WitchcraftWitchcraft and Magical Activism

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NO. 99 • MID-2008 • $5.99 Witchcamp

Weeklong Intensives in the Reclaiming Tradition across North America and Western Europe www.Witchcamp.org

More information in this issue of RQ

Magic

Community

Ritual

Music

Shared Meals

Heart-Opening

Workshops

Campfires

Intensive

Laughter

Life-Changing

Witchcamp

Top photo Robin Parrott/CA. Lower pair courtesy Diana's Grove. no. 99 Mid-2008

Reclaiming Welcome P.O. Box 14404 San Francisco, CA 94114 3 To Our Readers reclaiming.org 4 Books, Music, Film, Video, and More 7 Let It Begin: Activism In Brief Reclaiming Quarterly 14 (415) 255-7623 [email protected] Magic in the World reclaimingquarterly.org 8 Resisting the Border Wall by April Cotte Reclaiming is a com- 11 Consensus: How It Works munity of women and 12 Stop the Torture — Stop the War men working to unify photos by Luke Hauser 12 spirit and political ac- 14 Earth Activism: My Personal Journey by Starhawk tion. Our vision is rooted in the religion 17 Why Are Witches Called Witches? by Johanna-Hypatia Cybeleia and magic of the God- 20 The Three-Fold Heart dess — the Immanent by Oak Life Force. We see our 22 The Magical Housekeeper work as teaching and 25 by Yoeke making magic — the 24 Earth Psalms: Song 107 art of empowering our- by Angela Magara selves and each other. 25 Australian Magic with a Southern Twist by Jane Meredith In our classes, work- shops, and public ritu- 28 Engaging the Shadow by Abel R. Gomez als, we train our 29 I Want a Happy Anding voices, bodies, energy, 8 by Prashant intuition, and minds. We use the skills we learn to deepen our Reclaiming News strength, both as indi- 30 About Reclaiming viduals and as commu- 32 Reclaiming Regional Contacts nity, to voice our con- cerns about the world 34 Witchcamps, Rituals, & Events in which we live, and 47 Dandelion Gathering to bring to birth a vi- sion of a new culture. 29 48 Revolutionary Pagan Workers’ Vanguard Who are we (and what is this magazine)? Reclaiming Quarterly returns with our 99th issue — our first in almost three years. RQ was printed 1997-2005, and has appeared only online since. Are we a quarterly? Not at this point. But we are attached the the “Q” in RQ, so we retained the title. As far as how often the print-edition appears, much will de- pend on the level of interest and support from the wider community. The new RQ is published by a work cell based in San Francisco, with co-conspira- tors around North America, Europe, and Australia. We see our magazine not as “the” Reclaiming publication, but as one of many forums, both print and online. Our mission is to bring together Witchcraft and magical activism. Our focus, de- veloped in response to past reader-surveys, is on practical articles about magic in the world — from household magic to community rituals to grassroots activism.

COVER PHOTO RQ works together with Reclaiming’s websites and elists to serve Reclaiming as by Luke Hauser, www.directaction.org well as the wider Pagan and activist worlds. We hope you’ll find our feature ar- ticles interesting and challenging whether or not you walk the Reclaiming path. BACK COVER BACKDROP detail from a work by AManda Adamah In response to past experience and reader feedback, we have decided to omit sev- — [email protected] eral topics from our slender alotment of pages. Poetry and fiction ranked low in our surveys, and will appear rarely. Book and music reviews didn’t fare much bet- ter, so we will offer only capsule announcements of interesting releases. Similarly, discussion and analysis of Reclaiming organizing takes place on the Re- claiming elists, where everyone can take part in a timely and democratic way. For information on the elists, contact RQ or visit Reclaiming.org

Our Founder Speaking of timely and democratic, we close with the Revolutionary Pagan Work- RQ is descended from Reclaiming ers Vanguard — sacred guardians of the dialectical materialist interpretation of Newsletter (1980-1997), itself a distant Reclaiming’s Principles of Unity. offshoot of Ye Olde Gazetteer & Reclaymer (1613-1776). The latter Want to know anything else? Contact [email protected], (415) 255-7623. traced its roots to neolithic rock carv- ings in southern Bohemia, before which RQ’s past is shrouded in mystery. Submissions Entire contents © 2008 by Reclaiming Quarterly. Copyright reverts to the au- RQ welcomes articles, photos, artwork, etc., related to activist, cultural, or spiritual thor/artist following publication, happenings. You’ll save yourself time if you contact us for submissions guidelines. although RQ retains non-exclusive right to use any published material. Please Submit via email or mail to the address below. For emails, copy and paste text into do not reprint without express permis- the message rather than sending attachments. We love photos of all kinds! Please sion (which we are usually glad to grant query about how to send them. Print-photos will be returned on request. All other — [email protected]). submissions are eventually used to line hamster cages, so save a copy. Views expressed in articles, graphics, and advertisements belong to the au- We accept submissions anytime. When we’re close to publication, we announce a thors, not to the Reclaiming community deadline. Articles are sometimes held for another issue as space and topicality dic- or the production cell. tate. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, or readability. Producing RQ is a volunteer effort. You don’t need to be in the San Francisco Anything submitted to and/or appearing in RQ may be posted on our website. If area to help! Contact (415) 255-7623 or you do not want your article or name to appear on the website (i.e., to show up on [email protected] Google searches), please let us know in writing at the time you submit it. The following people helped produce this issue: Cerridwen, Ruby, George, Send to [email protected] or PO Box 14404, San Francisco, CA 94114. Riyana, Jade, Ron, Naeomi, Abel, Aya, Lucia, Kai, Phoenix, Lynx, Ciana Special RQ kisses: lily, Carol, Jonathan, Advertise — Display Advertising Lothlórien, Lisa, Aimee, Elka, Kat, Rain, John, Jim, Sabrina, Kala, Urania, 1/8 page (business card) $55 Discount for three or more issues. Macha, Vibra, Starhawk, Rose, Yoeke, Send camera-ready copy, or for elec- Seed, Ewa, Evelie, Wendy, Mer, Elfin, Copper, Ambar, Otter, Robin, Michael, 1/4 page (4.75" x 3.5") $95 tronic submissions, contact us via the Spiral Dance cell, Church Street email. RQ also offers design services. house — and to all our generous sub- 1/2 page (4.75" x 7.25") $185 scribers and contributors! Contact [email protected], 2 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Full page (9.75" x 7.25") $360 or call (415) 255-7623. To Our Readers

Welcome back to the print edition of Reclaiming Quarterly. After eleven Quarterly-less quarters, the magazine is back in print, on an occasional basis. How often this magazine appears will depend on reader interest and support.

As we prepared to send the new issue off to the printer, we cast a glance back at ten years of Reclaiming Quarterly magazine.

When we launched the magazine in 1997, the Reclaiming website barely existed. It took a bit of digging for us to come up with the names and contact information for the six Witchcamps then in ex- istence. And when it came to listing regional contacts, we were limited to a half-dozen other groups with whom Bay Area teachers had personal contact.

Eight years later, when we ceased publication prior to the second Dandelion Gathering, our Regional Pages listed almost forty local groups, ranging from Witchcamps to small study circles. Many of these groups came together at the first two Dandelion Gatherings, in Texas and Massachusetts, and helped transform a loose network into a fledgling international community. Photo by Gaiamore. Our updated regional contacts list appears on pages 32-33 of this issue, and shows the geographical spread of Reclaiming, now well- Dandelion Gathering III established in Europe and taking root in Australia. This list is a work in progress, and new groups are steadily cropping up. For up- The third biennial Dandelion Gathering (an all- to-date information, visit the Reclaiming website or contact RQ. Reclaiming conclave held April 2008) was just getting underway as RQ#99 came off the presses. The diversity of our community has been apparent at the Dandeli- We timed it that way, so the new RQ — ons. Pagan Cluster political activists have been a strong presence. product of the combined labor of so many of us At the same time, folks whose main focus is deep magic and per- around Reclaiming — could be on hand for the sonal transformation play a guiding role in some of the Witch- gathering. camps. Mixed with these are solitary Witches and circles working Of course, that put a slight crimp in our jour- in the Reclaiming tradition. Finding a balance for disparate tenden- nalistic efforts, forcing us to cover the event be- fore it happened. So we took time off from our cies has been a challenge for Reclaiming over the past decade. diligent proofreading efforts to gaze into the We aim to reflect that diversity in our pages. Our theme this issue magical dandelion-puff and foresee that Dande- is “Magic in the World” – sufficiently broad to encompass as lion 2008 will consist of camaraderie, rituals, much of the past three years as we could fit into 48 pages. You’ll laughter, small-group brainstorm sessions, work- shops, music, and the occasional meeting. find familiar writers and artists, as well as new voices from around This is fitting for a gathering whose highest our network. This issue features articles from Australia and West- purpose is spending four days getting to know ern Europe, and from all over the U.S. and Canada. one another. The second meeting of BIRCH, the What’s next for RQ? Well, issue #100, to be specific. Counting fledgling representative body connecting the vari- back to the 1980 launch of Reclaiming Newsletter, we’ve reached ous Reclaiming communities, will also be held at the gathering. But as we tried to look more the century mark. We aim to make it a great issue. closely, the dandelion-puff grew hazy. Exactly when RQ#100 appears will depend largely on readers like For photos of the 2006 Dandelion Gathering, see you. Our primary support is subscriptions, donations, and ads. If page 47. To learn more about 2008 and future you like what you’re reading – if you want to see this magazine gatherings, stay tuned to RQ, or visit flourish – we need to hear from you! www.reclaiming.org Until next time — the RQ production cell

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 3 Alternate Books • Film • Music • Resources TAKES BOOKS we end up with such a confused society? If there’s any required reading in school, Guardian UK The Fated Sky: Astrology in History, by it should be the Kinsey reports! (Sorry, Benson Bobrick. Basically a compen- “I saw the movie” doesn’t count.) Number one source of international dium of historical hearsay, Bobrick news in English, with good US cov- shows the centrality of the stars in West- Goth Craft: The Magickal Side of Dark erage. Web pages are print-friendly, ern history. Culture, by Raven Digitalis. An interest- so you can practically assemble your ing and insightful guide to the magick of own daily paper. No US paper com- How Green Is the Green Party, by Rick Death, Darkness, Body Modification, pares — www.guardian.co.uk Whaley. Longtime grassroots activist and the spiritual use of drugs. seeks the original bioregional, eco-femi- nist basis of the Greens, challenging Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Move- Earth First! Journal electoral activists to live up to the full ment in the World Came into Being and meaning of the Green vision. More international activist news than Why No One Saw It Coming, by Paul ordinary mortals can possibly read. Hawken. How nice that the culture of Streets for People: A Primer for Ameri- ecological transformation has moved Print edition published eight times a cans, by Bernard Rudofsky. Dozens of year. EF!J sets the standard for from eco-depression photos and de- grassroots publications. $25/year to to standing together scriptions of Box 3023, Tucson, AZ 85702. Or and working the work. streets around the visit www.earthfirstjournal.org Read all about it. globe that are used by people, A World Full of Gods: Indy Media Centers not cars. Markets An Inquiry into Poly- for meeting, not theism, by John Up to the moment, locally-based ac- just selling. Live- Michael Greer. A fas- tivist news from around the world. able cities are cinating exploration When the action is breaking, there possible. into the philosophical are no better online sites. Their flag- and logical implica- ship site has links to dozens of local Earth Psalms, by tions of polytheistic sites. Visit www.indymedia.org Angela Magara. spirituality. This recasting of the biblical The Circle Within: Witchvox Psalms reaches Creating a Wiccan into primal de- Spiritual Tradition, by Witches’ Voice is the top networking sires as well as Dianne Sylvan. A site for Witches and Pagans online. deepest fears. The beautiful and heartfelt guide to living Everything from religious liberties to verses are captivating, pithy, stripped of and breathing the Craft every moment. the latest local ritual. Events are pretense. Lovely to read silently or to user-posted and come from every share aloud with friends. corner of Paganism. An inspiring site Hidden Passages: Tales to Honor the to browse. Visit www.witchvox.com Crones, by Vila SpiderHawk.Eight sto- The New Time Travellers: A Journey To ries about women who turn to the grand- The Frontiers Of Physics, by David mothers of their cultures.Set in different Toomey. This extremely readable book RQ.org eras, each reflects a reverence for the di- covers the history of physicists’ explora- vine feminine. tions into the possibilities of time travel. RQ.org carries photo-features and Where science meets science fiction; reports on grassroots activism and Veganomicon, by Isa Chandra dazzling and mind-expanding. Pagan events, as well as reports on Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. Witchcamps and other Reclaiming Whether you’re a vegan, someone events. Our back-issue archives The Kinsey Reports. Have kids? How’d who’s concerned about global warm- have dozens of magical and activist ing, or a health nut, this primer on features. RQ.org’s pages are print- Contributors: Benjamin, Kerrick, Jane plant-based cooking offers tons of in- friendly, so you can read offline too. Meredith, Kai, Riyana, Naeomi, Max, Luke, ventive recipes plus an extensive sec- Visit www.reclaimingquarterly.org Abel, Melissa, Baruch, Robert, Selchie tion on cooking basics.

4 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 & More... Six Tarot Classics

Loving What Is, by Byron Katie. A Six books that delve into the history Arthur Waite, The Pictorial Key to tough-love, no-nonsense way of letting and magic of tarot. These works the Tarot (1910). Written to go of misery-making thoughts. Shortcut address the question: “What is tarot?” accompany the deck painted by to Buddhist enlightenment and non-neu- Pamela Colman Smith, the book set rotic mind. Cynthia Giles, The Tarot: the study of tarot on a new footing. History, Mystery & Lore The chapter on history Animal Vegetable Miracle, by Barbara (1992). A well-researched laid to rest popular Kingsolver, Steven Hopp, & Camille work on the history and myths such as the Kingsolver. This practical guide lore of tarot. A serious Egyptian and/or Gypsy chronicles a year of eating locally and yet readable book on origins of the cards and acting globally. A magical weaving of where tarot came from, set the direction for recipes, information, and anecdotes that key writers and artists, modern research, placing inspire. how tarot “works,” and tarot’s birth at Renaissance the blossoming of Italian courts of the 1400s. Practical Meditation for Busy Souls, by tarot in the 20th Waite’s brief bibliographic Margo Adair & Bill Aal. The founders century. survey of virtually every of Tools for Change offer practical and prior book on tarot shows the heartfelt guidance to the magic, mys- Aleister Crowley, state of the “Art” prior to the tery, and wholeness inside each of us. The Book of Thoth Golden Dawn’s work. (1944). Written to Conscious Dreaming, by Robert Moss. accompany the Angeles Arrien, The Tarot Neglecting your dreams? Moss offers a Thoth deck painted Handbook: Practical Appli- plethora of amazing dream-working by Frieda Harris, cations of Ancient Visual techniques. The Book for dreamers. this book might be Symbols (1997). The author, Crowley’s most a cultural anthropologist, Sacred Paths for Modern Men: A Wake- readable work. uses her expertise to deci- Up Call From Your Twelve Archetypes, Although he devotes pher Aleister Crowley’s by Dagonet Dewr. Mythical. Pop cul- some pages to arguing Thoth deck by using an- tural. Humor, too. Deeply compassion- for an ancient Egyptian cient symbols and numer- ate. Healing. Reclaimthese dozen ar- source for tarot, most ology. The book lends a chetypes and live. Soul exploring. These of the book correlates feeling of having lived a are the voyages... the cards with the day in each of the major Qabalah. Insightful, and minor arcana. Charts Astrology of Fate, by Liz Greene. Com- humorous, combative — and spreads pave a path to a bet- bines myth, astrology and Jungian psy- and always entertaining. ter understanding of life’s hidden chology in a great mix to heighten your synchronicities. understanding of(and interest in)all Papus, The Tarot of the Bohemians three. Fun, enjoyable read with new (1896). A work of wild Stuart Kaplan, The twists onfamiliar characters. speculation. Papus maps Encyclopedia of Tarot tarot against the (1978). Compiled by the MUSIC/AUDIO Kabbalah, sacred names, owner of tarot-deck Hazmat Modine, by Hazmat Modine. various geometric shapes, publisher U.S. Games, this This New York-based “world music” numerology, anagrams, four-volume encyclopedia band redefines the genre by blending and pretty much anything is fascinating and harmonica-based Delta Blues with Ti- else the imaginative definitive. Each volume betan chant. It’s toe-tapping, catchy, and author could throw into contains several thousand delightfully weird. the pot. What Papus illustrations of virtually lacked in research he every known tarot deck up Cry Tough Dub Encounter Volume made up in provocative to the mid-1900s, from Four, by Prince Far I. Unusual medita- guesses and impressive- Renaissance treasures to looking diagrams. cheap woodblock decks. more on next page

