8.30.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
The Vancouver Sun looks at how colleges in Canada are adapting to the changing realities of our religiously diverse society.
"At Carleton University and the University of Western Ontario, the official calendar listing holy days when students can be excused from classes or exams includes those central to Wicca and Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion that originated in Iran and is now estimated to have about 200,000 members worldwide ... In an effort to serve students' spiritual needs, the University of Toronto counts two pagans, two Hindus, two Buddhists and a First Nations spiritual leader among more than 20 chaplains associated with the new multi-faith centre that opened last year. It features half a dozen prayer, meeting and worship rooms, says director Richard Chambers, along with facilities for foot-washing and a de-pressurized space that allows for fire and incense during worship ceremonies."
The University of Toronto's Pagan chaplains are Brian Walsh, who serves Celtic and reconstructionist groups on campus, and Catherine Starr, who serves the Wiccan community there. So if your thinking of going to college in Canada, this article is practically a guide for potential Pagan students.
A South African teen who killed a classmate with a sword and blamed it on Satan has brought forth the old "Satanic Panic" peddlers.
"[Pastor of Destiny Harvest Church in Umhlanga, Marc] Bredenkamp, who has been helping children involved in Satanism for the past 20 years and has housed recovering witches, said Satanic groups operated on fear and people could not get out because the group threatens to kill their family or do something to them. Apart from numerous death threats and attacks from Satanic groups, Bredenkamp recalled the time his eight-year-old son was abducted by Satanists. He said they threatened to kill his son and wanted him to offer his life in exchange for his son's. He approached the young girl who had abducted his son and began praying for her. In so doing, he helped expel the evil spirits from her."
"Uncle Marc" is a classic Satanic Panic con-man who used to be a part of the now-disbanded South African Police Service Occult Unit, and loves to warn of the dangers of heavy metal (and wearing black clothing). Bredenkamp is no doubt enjoying the renewed media attention, though he is "disappointed" that schools no longer tolerate his nonsense.
The Danville Commercial News in Illinois reports on the Correllian tradition Lustration ceremonies taking place this weekend in Rossville.
"[Rev. Don] Lewis conducts the ceremony, but a First Elder — a woman from Danville — performs the actual Lustration blessing. During the ceremony, Lewis also invokes an oracle, which means he receives a prophecy or message from the ancestors. Messages may involve events taking place in the next year or next few years. Some messages might talk about emotions."
This event of "purification and blessing" will also highlight a new clothing line entitled "Wycked Velvet" (not to be confused with the similarly-named erotica web site).
While I'm on the subject of central Illinois, my former employer, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is featuring an exhibit on the paranormal and occult sciences at its Main Library.
"...the occult collection contains more than 16,000 items relating to occult sciences and parapsychology and was originally endowed by Merten J. Mandeville in 1966, a retiring professor of commerce. Not all the items that are part of the exhibit today were around when the collection started, but it continues to grow. "(The exhibit) is everything 'X-Files,'" said JoAnn Jacoby, former selector for the Merten J. Mandeville collection. "It includes works on paranormal phenomena, werewolves, the possibility for occult powers, witchcraft, astrology and 19th century spiritualism," she said."
For more information about UIUC's occult book collection, check out The Merten J. Mandeville Collection in the Occult Sciences' web site.
Greek Pagan group Ellinais (aka The Holy Association of Greek Ancient Religion Believers) is planning to hold a service to Athena at the Acropolis this Sunday to protest the removal of statues and ask the goddess to protect the sacred site.
"Peppa's Athens-based group, Ellinais, is campaigning to revive ancient religion and has defied Culture Ministry bans to hold prayers at several ancient temples. She said she would not seek state permission for the ceremony, to be held near the ancient Parthenon temple, built between 447-432 B.C. in honor of Athena. 'We will just sing three hymns. It won't be a big ceremony,' Peppa said. 'I don't know how many of us will be there. People are afraid. The fact is that we are subject to religious persecution.'"
It was only in 2006 that Ellinais was granted the legal right to exist in the Orthodox-controlled country. There is still great resistance to the group, and they have had to partake in civil disobedience in order to worship at the old sacred sites.
The Delaware News Journal interviews Cherry Hill Seminary co-founder Kirk White at the sixth annual Delmarva Pagan Pride Festival.
"[Pagans] having outgrown the stages he called "forming and storming," paganism now is "norming," or becoming like some religions. Although pagans may continue to believe in magic, he said, "if we're not careful, we'll become the big white circle on Main Street where all the pews face forward." He urged listeners to be of service -- whether their calling is dance, music, drumming, ministry or filling out paperwork for government agencies so events such as the festival can take place."
Also interviewed is author and Wiccan elder Ivo Dominguez Jr., who helped organize the event.
That is all I have for now. Have a great day!
Labels: Canada, Cherry Hill Seminary, Correllian Wicca, Ivo Dominguez Jr., Kirk White, occult, Pagan News of Note, Pagan Pride Day, Paganism, Satanic Panic, schools, South Africa
8.19.2008
New Zealand University Gets Class on Witchcraft, People Freak Out
Massey University in New Zealand has introduced a new extramural class called Magic and Witchcraft to "show how magic and witchcraft illustrate the beliefs, values, structures, and social tensions within particular societies". Naturally, it has made the news.
"Spells, magical curses and voodoo dolls are all part of a new paper being offered at Massey University. Magic and Witchcraft, is a 100-level extramural paper offered this semester at the university's school of history, philosophy and classics. Senior classics lecturer Gina Salapata said the 120 students enrolled in the paper studied the use of sorcery in the classical world, medieval and early modern times and in colonial Maori culture."
Despite the fact that the teachers state the class is "not advocating witchcraft", that hasn't stopped The New Zealand Herald from conducting a sensationalist poll of its readership on the issue.
"The 120 students enrolled in the paper studied the use of sorcery in the classical world, medieval and early modern times and in colonial Maori culture. For the first assignment students had to create a magical curse tablet or erotic charm - however, the fanciful assignments have to be backed up with research. Is 'witchcraft' a suitable syllabus topic for Massey University?"
The "reader's views" question doesn't really explain that the "spells" they are crafting are for the purpose of exploring different cultural and historical views of sorcery, and not a "how-to" for aspiring magicians and Witches. As a result you get responses like this...
"The witches are slowly taking control, This is the start of their revolution, they have secret candidates in the up coming election and soon they will control the government. Beware unbelievers as the witches will take over us all."
"This witchcraft thing is a load of nonsense, and to think that students want money out of the public purse to study that crap."
"There is absolutely no place whatsoever for encouraging involvement in the powers of darkness, no matter how good and harmless they might claim to be. Shame on Massey University for being so naive as to allow this sort of thing to be part of the curriculum."
...and so on, and so forth (believe me, some of the comments are far worse). There are however the occasional voices of reason in between the paranoid Christians and militant atheists.
"Here's a recap for those too busy revelling in their own indignation to bother with facts. This is an extra-mural (look it up) summer course. It is a 3-month paper costing $497 plus $111 for enrolment & student fees. Most attendees will be adults taking a 'hobby' course. The paper restricts its focus to Classical Greece & Rome, Medieval & Early Modern Europe and early post-contact Maori society, treating each from a historical perspective (Source: Massey Website). Your taxes have nothing to do with adults paying to take a paper that interests them. A paper which focuses upon socio-historical trends will not teach people how to be 'modern witches' nor how to "slain/burn their own children" (sic) ILNZ, I would suggest you read some proper history books."
