Wiccan-Pagan
Potpourri
by LADY GWEN, “Welsh Tradition Wicca” [sic]
[Reprinted by permission from Green Egg #69]
A Fundamentalist
Christian recently said to me: “Satan rules this planet!” I replied: “I
know it.” My answer was unnerving to the person making the statement due
to the fact that Fundamentalists, along with numerous other Christian demon-inations,
firmly believe that Witches and Pagans are “devil-worshippers.” I did not
elaborate upon the fact that we do not believe in a “devil” as such, but
we do believe in a CONTROLLING FORCE that is anathema to our way of life
as we would like to live it, and should be able to live it, upon this planet.
Our ancient lore tells us that thousands of Years ago there were two forces
seeking control of the mode of life upon this planet; one group wishing
to teach mankind the “facts of life” and the other to exploit mankind. There
were many names applied to these beings: Gods, angels, Watchers, sons of
God, etc. The leaders of these two opposing forces, for want of a better
term or name, were referred to as The Lord of Light and The Lord of Darkness.
There is no need to be specific about which of them wanted what. Oh yes,
and lest we forget.. their “hosts” (in modern terminology.. armies).
The Christian Bible, garbled as it currently is, speaks of a battle in the
“heavens”., well, we know there was one, although the Christians have their
time-space continuum a hit mixed up.. to the point where it is all done
and over with, according to them. But, we know that as it was in the beginning
so it will be in the end.. giving us the Alpha and Omega of history. When
Christians speak of “fallen angels” and “salvation,” I merely reply: ”Ummm...of
course.” Then they are gently? felled with the statement.. “If the Lord
of Light lost the battle for control of Earth.. who won?” They were taught
that the Lord of Light was Lucifer, a very naughty angel who went against
God and got his. Along with his followers, naturally It is clear that a
large number of the followers of the Lord of Light were confined to Earth,
bred with Earth people and produced what we now have as a breed of ”different”
beings, classified as people who “have the POWER” or “KNOWING ONES.” Thus,
we have an admixture upon this planet of Light and Darkness. The demarcation
line becomes more obvious daily. Shall we call it “The Omega Caper?”
When it comes down to the nitty gritty of hassles and bickering and the
rest of the fertilizer. . consider the fact that antagonistic elements of
Darkness infiltrate for the express purpose of dimming the LIGHT The sad
tales of recorded history are replete with data on thousands of enlightened
ones who brought forth progress upon the Earth as new inventions and new
ways of Thought in order to ADVANCE mankind Were they not all ridiculed
at one time or another? Was there not an element among mankind hat continually
sought to prevent progress? We have had our “Mighty Ones” who overcame he
opposing and controlling forces to progress our people in spite of any obstacle.
often at great personal sacrifice.
We are all well aware of the people who have been continua1y opposed to
our space program...they give various and sundry reasons: “expensive” (so
what?); “we need the :money for the poor and needy;” or “we should not mess
around with God’s Universe,” etc. etc.,. blah, blah, blah. The numerous
wars, inspired by Darkness, were also “expensive”, very expensive. The “poor
and needy” wouldn’t be about to get any of the lucre, and as for “God’s
universe”.. .it belongs to everyone to share equally. There is no need ‘
be imprisoned upon the giant spaceship Earth if one wishes to go elsewhere.
For those who are not already well aware of it.. is battle is once more
raging. This time, however, the thumb-screws are on the other pinkies.
Old Religionists who allow themselves to photographed by the news media
in the “altogether” (sky-clad), and often in positions that suggest obscene
practices, aren‘t doing the Old Religion any service whatsoever, but rather
giving it a very black eye. Worship in such a case, if it is worship. should
be sacred to the Goddess and God alone and not for the eyes of cowans to
see and misinterpret. We live in a clothed society which is not all that
ready to accept what some Witches or Pagans do. If we wish to get across
the message that we are intelligent, dignified and worthy of respect just
as much as the controlling religions Earth...then we should not use back-door
tactics, but utilize some of the Wisdom our forebears bestowed upon us to
give the proper impression of what and who we really are. Many Witches ignore
the age-old counsel of the Wise Ones as given in the Rede.
