A Reading List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
Richard Ballard
[RB comment: I have provided a discussion of Wicca-related
definitions in an accompanying message entitled "Definitions
for Prospective Wiccan Novices".]
The evening of April 30th [midnight May 1st Stonehenge time]
brings the sabbat Beltane (pronounced Beel-teen or Bell-tayn),
a celebration of fertility and life above all else. Beltane
marks summer's beginning and is a time to celebrate the
eternal wheel of reincarnation and the return of the Wiccan
God. Beltane falls opposite Samhain [midnight October 31st
Stonehenge time, winter's beginning] on the Wheel of the Year.
Beltane (the final phase of planting) and Samhain (the third
and final harvest) are the two most important sabbats.
Many Pagans believe that the name Beltane derives from the
English word 'balefire' meaning 'boon' or 'extra'. European
monarchs marked the Beltane sabbat's beginning by lighting
balefires, typically on high hills -- having sex with ladies
from the families of lesser nobility was included within the
balefire ritual. Lesser nobility then could light their own
balefires on lower hills (and themselves have sex with ladies
from the families of lesser nobility or commoners), and could
begin their own Beltane celebrations. The ritual sex included
within the balefire celebrations equates to the Aristocracy's
(e.g., the King's, Baron's, or local landowner's) 'first night'
privileges -- the Aristocracy's right to control who could
marry whom and the Aristocracy's right to bed any young lady
first on her wedding night. The balefire ritual replenished
the Aristocracy's energy and symbolically blessed the young
lady bedded by the Aristocrat. The balefire ritual also
maintained the continuity of the Aristocracy -- 'the pecking
order' is a time-honored tradition.
During Beltane, Pagan commoners celebrated having survived Winter's
hardship and renewed their sense of community under their monarch
and nobility. The balefires symbolized the warmth and vigor of
the life-giving Sun and a commitment to maintain the Pagan family.
The balefire ritual also focused the Aristocracy's power within
the minds of their subjects: "We control the farm land and winter
will return -- wanna eat?" Monarchs and nobility provided much
food and drink to be served during Beltane celebrations -- a treat
and a relief after Winter's sparse, drab fare.
Dancing around the May Pole is another Beltane tradition. In Pagan
times the May Pole was constructed by removing all but the topmost
branches from a communal pine tree. White and red ribbons that
represented the Pagan Goddess and God, respectively, were attached
to the tree beneath the remaining pine branches. Woman holding the
white ribbons and men holding the red ribbons danced around the
May Pole, interweaving the white and red ribbons around the
May Pole. The May Pole represented a phallus, the untrimmed topmost
pine branches represented pubic hair, and the interwoven ribbons
represented the female birth canal surrounding the phallus.
With this sabbat approaching many Wiccans are discussing Wicca
more openly, and many of their friends are hearing about Wicca
for the first time. These friends might ask "How can I learn
about Wicca?"
Texts are one source of quality Wiccan information, and texts
do not contain oathbound secrets. If One wants to recommend a
list of Wiccan texts to friends I recommend the following
Wiccan novice's texts (and recommend that they be read in the
order given):
1) "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner"
by Scott Cunningham.
5 stars -- A Practical Guide for the Solitary Wiccan
Scott Cunningham is well-regarded within the Wiccan community
and his "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" is very
popular, particularly with prospective Wiccan novices. Yet
some people discredit Mr. Cunningham because his Tradition
permits Wiccan solitary worshippers to self-initiate. Other
people discredit Mr. Cunningham because they believe that he
does not differentiate between witches and Wiccans.
In "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practioner" Scott Cunningham
expresses a philosophy (mirroring the agnostic philosophy of
twice Nobel Laurate Lord Bertrand Russell) that ethics are of
greater importance than strict adherence to religious dogma. In
consequence, sincere worshippers *can* self-initiate under Mr.
Cunningham's stated philosophy and Wiccan Tradition. BTW, this
liberal philosophy also is consistent with the Seax-Wica Tradition
described by Raymond Buckland in "The Tree: The Complete Book of
Saxon Witchcraft".
Integral to many Wiccan Traditions (e.g., Cunningham, Buckland) is
the tenet that Wiccan Covens and solitary worshippers are free to
define and modify their Traditions. There is *no requirement*
that a Wiccan solitary worshipper have any contact or
correspondence with a (lineaged) Wiccan Coven or High Priest/ess.
There is *no requirement* that a self-initiated Wiccan solitary
worshipper serve a 'year-and-a-day' apprenticeship prior to
becoming a Wiccan solitary worshipper. Likewise, Covens are
*not bound* to require a 'year-and-a-day' apprenticeship prior
to initiating Coven members.
Scott Cunningham *did* differentiate between witches and Wiccans.
Reading the entire text is best, but prospective Wiccan novices
can verify quickly the difference in Scott Cunningham's definitions
by comparing his definitions for 'Wicca' and 'Witch' given on pages
203 and 204 of the above-referenced text.
Wiccan Coven members might disagree with Mr. Cunningham's
statements. I equate their disagreement with a difference of
Wiccan Tradition. I believe that Wiccan Covens and solitary
worshippers (and authors) are free to define and modify their
own Wiccan Traditions.
2) "Inside A Witches' Coven" by Edain McCoy.
5 stars -- Common Sense Discussion of Joining A Coven
3) "The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways"
by Edain McCoy.
5 stars -- A Celebration Of The Pagan Sabbats
Ms. Edain McCoy is controversial within the Pagan community.
Magick sometimes is described as being left- or right-handed
magick. Left-handed magick tends to be dark (obscuring),
domineering, *chaotic* magick with little regard for ethics or
morality. [Imagine the most misleading pre-election political
advertisements possible -- a perfect example of chaotic,
left-handed magick.] Left-handed magick often is associated
with satanism and has gained popularity in the past several
years. Right-handed magick tends to be light (illuminating),
non-interfering *benign* magick. Ms. McCoy specializes in
wholesome light magick. I believe that Ms. McCoy's critics
are criticizing Ms. McCoy's wholesome light magick more than
they are criticizing Ms. McCoy.
Some accuse Ms. McCoy of poor scholarship, and criticize the
Irish 'Witta' Tradition that she presents in her book "Witta:
An Irish Pagan Tradition". Their principal arguments are
that 'Witta' is not linguistically correct in the Celtic
tongue, and that the Irish could not have worshipped a 'potato
Goddess' because the Irish potato was a New World vegetable.
I believe these arguments can *not* be supported. First,
Gerald Gardner *invented* Wicca in the mid-1900's. The Irish
potato existed in Ireland long before the mid-1900's -- the
Irish potato is *prehistoric* in a Wiccan sense. Furthermore,
the right of Wiccan Covens and solitary worshippers (and Wiccan
authors) to define and modify their own Traditions is a central
Wiccan tenet -- Ms. McCoy's Irish 'Witta' Tradition and Gerald
Gardner's Gardnerian Wicca Tradition are equally valid. I
equate a statement "Your Tradition contains errors or blatant
falsities" to the statement "Your Tradition differs from my
Tradition". The work of Wiccan authors reflects their own
Traditions.
Furthermore, I believe that the Irish potato *is* an Old World
vegetable, and was found on the European continent (including
the British Isles). My "College Edition, Webster's New World
Dictionary of the American Language (... based upon and includes
material from Webster's New World Dictionary, Encyclopedic
Edition)", c 1953, 1954, ... 1966 states 'potato ... [Sp. patata,
var. of batata, sweet potato < a Haitian word] ...'. I acknowledge
that French is the 'official' language of Haiti, but Haitian
slaves were Africans. (Attempts to enslave the South/Central
American Indians failed because Indians captured and isolated
from their tribes and families quickly perished without their
freedom.) I believe it likely that while affluent Haitian
planters dined on French cuisine, their imported African slaves
ate poor food (including *sweet potatoes*), food that the imported
African slaves named in their African tongue. Concerning the
reference to the Spanish word patata, first the Arabs and then
the Moors (i.e., Moroccans/Mauritanians) each occupied the
southern portion of the Iberian peninsula for a separate 200 year
period -- 400 years of occupation. This occupation presented an
opportunity for African roots (both food and linguistic) to affect
Spanish culture, architecture and language.
I have observed *no evidence* that Irish potatoes are a New World
vegetable. Corn (maize) is a New World vegetable. During the
Irish potato famine the United States attempted to provide famine
relief by sending corn (commonly eaten in the United States) to
the Irish. The Irish refused to eat corn because they considered
corn to be cattle feed. I am originally from the Corn Belt, and
I know that some varieties of corn are so tough that they are fit
*only* for cattle feed. [Many people in the United States would
refuse to eat 'grits', particularly if they have dental problems
exacerbated by age and/or poor nutrition. There were few 'dentists'
(irony acknowledged) in Ireland at the time of the Irish potato
famine.] The starving Irish would have gratefully accepted wheat
("... Give us this day our daily bread ...") -- the United States
sent corn. I recommend that skeptics read the novel "The Jungle"
by Upton Sinclair -- many United States' GIs read that novel
*after* returning from World War I.
Irish potatoes were a mainstay of the Irish diet, and it is
appropriate that Wittans associate potatoes with the
fertile Goddess.
I believe that Ms. McCoy's usage of the word 'Witta' and
including potatoes within her Irish Wittan Tradition is
appropriate -- the usage harms no one. If an individual
(or author) wants to incorporate a given word or concept within
their own Tradition that is their right as long as they are not
hindering others' worship. ***Self-determination is a Wiccan
right.*** I believe that comments criticizing Ms. McCoy's
scholarship and her Witta Tradition are biased personal attacks
against Ms. McCoy and her wholesome Wittan Tradition.
Individuals have responded to earlier versions of my "Reading
List For Prospective Wiccan Novices" by claiming that *I* am
guilty of poor or weak scholarship because I have *not* recommended
that prospective Wiccan novices study ancient and arcane Wiccan
texts. By design my "A Reading List For Prospective Wiccan Novices"
is oriented towards *novices* -- individuals with little prior
knowledge (and no commitment) to Wicca, the craft, Paganism, or
satanism. I believe that prospective Wiccan novices are *not*
interested in (and do *not* value) arcane historical detail. My
list is *not* oriented towards Pagan scholars and does *not* claim
to be oriented towards Pagan scholars. When I feel that an arcane
historical text is suitable (or *not* suitable) for prospective
Wiccan novices I identify the text and I provide the reasons for
my beliefs. But my primary emphasis is identifying ***well- and
clearly-written texts that describe current Wiccan practices***,
*not* arcane Wiccan/Pagan history texts. Ms. McCoy's texts are
well- and clearly-written, and her texts address current topics
relevant to prospective Wiccan novices. I highly recommend
Ms. McCoy's wholesome texts to prospective Wiccan novices.
4) "The Practice of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to
Beliefs and Rituals" by Robin Skelton
5 stars -- A detailed overview of Wiccan practices for the
advanced novice
5) "The Tree: The Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft"
by Raymond Buckland
5 stars -- The Saxon Wiccan's Free Will Book of Spells
=====================================
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
6) "Wicca for Men: A Handbook for Male Pagans Seeking A
Spiritual Path" by A. J. Drew
4 stars -- A Readable Text with a Misleading Title
Most Wiccan Traditions emphasize the Wiccan Goddess and
women's issues over the Wiccan God and men's issues. Author
A. J. Drew offers a Wiccan Tradition with better female/male
balance: the Tradition honors the Goddess and God equally,
and its rituals provide meaningful roles for women and men both.
Nevertheless, I believe this readable and informative text does
*not* live up to its title because Mr. Drew does *not* discuss
witchcraft and Wicca from a strictly male-oriented viewpoint.
"Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" by Scott
Cunningham emphasizes ethics over dogma and suggests how
solitary worshippers can modify Wicca to fit their beliefs. I
believe that Mr. Cunningham's text is better suited for those
seeking a strictly male-oriented viewpoint of Wicca.
I am *not* a member of 'Creation's Covenant'.
=====================================
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
7) "The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion
of the Great Goddess" by Starhawk
5 stars -- A Witchcraft Tradition and Political Manifesto
"The Spiral Dance..." relegates the Horned God and men to a
weak supporting role. *No-where* in the Twentieth Anniversary
Edition of "The Spiral Dance: ..." (original text plus two
appendices giving Tenth Anniversary comments and Twentieth
Anniversary comments, respectively) does Starhawk state that
she is a Wiccan. Starhawk states (pp. 6,16) that her Reclaiming
Tradition has roots in Victor and Cora Anderson's Faerie
Tradition. Nevertheless, this text is very well-written and
provides detailed insight into a non-Wiccan feminist Tradition
not available in other texts.
=====================================
My reviews of these texts appear on the Amazon.com
website. All of the reviews appear in one place. To
access these reviews:
A) Access "http://www.amazon.com" (no quotes);
B) Click on "Friends & Favorites";
C) Under the category "Search for Friends"
Enter "rjballard"
Click GO
D) Scroll to the bottom of this short webpage
E) Click "See all of Richard Ballard's reviews"
F) Scroll down this page (and successive pages)
to the reviews of interest.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
8) "Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner"
by Scott Cunningham
3 stars -- A Disappointing Sequel
Scott Cunningham's excellent first text "Wicca: A Guide For
The Solitary Practitioner" defines a Tradition based upon belief
in the Wiccan Goddess and the Wiccan God, concern for the
Earth, social consciousness, and the right not to be dominated
by others. This Tradition is flexible, and Mr. Cunningham offers
suggestions how solitary Wiccans can modify this Tradition to
better suit their individual philosophy and needs.
I believe Mr. Cunningham's sequel "Living Wicca: A Further Guide
for the Solitary Practitioner" addresses no well-defined audience
for the following reasons: It assumes knowledge a Wiccan novice
will not have, but does not supply details needed by experienced
Wiccans. The sequel weakens the free and open Wiccan concepts
that Mr. Cunningham presented in his first text for the solitary
practitioner. In many ways the sequel discounts solitary Wiccan
practice and directs the solitary practitioner toward Coven
membership -- contradictions to statements and philosophies that
Scott Cunningham expressed in his excellent earlier text "Wicca:
A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner".
I can *not* recommend this text because I believe these
inconsistencies defeat the sequel's stated purpose.
I am *not* a member of the 'Church of All Worlds'. I am *not*
a member of 'The Church of Satan'. I am *not* a member of
'The Temple of Set'.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
9) "To Ride A Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft"
by Silver RavenWolf
4 stars -- New Generation Witchcraft is *not* Wicca
I believe Ms. Thayer (Silver RavenWolf) utilizes Wiccan concepts
plus New Age concepts to define New Generation Witchcraft. The
result is not Wicca: A) Ms. Thayer provides (pp.14-15) a
definition of Wicca unlike any Wiccan definition that I have seen
elsewhere; B) I believe that Wicca, with its worship of both The
Wiccan Goddess and The Wiccan God, should be a gender-neutral
religion. Ms. Thayer's statements (pg 274) indicate that New
Generation Witchcraft is not gender-neutral; C) Most Wiccan
traditions follow The Rede. New Generation Witchcraft explicitly
ignores ethics (Chapter 21), and I believe that several of
Ms. Thayer's writings are contrary to The Rede.
My belief is that New Generation Witchcraft is attractively-
packaged New Age occultism, but it is not Wicca. New Generation
Witchcraft appears to be designed for a parent having difficulty:
the parent can form a family Coven, an exclusive Coven that
avoids outsiders to the detriment of the children's (and the
parents') social development.
I can *not* recommend New Generation Witchcraft to prospective
Wiccan novices or their families.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
10) "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft"
by Denise Zimmermann and Katherine A. Gleason
3 stars -- A nice Craft text with serious omissions
"The Guide ..." is very professionally produced. I believe its
primary audience is women in transition (e.g., discharged career
women, divorcees, empty-nesters and widows) who seek new motivation.
"The Guide ..." discusses a range of New Age topics and provides
a nice discussion about the Wiccan religion and witchcraft, but it
omits discussion of domineering, left-handed witchcraft. [E.g.,
some spells are punitive, some witches practice necromancy, and
some Coven initiations include (a-hem) secret rituals and (a-hem)
binding commitments.] I believe that "Wicca: A Guide For The
Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham plus "Inside A Witches'
Coven" by Edain McCoy provide a better and clearer introduction
for prospective Wiccan novices.
"The Guide ..." reads like professionally-prepared marketing
literature, but I can *not* recommend "The Guide ..." to
prospective Wiccan novices because of the omissions discussed
above.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
11) "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide" by Amber K
3 stars -- A Weak Introduction To Witchcraft
I believe this text is written in a style and level of detail
suited for middle-school-aged children. It is a broad shallow
overview of witchcraft. It contains serious errors (it equates
witchcraft and Wicca) and omits to differentiate between solitary
Wiccan worship and Wiccan Coven membership. It does not discuss
Coven social structure or binding initiation rituals -- serious
omissions in an introductory text.
I believe that middle-school-aged children would be better served
by discussing Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide For The
Solitary Practitioner" plus Edain McCoy's "Inside A Witches'
Coven" with their biological parents and/or legal guardians.
I can *not* recommend "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide" to
prospective Wiccan novices because of the errors and omissions
discussed above.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
12) "Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers,
and Other Pagans in America Today" by Margot Adler
4 stars -- A Paganism Survey Text Unsuited For Beginners
Margot Adler's "Drawing Down The Moon: ..." was originally
published in 1979. The Revised and Expanded Edition is
copyright 1986 with an 'Appendix III: Resources' added in 1997.
I believe that Paganism is a dynamic, very rapidly changing
culture. (For example satanism, a religion that some people
include under Paganism, is *not* discussed within Ms. Adler's
text.) Due to its age I consider "Drawing Down the Moon: ..."
a historical description. I believe that prospective Wiccan
novices want current information about modern Wicca and Paganism,
*not* historical descriptions.
"Drawing Down The Moon: ..." is written like a sociological
survey text. I have read this lengthy text completely *twice*,
and I believe it is dry, difficult reading for a prospective
Wiccan novice. Unlike other Wiccan and witchcraft texts,
"Drawing Down The Moon: ..." does *not* include personal
experience descriptions. I believe that prospective Wiccan
novices want descriptions of *modern* Paganism and witchcraft.
I believe that "Inside A Witches' Coven" by Edain McCoy and
"The SABBATS: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways" by Edain
McCoy include better descriptions (including personal
experience descriptions) of modern Paganism and witchcraft.
I can *not* recommend "Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids,
Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today" to
prospective Wiccan novices for the reasons discussed above.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan or a satanist.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
13) "Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches,
Warlocks, & Covens" by Paul Huson
4 stars -- The History and Tools of Dark Magick
I believe Wicca is a magick user's religion celebrating human
fertility and the Earth's fertility -- a beneficient religion.
I believe that witchcraft is goal-oriented use of magick and
magickal tools with *no* ethical and *no* moral constraints --
potentially evil magick use that contradicts the Wiccan Rede
("An Ye harm none, do what Ye will"). I do *not* equate
witchcraft to Wicca.
"Mastering Witchcraft: ..." provides Paul Huson's historical
views of daemons (fallen angels). Mr. Huson attributes magick
to the Nephilim, the children of the 'sons of God' (Genesis 6:4)
who mated with the daughters of man. The Nephilim exist in other
cultures' histories -- e.g., the Norse Giants and the Greek Titans.
According to Mr. Huson the Nephilim perished during the Great
Flood, but their spirits survived due to their angelic nature.
Mr. Huson states that the Nephilim are able to reincarnate and
that ***all magickal knowledge is derived from them***.
Paul Huson's text is interesting, but it concentrates on
domineering left-handed magick including gambling with your soul
(pg. 6), the legal consequences of intimidation (pp. 28 and 174),
poison rings (pg.44), adulterants for food, drink, and cigarettes
(pp. 102 and 189), planetary (torment) spells for indifferent
or neglectful lovers (pp. 107-111), the Dumb Supper [a silent
supper communing with a dead spouse (and I believe punishing
a separated or divorced spouse)] (pp. 111-115), love dissolution
spells (pp. 125 and 189-190), binding the victim's soul or deep
mind (pg. 136), mandrake root and devil's weed (pg. 146), the
basis of vampire and werewolf legends (pg. 152), banishing
(pg. 169), exorcism fumigations (pg. 170), ligature (pp. 179-180),
bondage and sensory deprivation [the witch's bridle/cradle
(pg. 180) and hoodwinks (pg. 220)], and erection of a psychic
booby trap (pg. 185).
I believe that Mr. Huson's text "Mastering Witchcraft: ..." is
unfair and is antithetical to a magick-users' religion
celebrating the Earth's and human fertility. I believe this text
concentrates more on ****dominating/mastering people**** than
upon mastering witchcraft.
I can *not* recommend "Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide
for Witches, Warlocks, & Covens" to prospective Wiccan novices
for the reasons discussed above.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
14) "The Book Of The Law" by Aleister Crowley
3 stars -- An Interesting Presentation of Ethics
Aleister Crowley's "The Book Of The Law" is a seminal work
for some magickal disciplines and is much discussed among Wiccans,
but I do *not* recommend that prospective Wiccan novices study
"The Book Of The Law". I believe that "The Book Of The Law"
is *totally* unsuitable for novices due to its cryptic style.
I also believe that any novice attempting to read "The Book Of
The Law" would quickly give up in frustration.
Crowley's "The Book Of The Law" is cryptic reading until a person
discovers the key, but the nature of the key is controversial and
subject to (mis)interpretation. While scholars interpret the key
as a matter of faith, I believe that most Magickians interpret the
key differently based solely upon the language of 21st Century
popular culture. Also (in a manner analogous to Islamic tenets
concerning the Quran) "The Book Of The Law" warns *against* casual
study of "The Book Of The Law" by the unknowledgeable.
I believe that "The Book Of The Law" is *totally unsuitable* for
prospective Wiccan novices due to its cryptic nature, and due to
the fact that its warning against casual study makes it a topic
of *unknowledgeable speculation*.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
15) "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" by Aleister Crowley
4 stars -- Aleister Crowley Revealed
Aleister Crowley's "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" (MTP) is a
seminal work for some magickal disciplines and is much discussed
among Wiccans, but I do *not* recommend that prospective Wiccan
novices study MTP. I believe that MTP is *totally* unsuitable
for novices due to its cryptic style, and that any novice
attempting to read MTP would quickly give up in frustration.
[After having read many Wiccan texts and more than one year's
participation in Wiccan-related Internet newsgroups, I read MTP
twice taking copious notes before I felt that I understood the
text.]
Crowley's MTP discusses his ritual magick, but MTP is cryptically
written and subject to (mis)interpretation. Furthermore, there
is similarity between some rituals appearing in the "The Satanic
Rituals" by Anton LaVey (founder of 'The Church of Satan') and
rituals discussed within MTP. I believe that Anton LaVey was
*very* familiar with MTP.
I believe that "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" is *totally
unsuitable* for prospective Wiccan novices due to its cryptic
nature and its apparent similarity to satanic rituals. MTP is
valuable reading for scholars with sufficient knowledge to
differentiate between magick and satanism.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
=====================================
Some question the appropriateness of my providing *any* comments
concerning Wicca, witchcraft, Paganism or satanism. I believe that
detachment is valuable -- *not* having vested interests can bring
objectivity. In addition, I offer information -- ***my information
can be ignored with little effort***. I do *not* tell people how
to worship or practice magick in their circles or in their own homes.
And a list of Wicca-related texts based upon my study of Wiccan-,
Craft-, Pagan- and satanic-related texts and participation in Wiccan-
related Internet newsgroups threatens no one.
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited or remunerated by Amazon.com, any author, or
their agent(s).
Some people do not agree with my opinions.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan or a satanist.
I am a single man who lives alone in his private home.
My home is my sanctuary.
*****Come as a friend or don't come at all.*****
No players in I owns.
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Last book review: "Tantra: The Art of Conscious Loving"
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat -- last
updated on June 3, 2003. Part Two of this message follows in a
subsequent message. Each issue's new and significantly changed
paragraphs begin with a <*> marker.
<*> [RB comment: I have provided a discussion of Wicca-related
definitions in earlier messages entitled "Definitions for
Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two of Two Parts)".]
June 21 (midnight June 22 Stonehenge time), the Northern
Hemisphere's Summer Solstice, is the sabbat Midsummer. This
sabbat was called Vestalia in ancient Rome and Alban Heflin
in the Anglo-Saxon tradition. Summer Solstice marks the longest
day(light) of the year, the height of the Sun's (symbolizing
the Wiccan God's) power.
The Midsummer sabbat celebrates fertility. The Wiccan Goddess
is heavy with pregnancy, new farm animals soon will be born,
and the Earth is green with crops and vegetation -- yet
fertility rites continue both to ensure an abundant harvest
and also to ensure the continued prosperity of Pagan
families. The Midsummer sabbat also celebrates the Sun which
warms the fertile Earth, and the strength of the Horned God
and father. Midsummer balefires symbolize the strength of the
Sun and the Pagan father, and (a-hem) fertility celebrations
often accompany the lighting of the balefire.
Some Wiccan Traditions alternate their God personna. The
Holly King rules as Horned God from the Summer Solstice (Midsummer,
June 22nd) through the Winter Solstice (Yule, December 22nd), and
the Oak King rules as Horned God from the Winter Solstice (Yule,
December 22nd) through the Summer Solstice (Midsummer, June 22nd).
These Traditions might stage a Midsummer ritual battle symbolizing
the Holly King vanquishing the Oak King -- in a Yule ritual battle
the Oak King will vanquish the Holly King. This 'changing of
the Kings' marks the annual cycle of the sun.
In Greek mythos the goddess Persephone (Proserpine) was
abducted by Pluto (the God of the Underworld). Persephone's mother
Ceres (the Goddess of fertility and abundance) mourned and the
Earth grew barren. The Earth survived only through the intervention
of the other Gods. The other Gods forced a compromise where
Persephone alternately spent six months aboveground (Summer) with
her mother Ceres, and six months belowground in Hades (Winter) as
Pluto's queen and consort. The earth (and Persephone) was fertile
and warm during the six summer months Persephone spent with Ceres.
The earth (and Persephone) was barren and cold during the six winter
months Ceres mourned Persephone's time as Pluto's consort.
In the Twenty First Century with its high divorce rates
other analogies can be drawn. Children of divorced parents often
live with each of their biological parents during a portion of
the year. Midsummer (end of the school year) and Yule (semester
break) are times when childrens' transition between parents
might occur. And the 'changing of the Kings' can symbolize
separation and divorce -- a new and loving partner vanquishing
an indifferent, abusive, or (morally-)bankrupt partner.
<*> Many tribes view Midsummer as a time for family closeness.
Scandinavians celebrate Thing-Tide just after the time of Midsummer
-- Thing-Tide is a gathering of families to conduct business
before celebration and feasting. St. John's Day is celebrated
in Ireland just before the time of the Midsummer Sabbat -- some
Irish believe that faeries cart off prized livestock and
unsuspecting human revelers (particularly young maidens) on
St. John's Day. German folklore contains numerous stories of
unwise persons who wandered into the woods during Midsummer
never to return -- consider 'Hansel and Gretel', where the
witch attempts to bake Hansel and keep Gretel as a servant.
The association of Midsummer with family closeness (and the
stories of family members disappearing during Midsummer) might be
related related to the myth of Persephone's abduction by Pluto.
The Holly King / Oak King Tradition might be related to the myth
of Persephone serving two rulers -- Pluto the god of Hades and
Persephone's mother Ceres, the goddess of fertility and abundance.
Midsummer sabbat is the traditional time to gather magickal
and medicinal plants to dry and store for winter use. (This
practice explains why Midsummer sabbat is called Gathering
Day in Wales.) The Celtic Druids gathered their sacred
mistletoe (the golden bough) on Midsummer sabbat. The North
American Miami Indians gathered buckeyes (horse chestnuts)
to fashion into protective amulets and jewelry. Lavender can
be gathered for use as an aphrodisiac incense. Pine cones
can be fashioned into powerful amulets for protection,
fertility and virility.
With this Sabbat approaching many Wiccans are discussing
Wicca more openly, and many of their friends are hearing about
Wicca for the first time. These friends might ask "How can I
learn about Wicca?"
<*> Texts and films are one source of quality information, and
texts and films do not contain oathbound secrets. If One wants
to provide a list of Wiccan references to friends I recommend
the following references (and recommend that they be read/viewed
in the order given):
<*> Individuals have responded to earlier versions of this
message by claiming that *I* am guilty of poor or weak scholarship
because I have *not* recommended that prospective Wiccan novices
study ancient obscure Wiccan texts. By design my reference
list is oriented towards *novices* -- individuals with little
prior knowledge (and no commitment) to Wicca, the craft, Paganism,
or satanism. I believe that prospective Wiccan novices are *not*
interested in (and do *not* value) obscure detail. My list is
*not* oriented towards Pagan scholars and does *not* claim to be
oriented towards Pagan scholars. When I feel that an obscure
reference is suitable (or *not* suitable) for prospective
Wiccan novices I identify the reference and I justify my beliefs.
But my primary emphasis is identifying ***well- and clearly-written
references relevant to current Wiccan practices***. Ms. McCoy's
texts are well- and clearly-written, and her texts address current
topics relevant and attractive to prospective Wiccan novices.
Ms. McCoy's texts reflect a wholesome Pagan ethic that helps
distinguish Wicca and other forms of Paganism from witchcraft
and satanism. (And Ms. McCoy apparently lives within the oaken
forests of southern Indiana, an area I know personally.) I highly
recommend Ms. McCoy's wholesome texts to prospective Wiccan novices.
<*> 4) "Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages"
by director Benjamin Christensen
5 stars -- A valuable seventy year old reference
<*> "Haxan: ..." is a 1929 silent film that was updated in 1967
with an avant garde jazz score and narration by William Burroughs
(author of "The Naked Lunch"). "Haxan: ..." clearly is prejudicial
against witches, yet I consider "Haxan: ..." a valuable reference
for two reasons. First, "Haxan: ..." graphically documents public
perception of witchcraft and demonic possession in the year 1929.
In addition, "Haxan: ..." graphically documents that public perception
of witchcraft and demonic possession has *not* changed much since the
year 1929.
<*> "Haxan: ..." discusses persecution of witches during 'The Burning
Times' (also discussed in "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Wicca and
Witchcraft" listed later in this message). "Haxan: ..." (and "The
Complete Idiot's Guide ...") does not discuss the possibility that
The Burning Times were initiated when livestock and peasants ate
wet ergot-infested grain, developed epileptic-like seizures, and
overzealous inquisitors interpreted the seizures as evidence of
demonic possession. "Haxan: ..." portrays witches simultaneously
as drawn to sensual demonic rituals, and as cold and sexually
dysfunctional women seeking the financial security that accompanies
marriage.
<*> My interpretation of "Haxan: ..." is that marriage to an abusive
husband can seem like demonic possession (particularly if poor
finances or societal custom preclude the escape that divorce offers),
and that marriage to an abusive or indifferent husband can create
a sexually dysfunctional woman. I also admit the possibility that
in a paternalistic society (such as colonial America) where divorce
was not permitted, accusing a wife or woman lover of witchcraft was
one method to terminate an unhappy relationship. Current United
States society is more gender-neutral -- as a result either partner
can falsely charge the other when an unhappy relationship exists.
<*> IMO many people (including Wiccans, witches, satanists and other
Pagans) have difficulty distinguishing Wicca (a religion) from
witchcraft (goal-oriented magick use). Ethics, morality and
religion appear nowhere with Haxan's witches. IMO ethics and morality
*must* be included with Wiccan tenets if Wicca is to be
distinguishable from generic witchcraft and satanism.
5) "The Practice of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to
Beliefs and Rituals" by Robin Skelton
5 stars -- A detailed overview of Wiccan practices for the
advanced novice
6) "The Tree: The Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft"
by Raymond Buckland
5 stars -- The Saxon Wiccan's Free Will Book of Spells
<*> 7) "Tattoo" starring Bruce Dern and Maude Adams
4 stars -- A flawed Creation story
<*> "Tattoo" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft, but some
Wiccan initiation rituals require that the initiate accept the
Coven's sigil tattoo before initiation. "Tattoo" is the story
of an obsessed tattoo artist who drugs and kidnaps a woman.
The woman awakens to find she has become the tattoo artist's
canvas and that the tattoo artist is consecrating her body with
tattoos -- the obsessed artist is creating his Goddess.
<*> Being tattooed is a permanent and painful commitment.
"Tattoo" portrays creation of large exquisite pastel tattoos.
"Tattoo" does portray physical pain during tattooing, but
opaque body paint was used to simulate the pastel tattoos.
Most tattoos utilize dark colors that are easy to repair in
case of abrasion, flaking due to winter dryness, or sunburn
peeling -- pastel inks are difficult to patch successfully.
Tattooed skin requires care to maintain tattoo beauty. To
maintain her exquisite pastel tattoos' beauty, the woman
portrayed in "Tattoo" would be forced to become a hothouse
plant.
<*> I recommend that any person interested in getting tattooed
read the two Frequently Asked Questions documents (FAQs)
provided periodically on the rec.arts.bodyart Internet newsgroup.
Reading these FAQs will answer many questions, and will help
interested persons ask informed questions when evaluating
tattoo artists and their facilities. I further recommend that
anyone being tattooed follow their tattoo artist's skin care
instructions.
<*> I have no tattoos.
<*> 8) "Skin Art" by director W. Blake Herron
3 stars -- Branded for slavery
<*> "Skin Art" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft. "Skin Art"
is the story of Southeast Asian women who are purchased and
imported to work in a local Oriental bordello. Prior to working
in the bordello each woman's entire back and shoulders are covered
with an ornate tattoo. The bordello's customers find the tattoos
stimulating, while the painful tattooing process is part of the
bordello's submissiveness training.
<*> I include "Skin Art" in this list because of a personal
experience. I once attended a college repertory event at the
school year start. The audience included a young woman whose
head was shaved and whose scalp held a partially-completed
dragon tattoo in black outline. A woman might want to tattoo
a body part that is normally covered by clothing, but why hide
a tattoo where a future spouse was unlikely to discover it?
I know only one justification: the young woman was an extortion
victim and the hidden tattoo was verification to be used in
extortion claims against the woman's future husband.
<*> Branding by tattooing [less frequently by thermal branding]
sometimes occurs in the United States, but more often women are
bound by indebtness (e.g., car payments) and several hungry
children in a poor domestic economy.
<*> I have no tattoos.
*****End of Part One*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited or remunerated by Amazon.com, any author, or
their agent(s).
I am _not_ qualified to provide legal or medical opinions.
The comments contained herein are my opinions.
Some people do not agree with my opinions.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan or a satanist.
I am a single man who lives alone in his private home.
My home is my sanctuary.
*****Come as a friend or don't come at all.*****
No players in I owns.
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Last book review: "Cults In Our Midst: ..."
by Margaret Thaler Singer
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat -- last
an earlier message. Each issue's new and significantly changed
paragraphs begin with a <*> marker.
<*> [RB comment: I have provided a discussion of Wicca-related
definitions in earlier messages entitled "Definitions for
Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two of Two Parts)".]
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
9) "Wicca for Men: A Handbook for Male Pagans Seeking A
Spiritual Path" by A. J. Drew
4 stars -- A Readable Text with a Misleading Title
Most Wiccan Traditions emphasize the Wiccan Goddess and
women's issues over the Wiccan God and men's issues. Author
A. J. Drew offers a Wiccan Tradition with better female/male
balance: the Tradition honors the Goddess and God equally,
and its rituals provide meaningful roles for women and men both.