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 5 More • Books • Film • Music • Resources

continued from preceding page Appalachianrockabilly drone tones. What We Lost in the Fire. A realistic Fortunes told, secrets revealed. look at a family dealing with addiction tion music distilled from classic 1970s and recovery. Offers hope but no easy reggae dub sessions. Volume Four fea- The Blinding, by Babyshambles. Not answers. tures minimalist drum-bass-guitar-sax quite as rich as their debut, “Albion,” arrangements that are great for medita- this five-song CD is still a peak of cur- Stardust. Based on Neil Gaiman’s tion and trancing. rent Brit-Pop. novel. Old-school fantasy with plenty of humor. What would you do to own the The Summer Storm Journals, by Noe InfraWarrior, by Monica Richards. A heart of a star — key to eternal life? Venable. Luscious lines of pure poetry primal musical spell blending elements meet sweet, smoky harmonies in this of Goth, Darkwave, Rock, and Tribal Across the Universe. Gives new mean- Pagan-flavored mystic-pop album. Ut- influences, reclaiming the sanctity of ing to the Beatles as the “Soundtrack of terly enchanting audible bliss by a tal- Earth and all Her creatures. the Sixties.” Thin plot saved by clever ented chanteuse who delves deep into use of catchy songs. spiritual realms while also staying Witch Web, by Fiona Horne. A hip and grounded in her own intimate experi- upbeat Witchcraft concept album in- ence. tended to guide listeners to the beauty SEND US YOUR REVIEWS and magick of every moment. Have a book, film, CD, or whatever that Sellisternia, by High Priestess. you want to share with RQ readers? A tribal, ecstatic, psychedelic, Pagan- FILM/VIDEO/DVD Want to tell us your opinion of the latest inspired, electronica album dedicated to blockbuster? Send us 25 words or less the Goddess. Sukhavati, by Joseph Campbell. A and we will include as many as space mythic journey to discover your own permits. Raising Sand, by Robert Plant & Alison place of bliss, featuring an analysis of Krauss. Really! Sexy, spooky, beautiful. myths from the Hindu, Buddhist, Grail, Send items to RQ, PO Box 14404, San Reverb guitar signals pinged back from and Goddess traditions. With images Francisco, CA 94114, or email to the moon. NDE vocal harmonies. and music from around the world. [email protected]

Thirteen Years Ago: a Vintage Reclaiming Newsletter

Reclaiming Newsletter, Issue No. 58 — Spring 1995

Cover by Rose: “The Glorious Hare of the Great Dawn of Springtime” Feature articles included: “Bridget Help Us!” by Patti “Flower Trance,” by Calla “The Intuitive Body: A Review,” by Cybele “Promise of Spring,” by Judy “Spring,” by Thorn Advertisers included local magic shops Ancient Ways, Tool of Magic, and Rituals, as well as the Elderflower Womenspirit Festival. Six Witchcamps were listed: Texas, Missouri (now Midwest), California, British Columbia, West Virginia (now SpiralHeart), and Vermont. Reclaiming Newsletter No. 58 was produced by the RQ production cell’s distant ancestors, whom we honor here: Reya, Patti, Julie, and Calla.

6 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Let It Begin: Activism In Brief

Who’s Afraid of the Nuclear Power — Solution Light Brown Apple Moth? to Global Warming? Will the light brown apple moth prove After several decades in the doghouse, to be the invasive threat to California nuclear power has recently emerged as agriculture which the United States De- an “alternate” source to carbon-based partment of Agriculture (USDA) claims fuels. The governments of Britain and it to be? France have agreed to collaborate in Green Scare Targets Or have damages to New Zealand promoting nuclear power around the Environmental Movement agriculture been grossly exaggerated? globe, and voices in the U.S. — where Should the vulnerabilities created no new plant has been licensed since the The term “Green Scare” refers to legal by chemically dependent mono-crop- 1970s — are clamoring for increased in- and extra-legal actions taken by the U.S. ping and other conventional agricultural vestment in this “clean” energy source. government against the environmental practices be an excuse for eradication But nuclear power is not clean. It movement. projects that put at risk public and envi- produces both low and high-level radio- Like the Red Scare of the 1940s and ronmental health? active waste that remains dangerous for 1950s, the state uses new laws and new What will happen to local organics several hundred thousand years. No techniques to if the California Department of Food country in the world has found a solu- harshly punish a and Agriculture (CDFA) is allowed to tion for this waste. Building new nuclear few individuals douse the California Peninsula and San plants would mean the production of in order to in- Francisco Bay Area with pesticides for much more of radioactive waste with timidate a wide- years to come? nowhere for it to go. spread move- To get a handle on the dangers of The vast majority of public interest ment. pesticides and learn about alternatives and environmental groups are opposed Over the (from the perspectives of chemically- to nuclear power because it creates dan- past few injured people, radicals, and even an an- gerous waste, brings unnecessary risks, years, the FBI archist and Reclaiming person), visit and cannot rescue us from climate and other DontSprayCalifornia.org change. agencies You can also contact East Bay Pes- Nuclear power is too slow, expen- have tar- ticide Alert, (510) 895-2312, sive, and inflexible a technology to ad- geted activ- www.EastBayPesticideAlert.org dress climate change, and would entail ists in the the building of thousands of new nuclear Pacific reactors. These reactors would result in Northwest, WorldChanging: intensified proliferation, waste, and as part of Change Your Thinking safety problems. the FBI’s New reactors would also drain in- Operation Backfire. Dis- This is a future-building, tool-sharing vestment away from renewable tech- graced former Attorney General site, carrying a web of voices and cre- nologies. According to a new analysis Gonzalez characterized activists as ativity from archaic to green cyber-age. by Public Citizen based on the work of “eco-terrorists.” You’ll find non-apocalyptic solutions governments, universities, and other or- The government campaign has here, with hope offered. Visit ganizations in the United States, Europe aimed especially at coercing activists to www.worldchanging.com and Japan, it is technically and economi- testify against one another, through use cally feasible for a diverse mix of exist- of grand juries and plea-bargaining ing renewable technologies to com- threats. Such tactics could be turned Living River Elist pletely meet U.S. energy needs over the against any “radical” group, and have coming decades. broad civil-rights implications for alter- Keep up with grassroots activism on Clean, safe renewable energy native organizing. Reclaiming’s Living River email-list. sources – such as wind, solar, advanced To support groups working to end Learn about projects and direct actions hydroelectric and some types of biomass the Green Scare and preserve civil liber- across North America, many of which and geothermal energy – can reliably ties, contact the Civil Liberties Defense welcome new involvement. For more Center, 259 East Fifth Ave, Suite 300, info, contact RQ. continued on page 46 Eugene, OR 97401, www.CLDC.org

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 7 ResistingResisting thethe WallWall

Working for a world without borders

by April Cotte day and night when running. the traditional crossing. • Planting on the flood plains is She went outside and asked, “What At a child’s birthday party in Redford, common, and livestock depend on the are you doing?” Texas, where I have lived for parts of river to drink. A Border Patrol Agent replied, the past twelve winters, men were shar- • Elders are passing on traditions of “Protecting the United States from ter- ing ideas for fixing the roof of the jacal using river clay tomake pottery, and us- rorists.” (the traditional earthen structure) that I ing river limestone to whitewash walls The recent documentary rented. and for sweat lodges. “Mexiphobia”1 addresses the devasta- They explained how to use a tradi- • Walking along thelevyand the tion the closures of these informal bor- tional method of weaving “palma” river, fishing, boating, wading in the der crossings caused. through river cane and then covering it river, swimming during the heat of the “You took almost a hundred years’ with adobe made from river mud. They summer, picnicking on the banks and worth of history, of supporting families showed me an elder’s roof built this way enjoying the cool shade by the river are from this interaction across the border,” thirty years ago. traditional pastimes essential for health says Linda Walker, a business owner. I asked if there was enough river and physicalexercise. “You took that away, and so what do cane. Onesaid “sure,”full of support • Children here are taught to be con- you think those folks are doing for a liv- and enthusiasm for the project. nected to their whole environment, un- ing? You think they’re going to let their Then his eyes dropped and more derstanding nature better then many kids starve? They’re not. No, they’ve quietly he said, “if the border patrol lets adult naturalists and biologists. They gone back to the things that we didn’t us.” learn the specific relationships between want them doing. They’re making a liv- the plants, ecosystems, animals, insects, ing, [and] they’re not making it selling 10,000 YEARS OF PERMACULTURE birds, fish, and humans. They learn to tacos anymore.” Redford and the river valley it follows tell when it will rain by the behavior of Another business owner says, “It’s are on the US/ Mexico border. For thou- certain ants or the calls of migrating making criminals out of everyday sands of years people here, as in many birds. people, the tourists and the Mexicans communities along the Rio Grande, alike.” BROKEN BONDS, DYING TOWNS have interacted with the river ecosys- Due to these changes, many small tem. Over the past half-dozen years, the U.S. Mexican towns are dying. “Everything’s Traditional cultural practicesmake government has attempted to alter Indig- quiet,” says Danielle Gallo of Boquillas, survival possible within the limited- enous, tribal, and familial migration a small town in Northern Mexico. “No money economies of some of the poor- routes that are thousands of years old. one plays music anymore. There’s really est counties in the United States: In rural Texas/Mexico, families on nothing to buy and nothing to do. Every- • Along the river people gather both sides of the border are related. Up thing has a feeling of destitution and de- plants for animal and human food and until the events of September 11, 2001, spair, and it’s not a happy place any- medicine. The river environment is an there were many Class B Informal river more. It’s depressing.” abundant corridor for fishing and hunt- crossings where people in remote towns GLOBAL INEQUITIES ing. between El Paso and Brownsville could • River cane and river mud is the legally cross the border to visit with Behind the border tensions are unjust lowest-cost roofing and building mate- each other, herd their cattle, bring milk and ineffective global economic poli- rial in this region for human and animal to grandma, etc. These crossings were cies, which cause mass migration of dis- shelters and shade structures. lifelines for the remote, predominately located people seeking to survive. • Farmers still depend on the 2000- Indigenous communities on both sides When the 1990s North American year-old tradition of diverted river water of the Rio Grande. Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) irrigation. Formerly gravity-fed, irriga- Following September 11, a Redford opened the door for subsidized farm tion now depends on pumps that must woman looked out her window to see a products from the United States to enter be checked multiple times during the truck dumping cement blocks in front of the Mexican market, rural semi-subsis-

8 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 tence farmers — predominately Indig- forcement by border patrol agents also the 1990s, I heard Border Patrol Agents enous people — lost their capacity to affects local elections and economies. state that 80% of illegal human and drug survive. Many became displaced, mov- Border Patrol agents and their families trafficking happens at legal ports of en- ing from their land to find work in cities have a substantial percentage of the try through deviousness and corruption. and in the US. votes in Presidio County even though In February 2008, Secretary of NAFTA encouraged Maquiladoras many are only stationed there for two Homeland Security Michael Chertoff (U.S.-owned factories near Mexico’s years. shared with the Daily News: “I don’t see border with the U.S.), but these could A local landowner explained that any imminent threat” of terrorists infil- hire only some of those workers. Others prior to 1985, Presidio was famous for trating from Mexico.4 have had to seek work in the U.S. its onion and cantaloupe crops. So why all this effort to depict the World Trade Organization (WTO) Farmworkers were local people that “dangerous illegal immigrant” who negotiations provided another blow to lived in Mexico, crossed the border to crosses the U.S./Mexico border? Indigenous subsistence farmers by forc- work in the U.S. fields, and went home According to a friend, “This racist ing an end to communal land systems. on weekends to their own small farms. ideology around immigration provides a The Mexican Ejido system was dis- The 1986 Immigration Reform and scapegoat for the U.S. government as mantled and for people deal the first time since with a failing the Mexican revo- U.S. economy lution, rural and momen- people could sell tous losses of their land and services.” move. I have Arnoldo heard people Garcia, of the Na- from across the tional Network for political and Immigrant Rights economic spec- (NNIR) in Oak- trum who live land, California, on the U.S./ explained: “The Mexico border [border] wall is ask, “Why are part of a policy of they closing militarization that our border and was formulated in not Canada’s? the 90s when What do they NAFTA was have against planned. The gov- brown ernment knew that people?” with NAFTA Cattle graze in the foothills of the Bofecillos Mountains, near the U.S./Mexico border. Photo by Enrique there would be David J. Owen. Madrid, displacement, so Jumano they planned a strategy of militarization Control Act made farm owners liable if Apache Historian from Redford, Texas, that was piloted in El Paso and spread to they hired illegal workers. This had an explains that in order to have militariza- the whole border. immediate and drastic effect. In 1985 tion you have to have an enemy. Propa- “[Militarization] is beginning on the the payroll for farm work in the Presidio ganda and psychological warfare create border with the most vulnerable com- region was six million dollars (1985 dol- that enemy. For at least a century, aca- munities, but is intended to spread lars). In 2007 the payroll for farm work- demic and journalistic references have throughout the United States as our ac- ers in the region was thirty thousand transformed people on the border from ceptance increases.” dollars. farmers, goat herders, parents and Garcia also described “Operation But are farm workers and other home-makers to bandits, murderers, End Game,” designed to end the back- residents of the border areas the prob- drug smugglers, human traffickers — log in deportations by detaining people lem? and now terrorists. in Hutto Residential Center (formally a According to Ted Robbins on “All Once you have an enemy, Madrid prison) in Taylor, Texas.2 Things Considered,” nearly half of all says, you can commit acts of war on that illegal immigrants in the United States enemy. In 1997, Marine Joint Task POLITICAL FALLOUT enter legally through tourists visas and Force Six (after being told by superiors For communities right on the border, the overstay.3 that 75% of the people in the small town At Texas schools where I worked in intense presence, militarization, and en- continued on next page