Many different traditions have different redes. That is understandable,
considering the time involved from Alpha to Omega- Our own particular Rede,
however, has appeared within the past year in a perverted form. That is
to say, the wording has been changed. This is sad for those who are seeking
the Light of the Old Religion because it confuses them. The same thing was
done to the ancient seals of Solomon, and thus we do not have his great
wisdom as it was meant to be in the original form. Some would-be artists
thought to “improve” upon the drawings of the seals, not realizing it was
not artwork, but sacred symbolism...not to be tampered with. Thus, many
wonder why the current seals so often bring them undesired results or no
results at all.
We are not “into” Cabalistic magic, as such, but do not deny its relationship
to our way of life. We have all received our lore from the same root source.
As a Traditionalist, versed in lore taken from certain Witches of the British
Isles, I can say that our own particular tradition consisted of the practices
and beliefs of folk Witches and not those people who were generally wealthy
enough to be formally educated. Country people were simple people and had
simple rituals in practice and wording. Many never knew how to read or write,
but they were not without their share of “nobles” who did know how. Many
Old Religion dances and songs became the nursery rhymes and dances of children,
following the centuries-old “witch” trials. Thus, many legends and songs
are almost childlike in their context because this was the level of basic
understanding of folk Witches at that tine. Unable to openly express what
they knew to be truth in actual “university” terms.. they resorted to simple
symbolism in ritual, legend, and drawings, and preserved their sacred heritage
in the most comprehensive manner, and in a manner that would be ignored
by their adversaries, for the most part. Our own particular form of the
Wiccan Rede is that which was passed on to her heirs by Adriana Porter,
who was well into her nineties when she crossed over into the Summerland
in the year 1946. This Rede in its original form is as follows:
REDE
OF THE WICCAE
(Being knowne as the counsel of the Wise Ones)
1. Bide the Wiccan laws ye must in perfect love an perfect
trust.
2. Live an let live -fairly take an fairly give.
3. Cast the Circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out.
4. To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake In rhyme.
5. Soft of eye an light of touch - speak little, listen much.
6. Deosil go by the waxing Moon -sing an dance the Wiccan rune.
7. Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, an' the Werewolf howls by the
dread Wolfsbane.
8. When the Lady’s Moon is new, kiss the hand to her times two.
9. When the Moon rides at her peak, then your heart’s desire seek.
10. Heed the Northwind’s mighty gale - lock the door and drop the sail.
11. When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
12. When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast
13. When the West wind blows o’er thee, departed spirits restless be.
14. Nine woods in the Cauldron go - burn them quick an burn them slow.
15. Elder be ye Lady’s tree - burn it not or cursed ye’ll be.
16. When the Wheel begins to turn - let the Beltane fires burn.
17. When the Wheel has turned a Yule, light the Log an let Pan rule.
18. Heed ye flower, bush an tree -by the Lady blessed be.
19. Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone an truth ye’ll know.
20. When ye have need. hearken not to other’s greed.
21. With the fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
22. Merry meet an merry part -bright the cheeks an warm the heart.
23. Mind the Threefold Law ye should -three times bad an three times good.
24. When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
25. True in love ever be unless thy lover’s false to thee.
26. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill - an' it harm none, do what ye will.
The foregoing is explained fully to the initiated Witch. The contents of
the Book of Shadows (our public name for it) must be orally taught as well
as copied. All wording has its special meaning which the Wise can often
quickly discern. Meditation is a most important adjunct to the learning
of the Mysteries of the Old Religion. The number of Old Religionists currently
abiding by counsel of the Wise can be counted on fingers of one hand and
the thumb would left over.
