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<channel>
	<title>The Wild Hunt &#187; Isaac Bonewits</title>
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	<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog</link>
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		<title>Isaac Bonewits Diagnosed with Cancer</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/10/isaac-bonewits-diagnosed-with-cancer.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/10/isaac-bonewits-diagnosed-with-cancer.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:47:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cancer sucks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healing ritual request]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medicine]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/?p=3597</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well-known Pagan author and lecturer Isaac Bonewits, who was hospitalized on October 21st, has apparently been diagnosed with a rare form of colon cancer.

Isaac and Phaedra Bonewits
&#8220;Isaac is doing much better with his white cell count still going down. However, they have confirmed that one of the three tumors is cancerous; there will be more [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Well-known Pagan author and lecturer <a href="http://www.neopagan.net/IB_Intro.html">Isaac Bonewits</a>, who was <a href="http://www.facebook.com/isaac.phaedra.bonewits?v=feed&amp;story_fbid=158562749199&amp;ref=mf">hospitalized on October 21st</a>, has <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/isaac.phaedra.bonewits?v=feed&amp;story_fbid=194120689866&amp;ref=mf">apparently been diagnosed with a rare form of colon cancer</a>.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://wildhunt.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/isaac_and_phaedra.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<small>Isaac and Phaedra Bonewits</small></p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Isaac is doing much better with his white cell count still going down. However, they have confirmed that one of the three tumors is cancerous; there will be more biopsies on Monday as they want to make sure all three have been biopsied individually. &#8230;Good news, it&#8217;s a rarer form of cancer that responds well to chemo and radiation. No surgery!&#8221;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>In addition to sending healing energies and prayers, they will no doubt end up needing help with their medical bills (not to mention lost income). If you wish to make a contribution to the couple to help defray the costs of this hospitalization, <a href="http://www.neopagan.net/Money.html">there is donation information here</a>. For up-to-date news and information, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/isaac.phaedra.bonewits">you can follow their Facebook fan-page</a>. We here at <em>The Wild Hunt</em> wish Isaac a full and speedy recovery.</p>
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		<title>A Few Quick Notes</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/09/a-few-quick-notes-8.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/09/a-few-quick-notes-8.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:27:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[A Darker Shade of Pagan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pagan News of Note]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wicca]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/?p=3496</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Just a few quick items of note for this Wednesday morning.
The Augusta, Georgia alternative weekly Metro Spirit starts off October with the almost obligatory spotlight on local Pagans. The result is a fairly solid run-down of the history of Wicca, with interviews from Michelle Boshears (aka Dawnwalker), who coordinates Circle-sponsored ritual groups on military bases, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just a few quick items of note for this Wednesday morning.</p>
<p>The Augusta, Georgia alternative weekly <a href="http://metrospirit.com">Metro Spirit</a> starts off October with the almost obligatory spotlight on local Pagans. <a href="http://metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=1211101074307265&amp;ShowArticle_ID=11012909094156417">The result is a fairly solid run-down of the history of Wicca</a>, with interviews from Michelle Boshears (aka Dawnwalker), who coordinates <a href="http://www.circlesanctuary.org/ministries/military/sponsoredcircles.html">Circle-sponsored ritual groups on military bases</a>, and the <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/thelemicwicca/thread/e78a2761-30a6-4909-ae93-8ac6ecf31f7f">Thelemic Wicca</a>-practicing couple of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jezibellanat">Jezibell Anat</a> and Joseph Zuchowski.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“Paganism is not a religion,” said Joseph Zuchowski, a Wiccan high priest who resides in Augusta. “Paganism is a blanket term given to a whole series of religions that are mostly Reconstructionist, in the sense that we reconstruct as best we can within the contemporary framework of the world we’re living in the beliefs of our pre-Christian ancestors.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>In a separate piece, <a href="http://metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=11011508073551804&amp;ShowArticle_ID=11012909094296816">Metro Spirit features a comparison of three religious magazines</a>, and the author decides she likes <a href="http://www.witchesandpagans.com/"><em>&#8220;Witches &amp; Pagans&#8221;</em></a> the best, saying she <em>&#8220;didn’t find much to guide me spiritually, but at least now I have more respect for that magazine&#8221;.</em> The other two magazines? <em><a href="http://www.enlightennext.org/magazine/">EnlightenNext</a></em> (too much <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Wilber">Ken Wilber</a>) and <a href="http://www.purposedriven.com/"><em>Purpose Driven Connection</em></a> (too <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_McGraw#Criticism_and_controversy">Dr. Phil</a>-ly).</p>
<p>Guardian music-blogger Nell Frizzell notices <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/sep/28/pop-pagan">that there&#8217;s a whole lot of pagan imagery within pop music lately</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Triangles? Check. Candles? Check. Stars? Check. Orbs? Check. Flowers? Check. Flowing locks? Check. Forests? Check. That&#8217;s more checks than a gingham tablecloth. The last time there were album covers like that, Steeleye Span were still in the top 40. What in the name of faery queen is going on? From Clinic to Little Boots, Florence and the Machine to Pendulum, Bat for Lashes to Wild Beasts, Paganism, it seems, is back.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>While Frizzell stretches her net rather wide in order to include a many &#8220;hot&#8221; acts as possible, I do agree with the central thesis, that pagan imagery, themes, and sympathies haven&#8217;t been this prevalent within music (both popular and underground) since the 1970s. Nor is the Guardian the only one to notice, <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112998783">NPR is discussing the occult significance of Jay-Z&#8217;s lyrics and clothing</a>, <a href="http://thequietus.com/articles/02781-blondie-s-gary-valentine-lachman-on-the-occult">The Quietus recently interviewed Gary &#8220;I was once in Blondie&#8221; Lachman about his occult history</a>, the New Yorker <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/sashafrerejones/2009/09/set-list-sunn-o.html">profiles the massive (and metaphysical) sound of Sunn O)))</a>, and &#8220;Pagan rock&#8221; gets<a href="http://www2.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/opinion/columnists_bryan_mckenzie/article/bizarre_musical_genres_lurking_all_along/46121/"> a brief mention in an article about the possible harmful side-effects of music</a>. Of course if you want to keep track of some of the best Pagan and Pagan-themed music out there, <a href="http://www.adarkershadeofpagan.com/">you know where to turn</a>.</p>