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 9 continued from preceding page mental and historical protection laws. stretches 50 miles to the checkpoint on At this moment in the United the road. All of our activities are moni- of Redford were dangerous) shot a high States, however, section 102 of the Real tored. We are constantly watched and school student, Esequiel Hernandez, Jr., ID Act gives Secretary Chertoff and the checked.” who was herding his goats near the bor- Department of Homeland Security the People living in this zone do not der. right to waive any laws that get in the have the same rights as people in the And since 2001, the rest of the coun- government has added the try. Physical new “War on Terror” to violence, verbal “War on Drugs” and the violence, and “War on Immigrants” — the violence of all of which target Mexi- being oppressed can immigrants. and surveyed by NO BORDER WALL — Border Patrol Agents and the NO MILITARIZATION FBI are a nor- The struggle to stop the mal part of life. wall on the border is part Talking of the bigger struggle to with local resi- stop militarization on the dents recently, I border and to ensure the realized that we human rights of border were talking for residents and immigrants. hours about in- The Department of justices and vio- Homeland Security’s own lence in front of environmental assess- a three-year-old. ments show that plans for There is no way the border wall dispropor- to shelter the tionately affect low- The Rio Grande, a few miles West of Presidio, Texas, where it meets the Rio Conchos. children when income, “minority” com- It was straightened and controlled by a levy that was forced on landowners in 1972. The road appears to have been smoothed by Border Patrol Agents so they can look for their sibling, munities. tracks. Photo courtesy of April Cotte. friend, or uncle In addition, Executive gets shot by ma- Orders signed by Clinton rines on a covert in 1994 (Federal Actions to Address En- way of protecting US Citizens from Ter- operation. Or when the border patrol vironmental Justice in Minority Popula- rorism. watches you from high points around tions and Low-Income Populations and The area within a hundred miles of your house, can enter your space at any EO13045, Protection of Children from the border is essentially becoming a de- time, asking you to prove your citizen- Environmental Health Risks and Safety constitutionalized zone. “It is not just ship and that of your children (any age), Risks) would be reason to halt progress the physical wall,” said one local resi- or speeds through your neighborhood. on the wall, as would many environ- dent, “it is the psychological wall that You might be thinking: Why don’t people move from the border, move from those towns? In Redford, many of the people have ancestral ties dating back thou- Mexiphobia - a documentary film sands of years. They do not know of any other place that their people came from. Directed by Nevie Owens ences and inconsistencies in policy be- This is their place. tween the Mexican border and the Cana- This documentary, featured at the Big One of the boys in Redford said, dian border by visiting Glacier National Sky Documentary Film Festival in “We want a safe place. We don’t want Park, part of the Waterton-Glacier Inter- Missoula, Montana, illustrates the conse- too much accidents. We want people to national Peace Park straddling the U.S.- quences of current approaches to terror- Canadian border. drive slow for other kids to ride their ism and immigration on the lives of those “It’s very clear that the reason [the bikes safe. That there is not too much living in the border region. policies differ] is because the Canadians violence like in other towns and not too The film focuses on the people in are white and the Mexicans are brown,” many accidents happen. For people not the small border towns, giving a human says attorney Patricia Kerns. to fight. Redford is fun. We can go on face to an issue often lumped together with drugs and violence. The Mexiphobia trailer can be viewed on The film also contrasts the differ- YouTube. continued on page 38

10 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Effective group process Consensus: How It Works

This article is adapted from nonviolent chance to express feelings and concerns. the process, it may seem cumbersome. direct action handbooks. See end of ar- Blocking: Any member of the But this is compensated by the increased ticle for more info. group may block consensus, but a block energy and enthusiasm with which should be used very cautiously. A block people carry out a decision. There is no Consensus is a process in which no de- is not just a “no” vote, or an expression dissatisfied minority to undermine a de- cision is finalized until everyone in the of disfavor. A block is used only if the cision. Because group members feel part group feels comfortable with the deci- blocker believes that the proposal is of the decision-making process, they of- sion and is able to implement it without harmful or unethical. When blocking is ten take on responsibility in new areas. resentment. Ideally, the consensus syn- used for less serious reasons, it frus- thesizes the ideas of the entire group trates the consensus process, cutting off PROCESS GUIDELINES into one decision. the chance to synthesizing new options. One major contribution of the feminist The skill of coming to genuine con- movement to social change movements sensus decisions is a hard one. It in- ROLES IN A CONSENSUS MEETING is awareness that effective group pro- volves willingness to change and open- Facilitator: Helps move the group cess and meaningful personal interac- ness to new ideas. People must be com- through the decision-making stages. By tions are crucial factors in a successful mitted not only to expressing their own calling on quiet people, soliciting opin- movement. Nonviolence begins at feelings, but also to helping others with ions from those who hang back, and home, in the ways we treat each other. opposite views to express those as well. limiting those who tend to dominate, a Relationships within the group can- Because the ideal of consensus is to skillful facilitator makes sure every per- not be separated from the accomplish- reach a decision that is not only accept- son has a chance to participate fully. ment of political goals. Effective group able to everyone, but is best for every- Helps the group resolve conflict and process, in fact, means valuing coopera- one, there must be a “bottom line” of make decisions by summarizing, repeat- tion over competition, recognizing the shared beliefs about what is best for all ing, or rephrasing proposals as neces- contributions of each individual, and de- concerned. These are the principles of sary. The facilitator should remain neu- centralizing power through a non-hierar- unity. These basic agreements will un- tral on topics being discussed. When an chical organizational structure. doubtedly not encompass all the beliefs issue arises about which the facilitator Try these techniques in meetings: of each individual in the group, but feels strongly, he or she should step Use go-rounds. Equalize participa- rather, will help define the working rela- aside and let someone else facilitate. tion by going around and allowing each tionship of the members. This may vary person to speak for a specified time. from the specific goals of a coalition Vibeswatcher: Pays attention to the Value feelings. Include time in formed around a single action, to an in- group’s process. Stays aware of the feel- meetings for expressing emotions and depth, ongoing process of self-definition ings people are not expressing. Reminds for personal interactions. in a small collective. the group to relax and take breaks as Meet separately. Allow women and Whatever their scope, without basic needed. This role is especially important men to meet separately to facilitate self- agreements and a willingness to work in large meetings. awareness and strengthen participation. within them, consensus will not succeed. Other roles: notetaker, timekeeper. This applies to other groups as well, Unlike voting, consensus is not an such as people of color and whites. adversary, win/lose method. With con- CONSENSUS AND ACTION Meet in small groups during larger sensus, we do not have to choose be- meetings so that people who feel un- tween two alternatives. Those who hold The goal of every decision-making pro- comfortable speaking in large groups views different from ours do not become cess is not just to decide on a solution, can speak more freely. Small groups opponents; instead, their views are seen but also to carry out that plan of action. give each person more speaking time. A as giving us a fresh and valuable per- It seems that a person’s commitment to spoke from each small group can report spective. As we work to meet their con- any decision is in proportion to their back to the larger group. cerns, our proposals are strengthened. sense of participation in that decision. Share skills, rotate responsibilities. Consensus is not the same as a Consensus attempts to involve all mem- unanimous vote. It does not necessarily bers of a group, not just the “leaders.” Effective use off consensus depends on mean total agreement. Rather, it means People sometimes complain that commitment to collective process. More that a proposal has gone through a syn- consensus is time-consuming. Espe- info: www.reclaimingquarterly.org thesis process in which everyone has a cially when a group is learning to use /web/handbook

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 11 Stop the Torture —

On March 19, 2008 — fifth anniversary of the Iraq War — activists in a num- ber of U.S. cities protested for peace and an end to torture. In San Francisco, several marches and direct actions marked the date. On March 15, two dozen protesters were arrested as part of a larger rally at the gates of the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, California. On the morning of March 19, hundreds of people (including many Re- claiming activists) took to the streets for a raucous and colorful march. The morning ended with civil disobedience die-ins resulting in over 100 arrests. For more photos, visit the RQ website. To get involved, contact Direct Action to Stop War — bayareadirectaction.wordpress.com

Photos by Luke Hauser • www.DirectAction.org

12 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 — Stop the War March 1919March ththth, 20082008,

Reclaiming & Direct Action Reclaiming was born from the wave of civil disobe- dience protests in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Although the focus of the actions was anti-nuclear and anti-militarist, Reclaiming and kindred groups were articulating a broader vision of social change. For stories and pictures of the 1980s protests, visit www.DirectAction.org

Activists focus dramatic attention on the U.S. prisons at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib at the March 2008 San Francisco protests. Over 100 people were arrested, including about twenty from Act Against Torture. Contact www.actagainsttorture.org.

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 13 Earth Activism My Personal Journey

By Starhawk Moreover, it means that this world itself dess, as a young woman, was to her fe- is the terrain of our spiritual journey, the maleness, to images of what Carol A few years ago, I spent a month in place where our growth and develop- Christ calls “beneficent female power” Scotland helping to design and build an ment is enacted, where our challenges that were so lacking in the world I grew ecovillage encampment for the protests are faced and our truths are lived. up in. My actual encounters with the against the G8. As part of that work, we From that point of view, taking re- Goddess, with that deep sense of inter- had to present our plans for graywater sponsibility for our own shit, on every connection, awe and wonder and love installations and composting toilets to level, is a spiritual necessity. There is no that infuse the universe, were always in the relevant local authorities, including nature. Through- members of the town out the eighties council of Stirling, the and nineties, as I small city that had given became more us land to camp on. and more aware I went before the of the grave eco- committee with plans, logical crises we drawings, graphs and face, I began to photographs, and intro- feel a deep pull duced myself. One of to do more than the members smiled and chant and sing nodded. about healing the “Ah, Starhawk,” he Earth, but to said. “I know your learn some prac- work.” tical techniques That was gratifying, for doing it. and our plans were ap- “Grow food,” I proved with no difficul- was told in ties. At the end, he trance. “Teach looked at me, somewhat people to grow perplexed. food.” “As I said, I’ve read I first heard a number of your books. about perma- I understand why you’d culture when I be involved in the politi- Permaculture, soil testing, and bioremediation have been part of restoration efforts in New was writing early cal aspects of this. But Orleans. Reclaiming folks have worked with Common Ground Relief and other grassroots drafts of The what I don’t understand groups to support local efforts at rebuilding communities. Photos courtesy of Starhawk. Fifth Sacred is, why the compost toi- Thing, from a lets?” myth more fascinating, no realm of friend who had taken a design course. I From trancing with the faeries to shovel- spirit or faerie more strange, exotic and began reading about it, talking to practi- ing shit—that sort of describes the tra- entrancing, than the amazing creatures tioners, and learning, but it wasn’t until jectory of my life and work over the last of the microbial world whose birth, 1996 that I was able to take a course few years. Why, indeed, would anyone growth, death, and decay makes com- myself, with my friend Penny take that path? post out of waste. For gardeners, soil Livingston-Stark. For me, it’s a direct outgrowth of builders and Earth healers, there is no Permaculture is a system of eco- my deepest understanding of the God- greater treasure than compost, with its logical design, a set of ethics and prin- dess — that She is life itself, and that recycled nutrients and complex colonies ciples that guide us in developing hu- connection with the Goddess means em- of microbial life. man systems that can meet our needs bracing the sacredness of all of life. My original attraction to the God- while regenerating the natural environ-

14 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 ment around us. While food growing systems are probably its primary appli- cation, it can also be applied to social systems, living systems, urban planning — pretty much every human endeavor. I found it a helpful framework for learn- ing the practical skills of Earth healing and for developing and implementing real solutions to our environmental problems.

I’ve always been an activist — for me, the understanding that the Goddess is immanent in nature and human beings means you can’t just sit back and let idi- ots destroy Her without trying to do something about it. After the successful blockade of the World Trade Organiza- tion in Seattle in 1999, I dove into a pe- riod of frenetic activism as the global justice movement grew — in part be- cause I had lived long enough to know that movements are like waves, you have to catch them when they are rolling with ritual and weave magic into much streets to protest genetic engineering. in, and know that they don’t last forever. of our teaching and work, we spend less They’ve enticed some of the thousands In the mobilizations against the time in intense ritual than at a typical who come to mobilizations to put en- WTO, the World Bank, the International Witchcamp, and more time learning ergy into local community gardens. Monetary Fund and the G8, I met thou- practical skills and the science and They’ve even built a mobile, bicycle- sands of activists, many of them young theory behind them. A typical day in- driven composting toilet to provide re- and on fire with fervor for social justice. volves a morning circle where we create lief for those long blockades. But many of them, I found, did not sacred space and learn a magical skill, a That was how I ended up in that know what the solutions were. In longer morning session devoted to some council meeting in Scotland, building permaculture and related movements, I aspect of earth healing — water harvest- compost toilets for the encampment to knew hundreds of skilled designers, gar- ing, natural methods for cleansing soil protest the G8. But it was later that same deners, builders and inventors who had and water from toxins, sustainable for- year, after Hurricane Katrina hit New amazing solutions, but often didn’t seem estry, etc. and an afternoon session Orleans, that we felt a call to take the to recognize the vested interests and where we put that skill into practice. In work to yet another level. power structures that were keeping them the evening, we might have a slideshow, As New Orleans lay in ruins, torn by the from being put into place. a ritual, a guest speaker, or an interac- elements and abandoned by the federal So in May of 2001, Penny and I be- tive session. It’s intense, but I find the government, a group called Common gan teaching a new kind of permaculture balance of theory, magic, and hands-on Ground Relief formed and put out a call course, one which would have its is also renewing, and not exhausting in for activists to come down and help re- grounding in Earth-based spirituality quite the same way as spending a week sist attempts by the military to forcibly and would also incorporate training in doing three-times-a-day trance as at evacuate those who had managed to re- organizing, political strategy, and direct Witchcamp. main in the city, and also to offer ser- action. We called the course Earth Ac- Out of the EAT courses has vices which FEMA, the Red Cross, and tivist Training. emerged an approach to activism that the National Guard were utterly failing We’ve been teaching them ever applies the magical principle that we are to provide. The Pagan Cluster, our since — and in fact, now more of my stronger when we work for what we group of Reclaiming-inspired magical time goes into EAT courses than Witch- want, and not just against what we don’t activists, organized ourselves to go camps — in part because around the want. EAT students created a Green down and help out. same time I pulled back from teaching Bloc to bring permaculture techniques I went because for my whole life I most of the Witchcamps in order to into mobilizations — both teaching had always had a sense that our present leave space for others to step forward workshops and also providing infra- system is unsustainable and would ulti- into leadership. structure for encampments. They’ve mately crash and fall apart. Katrina, a EAT courses are two weeks long, locked down in community gardens to and while we begin and end every day protect them and carried plants into the continued on next page

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 15 continued from preceding page munity some of the low-tech methods of with the elements and the natural world. healing soil from toxins. We worked with We belong in the forefront of the move- hurricane intensified by the warm seas local permaculturalists and were given ment to heal our damaged earth, to learn of global warming, seemed like the har- use of a community garden. We brewed the skills and tools for doing so, and to binger of things to come. I wanted to see up actively-aerated compost teas to break agitate for public policies to put those what the world looked like when every- down biofuels and planted Indian mus- skills to work. There’s no more vital thing had fallen apart, and whether or tard greens and sunflowers to uptake work we can do at this moment in his- not our skills, organizing methods, and heavy metals. We tested soil and seeded tory. magic had anything to offer. selected areas with mushroom mycelium How do we begin? There are, of What I found was a place devas- to transform toxins to compost. course, changes we can make individu- tated beyond imagining, almost surreal I learned a tremendous amount ally, from changing lightbulbs to driving in its zones of complete destruction and from the project — in no small part, less and walking more. other areas that were physically intact about our own limitations. And the ex- But the big changes we need to but emptied of people. It was a place perience left me with a great sense of make are at larger than individual levels. where every large-scale system, from urgency, in preparing for and attempting The first step is to educate ourselves. the government to the Red Cross, was to mitigate the disasters to come. Read, take courses, learn what the poli- virtually nonfunctional, and where the cies are that we should advocate for. My most effective work was being done by There’s a Native American proverb that latest book, The Earth Path, is full of small scale, self-organized grassroots goes, “If we don’t change our direction, helpful suggestions, and there is no lack groups like Common Ground Relief. We we’re going to end up where we’re of information around us now. picked up garbage and helped distribute headed.” Where we’re headed, without a Many people in our extended com- supplies. Some Pagan Cluster members major, fast, global shift in our technol- munity have these skills to offer. Mid- volunteered at the clinic, while others ogy, food production, economics, and west Witchcamp at Diana’s Grove, helped in the main organizing — some values, is a world of multiple Katrinas, where I’ll be teaching in June 2008, has ended up spending months and years in intensified storms, rising seas, drowned a theme of Priestessing Gaia. Feral and I New Orleans. I found that we did indeed coastal cities, drought, famine, and the will offer a path on the microcosm, have valuable skills and methods to offer wars that come in their wake. where we’ll look through the micro- — and also that we did not have the abil- We still have a small window of scope at the world of tiny life around us ity to employ them at the scale that was time to avoid that fate, and we have the and explore it with all our magical tools. needed. I’m still digesting that insight. knowledge we need to do it. I believe Other paths will focus on nature aware- A small group of us — myself, Ju- we bear a special responsibility, those of ness. Within the Reclaiming community niper, Lisa, Scotty from the Rhizome us who love the Goddess, who honor the are many gifted teachers offering ways Collective in Austin — began a bio- sacredness of life, who draw our sense remediation project to bring to the com- of renewal and our vitality from contact continued on page 41

fromReclaiming Witches’Brew

Newsongs,chants,andmeditationmusic

Witches’ Brew, Reclaiming’s first musical release in eight years, features fifteen outstanding songs and chants from over a dozen of Reclaiming’s favorite musicians and teachers. Performers include many who appeared on earlier Reclaiming record- ings, and who have since released their own CDs. This beautiful new CD is a virtual “Best of Reclaiming since 2000.”