The manufactured controversy becomes clearer when you realize that the New Zealand Herald is a socially conservative paper. This is just a bit of red meat to throw to their readership, the sort of pandering one sees with ideologically slanted media outlets. Too bad really, the course sounded interesting, and there will no doubt be pressure on the university to drop the elective in the future.
Thanks to Judy Harrow for tipping me off to this story!
Labels: academia, journalism, New Zealand, occult, sorcery, Witchcraft
8.14.2008
Empirical Evidence of Demons
Publishers Weekly interviews pop-occult superstar Grant Morrison, author of "The Invisibles", "Vimanarama", and "WE3", about his work, interest in Hinduism, and the practice of magic.
Grant Morrison
"Comics specifically seem to be quite magical to me—in the sense that they are directly drawn onto paper. They relate back to the very first drawings that people did on cave walls, and people believe now that those things were meant to be magical, that by drawing and creating a model of the bison, you could affect what happened to the real bison. Your hunt would be more successful the next day. So the idea of drawing and creating representations is the very first notion that we had of magic, that you could make an image of something and affect the image and, in turn, affect the reality of the thing. Like sympathetic magic, when you make, for instance, a little doll of someone and then stab it, they will experience something. So that idea of representation, I think, is the first magical idea, and comics is still very close to that."
Morrison also discusses his experience with summoning a demon, making sense of an alien abduction experience, and how we are all one giant organism.
"So if you take this whole thing back three million years, there’s only one entity on the planet, right? And we’re all part of it, like a hand has fingers. Except this hand is multifractal; it’s got deer over here and humans over here, and each one does a different thing. Dogs smell the world better, so they work as the sensory organ for smell. Humans think and think in patterns, so we’re that part of the organism that makes patterns. And it winks at itself and identifies itself, all this one thing on the planet..."
Currently, Grant Morrison is writing "Batman" and the DC Comics mega-crossover "Final Crisis", in addition to developing an animated web comic for Virgin Comics called "MBX" (based on the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata).
Labels: Comics, Grant Morrison, Magic, Magick, occult
8.11.2008
Reality Television Hits New Low (If That's Possible)
A wise man once said that there is a sucker born every minute. How else to describe the phenomenon of people eagerly lining up to be demeaned on reality television shows? I guess the promise of easy money and a fleeting amount of infamy is too much for some people to deny. Doubly saddening for me is those who place their faith up for mockery, abuse, and exploitation. It seems like madness. How else to describe the new UK television show "Make Me A Christian"?
"The Reverend George Hargreaves thinks Britain is in a state of moral decline and that a return to a more 'Christian' way of life would stop the rot. He and his team of mentors aim to show how by convincing a group of non-Christian volunteers to live by the teachings of the Bible for three weeks. In this three-part series, a group of volunteers from around Leeds in West Yorkshire give up their normal lives and attempt to live like Christians for three weeks."
If you guessed they found a Witch (or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof) to be involved in this farce, you would be correct.
Take Fay, the occult lapdancer. George takes one look at her lifestyle (spangly bras and tarot cards) and announces she's "on a trajectory to hell". Sobbing, Fay slinks away to her boyfriend's house for a few days of comforting. When she emerges later, George bollocks her for having sex outside marriage. "While the world might call it 'making love'," he says, "the Bible calls it fornication."
No prizes for guessing what George "founder of The Christian Party" Hargreaves does with her "occult" possessions.
"The lap-dancing manager is discovered to have more than a passing interest in witchcraft and magic - her books and ceremonial paraphernalia are taken away."
Shocking, of course, but I try to remember that Fay willingly signed up for this indoctrination boot-camp. One wonders how far Witches and Pagans have to go down this road before we collectively realize how toxic these programs are and refuse to be the playthings of television producers. As for the "Christians" involved, it seems that their savior isn't Jesus Christ, but Mammon. Their pride and vanity ensures that this is the only reward they shall receive.
Speaking of Witches and reality television, Australian show "The One: The Search for Australia's Most Gifted Psychic" has picked a "winner".
"Charmaine Wilson edged out Ezio De Angelis and Amanda Rousetty to take out the prize which was decided by audience vote. She promised to represent the spirit world and the psychic community as best she can."
The Witch contestant, Shé D’Montford, didn't make it to the final round. Perhaps the gods were sending a message? You can listen to interviews with all the contestants, and the judges, at the Ghost Radio site.
Labels: Australia, Christianity, occult, Paganism, Reality Television, Television, UK, Witch
8.04.2008
Conventional, Unconventional, Alternative
UK technology site TechWorld investigates the recent controversy over the Birmingham City Council blocking access to atheist and Pagan sites, while allowing normal access to "mainstream" religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. Bryan Betts interviews a spokesman from Bluecoat Software, who allegedly provides the council's filtering service, and uncovers a general arbitrary cluelessness concerning the categorization of religions.
"The problem is that it lists organised religions such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism in one group, while relegating less mainstream - but recognised and perfectly legal - faiths such as Wicca and Paganism to an "Alternative Spirituality/Occult" group. Rather oddly, it lists atheism both in the latter group and under Politics. And a company spokesperson couldn't explain what the difference is between "unconventional religious or quasireligious subjects" (listed under Religion) and " alternative religions" (listed as Alternative Spirituality/Occult)."
You can read a run-down of Bluecoat's filter categories, here. The dirty little secret of the web filtering business is that the categories are mostly cribbed from conservative Christian-backed programs and services. These programs are then sold to schools, libraries, and government institutions, which can lead to controversy and litigation once individuals realize the bias inherent in the filter.
"Alternative Spirituality/Occult: Sites that promote and provide information on religions such as Wicca, Witchcraft or Satanism. Occult practices, atheistic views, voodoo rituals or any other form of mysticism are represented here. Includes sites that endorse or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, incantations, curses and magic powers. This category includes sites which discuss or deal with paranormal or unexplained events."
The National Secular Society, who calls the current filtering scheme "slightly deranged", is hoping that the negative publicity will be enough to change their filter policy, though they will take the matter to court if they have to. In the meantime, followers of "conventional", "unconventional", and "quasi-religious" faiths will have full access to the web, while the "alternative/occult" adherents will be treated as second-class citizens by a government agency. Something, no doubt, will have to give soon.
Labels: atheism, discrimination, Internet, occult, Paganism, UK
7.29.2008
Protecting Adults from the Occult (and Atheists)
In England, the Birmingham City Council is coming under fire for a new web-filtering policy that blocks access to atheist and Pagan sites, but allows free access to mainstream Christian, Islam, and Hindu web sites.
"The authority's Bluecoat Software computer system allows staff to look at websites relating to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and other religions but blocks sites to do with "witchcraft or Satanism" and "occult practices, atheistic views, voodoo rituals or any other form of mysticism". Under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, it is unlawful to discriminate against workers because of their religion or belief, which includes atheism."
Bluecoat Software manufactures K9 Web Protection, which, like other cyber-nanny programs, is designed to protect children from "unwanted" Internet content. Some of these programs have an "occult/cult" option which blocks sites that Christian parents might find troubling. It looks like Bluecoat and the Birmingham City Council may have decided that their employees were children as well, or simply didn't care what got filtered so long as they can easily "monitor internet usage".