<p>It looks like some Christians liked (or hated) <a href="http://www.neopagan.net/SpellsforDemocracy.html">Isaac Bonewits&#8217; &#8220;Spells for Democracy&#8221;</a> so much they <a href="http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2009/09/christian-group-creates-adopt-liberal.html">decided to <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">steal</span> appropriate the idea for themselves</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Liberty Counsel (a Christian advocacy group) has begun a &#8220;prayer in action&#8221; initiative it calls &#8220;<a href="http://lc.org/media/9980/adopt_a_liberal.htm">Adopt a Liberal</a>.&#8221; It is hoping to change the minds of political leaders it sees as &#8220;misguided&#8221;. The initiative calls on participants to pick one of the eleven liberals on Liberty Counsel&#8217;s list, or to choose some other liberal leader, and then: &#8220;Pray earnestly and intensely for them! Pray that the Lord would move upon them and cause them to be the kind of leaders who will encourage others to lead &#8220;a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.&#8221; We encourage you to seek the Lord&#8217;s guidance on how to pray for your liberal(s), always allowing Him to temper your prayer with His love and mercy&#8230;.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>You can see the chosen &#8220;liberals&#8221; (which includes two Republicans) they are urging Christians to pray for, <a href="http://lc.org/media/9980/adopt_a_liberal.htm">here</a>. Short of the theological loophole of asking &#8220;The Lord&#8221; to do the work for you, this pretty much the same sort of magic they damn the Pagans for. What a funny world. I suppose it&#8217;s better than <a href="http://www.talk2action.org/story/2009/9/2/12392/06622">the anti-Obama death prayers</a> that some of ultra-right Christian groups have been engaging in.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s all I have for now, have a great day!</p>
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		<title>A Few Quick Notes</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/08/a-few-quick-notes-6.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/08/a-few-quick-notes-6.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:29:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Don Rimer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grey School of Wizardry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ivo Dominguez Jr.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[journalism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[occult]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pagan Pride Day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Magic School]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vampires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wicca]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Witch School]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/?p=3320</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A few stories for you to digest this Saturday, starting with the announcement yesterday from Isaac and Phaedra Bonewits concerning the closure of their Internet venture Real Magic School.
&#8220;Isaac and Phaedra Bonewits are sad to announce that Real Magic School is now closed. It was a wonderful experiment but it turned out to be too [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A few stories for you to digest this Saturday, starting with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/isaac.phaedra.bonewits?v=feed&amp;story_fbid=117792099411&amp;ref=mf">the announcement yesterday from Isaac and Phaedra Bonewits</a> concerning the closure of their Internet venture <a href="http://www.realmagicschool.com/">Real Magic School</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p><em><span>&#8220;Isaac and Phaedra Bonewits</span> are sad to announce that Real Magic School is now closed. It was a wonderful experiment but it turned out to be too much for our time commitments (and our finances) to handle. We have arranged with the Grey School of Wizardry to take transfer student<span> </span><span>s from RMS. We apologize to everyone, but especially our lifetime members, that the life time of Real Magic School was so short.&#8221;</span></em></p></blockquote>
<p><span>The school, <a href="http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/02/bonewits-teaming-with-witch-school-to.html">which opened for business in February 2008</a>, had an aspirational trajectory of academic excellence and eventual </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_accreditation">accreditation</a>. A somewhat different M.O. from the arranged transfer school, the Grey School of Wizardry, with its Harry Potter-isms and courses that equip someone to become a <a href="http://www.greyschool.com/index.php?module=About&amp;func=view&amp;name=school">&#8220;Journeyman Wizard&#8221;</a> (as opposed to the associates degrees RMS was planning to award). No doubt the current fiscal climate made this new venture difficult to sustain, it would be interesting to know how other schools (loosely) built on the <a href="http://www.witchschool.com/">Witch School</a> model are doing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10961660">CBS affiliate WBOC in Delmarva, Delaware reports</a> on this Sunday&#8217;s <a href="http://www.myspace.com/doverppd">Delmarva Pagan Pride Day</a>, interviewing author, Wiccan elder, and event co-organizer <span><a href="http://www.ivodominguezjr.com/">Ivo Dominguez Jr.</a> in the process. Too bad they also <a href="http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10961660">felt the need to get some &#8220;balance&#8221; by also digging up a disapproving Christian pastor</a>.</span></p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Still, some like Salisbury Pastor Luther Hill disagree, and say nothing positive can come out of the event.&#8221; &#8220;Pagans in the Bible usually deal with witchcraft and sorcery and those types of things,&#8221; Rev. Hill said. &#8220;But even in the Bible when that type of thing has gone on, the power of God has always been victorious over it.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>I wouldn&#8217;t mind this somewhat mindless faux-viewpoint-balance if the standard was also applied to puff coverage of local Christian events as well. Needless to say, I&#8217;m still awaiting a call regarding my opinions on upcoming Christmas celebrations.</p>