Nevertheless, I believe this readable and informative text does
*not* live up to its title because Mr. Drew does *not* discuss
witchcraft and Wicca from a strictly male-oriented viewpoint.
"Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" by Scott
Cunningham emphasizes ethics over dogma and suggests how
solitary worshippers can modify Wicca to fit their beliefs. I
believe that Mr. Cunningham's text is better suited for those
seeking a strictly male-oriented viewpoint of Wicca.
<*> While the statement makes me uncomfortable, I must praise
A. J. Drew's candor. On page 154 Mr. Drew discusses self-
initiation into Creation's Covenant's Wiccan Tradition, and
states "This is not a decision you should take lightly. If
you were raised in a traditional Western religion, you are
about to throw away the religion of your parents and their
parents."
I am *not* a member of 'Creation's Covenant'.
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
10) "The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion
=====================================
=====================================
11) "Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner"
I specifically do *not* recommend:
12) "To Ride A Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft"
by Silver RavenWolf
4 stars -- New Generation Witchcraft is *not* Wicca
I believe Ms. Thayer (Silver RavenWolf) utilizes Wiccan concepts
plus New Age concepts to define New Generation Witchcraft. The
result is not Wicca: A) Ms. Thayer provides (pp.14-15) a
definition of Wicca unlike any Wiccan definition that I have seen
elsewhere; B) I believe that Wicca, with its worship of both The
Wiccan Goddess and The Wiccan God, should be a gender-neutral
religion. Ms. Thayer's statements (pg 274) indicate that New
Generation Witchcraft is not gender-neutral; C) Most Wiccan
traditions follow The Rede. New Generation Witchcraft explicitly
ignores ethics (Chapter 21), and I believe that several of
Ms. Thayer's writings are contrary to The Rede.
My belief is that New Generation Witchcraft is attractively-
packaged New Age occultism, but it is not Wicca. New Generation
Witchcraft appears to be designed for a parent having difficulty:
the parent can form a family Coven, an exclusive Coven that
avoids outsiders to the detriment of the children's (and the
parents') social development.
I can *not* recommend New Generation Witchcraft to prospective
Wiccan novices or their families.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
13) "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft"
by Denise Zimmermann and Katherine A. Gleason
3 stars -- A nice Craft text with serious omissions
"The Guide ..." is very professionally produced. I believe its
primary audience is women in transition (e.g., discharged career
women, divorcees, empty-nesters and widows) who seek new motivation.
"The Guide ..." discusses a range of New Age topics and provides
a nice discussion about the Wiccan religion and witchcraft, but it
omits discussion of domineering, left-handed witchcraft. [E.g.,
some spells are punitive, some witches practice necromancy, and
some Coven initiations include (a-hem) secret rituals and (a-hem)
binding commitments.] I believe that "Wicca: A Guide For The
Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham plus "Inside A Witches'
Coven" by Edain McCoy provide a better and clearer introduction
for prospective Wiccan novices.
"The Guide ..." reads like professionally-prepared marketing
literature, but I can *not* recommend "The Guide ..." to
prospective Wiccan novices because of the omissions discussed
above.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
14) "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide" by Amber K
3 stars -- A Weak Introduction To Witchcraft
I believe this text is written in a style and level of detail
suited for middle-school-aged children. It is a broad shallow
overview of witchcraft. It contains serious errors (it equates
witchcraft and Wicca) and omits to differentiate between solitary
Wiccan worship and Wiccan Coven membership. It does not discuss
Coven social structure or binding initiation rituals -- serious
omissions in an introductory text.
I believe that middle-school-aged children would be better served
by discussing Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide For The
Solitary Practitioner" plus Edain McCoy's "Inside A Witches'
Coven" with their biological parents and/or legal guardians.
I can *not* recommend "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide" to
prospective Wiccan novices because of the errors and omissions
discussed above.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
15) "Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers,
I specifically do *not* recommend:
16) "Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches,
Warlocks, & Covens" by Paul Huson
4 stars -- The History and Tools of Dark Magick
I believe Wicca is a magick user's religion celebrating human
fertility and the Earth's fertility -- a beneficient religion.
I believe that witchcraft is goal-oriented use of magick and
magickal tools with *no* ethical and *no* moral constraints --
potentially evil magick use that contradicts the Wiccan Rede
("An Ye harm none, do what Ye will"). I do *not* equate
witchcraft to Wicca.
"Mastering Witchcraft: ..." provides Paul Huson's historical
views of daemons (fallen angels). Mr. Huson attributes magick
to the Nephilim, the children of the 'sons of God' (Genesis 6:4)
who mated with the daughters of man. The Nephilim exist in other
cultures' histories -- e.g., the Norse Giants and the Greek Titans.
According to Mr. Huson the Nephilim perished during the Great
Flood, but their spirits survived due to their angelic nature.
Mr. Huson states that the Nephilim are able to reincarnate and
that ***all magickal knowledge is derived from them***.
<*> Paul Huson's text makes me uncomfortable, but I must praise
Mr. Huson's candor. On page 6 Mr. Huson states "Whether you
believe the Christian bugaboos and fear to lose your soul in
return for the powers or, like us, gamble well spent, is up
to you." Mr. Huson goes on to discuss the legal consequences
of intimidation (pp. 28 and 174), poison rings (pg.44),
adulterants for food, drink, and cigarettes (pp. 102 and 189),
planetary (torment) spells for indifferent or neglectful lovers
(pp. 107-111), the Dumb Supper [a silent supper communing with
a dead spouse (and I believe punishing a separated or divorced
spouse)] (pp. 111-115), love dissolution spells (pp. 125 and
189-190), binding the victim's soul or deep mind (pg. 136),
mandrake root and devil's weed (pg. 146), the basis of vampire
and werewolf legends (pg. 152), banishing (pg. 169), exorcism
fumigations (pg. 170), ligature (pp. 179-180), bondage and
sensory deprivation [the witch's bridle/cradle (pg. 180) and
hoodwinks (pg. 220)], and erection of a psychic booby trap
(pg. 185).
I believe that Mr. Huson's text "Mastering Witchcraft: ..." is
unfair and is antithetical to a magick-users' religion
celebrating the Earth's and human fertility. I believe this text
concentrates more on ****dominating/mastering people**** than
upon mastering witchcraft.
I can *not* recommend "Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide
for Witches, Warlocks, & Covens" to prospective Wiccan novices
for the reasons discussed above.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
17) "The Book Of The Law" by Aleister Crowley
3 stars -- An Interesting Presentation of Ethics
Aleister Crowley's "The Book Of The Law" is a seminal work
for some magickal disciplines and is much discussed among Wiccans,
but I do *not* recommend that prospective Wiccan novices study
"The Book Of The Law". I believe that "The Book Of The Law"
is *totally* unsuitable for novices due to its cryptic style.
I also believe that any novice attempting to read "The Book Of
The Law" would quickly give up in frustration.
Crowley's "The Book Of The Law" is cryptic reading until a person
discovers the key, but the nature of the key is controversial and
subject to (mis)interpretation. While scholars interpret the key
as a matter of faith, I believe that most Magickians interpret the
key differently based solely upon the language of 21st Century
popular culture. Also (in a manner analogous to Islamic tenets
concerning the Quran) "The Book Of The Law" warns *against* casual
study of "The Book Of The Law" by the unknowledgeable.
I believe that "The Book Of The Law" is *totally unsuitable* for
prospective Wiccan novices due to its cryptic nature, and due to
the fact that its warning against casual study makes it a topic
of *unknowledgeable speculation*.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
18) "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" by Aleister Crowley
=====================================
*****End of Part Two*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited or remunerated by Amazon.com, any author, or
their agent(s).
I am _not_ qualified to provide legal or medical opinions.
The comments contained herein are my opinions.
Some people do not agree with my opinions.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan or a satanist.
I am a single man who lives alone in his private home.
My home is my sanctuary.
*****Come as a friend or don't come at all.*****
No players in I owns.
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Richard Ballard
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
><*> Many tribes view Midsummer as a time for family closeness.
>Scandinavians celebrate Thing-Tide just after the time of Midsummer
> -- Thing-Tide is a gathering of families to conduct business
>before celebration and feasting. St. John's Day is celebrated
>in Ireland just before the time of the Midsummer Sabbat -- some
>Irish believe that faeries cart off prized livestock and
>unsuspecting human revelers (particularly young maidens) on
>St. John's Day. German folklore contains numerous stories of
>unwise persons who wandered into the woods during Midsummer
>never to return -- consider 'Hansel and Gretel', where the
>witch attempts to bake Hansel and keep Gretel as a servant.
It probably is more accurate to state that Hansel was
to be roasted.
<snip>
><*> 8) "Skin Art" by director W. Blake Herron
> 3 stars -- Branded for slavery
>
><*> "Skin Art" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft. "Skin Art"
>is the story of Southeast Asian women who are purchased and
>imported to work in a local Oriental bordello. Prior to working
>in the bordello each woman's entire back and shoulders are covered
>with an ornate tattoo. The bordello's customers find the tattoos
>stimulating, while the painful tattooing process is part of the
>bordello's submissiveness training.
>
><*> I include "Skin Art" in this list because of a personal
>experience. I once attended a college repertory event at the
>school year start. The audience included a young woman whose
>head was shaved and whose scalp held a partially-completed
>dragon tattoo in black outline. A woman might want to tattoo
>a body part that is normally covered by clothing, but why hide
>a tattoo where a future spouse was unlikely to discover it?
>I know only one justification: the young woman was an extortion
>victim and the hidden tattoo was verification to be used in
>extortion claims against the woman's future husband.
Consider the following excerpt from Psalm 23
(King David's Psalm):
"... Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever."
I am not a Biblical scholar, but I associate with Psalm 23
a Biblical injunction: "I shall not lie down with my enemies."
("I will not submit.")
I am forced to assume that the abovementioned woman
with the scalp tattoo hoped to hide her tattoo from her
future husband. I also am forced to assume that some
person held either photographic or video records of the
woman with her scalp tattoo engaged in activities that
compromised her possibility for a good faith relationship
with her future husband. I hope that the woman found
candor in her heart.
><*> Branding by tattooing [less frequently by thermal branding]
>sometimes occurs in the United States, but more often women are
>bound by indebtness (e.g., car payments) and several hungry
>children in a poor domestic economy.
>
><*> I have no tattoos.
<snip>
Richard Ballard
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
><*> Copyright 2003 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
>Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat -- last
>updated on June 3, 2003. Part One of this message appeared in
>an earlier message. Each issue's new and significantly changed
>paragraphs begin with a <*> marker.
>
><*> [RB comment: I have provided a discussion of Wicca-related
>definitions in earlier messages entitled "Definitions for
>Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two of Two Parts)".]
<snip>
<snip>
I specifically do not recommend:
19) "The Satanic Witch" by Anton Szandor LaVey
5 stars -- satanic witches prefer cleverness to magick
Anton LaVey is the founder of 'The Church of Satan'. In
"The Satanic Witch" Mr. LaVey discusses his lessons for satanic
witches. Mr. LaVey's witches are temptresses who have made pacts
with the devil and use clever sexual ploys to "cloud men's minds
and make simpering idiots out of them." Mr. LaVey dismisses a
Wiccan as somebody who "either is kidding herself or has much
to learn."
IMO the Wiccan religion must include morality and ethics (so-called
'good faith') to distinguish Wiccan worship from generic witchcraft.
Mr. LaVey teaches his satanic witches to use bad faith ploys to
exploit men. Clever bad faith ploys might make a golden first
impression, but the gilt quickly wears thin -- satanic witches
do *not* have lasting relationships. And once the gilt fades,
the satanic witch moves to the next partner, and the next, and
the next. This constant whirling might create a constant revenue
stream for the satanic witch and her Coven, but it whirls her life
constantly. And in a downsizing United States domestic economy,
the opportunities for new partners will become fewer and meaner.
Where will the satanic witch find herself (and her children) when
the merry-go-round runs out of brass rings?
IMO honor and good faith are powerful magick that must be included
within Wiccan worship. In "The Satanic Witch" Mr. LaVey teaches
his satanic witches the use of bad faith ploys to exploit men
partners. In teaching these bad faith ploys I believe that
Mr. LaVey is exploiting his own satanic witches. And in the
long run Mr. LaVey's satanic witches help nobody, including
themselves and their children. I can *not* recommend Mr. LaVey's
"The Satanic Witch" for these reasons.
Osric
THE Cast Iron Bitch
"Osric" <os...@fyrnsede.org> wrote in message
news:RKRDa.1025$pT6.1...@news.uswest.net...
Heh. It might piss off some people to scroll aaaaaaalll the way down here
just to read "You again?" But it struck me as funny! ;D
--
"Don't worry, dear, us Witches will always be alright... Remember, we happen
to other people."
~Nanny Ogg~
>
Richard Ballard
Part Two is contained in a subsequent message titled "A Reference
List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Two of Two Parts)".
Helpful definitions were included in earlier messages entitled
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two of
Two Parts)". Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs
begin with a <*> marker.
<*> August first Midnight Stonehenge time (July 31st 7:00 PM CDT
in my locale) is the sabbat Lammas [an Anglo-Saxon word meaning
loaf-mass (bread) and the most commonly-used name for this sabbat].
In old Irish a variant Lunasa means 'August'. Lammas also is known
as Lughnasadh (Loo-nahs-ah), First Harvest, and the Sabbat of the
First Fruits. Lammas honors the Sun God Lugh (Loo) and his queen
Dana, but Lammas principally is a grain festival. In ancient
Phoenicia this festival honored the grain god Dagon, and a
significant portion of the harvest was sacrificed to him.
Similarly, Native Americans celebrate early August as a grain
festival and call it the Festival of the Maize. Corn, wheat,
barley, and other Northern Hemisphere grains are ready for
harvesting by early August. Lammas is the first of the three
harvest sabbats and a celebration of the Earth's fertility. Corn,
wheat, potatoes and other crops harvested around Lammas are
considered fertility plants and can be employed within Lammas
rituals.
<*> In Romania's Transylvanian Alps (high in the Carpathian Mountains
and the legendary home of Dracula) a fertility ritual involving
animal sacrifice is practiced the first Sunday of August. A live
sow is slain ritually on the high slopes of Mt. Chefleau in thanks
for the abundant harvest, the sow's blood is allowed to flow into
the earth, then the peasants touch their hands to the wet ground
and mark the sign of the cross (for protection and self-blessing)
in wet blood on their foreheads. Some groups mimic this
Transylvanian custom, honoring the pig as an efficient converter
of grain into lean meat during abundant times. Many groups use
red wine to symbolize blood during their rituals. Other groups
might mimic this Transylvanian custom exactly (i.e., blood from
animal ritual sacrifice) or even utilize human blood (e.g., from
a deliberate cut). Recalling that the Lammas sabbat *does*
celebrate fertility, some groups might employ human menstrual blood
during their Lammas ritual. And it is conceivable that some groups
might employ human virginal blood within their Lammas ritual (i.e.,
a female virgin has her first sex as a part of the group's Lammas
ritual).
With this sabbat approaching, many Wiccans are discussing
Wicca more openly, and many of their friends are hearing about
Wicca for the first time. These friends might ask "How can I
learn about Wicca?"
Texts and films are one source of quality information, and
Individuals have responded to earlier versions of this
message by claiming that *I* am guilty of poor or weak scholarship
because I have *not* recommended that prospective Wiccan novices
study ancient obscure Wiccan texts. By design my reference
list is oriented towards *novices* -- individuals with little
prior knowledge (and no commitment) to Wicca, the craft, Paganism,
or satanism. I believe that prospective Wiccan novices are *not*
interested in (and do *not* value) obscure detail. My list is
*not* oriented towards Pagan scholars and does *not* claim to be
oriented towards Pagan scholars. When I feel that an obscure
reference is suitable (or *not* suitable) for prospective
Wiccan novices I identify the reference and I justify my beliefs.
But my primary emphasis is identifying ***well- and clearly-written
references relevant to current Wiccan practices***. Ms. McCoy's
texts are well- and clearly-written, and her texts address current
topics relevant and attractive to prospective Wiccan novices.
Ms. McCoy's texts reflect a wholesome Pagan ethic that helps
distinguish Wicca and other forms of Paganism from witchcraft
and satanism. (And Ms. McCoy apparently lives within the oaken
forests of southern Indiana, an area I know personally.) I highly
recommend Ms. McCoy's wholesome texts to prospective Wiccan novices.
4) "Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages"
by director Benjamin Christensen
5 stars -- A valuable seventy year old reference
"Haxan: ..." is a 1929 silent film that was updated in 1967
with an avant garde jazz score and narration by William Burroughs
(author of "The Naked Lunch"). "Haxan: ..." clearly is prejudicial
against witches, yet I consider "Haxan: ..." a valuable reference
for two reasons. First, "Haxan: ..." graphically documents public
perception of witchcraft and demonic possession in the year 1929.
In addition, "Haxan: ..." graphically documents that public perception
of witchcraft and demonic possession has *not* changed much since the
year 1929.
"Haxan: ..." discusses persecution of witches during 'The Burning
Times' (also discussed in "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Wicca and
Witchcraft" listed later in this message). "Haxan: ..." (and "The
Complete Idiot's Guide ...") does not discuss the possibility that
The Burning Times were initiated when livestock and peasants ate
wet ergot-infested grain, developed epileptic-like seizures, and
overzealous inquisitors interpreted the seizures as evidence of
demonic possession. "Haxan: ..." portrays witches simultaneously
as drawn to sensual demonic rituals, and as cold and sexually
dysfunctional women seeking the financial security that accompanies
marriage.
My interpretation of "Haxan: ..." is that marriage to an abusive
husband can seem like demonic possession (particularly if poor
finances or societal custom preclude the escape that divorce offers),
and that marriage to an abusive or indifferent husband can create
a sexually dysfunctional woman. I also admit the possibility that
in a paternalistic society (such as colonial America) where divorce
was not permitted, accusing a wife or woman lover of witchcraft was
one method to terminate an unhappy relationship. Current United
States society is more gender-neutral -- either partner can falsely
charge the other when an unhappy relationship exists.
IMO many people (including Wiccans, witches, satanists and other
Pagans) have difficulty distinguishing Wicca (a religion) from
witchcraft (goal-oriented magick use). Ethics, morality and
religion appear nowhere with Haxan's witches. IMO ethics and morality
*must* be included within Wiccan tenets if Wicca is to be
distinguishable from generic witchcraft and satanism.
5) "The Practice of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to
Beliefs and Rituals" by Robin Skelton
5 stars -- A detailed overview of Wiccan practices for the
advanced novice
6) "The Tree: The Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft"
by Raymond Buckland
5 stars -- The Saxon Wiccan's Free Will Book of Spells
I recommend the following film *despite reservations*:
7) "Tattoo" starring Bruce Dern and Maude Adams
4 stars -- A flawed Creation story
"Tattoo" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft, but some
Wiccan initiation rituals require that the initiate accept the
Coven's sigil tattoo before initiation. "Tattoo" is the story
of an obsessed tattoo artist who drugs and kidnaps a woman.
The woman awakens to find she has become the tattoo artist's
canvas and that the tattoo artist is consecrating her body with
tattoos -- the obsessed artist is creating his Goddess.
Being tattooed is a permanent and painful commitment.
"Tattoo" portrays creation of large exquisite pastel tattoos.
"Tattoo" does portray physical pain during tattooing, but
opaque body paint was used to simulate the pastel tattoos.
Most tattoos utilize dark colors that are easy to repair in
case of abrasion, flaking due to winter dryness, or sunburn
peeling -- pastel inks are difficult to patch successfully.
Tattooed skin requires care to maintain tattoo beauty. To
maintain her exquisite pastel tattoos' beauty, the woman
portrayed in "Tattoo" would be forced to become a hothouse
plant.
I recommend that any person interested in getting tattooed
read the two Frequently Asked Questions documents (FAQs)
provided periodically on the rec.arts.bodyart Internet newsgroup.
Reading these FAQs will answer many questions, and will help
interested persons ask informed questions when evaluating
tattoo artists and their facilities. I further recommend that
anyone being tattooed follow their tattoo artist's skin care
instructions.
I have no tattoos.
I recommend the following film *despite reservations*:
8) "Skin Art" by director W. Blake Herron
3 stars -- Branded for slavery
"Skin Art" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft. "Skin Art"
is the story of Southeast Asian women who are purchased and
imported to work in a local Oriental bordello. Prior to working
in the bordello each woman's entire back and shoulders are covered
with an ornate tattoo. The bordello's customers find the tattoos
stimulating, while the painful tattooing process is part of the
bordello's submissiveness training.
I include "Skin Art" in this list because of a personal
experience. I once attended a college repertory event at the
school year start. The audience included a young woman whose
head was shaved and whose scalp held a partially-completed
dragon tattoo in black outline. A woman might want to tattoo
a body part that is normally covered by clothing, but why hide
a tattoo where a future spouse was unlikely to discover it?
I know only one justification: the young woman was an extortion
victim and the hidden tattoo was verification to be used in
extortion claims against the woman's future husband.
Consider the following excerpt from Psalm 23
(King David's Psalm):
"... Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever."
I am not a Biblical scholar, but I associate with Psalm 23
a Biblical injunction: "I shall not lie down with my enemies."
("I will not submit.")
I am forced to assume that the abovementioned woman
with the scalp tattoo hoped to hide her tattoo from her
future husband. I also am forced to assume that some
person held either photographic or video records of the
woman with her scalp tattoo engaged in activities that
compromised her possibility for a good faith relationship
with her future husband. I hope that the woman found
candor in her heart.
Branding by tattooing [less frequently by thermal branding]
sometimes occurs in the United States, but more often women are
bound by indebtness (e.g., car payments) and several hungry
children in a poor domestic economy.
I have no tattoos.
*****End of Part One*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited or remunerated by Amazon.com, any author, or
their agent(s).
I am _not_ qualified to provide legal or medical opinions.
I got no problems
20:51:00
20:52:00
'Life in the trailer park'
is a *long* sentence
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Last book review: "Combatting Cult Mind Control"
by Steven Hassan
Richard Ballard
Part One is contained in an earlier message titled "A Reference
List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One of Two Parts)".
Helpful definitions were included in earlier messages entitled
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two of
Two Parts)". Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs
begin with a <*> marker.
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
9) "Wicca for Men: A Handbook for Male Pagans Seeking A
Spiritual Path" by A. J. Drew
4 stars -- A Readable Text with a Misleading Title
Most Wiccan Traditions emphasize the Wiccan Goddess and
women's issues over the Wiccan God and men's issues. Author
A. J. Drew offers a Wiccan Tradition with better female/male
balance: the Tradition honors the Goddess and God equally,
and its rituals provide meaningful roles for women and men both.
Nevertheless, I believe this readable and informative text does
*not* live up to its title because Mr. Drew does *not* discuss
witchcraft and Wicca from a strictly male-oriented viewpoint.
"Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" by Scott
Cunningham emphasizes ethics over dogma and suggests how
solitary worshippers can modify Wicca to fit their beliefs. I
believe that Mr. Cunningham's text is better suited for those
seeking a strictly male-oriented viewpoint of Wicca.
While the statement makes me uncomfortable, I must praise
=====================================
=====================================
Paul Huson's text makes me uncomfortable, but I must praise
Mr. Huson's candor. On page 6 Mr. Huson states "Whether you
believe the Christian bugaboos and fear to lose your soul in
return for the powers or, like us, consider the gamble well
I specifically do *not* recommend:
19) "The Satanic Witch" by Anton Szandor LaVey
5 stars -- satanic witches prefer cleverness to magick
Anton LaVey is the founder of 'The Church of Satan'. In
"The Satanic Witch" Mr. LaVey discusses his lessons for satanic
witches. Mr. LaVey's witches are temptresses who have made pacts
with the devil and use clever sexual ploys to "cloud men's minds
and make simpering idiots out of them." Mr. LaVey dismisses a
Wiccan as somebody who "either is kidding herself or has much
to learn."
Mr. LaVey teaches his satanic witches to use bad faith ploys to
exploit men. Clever bad faith ploys might make a golden first
impression, but the gilt quickly wears thin -- satanic witches
do *not* have lasting relationships. And once the gilt fades,
the satanic witch moves to the next partner, and the next, and
the next. This constant whirling might create a constant revenue
stream for the satanic witch and her Coven, but it whirls her life
constantly. And in a downsizing United States domestic economy,
the opportunities for new partners will become fewer and meaner.
Where will the satanic witch find herself (and her children) when
the merry-go-round runs out of brass rings?
IMO honor and good faith are powerful magick that must be included
within Wiccan worship. Mr. LaVey teaches the opposite --
Mr. LaVey teaches the use of bad faith ploys to exploit men
partners. In teaching these bad faith ploys I believe that
Mr. LaVey is exploiting his own satanic witches. And in the
long run Mr. LaVey's satanic witches help nobody, including
themselves and their children. I can *not* recommend Mr. LaVey's
"The Satanic Witch" for these reasons.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
=====================================
Some question the appropriateness of my providing *any* comments
concerning Wicca, witchcraft, Paganism or satanism. I believe that
detachment is valuable -- *not* having vested interests can bring
objectivity. In addition, I offer information -- ***my information
can be ignored with little effort***. I do *not* tell people how
to worship or practice magick in their circles or in their own homes.
And a list of Wicca-related texts based upon my study of Wiccan-,
Craft-, Pagan- and satanic-related texts and participation in Wiccan-
related Internet newsgroups threatens no one.
Ultimately, each reader must judge individually.
*****End of Part Two*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited or remunerated by Amazon.com, any author, or
their agent(s).
I am _not_ qualified to provide legal or medical opinions.
I got no problems
20:51:00
20:52:00
'Life in the trailer park'
is a *long* sentence
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Richard Ballard
document. Rather than waiting until 21 days before the
Mabon sabbat to issue a version containing the revisions, I
am reissueing the Lammas version in its entirety. Additions
and revisions are marked with a <*> marker.
*****Beginning of document*****
Copyright 2003 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Part Two is contained in a subsequent message titled "A Reference
List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Two of Two Parts)".
Helpful definitions were included in earlier messages entitled
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two of
Two Parts)".
August first Midnight Stonehenge time (July 31st 7:00 PM CDT
in my locale) is the sabbat Lammas [an Anglo-Saxon word meaning
loaf-mass (bread) and the most commonly-used name for this sabbat].
In old Irish a variant Lunasa means 'August'. Lammas also is known
as Lughnasadh (Loo-nahs-ah), First Harvest, and the Sabbat of the
First Fruits. Lammas honors the Sun God Lugh (Loo) and his queen
Dana, but Lammas principally is a grain festival. In ancient
Phoenicia this festival honored the grain god Dagon, and a
significant portion of the harvest was sacrificed to him.
Similarly, Native Americans celebrate early August as a grain
festival and call it the Festival of the Maize. Corn, wheat,
barley, and other Northern Hemisphere grains are ready for
harvesting by early August. Lammas is the first of the three
harvest sabbats and a celebration of the Earth's fertility. Corn,
wheat, potatoes and other crops harvested around Lammas are
considered fertility plants and can be employed within Lammas
rituals.
In Romania's Transylvanian Alps (high in the Carpathian Mountains
<*> Interestingly, "Haxan: ..." depicts demonic skin as rough and
patterned. Depending upon your perspective, the depiction either
is lizard-like or resembles the rash that occurs in later stages
of syphilis infection.
I have no tattoos.
I have no tattoos.
*****End of Part One*****
<*> The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
<*> I am *not* an Islamic scholar.
<*> I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
I got no problems
20:05:15 20:05:15
Richard Ballard
document. Rather than waiting until 21 days before the
Mabon sabbat to issue a version containing the revisions, I
am reissueing the Lammas version in its entirety. Additions
and revisions are marked with a <*> marker.
*****Beginning of document*****
Copyright 2003 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
=====================================
=====================================
<*> Scott Cunningham's excellent first text "Wicca: A Guide For
The Solitary Practitioner" defines a Tradition based upon belief
in the Wiccan Goddess and the Wiccan God, concern for the Earth,
social consciousness, and the right not to be dominated by others.
This Tradition is free and flexible, and Mr. Cunningham suggests
how solitary Wiccans can modify this Tradition to better suit
their individual philosophies and needs.
<*> IMO the sequel "Living Wicca" ..." discourages solitary worship
in favor of Coven membership. IMO "Living Wicca: ..." systematically
removes the freedom and flexibility from the Tradition that Scott
Cunningham defined in "Wicca: ..." , leaving *no remaining advantage*
to the original (solitary worshipper oriented) Tradition and
suggesting that somebody who chooses to become a Wiccan would be
better served by joining a Coven. I do *not* support this attitude.
IMO people choosing to become Wiccans are best served by combining
solitary worship with Circle membership. (A Circle is a social group
that meets to discuss Craft-related issues but that does *not* include
the oath-bound information or the binding oaths of obedience included
in Wiccan Coven initiations.) Wiccan solitary worshippers joining
Circles do not sacrifice their personal autonomy through oaths of
obedience to a Coven High Priest/ess, and Circle membership offers
most of the social and discussion advantages of Coven membership.
<*> ***I can not overstress this issue.*** A Coven's High Priest/ess
has the right to squelch 'improper discussion'. As individuals grow
(and as different people assume the High Priest/ess's office),
keeping oathbound obedience to the Coven High Priest/ess's authority
might pose difficult and unanticipated problems. Liberal Coven
members might chafe under a conservative High Priest/ess's authority.
Conservative Coven members might chafe under a liberal
High Priest/ess's authority. Wo/men Coven members might chafe
under a particularly strong and chauvinistic High Priest/ess's
authority. And many Coven oaths include penalties for leaving
Coven membership.
<*> In some Wiccan Traditions, the High Priest/ess designates couples
for each sabbat celebration (possibly including the coupling of
Wiccan parents' children). IMO this social whirl does not reinforce
romantic love or stable (biological) family relationships. Teaching
is teaching, but IMO this sabbat-related social whirl is wasteful.
Partners invest their time and energy in each other, but repeatedly
switching partners at each sabbat destroys earlier investments.
<*> And where is it written that a High Priest/ess's authority is
limited to Coven-specific matters? Where is it written that the
High Priest/ess can not intervene in Coven members' mundane concerns
such as housing and use of spare/guest bedrooms?
<*> In addition, "Living Wicca: ..." was written late in
Scott Cunningham's life, probably during the last stages of his
terminal illness. IMO the writing styles of "Wicca: ..." and
"Living Wicca: ..." are *markedly different*. I must wonder if
ghost-writers (with their own opinions and agendas) co-authored
"Living Wicca: ..." ***without *** strong supervision from
Scott Cunningham.
<*> I can *not* recommend "Living Wicca: ..." because its de facto
Coven-bound orientation runs counter to its title statement, and
because I believe that Wiccan solitary worshippers who participate
in Circles achieve most of the benefits that Covens offer without
sacrificing their personal autonomy through binding oaths of
obedience.
<*> Margot Adler's "Drawing Down The Moon: ..." was originally
published in 1979. The Revised and Expanded Edition is
copyright 1986 with an 'Appendix III: Resources' added in 1997.
I believe that Paganism is a dynamic, very rapidly changing
culture. [For example satanism, a dominance attitude/philosophy
and a religion (documented in 1969) that some people include
under Paganism, is increasingly significant in 21st Century
United States society. Satanism is *not* discussed within
Ms. Adler's text.] Due to its age and omissions I consider
"Drawing Down the Moon: ..." an outdated historical description.
=====================================
<*> Some people question the appropriateness of my providing _any_
comments concerning Wicca, witchcraft, Paganism or satanism. I
believe that detachment is valuable -- _not_ having vested interests
can bring objectivity. In addition, I offer information -- ***my
information can be ignored with little effort***. I do _not_ tell
people how to worship or practice magick in their circles or in
their own homes. And IMO a list of Wicca-related definitions based
upon my studying Wiccan-, Craft-, Pagan- and satanic-related texts
and participating in Wiccan-, craft- and Pagan-related Internet
newsgroups threatens no one.
*****End of Part Two*****
<*> The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
<*> I am *not* an Islamic scholar.
<*> I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
I got no problems
20:05:15 20:05:15
Richard Ballard
document. Rather than waiting until 21 days before the
Mabon sabbat to issue a version containing the revisions, I
additions and revisions are marked with a <*> marker.
*****Beginning of document*****
Copyright 2003 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
<*> Part Two is contained in a subsequent message titled
"A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Two
of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included in earlier
messages entitled "Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three of Three Parts)".
Interestingly, "Haxan: ..." depicts demonic skin as rough and
<*> I have no tattoos, but I know people who have extensive,
difficult-to-patch pastel tattoos. I know the care
these people take to keep their extensive pastel tattoos
looking attractive.
<*> IMO the two rec.arts.bodyart FAQs are well-written
and informative. These FAQs stress the skin care
required to prevent damage to pastel tattoos, and
the FAQs stress health considerations required
during and after tattoo application.
<*> I provide additional information concerning tattoos
and thermal branding of human skin later in this document.
<*> Many tattoos are applied using saturated color (e.g.,
primarily dark black, but also dark red and dark blue)
inks exclusively. The advantage of using saturated
color inks is that should the tattooed area later become
damaged due to abrasion, skin dryness or sunburn,
the tattoo can be patched without 'color match' problems
-- e.g., dark black is dark black, etc.
<*> When tattoos employing pastel colored inks are damaged,
the tattoo artist can encounter 'color match' problems
similar to the paint matching problems that auto body
shops encounter. ***Light-colored pastel inks are difficult
to exactly color match, particularly if the skin damage
changes the underlying skin's characteristics (e.g., as
the result of bad sunburn).***
<*> Individuals receiving tattoos employing pastel-colored
inks must be especially careful that their tattoos do not
become damaged if they want to maintain the beauty of their
pastel-colored tattoos. *I have no tattoos*, but I know
people who have extensive, difficult-to-patch pastel tattoos.
I know the care these people take to keep their extensive
pastel tattoos looking attractive.
<*> IMO the two rec.arts.bodyart FAQs are well-written
and informative. These FAQs stress the skin care
required to prevent damage to pastel tattoos, and
the FAQs stress health considerations required
during and after tattoo application.
<*> In November 1998 I downloaded the "rec.arts.bodyart:
Alternative Bodyart FAQ" from the Ohio State FAQ website.
I do not know if the "rec.arts.bodyart: Alternative Bodyart
FAQ" still is available on the Internet. This FAQ discusses
thermal branding of human skin. ***The "rec.arts.bodyart:
Alternative Bodyart FAQ" is a very uncomfortable document.***
<*> IMO the rationale for thermal branding of human skin (rather
than tattooing) are:
<*> 1) Rite of passage in some organizations and societies
<*> 2) Economical and fast alternative to group tattooing
<*> 3) No possibility of infection from a red hot branding iron
<*> 4) Once healed, thermal brands are free from the maintenance
problems associated with (pastel-colored) tattoos
<*> 5) Punishment and deterrent (For example, pain inflicted
as an example both to the affected individual and also to the
witnessing overall group. This ain't Nirvana, but it *is*
another way to enforce a binding oath of obedience. Some people
might prefer having a gun put to their head.)
*****End of Part One*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
$600K for a starter house in LA?