Featuring: Beverly Frederick • Brook • Evergreen Erb • Danielle Rosa • David Miller • Evelie Delfino Sáles Posch Green & Root • Crow • T. Thorn Coyle • Jeffrey Alphonsus Mooney • Moonrise • Skyclad • Suzanne Sterling

Hear samples and order this beautiful new CD at www.ReclaimingQuarterly.org, or send $16 per copy to RQ, PO Box 14404,San Francisco CA 94114

16 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Why Are Witches Called Witches? by Johanna-Hypatia Cybeleia concept is derived the word wicker, feel, a stronger case to be made for an- something made of osiers; and weak, other etymology. originally something that could be bent Why do we call Witches Witches? What Eric Partridge, in Origins, connects easily, like a willow branch. else could they be called? What did the witch with the Latin word victima, refer- Another sister word branched from word witch mean originally? ring to ritual sacrifice, and he says these this same root is the witch in witch ha- both derive from Proto-Indo-European Debate continues to surge over the ques- zel. In an article about the witch-word, (PIE) *weig- “to sacrifice.” The Ger- tion of what a Witch is. Leaving aside witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) de- manic origin of witch refers to the con- that identity issue as too large to be con- serves a passing mention to clarify its cept of sacredness connected with the tained in an article of this length, I took origin in relation to the “magick ancient religious use of sacrifice. Par- an interest in a side issue kicked up in woman” meaning of witch. Was it tridge connects it with Old High Ger- the course of this debate: how the word named “witch hazel” because of wise man wihen, German weihen “to conse- witch got into our vocabulary in the first women’s use of such healing herbs? crate,” and OHG wih, Middle High Ger- place, and what does it say that equiva- Sorry, romantic as that sounds—no. man wich, “holy.” lent words don’t say. Witch hazel is called that because of its John Ayto’s Dictionary of Word The etymology of witch has never pliant branches, from Old English wice. Origins and Joseph T. Shipley’s Dictio- been settled to everyone’s satisfaction, Still, given that Hazel is also a girlname, nary of Word Origins both echo Par- although I favor one theory, discussed the temptation to name comical cartoon below, as most likely to be the real one. tridge in connecting witch with victima Different etymologists “sacrificial offering” have promoted several and weihen “conse- different theories and it crate.” What this sug- does not look like they gests to me is that the will reach consensus name of Wicca comes any time soon. from the very concept First, one of the of religion itself. most popular theories Shipley also relates the circulating in the idea of victim to the Witch community is root of victory. that the word comes The etymology in from an Old English the American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed., cites “Old English root meaning “to bend.” In this light, a Witches “Hazel” must be irresistible. wicce, witch and wicca, wizard, sor- Witch is an adept at bending forces to Other plant names that come from this cerer.” These are derived from Proto- her will, at bending the course of reality same Indo-European (IE) root are wych Indo-European *weg- “to be strong, be which she shapes by her mastery. It’s elm (from the same Old English word lively.” Derivatives include wake, easy to see why this explanation is wice) and vetch (from Latin vicia—be- watch, wait, vigilante, reveille, veg- widely accepted. It confirms our prefer- cause of its twisty tendrils). etable, and velocity. ence for how we wish to see ourselves. From the concept of turning, in the Specifically, the AHD connects There is in fact a Proto-Indo-European root *weig-/weik-, we get the words wicca with the concept of being awake, root *weig- or *weik- which combines week and wicket (originally “door that and traces it back to the suffixed form related meanings including “to change,” turns”). In addition, vicar and vice- in *weg-yo- (the Germanic *wikkjaz necro- “to turn,” “to bend,” and “to weaken.” compounds like vice-president (chang- mancer, “one who wakes the dead”). Both forms probably came from a more ing roles), and vicissitude, all from the The AHD does not corroborate basic form *wei- “to twist, weave, above mentioned Latin vicis. All in all, I Partridge’s etymology connecting wicca braid.” Latin vicis “turn, change” and find the constellation of meanings with victim; it does not even trace a PIE German Wechsel “change” show the around this root quite fascinating and root for victima, but stops at Latin with- first sense. The two senses of bending thought provoking, and it would be nice out going any further back. and weakness are found in, for example, to derive the word witch from it. After But note that the fourth edition of willow osiers and withy weirs made of all, many of us Witches like to sing, the AHD, published in 2000, disagrees thin, pliable tree branches. From this “She changes everything She touches,” with its witch-etymology from its first to express our sense of the Goddess at Photo by Michael Starkman work in our Witchcraft. But there is, I continued on next page

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 17 continued from preceding page aside for religious worship), whence the subject. Perhaps modern English- edition of 1969. The first edition derives Gothic weihs, holy, OE wig, idol.” This speaking Witches benefit from having a witch from the PIE root *weik-2 and dictionary’s etymology for victim derives special readymade name for people in says: “In words connected with magic it from the same root and cross-refer- magickal Earth-based religion, a name and religious notions (in Germanic and ences it to witch. However, I have not that already has a strong, deep reso- Latin).” The first edition derives both found any other source that has *weik- as nance behind it. Words for Witches in witch and victim from this root, but says an IE root meaning “to separate.” other languages often simply amount to *weik-5 “to conquer” is a different root. An Indo-European Comparative the grammatically feminine version of There are so many differences between Dictionary by Stuart E. Mann does not “magician.” For example, Arabic the etymologies in the fourth and first show witch or wicca among its daughter sahirah, French sorcière, Greek editions of this dictionary, it looks as language derivatives. But it does derive magissa, Hebrew mekhashefah, though the etymology department had the Old English word for “idol” from a Lithuanian burtininke all mean “female been overthrown in a coup d’état and re- different root: from *ueik- “like; like- magician, sorceress.” In Persian, a com- placed by a radically different faction. ness,” the source of the Greek word pletely genderless language, the unisex oikos, icon. Mann derives the Germanic word jadugar has to serve indiscrimi- Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology says: root for “sacred” this way: from *ueik- nately for magicians, sorcerers, Witches, Witch. n. About 1250 wiche, in “settlement, dwelling” (the source of warlocks, and all other such occult prac- Genesis and Exodus; sorceress (about Greek eikona, “house, home,” from titioners, male and female alike. 1000), feminine of wicca sorcerer, wiz- whence we get ecology, and Norse vik While I think I like the English ard (about 890). These words are related “village”). According to Mann, the Ger- word witch best of all for its uniqueness to, and probably derivatives of Old En- manic forms of this root produced and its many levels of suggestibility, glish wiccian to practice Witchcraft, it- Gothic weihs, “village,” Old High Ger- some other languages as well have inter- self related to Old English wigle divina- man and Old Saxon wih, “temple,” esting witchwords. tion, wiglian, to divine, and wig idol — Middle High German wich “dwelling, Italian strega, like witch in English, all cognate with Old Frisian wigila sor- town; (adj.) holy,” cf. also wihe, wiwe has this unique sense of “woman who cery, Witchcraft, and probably wicken, “dedication.” works with magick in an Earth-based wikken to bewitch, divine, Old High It seems etymologists cannot quite religion.” It comes from Latin strix German wih, wihi holy, Old Icelandic ve agree on the ultimate source of witch, but meaning “screech owl.” The screech temple, and Gothic weihs holy. I would say the connection of wicca with owl being a symbol of Hecate, the God- So Barnhart agrees with Partridge other ancient Germanic religious words dess of ancient Witches, its name has about connecting it with Germanic reli- meaning “sacred” and “holy” is the stron- been transferred to the Witches them- gious words meaning “holy, sacred,” but gest. This corroborates the Wiccan claim selves. Going further back in mythol- doesn’t trace it back to Proto-Indo-Euro- that they are reviving (or rather recon- ogy, the screech owl was also a symbol pean. structing) the Old Religion. of the Mesopotamian Lilith. The con- The etymology in Webster’s New tinuing presence of this symbol, this World Dictionary has a different explana- A large part of the fascination that this creature of the night, associated with the tion for the source of the witch-concept: specific English word witch holds for Dark Feminine, takes us back through “IE base *weik- to separate (hence set me is the sense of its unique aptness for the hidden story of women throughout

The adept

who can bend and shape these swirling energies

is the original magician, the original Witch,

pioneer of the sacred

18 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 the ages, across the shadows of time. word. The implication is that brujas discussion on the history of the word In Italian, the female meaning of were pagans of the rural areas where hag, see the entry in Womanwords: A strega is primary, the reverse of usual heath and heather grow. Dictionary of Words About Women by gendered patterns in languages where But the Latin word itself was bor- Jane Mills. the word for the male magician takes the rowed from an ancient Celtic word, unmarked, hence more important, form. *bruko in Proto-Celtic. This is, for ex- BENDING AND SHAPING ENERGY Here the feminine form is unmarked, ample, the source of Irish fraoch To sum up my feelings on the question while the word for warlock, stregone, is “heather.” The Celtic word derives of where the English word witch came derived by adding a masculine ending. from—and this is where it gets interest- from: while my research has inclined me In this sense, strega is a close match ing—the Proto-Indo-European root to think that witch can be traced back to with English witch, derived from the *werk- “turn, twist, bend.” This is an ex- the root *weig- referring to the sacred, I Old English feminine form wicce. tension of the more basic root *wer- “to also feel attracted by the derivation from turn, bend,” which has produced many *weig- or *weik- meaning “bend.” That the feminine definition of witch is daughter words including worth, weird, I feel like speculating on an even primary is shown by the definition of verse, vertex, wreath, wring, wrench, deeper connection linking these two warlock as “a male Witch,” not the other verge, wrist, wrestle, ribald, warp, to concepts, one rooted in women’s early way around. This focus on the feminine name a few. Somehow these two Proto- shamanism, perhaps inspired by some is two-edged: Witchcraft or stregheria Indo-European roots *wei- and *wer-, entheogenic mushroom. The shamanic got a special name to mark it as a spe- with the suffixed –k making them *weik- realm of the sacred is where energies cifically feminine type of magick. This and *werk-, both produced words for flow, swirl, bend, twist, and writhe like may have been because male domina- Witch in English and Spanish. It’s down- the totemic serpents of wisdom. tion set it apart to denigrate it as inferior right uncanny. We even find an etymo- The adept who can bend and shape to male-controlled magick. But that in logical connection to the Weird Sisters! these swirling energies is the original turn, taking it further back, attests to German Hexe is another woman- magician, the original Witch, pioneer of women’s original mastery of the Craft, specific Witchword, and goes back to the sacred. their independent female power which the same Germanic root that apparently had to be suppressed. produced English hag. Old High Ger- Johanna-Hypatia Cybeleia is a grand- Both genders of Spanish bruja and man hagzisse and Old English hægtesse mother, linguist, musician, and queer brujo are apparently equal, with prece- are clearly both from the same Common activist in the Washington, DC area. She dence given to neither, as a simple Germanic origin, said to have referred to loves to indulge in foreign languages, vowel switch at the end is enough to a terrifying female spirit, perhaps along espresso, and silk scarves. change gender. Bruja comes from a the lines of Lilith. It literally means For a fascinating look at the history and similar semantic origin as the English “hedge rider” or “hedge straddler,” i.e. semantics of words used for Witches in words heathen and pagan. The source of one with a foot in both worlds, between various languages, especially Hebrew, bruja is Latin brucus “heather.” The En- the worlds as a Witch. The later devel- see Alexei Kondratiev, “Thou Shalt Not glish word briar, from French bruyère opment of English hag into a pejorative Suffer a Witch to Live: an Enquiry into “heath,” also originates in this Latin synonym for crone is part of a well- Biblical Mistranslation.” Enchanté #18 known syndrome associating wise (1994) pp. 11-15. Online at http:// Photo by Michael Starkman women with cronehood. For a further www.draknet.com/proteus/Suffer.htm

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 19 TheThree-FoldHeart

by Oak damn obnoxious. Even so, or perhaps the past couple of years to integrate the true to a certain Reclaiming style, our traditions of Reclaiming and Feri, the Thirteen years ago Coven Triskets, of arrogance had a glamour. The Black beat of the Black Heart called out to be which I was a member, met several Heart caught on, and now many con- met by other beats. times with Victor and Cora Anderson, sider it core to the Reclaiming tradition. Reclaiming is a tradition that, in the founders of the Feri tradition. We A year or so ago I began working theory, has a clear moral compass, as were all Reclaiming Witches working with the concept of the Green Heart of expressed in the Principles of Unity. As towards what we came to know as a Feri Connection and the Pink Heart of Com- a Witch who is a blend of both Reclaim- initiation. Reclaiming is a tradition spun passion. Some Feri practitioners say that ing and Feri, I felt a need for more than of many threads, a strong one of which the Black Heart is the state of being we the beat of the primal Black Heart. For is Feri. Many concepts core to Feri are speak from when the points of the Iron more than a year now, I have been also core to Reclaiming, like the Iron and Pearl pentacles are in balance. I working with the Black Heart of Inno- and Pearl Pentacles and the concept of have rarely seen this in action, but in- cence belonging to the Fetch, The Green us having three separate yet interdepen- stead have seen the Black Heart operat- Heart of Connection belonging to Talk- dent souls. It was after our meetings ing as the heart of the Fetch, of the pri- ing Self, and the Pink Heart of Compas- with Victor and Cora that Reclaiming mal Younger Self. For many people, re- sion which resides in the Divine Self. Witches began to work with the concept claiming the beat of this heart is diffi- How did this come about? One day, of the Black Heart of Innocence. The cult, and requires diligent work. It in the midst of an online debate among Black Heart is the soul in its natural means letting go of what other people Feri initiates about power, I saw and felt state, unfettered by the restrictions of think and feel, and speaking truth with a these three hearts clearly. Imagining society. It is the child in the story “The wide-open heart. It is one of the them beating as one has become a core Emperor’s New Clothes” who speaks strengths of Feri, but I have also come piece of my personal practice. The de- the truth. The Black Heart is primal, to view it as one of its weaknesses. bate was about something Victor had sexual, and innocent. To speak from only one soul, one supposedly said, about those with great All of us were teaching at part of our psychic structure, is to be off power having a black aura similar (to Witchcamps at the time, and our excite- balance. Feri has been said to be an the untrained eye) as auras of psycho- ment about the Black Heart soon infused amoral tradition. This has never been paths and sociopaths. This was repulsive the wider Reclaiming community. It was appealing to me, and never been my ex- to me, and an example of why a Black a time when many of us were coming perience of my souls being in alignment. Heart not balanced by the beat of con- into our own power, and the Black Heart The Black Heart is amoral, just as the nection and compassion can lead to a was a potent symbol of speaking truth Fetch is. Neither are concerned with misunderstanding and even a perversion and speaking up. Looking back, I cringe structures of morality or ethics, but beat of spiritual power. There is power in at the many mistakes that were made. to the drum of individual and indepen- working solely from the Black Heart, Frankly, I and my covenmates were dent primal desire. As I have worked in but not beauty. I could not, and still can

Photo by Michael Starkman.