"We are currently implementing new internet monitoring software to make the control of internet access easier to manage. The aim of this is to provide greater control for individual line managers to monitor internet usage, and for departments, such as trading standards and child protection, to gain access, if needed, to certain sites for business reasons."
The National Secular Society has called the new filtering software "discriminatory", and said that they would "consider legal action" if steps aren't taken to correct the issue.
"National Secular Society president Terry Sanderson said the city council's rules also discriminated against people who practise witchcraft, which is also classed as a legitimate belief. He said the society would initially contact the council and ask for the policy to be changed, and otherwise pursue legal action. He said he believed he would have a "very strong case". Mr Sanderson said: "It is discriminatory not only against atheists but they also are banning access to sites to do with witchcraft. "Witchcraft these days is called Wicca, which is an actual legitimate and recognised religion."
A "very strong case" indeed considering the fact that this is a government-run facility, and beholding to stringent anti-discrimination policies. Either all access to religious sites need to be banned, or the infantilizing software must go.
Labels: atheism, discrimination, Internet, occult, Paganism, UK
7.27.2008
Preserving Our Heritage and History
We often take libraries and museums for granted, thinking them permanent fixtures, places for tourists to visit, or grad students to research. But as recent economic concerns stretch across the world, collections vital to understanding our place in history become jeopardized as funding is cut. Such is the case with the Harry Price Library of Magical Literature, based at the University of London.
"A remarkable collection of rare and ancient volumes on the arts of magic and summoning ghosts could be broken up and sold off due to a funding crisis. The Harry Price Library of Magical Literature, based at the University of London, is the UK's largest of its kind ... The collection is under threat after the university's grant for its specialist library was slashed by more than 60 per cent by the Higher Education Funding Council. The £1m cut means the library could cease to exist."
If this collection were to be broken up and sold, it would be a huge blow to scholarship concerning the roots and history of modern Pagan religion. The Harry Price library contains such works as the "Malleus maleficarum" (five different editions), correspondences with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini, Reginald Scot's "Discoverie of Witchcraft", and a work by the astrologer Arcandam.
"The collection has a very wide interest. Some of the material about witchcraft is now very relevant to areas such as gender studies and how women have been portrayed over time." - Christine Wise, head of special collections at Senate House Library
Students across England are now lobbying their colleges to donate funds towards keeping the collection together, but things aren't looking bright. A report is to be issued in November that will survey the extent of necessary cuts, and if the library will need to be sold off.
So what is the answer to this problem? It seems unlikely that the governments and universities funding these collections will suddenly rearrange their priorities concerning early esoteric texts and papers. Nor is England the only place where this problem is emerging. Is digitizing these artifacts the answer? That seems to be a growing consensus. Several works from the Victorian era in the Harry Price collection have been digitized, and the National Library of Ireland has recently digitized a rare book of occult correspondence between poet (and former Golden Dawn member) William Butler Yeats and Irish revolutionary Maud Gonne.
"Bound in white vellum, the notebook served as their metaphysical marital bed. Yeats used it to keep track of their shared fixation with the occult and each other ... Now, a century later, that book is on display at the National Library of Ireland, opened to a page that is just barely visible under the indirect lighting prescribed for aged ink treasures. Yet every syllable - every comma-deprived sentence, every curve in her script, every ampersand - is legible. Next to the display case the entire notebook has been digitally reincarnated..."
Of course digital media, if housed in a single place, can be destroyed too, which would make the next step of digitial preservation to disperse thousands of copies to servers at libraries and universities across the world. Something I don't see institutions like the National Library of Ireland doing any time soon. In the meantime, we shouldn't allow the existing hard copies of rare and unique works to disperse into the homes of rich collectors, denying scholars and students easy access, forcing them to accede to the wishes of private individuals (or private trusts). We need to preserve our heritage and history for future generations despite the fiscal inconveniences, lest those tests, letters, and objects become little more than matters of conjecture and we lose an important physical link to our past.
Labels: Ireland, Libraries, Magic, Magick, occult, Paganism, The Harry Price Library of Magical Literature, UK, W.B. Yeats
6.19.2008
Splinter OTO Groups Can No Longer Call Themselves "OTO"
The Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), an esoteric fraternal order which is perhaps best known for its associations with former leader and primary ritualist/liturgist Aleister Crowley, has recently achieved two major legal victories. The more important of the two regards trademark control over the terms "OTO" and "O.T.O." in the UK.
"I am happy to report that OTO has prevailed against Starfire Publishing Ltd.'s opposition to our trademarks for "OTO" and "O.T.O." in the United Kingdom. In her decision of June 8, Anna Carbone, the Appointed Person hearing OTO's appeal, found in favor of OTO, overturning a previous decision in favor of Starfire. OTO's registrations of the marks "OTO" and "O.T.O." are now proceeding normally in the UK, joining our previous registrations of "Ordo Templi Orientis" and the OTO Lamen. Under UK law, there can be no further appeal of a decision by an Appointed Person, in either the Trademark Registry or High Court."
What does this decision mean? Joined with the international order's trademark control in the United States (and the rest of the world), it means that a variety of splinter groups using the term "OTO" (or variations thereof) must now cease or risk legal action. The OTO's official press release specifically names British occultist Kenneth Grant's "Typhonian" Ordo Templi Orientis in its warning to groups started by expelled or resigned members.
"This litigation was not one we initiated -- these were proceedings brought against us by Starfire acting on behalf of Kenneth Grant's spurious OTO organization, with support from organizations led or founded by other expelled or resigned OTO members, such as Albion OTO and OTO Foundation. These groups would be well advised to find another name. We were merely filing a routine maintenance trademark. Now, having provoked us, they can reasonably expect enforcement proceedings from us if they do not stop appropriating our name, initials and lamen."
Since judges have ruled that "OTO" is the name of a private organization, and not a descriptive term for a religion, these groups will have to follow in the footsteps of other fraternal organizations and pick news names.
The second decision (actually a settlement), this time in America, also reinforced the main OTO body's control over its assets and intellectual property. Specifically, the images of Crowley's Thoth tarot deck.
"OTO filed suit in US Federal Court in Southern California against Focus Features, NBC Universal and Vivendi for copyright infringement in connection with the appropriation of images from the Thoth Tarot cards to promote the Woody Allen film "Scoop," where they were used on the poster, DVD packaging and in the press kits. The case has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. Under the terms of the agreement, the details of the settlement are confidential. This was a significant legal case, since OTO took on the world's largest media conglomerate, represented by the best law firm in Hollywood. We have long taken on corporations many times our size before, e.g. Simon and Schuster, Doubleday and Harper and Row, but NBC Universal Vivendi is many, many times larger and more powerful than all these combined."
These cases reinforce the fact that O.T.O. Worldwide is not only in complete control of its name and image, but it has also proved that it has the muscle and will to defend its claims. It would be virtually impossible at this point for another organization to legally claim rights to the "OTO" name or legacy. So would-be "true" OTO orders beware, a lawyer might soon be giving you a visit.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, Magick, occult, OTO, Paganism, Religion, Thelema, UK
6.14.2008
Crowley and the Portugal Poet
There is controversy brewing in Portugal over the heirs of famous poet Fernando Pessoa auctioning off his "Crowley Papers", a collection of correspondence between Pessoa and British occultist (and fellow poet) Aleister Crowley.