I got no problems
20:50:05 20:50:05
Richard Ballard
document. Rather than waiting until 21 days before the
Mabon sabbat to issue a version containing the revisions, I
additions and revisions are marked with a <*> marker.
*****Beginning of document*****
Copyright 2003 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
<*> Part One is contained in an earlier message titled
"A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One
of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included in earlier
messages entitled "Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three of Three Parts)".
=====================================
=====================================
Scott Cunningham's excellent first text "Wicca: A Guide For
The Solitary Practitioner" defines a Tradition based upon belief
in the Wiccan Goddess and the Wiccan God, concern for the Earth,
social consciousness, and the right not to be dominated by others.
This Tradition is free and flexible, and Mr. Cunningham suggests
how solitary Wiccans can modify this Tradition to better suit
their individual philosophies and needs.
IMO the sequel "Living Wicca" ..." discourages solitary worship
in favor of Coven membership. IMO "Living Wicca: ..." systematically
removes the freedom and flexibility from the Tradition that Scott
Cunningham defined in "Wicca: ..." , leaving *no remaining advantage*
to the original (solitary worshipper oriented) Tradition and
suggesting that somebody who chooses to become a Wiccan would be
better served by joining a Coven. I do *not* support this attitude.
IMO people choosing to become Wiccans are best served by combining
solitary worship with Circle membership. (A Circle is a social group
that meets to discuss Craft-related issues but that does *not* include
the oath-bound information or the binding oaths of obedience included
in Wiccan Coven initiations.) Wiccan solitary worshippers joining
Circles do not sacrifice their personal autonomy through oaths of
obedience to a Coven High Priest/ess, and Circle membership offers
most of the social and discussion advantages of Coven membership.
***I can not overstress this issue.*** A Coven's High Priest/ess
has the right to squelch 'improper discussion'. As individuals grow
(and as different people assume the High Priest/ess's office),
keeping oathbound obedience to the Coven High Priest/ess's authority
might pose difficult and unanticipated problems. Liberal Coven
members might chafe under a conservative High Priest/ess's authority.
Conservative Coven members might chafe under a liberal
High Priest/ess's authority. Wo/men Coven members might chafe
under a particularly strong and chauvinistic High Priest/ess's
authority. And many Coven oaths include penalties for leaving
Coven membership.
In some Wiccan Traditions, the High Priest/ess designates couples
for each sabbat celebration (possibly including the coupling of
Wiccan parents' children). IMO this social whirl does not reinforce
romantic love or stable (biological) family relationships. Teaching
is teaching, but IMO this sabbat-related social whirl is wasteful.
Partners invest their time and energy in each other, but repeatedly
switching partners at each sabbat destroys earlier investments.
<*> And where is it written that a High Priest/ess's authority is
limited to Coven-specific matters? Where is it written that the
High Priest/ess can not intervene in Coven members' mundane concerns
such as housing and use of spare/guest bedrooms? I discuss housing
issues extensively in my accompanying "Definitions for Prospective
Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three of Three parts)" messages.
In addition, "Living Wicca: ..." was written late in
Scott Cunningham's life, probably during the last stages of his
terminal illness. IMO the writing styles of "Wicca: ..." and
"Living Wicca: ..." are *markedly different*. I must wonder if
ghost-writers (with their own opinions and agendas) co-authored
"Living Wicca: ..." ***without *** strong supervision from
Scott Cunningham.
I can *not* recommend "Living Wicca: ..." because its de facto
Margot Adler's "Drawing Down The Moon: ..." was originally
published in 1979. The Revised and Expanded Edition is
copyright 1986 with an 'Appendix III: Resources' added in 1997.
I believe that Paganism is a dynamic, very rapidly changing
culture. [For example satanism, a dominance attitude/philosophy
and a religion (***documented in 1969***) that some people include
=====================================
<*> I purposefully have not included any Internet website URLs
within my listed references. In the 21st Century many people
question the importance of textual references. That something
has been published indicates that a publisher has judged that
the content financially merits publication, and indicates that
a copy editor has (at a minimum) reviewed the content -- rough
indications of content quality control. While librarian
professional organizations apparently have citation rules for
Internet online academic journals, these journals typically
supplement and mirror the contents of paper professional
journals (archived by the Libary of Congress). The websites
cited in the Pagan community are not archivally stable, revising
webpage content is as difficult as revising a form letter, and
a record of webpage content changes is *not* maintained for
later public scrutiny.
<*> Some people question why I have not included their favorite
Wiccan historical texts within my reference list. I have addressed
this concern repeatedly. IMO *not committed* prospective Wiccan
novices are interested in current Wiccan practices, not arcane
historical texts. I have limited time for discretionary reading
and I have limited my current scope to those materials that I
believe *not committed* prospective Wiccan novices will find
most interesting -- that's fair.
<*> Others are free to bring descriptions of arcane texts and
history to the Internet. I document my opinions based upon my
reading and upon activities hap pening in my locale. Others can
assemble descriptions of arcane Wiccan history texts of interest
to *committed* Wiccans and can provide those descriptions on the
Internet. I consider that task outside of my current scope --
I might reconsider in the future. In the mean time I do *not*
want to dilute my current efforts on behalf of *not committed*
prospective Wiccan novices and 'throw the baby out with
the bath water'.
Some people question the appropriateness of my providing _any_
comments concerning Wicca, witchcraft, Paganism or satanism. I
believe that detachment is valuable -- _not_ having vested interests
can bring objectivity. In addition, I offer information -- ***my
information can be ignored with little effort***. I do _not_ tell
people how to worship or practice magick in their circles or in
their own homes. And IMO a list of Wicca-related definitions based
upon my studying Wiccan-, Craft-, Pagan- and satanic-related texts
and participating in Wiccan-, craft- and Pagan-related Internet
newsgroups threatens no one.
*****End of Part Two*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
$600K for a starter house in LA?
I got no problems
20:50:05 20:50:05
Richard Ballard
I consider the origin of the Irish (white) potato a Wiccan
_non-issue_ for the reasons I provide below. I hope that this
revision ends the Wiccan Irish potato issue.
"You may fire when ready, Gridley."
In article <20030724161046...@mb-m03.aol.com>,
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
<snip>
<*> IMO this controversy is a Wiccan _non-issue_. After some
preliminary (and flawed) research of my own, several readers
suggested Internet website references discussing the origin of
the Irish (white) potato:
<*> "http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/sustainable/peet/profiles/c15potat.html"
(no quotes); excerpts from "Sustainable Practices for Vegetable
Production in the South" by Mary M. Peet, Ph.D. Professor, Department
of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University.
<*> "http://history-magazine.com/potato.html" (no quotes); article
'The Impact of the Potato' by Jeff Chapman on the "History Magazine"
website.
<*> "http://www.cup.org/books/kiple/potatoes.htm" (no quotes);
excerpts from "THE CAMBRIDGE WORLD HISTORY OF FOOD" edited by
Kenneth F. Kiple and Kriemhild Conee` Ornelas (the most detailed
reference).
<*> These website references indicate that the Irish (white) potato
originated in the South American Andes Mountains and propagated
naturally throughout large areas of South America, Central America
and the southern United States. Sixteenth-century Spanish explorers,
who first observed the potato in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador
adopted the Quechua name, papa. The first specimens, arguably
short-day S. tuberosum ssp. andigena forms from Colombia, probably
reached Spain around 1570. All European potato varieties in the
first 250 years were derived from the original introductions, which
constituted a very narrow gene pool that left almost all potatoes
vulnerable to devastating viruses and fungal blights (e.g., the Irish
crop failures and famine) by the mid-nineteenth century. The use of
(?) manure fertilizer did not help the situation. The references
also note that some early Spanish chroniclers misused the Indian word
batata (sweet potato) as the name for the Irish (white) potato.
<*> Why is this origin controversy a Wiccan _non-issue_? Irish
(white) potatoes reached Europe in the 1570's. Gerald Gardner
*invented* Wicca in the 1950's when he invented the so-called
Gardnerian Wiccan Tradition. This means that Irish (white) potatoes
in Europe are _prehistoric_ by Wiccan standards. Ms. McCoy states
that Irish (white) potatoes are sacred in her (later) Wittan
Tradition. Irish (white) potatoes were a mainstay of the Irish
diet, and it is appropriate that Wittans associate potatoes with
the fertile Goddess. And Irish (white) potatoes in Europe predate
both Gardnerian Wicca and Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Traditions.
<*> The right of Wiccan Covens and solitary worshippers (and Wiccan
authors) to define and modify their own Traditions is a central
Wiccan tenet. Ms. McCoy's liberal Irish 'Witta' Tradition and
Gerald Gardner's conservative Gardnerian Wicca Tradition are equally
valid. I equate a statement "Your Tradition contains errors or
blatant falsities" to the statement "Your Tradition differs from
my Tradition". The work of Wiccan authors reflects their own
Traditions. If an individual (or author) wants to incorporate a
given word or concept within their own Tradition that is their
right as long as they are not hindering others' worship.
***Self-determination is a Wiccan right.*** Ms. McCoy is free
to define her own Wittan Tradition -- the usage harms no one.
<*> IMO comments criticizing Ms. McCoy's scholarship and her Irish
Witta Tradition are biased personal attacks against Ms. McCoy and
her wholesome Tradition (attacks from the other side of the bog?).
<*> I include Ms. McCoy's texts within my reference list because
my primary emphasis is identifying ***well- and clearly-written
references relevant to current Wiccan practices***. Ms. McCoy's
texts are well- and clearly-written, and her texts address current
topics relevant and attractive to _ not committed_ prospective
Wiccan novices. Ms. McCoy's texts reflect a wholesome Pagan ethic
that helps distinguish Wicca and other forms of Paganism from
witchcraft and satanism. (And Ms. McCoy apparently lives within
the oaken forests of southern Indiana, an area I know well.) I
highly recommend Ms. McCoy's wholesome texts to _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices.
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
$600K for a starter house in LA?
I got no problems
20:00:15 8:00:15
Richard Ballard
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
>I have further researched the origin of the Irish (white) potato.
>I consider the origin of the Irish (white) potato a Wiccan
>_non-issue_ for the reasons I provide below. I hope that this
>revision ends the Wiccan Irish potato issue.
>
>"You may fire when ready, Gridley."
>
>In article <20030724161046...@mb-m03.aol.com>,
>rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
>
>>I received a large number of substantive comments on this
>>document. Rather than waiting until 21 days before the
>>Mabon sabbat to issue a version containing the revisions, I
>>am reissueing the Lammas version in its entirety. _New_
>>additions and revisions are marked with a <*> marker.
>>
>> *****Beginning of document*****
>>Copyright 2003 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
>>Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
>>Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
>>with a <*> marker.
<snip>
>the fertile Goddess. ...
The "History Magazine article URL referenced above is
particularly relevant. It details how Western Civilization
was undernourished throughout much of its early history,
and how infant mortality rates decreased and population
swelled wherever the potato was introduced into Western
diets -- very relevant to the fertile Goddess. [Remember
that the next time you fill your gasoline (petrol) tank
with gasoline costing significantly more than one dollar
per gallon.]
> ... And Irish (white) potatoes in Europe predate
>both Gardnerian Wicca and Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition.
Ironywaves
stuff, then? What's your motive?
Dockery
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ironywaves
"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030812104401...@mb-m07.aol.com...
> In article <9277e0be.03081...@posting.google.com>,
> hierony...@my-deja.com (hieronymous707) writes:
>
> >rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) wrote in message
> >
> >>Public confrontations are not appropriate when a person
> >>(who you did not recognize immediately and whose identity
> >>still is uncertain) did *not* request assistance.
> >
> >Public confrontations of the sort you describe are actually
> >part and parcel of a foreman's responsibilities, and are not
> >only appropriate, but essential. Of course, that doesn't mean
> >that the foreman ever actually has to get really confrontational.
> >In fact, I'd probably say that I'm generally a very big
> >proponent of the 'show and tell' philosophy of foremaning,
> >which doesn't really require that you confront too much, but
> >which can actually give you quite a workout.
>
> Bubba, you are starting to sound the the guards in the
> film "Cool Hand Luke".
>
> Two Sundays ago while jogging in the park I encountered
> a young woman with freshly shaved head, wild eyes and
> bright red complexion -- she looked like she was hysterical.
> She was walking towards a religious fest. I glanced at her
> as I jogged past -- she looked wildly at me but said nothing
> and specifically did *not* request assistance. I did not
> know if she was experiencing epiphany or was in trouble,
> but she did *not* speak or request my assistance. I kept
> jogging after one quick glance. ***A man hesitates to
> approach a single woman in the park.***
>
> Hours later I realized that without the red complexion and
> with a full head of hair I probably would have recognized the
> young woman -- I thought I knew her but had not recognized
> her earlier. This troubled me -- why was the young woman
> silent? I wished that I had given the young woman more than
> one quick glance but it was too late. I had *no justification*
> to return to the park and search for the young woman at the
> religious fest -- somebody might consider me a stalker. My
> sleep that night was troubled.
>
> This event has no relationship to being a foreman or a
> manager, Bubba. Unfortunately, 21st Century society
> and sexual politics has evolved such that gentlemanly
> concern can get a man into trouble, and might prevent
> woman from receiving needed assistance. (Another example:
> What does a woman fear more -- being stranded at night on
> any lonely road (including Interstate Highways) with a
> broken vehicle, or the passerby who stops to ask if she
> requires assistance? There are animals in the night woods,
> Bubba.) Had the young woman spoken to me I would have stopped,
> but she was silent. I had no justification to stop, and my
> sleep that night was troubled -- I kept visualizing her face.
Richard Ballard
"Ironywaves" <irony...@knology.net> writes:
>I thought I read you were a Christian, Richard?
>Why do you post all this stuff, then? What's
>your motive?
>Dockery
This discussion is not related to Christianity.
I was describing an event which happened to me
while jogging in the city park. I responded to
a comment about confrontations. IMO confrontations
are not related to management. In addition, frankly
I wondered if I had failed to assist "a damsel
in distress", an issue impossible to resolve.
<URL snipped by RB -- URL gone>
One additional comment: Above you state "I thought I
read you were a Christian, Richard?" Everytime that
somebody on Pagan-related Internet newsgroups makes a
"I thought you were a Christian" related comment, I
wonder why they are attempting to hold me to a higher
standard of morality than they themselves apparently
follow. This has happened to me repeatedly.
Ironywaves
> In article <vji05rh...@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Ironywaves" <irony...@knology.net> writes:
>
> >I thought I read you were a Christian, Richard?
> >Why do you post all this stuff, then? What's
> >your motive?
> >Dockery
>
> This discussion is not related to Christianity.
> I was describing an event which happened to me
> while jogging in the city park. I responded to
> a comment about confrontations. IMO confrontations
> are not related to management. In addition, frankly
> I wondered if I had failed to assist "a damsel
> in distress", an issue impossible to resolve.
<URL snipped by RB -- URL gone>
http://willdockery0.tripod.com/
> One additional comment: Above you state "I thought I
> read you were a Christian, Richard?" Everytime that
> somebody on Pagan-related Internet newsgroups makes a
> "I thought you were a Christian" related comment, I
> wonder why they are attempting to hold me to a higher
> standard of morality than they themselves apparently
> follow. This has happened to me repeatedly.
Could be, Richard.
Will
Richard Ballard
"Ironywaves" <irony...@knology.net> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20030812163250...@mb-m18.aol.com...
>
>>In article <vji05rh...@corp.supernews.com>,
>>"Ironywaves" <irony...@knology.net> writes:
>>
>>>I thought I read you were a Christian, Richard?
>>>Why do you post all this stuff, then? What's
>>>your motive?
>>>Dockery
>>
>>This discussion is not related to Christianity.
>>I was describing an event which happened to me
>>while jogging in the city park. I responded to
>>a comment about confrontations. IMO confrontations
>>are not related to management. In addition, frankly
>>I wondered if I had failed to assist "a damsel
>>in distress", an issue impossible to resolve.
<URL snipped by RB -- URL gone>
>>One additional comment: Above you state "I thought I
>>read you were a Christian, Richard?" Everytime that
>>somebody on Pagan-related Internet newsgroups makes a
>>"I thought you were a Christian" related comment, I
>>wonder why they are attempting to hold me to a higher
>>standard of morality than they themselves apparently
>>follow. This has happened to me repeatedly.
>
>Could be, Richard.
>Will
Won't.
More below.
There is short term thinking, there is long term thinking,
and there is a time and a place for both.
THE Cast Iron Bitch
poetry as well as pagan topics, so what's the difference?
"Ironywaves" <irony...@knology.net> wrote in message
news:vji05rh...@corp.supernews.com...
Phoenix
P
"THE Cast Iron Bitch" <rhy...@pishoff.com> wrote in message
news:vjkdut3...@corp.supernews.com...
Richard Ballard
"THE Cast Iron Bitch" <rhy...@pishoff.com> writes:
>Well, you delude yourself that you have significant contributions
>to make to poetry as well as pagan topics, so what's the difference?
You must mean
"Never Smile At A Crocodile"
"Never smile at a crocodile,
Oh you can't get friendly with a crocodile,
Don't be taken in
by his welcome grin,
He's imagining how well you'd fit
within his chin.
Never smile at a crocodile.
Simply tip your hat
and decline to stay awhile.
Never run -- walk away,
Say good night -- not good day.
Clear the aisle and never smile
at Mr. Crocodile.
OHHH you might very well
be well bred,
Lots of etiquette in your head,
But there's always
one special case,
time or place,
to forget,
et-i-quette.
For instance ...
Never smile at a crocodile,
Oh you can't get friendly with a crocodile,
Don't be taken in
by his welcome grin,
He's imagining how well you'd fit
within his chin.
Never smile at a crocodile.
Simply tip your hat
and decline to stay awhile.
Never run -- walk away,
Say good night -- not good day.
Clear the aisle and never smile
at Mr. Crocodile."
>"Ironywaves" <irony...@knology.net> wrote in message
>news:vji05rh...@corp.supernews.com...
>
>>I thought I read you were a Christian, Richard? Why do
>>you post all this stuff, then? What's your motive?
>>Dockery
This discussion is not related to Christianity.
I was describing an event which happened to me
while jogging in the city park. I responded to
a comment about confrontations. IMO confrontations
are not related to management. In addition, frankly
I wondered if I had failed to assist "a damsel
in distress", an issue impossible to resolve.
<RB snipped URL -- URL gone>
One additional comment: Above you state "I thought I
read you were a Christian, Richard?" Everytime that
somebody on Pagan-related Internet newsgroups makes a
"I thought you were a Christian" related comment, I
wonder why they are attempting to hold me to a higher
standard of morality than they themselves apparently
follow. This has happened to me repeatedly.
>>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
There is short term thinking,
there is long term thinking, and
there is a time and a place for both.
$600K for a starter house in LA?
I got no problems
20:00:15 8:00:15
1 02 03 06 09 21
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Part Two is contained in a subsequent message titled
"A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Two
of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included in earlier
messages entitled "Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three of Three Parts)".
<*> The evening of September 21st [midnight September 22nd
Stonehenge time] is the sabbat Mabon (May-bone or Mah-boon),
named for the Welsh God who symbolized the male fertilizing
principle in Welsh mythology. Some consider Mabon to be
Persephone's male counterpart.
<*> In Europe Mabon marked the end of the second harvest when
autumn crops (grapes, nuts and apples) were gathered. The
equinox marked the infamous Festival of Dionysus (the God of
Wine) in ancient Rome. The Scottish and Welsh poured Mabon
wines onto the ground during their celebrations, symbolically
honoring the aging Goddess moving into her Crone aspect and
as a symbolic blood sacrifice so that the God might live
until Samhain.
<*> Mabon marks the beginning of Autumn, the time when the earth
has surrendered its harvest and Nature withers, to be renewed
again in the Spring. Similar to the European "Harvest Home"
festival, Pagans refer to this Autumn Equinox as "The Witches'
Thanksgiving". Typical Mabon activities include cider pressing,
grain threshing, dancing, feasting from the plentiful harvest,
and crowning a Harvest King and Queen. The Harvest King and
Queen ritually symbolize the God and Goddess, and represent the
Earth's survival through the upcoming Winter's hardship for
renewed fertility in the Spring. The cornocopia (horn of plenty)
symbolizes Mabon -- it is both a phallic symbol and a symbol
of the Earth's fertility.
<*> In China Mabon is known as Chung Ch'iu and marks the end of
the rice harvest. Judaism celebrates Succoth near this time.
<*> Mabon is a time when day and night are in balance, and all
other things likewise balance for one brief moment. The God
and Goddess are thought to have equal power on Mabon, as do
the forces of good and evil. Mabon marks a seasonal transition,
the Deities are aging and the Wiccan God will die with the old
year. Mabon is a time to prepare for the upcoming winter and
its hardships.
With this Sabbat approaching, many Wiccans are discussing
Wicca more openly, and many of their friends are hearing about
Wicca for the first time. These friends might ask "How can I
learn about Wicca?"
<*> Texts and films are one source of quality information, and
texts and films do not contain oathbound secrets. But before
offering these references I must state that I am _not_ a Wiccan,
a witch, a Pagan or a satanist. People ask me "Why are you
providing this reference list on the Internet?" One reason is
that I heard about Wicca in an acquaintance's chance comment, and
learning details about Paganism and Wicca has cost me much time
and trouble. Another reason I provide this reference list is the
flood of negativism on the Pagan- and Wicca-related Internet
newsgroups. It appears that everybody has a license to criticize
and complain, but few have a license to make a positive contribution.
<*> I have defined my documents' current scope: Providing information
about 21st Century Pagan and Wiccan practices based upon my reading,
my Internet newsgroup participation, and my arms-length observations
in my locale. IMO this is the information that _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices seek. Assembling that information cost me
much time and trouble -- time and trouble that _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices can avoid by reading my documents. In
the future (and time permitting) I might enlarge the scope of my
documents to include the historical Pagan and Wiccan definitions and
references preferred by conservative and _already committed_ Pagans
and Wiccans.
<*> If One wants to provide a list of Wiccan references to
_not committed_ and interested friends, I recommend the
<*> IMO this controversy is a Wiccan _non-issue_. After some
<*> Why do I consider the Irish (white) potato's origin a Wiccan
_non-issue_? Irish (white) potatoes reached Europe in the 1570's.
Gerald Gardner *invented* Wicca in the 1950's (roughly 380 years
later) when he invented the so-called Gardnerian Wiccan Tradition.
These dates indicate that Irish (white) potatoes in Europe are
_prehistoric_ by Wiccan standards. Ms. McCoy states that Irish
(white) potatoes are sacred in her later [c1993, ISBN 0-87542-732-4]
Wittan Tradition. Irish (white) potatoes were a mainstay of the
Irish diet, and it is appropriate that Wittans associate potatoes
with the fertile Goddess. ***The "History Magazine" article URL
referenced above is particularly relevant.*** It discusses how
Western Civilization was undernourished throughout much of its
early history, and how infant mortality rates decreased and
population swelled wherever the Irish (white) potato was introduced
into Western diets -- very relevant to the fertile Goddess.
[Remember that the next time you fill your gasoline (petrol) tank
with gasoline costing _significantly_ more than $1US per gallon.]
And Irish (white) potatoes in Europe predate both Gardnerian Wicca
and Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition.
<*> The right of Wiccan Covens and solitary worshippers (and Wiccan
authors) to define and modify their own Traditions is a central
Wiccan tenet. Ms. McCoy's liberal Irish 'Witta' Tradition and
Gerald Gardner's conservative Gardnerian Wicca Tradition are equally
valid. I equate a statement "Your Tradition contains errors or
blatant falsities" to the statement "Your Tradition differs from
my Tradition". The work of Wiccan authors reflects their own
Traditions. If an individual (or author) wants to incorporate a
given word or concept within their own Tradition that is their
right as long as they are not hindering others' worship.
***Self-determination is a Wiccan right.*** Ms. McCoy is free
to define her own Wittan Tradition -- the usage harms no one.
<*> IMO comments criticizing Ms. McCoy's scholarship and her Irish
Witta Tradition are biased personal attacks against Ms. McCoy and
her wholesome Tradition (attacks from the other side of the bog?).
<*> I include Ms. McCoy's texts within my reference list because
my primary emphasis is identifying ***well- and clearly-written
references relevant to current Wiccan practices***. Ms. McCoy's
texts are well- and clearly-written, and her texts address current
topics relevant and attractive to _ not committed_ prospective
Wiccan novices. Ms. McCoy's texts reflect a wholesome Pagan ethic
that helps distinguish Wicca and other forms of Paganism from
witchcraft and satanism. (And Ms. McCoy apparently lives within
the oaken forests of southern Indiana, an area I know well.) I
highly recommend Ms. McCoy's wholesome texts to _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices.
4) "Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages"
by director Benjamin Christensen
5 stars -- A valuable seventy year old reference
"Haxan: ..." is a 1929 silent film that was updated in 1967
with an avant garde jazz score and narration by William Burroughs
(author of "The Naked Lunch"). "Haxan: ..." clearly is prejudicial
against witches, yet I consider "Haxan: ..." a valuable reference
for two reasons. First, "Haxan: ..." graphically documents public
perception of witchcraft and demonic possession in the year 1929.
In addition, "Haxan: ..." graphically documents that public perception
of witchcraft and demonic possession has _not changed_ much since the
year 1929.
I have no tattoos, but I know people who have extensive,
difficult-to-patch pastel tattoos. I know the care
these people take to keep their extensive pastel tattoos
looking attractive.
IMO the two rec.arts.bodyart FAQs are well-written
and informative. These FAQs stress the skin care
required to prevent damage to pastel tattoos, and
the FAQs stress health considerations required
during and after tattoo application.
I provide additional information concerning tattoos
and thermal branding of human skin later in this document.
I recommend the following film *despite reservations*:
8) "Skin Art" by director W. Blake Herron
3 stars -- Branded for slavery
"Skin Art" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft. "Skin Art"
is the story of Southeast Asian women who are purchased and
imported to work in a local Oriental bordello. Prior to working
in the bordello each woman's entire back and shoulders are covered
with an ornate tattoo. The bordello's customers find the tattoos
stimulating, while the painful tattooing process is part of the
bordello's submissiveness training.
<*> I include "Skin Art" in this list because of a personal
experience. I once attended a college repertory event at the
school year start. The audience included a young woman whose
head was shaved and whose scalp held a partially-completed
dragon tattoo in black outline. A woman might want to tattoo
a body part that is normally covered by clothing, but why hide
a tattoo where a future spouse was unlikely to discover it?
Unless the young woman intended to shave her scalp in perpetuity
I know only one justification: the young woman was an extortion
victim and the hidden tattoo was verification to be used in
extortion claims against the woman's future husband.
Consider the following excerpt from Psalm 23
(King David's Psalm):
"... Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever."
I am not a Biblical scholar, but I associate with Psalm 23
a Biblical injunction: "I shall not lie down with my enemies."
(i.e., "I will not submit.")
I am forced to assume that the abovementioned woman
with the scalp tattoo hoped to hide her tattoo from her
future husband. I also am forced to assume that some
person held either photographic or video records of the
woman with her scalp tattoo engaged in activities that
compromised her possibility for a good faith relationship
with her future husband. I hope that the woman found
candor in her heart.
<*> [BTW, one reader stated that scalp tattooing works best
when the subject has been shaving his/her scalp for some
time -- apparently shaving toughens the scalp. To my
knowledge tattoo artists do *not* want a tough canvas.
In fact, I know cases where a particularly elaborate tattoo
was planned and the subject moisturized the skin area for
several weeks *prior* to receiving the tattoo. Moisturizing
makes the skin supple and gives the skin a uniform texture.
<*> The same reader mentioned shaving over a tattoo. Much
of a tattoo's pigmentation is on the skin surface -- I can not
imagine risking damaging a tattoo by blade shaving over it.]
<*> I recommend that individuals planning to get tattoos
follow their tattoo artist's care instructions both before
and after receiving a tattoo.
Branding by tattooing [less frequently by thermal branding]
sometimes occurs in the United States, but more often women are
bound by indebtness (e.g., car payments) and several hungry
children in a poor domestic economy.
Many tattoos are applied using saturated color (e.g.,
primarily dark black, but also dark red and dark blue)
inks exclusively. The advantage of using saturated
color inks is that should the tattooed area later become
damaged due to abrasion, skin dryness or sunburn,
the tattoo can be patched without 'color match' problems
-- e.g., dark black is dark black, etc.
When tattoos employing pastel colored inks are damaged,
the tattoo artist can encounter 'color match' problems
similar to the paint matching problems that auto body
shops encounter. ***Light-colored pastel inks are difficult
to exactly color match, particularly if the skin damage
changes the underlying skin's characteristics (e.g., as
the result of bad sunburn).***
Individuals receiving tattoos employing pastel-colored
inks must be especially careful that their tattoos do not
become damaged if they want to maintain the beauty of their
pastel-colored tattoos. *I have no tattoos*, but I know
people who have extensive, difficult-to-patch pastel tattoos.
I know the care these people take to keep their extensive
pastel tattoos looking attractive.
IMO the two rec.arts.bodyart FAQs are well-written
and informative. These FAQs stress the skin care
required to prevent damage to pastel tattoos, and
the FAQs stress health considerations required
during and after tattoo application.
In November 1998 I downloaded the "rec.arts.bodyart:
Alternative Bodyart FAQ" from the Ohio State FAQ website.
I do not know if the "rec.arts.bodyart: Alternative Bodyart
FAQ" still is available on the Internet. This FAQ discusses
thermal branding of human skin. ***The "rec.arts.bodyart:
Alternative Bodyart FAQ" is a very uncomfortable document.***
IMO the rationale for thermal branding of human skin (rather
than tattooing) are:
1) Rite of passage in some organizations and societies
2) Economical and fast alternative to group tattooing
3) No possibility of infection from a red hot branding iron
4) Once healed, thermal brands are free from the maintenance
problems associated with (pastel-colored) tattoos
5) Punishment and deterrent (For example, pain inflicted
as an example both to the affected individual and also to the
witnessing overall group. This ain't Nirvana, but it *is*
another way to enforce a binding oath of obedience. Some
people might prefer having a gun put to their head.)
*****End of Part One*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
There is short term thinking,
there is long term thinking, and
there is a time and a place for both.
$600K for a starter house in LA?
I got no problems
05:50:21 20:00:21
1 02 03 06 09
21 8 23 05
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Part One is contained in an earlier message titled
=====================================
=====================================
And where is it written that a High Priest/ess's authority is
limited to Coven-specific matters? Where is it written that the
High Priest/ess can not intervene in Coven members' mundane concerns
such as housing and use of spare/guest bedrooms? I discuss housing
issues extensively in my accompanying "Definitions for Prospective
Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three of Three Parts)" messages.
=====================================
I purposefully have not included any Internet website URLs
within my listed references. In the 21st Century many people
question the importance of textual references. That something
has been published indicates that a publisher has judged that
the content financially merits publication, and indicates that
a copy editor has (at a minimum) reviewed the content -- rough
indications of content quality control. While librarian
professional organizations apparently have citation rules for
Internet online academic journals, these journals typically
supplement and mirror the contents of paper professional
journals (archived by the Library of Congress). The websites
cited in the Pagan community are not archivally stable, revising
webpage content is as difficult as revising a form letter, and
a record of webpage content changes is *not* maintained for
later public scrutiny.
Some people question why I have not included their favorite
Wiccan historical texts within my reference list. I have addressed
this concern repeatedly. IMO *not committed* prospective Wiccan
novices are interested in current Wiccan practices, not arcane
historical texts. I have limited time for discretionary reading
and I have limited my current scope to those materials that I
believe *not committed* prospective Wiccan novices will find
most interesting -- that's fair.
Others are free to bring descriptions of arcane texts and
history to the Internet. I document my opinions based upon my
reading and upon activities hap pening in my locale. Others can
assemble descriptions of arcane Wiccan history texts of interest
to *committed* Wiccans and can provide those descriptions on the
Internet. I consider that task outside of my current scope --
I might reconsider in the future. In the mean time I do *not*
want to dilute my current efforts on behalf of *not committed*
prospective Wiccan novices and 'throw the baby out with
the bath water'.
Some people question the appropriateness of my providing *any*
comments concerning Wicca, witchcraft, Paganism or satanism. I
believe that detachment is valuable -- *not* having vested interests
can bring objectivity. In addition, I offer information -- ***my
information can be ignored with little effort***. I do *not* tell
people how to worship or practice magick in their circles or in
their own homes. And IMO a list of Wicca-related definitions based
upon my studying Wiccan-, Craft-, Pagan- and satanic-related texts
and participating in Wiccan-, craft- and Pagan-related Internet
newsgroups threatens no one.
*****End of Part Two*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
There is short term thinking,
there is long term thinking, and
there is a time and a place for both.
$600K for a starter house in LA?
I got no problems
05:50:21 20:00:21
1 02 03 06 09
21 8 23 05
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
<*> Part Two is contained in a concurrent message titled
"A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Two
of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included in earlier
messages entitled "Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three/Four of Four Parts)".
<*> The evening of October 30th [midnight October 31st Stonehenge
time] brings the sabbat Samhain (pronounced Sow-in, Sah-vin, or
Sahm-hayn), a celebration of the harvest season's end. Samhain
marks the Wiccan God's death in some European Traditions -- the
Crone Goddess mourns the God's passing for the next six weeks.
Samhain marks winter's beginning and is a time to celebrate the
eternal wheel of reincarnation. Samhain falls opposite Beltane
[midnight May 1st Stonehenge time, summer's beginning] on the
Wheel of the Year. Beltane (summer's beginning) and Samhain
(the harvest season's end) are the two most important sabbats.
<*> European monarchs marked the sabbat's beginning by lighting
balefires (bonfires -- 'balefire' is an English word meaning
'boon' or 'extra') typically on the highest hills. Having sex
with ladies from the families of lesser nobility was included
within the balefire ritual. Lesser nobility then could light
their own balefires on lower hills, and could begin their own
celebrations (and themselves have sex with ladies from the
families of lesser nobility or commoners). The ritual sex included
within the balefire celebrations equates to the Aristocracy's
(e.g., the King's, Baron's, or local landowner's) 'first night'
privileges -- the Aristocracy's right to control who could
marry whom and the Aristocracy's right to bed any young lady
first on her wedding night. The balefire ritual replenished
the Aristocracy's energy and symbolically blessed the young
ladies bedded by the Aristocrats. The balefire ritual also
maintained the continuity of the Aristocracy -- 'the pecking
order' is a time-honored tradition.
<*> British and Irish Pagans lit their own Samhain balefires
on lesser hilltops after sunset on October 30. The Pagans'
balefires focused the dead God's energy, pushed back the
darkness, repelled evil, and purified the hilltop's ritual space.
The balefire rituals and concurrent harvest celebration also
tangibly reminded the Pagans about the Aristocracy's (e.g.,
the King's, Baron's, or local landowner's) real power over
the Pagans: "Winter is coming -- wanna eat?"
<*> Coven initiations [both "robed" initiations and "skyclad" (naked)
initiations] are performed on Samhain. Witches commune with the
dead on Samhain, holding their ritual Feast of the Dead and
celebrating the eternal cycle of reincarnation. Necromancy
spells and rituals performed during Samhain are more likely
to succeed.
In the United States, Samhain sometimes is celebrated in
conjunction with a Halloween party. With Samhain approaching,
many Wiccans are discussing Wicca more openly, and many of
their friends are hearing about Wicca for the first time. These
friends might ask "How can I learn about Wicca?"