20 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 not fathom why anyone would strive to needed. Is this a time I need to speak FeriTradition appear to the untrained eye as a danger- up? If it is, I breathe into my Pink Heart, ous psychopath or sociopath. This and strive for each word to be kind, and strikes me as a glamorization of amoral stemming from love. TripleSoul power, or power for its own sake. Those To be Reclaiming Feri is to em- who really walk a spiritual path are not brace all our selves/souls, and to strive by T. Thorn Coyle amoral. Far from it. Those who walk the for these souls/selves to work in align- path of Spirit have their souls in align- ment. Over the years, I’ve had some Many Gods have three faces, or as- ment, and each soul has a heart that hard and difficult things to say, things pects. Feri Tradition reminds us that dazzles. With all hearts beating in my Black Heart demanded to be said. our soul is made up of three distinct rhythm, the aura shimmers with the But I have learned to temper my fierce parts. These can work together in har- golden light of all spiritually attuned be- Black Heart with the beat of the Green mony or become disconnected, caus- ings. There may be Feri practitioners and Pink. My Green Heart has made me ing imbalances within. with black auras, but my strong advice is accountable and responsible for the ef- to give these practitioners a wide berth. fect of my words, and my Pink Heart Though Feri is the only tradition of Somewhere in arguing my point, has made me ground my words in love. Witchcraft to use the concept of the tri- the hearts showed themselves to me. Over and over again, I ask if what I am partite soul, the idea surfaces in many The Green Heart of Connection is the about to do or say is true, necessary, and cultures. heart of Talking Self, of the part of us kind. I check to see if one of the hearts who makes connections, uses words, has a louder beat. In my striving to be Sticky One — In Feri, the first division and wants to communicate. This heart kind, am I not telling the truth? Am I is Sticky One, the energy body that beats with concern for what effect its feeling that something needs to be said, most closely follows the physical body. words and deeds will have on the world and am rushing to do so before it has Energy “sticks” to it, is drawn in and and community. It beats with a deep un- circulated a few times through the beat stored. Sticky One carries our animal derstanding that everything we do has a of the Pink Heart? Am I saying some- or child nature, our instinct, and the im- consequence and that for every action thing that is true, but completely out of mediacy of our connections to sex, there is a reaction. This heart is aware of context? Am I willing to be accountable food, sleep, and exercise. being just one of many who live on this for my words? Asking these questions, Earth, and seeks to co-exist and co-oper- and waiting for the hearts to beat as one, Shining Body — Shining Body in- ate with others. This heart understands I’ve gotten better at knowing when to cludes your energetic aura, an egg and is concerned with context, with look- keep silent, and feel less regret when I shape around you. This is the seat of ing at how one thing relates to another. do speak up. communication and intellect, of giving Unlike the Black Heart, it understands To work in any community, in any and receiving information rationally, timing and diplomacy. The Green Heart group of human beings, is challenging. energetically, and psychically. holds itself accountable for its actions. To work in a group of Witches is even The Pink Heart of Compassion is more so, as we are tuning into not only Sacred Dove — This is a sphere that the heart of the Divine Self, the part of what is said, but the energies behind it. reaches above your physical head like us who is tapped into our God/dess self, My belief is that a community that beats a halo, intersecting all parts of you. who is organized around the good of all, solely to the rhythm of the Black Heart This is your own divinity, or God soul, and not concerned with self-interest. will not be tolerable for long. Truth, like and connects with all the other realms, This self and heart has the wide vision power, needs to be mitigated by com- including the ancestors and Gods. of the Goddess, beyond time itself. Love passion, and by our understanding that emanates from the Pink Heart and is the we all are connected and interdependent In Feri tradition, all three parts of the center of this soul. with the Earth, and with each other. The soul can change, grow, strengthen, Part of aligning my three souls is concept of the three hearts grounds the and come into alignment. The Witch’s imagining and envisioning these three power of truth in compassion and con- way is not to leave her body behind hearts, seeing them clearly in my mind’s nection, allowing beauty to shine and strive for a purely spiritual exist- eye, and feeling the beat of my own through. heart and feeling it as all three of these ence. Our very spirituality is embodied. beating as one. When I am in conflict Deborah Oak Cooper is an elder in the All three souls are one, rooted in our with others, or have something difficult Reclaiming tradition. Also an initiate of body in this lifetime. to say, I try to act with all hearts beating Feri, she works to integrate the two tra- as one. I ask myself if what I am saying ditions from a “Reclaiming Feri” per- — Excerpted from Evolutionary is true, necessary, and kind. The Black spective. She has practiced psycho- Witchcraft, by T. Thorn Coyle. Her new Heart beats out truth. Listening to the therapy in San Francisco for over twenty book, Kissing the Limitless: The Magic Green Heart, I imagine the effect of my years and is an artist, aromancer, and of Self-Possession, is due out in words and ask myself if these words are writer. Visit branchesup.blogspot.com Spring 2009. Visit www.thorncoyle.com

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 21 The Magical Housekeeper

Sweat marks, stains, & reaching our goals

By Yoeke dom housekeeping is so strongly recom- mended as a road to development — Every little girl who wants to grow up to even a road to initiation? How do we be a Witch needs to start her apprentice- HUMAN walk that road with pleasure and enthu- ship by cleaning the dusty, messy, magi- siasm, when we usually pick up the cal house of her teacher. This is what Life’s debris. vacuum and the mop with a hearty dis- the old stories teach us. like? Isn’t it a waste of time, all that But how do we bring this knowl- We are dust. cleaning? Don’t emancipated women edge to everyday use? Here are easy Please and hard-working men have anything ways to transform your household better to do than housekeeping? chores into powerful magic (and clean be careful with Most importantly: does it really your house at the same time). the garbage bags. work, using your household for making SNOW WHITE AND HER SISTERS magic? Just give it a try. The least it can get you is a clean house, and that is Snow White isn’t the only heroine that worth something! • From the Danish we learn how had to survive her story armed with Whatever we do to our house, we Esben becomes the Witch’s underpaid broom and dustpan. Fairy tales are filled do to ourselves. And any work, the laborer. with the adventures of her cleaning and humbler the better, can become a work • Russia gives us Baba Yaga, the sweeping sisters. of magic if you perform it with inten- Witch who lives in a little house raised • Gretel was mercilessly exploited tion. Obviously, the intention of mop- on crows’ feet and compels an innocent by the candy-house Witch. ping is that your floor becomes clean. Russian girl to keep her house clean. • Cinderella had to finish the dirtiest But in a more philosophical way, “mop- chores before a charming prince re- In short: fairy tales from all over the ping” translates into taking care of your turned her glass slipper. world emphasize that if you want to ap- basic needs, maintaining your home • In a German story, prentice with a Witch and become a base. When performed with intention — the sad sister who had wise woman, you need to start by learn- “I’m aware of my basic needs and how to retrieve a bloody ing how to use a broom. Before receiv- they are taken care of” — mopping sud- spindle from the ing your reward, first you learn how to denly is much more than a household well was immedi- mop, dust, and sweep. chore resulting in a sparkling floor. ately recruited by Modern fairy tales, too, start with Pushing the wet rag back and forth al- Frau Holle to do wisdom in soapy water. Juniper, the lows you to concentrate on basic themes cleaning for her. Witch-apprentice described by Monica like the money you earn, the network of • In an Italian Furlong, starts off with mopping. The friends and family that support you, tale, Prunella has to Karate Kid learns from his master that your health and other basic needs, while do the housekeep- he has to start with sweeping floors and magically charging those with your at- ing chores for a waxing the car. “Wax on, wax off…” tention and energy. You end up with Witch. Why? The Buddhist rather asks new insights and a nice clean floor. If why not: “Before the enlightening: needed, after mopping, make that phone chopping wood and carrying water. Af- call to say “thanks, dear,” start paying ter the enlightening: chopping wood and back that loan, or visit that old friend to carrying water.” Apparently keeping show that you care. house is of unexpected spiritual impor- tance in every culture. THE ESSENCE OF A CHORE Every household task holds a very per- MOPPING: ROAD TO INITIATION? sonal meaning. For some, cooking is an The stories of Snow White and her mop- enjoyable activity that makes one feel ping siblings contain a mystery that could be polished until it sparkles like a brilliant mind. Why is it that in folk wis- Graphics by Naeomi Castellano

22 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 appreciated while pampering other dress and chant as you fill that people. For others, it is an unpleasant bucket! task that day after day requires your ulti- mate patience. ADD A DROP OF LOVE TO It is important to explore your own YOUR SOAPY WATER personal “essence” of a certain house- Whether you are mopping the hold task, and how it can be used in floor, doing the dishes, clean- your spiritual development. ing with a wet cloth, or cook- Sit down in a quiet place without ing dinner, water is always distractions. Keep pen and paper ready, willing to absorb your deepest and close your eyes. feelings. Masaru Emoto’s gor- Carefully consider which household geous photographs of water chore you hate the most. Allow yourself molecules are proof of that. It to be fully engulfed in your disgust. En- is simple to charge your soapy list your senses: how does that chore water for example with “love” smell, how does it feel on your skin? before use. Does it bring up thoughts of resistance Place the bucket in front and protest? Take two minutes to write of you. Ground. Draw up red about this, without lifting the pen from loving Earth energy. Open up the paper. your crown chakra and allow warm love dryer, hanging them up, or folding them. After these two minutes, take the energy to flow through it from the cos- With each garment (or other fabric), ask time to read over the associations you mos, directly into your heart. Let your yourself which aspect of you it reveals wrote about this household chore. Sum- heart overflow with love energy. Use and accentuates. Consider on which oc- marize the text in one single sentence, the overflow to fill your entire body casions you might wear or use it. You so you get a construction that might with love energy until every cell is filled can take a satisfying look at the stack of look like this: with it. Spread your hands above the folded laundry in front of you, project- “Mopping the floor to me is… de- bucket, and simply allow the love en- ing the variety of qualities inside you. meaning, because I have to look up at ergy to overflow into the bucket as an Abundance to choose from! everything.” additive to your soapy water. You can “Washing windows to me is… ex- name the different kinds of love you feel hibitionism, because I’m in plain view More information is available in or have known. When you use the wa- Yoeke’s recently-published Dutch book, of everybody.” ter, you replace dust with love. “Cooking to me is… always having De Magie van het Huishouden (The to be available to others, while no one Magical Housekeeper), which combines SHOW ME YOUR CLOTHES… ever asks me how my needs can be fed.” classic techniques from the Reclaiming Discovering your associations with Experience leaves its marks on our tradition with original exercises for self- a certain household chore enables you to body and its wrapping. Sweat marks insight, transformation, and good old decide which aspect of your life needs are proof that we truly committed our- house cleaning. The book’s Foreword is an overhaul in the process. Creating a selves to reaching our goals. Stains by Starhawk. sacred ritual for the chore will be clear. show the things we confronted and how Put on your most gorgeous priestess hard it is sometimes to deal with them Yoeke, who lives in the Netherlands, is a immediately. Reclaiming Witch from Loreley camp. Generally, we choose our clothing Contact her for comments, questions, in order to accentuate those aspects of and workshops at [email protected] ourselves that we want to show the world around us. We choose a tailored suit because we want to be taken seri- ously as a business partner and to look Magical Household Chant respectable and trustworthy, or a sassy Cleaning, washing, mopping short summer dress because we like to show off our allure. Our closets are Makes me feel free filled with many clothes, proving that What I do to my house we are always more than what is visible at first glance. I do unto me Shake the wrinkles out of each Patience! piece of clothing before transferring them from the washing machine to the Patience!

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 23 Earth Psalms: Song 107

by Angela Magara Thanks be to the Earth, Goddess beneath our feet Enduring through time. Give us voice to speak truth and Tell our story of beginning. Open heart to hold voice in safety. Protection against threat of visibility. Tell how we knew loneliness, Knew want, knew fear. And in our fear we did cover ourselves not to be seen. Spoke without opening lips lest we offend. But Earth satisfied our emptiness and opened our throats. Desire speaks guidance and Calls fulfillment to our gates. Now is the time for our voices to ring. That we may speak the wonder of our lives.

As sure as shadow melts into darkest night, So does fear open to despair. But we called out and were heard. Though set about by lies we seek truth As dowsers do, by the feel. Of this time of adversity I will not speak, Nor honor slanderers with my rage. Each tree bears fruit in season, earliest Lesson in Life. To that I will leave all recompense.

Goddess spins with the typhoon and Shapes with earthquake. She uses not my strong arm, but my open heart. Her eye, in mine and yours, sees what must be done. This I attest, Nothing has been withheld from me that did not enrich in time. No chaos, no ramblings, cannot be changed to serve. With time. Like compost. From waste, with patience, paradise will emerge. Rich fields, joyful song, healing, and long life lived in peace. Sow the fields and await the yield. These seeds are true.