Aleister Crowley and Fernando Pessoa playing chess.
"When the poet died in obscurity in 1935, he left a trunk full of documents that included extensive correspondence with the eccentric English astrologist and magician Aleister Crowley, a practitioner of the occult said to have inspired satanism in Britain. Portugal's National Library fiercely opposes the private sale of documents considered vital to the nation's literary heritage, and warns it will take all legal measures to stop the sale and dispersal of the archive, the Lisbon daily Publico reports."
Scholars are worried about how this will affect academic study of the poet, while collectors are salivating over the prospect of getting their hands of the papers, which includes a never-completed novel about Crowley's faked suicide attempt.
"The dossier includes voluminous correspondence with Crowley, and hundreds of pages of an unfinished novel about Crowley's faked suicide. The work is called Boca do Inferno, (Hell's Mouth) after a rocky inlet near the Portuguese resort of Cascais. Pessoa, intrigued by Crowley's mysticism, struck up a correspondence with the Englishman. The flamboyant Crowley visited Lisbon in 1930, and the friends played chess together. Crowley then disappeared, leaving his cigarette case and a handwritten suicide note on the clifftop above the crashing waves at Hell's Mouth. It was a trick, apparently to elude a discarded lover ... Pessoa mounted a polemical play about the "suicide" and doubts swirled over his role in the affair, and the nature of his relationship with Crowley."
Poets? Jilted lovers? Faked suicide? Sounds like a far better premise for a movie about Aleister Crowley than the recent "Chemical Wedding" train-wreck. As for the papers, the Portugal National Library is considering invoking laws that prohibit the international sale of documents thought to be of "national heritage" value if a private arrangement can't be reached with Pessoa's heirs.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, Fernando Pessoa, occult, poetry, Portugal
6.02.2008
Paulo Coelho's Pagan Past (and Future)
The Telegraph in India interviews Ipsita Roy Chakraverti (India's most prominent Wiccan) concerning international best-selling author Paulo Coelho's spiritual life. Basing her assertions on the recent English translation of Coelho's 1990 book "Brida", Ipsita claims that Coelho is a Wiccan, like herself.
"There's more to Paulo Coelho than meets the eye. The Brazilian writer whose bestselling books are said to have a life-enhancing effect on millions across the world is a “wiccan” and a “mystic”. Coelho’s wicca link was brought under the scanner by Calcutta’s own wiccan Ipsita Roy Chakraverti at a book-reading session of his latest release Brida. Not only does Brida dwell on wicca, Coelho himself is a practitioner of the pagan religion that worshipped the Mother Goddess around 25,000 years ago, confirmed Ipsita."
If true, this would certainly be big news (the American equivalent would be Starhawk publicly outing an author of Toni Morrison's stature), except that it isn't. At least it isn't wholly true. If you look at Coelho's Wikipedia page, you'll find that the Brazilian author seems to be a part of some sort of mystic Catholic order. However, in the author's past, he was a student of the occult and in the 1970's tried to start a Aleister Crowley-influenced "alternative society" with Brazilian rock star Raul Seixas.
"Through Coelho, Seixas was introduced to the work of controversial English mystic Aleister Crowley, which influenced their collaboration. The influence extended not only to music, but also to plans for the creation of the "Alternative Society," which was to be an anarchist community in the state of Minas Gerais based on Crowley's premise: "'Do what thou wilt' shall be the whole of the Law." The project was considered subversive by members of the Brazilian military, which imprisoned all prospective members of the group. Seixas and Coelho are reported to have been tortured during their imprisonment."
However, Ipsita Roy Chakraverti's chronological mistake might turn out to be a subtle form of prophesy. In Coelho's latest book, "The Witch of Portobello", the author seems to be growing disillusioned with Catholicism, and explores the re-emergence of Goddess religion.
"A new witch-hunt is starting to gain ground. This time the weapon isn’t the red-hot iron, but irony and repression. Anyone who happens to discover a gift and dares to speak of their abilities is usually regarded with distrust. Generally speaking, their husband, wife, father or child, or whoever, instead of feeling proud, forbids all mention of the matter, fearful of exposing their family to ridicule."
So who knows, perhaps Paulo Coelho's Pagan past may eventually become his future.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, books, Brazil, Catholicism, India, Ipsita Roy Chakraverti, New Age, occult, Paganism, Paulo Coelho
5.19.2008
Crowley at Cannes
While a large amount of press coverage for the Cannes Film Festival has focused on the screening of a new Indiana Jones film, it isn't the only occult-laced thriller to debut at this star-studded event. The Bruce Dickinson-penned film "Chemical Wedding", a movie starring Simon Callow as a Cambridge scholar who becomes possessed by infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, also premiered.
"Metal god, actor, novelist, swordsman, pilot, DJ - and now screenwriter. Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson is a man of many parts, and this weekend he showed up in Cannes to show off a new film called Chemical Wedding. Dickinson, a registered commercial airline pilot, flew himself to the south of France, along with a bunch of journalists, fans, and suitably attired hangers-on (they carried tote bags bearing the legend "Bruce Air Flight 666")."
So how was the film? Early critical response is mixed. Andrew Pulver, who covered the Cannes screening, admires Dickinson's drive to see the film made, but finds the final product somewhat lacking.
"Without Dickinson, Chemical Wedding would have remained one of the submerged nine-tenths of gunk films clogging up the Cannes film market. Hampered by ropey performances, it never reaches the levels of weirdness and humour it is aiming at."
Meanwhile, the website Den of Geek calls "Chemical Wedding" formulaic, and quite dull outside the electric performance of Simon Callow as the Crowley-possessed Haddo.
"...the film isn't entirely without merit. Callow, as I said, is phenomenal, some of the photography is pretty, it's evidently well-researched and there are one or two very funny scenes. In fact, the film is at its strongest when playing up the comedy angle (a sick gallows humour that the Mega Therion himself would have guffawed at) but weak when it tries - and fails - to be scary or thrilling. A shame because the ideas are sound - it just feels like it was shot from an unpolished first draft. Do what thou wilt probably shouldn't be the whole of the law when it comes to writing coherently..."
The most damning review comes from Ivor Davies, who decries the treatment of Crowley (or at least his spirit) as uncontrollably evil and amoral.
"Numerous examples of exactly "just how evil could a person possessed by Aleister Crowley be" continue in a procession of visual and conceptual shocks ranging from relatively innocuous excrement deposited on an office desk to the crucifixion of a prostitute. Now, controversial a character as Crowley was, I really must ask what Bruce Dickinson is up to here. I listened to Callow emphasise that his portrayal of Haddo was "Playing the part of someone possessed by Crowley... and not actually Crowley Himself" but I see this as a pre-emptive excuse on his part for what we saw on screen and some of the issues that we might have with it."
So, taken together, not a very flattering portrait of the film. You might want to wait for the DVD, if you see it at all. It's too bad. A drama, even a horror film, involving Aleister Crowley could have loads of potential. A shame that "Chemical Wedding" seems to make Crowley just another murderous rampaging spirit, instead of a nuanced and complex figure.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, Chemical Wedding, film, Magick, movies, occult, Thelema
5.16.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
A Boy Scout troop helps clean up a local graveyard in Florida and finds three "authentic Voodoo/Santeria" poppets hanging from a tree. Cue superstitious Hollywood-fueled misconceptions of folk magic in 3... 2... 1...