<p>In a final note, it&#8217;s time once again to check in with our old friend <a href="http://wildhunt.org/blog/tag/don-rimer">Don <em>&#8220;internationally recognized authority on Ritual Crime and the Occult&#8221;</em> Rimer</a>. This time he&#8217;s making <a href="http://www.kswo.com/global/story.asp?s=10958784">an appearance at the </a> <a href="http://www.kswo.com/global/story.asp?s=10958784">Oklahoma Gang Investigators Association seminar</a> to talk about Satanic and vampire-related crime.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Guest speaker Don Rimer spent over three decades as police officer in Virginia, where he discovered crimes involving cult activity.  Satanists committed some of these crimes, but some culprits acted as vampires &#8230; Rimer says movies like &#8220;Blade&#8221; and &#8220;Twilight&#8221; made vampirism cool, and people commit themselves to being vampires.  Rimer shows the official vampire bible, and there are sanguine who legally practice the ritualist consumption of human blood by drinking each other&#8217;s.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>This time the paper also includes his disclaimer that Wiccans and Pagans are no more likely to be criminals than any other citizen, but that kindness is somewhat offset by the fact that attendees to Rimer&#8217;s lectures,<a href="http://www.kswo.com/global/story.asp?s=10958784"> like Lawton Police Gang Investigator, Tiff Poff</a>, apparently believe that &#8221; <em>appearance is in beginning stages, and they don&#8217;t realize it leads to violence, and murder, and suicide and things like that&#8221;</em>. So don&#8217;t get caught dressing goth in Lawton, they may think your on the fast-track to killing people.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s all I have for now, have a great day!</p>
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		<title>A Meeting of Modern Druidry in California</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/06/a-meeting-of-modern-druidry-in-california.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/06/a-meeting-of-modern-druidry-in-california.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:58:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AODA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Druid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Druidism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Druidry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Druids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[House of Danu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Michael Greer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OBOD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philip Carr-Gomm]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/?p=3026</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The House of Danu in California, an alliance of OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids) groves and seed groups is hosting a historic Gorsedd for the Festival of Lughnasadh featuring some noted figures in modern Pagan Druidry.
&#8220;This is an unprecedented gathering of numerous Druid organizations in the West, and anyone interested in exploring [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <a href="http://www.houseofdanu.com/">House of Danu</a> in California, an alliance of <a href="http://www.druidry.org/">OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids)</a> groves and seed groups is hosting <a href="http://www.houseofdanu.com/component/option,com_gorseddregistry/Itemid,53/task,showevent/eid,1/">a historic Gorsedd for the Festival of Lughnasadh</a> featuring some noted figures in modern Pagan Druidry.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;This is an unprecedented gathering of numerous Druid organizations in the West, and anyone interested in exploring the California Druid experience is invited to attend. This is a rare opportunity to acquire knowledge from the most celebrated scholars of Druidry.  The Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids (OBOD), <a href="http://www.philipcarrgomm.druidry.org/">Philip Carr-Gomm</a> is traveling from Sussex to help ground participants in Druid culture.  The Grand Archdruid of the <a href="http://www.aoda.org/">Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA)</a>, <a href="http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/">John Michael Greer</a>, is coming down from Oregon to share his extraordinary knowledge of Druid history and magic. Archdruid Emeritus and founder of <a href="http://www.adf.org/core/">Ar nDraiocht Fein (ADF)</a>, <a href="http://www.neopagan.net/">Isaac Bonewits</a>, is coming from New York to do assist in our discussion of Druid rites and ritual.  The Gorsedd will be a festival of learning, drumming, storytelling, games, initiations; Bardic evenings around the campfire, a magnificent Eisteddfod of our best performing artists, and a grand procession for the sacred ritual of Lughnasadh that you can help create.&#8221; </em></p></blockquote>
<p>One has to wonder, with such a esteemed assmblege present (and no doubt several other prominent Druids will be attending in addition to the three &#8220;headliners&#8221;) if we will hear any pronouncements or plans for the future of Druidry in America. Movement on <a href="http://wildhunt.org/blog/2007/05/veteran-pentacle-next-step.html">getting the Awen approved for military headstones and markers</a>? Perhaps some statement on American <a href="http://www.grist.org/article/2009-06-18-climate-bill-ad-blitz/">environmental policy under the Obama administration</a>? Maybe plans for greater cooperation and resource sharing between the different Druid groups in America? The speculation, and possibilities, are endless. Whatever happens, this is a rare confluence of influential individuals, and the results should be noteworthy to say the least. The Gorsedd will run July 31 to August 3, in the coastal redwoods above Watsonville, between Santa Cruz and Monterey, at the Buddhist retreat center <a href="http://www.polmountainretreat.com/">Pema Osel Ling</a>, in California. <a href="http://www.houseofdanu.com/component/option,com_gorseddregistry/Itemid,53/task,showevent/eid,1/">You can register now online</a>.</p>
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		<title>Pagan Quotations (Blogging Edition)</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/06/pagan-quotations-blogging-edition.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/06/pagan-quotations-blogging-edition.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:26:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blogging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blogosphere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pagan Blogs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/?p=2976</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pagan author, teacher, and ADF Archdruid Emeritus, Isaac Bonewits explains his increasingly sporadic blog activity, and admits to having some issues with this whole &#8220;blogging&#8221; thing.
