this may seem too good to be true. The owner asking for direct input on advanced titles? Is there a catch? The answer is, yes, there is a catch.
"...please, don't confuse things. 'Advanced' books are not to be confused with history books, or memoirs ... 'Advanced' books, in my personal opinion, are 'specialty' books dealing with what I call 'Esoteric Technology,' and others have called 'technology of the sacred,' 'techniques of ecstasy,' 'ascension,' etc. All deal with 'becoming more than you are' through an acceleration of a natural evolutionary process."
So the recently published biography of celebrated Craft author and teacher Stewart Farrar, or the recent memoir by Alexandrian 'Witch Queen' Maxine Sanders, while most likely illuminating to any advanced student, wouldn't count as "advanced". Likewise, scholarly books on Wiccan or Druidic history by authors like Ronald Hutton or Chas Clifton, shouldn't be confused with the "advanced" label either. Finally, groundbreaking books exploring Pagan theology don't meet the very specific requirements of "advanced" proposed here.
What Weschcke wants are books exploring "Esoteric Technology", or to put it another way, books on magic and magical techniques
For me, and I suspect for others, modern Paganism is primarily a religious movement. It is about reverence, fellowship, respect, joy, and connection. Magic (and related "technologies") can, and have, been a part of that for me to differing degrees over the years. That said, the longer I journey this path, the more I value works that deepen and challenge my spiritual understanding. This isn't to say I can't learn more in the area of "sacred technologies", or that many Pagans wouldn't welcome such works, only that "advanced" isn't something that should be isolated to the "how", and should also explore the "why" and the "where" (not to mention the "what" and the "who").
* If Weschcke is serious about exploring all "eight paths to the center", then I look forward to books on the use of mind-altering substances and entheogens in the coming years.
Labels: books, Carl Llewellyn Weschcke, Llewellyn, Magic, Magick, Paganism
9.27.2007
Prisons Will Restore Purged Pagan Books
The New York Times reports that due to growing pressure and criticism, the federal Bureau of Prisons is restoring the chapel libraries that had been purged of all books not on their new "safe" lists.
"The bureau will begin immediately to return to chapel libraries materials that were removed in June 2007, with the exception of any publications that have been found to be inappropriate, such as material that could be radicalizing or incite violence. The review of all materials in chapel libraries will be completed by the end of January 2008."
However, the secretly created lists won't be going away, they have simply decided to leave the libraries intact until their lists are "complete". While this is a step in the right direction, the essential problem with the lists is still there.
"This is a positive step: it means they are not throwing the baby out with the bath water," Mr. Moore [director of prison policy oversight at Aleph] said of keeping books on the shelves for now. "But our position is there should not be a list of what should be on the shelves, but what shouldn't be."
There is also still no word on who was consulted to make these lists, a fact that should disturb anyone worried about bias and conflicts of interest in the list-making. Elysia Gallo, an acquisitions editor for Llewellyn Worldwide, claims that their company wasn't consulted in the making of the list, and that they have no idea who was consulted.
"I think I can safely say that publishers were not consulted. Everyone here at Llewellyn was surprised and troubled when we first heard the news of this secret list. I think we can *all* agree that we would much rather have Pagans and seekers in prison be able to read anything and everything that is donated to chaplain libraries than simply what is on a list like this. It is a real shame for all religions involved. Chaplains were already selectively screening out books that include nudity, incite violence, etc. etc. from what I've heard anyway. Why try to be all pre-emptive by making a pre-approved list, rather than letting the chaplains handle these issues on a case-by-case basis as they always have? I have talked with others about this and so far no one knows who these mystery list-makers could be."
So while it is good that the chapel libraries are being restored, the core issues haven't changed, and we may see a similar purge take place again at the end of January. The federal Bureau of Prisons needs to be transparent as to who their religious "experts" are, and how these lists are being made. Better yet, they need to abandon this unconstitutional policy that serves only their convenience, not the safety of Americans or prisoners.
Labels: books, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Llewellyn, New York Times, Paganism, Prison, Religion
9.21.2007
Update: The Secret List of Approved Books
Today's New York Times has published the leaked lists of approved books for prison chapel libraries. The lists, a part of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' controversial "Standardized Chapel Library Project", limits approved books in hopes of eliminating works that "discriminate, disparage, advocate violence or radicalize."
"The federal Bureau of Prisons is under pressure from members of Congress and religious groups to reverse its decision to purge the shelves of prison chapel libraries of all religious books and materials that are not on the bureau's lists of approved resources. Outrage over the bureau's decision has come from both conservatives and liberals, who say it is inappropriate to limit inmates to a religious reading list determined by the government."