"That's when they spotted the strange objects on a nearby Spanish moss-draped oak. Three 5-inch-tall voodoo dolls, hung in a vertical line on the tree's bark. "They looked nothing like dolls," said Bryan McDonough, 12. "They were kind of like ugly creatures that would eat you alive," added his 10-year-old brother, Kevin, a Webelos Cub Scout. Nails peeked through their stuffing. Rusty pins stuck in their faceless heads, arms and legs. "It freaked out a couple of the boys," said scoutmaster Marty Robertson. "Some thought it was kind of cool." ... One curious adult claimed she touched one of the dolls, and her friend wrecked his scooter that same day. Was there a connection? Cue spooky music."
I'm glad they admitted that some of the kids thought it was cool, I mean, real Voodoo dolls? How awesome is that? Thankfully, the rest of the article is fairly even-handed, with one Boy Scout investigating the dolls and telling the press that they can be used for healing in addition to hexing, and a local professor of religion talking about the context of poppets used for magic.
The Independent looks back at the bizarre occult and death-obsessed life of artist Robert Lenkiewicz. Lenkiewicz, at his death, left behind a huge library of texts on witchcraft and the occult, a well-preserved corpse hidden in a bookcase, and a large assortment of children, legitimate and otherwise.
"In the six years since his death, Lenkiewicz's estate has been gradually sold off to the tune of more than [5 million Euro]. While sales of his enormous collections of books at Sotheby's - the occult and witchcraft were among his favourite subjects - account for about [1.6 million Euro] of the total, the rest of the money has been generated through sales of his paintings ... Luckily, in his work, as in all other areas of his life, Lenkiewicz was prolific. 'There are some incredible statistics about Robert,' recalls Jojo, a local photographer who knew Lenkiewicz for 20 years and has now written a play about the artist's life, The Man in the Red Scarf, which will be performed at Plymouth's Barbican in December. 'He produced 10,000 works, had relationships with, if you believe him, in the region of 3,000 women, was married three times...' And how many children did he have? 'I think the official count was 11.'"
You can see some examples of Lenkiewicz's work at his official Internet site.
The conservative Catholic blog Churchill's Parrot indulges in the sin of bad satire to warn us Pagans of the "spy nuns" infiltrating our ranks.
"We have recently uncovered a development to which we are compelled to alert you with utmost urgency. It is our belief that armies of Catholic nuns have been dispatched by the Vatican to infiltrate, mimic, subvert, and corrupt the sacred beliefs, rituals, and practices of your family of Earth Religions. Their goal: to arrest Neo-paganism in its present ascent in contemporary society and banish it - yet again - to the ill-regarded fringes of mainstream culture."
The key piece of "evidence" for his "charges" are the Catholic orders who signed on to the Earth Charter. Hitting on all the usual pantheist, God-denying, "worshiping the creation not the Creator" charges religious conservatives have been prattling on about for decades. Of course, the Roman Catholics appropriated just about everything else from the pagans, so why not religiously-motivated environmentalism too? Oh, and you can't truly "subvert and corrupt" a religious movement that has no hierarchy, single liturgy, or uniform conception of the divine. The dominant monotheisms on the other hand...
The Houston Chronicle documents the growing trend of "ayahuasca tourism". But unlike other kinds of drug-related tourism, these aren't kids looking to get high legally in foreign lands.
"But this is not some Amazonian Kool-Aid Acid Test and these are not Merry Pranksters. LSD and other recreational drugs are not for them, and many shun alcohol. Ranging in age from early 20s to late 50s, they work as university professors, marketing executives and environmental activists. Then there's Heather, a tall, muscular woman who competes in Ironman races. With the help of ayahuasca, they hope to address persistent emotional, physical or psychological afflictions that Western medicine has failed to alleviate. Others seek more spirituality in their lives."
This "spiritual psychotherapy" is very close to what LSD pioneers like chemist Albert Hofmann envisioned (albeit in far more clinical settings). A "medicine for the soul" used to make major breakthroughs.
In a final note, the "Witch City" of Salem is bracing itself for another October tourist season, and trying to tackle the ongoing logistical problems that have plagued the New England seaport.
"Mayor Kim Driscoll, who moved recently to have 25 percent of the revenue the city receives from the hotel/motel tax dedicated to tourism promotion, spoke of the difficulty she faces balancing the effort to keep the industry healthy against the burden visitors sometimes place on the city's services and neighborhoods - especially during October. Those concerns, she added, are heightened by the fact that the next three Halloween nights are on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively. As Salem's Halloween festival has grown in popularity, so have the problems. Driscoll cited efforts - which this year could include the hiring of an events planner - to keep the month-long celebration both fun and orderly. One of the big concerns: After people are here, especially on Halloween night, how do you tell them the party's over and it's time to go home?"
Some suggested improvements included better signage and more toilets. Still no word yet on how to signal "the party is over". A fireworks display last year didn't seem to do the trick. Maybe you could have Salem's Witches do a big closing ritual?
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: art, ayahuasca, Catholicism, Christianity, enviornmentalism, occult, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Robert Lenkiewicz, Salem, Voodoo
5.02.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
A new issue of the occult e-zine Rending the Veil has been posted. Leading off their Beltane installment is an article co-written by Taylor Ellwood and Lupa on the subject of advanced occult books.
"We think it's important to encourage the writing of advanced books on occultism. There's a small, but steadily growing interest in advanced occult texts. Writing a blog post or a single article, while it can cover an interesting topic, just doesn't provide the needed depth or volume that a book can bring. And while there are some excellent sites for occult writing, including this one, actual texts are needed in order to fully capture and develop some of the more advanced ideas in more detail. Additionally, there's definitely benefit to having your work edited, whether in a (hardcopy or online) magazine, or through the editing staff of a publisher. With all the unedited drek that floats around on the internet, peer-reviewed information, especially advanced, is even more necessary."
Speaking of "advanced" books, keep your eyes peeled for articles and interviews on this blog concerning some groundbreaking new Pagan books by authors like Brendan Cathbad Myers, Emma Restall Orr, and Gus diZerega.
Laura Miller at Salon.com gives Ursula K. Le Guin's new book "Lavinia" a favorable review. Calling it "a tribute to a relatively uncelebrated culture, that of early Rome".
"'Lavinia' is an old writer's book -- Le Guin is 79 -- in the best sense of the word; it is ripe with that half-remembered virtue, wisdom. This, Le Guin seems to be saying, is what it feels like to be the personification of your land and your people, to speak the words and perform the rites of "the old, local, earth-deep religion," to be the sacred guardian of harmony and plenty for a handful of rustic villages and farms, and to carry their past and future in your body. It's not a life any of us know how to live anymore, and most likely not one that most of us would choose, but some of us can still imagine it, and imagine that it was good."
I am very much looking forward to reading this book. You can read my previous post on Le Guin's "Lavinia", here.
Rocketing world food prices aren't just causing concerns over hunger, in India, it has become a serious religious issue as well.
"With prices soaring for staples such as cooking oils, wheat, lentils, milk and rice across the globe, priests like Atrey say they are seeing the consequences in their neighborhood temples, where even the poorest of the poor have long made donations to honor their faith. 'But today the common man is tortured by the increases in prices,' Atrey lamented during one early morning prayer, or puja, adding that donations of milk were down by as much as 50 percent. He had recently met with colleagues from other temples, along with imams from local mosques, who reported similar experiences. 'If poor people don't even have enough for bread, how will they donate milk to the gods?' he said. 'This is very serious.'"