Texts and films are one source of quality information, and
texts and films do not contain oathbound secrets. But before
offering these references I must state that I am _not_ a Wiccan,
a witch, a Pagan or a satanist. People ask me "Why are you
providing this reference list on the Internet?" One reason is
that I heard about Wicca in an acquaintance's chance comment, and
learning details about Paganism and Wicca has cost me much time
and trouble. Another reason I provide this reference list is the
flood of negativism on the Pagan- and Wicca-related Internet
newsgroups. It appears that everybody has a license to criticize
and complain, but few have a license to make a positive contribution.
I have defined my documents' current scope: Providing information
about 21st Century Pagan and Wiccan practices based upon my reading,
my Internet newsgroup participation, and my arms-length observations
in my locale. IMO this is the information that _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices seek. Assembling that information cost me
much time and trouble -- time and trouble that _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices can avoid by reading my documents. In
the future (and time permitting) I might enlarge the scope of my
documents to include the historical Pagan and Wiccan definitions and
references preferred by conservative and _already committed_ Pagans
and Wiccans.
If One wants to provide a list of Wiccan references to
IMO this controversy is a Wiccan _non-issue_. After some
preliminary (and flawed) research of my own, several readers
suggested Internet website references discussing the origin of
the Irish (white) potato:
"http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/sustainable/peet/profiles/c15potat.html"
(no quotes); excerpts from "Sustainable Practices for Vegetable
Production in the South" by Mary M. Peet, Ph.D. Professor, Department
of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University.
"http://history-magazine.com/potato.html" (no quotes); article
'The Impact of the Potato' by Jeff Chapman on the "History Magazine"
website.
"http://www.cup.org/books/kiple/potatoes.htm" (no quotes);
excerpts from "THE CAMBRIDGE WORLD HISTORY OF FOOD" edited by
Kenneth F. Kiple and Kriemhild Conee` Ornelas (the most detailed
reference).
These website references indicate that the Irish (white) potato
with regular gasoline costing ~$1.50US per gallon. Money spent
for gasoline is much like gasoline (or food or time) itself. Once
spent it is gone forever.] And Irish (white) potatoes in Europe
predate both Gardnerian Wicca and Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition.
The right of Wiccan Covens and solitary worshippers (and Wiccan
authors) to define and modify their own Traditions is a central
Wiccan tenet. Ms. McCoy's liberal Irish 'Witta' Tradition and
Gerald Gardner's conservative Gardnerian Wicca Tradition are equally
valid. I equate a statement "Your Tradition contains errors or
blatant falsities" to the statement "Your Tradition differs from
my Tradition". The work of Wiccan authors reflects their own
Traditions. If an individual (or author) wants to incorporate a
given word or concept within their own Tradition that is their
right as long as they are not hindering others' worship.
***Self-determination is a Wiccan right.*** Ms. McCoy is free
to define her own Wittan Tradition -- the usage harms no one.
IMO comments criticizing Ms. McCoy's scholarship and her Irish
Witta Tradition are biased personal attacks against Ms. McCoy and
her wholesome Tradition (attacks from the other side of the bog?).
I include Ms. McCoy's texts within my reference list because
I include "Skin Art" in this list because of a personal
[BTW, one reader stated that scalp tattooing works best
when the subject has been shaving his/her scalp for some
time -- apparently shaving toughens the scalp. To my
knowledge tattoo artists do *not* want a tough canvas.
In fact, I know cases where a particularly elaborate tattoo
was planned and the subject moisturized the skin area for
several weeks *prior* to receiving the tattoo. Moisturizing
makes the skin supple and gives the skin a uniform texture.
The same reader mentioned shaving over a tattoo. Much
of a tattoo's pigmentation is on the skin surface -- I can not
imagine risking damaging a tattoo by blade shaving over it.]
I recommend that individuals planning to get tattoos
*****End of Part One*****
202.5 cm. 99.1 kg.
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
$10K rise in new home costs
due to higher plywood prices?
$600K for a starter house in LA?
What about gas for the Chevy?
'Life in the trailer park'
is a *long* sentence.
There is short term thinking,
there is long term thinking, and
there is a time and a place for both.
05:35:09 _8:35:03
1 02 03 06 09
21 8 23 05
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
<*> Part One is contained in a concurrent message titled
"A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One
of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included in earlier
messages entitled "Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three/Four of Four Parts)".
=====================================
=====================================
=====================================
*****End of Part Two*****
202.5 cm. 99.1 kg.
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
$10K rise in new home costs
due to higher plywood prices?
$600K for a starter house in LA?
What about gas for the Chevy?
'Life in the trailer park'
is a *long* sentence.
There is short term thinking,
there is long term thinking, and
there is a time and a place for both.
05:35:09 _8:35:03
1 02 03 06 09
21 8 23 05
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
<*> Part Two is contained in a concurrent copyrighted message
titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part Two of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included in
earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions For Prospective
Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of Four Parts)".
<*> IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
<*> December 22 is the sabbat Yule, The Winter Solstice. When
the Wheel of the Year turns to Yule, the Wiccan God (who died
at Samhain -- October 31st) is reborn of the fertile Goddess.
During Yule the Wiccan Goddess and the reborn Wiccan God are
reunited. At the Spring sabbat they will conceive the son
who becomes the reborn Wiccan God at next year's Yule sabbat.
<*> On this, the longest night of the year, the Wiccan God is
represented by the sun which returns in longer days to again
bring warmth and fertility to the land. Yule's importance is
based upon Pagan times, when the season's increasing darkness
and cold required that the sun (the God) be lured back to the
fertile earth (the Goddess in her mother role). During Yule
ritual celebrations the High Priest and High Priestess (or a
pair of selected individuals) symbolize the God and Goddess
reunited.
<*> Some Wiccan Traditions alternate their God personna. The
Oak King rules as Horned God from the Winter Solstice (Yule,
December 22nd) through the Summer Solstice (Midsummer,
June 22nd) and the Holly King rules as the Horned God from
Summer Solstice through Winter Solstice. These Traditions
might stage a Yule ritual battle symbolizing the Oak King
vanquishing the Holly King -- in a Midsummer ritual battle the
Holly King will vanquish the Oak King. This 'changing of the
Kings' marks the annual cycle of the sun, and can symbolize
the seasonal change of Wiccan partners.
<*> In Greek mythos the goddess Persephone (Proserpine) alternately
spent six months belowground in Hades as Pluto's queen and
consort, and six months aboveground with her mother Ceres, the
goddess of fertility and abundance. The earth was barren and
cold while Persephone's mother Ceres mourned during the six
months Persephone spent with Pluto. The earth was fertile and
warm during the six months Persephone spent with Ceres.
<*> In the Twenty First Century with its high divorce rates another
analogy can be drawn. Children of divorced parents often live
with each of their biological parents during a portion of the
year. Yule and Midsummer (end of the school year) are times
when childrens' transition between parents might occur.
<*> Yule is the most celebrated of all the sabbats -- the return
of the sun's light and warmth is a universal concern and customs
marking the sun's return have pervaded other cultures and
religions. For example, the Norse Tradition of a twelve-day-long
Yule celebration probably is reflected in the song "The Twelve
Days of Christmas". And wreaths (popular decorations during the
Christmas holiday) symbolize The Wheel of Life in Pagan cultures.
<*> Other Pagan cultures used fire to symbolize the return of the
sun. Many of these cultures tended perpetual flames or candles
throughout the year. At Yule the flames were allowed to burn
out and the candles were extinguished. Then the fires were
rekindled and the candles were relit, joyously symbolizing the
return of the sun. Lovers celebrated a rekindling of their
romantic love along with the rekindling of the perpetual flames.
Sometimes the extinguishing and rekindling of perpetual flames
was accompanied by a seasonal change of Pagan partners.
With this sabbat approaching, many Wiccans are discussing Wicca
<*> Integral to many Wiccan Traditions (e.g., Cunningham, Buckland)
is the tenet that Wiccan Covens and solitary worshippers are free
to define and modify their Traditions. There is *no requirement*
that a Wiccan solitary worshipper have any contact or
correspondence with a (lineaged) Wiccan Coven or High Priest/ess.
There is *no requirement* that a self-initiated Wiccan solitary
worshipper serve a 'year-and-a-day' apprenticeship prior to
becoming a Wiccan solitary worshipper. Likewise, Covens are
*not bound* to require a 'year-and-a-day' apprenticeship prior
to initiating Coven members. There is no requirement that
Wiccan initiates be drafted into and serve in 'the Wiccan Army'
prior to being accepted as Wiccans.
Why do I consider the Irish (white) potato's origin a Wiccan
*****End of Part One*****
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
00: 21 _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
<*> Part One is contained in a concurrent copyrighted message
titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included
in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions For
Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of
Four Parts)".
<*> IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
=====================================
=====================================
<*> And where is it written that a High Priest/ess's authority is
limited to Coven-specific matters? Where is it written that the
High Priest/ess can not intervene in Coven members' mundane concerns
such as housing and use of spare/guest bedrooms? I discuss housing
issues extensively in my earlier "Definitions for Prospective
Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of Four Parts)"
copyrighted messages.
=====================================
*****End of Part Two*****
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
00: 21 _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
Richard Ballard
In article <20031202102025...@mb-m10.aol.com>,
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
<snip>
<*> I do *not* recommend the following two related texts:
<*> 9A) "Necronomicon" by Ed Simon
An Extension of H. P. Lovecraft's Work -- 3 stars
<*> 9B) "Necronomicon Spellbook" by Ed Simon
Sumerian Magick Illustrated -- 2 stars
<*> The Necronomicon originally was discussed in H. P. Lovecraft's
Cthulhu Mythos. Author Ed Simon has extended this mythos
with his "Necronomicon" and "Necronomicon Spellbook". The
"Necronomicon" provides the testimony of the 'Mad Arab', a
sorcerer using the power of the Sumerian beneficent Elder Gods
to battle the followers of the Sumerian Ancient Ones -- the
bearers of Chaos. Simon describes how the Ancient Ones were
defeated and were banished behind The Gates, and The Gates then
were sealed with fifty magick spells. The Ancient Ones' followers
strive to free The Ancient Ones as they bedevil the Mad Arab, a
torment described in the "Necronomicon".
<*> The "Necronomicon" describes the Sumerian system of magick,
a system that uses ritual sacrifice of human females. (E.g.,
"The Dunwich Horror" by H. P. Lovecraft.) This non-Wiccan system
of magick is said to have originated in Eighth Century A.D.
Damascus Syria, a region much discussed today. IMO the
"Necronomicon" is _not_ compatible with Wicca.
<*> Furthermore, as _literature_ I prefer the systems of magick
discussed by Aleister Crowley (e.g., "MAGICK In Theory and
Practice") and discussed in the Christian New Testament's
"Book Of Revelations". The introductions to the "Necronomicon"
reference both of these systems of magick.
<*> IMO the chief use of the accompanying "Necronomicon
Spellbook" is providing glyph illustrations for tattoo artists.
> *****End of Part One*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
00: 21 _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Last book reviews: "Necronomicon" & "Necronomicon Spellbook"
by Ed Simon
Richard Ballard
In article <20031202102056...@mb-m10.aol.com>,
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
>Copyright 2003 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
>Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
>Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
>with a <*> marker.
>
><*> Part One is contained in a concurrent copyrighted message
>titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
>(Part One of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included
>in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions For
>Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of
>Four Parts)".
>
><*> IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
>On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
>"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
>on this Internet newsgroup.
<snip>
<*> I specifically do *not* recommend:
<*> 20A) "The Satanic Bible" by Anton Szandor LaVey
2 stars -- The confusing bible of 'The Church of Satan'
and
<*> 20B) "The Satanic Rituals" by Anton Szandor LaVey
5 stars -- Mr. LaVey's most inflammatory book!
<*> Satanism is an increasingly prevalent social force in
21st Century popular culture and IMO is confusing. Publicly,
satanism manifests itself as a self-fulfillment philosophy
(similar to "Be all that you can be" or "To thine own self
be true"). Yet the scope of the rituals performed privately
by 'The Church of Satan' apparently covers topics seldom
discussed publicly.
<*> Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Bible" is the testament of
'The Church of Satan'. IMO the testament's goals include
recruitment, and IMO like all recruiting literature the
testament includes some (misleading, optimistic and confusing?)
marketing copy. IMO "The Satanic Bible" does _not_ provide
a clear picture of satanic philosophy.
<*> "The Satanic Bible" does include a chapter 'The Black Mass'
(IMO reminescent of H. P. Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror").
"The Satanic Bible" also contains a chapter 'Book of Leviathan'
with an essay 'The Raging Sea' (IMO reminescent of the
Christian New Testament's 'Book of Revelations'); and with
an essay 'The Enochian Language and the Enochian Keys'
discussing the nineteen keys to 'The gates of Hell'
(IMO reminescent of H. P. Lovecraft's/Ed Simon's
"Necronomicon"). IMO satanism's public face does _not_
reflect this material.
<*> Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Rituals" explicitly describes
rituals performed in 'The Church of Satan' -- "The Satanic Rituals"
IMO apparently is free of (misleading?) marketing copy. The
described rituals include use of human females on the altar during
communion. "The Satanic Rituals" includes a chapter 'The
Metaphysics of Lovecraft' with an essay 'The Call to Cthulhu' --
both references to H. P Lovecraft and his Cthulhu Mythos. And
based upon reading both texts, I detect similarities between
"The Satanic Rituals" and the earlier "MAGICK In Theory and
Practice" by Aleister Crowley.
<*> Personally I do _not_ recommend satanism, but satanic
philosophies are so prevalent in 21st Century popular culture
that IMO (arms' length) knowledge of satanism is worthwhile.
I cannot recommend "The Satanic Bible" and "The Satanic Rituals"
to (unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices, but I believe that
mature scholars should be aware of the texts' contents, stated
philosophy, and possible sources.
<*> 'The Church of Satan' is one satanic organization. There
are other satanic organizations whose popular press texts
I have not yet reviewed.
<*> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
>I specifically do *not* recommend:
>
>21) "The Satanic Witch" by Anton Szandor LaVey
<snip>
Richard Ballard
New paragraphs begin with a <*> marker.
In article <20031221120515...@mb-m14.aol.com>,
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
<snip>
<*> 21) "The Devil's Notebook" by Anton Szandor LaVey
4 stars -- a unique collection of satanic essays
<*> This book is a clearly written collection of essays that
clarify the philosophies of Mr. LaVey, founder of 'The Church
of Satan'. IMO the three most noteworthy essays are
A) 'Nonconformity -- Satanism's Secret Weapon' which discusses
the satanist as master in a throng of weak willed slaves;
B) 'The Construction of Artificial Human Companions' -- keep
your mind open as you read the discussion of android joint
construction; and C) 'Misanthropia' -- which discusses the
psychology of satanists and their android companions (and
which IMO suggests a rereading of the first essay).
<*> Personally I do _not_ recommend satanism and I do _not_
recommend this book for (unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices,
but IMO scholars will find Mr. LaVey's essays illuminating.
<*> 'The Church of Satan' is one satanic organization. There
are other satanic organizations whose popular press texts
I have not yet reviewed.
<*> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
>>I specifically do *not* recommend:
>>
>>22) "The Satanic Witch" by Anton Szandor LaVey
Richard Ballard
New paragraphs begin with a <*> marker.
In article <20031221132513...@mb-m17.aol.com>,
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
>Copyright 2003 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
>New paragraphs begin with a <*> marker.
<snip>
><*> I specifically do *not* recommend:
>
><*> 21) "The Devil's Notebook" by Anton Szandor LaVey
> 4 stars -- a unique collection of satanic essays
<*> This book is a clearly written collection of essays that
clarify the philosophies of Mr. LaVey, founder of 'The Church
of Satan'. IMO the three most noteworthy essays are
A) 'Nonconformity -- Satanism's Secret Weapon' which discusses
the satanist as master in a throng of weak willed slaves;
B) 'The Construction of Artificial Human Companions' -- keep
your mind open as you read the discussion of android joint
construction; and C) 'Misanthropia' -- which discusses
satanic psychology (_not_ strengthening society's
'emotional vampires').
><*> Personally I do _not_ recommend satanism and I do _not_
>recommend this book for (unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices,
>but IMO scholars will find Mr. LaVey's essays illuminating.
>
><*> 'The Church of Satan' is one satanic organization. There
>are other satanic organizations whose popular press texts
>I have not yet reviewed.
>
><*> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
<snip>
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Part Two is contained in a concurrent copyrighted message
titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part Two of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included in
earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions For Prospective
Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of Four Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
<*> February 2 is the sabbat Imbolg (pronounced Em-bowl'-g).
Imbolg, (also called Imbolc and Oimelc, words that both translate
as "ewe's milk"), originated as a celebration honoring The Goddess's
attempt to end harsh hungry Winter and hasten warm balmy Spring by
luring back the God, who represented the warm sun. The Greeks and
Romans dedicated this celebration to their Goddesses of Love (Diana
and Venus, respectively). On this day the Irish celebrated
St. Bridget's Day -- young women (representing virgins) dressed
in old worn clothing went door-to-door begging for alms. On Imbolg
the French celebrate The Feast Day of St. Blaize, the saint of
winter protection and healing. Imbolg also has been called
Candlemas in Anglo-Saxon cultures because of the custom of lighting
a circle of candles (ritual fires) to hasten the return of the Sun
and the return of Spring's warmth. Often the candles substitute
for the celebratory outdoor balefires that create an lovemaking
atmosphere during other sabbats -- the ritual performed within the
circle of candles is obvious.
<*> In the United States Imbolg coincides with Groundhog's Day,
a day when the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil rises from his winter
slumber and seeks his shadow. No shadow indicates an early Spring,
while a strong shadow indicates six more weeks of harsh Winter.
<*> All these celebrations share a common theme: hastening the
end of the harsh hungry Winter and hastening the return of
Spring with its agricultural fertility.
With this sabbat approaching, many Wiccans are discussing Wicca
more openly, and many of their friends are hearing about Wicca
for the first time. These friends might ask "How can I learn
about Wicca?"
<*> Texts and films are one source of quality information, and
texts and films do not contain oathbound secrets. But before
offering these references I must state that I am _not_ a Wiccan,
a witch, a Pagan or a satanist. People ask me "Why are you
providing this reference list on the Internet?" One reason is
that I heard about Wicca in an acquaintance's chance comment, and
learning details about Paganism and Wicca has cost me (and
continues to cost me) much time and trouble. Another reason I
provide this reference list is the flood of negativism on the
Pagan- and Wicca-related Internet newsgroups. It appears that
everybody has a license to criticize and complain, but few have
a license to make a positive contribution.
<*> I have defined my documents' current scope: Providing information
about 21st Century Pagan and Wiccan practices based upon my reading,
my Internet newsgroup participation, and my arms-length observations
in my locale. IMO this is the information that _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices seek. Assembling that information cost me
(and continues to cost me) much time and trouble -- time and trouble
Integral to many Wiccan Traditions (e.g., Cunningham, Buckland)
<*> These website references indicate that the Irish (white) potato
originated in the South American Andes Mountains and propagated
naturally throughout large areas of South America, Central America
and the southern United States. Sixteenth-century Spanish explorers,
who first observed the potato in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador
adopted the Quechua name, papa. The first specimens, arguably
short-day S. tuberosum ssp. andigena forms from Colombia, probably
reached Spain around 1570. All European potato varieties in the
first 250 years were derived from the original introductions, which
constituted a very narrow gene pool that left almost all potatoes
vulnerable to devastating viruses and fungal blights (e.g., the Irish
crop failures and famine) by the mid-nineteenth century. The use of
(?) manure fertilizer did not help the situation. (In the
21st Century 'Mad Cow Disease' is transmitted when offal from
infected butchered cattle is recycled as cattle feed.) The
references also note that some early Spanish chroniclers misused
the Indian word batata (sweet potato) as the name for the Irish
(white) potato.
<*> Why do I consider the Irish (white) potato's origin a Wiccan
_non-issue_? Irish (white) potatoes reached Europe in the 1570's.
Gerald Gardner *invented* Wicca in the 1950's (roughly 380 years
later) when he invented the so-called Gardnerian Wiccan Tradition.
These dates indicate that Irish (white) potatoes in Europe are
_prehistoric_ by Wiccan standards. Ms. McCoy states that Irish
(white) potatoes are sacred in her later [c1993, ISBN 0-87542-732-4]
Wittan Tradition. Irish (white) potatoes were a mainstay of the
Irish diet, and it is appropriate that Wittans associate potatoes
with the fertile Goddess. ***The "History Magazine" article URL
referenced above is particularly relevant.*** It discusses how
Western Civilization was undernourished throughout much of its
early history, and how infant mortality rates decreased and
population swelled wherever the Irish (white) potato was introduced
into Western diets -- very relevant to the fertile Goddess.
[Remember that the next time you fill your gasoline (petrol) tank
with regular gasoline costing ~$1.70US per gallon. Money spent
for gasoline is much like gasoline (or food or time) itself. Once
spent it is gone forever.] And Irish (white) potatoes in Europe
predate both Gardnerian Wicca and Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition.
IMO Ms. McCoy's use of the potato within her liberal Wittan
Tradition will be better accepted as food prices rise globally
due to higher energy costs.
<*> Branding by tattooing [less frequently by thermal branding]
sometimes occurs in the United States, but more often women are
bound by indebtness (e.g., car payments) and several hungry
children in a poor domestic economy. Cars are less useful
as gasoline prices rise significantly and people drive less.
And raising children costs more as food prices rise. Impoverished
women lose options as they struggle to feed their cars and their
children in an era of significantly increasing energy and
food prices.
A) Rite of passage in some organizations and societies
B) Economical and fast alternative to group tattooing
C) No possibility of infection from a red hot branding iron
D) Once healed, thermal brands are free from the maintenance
problems associated with (pastel-colored) tattoos
E) Punishment and deterrent (For example, pain inflicted
as an example both to the affected individual and also to the
witnessing overall group. This ain't Nirvana, but it *is*
another way to enforce a binding oath of obedience. Some
people might prefer having a gun put to their head.)
<*> I do *not* recommend the following two related texts:
<*> 9A) "Necronomicon" by Ed Simon
3 stars -- An Extension of H. P. Lovecraft's Work
<*> 9B) "Necronomicon Spellbook" by Ed Simon
2 stars -- Sumerian Magick Illustrated
<*> The Necronomicon originally was discussed in H. P. Lovecraft's
Cthulhu Mythos. Author Ed Simon has extended this mythos
with his "Necronomicon" and "Necronomicon Spellbook". The
"Necronomicon" provides the testimony of the 'Mad Arab', a
sorcerer using the power of the Sumerian beneficent Elder Gods
to battle the followers of the Sumerian Ancient Ones -- the
bearers of Chaos. Simon describes how the Ancient Ones were
defeated and were banished behind The Gates, and The Gates then
were sealed with fifty magick spells. The Ancient Ones' followers
strive to free The Ancient Ones as they bedevil the Mad Arab, a
torment described in the "Necronomicon".
<*> The "Necronomicon" describes the Sumerian system of magick,
a system that uses ritual sacrifice of human females. (E.g.,
"The Dunwich Horror" by H. P. Lovecraft.) This non-Wiccan system
of magick is said to have originated in Eighth Century A.D.
Damascus Syria, a region much discussed today. IMO the
"Necronomicon" is _not_ compatible with Wicca.
<*> Furthermore, as _literature_ I prefer the systems of magick
discussed by Aleister Crowley (e.g., "MAGICK In Theory and
Practice") and discussed in the Christian New Testament's
"Book Of Revelations". The introductions to the "Necronomicon"
reference both of these systems of magick.
<*> Alone, author Simon's accompanying "Necronomicon Spellbook"
does _not_ provide sufficient background to understand Sumerian
magick. IMO the chief use of the "Necronomicon Spellbook" is
providing glyph illustrations for tattoo artists.
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
10) "Wicca for Men: A Handbook for Male Pagans Seeking A
Spiritual Path" by A. J. Drew
4 stars -- A Readable Text with a Misleading Title
Most Wiccan Traditions emphasize the Wiccan Goddess and
women's issues over the Wiccan God and men's issues. Author
A. J. Drew offers a Wiccan Tradition with better female/male
balance: the Tradition honors the Goddess and God equally,
and its rituals provide meaningful roles for women and men both.
Nevertheless, I believe this readable and informative text does
*not* live up to its title because Mr. Drew does *not* discuss
witchcraft and Wicca from a strictly male-oriented viewpoint.
"Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" by Scott
Cunningham emphasizes ethics over dogma and suggests how
solitary worshippers can modify Wicca to fit their beliefs. I
believe that Mr. Cunningham's text is better suited for those
seeking a strictly male-oriented viewpoint of Wicca.
While the statement makes me uncomfortable, I must praise
A. J. Drew's candor. On page 154 Mr. Drew discusses self-
initiation into Creation's Covenant's Wiccan Tradition, and
states "This is not a decision you should take lightly. If
you were raised in a traditional Western religion, you are
about to throw away the religion of your parents and their
parents."
I am *not* a member of 'Creation's Covenant'.
*****End of Part One*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
00: 21 _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Part One is contained in a concurrent copyrighted message
titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included
in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions For
Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of
Four Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
11) "The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion
of the Great Goddess" by Starhawk
5 stars -- A Witchcraft Tradition and Political Manifesto
"The Spiral Dance..." relegates the Horned God and men to a
weak supporting role. *No-where* in the Twentieth Anniversary
Edition of "The Spiral Dance: ..." (original text plus two
appendices giving Tenth Anniversary comments and Twentieth
Anniversary comments, respectively) does Starhawk state that
she is a Wiccan. Starhawk states (pp. 6,16) that her Reclaiming
Tradition has roots in Victor and Cora Anderson's Faerie
Tradition. Nevertheless, this text is very well-written and
provides detailed insight into a non-Wiccan feminist Tradition
not available in other texts.
=====================================
<*> My Amazon.com webpage links to my topical "Listmania Lists"
-- lists of texts and media items, with entries containing one-line
comments and links to each individual text and media item.
"A Reference List for Prospective Wiccan Novices" is included
within my Listmania Lists.
<*> To access my Amazon.com webpage:
A) Access "http://www.amazon.com" (no quotes);
B) Click on "Friends & Favorites";
C) Under the category "Search for Friends"
Enter "rjballard"
Click GO
D) Scroll to the "Listmania List" section.
=====================================
I specifically do *not* recommend:
12) "Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner"
And where is it written that a High Priest/ess's authority is
limited to Coven-specific matters? Where is it written that the
High Priest/ess can not intervene in Coven members' mundane concerns
such as housing and use of spare/guest bedrooms? I discuss housing
issues extensively in my earlier "Definitions for Prospective
Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of Four Parts)"
copyrighted messages.
In addition, "Living Wicca: ..." was written late in
Scott Cunningham's life, probably during the last stages of his
terminal illness. IMO the writing styles of "Wicca: ..." and
"Living Wicca: ..." are *markedly different*. I must wonder if
ghost-writers (with their own opinions and agendas) co-authored
"Living Wicca: ..." ***without *** strong supervision from
Scott Cunningham.
I can *not* recommend "Living Wicca: ..." because its de facto
Coven-bound orientation runs counter to its title statement, and
because I believe that Wiccan solitary worshippers who participate
in Circles achieve most of the benefits that Covens offer without
sacrificing their personal autonomy through binding oaths of
obedience.
I am *not* a member of the 'Church of All Worlds'. I am *not*
a member of 'The Church of Satan'. I am *not* a member of
'The Temple of Set'.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
13) "To Ride A Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft"
by Silver RavenWolf
4 stars -- New Generation Witchcraft is *not* Wicca
I believe Ms. Thayer (Silver RavenWolf) utilizes Wiccan concepts
plus New Age concepts to define New Generation Witchcraft. The
result is not Wicca: A) Ms. Thayer provides (pp.14-15) a
definition of Wicca unlike any Wiccan definition that I have seen
elsewhere; B) I believe that Wicca, with its worship of both The
Wiccan Goddess and The Wiccan God, should be a gender-neutral
religion. Ms. Thayer's statements (pg 274) indicate that New
Generation Witchcraft is not gender-neutral; C) Most Wiccan
traditions follow The Rede. New Generation Witchcraft explicitly
ignores ethics (Chapter 21), and I believe that several of
Ms. Thayer's writings are contrary to The Rede.
My belief is that New Generation Witchcraft is attractively-
packaged New Age occultism, but it is not Wicca. New Generation
Witchcraft appears to be designed for a parent having difficulty:
the parent can form a family Coven, an exclusive Coven that
avoids outsiders to the detriment of the children's (and the
parents') social development.
I can *not* recommend New Generation Witchcraft to prospective
Wiccan novices or their families.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
14) "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft"
by Denise Zimmermann and Katherine A. Gleason
3 stars -- A nice Craft text with serious omissions
"The Guide ..." is very professionally produced. I believe its
primary audience is women in transition (e.g., discharged career
women, divorcees, empty-nesters and widows) who seek new motivation.
"The Guide ..." discusses a range of New Age topics and provides
a nice discussion about the Wiccan religion and witchcraft, but it
omits discussion of domineering, left-handed witchcraft. [E.g.,
some spells are punitive, some witches practice necromancy, and
some Coven initiations include (a-hem) secret rituals and (a-hem)
binding commitments.] I believe that "Wicca: A Guide For The
Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham plus "Inside A Witches'
Coven" by Edain McCoy provide a better and clearer introduction
for prospective Wiccan novices.
"The Guide ..." reads like professionally-prepared marketing
literature, but I can *not* recommend "The Guide ..." to
prospective Wiccan novices because of the omissions discussed
above.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
15) "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide" by Amber K
3 stars -- A Weak Introduction To Witchcraft
I believe this text is written in a style and level of detail
suited for middle-school-aged children. It is a broad shallow
overview of witchcraft. It contains serious errors (it equates
witchcraft and Wicca) and omits to differentiate between solitary
Wiccan worship and Wiccan Coven membership. It does not discuss
Coven social structure or binding initiation rituals -- serious
omissions in an introductory text.
I believe that middle-school-aged children would be better served
by discussing Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide For The
Solitary Practitioner" plus Edain McCoy's "Inside A Witches'
Coven" with their biological parents and/or legal guardians.
I can *not* recommend "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide" to
prospective Wiccan novices because of the errors and omissions
discussed above.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
16) "Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers,
17) "Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches,
18) "The Book Of The Law" by Aleister Crowley
3 stars -- An Interesting Presentation of Ethics
Aleister Crowley's "The Book Of The Law" is a seminal work
for some magickal disciplines and is much discussed among Wiccans,
but I do *not* recommend that prospective Wiccan novices study
"The Book Of The Law". I believe that "The Book Of The Law"
is *totally* unsuitable for novices due to its cryptic style.
I also believe that any novice attempting to read "The Book Of
The Law" would quickly give up in frustration.
Crowley's "The Book Of The Law" is cryptic reading until a person
discovers the key, but the nature of the key is controversial and
subject to (mis)interpretation. While scholars interpret the key
as a matter of faith, I believe that most Magickians interpret the
key differently based solely upon the language of 21st Century
popular culture. Also (in a manner analogous to Islamic tenets
concerning the Quran) "The Book Of The Law" warns *against* casual
study of "The Book Of The Law" by the unknowledgeable.
I believe that "The Book Of The Law" is *totally unsuitable* for
prospective Wiccan novices due to its cryptic nature, and due to
the fact that its warning against casual study makes it a topic
of *unknowledgeable speculation*.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
19) "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" by Aleister Crowley
4 stars -- Aleister Crowley Revealed
<*> Aleister Crowley's "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" (MTP) is a
seminal work for some magickal disciplines and is much discussed
among Wiccans. I believe that MTP is *totally unsuitable* for
(unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices due to its cryptic nature,
and that any prospective Wiccan novice attempting to read MTP
would quickly give up in frustration. After having read many
Wiccan texts and after more than one year's participation in
Wiccan-related Internet newsgroups, I read MTP twice taking
copious notes before I felt that I understood the material.
<*> IMO MTP is valuable reading for mature scholars studying
Crowley's ritual magick and/or Anton LaVey's writings.
(IMO Anton LaVey was very familiar with Crowley's MTP.)
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
<*> I specifically do *not* recommend:
<*> 20A) "The Satanic Bible" by Anton Szandor LaVey
2 stars -- The confusing bible of 'The Church of Satan'
and
<*> 20B) "The Satanic Rituals" by Anton Szandor LaVey
5 stars -- Mr. LaVey's most inflamatory book!
<*> Satanism is an increasingly prevalent social force in
21st Century popular culture and IMO is confusing. Publicly,
satanism manifests itself as a self-fulfillment philosophy
(similar to "Be all that you can be" or "To thine own self
be true"). Yet the scope of the rituals performed privately
by 'The Church of Satan' apparently covers topics seldom
discussed publicly.
<*> Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Bible" is the testament of
'The Church of Satan'. IMO the testament's goals include
recruitment, and IMO like all recruiting literature the
testament includes some (misleading, optimistic and confusing?)
marketing copy. IMO "The Satanic Bible" does _not_ provide
a clear picture of satanic philosophy.
<*> "The Satanic Bible" does include a chapter 'The Black Mass'
(IMO reminescent of H. P. Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror").
"The Satanic Bible" also contains a chapter 'Book of Leviathan'
with an essay 'The Raging Sea' (IMO reminescent of the
Christian New Testament's 'Book of Revelations'); and with
an essay 'The Enochian Language and the Enochian Keys'
discussing the nineteen keys to 'The gates of Hell'
(IMO reminescent of H. P. Lovecraft's / Ed Simon's
"Necronomicon"). IMO satanism's public face does _not_
reflect this material.
<*> Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Rituals" explicitly describes
rituals performed in 'The Church of Satan' -- "The Satanic Rituals"
IMO apparently is free of (misleading?) marketing copy. The
described rituals include use of human females on the altar during
communion. "The Satanic Rituals" includes a chapter 'The
Metaphysics of Lovecraft' with an essay 'The Call to Cthulhu' --
both references to H. P Lovecraft and his Cthulhu Mythos. And
based upon reading both texts, I detect similarities between
"The Satanic Rituals" and the earlier "MAGICK In Theory and
Practice" by Aleister Crowley (discussed previously).
<*> Personally I do _not_ recommend satanism, but satanic
philosophies are so prevalent in 21st Century popular culture
that IMO (arms' length) knowledge of satanism is worthwhile.
I cannot recommend "The Satanic Bible" and "The Satanic Rituals"
to (unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices, but I believe that
mature scholars should be aware of the texts' contents, stated
philosophy, and possible sources.
<*> 'The Church of Satan' is one satanic organization. There
are other satanic organizations whose popular press texts
I have not yet reviewed.
<*> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
<*> I specifically do *not* recommend:
<*> 21) "The Devil's Notebook" by Anton Szandor LaVey
4 stars -- a unique collection of satanic essays
<*> This book is a clearly written collection of essays that
clarify the philosophies of Mr. LaVey, founder of 'The Church
of Satan'. IMO the three most noteworthy essays are:
A) 'Nonconformity -- Satanism's Secret Weapon' which discusses
the satanist as master in a throng of weak willed (wage?) slaves;
B) 'The Construction of Artificial Human Companions' -- keep
your mind open as you read the discussion of android joint
construction. (And keep in mind that humans control themselves,
while androids / automatons / artificial human beings are
controlled by (other) _real_ human beings) and
C) 'Misanthropia' -- which discusses satanic psychology
(_not_ strengthening society's 'emotional vampires').