There is only one form of wisdom that tie alone can bestow, and that is
lessons learned from experience. Our children were taught to respect the
old ones, even though they were often people of little formal education
or very simple in their ways. They had lived long and had, therefore, experienced
much of life and its ways. Their advice through their own lessons learned
was considered invaluable, and thus they were held in deep respect for those
things in which they had learned Wisdom, Children were not taught to strive
for perfection, but for Wisdom. Perfection is a broad concept with different
meanings for different people. It actually does not exist. The caution was:
“Do not seek perfection in others unless you yourself can give it.” Therefore…we
have the counsel to “live an let live…”
When anyone
refers to a particular Old Religion tradition as a “sect” it brings to mind
bug spray. It is a poor term to apply to a sacred way of life, and the word
“cult” is enough to set one’s teeth on edge. Although Webster’s now gives
it a more dignified connotation, the general public and Webster do not necessarily
agree on all points of definition. There was originally just a Single tradition
of Witchcraft and many traditions within Paganism due to country, customs,
etc. When certain priests of the early Christian church became bored with
their celibate life they perverted their own religion by reversing their
rituals and brought forth Satanism. Why they insisted upon calling themselves
Witches is anyone’s guess, for the majority of them still do it. Unless,
perhaps, they are so guilt-ridden about their practices and beliefs that
they wish to place the blame elsewhere. Genuine Witches and Pagans are not
running around cutting off the heads of black chickens, nor are they offering
up babies and virgins to some obscure demon. We have too much respect for
life. It is almost useless to try getting the truth across to those who
do not and will not understand our ways due to a messed-up news media and
the general Christian-Judeo clamor for titillating reading... such as evidenced
in the book, The Devil on Lammas Night by Susan Howatch, whoever that is.
It is a cross-continent version of what the adversary imagines Witchcraft
to be or would like the reading public to think it is. A quite exciting
and well-written book, to be sure. An accursed lie, however. How unlike
the beautiful writing of Mary Stewart, author of the much read and beloved
book, The Crystal Cave, and its sequel, The Hollow Hills. Mary Stewart is
to Susan Howatch what diamonds are to coal.
At this point I should like to quote from a very learned patriarch of the
Old Religion.. one whom we would refer to as a “Wizen Elder” in our tradition.
(Wizen being pronounced as “whizzen.” It is derived from the title Wizard..
one highly skilled in the arts of the Craft.) I feel he would not mind my
including his comments on book authors at this point. They are simply stated:
“The Craft view is that a book is only a man talking on paper and is no
more accurate that the spoken word by the same man. Any man who talks for
an extended length of time must make a few mistakes. No book, therefore,
not even a college text, is 100% accurate. Also, no man has all the facts
about any particular subject. There is a-ways something more to be told..
something the author did not know.” I might only add that this applies to
female authors as well. “...speak little, listen much.”
Many in the Old Religion are now finding it Wise to shun the limelight and
keep their activities secret from the public on all levels. One might even
say they are going “underground.” This includes many High Priestesses and
high Priests who are either choosing to take their entire Covens “underground”
or to practice their religion quietly by themselves. This is logical and
sane at this time in history. It does not mean a creeping away into some
hidden corner for fear of the foe, but a carefully calculated plan to keep
the foe guessing. Considering the apparent IQ level of many of our critics
the cerebral exercise will do them good. Our forebears did not go about
thumping their chests and proclaiming to the world at large “I am a Witch!”
simply because it was the “in” thing or the current social “fad.” They did
not wish to raise eyebrows or attract the adversary or the ever-increasing
horde of misfits. In discretion and Wisdom they preserved the old truths..
else we would not have then today.
Food for thought: I don’t care what anyone does just so long as they do
not interfere with Life, this planet, or me. Surprising how limiting that
can be. “As you sow so shall you reap” is not a Christian original...it
is the Threefold Law simply expressed in farm language. Disharmony begets
disharmony and time travels in a CIRCLE, not a straight line. The Serpent
eating his own tail. Perversions of ancient Traditions often bring ancient
curses as well. The invisible becomes manifest. Twin Earths exchanging bric-a-brac.
