Buzz Coil: September

Blog buzzin' in the last month included diaries on Rosemary Radford Ruether and Carol Christ in Daily Kos community blogs, the beginning of a series exposing the misogyny of some real-life "counter-culture heros," and a variety of other communications that may coil your hair:

Screaming Into the Void, blogger Amananta tackles an important subject in her Aug. 31 post, "Questioning Modern Counter-Culture Heroes, Part One" Amananta writes:

"Now while I will not argue these guys were really smart and came up with some unpopular ideas and were given a certain amount of verbal crap for it from people who want to believe there is only one true way and that way is patriarchal right wing Republican Pentecostal economically conservative Christianity, still, they are not gods. They may have overcome some of their own personal biases and had some revelations about the way people behave in groups instead of acting independently much of the time, but this does not mean they themselves are free of bias and completely individuals who act free of any influence of their culture. Indeed, in some ways, all three of these "great men" had some extremely backwards views - and unsurprisingly, all of them had such views about women."

This first installment focuses on Aleister Crowley, of whom Amananta writes:

"The usual excuse for Crowley's misogyny goes something like, ‘But you have to understand the times he was living in, EVERYONE felt that way about women, he didn't really hate them, he was just a product of his culture!' Well, let us look at the times Crowley was living in, shall we? Crowley was born in the UK in 1875 and began writing around 1904. During this time period, the womens suffrage movement was in full swing - there is no way Crowley could not have been aware of the demands for women's equality."

Though this piece is critical of Crowley, Amananta also discusses his apparently contradictory personality, and that some of his writings do seem to portray a respect for women. She promises us Heinlein in the next installment, and then I think on to Robert Anton Wilson. I can't wait!

Street Prophets (a Daily Kos community) and Daily Kos: Blogger dirkster42 is doing a cross-posted series, on "The Religious Left." The second installment, on Sept. 2, is "Carol Christ - Goddess Pioneer" . The first installment, posted on Aug. 23, was "Rosemary Radford Ruether" We are delighted to see such excellent diaries on spiritual feminism on these influential blogs. Kudos to dirkster42!!! (Shaul Magid and Tikkun , take note.)

Radical Goddess Thealogy: What's the difference between God and Goddess? Much more than gender, blogger Athana explains in her outspoken Sept. 11 post, "Goddess: NOT JUST A FEMALE GOD. In a Sept.12 post, she ponders the relationship between uncomfortable prayer postures and politics in "Let's Fall on Our Knees." And in a Sept. 21 post, "How the World Works," she discusses retribution against women in male-dominant religions and how language both obsures and reveals what's really going on.

Hecate: A wonderful collage of various goddesses begins blogger Hecate's Sept. 20 post, "Hey! Guess What! In America There Are Xians And A Few Other Patriarchal Monotheists And There's ‘Other'. I'm Other," about the narrowness of a Baylor University survey on religion.

Mother-Lover-Goddess : Blogger Ender's Girl takes us on a spiritual voyage in her Sept. 14 post, "Personal Reflection and Feminism and Religion" that begins with Episcopal and Native American heritages, continues through Paganism, including "Dianic Tradition Wicca," back to Christianity, Mormonism, to Buddhist Christianity and the Order of the Nazarene Essenes, in which she has "readopted a Goddess oriented, Universalist approach" that includes Yeshua and Mary Magdalene.

Me, Molly & The Moon: In her Sept. 2 post, "perils of pagan parenting," Blogger Heidi posts a lovely and humorous description of her baby's pagan naming ceremony.

Harvest Reflections Several bloggers share their thoughts about death at this harvest season: Alexandra Lynch on Street Prophets writes a wonderfully moving Sept. 21 post, "Balance, Descending: On Mabon." Inanna on At the end of desire in her Sept. 5 post, "On Dying," blogs about her grandma's impending death and writes a beautiful poem addressing the Goddess, Hecate. On Broomstick Chronicles , the blogger, a co-author of a well-known book about Pagan views on death, reflects on friends who have passed over in her Sept. 4 post, "Voices from the Other Side."

That's the buzzing and coiling for now. If we missed an item you think is important. Please leave the info as a "comment."