&#8220;I’m still a bit unclear as to what a blog is really for, if one doesn’t have something important to rant about day after day.&#8221;
I find it difficult to believe [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pagan author, teacher, and <a href="http://www.adf.org/about/bios/isaac-bonewits/">ADF Archdruid Emeritus</a>, Isaac Bonewits explains his increasingly sporadic blog activity, and <a href="http://neopagan.net/blog/?p=237">admits to having some issues</a> with this whole &#8220;blogging&#8221; thing.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I’m still a bit unclear as to what a blog is really for, if one doesn’t have something important to rant about day after day.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>I find it difficult to believe that someone of Bonewits&#8217; infamy doesn&#8217;t have <em>something</em> to rant about day after day (or at least a couple times a week), I also find it odd that someone who has <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/user/uid:87694">contributed to <em>Daily Kos</em> in the past</a> isn&#8217;t quite sure about the many and sundry uses for the blogging platform (and ultimately a &#8220;blog&#8221; is just a transmission tool for content). However, I do agree that merely ranting every day isn&#8217;t that sustainable, that&#8217;s why most of the really successful blogs don&#8217;t simply climb up on soap-boxes and howl into the digital void. They <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/">share wonderful things</a>, talk <a href="http://www.bookslut.com/blog/">about books</a>, promote <a href="http://ravensingstheblues.blogspot.com/">music they love</a>, provide you <a href="http://lifehacker.com/">tips and tricks</a> to an easier life, and <a href="http://www.feministing.com/">discuss feminist issues</a>. Heck there are even Pagan blogs <a href="http://wildhunt.org/blog">who manage to find news items to share every day</a>.</p>
<p>Ultimately, I think Bonewits portrays an interesting (and growing) development. Like many people, he&#8217;s doing most of his online discussion and interaction on Facebook, and as robust social networking sites become ever more ubiquitous, fewer people will feel the need to create a blog to establish themselves on the Internet. This is a good thing, not everyone is suited to a blogging platform, and we are now reaching a point where there are many ways besides the traditonal long-form regularly-updated blog to get one&#8217;s ideas and ideals across. That said, if you are looking for great regular Pagan blogging content (aside from mine, of course) just look to my blogroll, or the in-depth <a href="http://pagantheologies.pbworks.com/Pagan-blogs">Blog Elysium</a> for a cornucopia of choices, approaches, and points of view.</p>
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		<title>In Other News</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/08/in-other-news.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/08/in-other-news.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ernesto Pichardo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Laurie Cabot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[litigation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Polyamory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project Witches Protection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Santeria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West Memphis 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wicca]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Witchcraft]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/08/in-other-news.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While the San Francisco Peaks story gets top billing from The Wild Hunt today, it isn&#8217;t the only story of interest to our communities happening right now. Here are some links to other stories of note.
The LA Times profiles Santero and activist Ernesto Pichardo who discusses his life, his 1993 U.S. Supreme Court victory, and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While the <a href="http://www.wildhunt.org/2008/08/appeals-court-says-wastewater-fine-for.html">San Francisco Peaks story</a> gets top billing from <a href="http://www.wildhunt.org/blog.html">The Wild Hunt</a> today, it isn&#8217;t the only story of interest to our communities happening right now. Here are some links to other stories of note.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-santeria11-2008aug11,0,7248211.story">LA Times profiles Santero and activist Ernesto Pichardo</a> who discusses his life, his 1993 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Lukumi_Babalu_Aye_v._City_of_Hialeah">U.S. Supreme Court victory</a>, and his emerging role as a mediator between law enforcement and the Santeria community.</p>
<p><i>&#8220;By some estimates there are 100,000 Santeria worshipers in Florida. Some of them, inevitably, had difficulties, and Pichardo did what he could to come to their aid. He began issuing laminated cards &#8220;certifying&#8221; Santeria priests to help them avoid run-ins with the law. And he tried not to take himself too seriously. He showed up at one local celebrity baseball game with a rubber chicken tied around his neck. His religion seemed to gain a little more acceptance. Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina now calls Pichardo to help mediate the parking, noise and animal issues that arise from Santeria home services. &#8216;We&#8217;ve all matured,&#8217; Robaina said. &#8216;We need to respect everyone&#8217;s religion.&#8217;&#8221;</i></p>
<p>The piece also provides a rather harrowing account of the ongoing <a href="http://www.wildhunt.org/2008/07/coral-gables-saga-continues.html">Coral Gables saga</a> that is worth reading. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_223221526.html">The Salem News does a profile</a> of Laurie Cabot&#8217;s reformulated <a href="http://www.celticcrow.com/org/about.html">Witches League for Public Awareness</a>, now known as <a href="http://www.witchesprotection.com/">&#8220;Project Witches Protection&#8221;</a>.</p>
<p><i>&#8220;Project Witches Protection has very little money, relies heavily on volunteers and promotes a message that often falls on deaf ears. But the anti-defamation organization trucks on, stuffing hundreds of envelopes at Laurie Cabot&#8217;s witch shop every month to send to authorities across the state. Inside the envelopes is literature designed to inform people about the civil rights of witches.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>In the article, PWP vice president Rick Carvino calls Wicca/Witchcraft <a href="http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_223221526.html">&#8220;one of the most abused and exploited religions&#8221;</a>. A statement that will be sure to start some heated debates as to how abused and exploited Wiccans/Witches really are. A copy of the materials the PWP mails out can be found, <a href="http://www.witchesprotection.com/LawMemorandum.html">here.</a></p>