<*> Personally I do _not_ recommend satanism and I do _not_
recommend this book for (unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices,
but IMO scholars will find Mr. LaVey's essays illuminating.
<*> 'The Church of Satan' is one satanic organization. There
are other satanic organizations whose popular press texts
I have not yet reviewed.
<*> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
22) "The Satanic Witch" by Anton Szandor LaVey
=====================================
<*> I have made several comments concerning juvenile nutrition and
impoverished women's responsibility to raise their children. My
comments reflect my situation: I am a single man with no living
children and I do not want to argue feminist issues. But in my
locale, most often I observe impoverished children accompanied by
their mothers. This observation makes me believe that in 21st Century
United States society, the responsibility for raising impoverished
children most often falls upon their mothers.
<*> IMO the continued United States occupation of Iraq makes this
issue increasingly important. I believe that the United States
occupation of Iraq is a long-term police action that will continue
to heavily load the Armed Forces Reserve and the state National
Guard units, and that might reinitiate Selective Service drafting
of young men (including married men). I believe this long-term
police action will cause the breakup of many (military) families,
leaving many women "Separated or Divorced With Children" in a
downsized United States domestic economy offering few high-paying
jobs either to men or to women. Credit cards offer limited credit,
and home equity stretches only so far.
<*> Money spent rebuilding Iraq is not building new jobs, new
opportunities and better education in the United States. The
outsourcing of United States jobs to foreign countries (e.g.,
contract manufacturing to the Pacific Rim nations, and outsourcing
of computer programming and of telephone customer service jobs
to India with its quality education system and its significantly
lower cost-of-living) is very common in the currently downsizing
United States economy. (At the same time, the nation of Mexico
is a good neighbor that provides petroleum to the United States
in return for NAFTA jobs.)
<*> I believe that the true cost of the United States occupation
of Iraq will be paid in broken families, lost homes and several
generations of impoverished United States citizens.
*****End of Part Two*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
00: 21 _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Richard Ballard
with a <*> marker.
In article <20040114113146...@mb-m20.aol.com>,
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
>Copyright 2003, 2004 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
>Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
>Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
>with a <*> marker.
>
>Part One is contained in a concurrent copyrighted message
>titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
>(Part One of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included
>in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions For
>Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of
>Four Parts)".
>
>IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
>On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
>"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
>on this Internet newsgroup.
<snip>
<*> IMO history often can be explained in terms of economics,
and similar economics brings similar societal responses. IMO
the United States today faces an economic situation similar to
the situation faced during the latter parts of former President
Lyndon B. Johnson's Administration. During President Johnson's
time, the United States economy had been drained by long
involvement in the Vietnam War. Today the United States economy
has been drained by involvement in Bosnia, in Afghanistan and
now in Iraq. At the same time, today the United States has greater
dependence upon foreign nations for energy and for manufactured
goods -- both economic weaknesses.
<*> My own personal political philosophy is capitalistic because
I believe in meritocracy. But people seek different political
solutions during troubled economic times. Already United States
citizens look to socialized medicine and to Canadian pharmaceuticals
in an effort to reduce their health care costs. And rapidly
increasing gasoline prices (my local television newscaster is
speculating about $3.00US per gallon gasoline this summer) will
_radically_ change some peoples' lifestyles for the worse. Marxism,
a set of political philosophies born from harsh economic conditions,
had vocal advocates during the Vietnam War era -- those Vietnam
protests were more than 'flower power'.
<*> IMO worsening economics during the United States occupation
of Iraq _will_ cause increased United States' citizenry interest in
Marxist political philosophies (particularly in college students).
This increased interest in Marxist political philosophy _will_ raise
concern in anti-terrorism and Homeland Security circles (been there,
seen that), and might raise civil liberties issues inside the
United States.
<*> I have referred to the United States' occupation of Iraq as
'a police action' (much as the United States' long involvement
in Korea often is called a police action). IMO the term
'police action' is appropriate for another reason. United States
involvement in Somalia and then in Bosnia were peacekeeping
missions. In these missions United States military forces performed
police functions and evolved techniques to militarily pacify/police
_entire countries_. The United States' occupation of Iraq began
with war but has evolved into a pacifying police action. The
techniques the United States military uses to pacify entire
countries continue to evolve in Iraq.
<*> If a United States citizenry interest resurgence in Marxist
political philosophies raises antiterrorism and Homeland Security
concerns, IMO United States Armed Forces might play a greater role
in quelling political protest within the United States than the
Armed Forces performed during the Vietnam War era (despite the
current existence of the Federal 'Posse Comitas Act').
Richard Ballard
with a <*> marker.
In article <20040114135659...@mb-m11.aol.com>,
rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
>Copyright 2003, 2004 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
>Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
>with a <*> marker.
>
>In article <20040114113146...@mb-m20.aol.com>,
>rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) writes:
>
>>Copyright 2003, 2004 by Richard J. Ballard -- All Rights Reserved.
>>Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
>>Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
>>with a <*> marker.
>>
>>Part One is contained in a concurrent copyrighted message
>>titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
>>(Part One of Two Parts)". Helpful definitions were included
>>in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions For
>>Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four of
>>Four Parts)".
>>
>>IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
>>On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
>>"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
>>on this Internet newsgroup.
<snip>
><*> IMO history often can be explained in terms of economics,
>and similar economics brings similar societal responses. IMO
>the United States today faces an economic situation similar to
>the situation faced during the latter parts of former President
>Lyndon B. Johnson's Administration. During President Johnson's
>time, the United States economy had been drained by long
>involvement in the Vietnam War. Today the United States economy
>has been drained by involvement in Bosnia, in Afghanistan and
>now in Iraq. At the same time, today the United States has greater
>dependence upon foreign nations for energy and for manufactured
>goods -- both economic weaknesses.
<*> IMO other factors that weaken the current United States
domestic economy are the emphasis on Homeland Security since
the tragic events of September 11, 2001; and the recent emphasis
on computer software security upgrades.
<*> Security does _not_ produce a salable service or product --
at its best, security facilitates "business and life as usual".
Since 9/11/2001 the United States has invested heavily in
Homeland Security activities. This Homeland Security investment
is necessary, but the investment does _not_ produce salable goods
or services. Instead the investment drains resources from
productive activities and weaken the United States domestic
economy.
<*> The "Year 2000 Computer Software Modifications" are analogous
to our current Homeland Security activities. The Year 2000 Computer
Software Modifications permitted computers and communications
to operate normally beyond January 1, 2000, but these modifications
did _not_ produce additional salable goods or services. The Year 2000
Computer Modifications cost approximately one percent of one year's
United States Gross National Product, resources drained from
productive activities.
<*> I do not know the (direct and indirect) costs of
Homeland security, but IMO Homeland Security activities
weaken the United States domestic economy in an analogous
(and continuing) manner. And many Homeland Security activities
are labor-intensive -- mechanized savings opportunities are minimal.
<*> The last five years also have featured a flood of Internet-based
attacks on computer software, and a flood of effort to counter
these attacks quickly and economically. IMO real progress has
been made in this area. Increasingly computer software security
upgrades are made automatically over the Internet, and the
increased mechanization is quick and economical. Computer
software security upgrades also are a continuing expense, but
their cost is being reduced by user education (e.g., avoid bad
Internet websites) and by increased mechanization.
<*> IMO, United States recent involvement in Bosnia, in Afghanistan
and Iraq, coupled with the expense of imported petroleum and
manufactured goods, continuing Homeland Security activities
and continuing computer software security upgrade activities has
burdened the United States domestic economy equivalent to the
economic burden the United States faced during the Vietnam War
at the end of former President Lyndon B. Johnson's Administration.
<*> Summarizing, many factors contribute to the current weak
United States domestic economy. A weak domestic economy produces
few new jobs, and produces poverty rather than affluence.
Impoverished people have fewer options, and impoverished
people seek political remedies. IMO the current weak United States
domestic economy could trigger protests similar to the Vietnam War
protests. In Iraq and elsewhere the United States military is
evolving techniques that might be used to suppress these protests.
Military and police using these techniques (including domestic
surveillance without Court-issued warrants) might restrict civil
liberties (including freedom of speech and freedom of worship)
through intimidation, entrapment, selective enforcement of
existing regulations and laws, anonymous defamation of
character and reputation, and chaotic implementation of
Murphy's Law.
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts One and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Three of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions were
included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions
For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five
of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
I recommend the following film *despite reservations*:
Branding by tattooing [less frequently by thermal branding]
I do *not* recommend the following two related texts:
9A) "Necronomicon" by Ed Simon
3 stars -- An Extension of H. P. Lovecraft's Work
9B) "Necronomicon Spellbook" by Ed Simon
2 stars -- Sumerian Magick Illustrated
The Necronomicon originally was discussed in H. P. Lovecraft's
Cthulhu Mythos. Author Ed Simon has extended this mythos
with his "Necronomicon" and "Necronomicon Spellbook". The
"Necronomicon" provides the testimony of the 'Mad Arab', a
sorcerer using the power of the Sumerian beneficent Elder Gods
to battle the followers of the Sumerian Ancient Ones -- the
bearers of Chaos. Simon describes how the Ancient Ones were
defeated and were banished behind The Gates, and The Gates then
were sealed with fifty magick spells. The Ancient Ones' followers
strive to free The Ancient Ones as they bedevil the Mad Arab, a
torment described in the "Necronomicon".
The "Necronomicon" describes the Sumerian system of magick,
a system that uses ritual sacrifice of human females. (E.g.,
"The Dunwich Horror" by H. P. Lovecraft.) This non-Wiccan system
of magick is said to have originated in Eighth Century A.D.
Damascus Syria, a region much discussed today. IMO the
"Necronomicon" is _not_ compatible with Wicca.
Furthermore, as _literature_ I prefer the systems of magick
discussed by Aleister Crowley (e.g., "MAGICK In Theory and
Practice") and discussed in the Christian New Testament's
"Book Of Revelations". The introductions to the "Necronomicon"
reference both of these systems of magick.
Alone, author Simon's accompanying "Necronomicon Spellbook"
does _not_ provide sufficient background to understand Sumerian
magick. IMO the chief use of the "Necronomicon Spellbook" is
providing glyph illustrations for tattoo artists.
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
10) "Wicca for Men: A Handbook for Male Pagans Seeking A
Spiritual Path" by A. J. Drew
4 stars -- A Readable Text with a Misleading Title
Most Wiccan Traditions emphasize the Wiccan Goddess and
women's issues over the Wiccan God and men's issues. Author
A. J. Drew offers a Wiccan Tradition with better female/male
balance: the Tradition honors the Goddess and God equally,
and its rituals provide meaningful roles for women and men both.
Nevertheless, I believe this readable and informative text does
*not* live up to its title because Mr. Drew does *not* discuss
witchcraft and Wicca from a strictly male-oriented viewpoint.
"Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" by Scott
Cunningham emphasizes ethics over dogma and suggests how
solitary worshippers can modify Wicca to fit their beliefs. I
believe that Mr. Cunningham's text is better suited for those
seeking a strictly male-oriented viewpoint of Wicca.
While the statement makes me uncomfortable, I must praise
A. J. Drew's candor. On page 154 Mr. Drew discusses self-
initiation into Creation's Covenant's Wiccan Tradition, and
states "This is not a decision you should take lightly. If
you were raised in a traditional Western religion, you are
about to throw away the religion of your parents and their
parents."
I am *not* a member of 'Creation's Covenant'.
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
11) "The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion
of the Great Goddess" by Starhawk
5 stars -- A Witchcraft Tradition and Political Manifesto
"The Spiral Dance..." relegates the Horned God and men to a
weak supporting role. *No-where* in the Twentieth Anniversary
Edition of "The Spiral Dance: ..." (original text plus two
appendices giving Tenth Anniversary comments and Twentieth
Anniversary comments, respectively) does Starhawk state that
she is a Wiccan. Starhawk states (pp. 6,16) that her Reclaiming
Tradition has roots in Victor and Cora Anderson's Faerie
Tradition. Nevertheless, this text is very well-written and
provides detailed insight into a non-Wiccan feminist Tradition
not available in other texts.
=====================================
My Amazon.com webpage links to my topical "Listmania Lists"
-- lists of texts and media items, with entries containing one-line
comments and links to each individual text and media item.
"A Reference List for Prospective Wiccan Novices" is included
within my Listmania Lists.
To access my Amazon.com webpage:
=====================================
Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five of Five Parts)"
copyrighted messages.
*****End of Part Two*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
00: 21 _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Last book review: "Guerrilla Television" by Michael Shamberg
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts Two and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part Two/Three of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions and
discussion were included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
<*> March 21 is the sabbat Ostara (pronounced Oh-star-ah), a sabbat
celebrating the Earth's fertility and the Sun's return. Ostara
marks the Spring Equinox, the time in the Earth's annual cycle
when the Sun again crosses the Equator and returns to the Earth's
Northern Hemisphere. Many Ostara myths concern deities' struggles
to return from the Underworld to the Land of the Living. Odin,
Osiris, Mithras, Orpheus, and Persephone are among the deities
associated with the sabbat Ostara and these death/rebirth myths.
<*> Ostara, a sabbat of great importance in Greek, Roman, and the
Nordic lands, is named after the ancient German virgin goddess
of Spring. The Teutons honored their Spring goddess Eostre
at this festival -- some associate the Teutonic goddess Eostre
with the Christian holiday Easter. And Teutonic custom dictates
that new clothing (symbolizing rebirth) be worn at Ostara -- it
is considered extremely bad luck to wear new clothing before the
Ostara celebrations.
<*> The Greco-Roman tradition celebrated Ceres, their grain goddess,
from Ostara until the first harvest -- grain is 'the staff of
life'. The lamb (and more importantly the egg) symbolize Ostara,
fertility and youth. In Greco-Roman times, young men playing the
roles of lusty young gods would offer lilies (another Greco-Roman
symbol of life) to young women during Ostara. A young woman
accepting a lily (and the young man's intimacies) was accepting
a wedding engagement.
<*> Slavic cultures believe that Death has no power over the living
during Ostara. Slavic Ostara rituals include symbolically
throwing Death into a river to drown. After this ritual
drowning, Slavs pass red-dyed eggs among celebrants during
their procession to the Ostara ritual feast.
<*> These Slavic Ostara celebrations bear remarkable resemblence
to Mardi gras, an annual masked celebration held in Paris and
in New Orleans, both river cities. The masks worn during
Mardi gras are symbolic attempts to confuse Death by obscuring
the identity of the living. The masks worn during Mardi gras
also permit royalty (i.e., the deities) to celebrate anonymously
and safely among the common people.
<*> In British Ostara rituals, a young man and young woman
respectively were chosen to symbolize Lord of the Greenwood
(a British version of the Horned God) and the Green Goddess
(a fertile young virgin/mother).
<*> St. Patrick's Day roughly corresponds with Ostara, the
everpresent green symbolizing fertility and bounty. After
repeatedly being driven out of Ireland, Patrick's procession
journeyed to Tara, the seat of high government, on Easter
to reaffirm Patrick's faith. Beer effectively is grain wine
(sacred to Ceres), and grain wine flows freely on
St. Patrick's Day. Honey traditionally symbolizes the Spring
Pagan Sabbats -- IMO mead (honey wine) also deserves its place
on the Ostara banquet table.
<*> IMO Ostara could have been the inspiration for naming
Scarlett O'Hara's fertile plantation 'Tara' in Margaret Mitchell's
novel "Gone With The Wind". In Greco-Roman times, farmers sought
special Ostara blessings for their freshly-tilled fields.
<*> On the North and South American continents, Native Americans
having astronomical knowledge celebrated the Spring Equinox
and the Sun's return. Pagans consider Native American burial
mounds and other native American historical sites to be sacred
places. Pagans often hold equinox and solstice celebrations
at publicly-accessible Native American sites.
With this sabbat approaching, many Wiccans are discussing
Wicca more openly, and many of their friends are hearing about
Wicca for the first time. These friends might ask "How can I
learn about Wicca?"
Texts and films are one source of quality information, and
texts and films do not contain oathbound secrets. But before
offering these references I must state that I am _not_ a Wiccan,
a witch, a Pagan or a satanist. People ask me "Why are you
providing this reference list on the Internet?" One reason is
that I heard about Wicca in an acquaintance's chance comment, and
learning details about Paganism and Wicca has cost me (and
continues to cost me) much time and trouble. Another reason I
provide this reference list is the flood of negativism on the
Pagan- and Wicca-related Internet newsgroups. It appears that
everybody has a license to criticize and complain, but few have
a license to make a positive contribution.
I have defined my documents' current scope: Providing information
These website references indicate that the Irish (white) potato
originated in the South American Andes Mountains and propagated
naturally throughout large areas of South America, Central America
and the southern United States. Sixteenth-century Spanish explorers,
who first observed the potato in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador
adopted the Quechua name, papa. The first specimens, arguably
short-day S. tuberosum ssp. andigena forms from Colombia, probably
reached Spain around 1570. All European potato varieties in the
first 250 years were derived from the original introductions, which
constituted a very narrow gene pool that left almost all potatoes
vulnerable to devastating viruses and fungal blights (e.g., the Irish
crop failures and famine) by the mid-nineteenth century. The use of
(?) manure fertilizer did not help the situation. (In the
21st Century 'Mad Cow Disease' is transmitted when offal from
infected butchered cattle is recycled as cattle feed.) The
references also note that some early Spanish chroniclers misused
the Indian word batata (sweet potato) as the name for the Irish
(white) potato.
Why do I consider the Irish (white) potato's origin a Wiccan
_non-issue_? Irish (white) potatoes reached Europe in the 1570's.
Gerald Gardner *invented* Wicca in the 1950's (roughly 380 years
later) when he invented the so-called Gardnerian Wiccan Tradition.
These dates indicate that Irish (white) potatoes in Europe are
_prehistoric_ by Wiccan standards. Ms. McCoy states that Irish
(white) potatoes are sacred in her later [c1993, ISBN 0-87542-732-4]
Wittan Tradition. Irish (white) potatoes were a mainstay of the
Irish diet, and it is appropriate that Wittans associate potatoes
with the fertile Goddess. ***The "History Magazine" article URL
referenced above is particularly relevant.*** It discusses how
Western Civilization was undernourished throughout much of its
early history, and how infant mortality rates decreased and
population swelled wherever the Irish (white) potato was introduced
into Western diets -- very relevant to the fertile Goddess.
[Remember that the next time you fill your gasoline (petrol) tank
with regular gasoline costing over $1.70US per gallon. Money spent
*****End of Part One*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
00: 21 _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts One and Two are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions were
included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions
For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five
of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
Aleister Crowley's "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" (MTP) is a
seminal work for some magickal disciplines and is much discussed
among Wiccans. I believe that MTP is *totally unsuitable* for
(unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices due to its cryptic nature,
and that any prospective Wiccan novice attempting to read MTP
would quickly give up in frustration. After having read many
Wiccan texts and after more than one year's participation in
Wiccan-related Internet newsgroups, I read MTP twice taking
copious notes before I felt that I understood the material.
IMO MTP is valuable reading for mature scholars studying
Crowley's ritual magick and/or Anton LaVey's writings.
(IMO Anton LaVey was very familiar with Crowley's MTP.)
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
20A) "The Satanic Bible" by Anton Szandor LaVey
2 stars -- The confusing bible of 'The Church of Satan'
and
20B) "The Satanic Rituals" by Anton Szandor LaVey
5 stars -- Mr. LaVey's most inflamatory book!
Satanism is an increasingly prevalent social force in
21st Century popular culture and IMO is confusing. Publicly,
satanism manifests itself as a self-fulfillment philosophy
(similar to "Be all that you can be" or "To thine own self
be true"). Yet the scope of the rituals performed privately
by 'The Church of Satan' apparently covers topics seldom
discussed publicly.
Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Bible" is the testament of
'The Church of Satan'. IMO the testament's goals include
recruitment, and IMO like all recruiting literature the
testament includes some (misleading, optimistic and confusing?)
marketing copy. IMO "The Satanic Bible" does _not_ provide
a clear picture of satanic philosophy.
"The Satanic Bible" does include a chapter 'The Black Mass'
(IMO reminescent of H. P. Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror").
"The Satanic Bible" also contains a chapter 'Book of Leviathan'
with an essay 'The Raging Sea' (IMO reminescent of the
Christian New Testament's 'Book of Revelations'); and with
an essay 'The Enochian Language and the Enochian Keys'
discussing the nineteen keys to 'The gates of Hell'
(IMO reminescent of H. P. Lovecraft's / Ed Simon's
"Necronomicon"). IMO satanism's public face does _not_
reflect this material.
Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Rituals" explicitly describes
rituals performed in 'The Church of Satan' -- "The Satanic Rituals"
IMO apparently is free of (misleading?) marketing copy. The
described rituals include use of human females on the altar during
communion. "The Satanic Rituals" includes a chapter 'The
Metaphysics of Lovecraft' with an essay 'The Call to Cthulhu' --
both references to H. P Lovecraft and his Cthulhu Mythos. And
based upon reading both texts, I detect similarities between
"The Satanic Rituals" and the earlier "MAGICK In Theory and
Practice" by Aleister Crowley (discussed previously).
Personally I do _not_ recommend satanism, but satanic
philosophies are so prevalent in 21st Century popular culture
that IMO (arms' length) knowledge of satanism is worthwhile.
I cannot recommend "The Satanic Bible" and "The Satanic Rituals"
to (unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices, but I believe that
mature scholars should be aware of the texts' contents, stated
philosophy, and possible sources.
'The Church of Satan' is one satanic organization. There
are other satanic organizations whose popular press texts
I have not yet reviewed.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
21) "The Devil's Notebook" by Anton Szandor LaVey
4 stars -- a unique collection of satanic essays
This book is a clearly written collection of essays that
clarify the philosophies of Mr. LaVey, founder of 'The Church
of Satan'. IMO the three most noteworthy essays are:
A) 'Nonconformity -- Satanism's Secret Weapon' which discusses
the satanist as master in a throng of weak willed (wage?) slaves;
B) 'The Construction of Artificial Human Companions' -- keep
your mind open as you read the discussion of android joint
construction. (And keep in mind that humans control themselves,
while androids / automatons / artificial human beings are
controlled by (other) _real_ human beings) and
C) 'Misanthropia' -- which discusses satanic psychology
(_not_ strengthening society's 'emotional vampires').
Personally I do _not_ recommend satanism and I do _not_
recommend this book for (unschooled) prospective Wiccan novices,
but IMO scholars will find Mr. LaVey's essays illuminating.
'The Church of Satan' is one satanic organization. There
are other satanic organizations whose popular press texts
I have not yet reviewed.
I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
=====================================
<*> I deliberately have included very few Internet website URLs
within my listed references. In the 21st Century many people
question the importance of textual references. That something
has been published indicates that a publisher has judged that
the content financially merits publication, and indicates that
a copy editor has (at a minimum) reviewed the content -- rough
indications of content quality control. While librarian
professional organizations apparently have citation rules for
Internet online academic journals, these journals typically
supplement and mirror the contents of paper professional
journals (archived by the Library of Congress). The websites
cited on Usenet are archived, rewriting webpage is as easy as
revising a form letter, and a webpage content changes are *not*
recorded for later public scrutiny.
locale I often observe impoverished children accompanied by
their mothers. This continually repeated observation tells me
that in 21st Century United States society, impoverished mothers
often raise the children -- a predictable (and avoidable) social
issue.
*****End of Part Three*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
I got no problems.
Other people got problems.
00: 21 _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ
--
Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security
Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts Two and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part Two/Three of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions and
discussion were included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
<*> The evening of April 30th [midnight May 1st Stonehenge time]
brings the sabbat Beltane (pronounced Beel-teen or Bell-tayn),
a celebration of fertility and life above all else. Beltane
marks summer's beginning and is a time to celebrate the
eternal wheel of reincarnation and the return of the Wiccan God.
Beltane falls opposite Samhain [midnight October 31st
Stonehenge time, winter's beginning] on the Wheel of the Year.
Beltane (the final phase of planting) and Samhain (the third
and final harvest) are the two most important sabbats.
<*> Many Pagans believe that the name Beltane derives from the
English word 'balefire' meaning 'boon' or 'extra'. European
monarchs marked the Beltane sabbat's beginning by lighting
balefires, typically on high hills -- having sex with ladies
from the families of lesser nobility was included within the
balefire ritual. Lesser nobility then could light their own
balefires on lower hills (and themselves have sex with ladies
from the families of lesser nobility or commoners), and could
begin their own Beltane celebrations. The ritual sex included
within the balefire celebrations equates to the Aristocracy's
(e.g., the King's, Baron's, or local landowner's) 'first night'
privileges -- the Aristocracy's right to control who could
marry whom and the Aristocracy's right to bed any young lady
first on her wedding night. The balefire ritual replenished
the Aristocracy's energy and symbolically blessed the young
lady bedded by the Aristocrat. The balefire ritual also
maintained the continuity of the Aristocracy -- 'the pecking
order' is a time-honored tradition.
<*> During Beltane, Pagan commoners celebrated having survived
Winter's hardship and renewed their sense of community under their
monarch and nobility. The balefires symbolized the warmth and
vigor of the life-giving Sun and a commitment to maintain the
Pagan family. The balefire ritual also focused the Aristocracy's
power within the minds of their subjects: 'We control the farm land
and winter will return -- wanna eat?' Monarchs and nobility
provided much food and drink to be served during Beltane
celebrations -- a treat and a relief after Winter's sparse,
drab fare.
<*> Celebrants customarily took home a smoldering piece of the
Beltane balefire to light the first cookfire of summer and to
bring summer blessings to their own home -- the celebration
continues at home after the community Beltane fertility
celebration. The same custom prohibits giving Beltane balefire
embers to outsiders. This taboo reflects European belief that
faeries could not ignite their own fires but must obtain fire from
humans. Tradition states that faeries dress as humans, visit
community Beltane celebrations, and request balefire embers to
start their own fires (propagate life). The same tradition states
that faeries obtaining fire embers gain some measure of power over
the donor. This European tradition reflects a normal human desire
to exclude outsiders from (the Beltane) fertility rituals.
<*> Dancing around the May Pole is another Beltane tradition.
In Pagan times the May Pole was constructed by removing all but
the topmost branches from a communal pine tree. White and red
ribbons that represented the Pagan Goddess and God, respectively,
were attached to the tree beneath the remaining pine branches.
Women holding the white ribbons and men holding the red ribbons
danced around the May Pole, interweaving the white and red ribbons
around the May Pole. The May Pole represented a phallus, the
untrimmed topmost pine branches represented pubic hair, and the
interwoven ribbons represented the female birth canal surrounding
the phallus.
With this sabbat approaching many Wiccans are discussing Wicca
*****End of Part One*****
"All Rights Reserved"?
If I 'right' must I reserve?
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
and
=====================================
I deliberately have included very few Internet website URLs
I have made several comments concerning juvenile nutrition and
impoverished women's responsibility to raise their children. My
comments reflect my situation: I am a single man with no living
children and I do not want to argue feminist issues. But in my
locale I often observe impoverished children accompanied by
their mothers. This continually repeated observation tells me
that in 21st Century United States society, impoverished mothers
often raise the children -- a predictable (and avoidable) social
issue.
*****End of Part Three*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
"All Rights Reserved"?
If I 'right' must I reserve?
I got no problems.
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
=====================================
=====================================
switching partners at each sabbat dilutes earlier investments.
*****End of Part Two*****
"All Rights Reserved"?
If I 'right' must I reserve?
I got no problems.
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts Two and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part Two/Three of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions and
discussion were included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
<*> June 21 (midnight June 22 Stonehenge time), the Northern
Hemisphere's Summer Solstice, is the sabbat Midsummer. This
sabbat was called Vestalia in ancient Rome, Alban Heflin in
the Anglo-Saxon Tradition and All Couple's Day in Greece.
Summer Solstice marks the longest day(light) of the year, the
height of the Sun's (the Wiccan God's) power. June is the
traditional time to wed in Europe and in the United States.
<*> In Scotland the Midsummer sabbat was called Feill-Sheathain.
Scottish sabbats honored Cerridwen the Crone Goddess (reminiscent
of Hamlet's witches) and featured the cauldron, a Celtic symbol
of life, death, and rebirth. The cauldron symbolized that the
sun is not truly dead, but was reborn from the Goddess at Yule
(nominally five months later). The Celts would light balefires
(and conduct their ritual celebrations) from sunset the night
before Midsummer until sunset the next day. "Biiken", the old
Norse word for balefire, apparently still is used to describe
Midsummer fires.
<*> The Midsummer sabbat celebrates fertility. The Wiccan Goddess
is heavy with pregnancy, new farm animals soon will be born,
and the Earth is green with crops and vegetation. Yet
fertility rites continue both to ensure an abundant harvest
and also to ensure the continued prosperity of Pagan families.
The Midsummer sabbat also celebrates the Sun which warms the
fertile Earth, and celebrates the strength of the Horned God
and father. Midsummer balefires symbolize the strength of the
Sun and the Pagan father, and (a-hem) fertility celebrations
often accompany the lighting of the balefire.
<*> Some Pagan Traditions alternate their God persona. The
Holly King rules as Horned God from the Summer Solstice (Midsummer,
June 22nd) through the Winter Solstice (Yule, December 22nd).
The Oak King rules as Horned God from the Winter Solstice (Yule,
December 22nd) through the Summer Solstice (Midsummer, June 22nd).
These Traditions might stage a Midsummer ritual battle symbolizing
the Holly King vanquishing the Oak King -- in the Yule ritual battle
the Oak King will vanquish the Holly King. This 'changing of
the Kings' ritual marks the annual cycle of the sun, and can
symbolize the seasonal change of Pagan partners.
<*> In Greek mythos the goddess Persephone (Proserpine) was abducted
by Pluto (the God of the Underworld). Persephone's mother Ceres
(the Goddess of fertility and abundance) mourned and the Earth
grew barren. The Earth survived only through the other Gods'
intervention. The other Gods forced a compromise where Persephone
alternately spent six months aboveground (Summer) with her mother
Ceres, and six months belowground in Hades (Winter) as Pluto's queen
and consort. The earth (and Persephone) was fertile and warm during
the six summer months Persephone spent with Ceres. The earth (and
Persephone) was barren and cold during the six winter months Ceres
mourned Persephone's time as Pluto's consort.
<*> Twenty-First Century society with its high divorce rates offers
another analogy. Children of divorced parents often live with each
of their biological parents during a portion of the year. Midsummer
(end of the school year) and Yule (semester break) are times when
children's' transition between parents might occur. And the
'changing of the Kings' can symbolize separation and divorce --
a new and loving partner vanquishing an indifferent, abusive, or
(morally-)bankrupt partner.
<*> Many Traditions view Midsummer as a time for family closeness.
Scandinavians celebrate Thing-Tide just after the time of Midsummer.
Thing-Tide is a gathering of families to conduct business before
celebration and feasting. St. John's Day is celebrated in Ireland
just before the time of the Midsummer sabbat. Some Irish believe
that faeries cart off prized livestock and unsuspecting human
revelers (particularly young maidens) on St. John's Day. German
folklore contains numerous stories of foolish and naive persons
wandering into the night woods during Midsummer and never returning.
Consider the tale of 'Hansel and Gretel', where a witch attempts
to roast Hansel and to hold Gretel as a servant.
<*> The association of Midsummer with family closeness (and with
stories of family members disappearing during Midsummer) might
be related to the myth of Persephone's abduction by Pluto.
The Holly King / Oak King Tradition might be related to the myth
of Persephone serving two rulers -- Pluto the god of Hades and
Persephone's mother Ceres, the goddess of fertility and abundance.
<*> During Midsummer, Pagans traditionally gathered magickal
and medicinal plants to dry and store for winter use. (This
practice explains why Midsummer sabbat is called Gathering Day
in Wales.) The Celtic Druids gathered their sacred mistletoe
(the golden bough) on Midsummer sabbat. The North American
Miami Indians gathered buckeyes (horse chestnuts) to fashion
into protective amulets and jewelry. Lavender gathered during
Midsummer have been used as aphrodisiac incense. Pine cones
gathered during Midsummer have been fashioned into amulets of
protection, fertility and virility.
With this sabbat approaching many Wiccans are discussing
Wicca more openly, and many of their friends are hearing about
Wicca for the first time. These friends might ask "How can I
learn about Wicca?"
Texts and films are one source of quality information, and
texts and films do not contain oathbound secrets. But before
offering these references I must state that I am _not_ a Wiccan,
a witch, a Pagan or a satanist. People ask me "Why are you
providing this reference list on the Internet?" One reason is
that I heard about Wicca in an acquaintance's chance comment,
and learning details about Paganism and Wicca has cost me (and
continues to cost me) much time and trouble. Another reason I
provide this reference list is the flood of negativism on the
Pagan- and Wicca-related Internet newsgroups. It appears that
everybody has a license to criticize and complain, but few have
a license to make a positive contribution.
I have defined my messages' current scope: Providing information
about 21st Century Pagan and Wiccan practices based upon my reading,
my Internet newsgroup participation, and my arms-length observations
in my locale. IMO this is the information that _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices seek. Assembling that information cost
me (and continues to cost me) much time and trouble -- time and
trouble that _not committed_ prospective Wiccan novices can avoid
by reading my messages. In the future (and time permitting)
I might enlarge the scope of my messages to include the
historical Pagan and Wiccan definitions and references preferred
by conservative and _already committed_ Pagans and Wiccans.
If One wants to provide a list of Wiccan references to
_not committed_ and interested friends, I recommend the
following references (and recommend that they be read/viewed
in the order given):
1) "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner"
by Scott Cunningham.
5 stars -- A Practical Guide for the Solitary Wiccan
Scott Cunningham is well-regarded within the Wiccan community
and his "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" is very
popular, particularly with prospective Wiccan novices. Yet
some people discredit Mr. Cunningham because his Tradition
permits Wiccan solitary worshippers to self-initiate. Other
people discredit Mr. Cunningham because they believe that he
does not differentiate between witches and Wiccans.
In "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" Scott Cunningham
expresses a philosophy (mirroring the agnostic philosophy of
twice Nobel Laureate Lord Bertrand Russell) that ethics are of
greater importance than strict adherence to religious dogma.
In consequence, sincere worshippers *can* self-initiate under
Mr. Cunningham's stated philosophy and Wiccan Tradition. BTW, this
liberal philosophy also is consistent with the Seax-Wica Tradition
described by Raymond Buckland in "The Tree: The Complete Book of
Saxon Witchcraft".
Integral to many Wiccan Traditions (e.g., Cunningham, Buckland)
is the tenet that Wiccan Covens and solitary worshippers are free
to define and modify their Traditions. There is *no requirement*
that a Wiccan solitary worshipper have any contact or
correspondence with a (lineaged) Wiccan Coven or High Priest/ess.
There is *no requirement* that a self-initiated Wiccan solitary
worshipper serve a 'year-and-a-day' apprenticeship prior to
becoming a Wiccan solitary worshipper. Likewise, Covens are
*not bound* to require a 'year-and-a-day' apprenticeship prior
to initiating Coven members. There is no requirement that
Wiccan initiates be drafted into and serve in 'the Wiccan Army'
prior to being accepted as Wiccans.