TAGS: news counter-culture Crowley Kos Carol Christ Rosemary Radford Ruether, Goddess, goddess feminism, spiritual feminism, Pagan

Soul Harvest

In the last several days, between two harvest holidays, this blog has noted the passing of two Goddess feminists. They are the most recent in what seems to be a inordinate number of spiritual and political feminists who have died in the last few years. We know there is nothing ominous going on here, yet sometimes the natural order of things can grab us hard.

We are witnessing the beginning of the passing of the generation of who raised our consciousness, who opened career doors, who demanded focus on women’s health and an end to violence against women, who restored Goddess. I’m tempted to list names of those recently departed, but then I might unintentionally leave out somebodies. So I will ask you to name them in your heart.

Some of these women may have been in their 70s and 80s. They were true pioneers for the supposedly "silent" generation, perhaps lone voices until those younger joined them; or perhaps they came to feminism, to Goddess, late in life when others of that generation had already closed their minds. But most deaths we notice now are among age groups known as "war babies" and "baby boomers"– people now in their 60s and 50s. Their deaths often catch us off guard. We hear or read almost daily that people – and particularly women – are living long lives, the average life span now being to the mid-80s. Why, then, we may wonder, are so many of our sisters dying in their 50s and 60s?

But there is nothing unusual here. When we think about it rationally, we know that for the average life span to be in the mid-80s, this means that some people will live to 100 or so, and some will die in the their 70s, 60s, 50s, and earlier. Though there seems to be a large number of our sisters dying from cancer, cancer is a common disease of advancing age; the cells are no longer as resilient as in youth and may cease to function properly, or exposure to cancer-causing agents over 20 years or more finally does its damage.

I personally wonder about the apparent upsurge in lung cancer in non-smoking women and hope there will be more research directed to finding out what’s causing it. Were women who entered the workplace 20-30 years ago more likely than men to be in situations where they were exposed to second-hand smoke? Or are there other explanations?

I fantasize about there being a wall or quilt or website with a section for each notable political or spiritual feminist, showing her dates, her accomplishments. But then I guess we would have disputes over who should be included, and maybe, Goddess help us, a need to set up a committee.

For now, we can be inspired by the contributions of those who have passed, respect and if necessary care for those of this innovative generation who are still with us, and together continue this work.

Technorati tags:life deaths goddess feminists boomers women lung cancer spiritual feminism

Deborah Rose, in loving memory

Deborah Rose, spiritual activist and acupuncturist, died of breast cancer September 4 at her Massachusetts home. She was 59. In the mid-1990s she served as president of the Acupuncture Society of Massachusetts. A long-time Goddess woman, Deborah was called in the last several years to explore the legends and holy sites of Mary Magdalene. Some of her work can be seen on her website http://magdalineage.com.
Miryam of Magdala, be with our sister Deborah
as she rests in the arms of the Goddess and is renewed.

Guest Blog: Part 2, Goddess Temple of Orange County

(This is the second of a two-part series. The first part, posted on August 21, told about the beginnings of the Goddess Temple of Orange County, current Sunday services and other events.)

by Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D, guest blogger

While most of the events at the Goddess Temple of Orange County are open to women only, men are occasionally invited. There have been numerous and fervent discussions about the space. Should it be held sacred and open only to women? Should men be allowed to come in? Mainstream metaphysicals don't seem to understand the need for sacred women-only space. They love the Temple so much they want to share it with their husbands and other men in their lives. They don't get it—yet—that most men carry vibes of entitlement that can corrupt woman-only space. In one such discussion, I explained that this Temple is like an incubator where women who have had no previous experience with sacred space of their own can learn to find themselves as well as a path to the Goddess. Policy has been hammered out: the Sunday services, full-moon drumming circles, and sabbat rituals are for women only. When men are permitted (new-moon drumming, many of the classes, other public events), the altars are covered so that the feminine energies and women's work are not disturbed. But there's also a purely practical reason for letting the men in. Well-known metaphysical teachers attract both men and women. They pay to attend. We can pay the rent and keep the lights on.

