Richard Ravish 1952 – 2012

“You don’t forget who you loved even though they died 20 years ago. There is no time on the other side.” – Rev. HP Richard Ravish

Word has come to us that Richard Ravish, Elder in the Alexandrian Witchcraft tradition, Hierophant of The Temple of the Strength of Hadit, and one of the original “Witches of Salem,” crossed the veil on Saturday after battling cancer. Ravish, 59, was an ordained minister and Magus of the Temple of Nine Wells in Salem, and ran a distribution and retail outlet in Salem, Massachusetts that sold occult, magical, and metaphysical supplies.

“Richard wrote and lead open circles for each of the Eight Sabbats of the Witches Wheel for over 20 years. He was the High Priest of the Coven of Akhelarre, and served as the Grand Master of his Kentish Witchcraft Line in America, training and initiating suitable students and chartering covens of the Wicca.”

A true magickal polymath, Ravish was an active Freemason, Rosicrucian, and Hermetic Initiate, in addition to his Witchcraft and Thelemic leadership roles. He was a strong advocate for Pagan Rights, lending aid in several Lady Liberty League endeavors.

“Remembering & Honoring Richard, his life, his friendship, his magic, his service, his legacy.  Support to Gypsy & all his friends, family, & supporters.  May all of us who mourn his passing take comfort in our memories of Richard & take solace in knowing that his magical sacred spirit continues to be in this world & the New Aeon through his good works & the many lives & organizations he blessed.  Hail & Farewell to your life now passed, Richard & blessings on your journeys in the Ancestral realm.” – Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary

Ravish is survived by his wife, Amy “Gypsy” Ravish, a popular Pagan singer-songwriter known for her albums “Enchantress” and “Spirit Nation,” his daughter Asherah Aphrodite Ravish, step daughter Kitoto Von Hebb, sister Sandra McCandless, cousins, nieces and his familiar, Cosmo Skyrocket Ravish. Funeral arrangements are posted below.

“The highest are of us. Wednesday, September 19, 2012 e.v. Starr King Masonic Lodge, at 70 Washington Street in Salem with whom Richard shared his spiritual light as Chaplain for 25 years, will host his final rites. All friends of the Ravish family are invited to an open casket final Blessed Be commencing at 11 am and ending at 1:30 pm followed by a Rite of Passage and Masonic tribute. At 4 pm a blessing will take place at Greenlawn Cemetary with an interment at 4:18 pm. The Ravish family and friends will host a reception at Masonic Hall after the burial as a celebration of Richard’s. Please contact Murphy Funeral Home 978-744-0497 (www.murphyfuneralhome.com) for further details.”

What is remembered lives. May he find rest and return to us again.