Contact Angela at [email protected]

24 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Local Magic With a Southern Twist Earth-Based Magic in Australia by Jane Meredith I solved this dilemma by delving celebrations. I superimposed it over the more deeply into the nature of sacred compass directions, the quarters and Magic in my part of the world, the water on a local level. cross-quarters. Thus in Australia the Southern Hemisphere, is a bit of a In Australia it is fresh water that is North is the Summer Solstice, heading puzzle. The sun rises in the East, then precious. Lack of it is a constant threat anti-clockwise round to the North-West (contrary to the books) moves anti- to plants, animals, livelihoods — and which is Lammas, whereas in the U.S. clockwise through the Northern sky to nowadays, even cities. and Europe the North is the Winter Sol- set in the West. While Europe and the Water is found on and largely un- stice, heading clockwise round the circle United States are celebrating Winter derneath the land. The Great Artesian to the North-East which is Imbolc. Solstice and Christmas, we are in the Basin lies due West of where I live. To With seven other people, I met hottest part of our Summer, facing the East of me is — almost nothing. A monthly and we literally sat in these threats of drought and bushfires. When lot of empty space, and New Zealand, if eight directions. Through the circle and Easter is celebrated in the Northern you slant slightly South. whatever ritual or work we were doing, Spring, it’s mid-Autumn for us. Traveling every year back and for- we each contributed from our own di- Of course, there is no puzzle at all if ward between the two hemispheres, I rection — its energy, its correspon- we stay local. It’s obvious to us which is became almost dizzy, always uncertain dences — and in the following month, Winter and which is Summer, or where which direction I should be turning in or worked that energy on our own. The fire manifests in the circle. But it’s not whether North (if I could find it) was next time we met, we gave feedback on consensual — plenty of Australian Pa- dark or bright. I decided I needed a sys- the intricacies of the South-East, or gans cast a circle widdershins (against tem that encompassed both sides, that I whatever direction we were in, as we the sun), putting earth in the North and could maintain wherever I was and still had experienced it. Then we turned the fire in the South regardless of what they have it be relevant: a structure that was Wheel and each moved on one place (I see and experience every day. I would big enough to encompass the truth of the think the Mad Hatter’s tea party in Alice argue they are following the word, whole Earth. Then all I would have to in Wonderland inspired me here). rather than the spirit of casting a circle. do is locate myself within it. Over the years, we had several After all, the Earth experiences both re- changes of people, but the continuance alities, simultaneously in different THE CIRCLE OF EIGHT of the Circle itself seemed more crucial places. Surely the magic can cope with than which individuals were part of it. this apparent contradiction of directions, I adopted a simple structure — the We built up a deep, layered understand- since the planet herself contains them. It Celtic Wheel of the Year with its eight ing of each direction as it is not a contradiction applied to us, in that par- for us to be casting ticular location. Each per- circles in opposite di- son experienced each direc- rections, but simply two tion differently, and often halves of the whole. differently each time they Even for those who held it. But the commonali- do work with the local ties came through as well, energies, having al- and in the end seemed more ready turned the whole powerful than any single system upside down, particularity. the question arises: how The North-East, for ex- local should we go? For ample (our Beltaine posi- those of us who live on tion) was characterised by the East Coast, should the unexpected. It seemed we invoke water in the that no matter what anyone East and therefore Air in the West? Jane Meredith continued on next page

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 25 “We looked for eight places

on or near the edges of the Shire

that would hold the energy for a magical circle”

continued from preceding page ten would cast to the cross-quarters, par- beautiful and powerful landforms I had expected, when they moved into that po- ticularly for a cross-quarter festival. visited in England and Europe: standing sition, it always had a twist to it. This I had begun the Circle of Eight to stones, stone circles, ancient barrows, aspect of the unexpected fits very well create a relevant local system of magic, ring ditches, and sacred wells. But in with Beltaine. Even if it’s not the first so that I was not responding to things I Australia, the Aboriginal cultures (who thing I think of for that festival, it has a had read (usually written in and for the lived on this land for so incredibly long) resonance of a deeper truth than ro- Northern hemisphere, anyway). Fire is a are notable for not having built things. mance or love. great example — for us it is a major They have a history, instead, of relating I learned many things in the Circle threat and usually far too strong an en- to the natural landscape — what is al- of Eight. One was that after three or four ergy. In many European rituals it is a ready there — and understanding its turns around it, my preferences for and benign and welcomed force. It is obvi- spirit/energies. fears of certain positions dropped away. ous what the dangers might be of simply I was working an essentially Celtic- My fundamental experience became one imposing a Northern Hemisphere fire derived magic in this land, but I wanted of the turning Wheel, regardless of the invocation onto an Australian ritual. some cross-over between the two. I started looking at the landforms and position I held at the time. GOING DEEPER Another discovery for me was the places around me. I had other motiva- importance and excitement of the cross- But I wanted to go deeper than that. I tions as well: I wanted this circle to be quarter positions. We continually expe- began to want some physical manifesta- held in a significant area of land, for our rienced them as far more dynamic and tion of this circle — not just eight hu- magical practice to both stretch over and layered than the traditional quarter posi- man beings practicing a local/global also be informed by this geographical tions of North, West, South, and East, to magic together, but something on the area. And I was aware this could have the point where if we were casting a land that represented and contained this political relevance. Circle only into four directions, we of- energy. I was inspired by the many The part of Australia I live in is pe- culiar for a number of reasons. This shire — the local government area — is Green, in a historically farming area, with the high-rise developments of the Gold Coast practically on our doorstep. So we are located between entrenched conservatism and rampant development. We have a high number of alternative, healing, New Age, and Eastern spiritual practices and practitioners in a few small towns, scattered along the coast and in remnants of rainforest. It is an area of rich, volcanic soil, a carved-out caldera. Half the caldera is on land and half in the sea. This lovely yin-yang image of Byron Bay and its surrounds, as well as the political impli- cations, inspired me to define the shire as the area I wished to encompass with my circle. We looked for eight places on or Autumn Mandala from an Australian ritual. Photo courtesy of Jane Meredith. near the edges of the shire that would

26 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 hold the energy for a magical circle: be- and calling on the rain to arrive, wherein system in a few places (in the Northern ing powerful in themselves, in the cor- the whole season swings and changes. Hemisphere, as it happens). Other than rect direction, on public land and con- I searched for an Aboriginal con- its initial structure of eight equally- taining some part of what I thought of as nection to our circle, to anchor it spaced places representing the quarters intrinsic to that position. Amazingly, through the layers of magic and land, and cross-quarters, it is completely someone had built a labyrinth more-or- and discovered that beyond our shire, to open. So your circle will be responsive less in the centre of the shire. I couldn’t the South-West, is an Aboriginal Bora to local conditions. You will be working resist including that as the centre of the (ceremonial) ring. The South-West in with the land there as well as linking, Circle. this hemisphere is Samhain. The Bora through the Circle of Eight structure, to We slowly found eight places, four ring is reached by driving through a all other magical practitioners using a on or near the sea’s edge, befitting the (white) cemetery. Even the fact that it is quartered or cross-quartered circle. idea of our geographical area being half some distance away from the shire Your circle and its magic will be in the ocean, and continued our ritual seemed appropriate. The South-West is relevant to place. If there is a mountain and magical prac- to your South tice, visiting each it will have a place many times, flavor different both individually than if there and as a group. was a desert or They informed our sea. Indeed, practice, deepened mountain tremendously our magic will be understanding of different than each position on river magic, or the Wheel, and plains magic. strengthened our And I believe rituals and circles. it will create We feel the indi- local magic for vidual nature of those who live those places now, there. They wherever we cast will be more our circle. We can closely related send the magic out to the land to them, or call in than if they their presence to were using a strengthen or in- “one kind fits form our work. Photo courtesy of Jane Meredith. all” circle from Now I have a a book. sense not just of the small circle in my sometimes a long way out of ordinary With a shared emphasis on structure living room, with its eight distinct but life and even the rest of the circle. The rather than content, our magic can eas- linked places, but how it stretches from Bora ring taught me a lot about the ily and naturally weave immediate local each of those eight places out onto the South-West, a direction that has always energies within complex global patterns. land, into the largeness of the circle of seemed my spiritual home and was the those eight places. Beyond that I have a time of year I was born. Jane Meredith is an Australian priest- sense of the grandeur of the Wheel it- ess of the Goddess who works interna- self, of our little locality held within the Now when I travel, the Circle of Eight tionally. She is passionate about myth, turn of the Earth and stars. travels with me. It is such a solid, lived ritual and magic. She has taught at So many things were made clear(er) experience that I find I can easily super- California Witchcamp. Her website is to me by doing this work. The North- impose its Northern Hemisphere version www.janemeredith.com West (our Lammas position) had always over the more familiar one, and thus al- been inexplicably powerful in our ritu- ways know exactly where I am (some- als, more so than the North, which times it feels like I am in two places at didn’t seem to make sense. When we once, but I’ve never had the experience Earth Magic at RQ.org started working with the land we real- of not knowing where I was at all) and I ized the volcano (which all this land was necessarily know which way to cast the Find more articles on Earth-based formed from) sat directly North-West of circle. I couldn’t not know, it is so clear magic, including a whole theme-section us. Not to mention the power of that in me. on labyrinths, on the RQ website: time of year here. We are waiting for I have taught this Circle of Eight www.ReclaimingQuarterly.org

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 27 Engaging the Shadow

By Abel R. Gomez source of imagination and creative few months of training in the Sha’can power. We often sacrifice these parts of tradition, I began experiencing strong I stared into the eyes of the Goddess, our self to attain a more acceptable aversions to the images of Kali, as men- Her eyes deep and penetrating. Blood place within society, or to create the tioned above. Sha’can blends elements dripped from Her outstretched tongue ideal ego. When we do so, we cut our- of the Craft with Shakta Tantra, mysti- and onto Her breasts. She was nude and selves off from the deepest source of cal worship of the Hindu Goddesses, unashamed; only a necklace of skulls power within, flowing with the fullness and reveres Kali as their primary deity. I and a griddle of human arms covered of our true nature. didn’t know what to do. Her black skin. In one hand she held a In traditional Wicca, the journey When the Shadow is not suffi- great sword and in another the head of a into Shadow begins at the second degree ciently acknowledged, it can lash out in demon She slayed. Her disheveled hair of initiation. After the Witch has learned many forms, one of which is projection. blew wildly in the wind as she stood on the basics of the Craft, it is time to en- As I gazed at the image of Kali, it mir- the motionless corpse of her rored my own Shadow. consort. In fear, I turned away. She brought to conscious- Magick changes you. Any in- ness my own fear of de- tense form of Occult practice struction, chaos, and will tell you this. Whether your transformation; elements practice is Witchcraft, that are the epitome of Thelema, or Astru, the more who She is. How would time you spend engaged in she change me, I won- practice, the deeper your trans- dered. Should I turn away formation becomes. Your now and remain safe, or world contracts and expands, risk the journey to be spiraling deeper and deeper burned alive in the into uncharted areas of knowl- phoenix’s fire and be re- edge, both intellectual and born once more? spiritual. It is also, and perhaps Once the Shadow is most importantly, a journey acknowledged, we are into the Self where one must faced with a choice. face the Shadow. Should we deal with the The Shadow, a term first problem, or should we coined by the Swiss psycholo- push it to the side and gist Carl Jung, refers to the hope it disappears? Unfor- suppressed and ignored aspects tunately, the Shadow by of the psyche. It is the part of its very nature cannot oneself that one would rather truly be ignored or prayed not face, and in many cases, it away. Sooner or later it is also the part of oneself that is the gage the mysteries of the Self for true will reappear and make its presence most culturally taboo. As one journeys spiritual transformation. The second de- known more strongly than before. deeper into magickal practice, the more gree is often symbolized by the inverted As Witches and Occultists, we pride apparent the Shadow becomes. Our path pentagram to signify the internal shift ourselves in the fact that we walk the then becomes to more fully integrate the and focus on one’s inner planes. Though path of integration. Our path plunges us Shadow and heal this fragment aspect of the work with the Shadow is never truly into the inner depths of our being. We our psyche. complete, by the third degree of initia- teach that there is no part of us that is Buried within the deepest parts of tion; it is believed the Witch has ac- not of the gods. All is lawful and sacred us, the Shadow is comprised of all of quired enough experience to aid in the for us, and we need not be afraid to our deepest yearnings, urges, and Shadow work of others. traverse the deep waters of our selves. longings. It is made of our deepest My own journey into the Shadow This is, in fact, one of the most impor- began several years ago, but only be- tant elements of Occultism, and that came apparent recently. During the first Photo by Michael Starkman continued on page 42

28 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Dancing Our Stories I Want a Happy Anding

positions get rigid, the real suffering be- come by the readiness of people to inter- By Prashant gins. play with me. Willingness! I wondered “I want a happy anding.” Over the past few decades my col- if a dancing spirit pervades India much To be honest, I never thought I league Phil Porter and I made it our life as it pervades Africa. At the invitation would say this. Life is hard. Flu hap- of Prashant Olekar, pens. People act mean. Death bites us other InterPlay lead- hard. Happy? ers and I joined him Nonetheless, I am happy. It might to play with AIDS have to do with dancing with people in orphans, school India. It might have to do with arriving kids, Hindi women home to be welcomed by InterPlayers who had been em- dancing with disability in the InterPlay powered by an studio. It might have to do with catching NGO to work on the contagious joy of people in behalf of those in Masankho’s village in Malawi, Africa. the slum, tribal It might have to do with the phone call youth in Talasari, from Soyinka who read to me from A Jesuits, nuns, social History of Love that the first human lan- activists, and health guage was gesture. care workers. Happy? I’ve noticed that there are It was magical. more books than ever being published Even I never imag- on happiness. Do writers know some- ined that I would thing? Perhaps Americans aren’t too feel so close so happy. At least not the ones buying quickly with people books. Happy? I admit it. I’m happy. As whose culture and happy as I have ever been. Sometime lives I knew so little soon I’ll have my own book, “Chasing about. the Dance of Life” about how a dancing I love the mys- worldview makes this happen. Why? tical words of a hid- One reason is that when you dance. den text, “The you tell your story. You laugh, cry, and Hymn of Jesus.” sing. You get to have happiness twice. (You can Google By the way, I don’t consider rage, it.) He says, “Who grief, frustration, or failure to be anti- Encounter 2, ink on paper, by Zoe Cohen, 2005. does not dance does happy. If they can dance, they can create not know what happiness. Truth and happiness go right work to let life, work, relationships and comes to pass,” and “Learn to suffer so together in my body. even money dance. For that, you need as not to suffer.” The Hymn relates that The practice of InterPlay, a system I just the right amount of structure, a lot Jesus sang these words to his commu- helped to create, allows people to move, of spirit, an open heart, and the key in- nity the night that he was betrayed. breathe, tell little stories, and reconnect gredient — willingness. The text says that Jesus and his with each other, be heard, and focus on Getting all this to happen was friends were dancing in a circle. Of their strengths. Before you know it, harder than you’d think. It took us years course he was. He was Jewish. What do people enjoy each other, even those who to listen to the body wisdom of people you do at Jewish celebrations? Sing. don’t usually hang out together. in our classes and workshops and find Dance. Tell the Story. Hang Out and InterPlay teaches that everything the easy, elegant, incremental steps that Eat. Things that restore soul, not just for dances, even if we don’t have two legs lead people back home to their wise, one person but also for the whole group. and a clear head. On the contrary, a old, original innocence. Even more so for oppressed groups. thing which doesn’t move, change, and When I came to India to share It turns out that this is what people all breathe, locks into a position. When our InterPlay in January 2008, I was over- continued on page 43

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 29 Reclaiming Pages

Information and Events in the Reclaiming Tradition

Reclaiming is a community of women and men working to unify spirit and political action.

Our vision is rooted in the religion and magic of the Goddess — the Immanent Life Force.

We see our work as teaching and making magic — the art of The following pages highlight events sponsored empowering ourselves and each other. In our classes, by regional Reclaiming-tradition groups. Many workshops, and public rituals, we train our voices, bodies, of these groups are anchored by Reclaiming energy, intuition, and minds. Witchcamp teachers and organizers. We use the skills we learn to deepen our strength, both as While Reclaiming communities vary widely in their focus, style, and ways of organizing, all individuals and as community, to voice our concerns about Reclaiming groups agree on the Principles of the world in which we live, and to bring to birth a vision of Unity (below). a new culture.