The Goddess Temple is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) with a board of directors and a membership, though many of the women who attend are not members. Member meetings are held every other month to discuss issues that range from economic realities to adjustments to the liturgy to safety to dealing with petty pilferage (toilet paper and tea lights sometimes go missing). The Temple is supported by donations from women who join circles of giving at various levels (anything from $20/month to $1000), the proceeds from the various events, Sunday collections, and the occasional special donation. Even though she is the Temple's spiritual director, Ava can't be there every minute, of course, so there is now a staff of temple priestesses. A program of apprentices is also being set in place. And even though the Goddess Temple is a nonprofit organization, it needs to be run just like any business, with recognized accounting principles, accountability, and functionality. It is these volunteer priestesses and apprentices who do a lot of the invisible and boring but vital work. In addition, members are invited to the Temple on a Saturday before every change of seasons to redecorate the space and make minor repairs (yes, vases and candles holders and goddess figures do occasionally get dropped).

We are also organizing volunteer service circles. One, Diana's Daughters, consists of women who hold the energy, are trained in disaster preparedness and first aid, give practical assistance (like running the sound system), and generally keep an eye on things. Another, Lakshmi's Daughters, conducts the Sunday offering. Other circles will assist with programming and take on other tasks.

While there is currently no path to initiation or ordination at the Temple, Ava offers a priestess training class every Saturday afternoon that any woman can attend at no charge. Women study the books on the Temple's reading list (which includes The Great Cosmic Mother and other books that set forth our foundational myths) and learn to tend the Temple (which includes learning the energetics of putting up and closing down the sacred space).

It took about a year for the first Goddess Temple to outgrow itself. After proclaiming affirmations that we would find new, affordable space with more than one bathroom and other amenities, we began looking for that new space. It turned out to be about a block away. Early in 2005, the Temple moved into a larger office/warehouse space. Again most of the construction, electrical work, and decorating was done by crews of skilled women. Today, when you go into the Temple, you enter a foyer with a fountain dedicated to Brigit and original art on the golden walls. To the right is Cleopatra's library, stuffed to overflowing with books and shelves of goddesses not "in use" in the sanctuary. To the left is Ava's office. Step through the next door and you're in Oshun's lounge, decorated with an enormous pillowy couch on the floor, chairs for people like me who decline to sit on the floor, and a large glass table for potlucks and refreshments. Announcements of coming events and brochures (I've written four) hang in plastic holders on the wall. Nearby are Athena's craft room, Kuan Yin's meditation room, the kitchen, and three bathrooms (named for mermaids, angels, and fairies). To enter the sanctuary, you cross Lakshmi's bridge, under which flows a recirculating fountain fed by two elephants. The tiny lake is full of coins to attract additional wealth to the Temple. Against the southeastern wall of the sanctuary is a large altar dedicated to women's original wisdom and featuring a statue of Eve offering the apple of wisdom, seasonal flowers, and the altar candles. In the four corners of the room are the directional/elemental altars—east/Maiden, south/Mother, west/Queen, and north/Crone. This is the only temple I know that has a Queen altar. Donna Henes and I have both written that in the 21st century three stages of a woman's life are no longer enough; between Mother and Crone we become the Queen of ourselves. "We need a Queen altar," I told Ava (several times). "Besides, we've got four corners and four elements. We need this fourth altar for balance. To acknowledge mature women." Decorated trees also stand against the walls, making the temple a grove.

The Temple really is an incubator. Go to any event and you can find half a dozen women whose lives have been transformed by being part of the community, whether they first started coming when Ava and Marcy opened the door to Ava's condo in 2002 or attended their first event just one year ago. You'll meet women who were so soaked in patriarchal values that they'd never had close friends who are women before. Women who are learning that kindness and cooperation work lots better than power over and competition. Abused women who have found some safety. Elderly women who are not ignored. Six-year-old girls who are seeing that women don't have to bossed around by their husbands or boyfriends. Women of all ages who are finding the powers of the Goddess in themselves.

When the first Temple was dedicated, priestesses throughout Southern California brought blessings and gifts. Here is the poem I wrote for the dedication. A printed copy hangs on the wall outside Ava's office.

Come Into the Temple

Written for the Dedication of the Goddess Temple
Irvine, California, March 7, 2004

Welcome to the temple, Dearest Sister, Precious Friend.
No matter where you're coming from,
Come into the temple.
Here's a hug, a cup of tea. Relax before our altars, be at peace.
Yes, come into the temple.

