Lady Svetlana 1934 – 2010

Word has come from Jo Carson that Lady Svetlana, co-founder of Feraferia along with her partner Fred Adams, passed away last week due to complications from pneumonia. Lady Svetlana, born Svetlana Golubeff, was instrumental in keeping the traditions of Feraferia alive, and wrote many essays and liturgical pieces for the faith.

Fred Adams and Lady Svetlana in the mid-60s. Photo by Harold Moss.

“Feraferia emerged from a utopian California subculture of simple living, minimal clothing, and “natural” foods that predated the better-known 1960s counterculture by at least thirty years … Feraferia’s theology celebrated humans’ erotic union with nature, expressed through an annual ritual cycle … To Feraferia … the Maiden aspect was most important – Kore Soteria, the Holy Maiden Savioress. The unique characteristic separated Feraferia, Adams wrote, from other Pagan groups…” – Chas Clifton, “Her Hidden Children: The Rise of Wicca and Paganism in America”

“Plagued by occasional panic attacks since a frightening dream in her teens, Svetlana was increasingly fearful during her last eight years. However after Fred died in 2008, she gradually lost her fear of death, partly due to dreams wherein she saw Fred sitting by the gates of a Feraferian Paradise, urging her to come on over. She would answer him “I’m not ready”. But finally, she was ready. May the Maiden Goddess bless her on her way.” – Jo Carson

May she be reunited with Fred in paradise, and find the blessings of her goddess.

Barbara Stacy 1926 – 2010

Barbara Stacy

Barbara Stacy, author of “Ancient Roman Holidays”, “Greek Gods in Love”, and co-author of “Magical Creatures”, passed away on May 5th. In addition to being an author, Stacy was the Associate Editor of The Witches’ Almanac, who published many of her works.

“We are sad to report the passing of Barbara Stacy, Associate Editor of The Witches Almanac. Barbara met Elizabeth Pepper when they both worked for Gourmet Magazine in the 1960′s. Barbara was a master of the English language and a wordsmith of astounding ability. She practiced copy editing Alchemy regularly turning submitted articles from base metal into Gold. She authored many of the articles in the Almanac as well as several books for us. “Greek Gods In Love” was her last major work and stands as testimony of her talent. Barbara passed on May 5th just a few days short of her 84th birthday which is today May 9th.” – Statement from The Witches’ Almanac

“We will miss her unmatched skill at making our books the best they could be. Elizabeth and Barbara were both publishing professionals of the highest caliber. They built a foundation for the Almanac which has stood the test of time and brought readers back year after year for over thirty five issues.” - Owen Rowley

May she rest in the arms of her gods, and find peace and fulfillment in her journey beyond this veil.

Chas Clifton and Floralia report that Frederick Adams, co-founder of the Pagan tradition of Feraferia, passed away on August 9th. Adams, in addition to co-founding Feraferia, was also instrumental in organizing one of the first attempts at a pan-Pagan/occult organization, the Council of Themis.

“Feraferia emerged from a utopian California subculture of simple living, minimal clothing, and “natural” foods that predated the better-known 1960s counterculture by at least thirty years … Feraferia’s theology celebrated humans’ erotic union with nature, expressed through an annual ritual cycle … To Feraferia … the Maiden aspect was most important – Kore Soteria, the Holy Maiden Savioress. The unique characteristic separated Feraferia, Adams wrote, from other Pagan groups…” – Chas Clifton, “Her Hidden Children: The Rise of Wicca and Paganism in America”

Fred and Svetlana Adams in the mid-60s. Photo by Harold Moss.

While best known for his attempts at organizing the emerging Pagan community in America, Adams was also an accomplished artist and illustrator whose work appeared in several publications and other media.

“Of the many groups I have encountered, Feraferia is one of the most difficult to describe. Feraferia – the name is derived from Latin words meaning “wilderness festival” – is the most intricately formed of the Neo-Pagan religions in the United States … it is a jewel, an artistic creation, the private vision of one man, which sits like a beautiful crystal on a shelf, highly admired by mostly from afar.” – Margot Adler, “Drawing Down the Moon”

While small, Feraferia managed to influence several Pagan traditions, and earn a place for itself as a vital part of our early history. Adams, along with fellow pioneers Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and Isaac Bonewits, helped create uniquely American forms of modern Paganism quite different from numerically dominant Witchcraft traditions.

“The natural fountainhead of human endeavor is not reasonable utility but extravagant mythopoeia. The myths and dreams of Paradise, common to all peoples, predict future actualities for this Planet. Trans-cultural images of the glowing orchard of innocent love constellate from the Collective Unconscious an evolutional FIAT of Cosmos.” – Frederick Adams, “Oracles of the Faerie Faith (The Faerie Manifesto)”, 1970

May he be united with his Goddess, and know peace.