<p>Pagan authors <a href="http://neopagan.net/blog/?p=210">Isaac and Phaedra Bonewits just did an interview</a> on the <a href="http://airamerica.com/clout">Air America radio show &#8220;Clout&#8221;</a> to discuss polyamory and the John Edwards affair.</p>
<p><i>&#8220;I got a chance to discuss monotheism and dualism, and to explain how and why mudslinging works in political campaigns. Richard Greene, host of the show, loved the fact that Phae and Joy and Tom and I were “getting together” on his show, along with a poet named Sara from New York City, and challenging the dominant paradigm not only about marriage and relationships, but the very roots of America’s dysfunctional schizophrenia about sexuality.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>I can&#8217;t seem to find <a href="http://airamerica.com/ondemand/show/6644">a link to the podcast in question</a> (and you seem to need a subscription to download podcasts), but perhaps something will be posted soon to the <a href="http://airamerica.com/clout">show&#8217;s blog.</a></p>
<p>In a final note, September 8 looks to be a historic day. On that date, <a href="http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/70988">a new full evidentiary hearing</a> will take place for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Memphis_Three">West Memphis 3.</a> </p>
<p><i>&#8220;A full evidentiary hearing on this case is scheduled for September 8, 2008 and is expected to conclude on October 3. This marks the first time that the appeals from all three defendants will be heard together. Each is expected to get around a week to present their case. In an unprecedented move, the entire case will be presented in full, argued, and decided upon. Flaws in the original trials, recent DNA evidence pointing away from the defendants, and other new leads and information which invalidate the evidence used to convict the three are expected to take center stage.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>The initial trial has long come under fire for the sloppy handling of evidence, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Memphis_Three#Occult_accusations_and_Dale_Griffis">the use of &#8220;Satanic Panic&#8221; to sway the jury towards a guilty verdict.</a> This appears to be the best chance for a fair trial, and a possible reversal of the guilty verdict. No doubt the many members of the Pagan community <a href="http://www.witchvox.com/_x.html?c=wm3">who have long advocated for a new trial</a> will be watching.<br />
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		<title>Bonewits Teaming With Witch School to Build &quot;Real Magic School&quot;</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/02/bonewits-teaming-with-witch-school-to.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/02/bonewits-teaming-with-witch-school-to.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:39:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Grey School of Wizardry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Magic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Magic School]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[schools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Witch School]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/02/bonewits-teaming-with-witch-school-to-build-real-magic-school.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Author, Archdruid Emeritus of the ADF, and &#8220;polytheologian&#8221; Isaac Bonewits is opening his own online school on February 29th. The new online learning institution, Real Magic School, claims to offer &#8220;certain answers to a mysterious subject.&#8221;
&#8220;Real Magic School, named after Bonewits first groundbreaking book, begins with a purposeful program of study that offers a pathway [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Author, Archdruid Emeritus of the <a href="http://www.adf.org/">ADF</a>, and &#8220;polytheologian&#8221; <a href="http://www.neopagan.net/IB_Intro.html">Isaac Bonewits</a> is opening his own online school on February 29th. The new online learning institution, <a href="http://realmagicschool.com/">Real Magic School</a>, claims to offer <a href="http://prweb.com/releases/2008/2/prweb720133.htm">&#8220;certain answers to a mysterious subject.&#8221;</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;Real Magic School, named after Bonewits first groundbreaking book, begins with a purposeful program of study that offers a pathway to an Associates degree in Magic. Further, the school begins immediately the process to seek academic accreditation, a process that is both difficult and demanding but according to the school founders, worthwhile. P.E. Isaac Bonewits has chosen to take his degree, his lifetime of experience, and his driving energy to create an academy that is truly a benefit to its students and future alumni. This will be a life changing experience for everyone who gets involved.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>The new school has been built for Bonewits by <a href="http://www.witchschool.com/">Witch School</a>, one of the oldest and largest (and some might say <a href="http://www.wildhunt.org/2006/07/problem-with-witchschool.html">controversial</a>) online schools aimed at teaching magic. Real Magic School isn&#8217;t the first online magic school to be built around a charismatic Pagan &#8220;headmaster&#8221;, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart&#8217;s <a href="http://www.greyschool.com/main.asp">Grey School of Wizardry</a> comes immediately to mind, though it does seem to be aiming for a more academic feel while trying to a<a href="http://prweb.com/releases/2008/2/prweb720133.htm">void Harry Potter comparisons.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;While the Harry Potter Phenomenon swept the world and has offered a fictional view of a Magical Academy, Isaac is not Dumbledore and Real Magic School is not Hogwarts. Real Magic School is definitely real world and has a truly academic and educational philosophy unmatched in today&#8217;s world. Isaac Bonewits is a serious teacher, along with Phaedra, with lifelong experience, and is one of the most respected voices in the Pagan world today calling for academic truth and excellence in the study of magic and thaumaturgy, history, and Paganism.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>It should be interesting to see where this goes. Does an online school with only two teachers (so far) have a real shot at gaining academic accreditation? If they did gain some form of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_accreditation">educational accreditation</a> would any mainstream college or institution accept transfer credits from Real Magic School? <a href="http://realmagicschool.com/">Real Magic School&#8217;s web site</a> doesn&#8217;t have any course information up yet, so we will just have to wait and see what sort of curriculum is planned.<br />