Welcome to the temple, Darling Daughter.
You're our brightest, dearest treasure,
Come into the temple.
Here's a hug, some grown-up reassurance. Learn the herstory that no one's taught you.
Yes, come into the temple.

Welcome to the temple, Honored Crone.
Help us cast our sacred circle,
Come into the temple.
Here's a hug, a bit of chocolate. Tell us where you've been and what you've seen.
Yes, come into the temple.

Welcome to the temple, Blessed Goddess.
No matter where you're coming from,
Let this be your newest home.
Here we do you honor, here we know your strength. We call you to our busy city.
Yes, come into our temple.

I gladly come into this temple, Gentle Priestess.
I come from everywhere on earth.
Precious ones, come in and know that you are loved.
Here is inspiration, here you walk in beauty.
I will gladly be your compass.
I am pleased to bless this temple.

Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D (http://www.barbaraardinger.com), is the author of Pagan Every Day: Finding the Extraordinary in Our Ordinary Lives (RedWheel/Weiser, 2006), a unique daybook of daily meditations, stories, and activities. Her earlier books are Finding New Goddesses, Quicksilver Moon, Goddess Meditations, and Practicing the Presence of the Goddess. Her day job is freelance editing for people who don't want to embarrass themselves in print. Barbara lives in southern California.

Technorati tags: Goddess Pagan Goddess Temple Women and Religion Goddess Feminism Spiritual Feminism

Events Coil 3

As far as we know, all of the following are "open" functions, but some may be limited to women. Please check the websites for group policies. All times are local. When listing events for the same date, we have tried to list the events occurring first, taking into account time zone differences.

Sept. 7, gather 7 p.m., ritual 7:30 p.m. Full Moon ritual, The Temple of Goddess Spirituality dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV.

Sept. 10, 11 a.m. Service, Verlaine Crawford, "Ending the Battle Within," Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Sept. 11, 7-9 p.m. "All-Faith World Peace Prayers for Nine-Eleven," Sanctuary, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Sept. 15, 6 p.m. Reception for Lady Olivia Robertson of the Fellowship of Isis, Lyceum of Eleusis, Chicago IL

Sept. 16-17, Annual Equinox Goddess Festival, Lyceum of Eleusis, Fellowship of Isis, Chicago IL

Sept. 16, 7-10 p.m. Mabon Concert & Seasonal Celebration ,Wiccan Educational Society, Westborough MA

Sept. 17, 11 a.m. Service, Rev. Ayanna Mojica, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Sept. 17, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Ongoing series: "Circle to Explore Mother Bear Archetype" (continues Oct 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 10), West Concord MA

Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate Fall Equinox and Zorya, Daughters of the Goddess (Dianic), SF Bay area

Sept. 21, 7-9 p.m. Fall Equinox Celebrating Inanna, Sirens Sanctuary, NYC

Sept. 21, Fall Equinox Celebration , Women's Well, West Concord MA

Sept. 21, gather 6:30 p.m., ritual 7 p.m. Autumn Equinox Ritual with Laura Janesdaughter, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m., Brigantia's Autumn Equinox Festival, Gastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury, England.

Sept. 22, 4 p.m. High Tea; 7 p.m. Equinox Celebration and Fire Ceremony, Fellowship of Isis, Altamont, NY

Sept. 22, New Moon ritual, 7-9 p.m., Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Sept. 22, gather 7 p.m., ritual 7:30 p.m. Autumn Equinox, The Temple of Goddess Spirituality dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV.

Sept. 23, 8 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Los Angeles Tarot Symposium, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Sept. 23, 6 p.m. discussion; ritual 7 p.m. Jewitch Rosh Hashanah, Becoming, Hyattsville, MD

Sept. 23, Mabon (Equinox) with Reclaiming, San Francisco CA

Sept. 24, 1400 uur, Herfst Equinox Ceremonie, Avalon Mystic, Hillegom, Nederland.