Scott Cunningham *did* differentiate between witches and Wiccans.
Reading the entire text is best, but prospective Wiccan novices
can verify quickly the difference in Scott Cunningham's definitions
by comparing his definitions for 'Wicca' and 'Witch' given on pages
203 and 204 of Scott Cunningham's text.
Wiccan Coven members might disagree with Mr. Cunningham's
statements. I equate their disagreement with a difference of
Wiccan Tradition. IMO Wiccan Covens and solitary worshippers
(and authors) must be free to define and modify their
own Wiccan Traditions.
with regular gasoline costing over $1.90US per gallon. Money spent
for gasoline is much like gasoline (or food or time) itself. Once
spent it is gone forever.] And Irish (white) potatoes in Europe
predate both Gardnerian Wicca and Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition.
IMO Ms. McCoy's use of the potato within her liberal Wittan
Tradition will be better accepted as food prices rise globally
due to higher energy costs.
IMO comments criticizing Ms. McCoy's scholarship and her Irish
Witta Tradition are biased personal attacks against Ms. McCoy and
her wholesome Tradition (attacks from the other side of the bog?).
I include Ms. McCoy's texts within my reference list because
my primary emphasis is identifying ***well- and clearly-written
references relevant to current Wiccan practices***. Ms. McCoy's
texts are well- and clearly-written, and her texts address current
topics relevant and attractive to _ not committed_ prospective
Wiccan novices. Ms. McCoy's texts reflect a wholesome Pagan ethic
that helps distinguish Wicca and other forms of Paganism from
witchcraft and satanism. (And Ms. McCoy apparently lives within
the oaken forests of southern Indiana, an area I know well.) I
highly recommend Ms. McCoy's wholesome texts to _not committed_
prospective Wiccan novices.
4) "Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages"
by director Benjamin Christensen
5 stars -- A valuable seventy year old reference
"Haxan: ..." is a 1929 silent film that was updated in 1967
with an avant garde jazz score and narration by William Burroughs
(author of "The Naked Lunch"). "Haxan: ..." clearly is prejudicial
against witches, yet I consider "Haxan: ..." a valuable reference
for two reasons. First, "Haxan: ..." graphically depicts public
perception of witchcraft and demonic possession in the year 1929.
In addition, "Haxan: ..." graphically depicts that public perception
of witchcraft and demonic possession has _not changed_ much since the
year 1929.
"Haxan: ..." discusses persecution of witches during 'The Burning
Times' (also discussed in "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Wicca and
Witchcraft" listed later in this message). "Haxan: ..." (and "The
Complete Idiot's Guide ...") does not discuss the possibility that
The Burning Times were initiated when livestock and peasants ate
wet ergot-infested grain, developed epileptic-like seizures, and
overzealous inquisitors interpreted the seizures as evidence of
demonic possession. "Haxan: ..." portrays witches simultaneously
as drawn to sensual demonic rituals, and as cold and sexually
dysfunctional women seeking the financial security that accompanies
marriage.
Interestingly, "Haxan: ..." depicts demonic skin as rough and
patterned. Depending upon your perspective, the depiction either
is lizard/serpent-like or resembles the rash that occurs in later
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts One and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
read the two Frequently Asked Questions messages (FAQs)
provided periodically on the rec.arts.bodyart Internet newsgroup.
Reading these FAQs will answer many questions, and will help
interested persons ask informed questions when evaluating
tattoo artists and their facilities. I further recommend that
anyone being tattooed follow their tattoo artist's skin care
instructions.
I have no tattoos, but I know people who have extensive,
difficult-to-patch pastel tattoos. I know the care
these people take to keep their extensive pastel tattoos
attractive.
IMO the two rec.arts.bodyart FAQs are well-written
and informative. These FAQs stress the skin care
required to prevent damage to pastel tattoos, and
the FAQs stress health considerations required
during and after tattoo application.
I provide additional information concerning tattoos
and thermal branding of human skin later in this message.
I am forced to assume that the scalp-tattooed woman hoped
to hide her tattoo from her future husband. I also am
forced to assume that some person held either photographic
or video records of the scalp-tattooed woman engaged in
activities that compromised her relationship with her future
husband(s). I hope the scalp-tattooed woman found candor in
her heart.
[BTW, one reader stated that scalp tattooing works best
when the subject has been shaving his/her scalp for some
time -- apparently shaving toughens the scalp. To my
knowledge tattoo artists do *not* want a tough canvas.
In fact, I know cases where a particularly elaborate tattoo
was planned and the subject moisturized the skin area for
several weeks *prior* to receiving the tattoo. Moisturizing
makes the skin supple and gives the skin a uniform texture.
The same reader mentioned shaving over a tattoo. Much
of a tattoo's pigmentation is on the skin surface -- I can not
imagine risking damaging a tattoo by blade shaving over it.]
I recommend that individuals planning to get tattoos
follow their tattoo artist's care instructions both before
and after receiving a tattoo.
Branding by tattooing [less frequently by thermal branding]
sometimes occurs in the United States, but more often women are
bound by indebtedness (e.g., car payments) and several hungry
children in a poor domestic economy. Cars are less useful
as gasoline prices rise significantly and people drive less.
And raising children costs more as food prices rise. Impoverished
women lose options as they struggle to feed their cars and their
children in an era of significantly increasing energy and
food prices.
Many tattoos are applied using saturated color (e.g.,
primarily dark black, but also dark red and dark blue)
inks exclusively. The advantage of using saturated
color inks is that should the tattooed area later become
damaged due to abrasion, skin dryness or sunburn,
the tattoo can be patched without 'color match' problems
-- e.g., dark black is dark black, etc.
When tattoos employing pastel colored inks are damaged,
the tattoo artist can encounter 'color match' problems
similar to the paint matching problems that auto body
shops encounter. ***Light-colored pastel inks are difficult
to exactly color match, particularly if the skin damage
changes the underlying skin's characteristics (e.g., as
the result of bad sunburn).***
Individuals receiving tattoos employing pastel-colored
inks must be especially careful not to damage their tattoos.
*I have no tattoos*, but I know people who have extensive,
difficult-to-patch pastel tattoos. I know the care these
people take to keep their extensive pastel tattoos attractive.
IMO the two rec.arts.bodyart FAQs are well-written
and informative. These FAQs stress the skin care
required to prevent damage to pastel tattoos, and
the FAQs stress health considerations required
during and after tattoo application.
In November 1998 I downloaded the "rec.arts.bodyart:
Alternative Bodyart FAQ" from the Ohio State FAQ website.
I do not know if the "rec.arts.bodyart: Alternative Bodyart
FAQ" still is available on the Internet. This FAQ discusses
thermal branding of human skin. ***The "rec.arts.bodyart:
Alternative Bodyart FAQ" is a very uncomfortable message.***
a system that uses ritual sacrifice of human females. ("The
Dunwich Horror" by H. P. Lovecraft contains another example of
human female ritual sacrifice.) This non-Wiccan system
of magick is said to have originated in Eighth Century AD
Damascus Syria. IMO the "Necronomicon" is _not_ compatible
with Wicca.
IMO Mr. Cunningham's text is better suited for those
seeking a strictly male-oriented viewpoint of Wicca.
While the statement makes me uncomfortable, I must praise
A. J. Drew's candor. On page 154 Mr. Drew discusses
self-initiation into Creation's Covenant's Wiccan Tradition,
and states "This is not a decision you should take lightly.
If you were raised in a traditional Western religion, you
are about to throw away the religion of your parents and
their parents."
I am *not* a member of 'Creation's Covenant'.
I recommend the following text *despite reservations*:
11) "The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion
of the Great Goddess" by Starhawk
5 stars -- A Witchcraft Tradition and Political Manifesto
"The Spiral Dance..." relegates the Horned God and men to a
weak supporting role. *Nowhere* in the Twentieth Anniversary
Edition of "The Spiral Dance: ..." (original text plus two
appendices giving Tenth Anniversary comments and Twentieth
Anniversary comments, respectively) does Starhawk state that
she is a Wiccan. Starhawk states (pp. 6,16) that her Reclaiming
Tradition has roots in Victor and Cora Anderson's Faerie
Tradition. Nevertheless, this text is very well-written and
provides detailed insight into a non-Wiccan feminist Tradition
not discussed elsewhere.
=====================================
=====================================
(and as different people assume the High Priest/ess' office),
keeping oathbound obedience to the Coven High Priest/ess' authority
might pose difficult and unanticipated problems. Liberal Coven
members might chafe under a conservative High Priest/ess' authority.
Conservative Coven members might chafe under a liberal
High Priest/ess' authority. Wo/men Coven members might chafe
under a particularly strong and chauvinistic High Priest/ess'
authority. And many Coven oaths include penalties for leaving
Coven membership.
<*> In some Wiccan Traditions, the High Priest/ess designates couples
for each sabbat celebration (including the coupling of Coven members'
children). IMO this wasteful social whirl does not build romantic love
or build enduring family relationships. Partners invest their time
and energy in each other, but repeatedly switching partners wastes
earlier investments.
Is a High Priest/ess' authority limited to Coven-specific matters?
***Can a High Priest/ess intervene in Coven members' mundane
issues such as housing and use of spare/guest bedrooms?***
I discuss housing issues extensively in my earlier
"Definitions for Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Two of Five Parts)"
copyrighted message.
religion. Ms. Thayer's statements (pg. 274) indicate that New
prospective Wiccan novices because its omissions.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
15) "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide" by Amber K
3 stars -- A Weak Introduction To Witchcraft
I believe this text is written in a style and level of detail
suited for middle-school-aged children. It is a broad shallow
overview of witchcraft. It contains serious errors (it equates
witchcraft and Wicca) and omits to differentiate between Wiccan
solitary worship and Wiccan Coven membership. It does not discuss
Coven social structure or binding initiation rituals -- serious
omissions in an introductory text.
I believe that middle-school-aged children would be better served
by discussing Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide For The
Solitary Practitioner" plus Edain McCoy's "Inside A Witches'
Coven" with their biological parents and/or legal guardians.
I can *not* recommend "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide" to
prospective Wiccan novices because of the its errors and omissions.
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts One and Two are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions were
included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions
For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five
of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
I specifically do *not* recommend:
17) "Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches,
Warlocks, & Covens" by Paul Huson
4 stars -- The History and Tools of Dark Magick
I believe Wicca is a magick user's religion celebrating human
fertility and the Earth's fertility -- a beneficent religion.
and
5 stars -- Mr. LaVey's most inflammatory book!
Satanism is an increasingly prevalent social force in
21st Century popular culture and IMO is confusing. Publicly,
satanism manifests itself as a self-fulfillment philosophy
(similar to "Be all that you can be" or "To thine own self
be true"). Yet some details of the rituals performed by
'The Church of Satan' are seldom discussed publicly.
Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Bible" is the testament of
'The Church of Satan'. IMO the testament's goals include
recruitment, and IMO like all recruiting literature the
testament includes some (misleading, optimistic and confusing?)
marketing copy. IMO "The Satanic Bible" does _not_ provide
a clear picture of satanic philosophy.
"The Satanic Bible" does include a chapter 'The Black Mass'
(IMO reminiscent of H. P. Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror").
"The Satanic Bible" also contains a chapter 'Book of Leviathan'
with an essay 'The Raging Sea' (IMO reminiscent of the
Christian New Testament's 'Book of Revelations'); and with
an essay 'The Enochian Language and the Enochian Keys'
discussing the nineteen keys to 'The gates of Hell'
(IMO reminiscent of H. P. Lovecraft's / Ed Simon's
=====================================
<*> I deliberately have included very few Internet website URLs
within my listed references. In the 21st Century many people
question the importance of textual references. That something
has been published indicates that a publisher has judged that
the content financially merits publication, and indicates that
a copy editor has (at a minimum) reviewed the content -- rough
indications of content quality control. While librarian
professional organizations apparently have citation rules for
Internet online academic journals, these journals typically
supplement and mirror the contents of paper professional
journals (archived by the Library of Congress). Few websites
cited on Usenet are archived, rewriting webpage is as easy as
revising a form letter, and a webpage content changes are
*not* recorded for later public scrutiny.
Some people question why I have not included their favorite
Wiccan historical texts within my reference list. I have addressed
this concern repeatedly. IMO *not committed* prospective Wiccan
novices are interested in current Wiccan practices, not arcane
historical texts. I have limited time for discretionary reading
and I have limited my current scope to those materials that I
believe *not committed* prospective Wiccan novices will find
most interesting -- that's fair.
Others are free to bring descriptions of arcane texts and
history to the Internet. I discuss my opinions based upon my
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts Two and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part Two/Three of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions and
discussion were included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
<*> August first Midnight Stonehenge time (July 31st 7:00 PM CST
in my locale) is the sabbat Lammas [an Anglo-Saxon word meaning
loaf-mass (bread) and the most commonly-used name for this sabbat].
In old Irish a variant Lunasa means 'August'. Lammas also is known
as Lughnasadh (Loo-nahs-ah), First Harvest, and the Sabbat of the
First Fruits. Lammas honors the Sun God Lugh (Loo) and his queen
Dana, but Lammas principally is a grain festival. In ancient
Phoenicia this festival honored the grain god Dagon, and a
significant portion of the harvest was sacrificed to him.
Similarly, Native Americans celebrate early August as a grain
festival and call it the Festival of the Maize. Corn, wheat,
barley, and other Northern Hemisphere grains are ready for
harvesting by early August. Lammas is the first of the three
harvest sabbats and a celebration of the Earth's fertility. Corn,
wheat, potatoes and other crops harvested around Lammas are
considered fertility plants and can be used within Lammas rituals.
<*> Lammas rituals celebrate fertility and the summer crops
not yet harvested. In Romania's Transylvanian Alps (high in the
Carpathian Mountains -- the legendary home of Dracula) a fertility
ritual involving animal sacrifice is practiced the first Sunday of
August. A live sow is slain ritually on the high slopes of
Mt. Chefleau in thanks for the abundant harvest, the sow's blood
flows into the earth, the peasants touch their hands to the wet
ground, and for protection and self-blessing the peasants use the
wet blood to mark the sign of the cross on their foreheads. Some
groups mimic this Transylvanian custom exactly, honoring the pig
as an efficient converter of grain into lean meat during abundant
times. Other Lammas celebrants might use red wine to symbolize
blood during their rituals, or might use human blood (e.g., from a
deliberate cut or female human menstrual blood) during their
Lammas ritual. And it is conceivable that some groups might use
female human virginal blood within their Lammas ritual (i.e., a
female virgin has her first sex as a part of the group's
Lammas ritual).
<*> Historically, Lammas is the traditional time for regicide --
king-killing rites. In some cultures no king was allowed to
to die a natural death. These cultures believed that regicide
facilitated the king's rebirth at Yule. These cultures also
believed that spilling the king's blood into the earth was powerful
agricultural fertility magick. Understandably, kings were
not comfortable while among their advisors during Lammas
celebrations, and masks were not used during Lammas. In the
21st Century, I wonder how many hot summer domestic arguments
lead to divorce, overthrow of the husband patriarch, and
establishment of the single female parent household?
<*> These website references indicate that the Irish (white) potato
originated in the South American Andes Mountains and propagated
naturally throughout large areas of South America, Central America
and the southern United States. Sixteenth-century Spanish
explorers, who first observed the potato in Peru, Bolivia,
Colombia, and Ecuador adopted the Quechua name, papa. The first
specimens, arguably short-day S. tuberosum ssp. andigena forms
from Colombia, probably reached Spain around 1570. All European
potato varieties in the first 250 years were derived from the
original introductions, which constituted a very narrow gene pool
that left almost all potatoes vulnerable to devastating viruses
and fungal blights (e.g., the Irish crop failures and famine)
by the mid-nineteenth century. The use of (source?) manure
*****End of Part One*****
00: 18+ _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard
and
=====================================
I deliberately include few Internet website URLs within
my listed references. In the 21st Century many people
question the importance of textual references. Publication
*****End of Part Three*****
00: 18+ _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts One and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Three of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions were
included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions
For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five
of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
I recommend the following film *despite reservations*:
7) "Tattoo" starring Bruce Dern and Maude Adams
4 stars -- A flawed Creation story
"Tattoo" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft, but some
Wiccan initiation rituals require that the initiate accept the
Coven's sigil tattoo before initiation. "Tattoo" is the story
of an obsessed tattoo artist who drugs and kidnaps a woman.
The woman awakens to find she has become the tattoo artist's
canvas and that the tattoo artist is consecrating her body with
tattoos -- the obsessed artist is creating his Goddess.
<*> Being tattooed is a permanent and painful commitment.
"Tattoo" portrays creation of large exquisite pastel tattoos.
"Tattoo" does portray physical pain during tattooing, but
opaque body paint was used to simulate the pastel tattoos.
Most tattoos utilize dark colors that are easy to repair in
case of abrasion, flaking due to winter dryness, or sunburn
peeling -- pastel inks are difficult to patch successfully.
Tattooed skin requires care to maintain tattoo beauty. To
maintain her exquisite pastel tattoos' beauty, the woman
portrayed in "Tattoo" would be forced to become an indoor
hothouse plant.
<*> Branding by tattooing [less frequently by thermal branding]
sometimes occurs in the United States, but more often women are
bound by indebtedness [e.g., (partner's?) car payments] and by
several hungry children in a poor domestic economy. Cars lose
value as gasoline prices rise significantly and people drive less.
Raising children costs more as food prices (e.g., dairy) rise.
Impoverished women lose options as they struggle to feed their cars
and to feed their children in an era of significantly increasing
lodging, energy and food prices.
=====================================
=====================================
In some Wiccan Traditions, the High Priest/ess designates couples
*****End of Part Two*****
00: 18+ _8 02 03/35 06 09
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts Two and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part Two/Three of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions and
discussion were included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
<*> The evening of September 21st [midnight September 22nd
Stonehenge time] is the sabbat Mabon (May-bone or Mah-boon),
named for the Welsh God who symbolized the male fertilizing
principle in Welsh mythology. Some consider Mabon to be
Persephone's male counterpart.
<*> In Europe Mabon marked the end of the second harvest when
autumn crops (grapes, nuts and apples) were gathered. The
equinox marked the infamous Festival of Dionysus (the God of
Wine) in ancient Rome. The Scottish and Welsh poured Mabon
wines onto the ground during their celebrations, symbolically
honoring the aging Goddess moving into her Crone aspect and
as a symbolic blood sacrifice so that the God might live
until Samhain.
<*> Mabon marks the beginning of Autumn, the time when the earth
has surrendered its harvest and Nature withers, to be renewed
again in the Spring. Similar to the European "Harvest Home"
festival, Pagans refer to this Autumn Equinox as "The Witches'
Thanksgiving". Typical Mabon activities include cider pressing,
grain threshing, dancing, feasting from the plentiful harvest,
and crowning a Harvest King and Harvest Queen. The Harvest King
and Harvest Queen ritually symbolize the Pagan God and Goddess,
and represent the Earth's survival through the upcoming Winter's
hardship for renewed fertility in the Spring. The color blue
symbolizes the Mabon Harvest King, while the color green
symbolizes the Mabon Harvest Queen. The cornocopia
(horn of plenty) symbolizes Mabon. The cornocopia is both
a phallic symbol and a symbol of the Earth's fertility.
<*> In China Mabon is known as Chung Ch'iu and marks the end of
the rice harvest.
<*> Judaism celebrates Succoth near this time, a harvest holiday
often observed by building a temporary outdoor dwelling decorated
with fall vegetables in which all Succoth meals are served.
<*> Contemporary United States Mabon activities can include
wine tasting parties, and summer hayrides followed by outdoor
cookouts around a bonfire.
<*> Mabon is a time when day and night are in balance, and all
other things likewise balance for one brief moment. The God
and Goddess are thought to have equal power on Mabon, as do
the forces of good and evil. Mabon marks a seasonal transition,
the Deities are aging and the Wiccan God will die with the old
year. Mabon is a time to prepare for the upcoming winter and
its hardships.
<*> Some accuse Ms. McCoy of poor scholarship, and criticize the
Irish 'Witta' Tradition that she presents in her book "Witta:
An Irish Pagan Tradition" (ISBN 0-87542-732-4). Their principal
argument is that 'Witta' is not linguistically correct in the
Celtic tongue. IMO it is ironic that I have _not_ observed
_detailed_ negative criticism of Ms. McCoy's 430 page text
"Celtic Myth & Magick: Harnessing the Power of the Gods and
Goddesses" (ISBN 1-56718-661-0).
<*> Critics of Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition also argue that
the Irish could not have worshipped a 'potato Goddess' because
the Irish potato was a New World vegetable. IMO this potato
controversy is a Wiccan _non-issue_. After some preliminary
(and flawed) research of my own, several readers suggested
Internet URLs discussing the origin of the Irish (white) potato:
"http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/sustainable/peet/profiles/c15potat.html"
(no quotes); excerpts from "Sustainable Practices for Vegetable
Production in the South" by Mary M. Peet, Ph.D. Professor,
Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina
State University.
"http://history-magazine.com/potato.html" (no quotes);
article 'The Impact of the Potato' by Jeff Chapman on the
"History Magazine" website.
"http://www.cup.org/books/kiple/potatoes.htm" (no quotes);
excerpts from "THE CAMBRIDGE WORLD HISTORY OF FOOD" edited by
Kenneth F. Kiple and Kriemhild Conee` Ornelas (the most detailed
reference).
These website references indicate that the Irish (white) potato
originated in the South American Andes Mountains and propagated
naturally throughout large areas of South America, Central America
and the southern United States. Sixteenth-century Spanish
explorers, who first observed the potato in Peru, Bolivia,
Colombia, and Ecuador adopted the Quechua name, papa. The first
specimens, arguably short-day S. tuberosum ssp. andigena forms
from Colombia, probably reached Spain around 1570. All European
potato varieties in the first 250 years were derived from the
original introductions, which constituted a very narrow gene pool
that left almost all potatoes vulnerable to devastating viruses
and fungal blights (e.g., the Irish crop failures and famine)
by the mid-nineteenth century. The use of (source?) manure
fertilizer did not help the situation. (In the 21st Century
'Mad Cow Disease' is transmitted when offal from infected
butchered cattle is recycled as cattle feed.) The references
also note that some early Spanish chroniclers misused the
Indian word batata (sweet potato) as the name for the Irish
(white) potato.
<*> Why do I consider the Irish (white) potato's origin a Wiccan
_non-issue_? Irish (white) potatoes reached Europe in the 1570's.
Gerald Gardner *invented* Wicca in the 1950's (roughly 380 years
later) when he invented the so-called Gardnerian Wiccan Tradition.
These dates indicate that Irish (white) potatoes in Europe are
_prehistoric_ by Wiccan standards. Ms. McCoy states that Irish
(white) potatoes are sacred in her later [c1993, ISBN 0-87542-732-4]
Wittan Tradition. Irish (white) potatoes were a mainstay of the
Irish diet, and it is appropriate that Wittans associate potatoes
with the fertile Goddess. ***The "History Magazine" article URL
referenced above is particularly relevant.*** It discusses how
Western Civilization was undernourished throughout much of its
early history, and how infant mortality rates decreased and
population swelled wherever the Irish (white) potato was introduced
into Western diets -- very relevant to the fertile Goddess.
[Remember that the next time you fill your gasoline (petrol) tank
with regular gasoline costing over $1.80US per gallon. Money spent
<*> My interpretation of "Haxan: ..." is that marriage to an
abusive husband can seem like demonic possession (particularly if
poor finances or societal custom preclude the escape that divorce
offers), and that marriage to an abusive or indifferent husband
can create a sexually dysfunctional woman. I also admit that in
a paternalistic society (such as colonial America) where divorce
was not permitted, witchcraft accusations were one method to
terminate an unhappy relationship. IMO current United States
social custom is more gender-neutral on the subject of partner
abuse. Either partner openly can shun the other partner.
[Passive aggressive distant behaviour must be _extremely_
effective against male users of Viagra(TM) and Cialis(TM), and
against (post)pregnant female partners.] And either partner can
file difficult-to-refute false legal charges against the other
when a former lover won't vacate. These questionable (and
sometimes _not_ legal) nonviolent social strategies are consistent
with the chaotic methodologies presented in
"Mastering Witchcraft: ..." by Paul Huson (discussed in Part Three
of this 'Reference List' message).
IMO many people (including Wiccans, witches, satanists and other
Pagans) have difficulty distinguishing Wicca (a religion) from
witchcraft (goal-oriented magick use). Ethics, morality and
religion appear nowhere with Haxan's witches. IMO ethics and
morality *must* be included within Wiccan tenets if Wicca is to
be distinguishable from generic witchcraft and satanism.
5) "The Practice of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to
Beliefs and Rituals" by Robin Skelton
5 stars -- A detailed overview of Wiccan practices for the
advanced novice
6) "The Tree: The Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft"
by Raymond Buckland
5 stars -- The Saxon Wiccan's Free Will Book of Spells
*****End of Part One*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
"All Rights Reserved"?
If I 'right' must I reserve?
I gut no problems.
Other people gut problems.
Richard Ballard
and
=====================================
<*> I have made several comments concerning juvenile nutrition and
impoverished women's responsibility to raise their children. My
comments reflect my situation: I am a single man with no living
children and I do not want to argue feminist issues. In my
locale I often observe impoverished children accompanied by
their mothers. This continually repeated observation tells me
that in 21st Century United States society, impoverished (single)
mothers often raise the children -- a predictable (and avoidable)
social issue.
<*> Yet I recently watched a T V reality show where a dominant
woman scornfully described her submissive unemployed homemaking
male partner as a 'house bitch'. Having a clean house, prepared
meals, clean clothing and _pleasant_ companionship is desirable.
Feminists first fought the 'homemakers have value' battle in the
late 1960's (and won??!!??). IMO this dominant female's
_not pleasant_ expressed attitude (a recurring broadcast media
theme where Dad often is mi$$ing from the single mom household)
signals no societal progress in the 21st Century -- the
'war between the sexes' continues. And an echo from the late
1960's: "What if they gave a war and (a-hem) nobody came?"
*****End of Part Three*****
The comments contained herein are my opinions. This message
was not solicited by Amazon.com, any author, any artist, or their
agent(s), publisher(s), producer(s) or distributor(s).
I am *not* an Islamic or Judaic scholar.
I am *not* legally qualified to provide medical, psychological,
legal, financial or religious opinions, but I have discussed some
issues with my Attorney and have read extensively in these areas.
I have strong opinions.
"All Rights Reserved"?
If I 'right' must I reserve?
I gut no problems.
Other people gut problems.
Richard Ballard
Issued approximately twenty-one days before each sabbat.
Each issue's new and significantly changed paragraphs begin
with a <*> marker.
Parts One and Three are contained in a concurrent copyrighted
messages titled "A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part One/Three of Three Parts)". Helpful definitions were
included in earlier copyrighted messages entitled "Definitions
For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One/Two/Three/Four/Five
of Five Parts)".
IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
"A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
on this Internet newsgroup.
I recommend the following film *despite reservations*:
7) "Tattoo" starring Bruce Dern and Maude Adams
4 stars -- A flawed Creation story
"Tattoo" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft, but some
Wiccan initiation rituals require that the initiate accept the
Coven's sigil tattoo before initiation. "Tattoo" is the story
of an obsessed tattoo artist who drugs and kidnaps a woman.
The woman awakens to find she has become the tattoo artist's
canvas and that the tattoo artist is consecrating her body with
tattoos -- the obsessed artist is creating his Goddess.
Being tattooed is a permanent and painful commitment.
bound by indebtedness [e.g., (partner's) car payments] and by
several hungry children in a poor domestic economy. Cars lose
value as gasoline prices rise significantly and people drive less.
Raising children costs more as food prices rise. Impoverished
women lose options as they struggle to feed their (partner's) cars
and to feed their children in an era of significantly increasing
energy, housing and food prices.
=====================================
=====================================
<*> Is a High Priest/ess' authority limited to Coven-specific
matters? ***Can a High Priest/ess intervene in Coven members'
mundane issues such as housing and use of spare/guest bedrooms?***
I discuss housing issues extensively in my earlier
"Definitions for Prospective Wiccan Novices ..." five part
copyrighted message.
*****End of Part Two*****
I gut no problems.
Other people gut problems.
Gianna Stefani
news:20040901142227...@mb-m02.aol.com...
> <*> Critics of Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition also argue that
> the Irish could not have worshipped a 'potato Goddess' because
> the Irish potato was a New World vegetable. IMO this potato
> controversy is a Wiccan _non-issue_. After some preliminary
> (and flawed) research of my own, several readers suggested
> Internet URLs discussing the origin of the Irish (white) potato:
I had heard from other readers that Ballard made reference to the above but
honestly, I thought they were joking. I apologise to those who warned me
about this ..... I am almost falling off my chair with laughter.
Let me help *everyone* out here. There was no potato goddess.
It has nothing to do with the origins of that vegetable and everything to do
with the fact that there simply was no such deity. (and witta isn't a
respelling of wicca now is it - lmao)
(many cultures had a 'grain' or 'corn' goddess (this does not specifically
refer to the american word for maize). In modern terms, these were
goddesses of cereal crops (wheat / barley / maize ..... all known is some
location as 'corn'). You will notice these cultures had a goddess for these
crops as a group, not by species. So, a goddess of other foodstuffs might
be a goddess of vegetables ..... but a goddess of the potato would almost
inevitably lead to a carrot goddess, and a cabbage goddess, and ....... and
we all agree how silly this is.)
The above notwithstanding, friends who are devoted to the study of the
ancient Irish (and being themselves Irish though not especially ancient)
almost experienced a bladder-related accident when I pasted them the above
Ballard reference.
If Ballard's drivel was not aimed at unsuspecting novices, it would be just
so funny. Having said that, if he was targeting people who knew better, he
wouldn't still be posting.
I need to rest after all that laughter ......
Gianna Stefani
Gianna Stefani
>
> IMO sexuality is an integral part of Paganism and Wicca.
> On a monthly basis I provide copyrighted messages titled
> "A neo-Tantra Reference List (Part One/Two of Two Parts)"
> on this Internet newsgroup.
This appears atop of (virtually) all of Ballard's postings.
To say he is obsessed with matters sexual would not be too inaccurate.
> I recommend the following film *despite reservations*:
> 7) "Tattoo" starring Bruce Dern and Maude Adams
> 4 stars -- A flawed Creation story
>
> "Tattoo" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft, but some
> Wiccan initiation rituals require that the initiate accept the
> Coven's sigil tattoo before initiation. "Tattoo" is the story
> of an obsessed tattoo artist who drugs and kidnaps a woman.
So, it actually has absolutely nothing to do with Wiccan novices save the
rather tenuous link that Ballard has heard of a group that use a tattoo as a
sign of membership (as do lots of groups unrelated to religious or magickal
endeavour). What Ballard is saying here is that if you watch this film, it
will tell you nothing about your path but might make you scared of getting a
tattoo.
Golden rule here ... if *anyone* says you *must* have a tattoo ... they are
wrong. You do not ever *have* to have a tattoo. If you want one, I
personally recommend you wait several years then see if you still want it.
If you do, then do choose the design carefully. Do not fall under the
illusion that you can always have a tattoo removed ... in reality, you can
have a tattoo replaced with a correspondingly large and very ugly scar
(caused by burning it off with a laser)
> the obsessed artist is creating his Goddess.
Or more accurately, he is insane.
> Being tattooed is a permanent and painful commitment.
It is permanent but not especially painful unless the tattoo is very large,
or is placed upon an especially sensitive area (sex organs, eyelids, etc).
> Most tattoos utilize dark colors that are easy to repair in
> case of abrasion, flaking due to winter dryness, or sunburn
> peeling -- pastel inks are difficult to patch successfully.
Other than a serious cut which might leave a pale scar, it is in fact quite
difficult to damage a tattoo once the original healing is completed.
Flaking and sunburn has little or no effect on normally coloured tattoos.
> Tattooed skin requires care to maintain tattoo beauty.
Other than the cream one applies during the initial healing process, a
tattoo requires no maintainance during its (your) life. Modern normally
coloured tattoos barely fade over periods of tens of years but should you be
unlucky enough to have your design fade, then you should consult a reputable
tattooist for retouching.
> To maintain her exquisite pastel tattoos' beauty, the woman
> portrayed in "Tattoo" would be forced to become an indoor
> hothouse plant.
Thus writes a man who knows nothing of his topic.
Those considering a tattoo and reading my comments should note that I am
assuming that you will seek out a reputable and skillful tattoo artist.
Tattoo needles can spread disease - make sure your artist is approved by the
relevant authorities in your area. If you have a 'street corner' tattooist,
you will get what you deserve perhaps.
> I have no tattoos, but I know people who have extensive,
> difficult-to-patch pastel tattoos. I know the care
> these people take to keep their extensive pastel tattoos
> attractive.
Possibly so - a well crafted tattoo will not need to be 'patched' .... if
the colours referred to above do need to be patched, then they are unsuited
for the purpose of tattooing. If they require constant attention, they are
unsuited for the purpose of tattooing.
> "Skin Art" is *not* a story of Wicca or witchcraft.
So need not be considered here then.
> A woman might want to tattoo
> a body part that is normally covered by clothing, but why hide
> a tattoo where a future spouse was unlikely to discover it?
Shame on you for assuming that the only reason a woman would want a tattoo
is for the benefit of some future spouse.
> I know only one justification: the young woman was an extortion
> victim and the hidden tattoo was verification to be used in
> extortion claims against the woman's future husband.
Your fantasies here do you no credit whatsoever.
> Consider the following excerpt from Psalm 23
> (King David's Psalm):
>
> "... Thou preparest a table before me
> in the presence of my enemies;
> thou anointest my head with oil,
> my cup runneth over.
> Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
> all the days of my life;
> and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
> for ever."
>
> I am not a Biblical scholar, but I associate with Psalm 23
> a Biblical injunction: "I shall not lie down with my enemies."
> (i.e., "I will not submit.")
Why? Your lack of biblical scholarship is very obvious here.
> I am forced to assume that the scalp-tattooed woman hoped
> to hide her tattoo from her future husband.
No, you want to assume that. You have no idea why she wanted her tattoo or
why she wanted it on her scalp. You certainly assume a lot about her future
relationships - do you know for a fact that she was not a lesbian for
example ? I do not imply that lesbians are more likely to have tattoos ...
I imply that lesbians with tattoos do not plan their tattoos in relation to
future husbands.
> I also am forced to assume that some person held either photographic
> or video records of the scalp-tattooed woman engaged in
> activities that compromised her relationship with her future
> husband(s). I hope the scalp-tattooed woman found candor in
> her heart.
You have no reason to assume any of this (other than your mental health
problems).
> The same reader mentioned shaving over a tattoo. Much
> of a tattoo's pigmentation is on the skin surface -- I can not
> imagine risking damaging a tattoo by blade shaving over it.]
You are unlikely to damage a tattoo by shaving over it, nor does shaving
automatically equate to blade shaving. There are standard 'safety razors'
which use blades but will not harm a tattoo and there are electric razors.
> I recommend that individuals planning to get tattoos
> follow their tattoo artist's care instructions both before
> and after receiving a tattoo.
Obviously - why would you recommend they do not follow the advice of people
who do know of what they speak.