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		<title>(Pagan) News of Note</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2007/10/pagan-news-of-note_16.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2007/10/pagan-news-of-note_16.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Celts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enviornmentalism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hill of Tara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indigenous]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pagan News of Note]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Robin Hood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rome]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/2007/10/pagan-news-of-note-32.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
We are saddened to report that Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge, the musical and spiritual partner of Psychic TV founder Genesis P-Orridge, passed away on October 9th due to a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
&#8220;Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and her reactivated Psychic TV aka [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.</p>
<p>We are saddened to report that Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge, the musical and spiritual partner of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychic_TV">Psychic TV</a> founder Genesis P-Orridge, <a href="http://www.genesisp-orridge.com/index.php?section=news&#038;id=111&#038;album_id=1">passed away on October 9th due to a previously undiagnosed heart condition.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and her reactivated Psychic TV aka PTV3 are terribly sad to announce the cancellation of their November North American tour dates. This decision is entirely due to the unexpected passing of band member Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge. Lady Jaye died suddenly on Tuesday 9th October 2007 at home in Brooklyn, New York from a previously undiagnosed heart condition which is thought to have been connected with her long-term battle with stomach cancer. Lady Jaye collapsed and died in the arms of her heartbroken &#8220;other half&#8221; Genesis Breyer P-Orridge.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>A visual and conceptual artist, Lady Jaye spent more than a decade <a href="http://www.anthem-magazine.com/27/wellhung.html">exploring the concepts of &#8220;pandrogeny&#8221;</a> in which she and Genesis strove to become one being incorporating all sexes and sexualities. The P-Orridges and Psychic TV were instrumental in the development of music that explored occult concepts and imagery.</p>
<p>Several interesting stories have emerged that touch on environmental issues. In England, there is a plan developing to save <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherwood_Forest">Sherwood Forest</a>, which is in increasing danger due to storms, forest fires, and vandals which <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/oct/15/conservation">are killing the ancient oak trees at an alarming rate.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;For the people who care for Sherwood Forest it is like a death in the family when one of the ancient oaks falls, a tragedy that is now becoming depressingly frequent. They used to lose an average of one a year, now it is usually five, and the rate is accelerating. The appalling calculation, which almost breaks the foresters&#8217; hearts, is that in 50 years&#8217; time the greatest collection of ancient oaks in Europe, many 1,000 years old and more, may be no more.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>The foresters hope to plant 250,000 oaks on 350 acres, in order to help preserve and protect the ancient oaks. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/oct/15/conservation">The article also discusses the folkloric history of the forest</a>, including tales of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood">Robin Hood</a> and Druidic rites.</p>
<p>Why are environmentalists like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore">Al Gore</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wangari_Maathai">Wangari Maathai</a> winning a prize dedicated to peace? According to Slate.com, sudden environmental shifts may be <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2175937/fr/rss/">one of the biggest contributors to war and strife.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;I asked Maathai what reforestation had to do with ending conflict. &#8220;What the Nobel committee is doing is going beyond war and looking at what humanity can do to prevent war,&#8221; she answered. &#8220;Sustainable management of our natural resources will promote peace.&#8221; &#8230; The idea of a connection between conflict and climate change is fairly new, and one that had been mostly relegated to academic journals until earlier this year. Then, in June, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon went on record to suggest global warming as a cause for the fighting in the Darfur region of Sudan.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>More proof that everything is interconnected. A rise in temperature doesn&#8217;t only mean running your air conditioner more in the summer, it can mean drastically changing whole cultures and peoples, <a href="http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/14/jodirave/rave32.txt">a point that is further explored in a column by Jodi Rave.</a> Rave reports on how climate change is affecting the way indigenous populations struggle to live and interact with a quickly changing landscape.</p>
<p><i>&#8220;I was in Alta, Norway, as an invited speaker at an international indigenous journalists&#8217; conference. Indigenous people &#8211; communities whose homelands have been invaded by colonizers yet still maintain distinct languages, cultures and customs &#8211; share common concerns, including a right to live off the land &#8230; But global warming is changing their landscape &#8230; In Alaska, sea ice is melting and the permafrost is thawing. Native Inuit villages are being destroyed &#8230; What will happen in Scandinavia and other parts of the Arctic when snow disappears little by little?&#8221;</i></p>
<p>Some indigenous groups are now working with scientists in order to understand and adapt to the changes, hoping to meld science with traditional wisdom. </p>
<p>As Samhain approaches, <a href="http://www.wildhunt.org/labels/Hill%20of%20Tara.html">those hoping to save the Hill of Tara in Ireland</a> from highway development are planning magical and symbolic actions to help raise awareness and stop <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N3_road#Planned_M3_Motorway_Upgrade">the planned M3 expansion.</a> The <a href="http://tarawatch.org/?p=536">TaraWatch organization is raising funds to create a &#8220;protective light shield&#8221;</a> around the historic spiritual and political center.</p>