Sept. 24, Gather 11.30 a.m., Ritual Noon; "The Secret of the Trees," Connect DC, Washington DC

Sept. 24, 11 a.m. Miluna Fausch, "Mind Your Spirit..." , Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine, CA

Sept. 30, 7-9 p.m. "Goddess Behind Glass" with Karen Tate, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Oct. 1, 11 a.m. Samhain Incense Making for the Goddess Temple, Gastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury, England.

October 1, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Interpath Service for DC-Baltimore Pagan Pride, Unitarian Universalist Church, Adelphi MD

Oct. 5, 7 p.m. Frame Drumming Group, Gastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury, England

Oct. 6-7, Weekend of Broom-making, Crafting, Drumming , The Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

Oct. 6-9, Convocation of the Temple of Isis and Fellowship of Isis, Isis Oasis, Geyserville CA

Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m. Full Moon: Celebrate Andraste (Dianic), Daughters of the Goddess, SF Bay area CA

Oct. 7, 1:30-4 p.m., Demeter & Persephone's Circle for mothers and daughters (continues Nov.4, Dec. 2, Jan.6), West Concord MA

Oct. 7, 7 p.m., Full Moon Oracling with the Nine Morgan Oracles , Gastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury England.

Oct. 7, 7-9 p.m. Women's Full Moon Drum Circle, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Oct. 8, 11 a.m. Women's Prayers of Reparation to the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas with Valerie Eagle Heart Meyer and the Women of the Rainbow's End Song and Drum Circle, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine, CA

Oct. 12, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Exploring the Wrathful Goddess Women's Well, West Concord MA

Oct. 16, 7-9 p.m. Menopause as Spiritual Journey (continues Nov. 20, Dec. 18) Women's Well, West Concord MA

Oct. 20-22, Hallows Gathering, Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess International, Wisconsin Dells WI

Oct. 21, 8 p.m.-Midnight, Samhain Journey, Wiccan Educational Society, Westborough MA

Oct. 21, Ritual Soap Making 2 p.m., Cleansing Ritual 7 p.m. New Moon Women's Mysteries , Guest House, The Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

Oct. 22, 2-4 p.m. New Moon Healing by Priestesses of the Goddess Temple, Goddess Temple of Glastonbury, Glastonbury, England

Oct. 22, 7-9 p.m., New Moon ritual, 7-9 p.m., Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Oct. 25, 7-10 p.m. Decorating the Temple for Hallows, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Oct. 27-29 Samhein Weekend , IsisOasis Sanctuary, Geyersville CA

Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. Spiral Dance Celebrating Hallowmas (Dianic), Daughters of the Goddess, SF Bay area CA

October 28, Samhain with Reclaiming, San Francisco CA

Oct. 28, 8 p.m. Samhain Drum, one of major monuments, Washington DC

Oct. 28, doors open 6:30 p.m., ritual begins 7 p.m. "Hallowmass: A Ritual for Hallows in the Dianic Tradition," with guest priestesses from the Abbey of Avalon, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Oct. 29, 11 a.m. Halloween Costume Party , Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., Samhain in the Realm of Ereshkigal, Sirens Sanctuary, NYC NY

Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. Samhain Festival Goddess Temple of Glastonbury, Glastonbury England

Oct. 31, doors open 6:30 p.m., movie 7 p.m., ritual 8:30 p.m. Film: "The Burning Times" followed by ritual , Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Oct. 31, gather 7 p.m., ritual 7:30 p.m. Samhain, The Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

Ongoing
Geyersville CA: Sunday Services 2-4 p.m. Temple of Isis .

Houston TX: The Monday Group, Noon. Christian feminist theology study group.

Irvine CA: Sunday Services: 1st Service at 9 a.m. inward, meditative; 2nd service at 11 a.m., dancing, drumming, singing; see dates for guest speakers. Goddess Temple of Orange County,

Mt. Horeb WI: Goddess Circle, Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m., Circle Sanctuary.

NYC: Open Monthly Women's Circle, Sirens Sanctuary.

Portland OR: Rituals at new and full moons, quarters and cross-quarters. Full Circle Temple , Tuesdays-Sundays 10 a.m.-10 p.m. "Open to all self-identified women and girls."

San Francisco CA: New Moon and Full Moon observances, Maa Batakali Cultural Mission.

West Concord MA: Women's Circles, 1st Monday of month, 7-9 p.m., Women's Well.