Within Hinduism, milk is seen as a holy substance and is an integral part of daily religious life in India (not to mention dietary life, since many Indians are vegetarians). If a solution isn't found soon, a major crisis of hunger and faith in the country seems inevitable.
Ohio State University's religious studies program has been hosting a lecture series entitled "Through a Glass, Darkly: Public Interest in the Occult." Student paper The Lantern reports on the closing lecture by Lynn Schofield Clark on the intersection of the occult and popular television programs.
"Delving into the topic of current television shows, she attempted to explain why interest exists in them. Television shows about mysterious things have now evolved from scripted shows to reality shows such as SciFi's "Ghost Hunters" and the Canadian series "Ghost Trackers," highlighting the increasing popularity of this genre, she said. Clark connected the popularity of the shows to the nation's attitude post-Sept. 11. She said after the unexpected terrorist attacks, the nation's interest piqued in pop culture that shows unresolvable issues."
The lecture series also featured a talk by Pagan academic Sabina Magliocco, author of "Witching Culture: Folklore and Neo-Paganism in America". As for "occult television", I don't care how "occult" it gets, I refuse to watch "Ghost Whisperer" (though I do admit to watching "Moonlight" now and then).
A Pagan woman was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder after she told a group of teens and twenty-somethings (that she met regularly with at local Pagan gatherings) that a local man (and fellow practitioner) had raped her and her daughter (she also provided materials used in the attempted murder).
"'This is a group of young people with some strange beliefs ... being led by the passionate, distraught histrionics of an older - and in their eyes, much more powerful - mother figure,' York-Poquoson Commonwealth's Attorney Eileen Addison said. 'They got carried away ... but they got carried away because she encouraged them to do so.' According to testimony, Davidson met co-defendants Stephen Walters, 26, Dianna Breznick, 18, Thomas Rogers, 24, and Aaron Meadors, 23, at a shop in Norfolk that advertises itself as carrying Wiccan and pagan supplies. The group regularly attended a pagan drum circle there on Monday nights. Davidson was known to the group as "Red Phoenix." Barron, who was known as "Lord Othis," also attended the circle."
No proof or charges have been brought against Barron/Othis for his alleged assaults, nonetheless two of the attackers were unrepentant calling his maiming/torture "justice". No matter what the real chain of events that lead to this situation were, the outcome is a shameful one that mocks true justice and brands these Pagans as criminals who replace due process with unrestrained savagery.
In a final note, further memorials to Cora Anderson, who crossed over yesterday, have been posted at The Witches' Voice and the Acorn Guild Press web site. The latter contains a short eulogy from Starhawk.
"Cora was a great inspiration, a wonderful teacher, and a pioneer in the Craft at a time when it was a very hard and lonely path. I will always remember her stories, her humor, and her wonderful blend of mysticism and sheer common sense. I know that she will continue to guide and inspire now, wherever her soul journeys."
Further tributes can be found, here.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: academia, books, Cora Anderson, Hinduism, Lavinia, law, Lupa, occult, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Taylor Ellwood, Television, Ursula Le Guin
4.27.2008
The Weird History of the Ouija Board
The Baltimore Sun profiles Robert Murch, a man obsessed with the history of the Ouija board, and the two brothers who helped manufacture and popularize the parlor game/spiritual tool around the turn of the 20th century.
The Ouija Board
"On the phone, through e-mail and in repeated visits to Baltimore, he pestered newspaper librarians for access to yellowing clip files and century-old articles on microfilm, pushed caretakers for access to their cemeteries and directions to gravesites, and prodded curators of historical societies and museums for any pieces they might have to the puzzle. Much of Murch's time, though, has been spent researching family trees, seeking descendants of the men who first manufactured the Ouija Board - chief among them, William and Isaac Fuld, the two brothers whose falling out would lead to a 100-year silence between the two sides of the family."
In addition to Murch's in-depth research into William Fuld and his estranged brother Isaac (who, for a time, manufactured competing "Oriole Boards"), he has also raised money for a Ouija-themed gravestone for Elijah Bond, the Baltimore attorney who first patented the board, and is planning a "coffee-table-type book" compiling his research. In short, his own life and history have become intertwined with the history of this "oracle".
"...he's still immersed in his quest to document the history of "The Mystifying Oracle" - that diviner of the future, that gateway to the spirit world, that simple lettered board, born in Baltimore, that went on to become an icon of both pop culture and occult subculture."
Today, while not as popular as it once was, the Ouija board retains its place in pop-culture. The original Ouija board rights were bought by Parker Bros./Hasbro and they (quietly) manufacture a glow-in-the-dark version. Meanwhile, smaller "spirit board" manufacturers have emerged to cater to those with more "occult" tastes. Even Murch got into the business for a short time with "Cryptique", a Salem-themed board that promised to be an update on the Ouija concept (Cryptique stopped being manufactured in 2005).
As for the future? Spirit boards and similar tools have been around since ancient times, and will likely be around for some time to come. Whether Ouija itself persists is a different matter, and no doubt only the spirits have the answer.
Labels: occult, Ouija Boards, Robert Murch, Spiritualism
4.19.2008
600,000 "Satanists" in Rome?
While America is distracted by the Pope's visit, the Christian Broadcasting Network (home of Pat Robertson's "The 700 Club") spotlights the growing popularity of exorcisms in Italy (a topic I've touched on before).
"In this predominantly Catholic nation the devil is gaining a foothold. "There is a greater openness towards the devil," Rev. Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist, said. In fact, Rome has been called the most 'satanized' city in Italy. "Satanism and the occult are in fashion," said Father Pedro Barrajon, a professor of theology."
None of this rhetoric is new or unusual (indeed, the good Rev. Amorth seems willing to talk to any news outlet that will give him the time of day), but what did draw my eye was an un-sourced statistic thrown out by the CBN reporter.
"There are an estimated 800 satanic cults operating in the country, with more than 600,000 followers. And their numbers are growing."
Over half a million Satanists? Really? That seems like an awfully big number. To get some perspective, I checked in with theistic Satanist Diane Vera's web site, where a whole section has been devoted to Satanic panic in Italy. According to Vera, these high numbers may be including Satanists, occultists of all stripes, Pagans, psychics, and other "heretical" individuals (teenage metal heads, for example).
"Among Christians, including Catholics, an increased emphasis on demons and exorcism leads inevitably to an increased fear of all non-Christian spiritual practices ... All the "We're not Satanists" disclaimers in the world will not stop conservative Christians from associating non-Christian spiritualities - especially the more "magical" spiritualities - with demons and/or with Satanism. Even in the eyes of those relatively few conservative Christians who are well-informed about the beliefs of Pagans, occultists, etc."
This view is backed up by the blog Bartholomew's Notes on Religion, who dug into census data and found that there were only 240 or so "organized" Satanists (as of 2003).
"Therefore, despite the many more relevant numbers often supplied by mass media - those who propose such numbers should, of course, be capable of supporting their statements with evidence as far as we can see from the numbers right now - the groups of organized satanists only represent an insignificant percentage of the Italian population even if, of course, the experience lived can be extremely hard for the people involved. The organized satanism is therefore a phenomenon that is often overrated, as a matter of fact, it concerns only a few thousands of people all over the world."