Reclaiming’s Principles of Unity “My law is love unto all beings...” — The Charge of the Goddess The values of the Reclaiming tradition stem from our understanding that the Earth is alive and all of life is sacred and interconnected. We see the Goddess as immanent in the earth’s cycles of birth, growth, death, decay, and regeneration. Our practice arises from a deep, spiritual commitment to the Earth, to healing, and to the linking of magic with political action. Each of us embodies the divine. Our ultimate spiritual authority is within, and we need no other person to interpret the sacred to us. We foster the questioning attitude, and honor intellectual, spiritual and creative freedom. We are an evolving, dynamic tradition and proudly call ourselves Witches. Honoring both Goddess and God, we work with female and male images of divinity, always remembering that their essence is a mystery which goes beyond form. Our community rituals are participatory and ecstatic, celebrating the cycles of the seasons and our lives, and raising energy for personal, collective, and Earth healing. We know that everyone can do the life-changing, world-renewing work of magic, the art of changing consciousness at will. We strive to teach and practice in ways that foster personal and collective empowerment, to model shared power, and to open leadership roles to all. We make decisions by consensus, and balance individual autonomy with social responsibility. Our tradition honors the wild, and calls for service to the Earth and the community. We value peace and practice non-violence, in keeping with the Rede, “Harm none, and do what you will.” We work for all forms of justice: environmental, social, political, racial, gender, and economic. Our feminism includes a radical analysis of power, seeing all systems of oppression as interrelated, rooted in structures of domination and control. We welcome all genders, all races, all ages and sexual orientations, and all those differences of life situation, background, and ability that increase our diversity. We strive to make our public rituals and events accessible and safe. We try to balance the need to be justly compensated for our labor with our commitment to make our work available to people of all economic levels. All living beings are worthy of respect. All are supported by the sacred elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth. We work to create and sustain communities and cultures that embody our values, that can help to heal the wounds of the Earth and Her peoples, and that can sustain us and nurture future generations. This statement of core values was developed at the Reclaiming Collective Retreat held the weekend of November 8, 1997.

30 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 About Reclaiming

Resources

How does today's Witch-on-the-go find out more about Reclaiming? The easiest way is to take a class, attend a ritual — or jump in and sign up for a retreat or Witchcamp. Contacts for local communities and Witchcamps can be found on the next two pages. New groups and updated contact information can be found on the Reclaiming website, or in future issues or RQ. Here are some more resources. Reclaiming Core Classes RECLAIMING.ORG Reclaiming's website (and the sibling site These classes have evolved as the “core Iron Pentacle ReclaimingQuarterly.org) is a great source of information — everything from history and curricula” of many, but not all, Reclaiming The points of the Iron Pentacle name our communities. background to to photo-features of our latest birthrights as free beings: Sex, Pride, Self, organizing, from classes and rituals to Elements of Magic is the basic Reclaiming Power, and Passion. In this class, we will samples from our music CDs. class, and is taught at most Witchcamps as explore these aspects of our own authentic well as in local communities. The other three energy. Six weeks. Prerequisite: BOOKS core classes, as well as many other Elements of Magic or workshops and classes, have Elements as a equivalent. Here are some books by Reclaiming teachers prerequisite. that you can find in bookstores and online. Pentacle of Pearl Starhawk, The Fifth Sacred Thing, The Elements of Magic We will work with the deep, Spiral Dance, The Earth Path, and more Deepen your vision and focus your will, healing energies of the Pentacle of Pearl, T. Thorn Coyle, Evolutionary Witchcraft, empowering yourself to act in the world. moving through the five points: Love, Law, Kissing the Limitless (2009) Practice magic by working Wisdom, Liberty, and Knowledge. Six with the Elements: Earth, weeks. Prerequisite: Elements of Magic or Starhawk, Anne Hill, & Diane Baker, Circle Air, Water, Fire, and equivalent. Round: Raising Children in Goddess Spirit. Techniques Rites of Passage Traditions include drumming, Journeying into the realm of our own dreams Starhawk & M. Macha NightMare, The singing, sacred and imaginings, we will each become the Pagan Book of Living & Dying dance, breath work, main character in our own myth. Through Luke Hauser, Direct Action visualization, sensing, storytelling, trance, and dream work, we will David Miller, I Didn't Know God Made projecting and raising draw forth and weave a rich tapestry of Honky-Tonk Communists energy, chanting, trance work, creating images and symbols between the worlds, to magical space, spell crafting, and structuring empower us in all the worlds. Six weeks. RECORDED MUSIC meaningful ritual. We hope to provide a Prerequisite: Elements of Magic or nurturing environment for all participants. equivalent. Reclaiming offers four CDs of Earth- centered chants and songs — see the back cover of this issue for more information, or Reclaiming Classes — General Information visit our website. Numerous Reclaiming teachers have also Classes are offered in many regions (see following pages for local groups). To arrange classes recorded CDs — Reclaiming's CD Witches' in other areas, contact RQ — [email protected] Brew is a sampler of recent Reclaiming- inspired releases. Classes are announced through the year. Visit Reclaiming’s website, www.reclaiming.org, or see contact info for various regions in the following pages. IF ALL ELSE FAILS — CALL RQ Although studying and practicing the Reclaiming tradition can be profoundly healing, Reclaiming classes are not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care. Teachers are not If you can't find what you're looking for — responsible for diagnosing illnesses nor for recommending treatments. Students are responsible contact RQ! Our experts will do their best to for seeking professional help if they need it. answer your queries, or figure out who can.

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 31 Reclaiming Regional ContactsContactsContacts

Local groups are anchored by Reclaiming Nottingham California Witchcamp teachers. RQ offers this list of kindred [email protected] (Mendocino Redwoods) communities as a public service, but is not www.californiawitchcamp.org Derby responsible for these groups. [email protected] [email protected] To list your group, contact (510) 534-9600 West Sussex [email protected], (415) 255-7623. Witchlets in the Woods Family [email protected] Camp Australia Scotland www.witchletsinthewoods.org [email protected] [email protected] Melbourne Reclaiming (415) 946-7798 or (415) 255-7623 [email protected], (03) 9384 1082 Buckinghamshire [email protected] Indigo Artichoke Heart (Southern California: Valley/West Los Avalon Spring Witchcamp Angeles/Laguna Nigel) Continental Europe www.avaloncamp.org.uk Elist: groups.yahoo.com/group/ [email protected] IAH-Discussion Reclaiming Réseau Francophone (France) reclaiming.online.fr Mountain Circle (Truckee/Incline/ Canada Reno/Nevada) Reclaiming Deutschland (Germany) [email protected] www.reclaiming.de British Columbia Witchcamp Community (530) 546-4226 www.bcwitchcamp.ca Reclaiming Netherlands [email protected] www.reclaiming.nl Oregon (250) 598-9229 Loreley Witchcamp (Western Europe) Portland Reclaiming Wild Ginger (Ontario) www.reclaimingloreley.com www.portlandreclaiming.org www.wildgingerwitches.org [email protected] webgeek [email protected] (0031) 6290 73173 @portlandreclaiming.org (519) 439-6252 Phoenix Witchcamp (Germany) Free Activist Camp Deutsch: www.phoenix-camp.eu Fredericton (New Brunswick) (Oregon/Washington) English: www.phoenix-camp.eu/en/index.php Elist: groups.yahoo.com/group/paganrituals/ freewitchcamp.org andrew.paik European Wintercamp (Spain) Vancouver Reclaiming Community www.vancouverreclaiming.org @verizon.net www.reclaimingspain.org (310) 570-3662 [email protected], (0034) 920 37 25 73 Montreal Reclaiming www.cosmic-muse.com/reclaiming Washington Britain Turning Tide (Seattle) United States www.seattlereclaiming British Reclaiming .spiderweb.net www.britishreclaiming.org.uk California Elist: groups.yahoo.com/ group/SeattleReclaiming/ West Wales San Franciso Bay Area and North Bay [email protected], (+44) 01267 281414 www.reclaiming.org/rituals Cascadia Village Camp home.comcast.net/ Cambridge www.reclaiming.org/classevents ~cascadiavillagecamp [email protected] Elist: groups.yahoo.com/group/BAReclaiming (415) 255-7623 cascadiavillagecamp Devon @comcast.net [email protected] Cauldron of the Valley (Sacramento, Yolo, (206) 517- and Solano counties) 7876 Hertfordshire Elist: groups.yahoo.com/group/CoVGardener [email protected] www.reclaiming.org/classevents

32 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Reclaiming Regional ContactsContactsContacts

Texas Michigan Delaware Valley Tejas Web (Austin) Trillium Reclaiming (Southeast Michigan) Delaware Valley Reclaiming www.tejasweb.org Elist: groups.yahoo.com/group/ (PA, NJ, DE, NY - Greater Philadelphia) Elist: groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/tejas_web/ trilliumreclaiming [email protected] Tejas Web Witchcamp www.witchcamp.tejasweb.org Pennsylvania Illinois [email protected] Reclaiming3Rivers (Pittsburgh) (512) 496-8034 or Chicago Reclaiming [email protected] (210) 319-2595 www.chicagoreclaiming.com (412) 722-9117 Elist: groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/ Colorado chireclaim/ Maryland Colorado Springs Weaving Women (Champaign-Urbana) Baltimore Reclaiming www.reclaiming [email protected] Elist: groups.yahoo.com/group/ coloradosprings.org bmorereclaiming/ Reclaiming Spirit Tri-State Mid-Atlantic (Denver) Tri-State Reclaiming (Ohio, Kentucky, www.reclaimingspirit.org West Virginia) SpiralHeart Witchcamp Community Elist: groups.yahoo.com/ tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ www.spiralheart.org group/reclaimingspirit/ Tri_StateReclaiming/ [email protected] Colorado Witchcamp (202) 728-7510 www.reclaimingspirit.org Vermont Elist: groups.yahoo.com/group/spiralheart/ [email protected] Vermont Witchcamp Otters of the Fae (Central Virginia) (303) 618-7702 www.vermontwitchcamp.net [email protected] [email protected] Midwest Dragon’s Cauldron (Raleigh/Durham) (802) 436-3451, (603) 894-5871 or www.dragonscauldron.org Dreamweaving Witchcamp (413) 369-4049 Elist: groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/ (Diana's Grove, Missouri) RTPReclaiming www.dreamweaving.org Massachusetts Dreamroads Witchcamp [email protected] (504) Boston Area www.dreamroads.com/witchcamp 899-5350 [email protected] [email protected] (781) 658-2687 (704) 502.7674 Minnesota Twin Cities Reclaiming New York Florida TwinCitiesReclaiming@ Ithaca Reclaiming Earthwater Glade yahoogroups.com www.ithacareclaiming.org www.myspace.com/earthwaterglade Winter Witchcamp [email protected], (607) 227-5852 Elist: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ www.winterwitchcamp.org Elist: groups.yahoo.com/group/ earthwaterglade [email protected] IthacaReclaimingCollective/ Magnolia Circle (Tallahassee) Long Island Reclaiming (Suffolk County) www.magnoliacircle.org www.lireclaiming.org [email protected], (850) 575-5948 [email protected] (631) 751-3477 Antarctica

New York / New Jersey / Pennsylvania Pygoscelis Icepack (Vostok) www.reclaimingquarterly.org/web/rpwv New York / New Jersey / Pennsylvania [email protected], (415) 255-7623 [email protected]

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 33 Reclaiming Witchcamps

A week of Earth-based spirituality and magic

What Is Witchcamp? What Happens at

Study magic and ritual in a week-long intensive that includes trancework, Witch ca mp ? healing, drumming, dancing, chanting, storytelling, guided visualization, and As you might expect, a lot of magic takes place at energy work. Witchcamp. But what exactly does it look like? Witchcamp is offered to women and men at all levels of experience. The heart of Witchcamp is a series of evening Newcomers can learn the basic skills of magic and ritual, working with the rituals, often based around a myth or magical story. elements, movement, sound, and the mythological and historical framework of These rituals carry participants into the magical, the Goddess tradition. Advanced paths offer the chance to apply the tools of emotional, and social layers of the story, and often involve deep personal work. ritual to personal healing and empowerment, or to focus on taking the Craft out into the world, creating public ritual, and healing issues surrounding leadership Morning path offers a choice of weeklong intensive workshops. Paths are a chance for more intimate and power. magical experience, a place to ask questions and Witchcamp is an intensive — seven days of ritual and magic designed for learn new skills. people who are dedicated to powerful spiritual learning experiences and For folks who are new to the Reclaiming tradition, personal growth. This intensive is not a festival. It will expand your Elements of Magic is a good introduction. For those unconscious awareness, push your edges, and likely change your life. The who have already taken Elements, advanced paths focus on everything from labyrinths to the Iron intensive is sequestered for the entire seven days. Please plan to attend the Pentacle to priestessing skills to Earth activism. entire week. Workshops, talent shows, and even the occasional Witchcamps were first organized for adults. Over the years, some camps have free moment fill out an amazing magical week experimented with all-ages and adults-plus-teens. Contact the specific camps between the worlds: Reclaiming Witchcamp. for more information. Reclaiming Camps for Youth, Kids, &Families

Reclaiming Camps are autonomously organized, and each camp decides its own focus and policies. Some camps are adult-only, some for adults and teens, and some for all ages. Several of the Witchcamps listed on the next page include teens and/or young folks. These camps offer special youth paths where young campers can learn magical, ecological, and group-process skills. Contact the camp for specifics. Several Reclaiming camps are specially oriented toward families. Family Camps are all-ages retreats with a special focus on young campers. In recent years, Wild Ginger (Ontario), Cascadia (Washington), and Witchlets (California) have been family camps. Contact specific camps to find out their focus, age range, and other details. For info on organizing a Witchlets in the Woods offers magic for kids, teens, and adults. Photo: Loki Rainman camp in your area, contact RQ.

34 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Witchcamp s in the Reclaiming Tradition

Most camps are annual — some are biennial. Dates are approximate. Some camps include teens and/or children (marked with an asterisk* below). For current dates, contact the camp, or visit www.Witchcamp.org Many of these camps are camper-organized. If you want to see a Witchcamp happen in your area, one way is to attend an established camp and talk with teachers and organizers.

Winter Witchcamp (Minnesota) • February www.winterwitchcamp.org, [email protected] Winter Witchcamp (Spain) • February-March www.reclaimingspain.org, [email protected], (0034) 920 37 25 73 Avalon Spring (England) • April www.avaloncamp.org.uk, [email protected] MidWest (Missouri) • June www.dreamweaving.org, [email protected], (504) 899-5350 Wild Ginger (Ontario)* • June www.wildgingerwitches.org, [email protected], (519) 439-6252 California (Mendocino Woodlands) • June-July www.californiawitchcamp.org, [email protected], (510) 534-9600 Cascadia Village Camp (Washington)* • July home.comcast.net/~cascadiavillagecamp, [email protected], (206) 517-7876 Free Activist Camp (Oregon/Washington)* • July freewitchcamp.org, [email protected], (310) 570-3662 Colorado • July 2009 www.reclaimingspirit.org, [email protected], (303) 618-7702 Lorely (Western Europe)* • July-August www.reclaimingloreley.com, [email protected], (0031) 6290 73173 SpiralHeart (MidAtlantic) • August www.spiralheart.org, [email protected], (202) 728-7510 Witchlets in the Woods (California)* • August www.witchletsinthewoods.org, [email protected], (415) 946-7798 British Columbia • August bcwitchcamp.ca, [email protected], (250) 598-9229 Dreamroads (North Carolina)* • August www.dreamroads.com/witchcamp, [email protected], (704) 502.7674 Vermont* • August-September www.vermontwitchcamp.net, [email protected], (802) 436-3451, (603) 894-5871 or (413) 369-4049 Phoenix (Germany) • September Deutsch: www.phoenix-camp.eu English: www.phoenix-camp.eu/en/index.php Texas* • TBA www.witchcamp.tejasweb.org, [email protected], (512) 496-8034 or (210) 319-2595 Photos from top: Robin Parrott; * means camp has included children and/or teens some years. Contact camps for more info. Randy Ralston; Otter

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 35 The Wheel of the Year

Reclaiming groups celebrate rituals in many locales across North America, Europe, and Australia. Some groups observe the entire Neo-Pagan Wheel of the Year, while others meet less frequently. To find out what's happening in your region (or halfway around the world), visit www.Reclaiming.org — if no internet, call (415) 255-7623. All Reclaiming events are clean and sober. No alcohol or drugs, please.

