Magical Activism by Cris Calley Jones A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfilment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Recreation and Leisure Studies Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2012 © Cris Calley Jones 2012 AUTHOR’S DECLARATION I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract Lack of knowledge about the lived experience of leisure is a result of the distanced, objective way in which it has primarily been studied (Hemingway, 1999), and there is an increased interest in conceptualizing leisure as a dynamic force for social and political change (Shaw, 1994; 2001; Mair, 2002/03; Sharpe, 2008). Constructs such as resistance (Shaw, 2001), critically reflexive leisure (Mair, Sumner & Rotteau, 2008) and pleasure-politics (Sharpe, 2008) illuminate the role and potential of individual and collective leisure in social change. Within a critical constructionist, qualitative research design, this study of witchcamps and magical activism was informed by feminist, queer, and leisure theories. Data were collected through participant-observation at 2 witchcamps, 21 semi-structured intensive interviews, 11 focused interviews, and 19 elicited electronic text submissions. This research reflects the emerging trend within leisure studies of using qualitative approaches and reflexivity to look at our own leisure (Axelsen, 2009; Collinson, 2007; Havitz, 2007; Lashua & Fox 2006; MacKellar, 2009; McCarville, 2007; Parry & Johnson, 2007; Rowe, 2006; Samdahl, 2008). As a member of the witchcamp community under study, the research was carried out in the researcher’s own community ‘backyard’ (Glesne & Peshkin, 1992), and as insider research, it provides a detailed description of alternative culture from the viewpoint of a professional researcher and personal insider. Data analysis followed a constant-comparative method, and employed memo writing, thematic, and focused coding. The study provides insight into the intersection of leisure, ecospirituality, iii community, and social change. Setting, activities, beliefs, and community intersect to function as a container for personal and social transformation, and provide an ‘antidote’ to alienation and isolation experienced by individuals in the dominant culture. The study provides empirical evidence of the centrality of leisure to community responsibility for broader social, political and environmental concerns, as theorized by Arai and Pedlar (2003). This research furthers the perspective that community is multidimensional, and has the potential to unify marginalized groups (Arai & Pedlar, 2003). The findings of this study also reflect Mair’s (2006) conceptualization of community as one that provides a space for celebration of diversity. iv ACKOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you Heather Mair and Sue Shaw for guiding me with grace and patience, and to my committee for supporting this research. A special and heartfelt ten-fingered twinkle to study participants for being willing, open, thoughtful, smart, and funny. I am humbled and awed by the wisdom, talent, and edgy insight of witches. Indeed, another world is possible. ~ Rest in Peace Rosemary, Mom, JoJo, Babe, and Vic ~ v Table of Contents Chapter One – INTRODUCTION ………...………………………….…… 1 Context and Scope of the Research…………………………...…… 3 Implications and Contributions…………………………………..… 6 The Research Purpose………………………..……………………. 8 The Research Questions…………………………………………… 8 Guide to the Study………………………………………….……… 9 Chapter Two – LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………… 11 Constructionism…………………………………………………… 11 Critical Constructionism………………………………….. 13 Guiding Interests………………………………………………….. 14 Witchcraft and WitchCamps……………………………………… 16 Festivals…………………………………………………………… 19 Pagan Festivals……………………………………………. 23 Resistance, Civil Leisure, and Critically Reflexive Practice……… 26 Leisure, Community, and Social Change………………….……… 28 Leisure, Spirituality, and Social Change……..…………………… 32 Chapter Three – METHODOLOGY…………………………….……… 37 Qualitative Methodology……………………….……………..…. 37 Guiding Principles……………………………….……………..…. 37 Insider Research…………………………………………………… 38 Reflexivity……………………………………………………….… 42 Data Collection and Analysis……………………..………………. 44 Sample……………………………………………………….…….. 45 Data Collection………………………………..…………… 45 Recruitment………………………………………………… 47 Semi-structured Intensive Individual Interviews……….….. 48 Elicited Texts………………………………………….…… 53 Participant-Observation………………………………...….. 54 Data Analysis………………………………………….…… 56 My Role as the Researcher…………………………...……. 59 Power………………………………………………………. 61 Authenticity Criteria…………………………...…………. 62 Ethical Considerations………………………………………64 Summary………………………………………………………….... 