> <snip> but more often women are
> bound by indebtedness [e.g., (partner's) car payments] and by
> several hungry children in a poor domestic economy. Cars lose
> value as gasoline prices rise significantly and people drive less.
> Raising children costs more as food prices rise. Impoverished
> women lose options as they struggle to feed their (partner's) cars
> and to feed their children in an era of significantly increasing
> energy, housing and food prices.
Which has nothing to do with the topic at hand.
> Many tattoos are applied using saturated color (e.g.,
> primarily dark black, but also dark red and dark blue)
> inks exclusively.
Not to mention green, orange, brown, violet, etc. etc. etc.
> The advantage of using saturated
> color inks is that should the tattooed area later become
> damaged due to abrasion, skin dryness or sunburn,
> the tattoo can be patched without 'color match' problems
That would be true if it were an issue - happily with a properly done
tattoo, it isn't.
<snipped drivel re. pastel tattoos>
Wiccan Novices beware ... this lengthy discussions on tattoos and tattoo
movies is entirely unrelated to Wicca or any other religious/magickal
proceedings.
> IMO the rationale for thermal branding of human skin (rather
> than tattooing) are:
>
> A) Rite of passage in some organizations and societies
> B) Economical and fast alternative to group tattooing
> C) No possibility of infection from a red hot branding iron
> D) Once healed, thermal brands are free from the maintenance
> problems associated with (pastel-colored) tattoos
> E) Punishment and deterrent (For example, pain inflicted
> as an example both to the affected individual and also to the
> witnessing overall group. This ain't Nirvana, but it *is*
> another way to enforce a binding oath of obedience. Some
> people might prefer having a gun put to their head.)
Hopefully Ballard even at his most stupid does not think any of that forms
part of Paganism generally or Wicca in particular.
Wiccan Novices beware ... this discussions on branding is entirely unrelated
to Wicca or any other religious/magickal proceedings.
> I do *not* recommend the following two related texts:
By now, we are all past caring for this posting ... we can deconstruct the
remainder next time.
Gianna Stefani
Gianna Stefani
> I specifically do *not* recommend:
>
> 17) "Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches,
> Warlocks, & Covens" by Paul Huson
> 4 stars -- The History and Tools of Dark Magick
>
> I believe Wicca is a magick user's religion celebrating human
> fertility and the Earth's fertility -- a beneficent religion.
You are entitled to your view - but not recommending a book because the
author disagrees with you is a little bit prejudiced.
> I believe that witchcraft is goal-oriented use of magick and
> magickal tools with *no* ethical and *no* moral constraints --
> potentially evil magick use that contradicts the Wiccan Rede
> ("An Ye harm none, do what Ye will"). I do *not* equate
> witchcraft to Wicca.
Neither does anyone else of repute. Wicaans can and do *use* witchcraft
though.
> Paul Huson's text makes me uncomfortable, but I must praise
> Mr. Huson's candor.
Even while telling innocent newcomers not to read it.
> I believe that Mr. Huson's text "Mastering Witchcraft: ..." is
> unfair and is antithetical to a magick-users' religion
> celebrating the Earth's and human fertility. I believe this text
> concentrates more on ****dominating/mastering people**** than
> upon mastering witchcraft.
As the book is about witchcraft (magick) which you do not equate to wicca (a
religion) then dragging in the users religion and their views on fertility
is more unfair of you than of Mr. Huson.
> I can *not* recommend "Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide
> for Witches, Warlocks, & Covens" to prospective Wiccan novices
> for the reasons discussed above.
Because it doesn't fit in to your limited view of the topic.
I have read a few of Mr. Huson's books and whether the reader chooses to
believe / follow his words or not, they do make a good read.
I heartily recommend the books of Paul Huson and urge readers to make up
their own minds, rather than be blinded in advance by the prejudices of
Ballard.
> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
That much is self evident.
> I specifically do *not* recommend:
> 18) "The Book Of The Law" by Aleister Crowley
> 3 stars -- An Interesting Presentation of Ethics
Only because it is too 'cryptic' for you to understand, no doubt.
> Aleister Crowley's "The Book Of The Law" is a seminal work
and as such, should be read by all who are interested in magick.
> I also believe that any novice attempting to read "The Book Of
> The Law" would quickly give up in frustration.
You pompous arse-wipe ...... 'novice wiccan' does not mean 'illiterate' or
of low intellect.
> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
Good of you to emphasise that point.
> I specifically do *not* recommend:
>
> 19) "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" by Aleister Crowley
> 4 stars -- Aleister Crowley Revealed
>
> Aleister Crowley's "MAGICK In Theory And Practice" (MTP) is a
> seminal work
and as such, should be read by all who are interested in magick.
> I also believe that any novice attempting to read "The Book Of
> The Law" would quickly give up in frustration.
You pompous arse-wipe ...... 'novice wiccan' does not mean 'illiterate' or
of low intellect.
> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
Very true.
> I specifically do *not* recommend:
>
> "The Satanic Bible" by Anton Szandor LaVey
>
> and
>
> "The Satanic Rituals" by Anton Szandor LaVey
>
> or
>
> "The Devil's Notebook" by Anton Szandor LaVey
>
> or
>
> "The Satanic Witch" by Anton Szandor LaVey
I agree whole-heartedly. LaVey is an ill-informed fuckwit who seeks only an
excuse for his own behaviour.
>
> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
We know this.
> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
Still true.
>
> I am *not* a Wiccan, a witch, a Pagan, or a satanist.
>
Nope.
> I deliberately include few Internet website URLs within
> my listed references. In the 21st Century many people
> question the importance of textual references.
But happily we do not know anyone that silly.
> Publication indicates that a publisher has judged that the content
> financially merits publication
and very little else, that being the only consideration other than checking
for defamatory comments.
> Some people question why I have not included their favorite
> Wiccan historical texts within my reference list. I have addressed
> this concern repeatedly. IMO *not committed* prospective Wiccan
> novices are interested in current Wiccan practices, not arcane
> historical texts.
Plus Ballard does not understand the arcane, and so limits himself to
populist titles.
> Some people question the appropriateness of my providing *any*
> comments concerning Wicca, witchcraft, Paganism or satanism. I
> believe that detachment is valuable -- *not* having vested interests
> can bring objectivity. In addition, I offer information -- ***my
> information can be ignored with little effort***. I do *not* tell
> people how to worship or practice magick in their circles or in
> their own homes. And IMO a list of Wicca-related definitions based
> upon my studying Wiccan-, Craft-, Pagan- and satanic-related texts
> and participating in Wiccan-, craft- and Pagan-related Internet
> newsgroups threatens no one.
It is of no threat, but it is also of no value because of your prejudice and
ignorance of the subject.
> <*> I have made several comments concerning juvenile nutrition and
> impoverished women's responsibility to raise their children. My
> comments reflect my situation: I am a single man with no living
> children and I do not want to argue feminist issues. In my
> locale I often observe impoverished children accompanied by
> their mothers. This continually repeated observation tells me
> that in 21st Century United States society, impoverished (single)
> mothers often raise the children -- a predictable (and avoidable)
> social issue.
Which has absolutely nothing to with the topic at hand, but it is the method
you use to pad out your postings.
> <*> Yet I recently watched a T V reality show where a dominant
> woman scornfully described her submissive unemployed homemaking
> male partner as a 'house bitch'. Having a clean house, prepared
> meals, clean clothing and _pleasant_ companionship is desirable.
> Feminists first fought the 'homemakers have value' battle in the
> late 1960's (and won??!!??). IMO this dominant female's
> _not pleasant_ expressed attitude (a recurring broadcast media
> theme where Dad often is mi$$ing from the single mom household)
> signals no societal progress in the 21st Century -- the
> 'war between the sexes' continues. And an echo from the late
> 1960's: "What if they gave a war and (a-hem) nobody came?"
>
Which has absolutely nothing to with the topic at hand, but it is the method
you use to pad out your postings, and amplifies your hatred of women.
Gianna Stefani
Bard
<gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>
>Which has absolutely nothing to with the topic at hand, but it is the method
>you use to pad out your postings, and amplifies your hatred of women.
>
>Gianna Stefani
>
You will soon find out, if you have not already, RB lives in a
seperate reality that is nearly imposible to penetrate to get any
correction of errors made in what he asserts that is clearly false.
--
news:alt.pagan FAQ at http://www.dmcom.net/bard/altpag.txt
news:alt.religion.wicca FAQ at http://www.dmcom.net/bard/arwfaq2.txt
news:news.groups FAQ at http://www.dmcom.net/bard/ngfaq.txt
Want a new group FAQs http://web.presby.edu/~nnqadmin/nnq/ncreate.html
Jani
"Bard" <ba...@dmcom.net> wrote in message
news:c4lej0plqr0i4dnii...@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 18:58:20 +0200, "Gianna Stefani"
> <gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>
> >
> >Which has absolutely nothing to with the topic at hand, but it is the
method
> >you use to pad out your postings, and amplifies your hatred of women.
> >
> >Gianna Stefani
> >
>
> You will soon find out, if you have not already, RB lives in a
> seperate reality that is nearly imposible to penetrate to get any
> correction of errors made in what he asserts that is clearly false.
Gods, Bard, don't stop her when her motor's running :)
Jani
(thoroughly enjoying Gianna's dissections)
Gianna Stefani
> <gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>
> >
> >Which has absolutely nothing to with the topic at hand, but it is the
method
> >you use to pad out your postings, and amplifies your hatred of women.
> >
> >Gianna Stefani
> >
>
> You will soon find out, if you have not already, RB lives in a
> seperate reality that is nearly imposible to penetrate to get any
> correction of errors made in what he asserts that is clearly false.
>
Thanks but yes, I have already. My purpose isn't to change Ballard's
'thinking' but to ensure any visiting 'novices' are fully aware that he is a
charlatan and a fraud.
Gianna
Gianna Stefani
news:2pp3fkF...@uni-berlin.de...
>
> "Bard" <ba...@dmcom.net> wrote in message
> news:c4lej0plqr0i4dnii...@4ax.com...
> > On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 18:58:20 +0200, "Gianna Stefani"
> > <gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >Which has absolutely nothing to with the topic at hand, but it is the
> method
> > >you use to pad out your postings, and amplifies your hatred of women.
> > >
> > >Gianna Stefani
> > >
> >
> > You will soon find out, if you have not already, RB lives in a
> > seperate reality that is nearly imposible to penetrate to get any
> > correction of errors made in what he asserts that is clearly false.
>
> Gods, Bard, don't stop her when her motor's running :)
>
> Jani
> (thoroughly enjoying Gianna's dissections)
>
Jani, you made me laugh with that (:
I think I still have parts 4 and 5 of 'reference list' left to do .... I
haven't read them yet but I am confident they are no less in need - and it
is good practise - keeps the mind working (etc.).
Gianna
Jani
"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> wrote in message
news:2pp45gF...@uni-berlin.de...
One of Richard's continual beefs is that if his "documents" are so wrong,
why aren't we all posting up a storm putting him right. Of course the moment
anyone *does* put him right, he either ignores it or insists that his
op-in-ions are correct no matter how much evidence there is to the contrary.
At one point, because no-one would give him details of private rituals or
oathbound material, he spent a long time insisting that some strip show he'd
wandered into was actually an Egyptian magical rite. It took about a week of
posting just to get him to agree that "onyx" was not the same as "ankh",
never mind anything else.
Jani
Bard
<gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>"Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in message
>news:2pp3fkF...@uni-berlin.de...
>>
>> Gods, Bard, don't stop her when her motor's running :)
>>
>> Jani
>> (thoroughly enjoying Gianna's dissections)
Did not try to stop her, just offered advice. Might be interesting on
what type of replies given if any.
Remember the "baby powder"
>>
>
>Jani, you made me laugh with that (:
>I think I still have parts 4 and 5 of 'reference list' left to do .... I
>haven't read them yet but I am confident they are no less in need - and it
>is good practise - keeps the mind working (etc.).
>
>Gianna
>
>
Have at it as you will. *Smiles*
Bard
<gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>
>Thanks but yes, I have already. My purpose isn't to change Ballard's
>'thinking' but to ensure any visiting 'novices' are fully aware that he is a
>charlatan and a fraud.
>
Almost everyone has taken a turn at them.
Took perhaps 5 at the same time to get him to modify statement
concerning the ancient Irish potato goddess. It used to read worst
then it does now.
Gianna Stefani
> Almost everyone has taken a turn at them.
> Took perhaps 5 at the same time to get him to modify statement
> concerning the ancient Irish potato goddess. It used to read worst
> then it does now.
> --
Ah that still makes me laugh .... potato goddess .... lol
I wonder if they had a yeast goddess .... and if so, did she invent soda
bread ?
GS
Richard Ballard
Bard <ba...@dmcom.net> writes:
>You will soon find out, if you have not already, RB lives in a
>seperate reality that is nearly imposible to penetrate to get any
>correction of errors made in what he asserts that is clearly false.
As I have pointed out in the past, Bard, the Wicca- and
Tantra-related messages that I provide periodically are
provided in one and only one email name: RBall...@aol.com .
This makes me trivially easy to killfile permanently should
somebody believe that I am spouting rubbish.
>--
>news:alt.pagan FAQ at <RB snipped URL>
>news:alt.religion.wicca FAQ at <RB snipped URL>
As far as your unsubstantiated assertions concerning the
quality of my messages, each time I provide my messages
I mark new and updated paragraphs with a <*> marker,
making it easy to locate and identify new information.
There were a number of new and updated paragraphs in
the Wicca-related messages that I provided on 9/1/2004.
New and updated paragraphs reflect my opinions about
_changes_ in the Wicca and Tantra societal environments.
I follow your alt.pagan FAQ and your alt.religion.wicca FAQ,
Bard. You provided both within the last week on AP and
ARW respectively. I verified that the most recent provision
of your "Alt.Pagan Frequently Asked Questions (Version 4.01 FAQ)"
message stated that it was last modified in "Febuary 2002"
(that's how you spelled it) -- not recent.
I verified that the most recent provision of your
"Alt.Religion.Wicca Frequently Asked Questions Version 2
(FAQ 2.0)" stated that it was last modified in
"10 September 2003". And in (Google) Message ID
"20030910043848...@mb-m01.aol.com" (no quotes)
I pointed out (listing ALL the changes) that your 10 September 2003
FAQ changes were cosmetic editing changes. Your ARW FAQ 2.0
has had _no_ substantive changes since 5 June 2001 -- not recent.
You are replowing old ground, Bard. You question the quality of
my messages, but your AP FAQ 4.01 has said nothing new since
February 2002 and your ARW FAQ 2.0 has said nothing new since
June 2001. I mark new and updated paragraphs in each provision
of my Wicca- and Tantra-related periodic messages.
Interested readers can judge for themselves.
<snip>
Richard Ballard
Bard <ba...@dmcom.net> writes:
>On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 19:37:27 +0200, "Gianna Stefani"
><gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>
>>Thanks but yes, I have already. My purpose isn't to change Ballard's
>>'thinking' but to ensure any visiting 'novices' are fully aware that
>>he is a
>>charlatan and a fraud.
>
>Almost everyone has taken a turn at them.
>Took perhaps 5 at the same time to get him to modify statement
>concerning the ancient Irish potato goddess. It used to read worst
>then it does now.
Sarcasm is easy and cheap. I'd like interested readers to judge for
themselves the quality of my messages.
The following is excerpted from my 9/1/2004 copyrighted message
"A Reference List For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part One of
Three Parts)":
*****Beginning of excerpt*****
<*> Critics of Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition also argue that
the Irish could not have worshipped a 'potato Goddess' because
the Irish potato was a New World vegetable. IMO this potato
controversy is a Wiccan _non-issue_. After some preliminary
(and flawed) research of my own, several readers suggested
Internet URLs discussing the origin of the Irish (white) potato:
"http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/sustainable/peet/profiles/c15potat.html"
*****End of Excerpt*****
Richard Ballard
ridiculing the quality of my Wicca-related periodic messages.
Here I want to discuss your apparent _lack of tolerance_ for
Pagan Traditions other than your own.
More below.
In article <20040902164738...@mb-m28.aol.com>, rball...@aol.com
(Richard Ballard) writes:
Ms. McCoy's Wittan Tradition is a Pagan (fertility worshipping religious)
Tradition [as Wicca is a Pagan (fertility worshipping religious)
Tradition]. Ms. McCoy's Wittan Tradition does _not_ proselytize --
Witta does not demand that members of other religions convert to Witta.
IMO your repeated not constructive critical discussions of Ms. McCoy's
wholesome Wittan Tradition are not (meant to be) informative, and are
a de facto form of proselytization.
Ms. McCoy is free to define and evolve her own Pagan Tradition;
and Bard, you are free to define and evolve your own Pagan Tradition.
Hypothetically speaking Bard, if you define and evolve a not attractive
Pagan Tradition, your circle might be solitary through lack of circle
members. But (hypothetically speaking) the fault would be your own,
not the fault of those in more attractive circles.
I will provide an example. In July 2001 the T V multipart drama
"The Mists Of Avalon" appeared and was discussed excitedly
on Wiccan newsgroups. IMO "The Mists Of Avalon" proposed a
feminist Pagan Tradition. From my perspective, "The Mists Of
Avalon" was a feminist rewrite of Sir Thomas Malory's
"Morte Darthur" Arthurian legend (a legend that many Wiccans
brand 'patriarchal') with some aspects of the Bene Gesserit (witches)
from Frank Herbert's classic novel "Dune" thrown in for good measure.
"The Mists Of Avalon" did not appeal to me, but it did not threaten
me either. I made some specific informed observations concerning
the Tradition (IMO) implicit in "The Mists Of Avalon", but I let it
pass -- I did not make it a neverending crusade.
From my perspective, I can not understand your repeated
_not constructive_ criticism of Ms. McCoy's wholesome Wittan
Tradition. Bard, from my perspective Witta does not threaten
your own Pagan Tradition. Are you proselytizing, Bard?
Jani
> On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 19:40:49 +0200, "Gianna Stefani"
> <gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>
> >"Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in message
> >news:2pp3fkF...@uni-berlin.de...
> >>
>
> >> Gods, Bard, don't stop her when her motor's running :)
> >>
> >> Jani
> >> (thoroughly enjoying Gianna's dissections)
>
> Did not try to stop her, just offered advice. Might be interesting on
> what type of replies given if any.
> Remember the "baby powder"
I was leaving that for her to discover ..
>
> >>
> >
> >Jani, you made me laugh with that (:
> >I think I still have parts 4 and 5 of 'reference list' left to do .... I
> >haven't read them yet but I am confident they are no less in need - and
it
> >is good practise - keeps the mind working (etc.).
> >
> >Gianna
> >
> >
>
> Have at it as you will. *Smiles*
Nice to see you posting, albeit briefly. All well?
Jani
Bard
>
>Nice to see you posting, albeit briefly. All well?
>
Things could be better, however most can say that *Smiles*
Jani
etc, etc, then you have no knowledge or experience of Bard's trad.
Please confine yourself to justifying the historical existence of the Irish
Potato Goddess :)
Jani
"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040902190009...@mb-m11.aol.com...
Jani
> On Fri, 3 Sep 2004 01:38:00 +0100, "Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >Nice to see you posting, albeit briefly. All well?
> >
>
> Things could be better, however most can say that *Smiles*
Understood :) Have whatever variant of hug is acceptable ;)
Jani
Richard Ballard
"Zayton" <joerev...@bellsouth.net> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040902164741...@mb-m28.aol.com...
>
>>In article <bjpej0d5ljt42tc00...@4ax.com>,
>>Bard <ba...@dmcom.net> writes:
>>
>>>On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 19:37:27 +0200, "Gianna Stefani"
>>><gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Thanks but yes, I have already. My purpose isn't to change Ballard's
>>>>'thinking' but to ensure any visiting 'novices' are fully aware that
>>>>he is a
>>>>charlatan and a fraud.
>>>
>>>Almost everyone has taken a turn at them.
>>>Took perhaps 5 at the same time to get him to modify statement
>>>concerning the ancient Irish potato goddess. It used to read worst
>>>then it does now.
>>
>>Sarcasm is easy and cheap.
>
>And, in your case, pretty much irresistable.
You must feel threatened by the information that I provide
if you go to the trouble to nonconstructively troll.
>>I'd like interested readers to judge for
>>themselves the quality of my messages.
>
>And they have. in vast numbers.
When people have expressed serious questions I have responded
to those questions and (sometimes after some newsgroup
discussion) closed those issues. That's fair.
I have weathered a flood of not constructive trolling.
Not constructive trolling does not smell beautiful,
but it is survivable.
And currently I receive fewer adverse comments than
I received two years ago. Evolving messages improve
with age.
Richard Ballard
"Zayton" <joerev...@bellsouth.net> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040902190012...@mb-m11.aol.com...
>
>>Bard- My earlier response dealt with your sarcastic comments
>>ridiculing the quality of my Wicca-related periodic messages.
>>Here I want to discuss your apparent _lack of tolerance_ for
>>Pagan Traditions other than your own.
>>
>>Ms. McCoy is free to define and evolve her own Pagan Tradition;
>>and Bard, you are free to define and evolve your own Pagan Tradition.
>>Hypothetically speaking Bard, if you define and evolve a not attractive
>>Pagan Tradition, your circle might be solitary through lack of circle
>>members. But (hypothetically speaking) the fault would be your own,
>>not the fault of those in more attractive circles.
>
>Even I know that Ms McCoy's "tradition" is not an ancient tradition, but
>rather, a new-age invention of her own. It is her claim that it is based on
>ancient sources which calls into question her work; and your apparent
>acceptance of those bogus claims which invalidates your reviews of it.
To my knowledge ALL Wiccans acknowledge the Gardnerian
and Alexanderian Wiccan Traditions. Gerald Gardner INVENTED
Wicca in the 1950's. Alexander Saunders modified Gardnerian
Wicca to form his own Tradition -- Alexanderian Wicca. The
acknowledged basis of Wicca is a (relatively recent) invention
followed by a modification.
That is the precedent, and the precedent indicates that Pagan
circles, solitary worshipers, and (in Ms. McCoy's case) authors
are free to define and evolve their own Traditions.
The continual trolling that Ms. McCoy's wholesome Witta
Tradition receives from some Pagans makes me wonder
if those trolling Pagans feel threatened by Ms. McCoy's
wholesome Witta Tradition.
Gianna Stefani
> To my knowledge ALL Wiccans acknowledge the Gardnerian
> and Alexanderian Wiccan Traditions. Gerald Gardner INVENTED
> Wicca in the 1950's.
Absolutely correct.
> Alexander Saunders modified Gardnerian
> Wicca to form his own Tradition -- Alexanderian Wicca. The
> acknowledged basis of Wicca is a (relatively recent) invention
> followed by a modification.
Absolutely incorrect. Alexander Saunders is a 'well respected' business
man.
I suspect you may be referring to Alex Sanders.
> That is the precedent, and the precedent indicates that Pagan
> circles, solitary worshipers, and (in Ms. McCoy's case) authors
> are free to define and evolve their own Traditions.
That is a truly perverse distortion of logic.
By that means, because someone else has created the precedent of murdering
another individual, I am now free to wander around killing people. Should
the authorities try to punish me I can simply say ah, but there is a
precedent.
> The continual trolling that Ms. McCoy's wholesome Witta
> Tradition receives from some Pagans makes me wonder
> if those trolling Pagans feel threatened by Ms. McCoy's
> wholesome Witta Tradition.
That is because you are not very intelligent dear.
The actual reason is because it is fluffy-bunnikins rubbish, based on faked
up and twisted history.
I note that you still take the view that anyone who disagrees with you is a
troll when in fact, by posting your sewage into these newsgroups on a
regular basis, you are in fact the most obvious and persistent troll here.
Oh ... I do understand that you have decided that you will not reply to
anything I post and I am most grateful for that. You do not have the
wherewithal to debate these issues with me and it would be a little
embarrassing for me to debate with someone so ill-equipped.
Hugs
Gianna Stefani
Jani
> "Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:20040901142227...@mb-m02.aol.com...
>
> > <*> Critics of Ms. McCoy's Irish Witta Tradition also argue that
> > the Irish could not have worshipped a 'potato Goddess' because
> > the Irish potato was a New World vegetable. IMO this potato
> > controversy is a Wiccan _non-issue_. After some preliminary
> > (and flawed) research of my own, several readers suggested
> > Internet URLs discussing the origin of the Irish (white) potato:
>
> I had heard from other readers that Ballard made reference to the above
but
> honestly, I thought they were joking. I apologise to those who warned me
> about this ..... I am almost falling off my chair with laughter.
We TOLD you so! ;-) Mind you, he's right in that it's a "Wiccan non-issue"
although IIRC there was a very entertaining thread on arwm about it at the
time ...
Jani
Richard Ballard
Bard <ba...@dmcom.net> writes:
>In some ways one could argue that Witta is not even an offshoot from
>Wicca.
Had you read Ms. McCoy's text "Witta: An Irish Pagan
Tradition" (ISBN 0-87542-732-4), you would know that
Ms. McCoy does _not_ claim that Witta is derived
from Wicca. And (despite much contrary discussion by
others in Pagan- and Wiccan-related newsgroups) I have
_not_ read any work by Ms. McCoy where she claims to be
a Wiccan.
(For that matter, I have _not_ read_ any work by Starhawk
where Starhawk claims to be a Wiccan, but Starhawk
likewise is claimed heavily on Wiccan newsgroups.)
But why should Bard allow factual information to hinder
his long-running crusade against Ms. McCoy's wholesome
and non-proselytizing Wittan Pagan Tradition?
<snip>
Richard Ballard
"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040904062708...@mb-m01.aol.com...
>
>>Had you read Ms. McCoy's text "Witta: An Irish Pagan
>>Tradition" (ISBN 0-87542-732-4), you would know that
>>Ms. McCoy does _not_ claim that Witta is derived
>>from Wicca.
>
>"McCoy claims that Witta is an Irish Gaelic translation
>of Wicca ...
Ibid, pg x: "Witta, the Irish Gaelic term for the Anglo-Saxon
word Wicca, is one of the Irish names of the craft. The word
means "wise one," ... Both terms eventually evolved into the
common word "witch" ..." .
Ms. McCoy's statement does _not_ equate to claiming that
Witta is an Irish Gaelic translation of Wicca. Ms. McCoy
does _not_ state that Witta is derived from Wicca.
>...(but there is no W in Irish Gaelic."
Ms. McCoy's text is written in American English, not Gaelic.
When I was in high school I studied Latin from an (American
English) Latin text. The Romans had a 24 character alphabet --
no Q and no W. But my (American English) Latin text used
the letter Q in some Latin words (e.g., equus). That was
_phonetically_ (if not alphabetically) correct.
You are argumentatively making a mountain out of a molehill.
I have no further time for Bard's anti-Witta proselytizing
and I have no further time for your contentless trolling.
Gianna Stefani
> >
> >"McCoy claims that Witta is an Irish Gaelic translation
> >of Wicca ...
>
> Ibid, pg x: "Witta, the Irish Gaelic term for the Anglo-Saxon
> word Wicca, is one of the Irish names of the craft. The word
> means "wise one," ... Both terms eventually evolved into the
> common word "witch" ..." .
>
>
>
> Ms. McCoy's text is written in American English, not Gaelic.
>
That is irrelevant. McCoy states the word Witta is Irish Gaelic, no matter
what the language of her own text. However, that is impossible as the
letter W was non-existent in Irish Gaelic. Therefore, Witta is not as McCoy
and you above, state "Witta, the Irish Gaelic term for the Anglo-Saxon word
Wicca"
> When I was in high school I studied Latin from an (American
> English) Latin text. The Romans had a 24 character alphabet --
> no Q and no W. But my (American English) Latin text used
> the letter Q in some Latin words (e.g., equus). That was
> _phonetically_ (if not alphabetically) correct.
>
If I read that correctly, you are saying that McCoy really means that Witta
is an Anerican English Irish Gaelic term - and I can see your point there.
Unfortunately, that would confirm the anachronism which I was suggesting as
at the time these events allegedly occurred, American English did not exist.
Perhaps you would enlighten us on what the Irish people of the time
allegedly called this Witta then, if we accept temporarily your view that
Witta is the American English approximation of the real word ?
> You are argumentatively making a mountain out of a molehill.
> I have no further time for Bard's anti-Witta proselytizing
> and I have no further time for your contentless trolling.
>
Oh look - further misuse of 'contentless trolling' ... surpirse surprise.
But what is truly surprising is your wholehearted acceptance of (apparently)
every word spewed forth by the likes of McCoy.
I understand your need to meet your literary aspirations (pretensions) by
'hitching your wagon' to a published writer, but it might have been politic
to choose one who had even a vague clue of what they write about.
Gianna Stefani
Richard Ballard
Bard <ba...@dmcom.net> writes:
>On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 15:07:44 +0200, "Gianna Stefani"
><gianna....@j-b.org> wrote:
>
>>"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> wrote in message
>>news:2ptsnvF...@uni-berlin.de...
>>
>>>"McCoy claims that Witta is an Irish Gaelic translation of Wicca (but
>>>there
>>>is no W in Irish Gaelic)."
>>
>>reference for the above...
>>http://www.evertype.com/alphabets/irish-gaelic.pdf
>>
>>Gianna Stefani
The issue is _not_ whether there is a W in Gaelic.
As I pointed out in my response to Ms. Stefani,
Ms. McCoy's text is written in American English, not Gaelic.
When I was in high school I studied Latin from an (American
English) Latin text. The Romans had a 24 character alphabet --
no Q and no W. But my (American English) Latin text used
the letter Q in some Latin words (e.g., equus). That was
_phonetically_ (if not alphabetically) correct. NO ISSUE.
As I also pointed out to in my response to Ms. Stefani,
Ms. McCoy does _not_ claim that Witta is the
'Irish/Gaelic Wicca' or is derived from Wicca.
From Ms. McCoy's text "Witta: An Irish Pagan Tradition"
(ISBN 0-87542-732-4), pg.x:
"Witta, the Irish Gaelic term for the Anglo-Saxon
word Wicca, is one of the Irish names of the craft. The word
means "wise one," ... Both terms eventually evolved into the
common word "witch" ..." .
Ms. McCoy's statement does _not_ equate to claiming that
Witta is an Irish Gaelic translation of Wicca. Ms. McCoy
does _not_ state that Witta is derived from Wicca.
>*chuckles* ...
Your uneducated chuckles do not impress me, Bard.
I have no further time for your anti-Witta proselytizing, Bard.
And I have no further time for Ms. Stefani's pointless nitpicking.
<snip>
"All Rights Reserved"?
If I 'right' must I reserve?
I gut know problems.
Richard Ballard
Bard <ba...@dmcom.net> writes:
>On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 20:33:33 +0100, "Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
>
>>I do remember him removing or modifying something, when the sheer weight
>>of
>>evidence proved him wrong, so he is not actually incapable of doing so. It
>>seems to be more a battle of wills, that he can continue to present his
>>opinions as fact for longer than anyone else has the patience to challenge
>>them.
>
>The refference that he got the most heat for was the potato goddess,
>he changed the entry after doing some web reseach.
Yes, after further research I corrected my statements.
Furthermore, I summarized the results (including URLs)
so that the information would be available to others.
And my final conclusion was that Ms. McCoy including
potatoes in her wholesome Witta Pagan Tradition was
_entirely appropriate_.
I update my messages regularly, Bard -- new and updated
paragraphs are marked with a <*>. My messages improve
with each provision, Bard.
I follow your alt.pagan FAQ and your alt.religion.wicca FAQ,
Bard. You provided both recently on AP and ARW respectively.
I verified that the most recent provision of your
"Alt.Pagan Frequently Asked Questions (Version 4.01 FAQ)"
message stated that it was last modified in "Febuary 2002"
(that's how you spelled it) -- not up to date.
I verified that the most recent provision of your
"Alt.Religion.Wicca Frequently Asked Questions Version 2
(FAQ 2.0)" stated that it was last modified in
"10 September 2003". And in (Google) Message ID
"20030910043848...@mb-m01.aol.com" (no quotes)
I pointed out (listing ALL the changes) that your 10 September 2003
FAQ changes were cosmetic editing changes. Your ARW FAQ 2.0
has had _no_ substantive changes since 5 June 2001 -- not up to date.
You are replowing old ground, Bard. You question the quality of
my messages, but your AP FAQ 4.01 has said nothing new since
February 2002 and your ARW FAQ 2.0 has said nothing new since
June 2001. I mark new and updated paragraphs in each provision
of my Wicca- and Tantra-related periodic messages.
And Bard, your FAQs confuse Wicca and other forms of Paganism
with satanism. Your AP FAQ 4.01 lists "Wicca -- in all its many
forms: neo-Shamanism, neo-Druidism, Asatru and other forms of
Norse neopaganism, ..., certain people within Thelema and
hedonistic Satanism, ...". Your AP FAQ 2.0 Section 7 "Are you
Satanists?" states "Some pagans practice something called Satanism,
but it is a far cry from the Hollywood image of Satanism. ...
If what you're really wanting to know is do we sacrifice babies
and worship the evil incarnate, the answer's no." Two weak short
paragraphs, Bard. And your ARW FAQ 2.0 confuses the Wicca versus
satanism by weakly stating "Many Wiccans distinguish themselves
from Satanists, for example, in preferring complimentary views
of divinity to adversarial ones." -- a vague and weakly ambiguous
description.
Your FAQs make no mention of Anton LaVey's "Church of Satan" and
no mention of the "Temple of Set", a split derivative of CoS.
Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Bible" is c1969 -- satanism has been
in existence for over 35 years. Bard spends more time proseltyzing
against Ms. McCoy's wholesome Witta Pagan Tradition than updating
his FAQs to _competently_ address satanism -- a significant strong
force within Paganism.
My messages address satanism, Anton LaVey's writings, and satanism's
impact on 21st Century society in detail. My messages briefly
discuss the Temple of Set, and acknowledge that I need to review
several texts written by acknowledged ToS officers. (I have not
found the time for that reading because I waste my time answering
contentless critiques such as your and Ms. Stefani's.)
IMO you are guilty of a 'sin of omission', Bard. Have your
unchanging FAQs reached the end of their path? Interested
readers can judge for themselves.
<snip>
"All Rights Reserved"?
If I 'right' must I reserve?
I gut know problems.
Jani
> And Bard, your FAQs confuse Wicca and other forms of Paganism
> with satanism. Your AP FAQ 4.01 lists "Wicca -- in all its many
> forms: neo-Shamanism, neo-Druidism, Asatru and other forms of
> Norse neopaganism, ..., certain people within Thelema and
> hedonistic Satanism, ...".
Whether accidentally or deliberately, you have misquoted this. The section
in question is headed Neopaganism - NOT Wicca - and "Wicca in all its many
forms" is the first form of neopaganism mentioned, followed by neo-Druidism,
Asatru, Discordianism and so on. All of these are clearly listed as discrete
and separate paths within neopaganism, NOT as branches of Wicca.
Your AP FAQ 2.0 Section 7 "Are you
> Satanists?" states "Some pagans practice something called Satanism,
> but it is a far cry from the Hollywood image of Satanism. ...
> If what you're really wanting to know is do we sacrifice babies
> and worship the evil incarnate, the answer's no." Two weak short
> paragraphs, Bard.
The section on satanism is longer than the excerpt you cite, and
specifically refers readers to alt.satanism for more detailed information
(their FAQ is, iirc, weighted towards CoS but is nonetheless extremely
comprehensive).
