If you have the misfortune to be both Pagan and an addict, you may face the hurdle caused by the mistaken notion that Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve-Step programs are inherently Christian or at least monotheistic in nature. I hope here to lower that hurdle. Read more
In a strict chronology, I should next be discussing events in California and New England in the late 1960s, but, given the problem of many developments all happening more or less simultaneously, I think it will be clearer if I wrap up some later history of the Pagan Way movement, since I have covered its origins. In creating the Pagan Way, Joe Wilson, Ed Fitch, John Hansen, and the other members of the Committee of Correspondence created a form of... Read more
In my last blog about the Gardnerians, I indicated that, because of changes in his life situation, in 1973 Ray Buckland found himself at loose ends. Further, after a decade of administering the Long Island coven, he had come to see some disadvantages in the Gardnerian Tradition as received from Lady Olwen, particularly its hierarchic structure. The “Old Laws” or “Ardanes,” which both Doreen Valiente and I have established were not written until 1959, do provide for two kinds of... Read more
I have been arguing with myself about posting about the matters herein discussed. I am sure many readers will ask, “What in the world does any of this have to do with Paganism?” Since my overall agenda is to argue that current Paganism is just as genuine a religion as any other, I need to demonstrate that a Pagan theology can provide adequate answers to the fundamental questions that any mature religion must be able to answer. Perhaps many people... Read more
[Several colleagues have recommended more precision in titling.] In 1972, after a decade of leading the Long Island coven, Lady Rowen (Rosemary Buckland) decided to retire, and so elevated Lady Theos (Judy Kneitel) and Phoenix (Tom Kneitel, 1933-2008) to be the coven’s new High Priestess and High Priest. At first the Bucklands remained active as Elders in the coven, but then they separated and started becoming less active. When Theos and Phoenix realized that Rowen might no longer be available... Read more
Raymond Buckland was one of the very first people to foresee how important the Gardnerian Witchcraft movement would be and who therefore imported it into the US. I am personally very grateful to Ray, not only for the nice things he said about me in his Witchcraft from the Inside, but also because it was his strong recommendation that persuaded Carl Weschcke to publish my Crafting the Art of Magick: A History of Witchcraft in England, 1939-1964. That was the... Read more
I remember the night I first met you On Bernal Heights, before we knew The Craft would cross our paths. The strident horn of your flaming car Drew me to the street: before The doors of Hightower, where Lord Randall ruled his mad Court of science-fictioneers, Van the Dagda read an Anglican wake Over your still-smoking engine. I remember you, and I begin to let you go. I remember how you sang to me and Alta When you... Read more
Alchemical Sonnets Four worldly indivisibles divide the sphere, Plus three unworldly to define the here: Fire, spirit, water, after, air, Before, and earth: of these six will pair; Three pairs, and spirit, again give four That mark the now, a sevenfold metaphor Much like the week: we could name the days After seven other gods, or in other ways Keep track of when we are or will be, yet We have them, and they’re good enough to get Us... Read more
In 1972Wilson’s life became extremely difficult because of both political and health problems. He was transferred to Athens, Greece, and after a long hospitalization was allowed to retire from the Air Force, on February 2nd, 1973. Susan Roberts reported: Shortly after I had finished writing about him . . . he was transferred to England. Some months later he was identified in a story in the New York Times as being an undercover agent for the Air Force when he... Read more
Wilson wanted to go to England to contact the many people he knew through his magazine who claimed to have knowledge of the Old Religion. In September 1969 he was assigned to RAF Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England. On the way I stopped in New York to visit Susan Roberts and look at the galley proofs of her book. Also at that meeting were Ed Fitch, Ray Buckland, John Hansen, and Joe Luchak. We agreed that her book was as accurate... Read more
Aidan Kelly: Including Paganism
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