The insatiable guru-chasers; Book collectors; Coven hoppers; name-droppers;
and ego-trippers. We’ve all had our share of them. Monsters roam the planet
in various guises. People who seldom make anyone happy.. feigning Wisdom.
Nobody can hear a whisper while they’re talking. Wiccan-Pagan teachings
are not for everyone.
[Letter to "Green
Egg" #71:]
Dear Tim
and M.G., 4/25/75
May I inquire what enterprising Individual added Welsh Tradition Wicca to
my name in an article I wrote many months ago entitled “Wiccan-Pagan Potpourri”
and which appeared in Ostara GE 69? For the record: we are not Welsh I do
believe we ran this route a few years ago, and it seems that once more clarification
is needed. We re and always have been simply Traditionalists. We use the
term Celtic Traditionalist to differentiate us from the ones who claim to
be Welsh, and know of only one tradition that has the right to use that
name. If there are others, I do not know of them. My apologies, but we are
not Welsh. We prefer to be simply known as Traditionalists.
And an aside to the Individuals who constantly claim that there are no active
Covens in Rhode land, I have only to say. “Hah!” Do your research. There
are more active non-public Covens over this entire country than anyone is
aware of.
I believe We would all like to see the record of the AADL in terms of accomplishments
as to date were are many complaints coming in from all over the country
that reports of grave persecutions and injustices go ignored. Aside from
the fact that any Witch or Pagan worth her/his weight in Acorns would be
able to handle the opposition, it seems at Pat Pothier is right.. we are
not In the Age of Aquarius yet. We are In a transitional process of emerging
from a barrel of rotten fish.
Blessed Be.
Gwen Thompson
[Letter to "Green
Egg" #72:]
Dear Tim
& MG, 6/3/75
Dislike to continue to nitpick, but in reply to your comment in GE 71, at
no time in our past correspondence have I ever referred to my branch of
the Craft as being Welsh. Research the record if you have the time (which
you probably do not any more than I do, but I DO KNOW what we are).
We told you a few years ago that we are CELTIC Trads. And this is in a previous
issue of GE. We made a point of informing you that we are NOT and have never
been associated with any Welsh Trads. Your recollection is incorrect. Check
the records. When we FIRST began corresponding it was quite a very long
time ago, and I definitely did not identify our tradition with Welsh. You,
you should check your files, simply if for no other reason than that a former
first degree member of my Coven broke off and formed a Welsh group of his
own, which may be a part of what you are thinking of. Due to the fact that
this person was quite publicity prone, I can understand where impressions
could have been misconstrued. This is not intended to be a hostile missive,
but only to clear the air and the misconceptions of what we are and always
have been. If need be, I will publish our Traditionalist manifesto so that
things can be set straight for once and all, but we have never done this
due to the fact that we do not seek applicants. This does not mean that
we are “closed,” but simply at we do not recruit members. They eventually
find us if they are our “own.” Since we dislike hassles of any kind, and
this tends to be a silly-one...but important to us...we hope it ends where
it began...right here. As I stated before; I really do not care what any
group calls themselves or what they do...just so long as they do NOT interfere
with us. We have many friends of other traditions, but they are what they
are, and we are what we are. So mote it be.
For Life always. and Blessed Be to you and yours,
Gwen Thompson
[Response from Tim/Oberon Zell, "Green Egg" #72:]
Gwen, really, I apologize! It was the thing of one of your Initiates claiming
to be Welsh Trad. that got me confused, as I would have assumed that one’s
Trad is the one he is initiated into.. But I went through your file. and
find nothing but adamant claims that YOU are NOT Welsh, and I’m sorry to
have gotten it all mixed up. Never again, I assure you! Blessed Be! -TZ)
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