And your ARW FAQ 2.0 confuses the Wicca versus
> satanism by weakly stating "Many Wiccans distinguish themselves
> from Satanists, for example, in preferring complimentary views
> of divinity to adversarial ones." -- a vague and weakly ambiguous
> description.
It is not confusing at all, and is written in the context of comparing Wicca
to many other belief systems besides Satanism.
>
> Your FAQs make no mention of Anton LaVey's "Church of Satan" and
> no mention of the "Temple of Set", a split derivative of CoS.
> Anton LaVey's "The Satanic Bible" is c1969 -- satanism has been
> in existence for over 35 years.
Why would one include detailed references to Satanism in a FAQ about Wicca?
Are *you* confusing the two, Richard? The AP FAQ does mention Satanism, as
an inclusion in the very broad "umbrella" of neopaganism, and refers the
reader to the appropriate ng for further information. (As it does,
incidentally, for other paths such as Asatru and Druidry.)
Bard spends more time proseltyzing
> against Ms. McCoy's wholesome Witta Pagan Tradition than updating
> his FAQs to _competently_ address satanism -- a significant strong
> force within Paganism.
Asatru and Druidry, to name but two, are also significantly represented in
neopaganism - probably more so than either CoS or ToS, which seem to have
comparatively small memberships. If you want to complain that the AP FAQ is
too strongly biased towards Wicca (which IMO would be a fair criticism) then
why are you complaining *only* about Satanism, and not about the
under-representation of other paths?
>
> My messages address satanism, Anton LaVey's writings, and satanism's
> impact on 21st Century society in detail.
Despite the fact that neither CoS nor ToS have anything to do with Wicca,
and therefore are not relevant to messages addressed to prospective
*Wiccans*.
My messages briefly
> discuss the Temple of Set, and acknowledge that I need to review
> several texts written by acknowledged ToS officers. (I have not
> found the time for that reading because I waste my time answering
> contentless critiques such as your and Ms. Stefani's.)
And yet you find plenty of time to include new inaccuracies in your
documents .... Seriously, Richard, are you really trying to say that
replying to a few newsgroup posts (which contain perfectly valid criticisms
of your messages) is so time-consuming that it prevents you reading texts
which you admit you *should* read before commenting on Satanism?
>
> IMO you are guilty of a 'sin of omission', Bard. Have your
> unchanging FAQs reached the end of their path? Interested
> readers can judge for themselves.
If the FAQs which Bard posts (and which, as I recall, he did not author) are
accurate, why on earth should he need to make changes in them?
Jani
Bard
>If the FAQs which Bard posts (and which, as I recall, he did not author) are
>accurate, why on earth should he need to make changes in them?
>
Nobody reads the FAQs, credits for whom were the major contributors to
it are lisited near the top of it.
I maintain an FAQ that was the work of many people.
As a maintainer I have added or made a few changes to it. the ARW FAQ
I added 1.3 after discussion on the group.
I indicate that if an error is found or some other update is
considered needed to contact me or post to the group (twits, however
will be ignored)
The only FAQ I wrote in its entirity is the n.g FAQ, however that was
based on feed back from regulars of that group. One should be able to
google me and the others as to how that was crafted, as I recall went
though at least 13 revisions until it was considered good enough. So
even that FAQ is not total designed by me.
Jani
> On Sun, 5 Sep 2004 14:28:13 +0100, "Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
>
> >If the FAQs which Bard posts (and which, as I recall, he did not author)
are
> >accurate, why on earth should he need to make changes in them?
> >
>
> Nobody reads the FAQs, credits for whom were the major contributors to
> it are lisited near the top of it.
>
> I maintain an FAQ that was the work of many people.
>
> As a maintainer I have added or made a few changes to it. the ARW FAQ
> I added 1.3 after discussion on the group.
> I indicate that if an error is found or some other update is
> considered needed to contact me or post to the group (twits, however
> will be ignored)
>
> The only FAQ I wrote in its entirity is the n.g FAQ, however that was
> based on feed back from regulars of that group. One should be able to
> google me and the others as to how that was crafted, as I recall went
> though at least 13 revisions until it was considered good enough. So
> even that FAQ is not total designed by me.
That's what I thought. I went through them again today, in order to reply to
RB, and although I didn't see your name listed as one of the authors, it was
possible that you had used another nym in the past.
(And people do read them. I've used the AP FAQ, in particular, on a number
of occasions as an accessible, comprehensive overview of neopaganism.)
Jani
Richard Ballard
>>
>>>*Warlock* is a term that many interpret differently.
>>
>>But need not be as it is a very well defined term
>>A warlock is a wizard or magician (male).
>>
>>>Magick-using warrior.
>>
>>Only in Scots legend - unrelated to the present context.
>>
>>>. . . and 'warlock' usually denotes someone
>>>who has been ostracized from a Coven or a group of cooperating
>>>Covens for disobedience to Coven Tradition or to the Coven High
>>>Priest/ess' authority.
>>
>>No, it means "a wizard or magician (male)"
>
>That certainly seems to be the most popular dictionary definition, ...
'Dictionary definitions' seldom reflect Craft usage.
The 'Warlock' discussion I periodically provide in my
"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Four of Five Parts)"
message reflects current socioeconomic conditions in my locale.
Specifically, Pagan and nonPagan men who divorce (for _any_ reason
whether or not there are children) are considered warlocks/oathbreakers
and are subjected to general social shunning and chaotic attacks.
(BTW Jani, I consider the contentless timewasting criticism I am
receiving from Ms. Stefani, from Bard and now from you a timewasting
chaotic attack. You do not know me, Jani -- I am a turtle who plays
defense well.) The goal of this shunning/attacking is either to drive
the man back into his former spousal relationship or to drive the man
from the locale [with attendent equity loss through 'yard sales' and
'lowball real estate sellouts' (with possible income tax liability
from priniciple residence sale before age 55 -- an impoverished
example for other potentially independent-minded husbands)].
The Coven/Circle likes a 'Family friendly' environment --
independent-minded single males are not welcome or encouraged.
Anna if another less fortunate Coven/Circle family gets the
opportunity to purchase real estate at a bargain price ...
Skeptical? Middle aged married women are threatened by a
happy male divorce survivor. Henpecked husbands obey
their wives and daughters and stop complaining during
employment layoffs about credit payments -- and bankruptcy
looms on the horizon. That describes my locale.
That's the short blunt version. Below I have excerpted my longer
politically correct warlock discussion from my copyrighted
periodically-issued "Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices
(Part Four of Five Parts)" message.
*****Beginning of excerpt*****
I) *Warlock* is a term that many interpret differently. To
the general population 'warlock' refers to a (usually male)
Magick-using warrior. Witch wars are _discouraged_ in Craft and
Wiccan Covens, however, and 'warlock' usually denotes someone
who has been ostracized from a Coven or a group of cooperating
Covens for disobedience to Coven Tradition or to the Coven High
Priest/ess' authority. [In some cases a Coven High Priest/ess
pairs Coven members (and their children) during sabbats.] The
ostracism that a warlock encounters includes social shunning,
denial of _any_ assistance from Coven members, and so-called
chaotic attacks (e.g., floods of annoyances, insults and
injuries). The ostracism's goal is to force the warlock to
_vacate_ the locale where his/her former Coven worships,
preferably moving to another city or state. (In the Midwest
city where I grew up people talked about 'running somebody out
of town on a rail'.) I believe this ostracism occurs most
often in the case of a Pagan man who divorces or deserts his
partner, particularly if the partners have children. But the
ostracism also occurs in divorcing households that do not
include children, and in my locale non-Pagan divorcing men
also experience this ostracism.
In the accompanying message "Definitions For Prospective
Wiccan Novices (Part Three of Five Parts)" I provide excerpts
from "A New Wiccan Book of the Law: A Manual for the Guidance
of Groves, Covens, & Individuals"; Compiled and edited by
Lady Galadriel; Copyright 1992 by Lady Galadriel; Moonstone
Publications; PO Box 13384; Atlanta, GA 30324 USA. Among the
excerpts I provide are so-called rules stating that a Wiccan
Coven has the (self-proclaimed) right of Eminent Domain to
seize a malcontented Coven member's real property (for cash
payment) and that the malcontented Coven member should vacate
the locale (i.e., get outta town!).
In my locale, feminists often speak of 'shame man ism'
(a word play on the term 'shamanism') as a process intended
to force a warlock (or any seemingly unsympathetic male)
sheepishly back into the fold. 'Shame man ism' is an organized
process of social shunning by feminists and their sympathetic (?)
partners and family members. IMO 'shame man ism' is a chaotic
and informal form of the 'intervention therapy' sometimes used
by psychologists and by organizations such as
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The goal of 'shame man ism' is
summarized by one of our local ordinances: "No dogs without
leashes". A single male with no living children is remarkably
free, a status that troubles some burdened individuals.
'Shame man ism' is one area where magick and science overlap
according to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. 'Shame man ism'
motivates changes; however shamers do not always appreciate the
changes they motivate. Once a victim is shunned, the victim has
little reason not to speak openly and frankly about insults
and injuries. And being the victim of organized shunning
permanently changes the victim's perception of the shunning
community and the victim's perception about the shunning
community's current and future value.
Historically, shunning has been used in (para)military
groups and police (nobody covers your back -- Frank Serpico);
boys' (boarding) schools (which often have a military tradition);
rough sports teams (e.g., football, rugby, ice hockey, even
basketball); dangerous occupations (mining, construction and
fire fighting) and in communal societies (e.g., the Mormons and
the Oneida Community) to encourage conformity (i.e., so-called
'right thinking'). Within communal societies situated in harsh
environments, shunning can result in death from starvation,
dehydration or exposure to freezing weather -- you can't come in
out of the cold. Warlocks (accused oath breakers) routinely
are shunned by the overall magickal community.
In my locale, divorced men (especially those with living
children) often are treated as oath breakers regardless of
the situation motivating the divorce. The Roman Catholic
religion (which has a long European military tradition and
whose practices include 'Excommunication' -- denial of
The Sacraments) discourages divorce among its members.
The career military faces a unique divorce problem. Soldiers
returning from extended duty in a war zone are changed greatly,
and their spouses also are changed greatly -- a returning soldier
often finds that his cheerleader has evolved into a mom handing
him an infant. And in the military, adultery is an outright crime
at the same time that women are used increasingly in military
close quarters (e.g., shipboard). A divorce epidemic within
the career military would disrupt the career military. Divorce
is not encouraged for married military officers and marriage is
not encouraged for unmarried military officers. Similarly,
the current _overseas_ heavy reliance on Armed Forces Reservists
and National Guardsmen could motivate divorces within the
United States civilian population -- a Reservist's/Guardsman's
reduced military salary provides additional aggravation. Does
(a spouse's) wartime service place a 'war lock' upon a marriage
or an engagement? Wartime produces housing shortages, and
housing shortages breed poverty, discord and civil strife that
prevent or destroy marriages and civilized society.
When military priorities create 'marriage adverse' financial
situations, do former military personnel who divorce deserve to
be treated as shunned oath breakers? When reduced veterans'
benefits create 'marriage adverse' financial situations, do
former military personnel who divorce deserve to be treated as
shunned oath breakers?
As I stated previously, I believe that some Wiccans use
'The Universal Rule of Three' to justify 'vigilante lessons'
against both Wiccans and non-Wiccans, including ostracizing
non-Wiccan divorcing men whether or not the dissolving
household includes children. I find this ethically troubling.
Non-Pagans are *not* Wiccan Coven or Pagan Family members.
Non-Pagans took no binding oaths -- they are *not* oath breakers.
In effect, non-Pagans 'did not sign the contract', but they
are being punished for breaking oaths that they never accepted.
IMO a Lot can happen as a result of not ethical treatment.
*****End of excerpt*****
Richard Ballard
>
>>And Bard, your FAQs confuse Wicca and other forms of Paganism
>>with satanism. Your AP FAQ 4.01 lists "Wicca -- in all its many
>>forms: neo-Shamanism, neo-Druidism, Asatru and other forms of
>>Norse neopaganism, ..., certain people within Thelema and
>>hedonistic Satanism, ...".
>
That is an exact quote expressed in a manner consistent with
academic standards (concerning use of '...').
Don't waste my time, Jani.
Richard Ballard
>
>>Yes, after further research I corrected my statements.
>>Furthermore, I summarized the results (including URLs)
>>so that the information would be available to others.
>>And my final conclusion was that Ms. McCoy including
>>potatoes in her wholesome Witta Pagan Tradition was
>>_entirely appropriate_.
>
>She can invent a Goddess of Pot Noodles, as far as I'm concerned. The
>objection was to her trying to pass something off as having a basis in
>historical fact, when it didn't.
Jani, the 'fantasy factor' in the Magick/Pagan/(Pagan)Religion
Internet newsgroups is so high that looking for hard facts is
like looking for a needle in a haystack. Normally, this does not
bother me. But I react when people attempt to use fiction or
fantasy to dominate others.
Ms. McCoy's wholesome Witta Pagan Tradition is pleasant and
does not proselytize -- it does not threaten you, Jani. Your
cynical antiWitta comments are a form of proselytization, Jani --
forbidden by the newsgroup charters.
Witta is not your business, Jani -- mind your own business.
Richard Ballard
I play defense well.
Your are pompously pedantic, Ms. Stefani. More below.
In Message-ID: <2q08c3F...@uni-berlin.de>,
"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> writes:
>Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040904143755...@mb-m18.aol.com...
>
>> You post Internet messages to state your rights
>> (rather than to address topics of discussion)?
>>
>
>No, I merely responded to your contentless post where you restate your first
>opinion in the hope that this will deter me from disagreeing.
>
>> I hope that you are not attempting to impress me
>> with your rights.
>
>Why would I want to impress you ? You have no signigicance to me.
>
>> [I challenged your right to
>> respond with contentless insults (which IS against
>> the charter of most Internet newsgroups).
>
>Happily, I have not responded to you with any contentless insults.
>
>> I did not challenge your right to respond.
>
>I am pleased to read that.
>
>> In fact, I
>> suggested that you take your opinions to a different
>> newsgroup thread rather than continue to ride my tail.]
>
>Of course you did for that would make your life easier. But I am not
>'riding your tail' as you so colourfully out it. I am criticising the
>misinformation in your posts.
>
[RB comment: Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote:]
>> >>I have no further time for your contentless trolling.
>> >
[RB comment: "Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> writes:]
>> >You are doing it again .... would you like a dictionary ?
>>
>> During the Carter/Reagan televised debates, whenever
>> candidate Reagan could not respond to a serious argument
>> he chuckled "You are doing it again ..." and then changed
>> the subject. Candidate Reagan did not impress me, and
>> you do not impress me with your contentless trolling.
>
>As you well know, I referred to your abuse of the term 'trolling' which I
>have addressed in full elsewhere. As you will see from the last few words
>of your pathetically childish interjection concerning your domestic
>politicians, you did indeed 'do it again'. However, I do not 'rise to your
>bait' - I merely respond calmly, and with patience (mostly) but as I look
>down to your next line, I see that there, you are 'doing it' yet again.
>
>> Stop wasting everybody's time with your contentless trolling.
>>
>
>But I am not wasting anyone's time, with the possible exception of my own of
>course. I am simply offering the reader an alternative, and generally more
>accurate, view of the topics at hand.
>
>If this causes you so much pain and anguish, and indeed wastes your time
>(which I will assume is just as precious as my own) then stop replying. I
>can do my work here without your constant responses to minor aspects of my
>critiques - it is noticeable that you do not respond to any serious points
>no doubt because you know your original points were inaccurate.
>
>So, to quote from an unreliable source (you) ......
>"Stop wasting everybody's time with your contentless trolling."
>
>Thanks for that,
>
>Gianna Stefani
I have reprinted your response in full without editing
(other than to supply missing attribution), Ms. Stefani,
because I want interested readers to judge for themselves.
You are pompously pedantic, Ms. Stefani. You mistake
pomposity for academic skill, and your responses are
both contentless and pompous.
I taught a University Junior level applied mathematics course
for two semesters, Ms. Stefani. After two semesters, teaching
that course no longer was a challenge and I quit -- I was not
fired. But I learned during my two semesters as a lecturer.
The purpose of communication is to convey information -- not
to convey the attitude "(Editorial/Royal) We are _so_ pleased with
ourself." I learned to speak simply and directly. Your responses
both are contentless and are burdened with so much self-serving
pomposity that your responses make me retch. Had I used
your tone in my classroom lectures, my students would have
(correctly) laughed me out of the classroom. I am no angel,
but my nose works well, Ms. Stefani.
Since your response is contentless, Ms. Stefani, I have
no other response beyond "Don't waste my time."
Richard Ballard
Bard <ba...@dmcom.net> writes:
>" In the North East of England there is another definition, "taken
>from Old Norse rather than Old English, and comes from 'varth-lokkr'
>meaning (essentially) 'one who locks (something) in' or 'one who
>encloses'." As a term of honour, it is used to describe "an exorcist
>or a magician who traps and disposes of unwanted entities".
IMO 'popular culture' has a different warlock definition.
In wartime, it is human nature for departing soldiers to secure
their homefront -- often with an engagement or hasty marriage.
Soldiers' betrothed are effectively 'locked' for the duration
of the war.
And if upon their return, soldiers break the engagement or
desert the hasty marriage (leaving the older and sadder maiden
whose only recourse is to continue living with her relatives),
the (female and henpecked husband) community-at-large shuns
the returning soldier who broke the engagement or deserted
the hasty marriage.
Richard Ballard
Bard <ba...@dmcom.net> writes:
>On 06 Sep 2004 13:00:25 GMT,
>rball...@aol.com (Richard Ballard) wrote:
>
>>In my locale, feminists often speak of 'shame man ism'
>
>The problem is that you based a lot on local percentions,
>that are not suitible for a world wide readership IMO.
IMO socioeconomic trends are worth mentioning, if for
no other reason than to help others avoid potential trouble.
All my newsgroup responses are provided using only one
email name: "RBall...@aol.com" (no quotes) .
Disinterested readers easily can killfile me permanently.
BTW, I am a happy divorce survivor with no living children,
and I prefer no companions to bad companions.
Jani
> In Message-ID: <2q0ja0F...@uni-berlin.de>,
> "Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> writes:
> >"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> wrote in message
> >news:2ptkroF...@uni-berlin.de...
> >>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
> >>news:20040901092032...@mb-m15.aol.com...
> >>
> >>>*Warlock* is a term that many interpret differently.
> >>
> >>But need not be as it is a very well defined term
> >>A warlock is a wizard or magician (male).
> >>
> >>>Magick-using warrior.
> >>
> >>Only in Scots legend - unrelated to the present context.
> >>
> >>>. . . and 'warlock' usually denotes someone
> >>>who has been ostracized from a Coven or a group of cooperating
> >>>Covens for disobedience to Coven Tradition or to the Coven High
> >>>Priest/ess' authority.
> >>
> >>No, it means "a wizard or magician (male)"
> >
> >That certainly seems to be the most popular dictionary definition, ...
>
> 'Dictionary definitions' seldom reflect Craft usage.
> The 'Warlock' discussion I periodically provide in my
> "Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Four of Five Parts)"
> message reflects current socioeconomic conditions in my locale.
Yes, but your observations of divorced men in your neighbourhood are not
particularly relevant to either the etymology of the word "warlock", or the
way it is used by pagans who don't happen to live up the road from you.
Jani
Jani
> In Message-ID: <2q0idfF...@uni-berlin.de>,
> "Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> writes:
> >"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
> >news:20040905081702...@mb-m02.aol.com...
> >
> >>And Bard, your FAQs confuse Wicca and other forms of Paganism
> >>with satanism. Your AP FAQ 4.01 lists "Wicca -- in all its many
> >>forms: neo-Shamanism, neo-Druidism, Asatru and other forms of
> >>Norse neopaganism, ..., certain people within Thelema and
> >>hedonistic Satanism, ...".
> >
> >Whether accidentally or deliberately, you have misquoted this. ...
>
> That is an exact quote expressed in a manner consistent with
> academic standards (concerning use of '...').
No, it is misquoted in such a way that "Wicca in its many forms" appears to
include neo-shamanism, neo-druidism, Asatru and so on, whereas what the FAQ
actually states is that all of these are forms of *neo-paganism*, NOT Wicca.
By omitting the header "Neo-paganism", and re-typing the section in this
way, you have radically changed its meaning. This would not be acceptable by
any academic standards of citation, and you know this.
> Don't waste my time, Jani.
I thought you were able to participate in a discussion without resorting to
these sort of silly tricks, Richard.
Jani
Jani
> In Message-ID: <2q0k1qF...@uni-berlin.de>,
> "Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> writes:
> >"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
> >news:20040905081700...@mb-m02.aol.com...
> >
> >>Yes, after further research I corrected my statements.
> >>Furthermore, I summarized the results (including URLs)
> >>so that the information would be available to others.
> >>And my final conclusion was that Ms. McCoy including
> >>potatoes in her wholesome Witta Pagan Tradition was
> >>_entirely appropriate_.
> >
> >I don't think anyone cares what vegetables she includes in her
"tradition".
> >She can invent a Goddess of Pot Noodles, as far as I'm concerned. The
> >objection was to her trying to pass something off as having a basis in
> >historical fact, when it didn't.
>
> Jani, the 'fantasy factor' in the Magick/Pagan/(Pagan)Religion
> Internet newsgroups is so high that looking for hard facts is
> like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Which is why so many of us attach a great deal of importance to separating
historical fact from fantasy. Even professional historians, ethnographers
and archaeologists have numerous points at which they differ where pagan
history is concerned, and it does not help when someone like McCoy muddies
the waters with something that she admits herself was ill-researched and
inaccurate.
Normally, this does not
> bother me. But I react when people attempt to use fiction or
> fantasy to dominate others.
So you would object if someone attempted to start a "new tradition" based on
the false premise that it was founded in historical fact - as McCoy did?
>
> Ms. McCoy's wholesome Witta Pagan Tradition is pleasant and
> does not proselytize -- it does not threaten you, Jani. Your
> cynical antiWitta comments are a form of proselytization, Jani --
> forbidden by the newsgroup charters.
It is not a matter of cynicism, nor proselytisation - McCoy makes assertions
which have no basis in fact, as if they *did* have such a basis. This is
misleading, and your "prospective Wiccan novices" do not deserve to be
misled, do they?
>
> Witta is not your business, Jani -- mind your own business.
Since McCoy's work is publicly available, and you are publicly promoting it
on a public newsgroup, it's everyone's business.
Jani
Richard Ballard
>>In Message-ID: <2q0ja0F...@uni-berlin.de>,
>>"Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> writes:
>>>"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> wrote in message
>>>news:2ptkroF...@uni-berlin.de...
>>>>
>>>>>*Warlock* is a term that many interpret differently.
>>>>
>>>>But need not be as it is a very well defined term
>>>>A warlock is a wizard or magician (male).
>>>>
>>>>>Magick-using warrior.
>>>>
>>>>Only in Scots legend - unrelated to the present context.
>>>>
>>>>>. . . and 'warlock' usually denotes someone
>>>>>who has been ostracized from a Coven or a group of cooperating
>>>>>Covens for disobedience to Coven Tradition or to the Coven High
>>>>>Priest/ess' authority.
>>>>
>>>>No, it means "a wizard or magician (male)"
>>>
>>>That certainly seems to be the most popular dictionary definition, ...
>>
>>'Dictionary definitions' seldom reflect Craft usage.
>>The 'Warlock' discussion I periodically provide in my
>>"Definitions For Prospective Wiccan Novices (Part Four of Five Parts)"
>>message reflects current socioeconomic conditions in my locale.
>
>Yes, but your observations of divorced men in your neighbourhood are not
>particularly relevant to either the etymology of the word "warlock", or the
>way it is used by pagans who don't happen to live up the road from you.
IMO your last statement should read: "Yes, but your observations
of divorced men in your neighbourhood are not particularly relevant
to women faced with exhausted home equity, bottomed out
credit cards, and laidoff husbands in a poor domestic economy."
These women can killfile me easily -- I won't know or care.
But men experiencing these conditions might find my discussions
interesting and relevant.
I know you, Jani. I have followed your Internet career and
I know where you are coming from. You are like an iceberg,
Jani -- only ten percent is visible. Interested readers
wondering about the not visible ninety percent should push
their browser's 'Back' button and read about 'sins of omission'.
Richard Ballard
"Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040906101254...@mb-m13.aol.com...
>
>>Jani, the 'fantasy factor' in the Magick/Pagan/(Pagan)Religion
>>Internet newsgroups is so high that looking for hard facts is
>>like looking for a needle in a haystack.
>
>Which is why so many of us attach a great deal of importance to separating
>historical fact from fantasy. Even professional historians, ethnographers
>and archaeologists have numerous points at which they differ where pagan
>history is concerned, and it does not help when someone like McCoy muddies
>the waters with something that she admits herself was ill-researched and
>inaccurate.
Jani, I did not check the URL, but I did read Bard's apparent
quotation of Ms. McCoy. My interpretation of Ms. McCoy's
quotation is "This is not an important issue, and if I placate
these annoying people by making trivial gestures, these
annoying people will stop harassing me." Ms. McCoy made
unimportant trivial gestures, but the harassment continues.
Life taught me a different lesson, Jani: "Give them an inch,
they'll take a yard." On public ground I walk away from
unpleasantness. Threaten my home or my reputation and
you'll repeatedly bounce off me.
>>Normally, this does not
>>bother me. But I react when people attempt to use fiction or
>>fantasy to dominate others.
>
>So you would object if someone attempted to start a "new tradition" ...
The original issue was 'attempts to dominate'. If your new Tradition
did not threaten my home or me -- no problem. But I know you,
Jani. I have followed your Internet career and I know where you
are coming from. You are like an iceberg, Jani -- only ten percent
is visible. Interested readers wondering about the not visible
ninety percent should push their browser's 'Back' button and
read about 'sins of omission'.
<snip>
Jani
> In Message-ID: <2q3loiF...@uni-berlin.de>,
> "Jani" <ja...@dsl.pipex.com> writes:
>
> >"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
> >news:20040906101254...@mb-m13.aol.com...
> >
> >>Jani, the 'fantasy factor' in the Magick/Pagan/(Pagan)Religion
> >>Internet newsgroups is so high that looking for hard facts is
> >>like looking for a needle in a haystack.
> >
> >Which is why so many of us attach a great deal of importance to
separating
> >historical fact from fantasy. Even professional historians, ethnographers
> >and archaeologists have numerous points at which they differ where pagan
> >history is concerned, and it does not help when someone like McCoy
muddies
> >the waters with something that she admits herself was ill-researched and
> >inaccurate.
>
> Jani, I did not check the URL, but I did read Bard's apparent
> quotation of Ms. McCoy. My interpretation of Ms. McCoy's
> quotation is "This is not an important issue, and if I placate
> these annoying people by making trivial gestures, these
> annoying people will stop harassing me." Ms. McCoy made
> unimportant trivial gestures, but the harassment continues.
I read the full article. Bard's quotation is accurate, and in addition,
McCoy states that "like all "ancient traditions," Witta as a defined
spiritual path does not predate the mid-twentieth century, even though many
of its concepts, beliefs, and practices have ancient threads running through
them." She also remarks that her "Wittan mentor" is American, and was taught
by Americans, and there is in fact no actual traceable link between Witta
and Irish traditional practices at all. In other words, she came across one
of the many new "trads" which mushroomed in the US in the twentieth century
and fabricated a history for it, Potato Goddess and all. Now *that*
particular needle is not hard to extract from the haystack, at all.
>
> Life taught me a different lesson, Jani: "Give them an inch,
> they'll take a yard." On public ground I walk away from
> unpleasantness. Threaten my home or my reputation and
> you'll repeatedly bounce off me.
Jeez, Richard, I am thousands of miles away from your home and therefore
highly unlikely to threaten it. And if you're referring to your reputation
on the 'Net, you undermine that quite successfully all by yourself.
>
> >>Normally, this does not
> >>bother me. But I react when people attempt to use fiction or
> >>fantasy to dominate others.
> >
> >So you would object if someone attempted to start a "new tradition" ...
>
> The original issue was 'attempts to dominate'. If your new Tradition
> did not threaten my home or me -- no problem.
Passing off falsehoods as truth, in a widely-published work, is an attempt
to influence the readers' beliefs and way of thinking. I think that could be
regarded as an "attempt to dominate", don't you?
But I know you,
> Jani. I have followed your Internet career and I know where you
> are coming from.
My, my. I wasn't aware I inspired such interest.
You are like an iceberg, Jani -- only ten percent
> is visible. Interested readers wondering about the not visible
> ninety percent should push their browser's 'Back' button and
> read about 'sins of omission'.
Your attempt to divert the discussion away from your support of McCoy's lack
of academic integrity is noted, Richard, and I doubt if it fools anyone.
Jani
Gianna Stefani
> I have reprinted your response in full without editing
> (other than to supply missing attribution), Ms. Stefani,
> because I want interested readers to judge for themselves.
As do I.
> You are pompously pedantic, Ms. Stefani. You mistake
> pomposity for academic skill, and your responses are
> both contentless and pompous.
No, you think I do - happily that does not make it so.
> I taught a University Junior level applied mathematics course
> for two semesters, Ms. Stefani. After two semesters, teaching
> that course no longer was a challenge and I quit -- I was not
> fired. But I learned during my two semesters as a lecturer.
Why do you attempt to start yet another pissing contest ? Did you teach and
jog the three miles all at once ?
> The purpose of communication is to convey information
Yes, and you convey inaccurate information, some through lack of knowledge
of the topic (which is not entirely your fault as I believe you do your best
in that respect( and some through deliberate intent. It is the latter which
I seek to expose, have exposed, and will continue to expose.
It has been noted that where your posts are challenged with facts, you do
not respond, or seek to defend. You only respond to minor points with
sequences of superlatives.
> I am no angel, but my nose works well, Ms. Stefani.
No mean achievement given the positioning of your head.
> Since your response is contentless, Ms. Stefani, I have
> no other response beyond "Don't waste my time."
Oh good - perhaps I can continue my work of exposing your fraudulent
nonesense without further interruption from you then.
Gianna Stefani
Gianna Stefani
>
> IMO your last statement should read: "Yes, but your observations
> of divorced men in your neighbourhood are not particularly relevant
> to women faced with exhausted home equity, bottomed out
> credit cards, and laidoff husbands in a poor domestic economy."
So, the divorced man acts out his hatred of women in newsgroups (as
previously noted elsewhere).
> These women can killfile me easily -- I won't know or care.
> But men experiencing these conditions might find my discussions
> interesting and relevant.
So you can preach to them ? And I thought you were addressing Prospective
Wiccan Novices, not just men who had annoyed their wives so much that they
found themselves no longer welcome.
Poor poor Ballard.
Gianna Stefani
Richard Ballard
"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040906212511...@mb-m17.aol.com...
>
>>IMO your last statement should read: "Yes, but your observations
>>of divorced men in your neighbourhood are not particularly relevant
>>to women faced with exhausted home equity, bottomed out
>>credit cards, and laidoff husbands in a poor domestic economy."
>
>So, the divorced man acts out his hatred of women ...
Ms. Stefani- I am happy, I observe my locale and I deal with
humans as individuals. However, I do not deal with others
who waste my time.
Richard Ballard
"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040906104505...@mb-m06.aol.com...
>
>>I have reprinted your response in full without editing
>>(other than to supply missing attribution), Ms. Stefani,
>>because I want interested readers to judge for themselves.
>
>As do I.
>
>>You are pompously pedantic, Ms. Stefani. You mistake
>>pomposity for academic skill, and your responses are
>>both contentless and pompous.
>
>No, you think I do - happily that does not make it so.
In this response you have dropped the pomposity.
That is a step in the right direction, Ms. Stefani.
Please continue stepping towards the exit, Ms. Stefani.
>>I taught a University Junior level applied mathematics course
>>for two semesters, Ms. Stefani. After two semesters, teaching
>>that course no longer was a challenge and I quit -- I was not
>>fired. But I learned during my two semesters as a lecturer.
>
>Why do you attempt to start yet another pissing contest ?
I was illustrating my credentials to judge pomposity.
What pissing contest, Ms. Stefani? If your shoes are
soggy it is _not_ my doing, Ms. Stefani.
>Did you teach and jog the three miles all at once ?
When I taught I was a crosscountry cyclist rather than a
jogger. My longest one day ride was 120 miles -- adequate.
>>The purpose of communication is to convey information
>
>Yes, and you convey inaccurate information, some through lack of knowledge
>of the topic (which is not entirely your fault as I believe you do your
>best
>in that respect( and some through deliberate intent. It is the latter
>which
>I seek to expose, have exposed, and will continue to expose.
>
>It has been noted that where your posts are challenged with facts, you do
>not respond, or seek to defend. You only respond to minor points with
>sequences of superlatives.
Interested readers can search this message for ANY facts supplied
by Ms. Stefani -- there is nothing to dispute. IMO Ms. Stefani's
arguments have all the logical brilliance of "Don't argue with me --
I'm your mother!"
>>I am no angel, but my nose works well, Ms. Stefani.
>
>No mean achievement given the positioning of your head.
An ad hominem personal insult forbidden by most Internet
newsgroup charters, Ms. Stefani. When you can't lampoon them
with logic, bury them in bullsh@t.
>>Since your response is contentless, Ms. Stefani, I have
>>no other response beyond "Don't waste my time."
>
>Oh good - perhaps I can continue my work of exposing your fraudulent
>nonesense without further interruption from you then.
If you have adopted me as your life's work, Ms. Stefani,
you'll get no reward for your pointless crusade.
Richard Ballard
"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040906214231...@mb-m01.aol.com...
>>
>>Life taught me a different lesson, Jani: "Give them an inch,
>>they'll take a yard." On public ground I walk away from
>>unpleasantness. Threaten my home or my reputation and
>>you'll repeatedly bounce off me.
>
>While your personal plight may be deserving of sympathy, it
>does not of itself excuse the broadcasting of misinformation
>to newcomers / prospective wiccan novices.
My messages accurately reflect my observations of
the Pagan/Wiccan environment (and its problems) in
my locale. IMO a description of my locale's
Pagan/Wiccan environment (and its problems) can
help other people avoid potential problems.
If the information that I provide is not relevant
to your experiences, Ms. Stefani, no problem --
and no reason for further discussion.
Richard Ballard
"Gianna Stefani" <gianna....@j-b.org> writes:
>"Richard Ballard" <rball...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:20040906131557...@mb-m02.aol.com...
>
>>IMO socioeconomic trends are worth mentioning, if for
>>no other reason than to help others avoid potential trouble.
>
>But are not specifically related to Prospective Wiccan Novices.
Economic downsizing reduces peoples' options. The secret
binding oaths that some Wiccan Covens and Pagan FAMTRADS
require also limit peoples' options. The terms of these
secret binding oaths often are not discussed before the
initiation ceremony -- awkward and potentially expensive.
IMO the secret binding oaths required by some Wiccan Covens
and Pagan FAMTRADS _are_ a socioeconomic issue relevant
to (unbound) prospective Wiccan novices.
Gianna Stefani
>
> Ms. Stefani- I am happy, I observe my locale and I deal with
> humans as individuals. However, I do not deal with others
> who waste my time.
>
I am pleased that you are happy - as am I.
Long may the situaton prevail.
Gianna Stefani