Taking all this into account, it becomes clear that exorcisms aren't simply a tool against "demonic possession". No heroic Father Merrin casting out the demon in little Regan. Instead, we have a struggle against all forms of non-Catholic thought. If you embrace a theology outside the bounds of the dominant monotheisms, or simply want to divorce your Catholic husband, you are demon-haunted and ripe for spiritual torture-tactics.
"Typical cases, he said, include people who turn away from the church and embrace New Age therapies, alternative religions or the occult. Internet addicts and yoga devotees are also at risk, he said."
The rhetorical slight-of-hand that turns all non-Catholic thinking into demon-possession hasn't escaped the notice of Pagan groups around the world, who condemn this new commitment to "curing" people who may simply be happier as Pagans.
So while Benedict XVI makes nice at an inter-religious gathering in America, those under his purview continue to ignore his wish to "discuss our differences with calmness and clarity", and instead label anyone in Rome rejecting Christianity as "Satanists". But then, perhaps Benedict's call for "sincere dialogue and cooperation" was only extended to the religions big enough to be invited to the party. Pagans, Heathens, and assorted polytheists, on the outs since the time of Theodosius, need not apply.
Labels: Catholicism, exorcisms, Italy, occult, Paganism, Rome, Satanic Panic, Satanism
4.17.2008
Crowley the Supernatural Villian
The official trailer for the movie "Chemical Wedding" has been released. Directed by Julian Doyle, and written by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, the film stars Simon Callow as a Cambridge scholar who becomes a reincarnated Aleister Crowley.
From the trailer it seems fairly obvious that Crowley's spirit will be portrayed as downright diabolical, with hints that there may be a bit of human sacrifice, if not some violent magical mayhem, involved. It also looks like he is being played as ardently heterosexual, despite Crowley's intense love-affairs with men in his lifetime. The other major themes of the movie seems to be Crowley's relationship with Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard, and a sci-fi "interactive suit" that transforms meek Haddo into Crowley.
"But did the issue [over producing a Moonchild] end with these three deaths [Crowley, Hubbard, and Parsons]? Would Crowley, as he claimed, ever return from death to rule the world? Why did US astronauts name a crater on the moon after Jack Parsons? Is L. Ron Hubbard really dead? What had been generated by the ceremony in California that seemed to signal Crowley's demise? And what happened to the missing pocket-watch? Unanswered questions till, late in the twentieth century, when Dr. Joshua Mathers brought a 'state of the art' interactive suit from Cal Tech California to Cambridge in England to be hitched up to the Z93, the biggest super-cooled, super-conductive computer in the world."
Bizarre rituals! Young naked people! Conspiracy theories! Looks like it might be the occult popcorn flick of the year. Plus, with Crowley being a spirit, you can bring him back for innumerable sequels should "Chemical Wedding" prove successful. The film is being released in the UK on May 30th. No word yet on a US screenings.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, Chemical Wedding, film, Magick, movies, occult, Thelema
4.12.2008
Revamping a Classic Occult Character
Longtime readers of this blog will note that I like to keep tabs on occult and Pagan themes found in comic books. Several luminaries within the occult/Pagan community have written for comics, Rachel Pollack, Alexei Kondratiev, and David Sexton to name a few, while many comic writers and artists have dipped their toes into the occult arts and Pagan religion. Alan Moore and Grant Morrison, for example. There is just something about the medium of sequential art that makes it a fertile ground for explorations of the unseen.
Madame Xanadu from her 1978 debut.
The latest upcoming comic project to explore myth, magic, and mystery is a revamp of the classic DC Comics tarot-reading occult character Madame Xanadu. The project will be released under the Vertigo imprint (which put out Neil Gaiman's The Sandman), and written by Matt Wagner, who is well known for his myth-drenched work in titles like Mage and Grendel.
"Making her debut in "Doorway to Nightmare" #1 in 1978, Madame Xanadu was originally introduced as a reincarnation of the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend. Over the years, the character settled into a role as fortune-teller and resident occult advisor to the DCU. Wagner's Madame Xanadu's story also opens centuries ago in a medieval kingdom ripe with intrigue and "foul sorcery." 'This is her origin story and it's a long one,' Wagner told CBR News. 'The narrative begins quite a ways in the past but it progresses through both time and various, fairly famous locales until we ultimately end up in Greenwich Village.'"
According to Wagner, the book will be a re-imagining of the character, and will take time to explain her past (including why an Arthurian sorceress is named "Xanadu"). Handling art on the series will be Amy Hadley, who brings a fresh manga-influenced style to the project.
Madame Xanadu by Amy Hadley
"Madame Xanadu presents a challenge for Wagner as a creator even though his own character, Mage, had mythical ties to King Arthur and Merlin as well. 'This is an entirely new and different sort of project for me,' he said ... 'Her main activity is fortune-telling and predicting the future, so she's a character who's constantly looking for better ways to do that. She searches for pattern in all things because she feels that the events of the future are written in the constructs of the present and the past.'"
You can see a two-page preview of "Madame Xanadu" on Amy Hadley's LiveJournal. The first issue is scheduled to be released on June 25th, 2008, and should be available in finer comic stores everywhere. This should be a treat for fans of occult-oriented comic books.
Labels: Amy Hadley, art, Comics, Madame Xanadu, Matt Wagner, occult, Tarot
2.23.2008
A Note to Journalists Looking for an "Occult" Angle
Who vandalizes churches? Crazy people do.
"Banks-Kastrup is accused of several acts of vandalism at St. Michael the Archangel Church on Levittown Parkway in Tullytown in recent weeks. Since Feb. 9, lewd words have been carved into the church doors, a petition book on the altar of the Blessed Mother was defaced, human feces were found on the floor and the church received a threatening letter, according to police ... She told three retail theft suspects who were in handcuffs on a nearby bench that she was God and her daughter was the mother of Jesus Christ."
Who else might vandalize a church? Self-destructive teenagers.
"Middletown investigators are following up tips regarding the graffiti and desecrated statues and doors at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Woodbourne Road Feb. 10 ... Falls police said they're increasing patrols at all the churches in that township after a man wearing a sweater with occult symbols warned the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Church to get back inside the church after Mass. Police also said a woman in black goth-style clothing was begging for money in the church parking lot. And on Sunday, officers received several reports of thefts from vehicles in the church parking lot off New Falls Road."
So try not to read too much into the "occult" sweater, since that could describe nearly forty years worth of rock/metal t-shirts. The fact is that the vast majority of vandalized churches have no connection to "the occult", "santeria", "witchcraft", or a "Satanic cult". No matter what certain over-zealous police officers may think.
Labels: occult, Paganism, Satanic Panic
2.19.2008
Exorcism Craze Drawing Criticism in Australia
Last week I noted a recent story about the rise in popularity of exorcisms in Europe. In the article, a Polish Catholic priest laid out the types of people ripe for such a service.
"Typical cases, he said, include people who turn away from the church and embrace New Age therapies, alternative religions or the occult. Internet addicts and yoga devotees are also at risk, he said."
In other words, Pagans need exorcisms! Sadly, it seems this trend towards spiritual warfare isn't isolated to Catholic strongholds in Europe. A Catholic news service reports a sharp increase of exorcisms in Australia, and it looks like they are rounding up the usual (demonically possessed) suspects.