<p><i>&#8220;Tara Light will consist of an elaborate light show with beams of white light illuminating Tara valley the home and source of the Celtic Halloween festival (the Celtic New Year), while a live radio broadcast will provide an audio backdrop to those viewing the event from Tara and others tuning in around the valley, surrounding area, Ireland and beyond &#8230; The objective of the lighting event is to show the positioning and significant quantity of sacred sites throughout the complex, in relation to the motorway route proximity and to show the importance of immediately halting the destruction to maintain the integrity, balance and beauty that has existed here for over 5000 years of history.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>Meanwhile, <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/cr_r/254906.html">Celtic Reconstructionists</a> from around the globe <a href="http://nicdhana.blogspot.com/2007/10/hill-of-tara-samhain.html">are planning rituals to help protect the site.</a> A web site for the <a href="http://paganachd.com/tara/">&#8220;I Stand With Tara&#8221;</a> ritual is now up, and details are going to be posted soon.</p>
<p>Since I brought up Al Gore earlier in this post, I thought I would mention that Pagan author and pundit <a href="http://www.neopagan.net/">Isaac Bonewits</a> is <a href="http://neopagan.net/blog/?p=155">calling for magical action to urge Al Gore to run for President.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;As a Druid and as a priest of the Earth Mother I know how important it is to use both magical and mundane methods to draft Al Gore, kicking and screaming if necessary, to run. There is no other position from which he could have the power and influence he will need to push major American corporations, our national and state governments, and other nations of the world to take the drastic action that will be needed to avert the worst of the already tipped-over climate.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>Finally, <a href="http://tropaion.blogspot.com/2007/10/rome-superstar.html">the blog Tropaion links to a BBC documentary concerning &#8220;Togas on TV&#8221;</a>, a look at <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5096181182806787870&#038;hl=en">how ancient Rome is viewed in popular culture.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;The question that the narrator asks is what is Rome for us today and how we conceive it, and whether or not that is right or wrong. Enjoy it, as I must confess I enjoy it, especially with the marvelous points by our Mary Beard.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>That is all I have for now, have a good day.<br />
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		<title>A.J. Drew and the Frosts Effigy Update</title>
		<link>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2007/08/aj-drew-and-frosts-effigy-update.html</link>
		<comments>http://wildhunt.org/blog/2007/08/aj-drew-and-frosts-effigy-update.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AJ Drew]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ann Moura]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Don Kraig]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gavin and Yvonne Frost]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaac Bonewits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lisa McSherry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peg Aloi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Raven Grimassi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Raymond Buckland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stephanie Taylor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wicca]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wildhunt.org/blog/2007/08/aj-drew-and-the-frosts-effigy-update.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[[This is part one of a two-part series that will update you on the fallout of A.J. Drew's decision to "sacrifice" Gavin and Yvonne Frost in effigy at his "International Real Witches Ball". Part two tomorrow will deal directly with the issue of the Frosts' writing, and what to do about pedophilia, and writings that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><small>[This is part one of a two-part series that will update you on the fallout of A.J. Drew's decision to "sacrifice" Gavin and Yvonne Frost in effigy at his "International Real Witches Ball". Part two tomorrow will deal directly with the issue of the Frosts' writing, and what to do about pedophilia, and writings that the community feels supports pedophilia. All comments are being moderated, so please be civil.]</small></p>
<p>When Wiccan author and event organizer <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/">A.J. Drew</a> announced a couple months ago that <a href="http://www.wildhunt.org/2007/06/sacrificing-frosts.html">he planned to &#8220;sacrifice&#8221; an effigy</a> of <a href="http://www.wicca.org/">Church and School of Wicca</a> founders Gavin and Yvonne Frost, few could have predicted the level of controversy and fallout that would occur from it. While trying to combat the spread of pedophilia and abuse is a noble thing, it seems Drew&#8217;s tactics concerning the Frosts and their literature have polarized the community, burned a few bridges, and created a situation where <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/2007/07/04/ann-moura-pagan-author-gives-boot-to-ball/">former colleagues of Drew&#8217;s have abandoned him</a> (and then been savaged as supporters of the Frosts). </p>
<p><i>&#8220;How many more will befriend these monsters? How many more will defend, befriend, and go out of their way to harm others to protect the Frosts? Maybe we should all ask everyone we know do you support the Frosts? Are you aware of what they wrote? Do you support the North American Man Boy Love Association? Are you aware of what they wrote?&#8221;</i> &#8211; <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/2007/07/04/ann-moura-pagan-author-gives-boot-to-ball/">A.J. Drew</a></p>