65 Introduction to the Findings……………………………………..…. 67 Chapter Four – Theme 1: THE WITCHES…………………………….... 69 Reflective Story……………………………………………………. 70 Thursday…………………………………………………… 70 Ritual……………………………….………………………..71 Friday………………………………………………………..75 Path………………………………………………………….76 vi Optional Offering……………………………………………78 Mud………………………………………………………….80 Sunday……………………………………………………….81 Sub-theme: Witchcampers Are Not Necessarily Witches……….... 89 Sub-theme: I’m a Witch and Proud Of It…………………………. 90 Sub-theme: The Broom Closet……………………………………. 93 Coming Out to Family. Or Not………………………. 97 Costs On Both Sides of the Closet Door………………. 99 A Code of Privacy………………………………….... 104 Coming Out as Activism. Or Not…………………….. 105 Sub-theme: Witches Crafting Change…………………………….. 106 Summary………………………………………………………….... 107 Chapter Five – Theme 2: THE CONTAINER…..……………….………. 109 Sub-theme: The Notion of a Container………………...……….… 110 Witchcamp is Unique………………………………………….…… 113 Witchcamp is Multidimensional…………………………… 116 The Setting…………………………………………………. 118 Nature as Container………………………………………....118 Sub-theme: Activities and Key Players: Providing Structure to the Container…………………………………………. 121 Activities…………………………………………………..………. 123 Pathwork…………………………………………………… 123 Optional Offerings……………………………………….… 131 Affinity Groups……………………………………………. 132 Community Rituals……………………………………...…. 133 Informal Activities………………………………...……….. 146 Key Players………………………………………………………… 155 Sub-theme: Creating Community…………………………………. 162 Community Through Ritual……………………...… 163 Experiencing Community………………………….. 166 Creating a Sense of Community………………….... 175 Managing Community Tensions…………………… 180 Men and Children in Community………………….. 189 Men at Camp………………………. 189 Kids at Camp………………………..196 Sub-theme: Community Ethos ………………………………….… 202 Outside of Ordinary Life………………..….. 203 Intense Immersion………………………….. 203 The Camp Trance…………………………... 206 Energy…………………………………….... 209 Social Justice………………………………. 212 Varied Beliefs……………………………… 213 Ecospirituality……………………………... 215 Goddess……………………………………. 221 Mystical Experiences……………………… 222 vii Weaving the Ethos Web…………………… 224 Tensions and the Community Ethos……….. 227 The Witches Rede………………………….. 231 Service……………………………………... 235 Spiritual Authority and Personal Responsibility…... 237 Summary: Sense of Community………………………………….. 240 Chapter Six – Theme 3: THE TRANSFORMATION………………….. 242 Sub-theme: Transformation of the Person………………………… 242 Therapy Camp……………………………………... 242 Building Knowledge and Skills……………………. 256 Developing Rituals Arts and Priestess Skills………. 259 Exploring the Edges……………………………….. 266 Sub-theme: Transformation of the World…………………….…. 282 Antidote to Mainstream Culture…………………… 283 Embodied Change…………………………………. 284 Magical Activism………………………………….. 287 Reluctant Activism………………………………… 293 WitchCamps and Activism………………………… 297 Redefining Activism………………………………. 302 Spiritual – Political Tensions………………………. 304 Street – Magical Activism Tensions……………….. 306 Transforming Camps……………………………..... 311 Chapter Seven: OVERVIEW, DISCUSSION, AND REFLECTIONS……. 315 Overview…………………………………………………………… 315 Overarching Theme: Providing an Antidote to the Dominant Culture…….. 320 Affirming Identity………………………………………….. 320 Building Community………………………………………. 322 Fostering Personal and Social Transformation………….…. 325 Implications for Future Research…………………………..……… 331 Personal Reflections on the Research……………………………… 332 Reflections on Insider Research…………………………………… 334 References…………………………………………………………............. 339 Appendices……………………………………………………………….... 355 Appendix A: Recruitment Invitation……………………………... 355 Appendix B: Consent Form for Interviews………………………. 357 Appendix C: Consent Form for Elicited Text……………………. 358 Appendix D: Interview Guide……………………………………. 359 Appendix E: Locations of WitchCamps…………………………. 361 Appendix F: Schedule of Research Tasks……………………….. 362 Appendix G: Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft Principles of Unity……………………………………………..… 363 viii MAGICAL ACTIVISM Chapter One: INTRODUCTION Each year, Witchcamps rise up like little Brigadoons across the face of Gaia. Communities form as stars from the scattered dust of our diaspora, each of us drawn by the irresistible power of love, and our belief that Magic is real and can transform the world. More than Pagan festivals, Witchamps are intensive spiritual retreats that are nevertheless great fun. Each camp is created in sacred space and provides a safe venue for practicing Magic and exploring the myriad ways to connect to the divine within us all. Each is a place where mundane inhibitions fall away and our true Selves can emerge and be celebrated... Skyclad bodies leaping in the firelight, whirling figures