We'd like to add your Goddess and spiritual feminist events (and those you know about that are open to the public) no matter where in the world they are. Leave a comment with your event, giving: Name of event, sponsoring organization (if any), town, date, time (if known), and, required: url of website where person can get more info. (Do NOT give street addresses, phone numbers or email addresses. People should go to the website to get that info.) We plan to publish an Upcoming Events Coil every month. If the event you leave in a comment takes place after the date of the next Events Coil post, we will also include it in the main section of that post.

Marione Thompson-Helland, in loving memory

Marione Thompson-Helland, coordinating editor of The Beltane Papers for the last several years, died last night. She had cancer, diagnosed only within the last few months. We join others in the Goddess community in mourning the passing of this beloved leader and sister. A personal rembrance by another blogger is on http://radiobastet.livejournal.com/236766.html. Lisa McSherry's tribute, "A Guiding Light has Gone Dark," is posted on Witchvox's passages section.
updated sept. 13, 2006
May she rest in the arms of the Goddess, and be renewed.

Nightline: Are There Any Real Pagans Out There?

On Sept. 1, the date of the Warner Brothers' release of a new version of Wicker Man, originally a 1973 scary scary film about bad evil pagans, ABC's Nightline did a piece to let us know that there are people in the U.S. who call themselves Pagans–over 100,000 of them, according to Nightline host Martin Bashir. Should we be scared? I was hoping not, and you know what? The story was almost balanced.

After moving from a film clip showing the big bad Wicker Man to a clip from the Burning Man Festival, the story turned to a more placid and typical group of Pagans (Witches, mixed gender coven) in a circle, holding hands. The reporter mentioned that Witches often do their rituals half-naked (Which half? America wants to know! But okay, as long as it isn't full nudity. Now that would truly be scary! ;-)). The Witches they showed were fully clothed. He also mentioned that some people feel that women are treated better in Paganism than in Christianity. The reporter said that Pagans worship nature, and one of the Witches said strongly and clearly that there was no Satan or worship of Satan in Witchcraft.

The last sequence was an interview with Susun Weed , identified as a Dianic Witch. We were told that Dianics worship goddesses, but I don't remember there being any statement about other Pagans worshiping goddessess or gods, and the word "feminist" was never used (we wouldn't really want to scare them!), nor the fact that most Dianic groups are all women. The interview with Susun was mellow, with the reporter attempting to maintain some skepticism (especially when Susun wouldn't let him go on the part of her property occupied by fairies) and ending with Susun helping the reporter cast a spell, a rather mild spell consisting of three very positive affirmations. Unfortunately host Bashir couldn't let this groovy ending be. After the spellcasting segment, in a spooky voice Bashir warned us: "You shouldn't try this at home!" Yeah, scary.

Update: Already at least one person, signing himself "paris c" on the ABC News Dateline Forum objects to having a Dianic represent what he terms "wicca," because he doesn't consider Dianic legitimate and because she/it is feminist. Anyone can post on this forum hint hint.

Update 9/4: Click here to see video, which wasn't available when this first posted.
Technorati tags: Nightline/WickerMan/Dianic/Pagan/Wicca/Witchcraft/feminist/Witch/Susun Weed

Response to Dude Bellyaching

The August 27 Witchvox.com article, "'Dude, Where Are the Dudes': Paganism, Feminism, and Woman Centered-Space," came to our attention after we posted the most recent Buzz Coil. I was going to append it as a comment, but then decided it's important enough to get a post of its own. It was by Brown Recluse in response to several recent articles on Witchvox.com "encouraging Wiccan and Pagan groups to be sure they appreciate the presence of men...." Here is a quote from Recluse's footnote to the article that could easily serve as an introduction:

"In this essay I credit women with creating woman-centered Wicca and Paganism. Yes, I do know about Gerald Gardner, so if you’re sending hate mail, please skip that part. I’m thinking of the innumerable women SINCE Gardner who have formed their own covens, developed their own traditions, written their own ritual, and, often, welcomed men to their groups in a spirit of fellowship . . . and are now being told that they should change what they’ve built because it might make some men uncomfortable."

In case the tinyurl used to link to the article doesn't work for you, here's the full link: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usnc&c=words&id=11087