You can get a PDF of the list for Pagan books, here. Also of interest might be the Yoruba and Native American lists. From a quick read-through it seems like a list that will make Llewellyn happy, a large chunk of the selections are published by them (including several selections by Silver RavenWolf, D.J. Conway, and Ted Andrews among others). Asatru and Heathenry seems to be well-represented with six books by Steve McNallen of the Asatru Folk Assembly, along with works by Galina Krasskova, Mark Puryear, and Swain Wodening.
Some of the selections weren't surprising, like Margot Adler's "Drawing Down the Moon" and Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance", but others, like Edgar Cayce's "Gems and Stones", seemed a bit out of place. There is only one book by Aleister Crowley allowed, "The Book of Thoth", and a few titles that seem aimed at Celtic Reconstructionists ("The Apple Branch", "The Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology"). But even with 131 book choices, there are several glaring omissions, including an almost complete lack of academic-oriented Pagan books, not a single book on Thelema, and no books by important founding figures like Gerald Gardner or Doreen Valiente.
But no matter how good (or bad) the list as a whole may be (and we still have no idea who composed the list), it still represents a dangerous encroachment on religious liberties, and has been gaining criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
"The Republican Study Committee, a caucus of some of the most conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives, sent a letter on Wednesday to the bureau's director, Harley G. Lappin, saying, 'We must ensure that in America the federal government is not the undue arbiter of what may or may not be read by our citizens' ... Sojourners, a liberal evangelical group based in Washington, sent an alert to its members, who within 48 hours sent the bureau more than 15,000 e-mail messages urging it to scrap the policy. The issue is also a hot topic on conservative Christian talk radio shows."
But despite the flood of criticisms, the BOP is standing firm and refusing to reconsider its policies. So it looks like changes to this newly restrictive measure will either have to come in the form of legislation from congress, or the class-action lawsuit currently in motion. In the meantime, it looks like the prison system's "secret chiefs" get to decide which books Pagan prisoners can read.
Labels: Asatru, books, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Llewellyn, New York Times, Paganism, Prison, Religion, Wicca
9.04.2007
The Return of the Brunswick Board!
Last year the Brunswick County Board of Education (in North Carolina) decided to vote on a new policy that would allow groups to hand out religious tracts in Brunswick County schools. This policy was meant to smooth the legal road for local Christian groups wanting to distribute Bibles and tracts on school property. But things went a bit awry when Pagan/New Age publisher Llewellyn said they would use the new policy to distribute free copies of their books through local Pagan and Wiccan organizations.
"As a publisher we are committed to the dissemination of information and recognize that indeed there is much misunderstanding in the mainstream community about so-called alternative religions and we think that our books can help clarify some of these misconceptions. We regularly donate a handful of titles here and there to various pagan organizations and festivals as part of our regular publicity and outreach programs. While we are usually approached by pagan organizations looking for donations, this time we were proactive in our approach."
Brunswick County Board of Education considering Pagan books.
Unsurprisingly, the Board indefinitely tabled the vote, fearing the consequences of real religious liberty. Now that merry band of concerned conservative Christian officials, proving that revenge is a dish best served cold, are looking to pass a new religiously-motivated procedure.
"Brunswick County school officials will consider a procedure for students' parents to challenge books available at school libraries ... Board member Shirley Babson said some parents have expressed that books such as the Harry Potter series represent witchcraft and promote the practice of Wicca. Board member Jimmy Hobbs said he sees the importance of reviewing the policy. 'The issue is a valid issue,' Hobbs said. 'I'm not attacking Harry Potter. When the issue of Bibles in schools came up last year, the ones that raised the most opposition was the group known as Wicca. Does this policy give them a free pass to get their materials into the schools? When distributing materials, we should be careful by not being biased. Is Wicca being allowed, in other ways, to the exclusion of Christian literature?'"
Take that Wicca! We are totally going to let Christian parents challenge all those Harry Potter books you sneakily placed in our libraries! They must not have heard that Harry Potter is written by a Christian and contains Christian themes. I'm sure no bad publicity will come from this move, it isn't like anyone reads Harry Potter anyway. I await further updates with bated breath.
Labels: Brunswick County Board of Education, Christianity, Harry Potter, law, Llewellyn, Paganism, Wicca
1.14.2007
A Brief Moment of Self-Promotion
We interrupt this normally topical Pagan blog to bring you this shameless attempt at self-promotion...
I would like to announce that the 2007 Wicca Alamanac is now available for purchase. Within you can find my essay on Pagan blogging entitled "Pagan Blogging (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Blog the Gods)". I think that it is a fine little essay, and if you should want to read it I urge you pick up your own copy. If Amazon.com is your thing, why not pick it up through my Amazon Store?
Thank you for your indulgence, once I have my author's copy I'll post a bit more about it (and note if there are any sizable edits). We now return you to our regularly scheduled content.
Labels: 2007 Wicca Alamanac, Jason Pitzl-Waters, Llewellyn, Paganism, shameless self-promotion