"One priest who asked not to be identified said he presently carried out exorcisms at least once every two weeks. 'Being possessed by a demon is terrifying in one's mental and emotional life,' he said to the Courier Mail. 'Some of these manifestations are extremely powerful, causing people to be plagued by disturbances. They hear voices and see hideous creatures in their sleep. There has been a recruitment of pagan practices, and it's sheer poison ... We are not very plentiful and certainly need more of us to cope with the big occult following that is emerging today,' he said."
But Australia's Pagans don't seem to be taking these slurs laying down. Australia's Pagan Awareness Network has released a statement blasting the Catholic Church for attempting to create a "moral panic" regarding Pagan religion.
"'A pagan ritual is no more dangerous than going to a church, a temple, or a mosque,' says PAN president David Garland. 'The Catholic Church is once again trying to create a moral panic about devil-worship and the occult. This kind of fear-mongering belongs in the Middle Ages, not in the 21st century. Exorcisms endanger lives and physical safety. Anyone worried that they might be possessed by spirits should seek referral to a psychiatrist or other mental health expert, not a witch-doctor in a priest's collar. The Catholic Church should ban this barbaric practice ... Mr Garland said that according to 2006 Census, there were more than 40,000 Pagans of different denominations across Australia, 'all remarkably unaffected by demonic possession'."
The Australian manifestation of this exorcism trend should be understood from the perspective of demographics. According to census data, Christianity is in the decline, and could lose its statistical superiority in the next 30-40 years. So it is only natural that some denominations will start to resort to more extreme measures of adherent retention. As numbers continue to decline, and some churches resort to spiritual "scorched earth" strategies, you can expect more belligerence and hostility to emerge from religious minorities.
Labels: Australia, Catholicism, Christianity, exorcisms, New Age, occult, Paganism
2.12.2008
Passages
Alan Miller (aka Dr Christopher Hyatt) 1943 - 2008
Author, occultist, and founder of the The Extreme Individual Institute. Alan Miller was well-known in metaphysical circles as a former student of famed occultist Israel Regardie, and a member of the Ordo Templi Orientis, and the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn. In addition to his occult pursuits, Miller was a practicing psychotherapist for many years. Miller passed away on February 9th, after a long struggle with cancer. You can read full obituaries at Lashatal, and at Dr. Hyatt's web site..Susan Grace Falkenrath (aka Susan Wolf) 1954 - 2008
A longtime member and teacher within the Reclaiming community, Susan Falkenrath is perhaps best known as a writer and singer of songs. Her best known work within the Pagan community is the haunting lament entitled "Spirits", about a woman being consigned to the stake, which appeared on the "Best of Pagan Song" compilation from Serpentine Music. Falkenrath passed on January 12th from breast cancer. You can read moving tributes to Susan Falkenrath from Anne Hill, and M. Macha NightMare.
Brenda Henson (pictured on the right) 2008
Longtime feminist and GLBT-rights activist, Brenda Henson was a champion of equality and human rights. She, along with her partner of 24 years Wanda Henson, founded Camp Sister Spirit in 1991. Their subsequent battle against harassment and discrimination made national news, and prompted the direct involvement of the Clinton administration into the matter. In addition to hosting gatherings and classes aimed at women and lesbians, Camp Sister Spirit has also hosted numerous Pagan gatherings, and has become a pillar of support for the Pagan community in Mississippi. Henson passed away on February 8th due to complications from liver cancer. You can read a short obituary, here.
May they all rest in the arms of the Goddess.
Labels: Brenda Henson, Dr Christopher Hyatt, occult, Paganism, Passings, Reclaiming, Susan Grace Falkenrath, The Goddess, Thelema
2.11.2008
Pagans Need Exorcisms
The Washington Post's Craig Whitlock reports on the recent rise in popularity of Catholic exorcisms. This new trend, which is taking root in predominantly Catholic areas of Europe, has allowed for a large spike in Church-trained practitioners.
"About 70 priests serve as trained exorcists in Poland, about double the number of five years ago. An estimated 300 exorcists are active in Italy. Foremost among them: the Rev. Gabriele Amorth, 82, who performs exorcisms daily in Rome and is dean of Europe's corps of demon-battling priests ... Amorth and other priests said the resurgence in exorcisms has been encouraged by the Vatican, which in 1999 formally revised and upheld the rite for the first time in almost 400 years."
This new openness towards training exorcists seems to go hand-in-hand with the Catholic Church's recent traditionalist turn, including loosening regulations for the performance of the Tridentine Mass (aka the Latin Rite), and a more strident tone towards non-monotheistic faiths. Which perhaps explains Rev. Wieslaw Jankowski's guidelines for which demographics most need the rite of exorcism.
"Typical cases, he said, include people who turn away from the church and embrace New Age therapies, alternative religions or the occult. Internet addicts and yoga devotees are also at risk, he said."
In other words, Pagans need exorcisms! But don't worry, we will be in good company, since women who want to get a divorce also seem to need some demons ejected.
"According to what I could perceive, the devil was present and acting in an obvious way," he said. "How else can you explain how a wife, in the space of a couple of weeks, could come to hate her own husband, a man who is a good person?"
Yes, I couldn't think of a single reason why a woman would suddenly want to get a divorce. There is no way physical or emotional abuse, finding out about an affair, or simply realizing that the love is gone, could factor into it. It must be demons. Sadly, this woman's "demons" seem too strong for the exorcist, and subsequent exorcisms haven't been successful in making the woman want to go back to her husband (imagine that).
Is this new trend towards exorcisms a way to engage people in the power of the Church? Reframing all urges towards non-Catholic thoughts and practices as a struggle against evil powers, instead of acknowledging that they may be merely disillusioned with what the traditional monotheisms have to offer? It could be that this new vogue for casting out demons is actually a policy of retention, after all, would you want to leave the Church when your the focal point for spiritual warfare?
Labels: Catholicism, Christianity, exorcisms, New Age, occult, Paganism
1.24.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
Police in San Diego are investigating the possible homicide of great-grandmother and Wiccan priestess Mimi Rohwer.
"San Diego County sheriff's deputies found 75-year-old Mimi Rohwer dead in her mobile home early Wednesday morning ... She "appeared to have some injuries" that could have been caused by either violence or an accidental fall, according to Homicide Lt. Dennis Brugos. Brugos mentioned no specific leads, but neighbors and friends told of recent feuds she had with a neighbor and a migrant worker who lived with her."
Friend and fellow adherent to Wicca, Bill Eade, told the press that while he was sad, he knew her spirit would return in another body.
A case of grave-site disturbance during Halloween in New Hampshire, once theorized to be the work of some sort of occult practitioner, has instead turned out to be a trio of prankster teens.
"Police have arrested three teenagers in connection with the disturbance of a nearly two-century-old gravesite at the remote Bible Hill Cemetery around Halloween ... At the time, Police Chief Brian Brown said he did not believe teenagers were involved. "If it was teenagers, they'd be talking." That led investigators to study up on magic and witchcraft, hoping they'd find some link or motive in the case. But the suggestion that the body of a woman who died more than 180 years ago might be desirable to practitioners of witchcraft prompted a flurry of angry telephone calls from all over the country and Canada."
One wonders if a "mea culpa" will be forthcoming from Hillsborough Police Chief Brian Brown for smearing Pagans and occult practitioners.
Thinking of banning fortune telling in your town?