<p>Drew&#8217;s <a href="http://pagannation.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/rwb">&#8220;International Real Witches Ball&#8221;</a> has had every guest speaker drop out. This includes <a href="http://cybercoven.org/wordpress/?p=80">Lisa McSherry</a>, <a href="http://www.ravengrimassi.net/">Raven Grimassi</a>, <a href="http://www.llewellyn.com/bookstore/author.php?id=46356">Stephanie Taylor</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Michael_Kraig">Donald Michael Kraig</a>, and <a href="http://www.annmourasgarden.com/">Ann Moura</a>. Most cite <a href="http://www.ravengrimassi.net/nevermore.htm">Drew&#8217;s effigy ritual as the prime reason for backing out.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;Had we known that the RWB would focus (as indicated by the importance placed on it on the RWB website) on a political protest in the form of a negative ritual wherein living people are sacrificed in effigy, we would not have accepted the invitation. In our judgment the ritual is a type of black magic and vigilantism. The design of the ritual as described to us could have a negative impact on the community and may be psychologically deleterious to some participants. As a result, we have decided to not participate in this year&#8217;s event.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>Drew has also faced criticism from prominent Pagan leaders like <a href="http://www.neopagan.net/">Isaac Bonewits</a> who <a href="http://www.haloscan.com/comments/jasonpitzl/1808692917004447627/#231590">came to the defense of the Frosts.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;I have known the Frosts for decades and they are good people. The overwhelming majority of their words and actions have benefited the Craft more than harmed it. Gavin put that chapter in his first book primarily for shock effect, to get people thinking and arguing about what our theories about adolescent sexuality should be. So he put something in that was as far from the mainstream as possible. This was a really foolish thing to do, as it has led to unfounded accusations against the Frosts ever since.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>Meanwhile others, like author and Wiccan elder <a href="http://www.raybuckland.com/">Raymond Buckland</a>, have praised Drew&#8217;s intent <a href="http://pagannation.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showthreaded/Number/52420">while  criticizing the planned ritual.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;Let me get into the fuss over the proposed &#8220;De-Frosting,&#8221; if I may? Using effigies is fine if they are used for positive purposes (such as healing). But NOTHING should be condoned that is negative or is in any way working against someone. That can only be construed as negative magic (&#8221;black magic&#8221;). I think this is why some of your proposed speakers have bailed out from RWB07. It&#8217;s because they don&#8217;t want to be associated with working negative magic, not necessarily because they endorse what the Frosts do. If I had been able to attend this year&#8217;s ball, I would not have been a part of such a ritual &#8230; you&#8217;ve made a great statement, AJ, and something does need to be done. But it&#8217;s how to do it. There are always positive ways to work things, if you think about it.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>More recently, <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/2007/08/07/the-witchess-voice-and-fritz-jung/">Drew has come into conflict with Peg Aloi</a>, an author and media coordinator for  <a href="http://www.witchvox.com/">The Witches&#8217; Voice</a>. The nature of their conflict is a bit labyrinthine, and it seems that the issue of Drew&#8217;s campaign against the Frosts <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/2007/08/03/nightshys-opinions/">is simply the latest bone of contention between them.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;For me, the &#8220;issue at hand&#8221; has nothing to do with your questions regarding my position on the Frosts writing or the support they have from other people in the pagan community. The &#8220;issue at hand&#8221; is your histrionics, designed to whip the visitors to the PN website into a frenzy. As well as your desire to stage a public psychic attack which may well end up having serious psychic and other sorts of consequences. As well as your self-serving attempt to draw attention to yourself by attacking two elderly people who have not done anything wrong.&#8221;</i> &#8211; <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/2007/08/03/nightshys-opinions/">Peg Aloi (posting as &#8220;nightshy&#8221;)</a></p>
<p>Finally, <a href="http://gavinandyvonne.blogspot.com/">the Frosts themselves have started a blog</a>, and have taken <a href="http://gavinandyvonne.blogspot.com/2007/06/witch-wars-and-their-cost.html">to attacking the attacks against them</a> (though not by discussing the controversial material they have published).</p>
<p><i>&#8220;Public attacks on Wiccans/pagans are harmful; ipso facto the attackers are not Wiccans or pagans but instead are nurturing in their psyche an internalized sectarian Christian paradigm.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>As of interest <a href="http://www.wildhunt.org/2007/06/sacrificing-frosts.html#7287614517654241838">are comments made by Bronwyn Frost</a>, a daughter of Gaving and Yvonne Frost.</p>
<p><i>&#8220;I think open and honest discussion is welcome. This discussion has provoked more discussion between my parents, my husband, and myself and it reinforces for me that if I didn&#8217;t have Wicca as a faith and learned my faith here, from these blogs and the words of some of the writers represented, I would not be Wiccan. I am Wiccan and proud and I am proud to be my parents&#8217; daughter. I am proud that they have taken the stand they did and that they have not wavered in their strength and faith that honest information about pagan practices are relevant to the discussion today.&#8221;</i></p>
<p>Drew&#8217;s responses so far have been to <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/defrost-please-read/">reiterate his opinion</a> that the Frosts are encouraging pedophilia, and that they themselves have been participants as such. On his blog he <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/2007/07/12/outskirts-press-letter-to/">has admitted to making a list of people and companies</a> he feels are supporting the Frosts (and therefore supporting pedophilia and their controversial material) to present to the &#8220;national press and other media sources&#8221;, and has written to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Colson">Charles &#8220;Chuck&#8221; Colson</a> (one of the Watergate criminals who subsequently became a born-again Christian involved in prison ministry) about <a href="http://ajdrew.blogs.pagannation.com/2007/08/10/charles-w-chuck-colson/">the Frosts&#8217; book being available to prisoners.</a></p>
<p><i>&#8220;Did you know that there is a Wiccan organization, which has promoted the molestation, intoxication, and rape of children in the name of Wicca? Did you know that one of the leaders of Seax Wicca seems to promote violent hatred of homosexuals?&#8221;</i></p>
<p>So, if anything, Drew is certainly focused on his &#8220;goal&#8221; of casting out all who he feels are &#8220;supporting&#8221; pedophilia. But it remains to be seen if any of this will actually benefit endangered children, remove the controversial material the Frosts have written, or sway the greater Pagan community into action. So far it appears that the controversy of his ritual and quest may have overshadowed his full-throated defense of children. Tomorrow I will discuss the Frosts, their controversial material concerning minors, and what the Pagan/Heathen community could/should do about it.<br />
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