Samhain Beltane/May Day

The holiday popularly known as Halloween is the time of year This is the time when sweet desire weds wild delight. The Maiden known to Witches as Samhain, when the veil is thin between the of Spring and the Lord of the Waxing Year meet in the greening worlds of the living and the dead. We gather to remember and fields and rejoice together under the warm sun. The shaft of life is honor our ancestors, our Beloved Dead, and all those who have twined in a spiral web, and all of nature is renewed. We meet in the crossed over. As we mourn for those we love who have died this time of flowering, to dance the dance of life. year, we also mourn the losses and pain suffered by the Earth, our Mother. Yet even as we grieve we also remember and honor the sacred cycle of life, death, rebirth and regeneration, celebrating the Summer Solstice births of our children born this year, and our own vital connections to the Earth and each other, in which we ground our hope. This is the time of the rose: blossom and thorn, fragrance and blood. Now on the longest day of the year, light triumphs, and yet begins to decline into dark. So the Lord of Light dies Himself, and sets sail across the dark seas of time, searching for the isle of light Wi nter S ol stice that is rebirth. We turn the Wheel and share his fate, for we have planted the seeds of our own changes, and to grow we must accept This is the night of Solstice, the longest night of the year. We watch even the passing of the sun. for the coming of dawn, when the Great Mother again gives birth to the Sun, who is bringer of hope and the promise of summer. This is the stillness behind motion, when time itself stops; the center which Lammas is also the circumference of all. We are awake in the night. We turn the Wheel to bring the light. We call the sun from the womb of We stand now between hope and fear, in the time of waiting. In the night. fields, the grain is ripe but not yet harvested. We have worked hard to bring many things to fruition, but the rewards are not yet certain. Now the Mother becomes the Reaper, the Implacable One who Brigid/Candlemas/Imbolc feeds on life that new life may grow. Light diminishes, the days shorten, summer passes. We gather to turn the Wheel, knowing that This is the feast of the waxing light. What was born at the Solstice to harvest we must sacrifice, and warmth and light must pass into begins to manifest, and we who were midwives to the infant year now Winter. see the days grow visibly longer. This is the time of individuation: within the measures of the spiral, we each bring our own light, and become uniquely ourselves. It is the time of initiation, of beginning, Fal l Equ inox when seeds that will later sprout and grow begin to stir from their deep sleep. We meet to share the light of inspiration, which will grow This is the time of harvest, of thanksgiving and joy, of leave taking with the growing year. and sorrow. Now day and night are equal, in perfect balance, and we give thought to balance and flow within our own lives. The Sun King has become the Lord of Shadows, sailing West: we follow Spring Equinox Him into the dark. Life declines; the season of barrenness is on us, yet we give thanks for that which we have reaped and gathered. We This is the time of Spring’s return; the joyful time, the seed time, meet to turn the Wheel and weave the cord of life that will sustain when life bursts forth from the earth and the chains of Winter are us through the dark. broken. Light and dark are equal: it is a time of balance, when all the elements within us must be brought into a new harmony. Kore, the Dark Maiden, returns from the Land of the Dead, cloaked in the A Note on Terminology fresh rain, with the sweet scent of desire on her breath. As She dances, despair turns to hope, want to abundance, and we sing: Local communities use different names for some of the sabbats. RQ She changes everything She touches, uses the neutral terms “Equinox” and “Solstice” to honor the fact And everything She touches, changes that these are holidays of the Earth Herself, not of any one culture. We often call the cross-quarters by Celtic names. In many locales, children are a special part of this ritual, and a hunt for colored eggs follows. Descriptions are adapted from “The Spiral Dance,” by Starhawk, ©1989, Harper San Francisco.

36 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 Reclaiming Regional News

Reclaiming Intentional A Fool’s Journey Community NorCal Fall Equinox Retreat

“All life is sacred and interconnected, and Spend four days and three nights in Northern each of us embodies the divine. We imagine a California traveling the road of the Sacred Earth Activist Training world with shared power, intellectual, spiri- Fool with magic, ritual, and restorative tual and creative freedom, a questioning atti- reflection. This retreat calls to those Permaculture Intensives tude, open leadership, and a balance of indi- interested in deepening and widening their vidual autonomy with responsibility. We en- Earth-based spiritual practice. vision a world which values all genders, Earth Activist Training (EAT) weaves the races, ages, sexual orientations and people of The retreat takes place at Four Springs, a secluded retreat on 280 acres of woods in the principles of permaculture, Earth-based different life situations and abilities. Our spirituality, and regenerative activism into a multi-generational, Reclaiming-inspired com- foothills beneath Mount Saint Helena, in southern Lake County. captivating curriculum that blends classroom munity honors the wild and calls for service to lecture and experiential exercises with the Earth and community. We use Experience the sacredness of the Fool within practical, hands-on learning opportunities. permaculture and magic to support and en- each of us. The Fool, the first card of the Because learning and integrating all the gage in activism, provide healing to ourselves Tarot, reminds us that any journey of spirit permaculture possibilities into your heart, and others, and strive to live sustainably.” starts by following our intuition, opening our heart and stepping into the unknown. mind, and body can be serious, highly This is the vision statement of a land-based concentrated work, EAT courses include residential Reclaiming-inspired intentional Skills covered include: trancework, ritual, ample opportunity to laugh, make friends, community which is currently forming. spellwork, energy work, movement, dance, play, and recharge. siniging, chanting, and the reflective arts. Since we live in different parts of the Originally designed by Starhawk and others country, much work is done online, with Those on the beginning path will gain an understanding of working with the elements as a permaculture design-certification face-to-face meetings each season. There course, EAT has grown over the years to have been bumps in the road. Still, we have of magic, the sacred senses, ritual, and spell- working. Those with a solid magical practice meet the needs of diverse students. The persevered. We finally have enough basic curriculum is not only immediately useful agreements to start choosing the site criteria will find workshops geared towards returning us to the soul of our practice. for students’ own lives, but holds real hope of our land, the current focus of our energy. for our collective future. A Fool’s Journey is put on by a group of Supporters are needed and welcome for this EAT courses are offered in locations exciting and magical endeavor. Please send teachers, priestesses, and facilitators, including initiated priestesses of Reclaiming, throughout the world and in various your magical support and consider getting configurations. EAT course graduates have more involved. The only way this dream will Feri, and Gardenarian traditions. We come together to explore solid spiritual and gone on to start intentional communities, become a reality is with the support of the carry out bioremediation in flood damaged larger Reclaiming Community. magical practices that extend beyond particular traditions or techniques. New Orleans, start urban community Visit www.reclaimingcommunity.org gardens, set up permaculture encampments Visit www.afoolsjourney.org, or call — by Diana Thatcher Deborah Oak, (415) 285-6812 continued on page 44

San Francisco Rituals 2008 Bay Area Class Listings Now Online Beltane 2008 — Saturday May 3 Visit www.reclaiming.org — RQ welcomes feedback on new listings

Summer Solstice — Friday June 20 Reclaiming Bay Area teachers offer core readers already counted on the website to Lammas — Saturday August 2 classes (see page 31) plus courses in supplement print listings. Our last reader spellwork, music and drumming, meditation, survey strongly supported listing classes Fall Equinox — Saturday, September 20 permaculture, tarot, astrology, dreamwork, only online as well. Samhain (Spiral Dance) — Saturday, and many other topics. If you don’t have internet access, and using October 25 (tentative) Classes are offered in San Francisco, East cafés or libraries is not an option, call RQ, Bay, Marin, and Boulder Creek. (415) 255-7623, and we’ll try to help. Winter Solstice TBA (eve of Winter Solstice, PDT time) Reclaiming teachers often team up with For an up-to-date listing of Bay Area classes, other teachers to bring a variety of rituals, retreats, and other events, visit San Francisco ritual dates are posted at approaches to their classes. www.reclaiming.org/classevents/ www.reclaiming.org/rituals. For email In past issues, RQ carried a roster of Contacts for other regions can be found at reminders, contact [email protected] upcoming Reclaiming classes. However, www.reclaiming.org/worldwide

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 37 Resisting the Border Wall Enrique speaks of trade agreements with “conviviality,” a North American Union like the European Union between the continued from page 10 US, Mexico, and Canada. field trips and do whatever we want to. That there is not too Without barriers to migration, the US and other many Border Patrols.” dominator countries would need to support the well being of Other Redford children said, “We want to be able to go to every community and economy on earth. The diversity of all the river like we always do and do things like fish and hunt.” ecosystems and their particular benefits to humans would be They were excited to rebuild the jacal that I rented, and honored, and resources would be available in all places so that helped collect the river cane and mud — which ended in a people would not need to migrate to pockets of richness. mud fight. Goods and resources would be equally distributed, not hoarded by one country at the expense of another. The idea that a wall is needed shows failure in the way A WORLD WITHOUT BORDERS global capitalism is set up. What would Redford be like without borders? Redford could be like it was for thousands of years, an NO BORDER WALL MOVEMENT abundant farming town with families and friends spending time together, growing food, having barbecues, building The No Border Wall movement stems from many branches things, tending animals, hunting, playing by the river. across the border. For low-income, Indigenous, and Mexican Perhaps the bi-national dances in the schoolyard would American communities on the border, a border wall, virtual be revived. The farms could grow labor-intensive crops again wall, or militarization of any kind is not acceptable. Any because there would be enough people to work in the fields. discussion that fails to include that perspective adds to these The children could play by the river and would not have to peoples’ vulnerability. worry about their parents being arrested, or Border Patrol The 500-year-old genocide on the U.S./Mexico border vehicles with no lights racing by them when they ride their must be stopped. Arnoldo Garcia says, “This crisis is not ours. bikes around town. It is being imposed on us. We need to create long-term What would a world without borders be like? relationships and long-term plans between border I envision a just global economic system. My neighbor communities and inland communities.” We need inland allies — people living further from the border — to fight fiercely against the border wall, because it is risky for those on the front line, along the militarized zone of the border, to do so. Repercussions occur especially in the sparsely-populated rural communities.

RESOURCES AND ACTIONS How can you learn more and get involved? Here are some activities and groups you can contact: • Ophelia Rivas, a Tohono O’odham woman, boldly took a stance against the wall in 2004 despite differing opinions among tribal leadership. She started O’odham Voice Against the Wall Project. Visit www.solidarityproject.org • In early 2008, the Southwest Workers’ Union organized a meeting to bring together people who were working to stop the border wall and who might be allies in this work. Visit

38 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 www.swunion.org Department of Homeland Security is illegal. Articles can be found atwww.nnirr.org. Financial and other support is needed. • Border Social Forum was organized by Ruben Solis of the Please contact Margo at [email protected], Southwest Workers Union and other groups in Juarez in 2006. or April at [email protected] Groups from all across the U.S. and Mexico attended. Visit www.narconews.com/Issue43/article2195.html • No Border Wall website, elist, and blogs began in South Texas with Sierra Club organizers, and now have a broad base • Eloisa Tamez, a Lipan Apache landowner in South Texas, including birders and citrus growers, conservatives and and others calling themselves Lipan Apache Women’s liberals. The elist is being used by the 2008 No Border Wall Defense, have taken a strong stand against the Border Wall in conference community. Visit www.notexasborderwall.org the media and the courthouse. Lawsuits filed on her behalf by the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law in Los • Groups in San Diego are doing actions and filing lawsuits to Angeles show that the Consultation Process of the continued on next page

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RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 39 Resisting the Border Wall • Plans are underway for direct actions in South Texas to literally stop the building of the wall on private property. continued from preceding page Contact Stephenie at No Border Wall stop illegal ICE (Immigration, Customs Enforcement) raids ([email protected]) on city buses in which agents enter public local buses, ask • You can also comment about this issue on the Reclaiming people for citizenship, and pull people who admit they have Pagan Cluster organizing list, [email protected] no paperwork off the bus to waiting prison vans. • Please write letters to Senators, Congress people, DHS, and • Regular demonstrations have been held in Taylor and the President expressing your opinion about the border wall Austin, Texas against Hutto Residential Center (formerly a and all forms of militarization on the border. prison), where families caught “illegally” in the United States are being detained and maltreated. • Support showings of “The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez,” a documentary showing the fatal outcome of militaristic st • Organizers are connecting No Border Wall with May 1 propaganda in the small border town of Redford, Texas. It is immigration rallies across the country. scheduled to run on PBS in September 2008.

SOURCES

1 Mexiphobia, a film directed by Nevie Owens, has played at numerous film festivals in the West and Southwest. A trailer can be seen on YouTube. 2 National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Visit www.nnirr.org Over-Raided, Under Siege: U.S. Immigration Laws Destroy the Lives of Immigrants (Executive Summary) 3 “Nearly Half of Illegal Immigrants Overstay Visas,” All Things Considered, Ted Robbins, June 14, 2006. Online at

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40 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5485917 connection to climate change. (Huge amounts of fossil fuel energy are used to pump water. Conserving water means 4 Michael Chertoff’s Deepest Fears, Terrorists Entering U.S. reducing that carbon load.) from Canada, Daily News, Washington Bureau, James Take your magical and spiritual practice outdoors. Keep Gordon Meek, Sunday, February 10th 2008, at on with your inward focused meditations — but also step www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/02/10/2008-02- outside and practice being present with all your senses, 10_michael_chertoffs_deepest_fears_terroris.html observing the natural world. Bring your magical awareness April Cotte teaches Earth-awareness skills. In Reclaiming into the everyday acts we do to take responsibility for our circles, she has co-taught Earth Activist Trainings as well as impact on the planet. Making compost is a profoundly sacred Witchlets in the Woods paths. She lives much of the year act. When we become conscious of what we do with our near the border in Texas. Contact [email protected] wastes, when we learn to transform them into fertility, we also heal ourselves. Plant trees. Build soil. Grow food. Express your love of Earth Activism continued on next page continued from page 16 to open up more deeply to the natural world. You can come take an Earth Activist Training course, or find other courses in your area. I’d like to see Reclaiming develop a new core course — an Elements course that focuses on the practical Earth-healing aspects of each of the elements. Ecoliteracy can become a core part of our magical and spiritual teaching. Then organize. Change your lightbulbs — and get your workplace to change all of theirs. Grow a garden — and get your kids’ school to start one and to teach more of their lessons in the garden and fewer indoors. Re-use your graywater, and get your town or county to legalize graywater re-use, train people how to do it safely, and understand its WILD GINGER WitchCamp A family-friendly camp since 1998

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RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 41 Earth Activism Engaging the Shadow continued from preceding page continued from page 28 the Goddess with head and heart, but also with your hands. which sets it apart from most conventionally spiritual paths. Put them into the dirt, and let them become her healing hands, But this work is difficult. It’s not what most of us transforming waste to food, regenerating life. expected when we first cracked open a book of spells and decided we wanted to become Witches. As a friend of mine RESOURCES put it, “It is easier to go to Mars or to the moon than it is to www.earthactivisttraining.org penetrate one’s own being.” Like gold, the journey within www.starhawk.org requires us to burn away the impurities, that which no longer serves. The process is long and strenuous, but when the www.dreamweaving.org (Midwest Witchcamp) process is complete, the gold shines like rays from the sun. Starhawk is an activist, organizer, and author of ten books, Though work with the Shadow may formally begin at the including “The Earth Path.” She teaches Earth Activist second degree if you are a Wiccan, you can begin working Trainings that combine permaculture design and activist with it at any point. Start by observing your interactions with skills (see page 37), and works with the RANT trainer’s col- others and with magickal concepts. Open your awareness to lective, www.rantcollective.org. Visit www.starhawk.org the concepts and practices that make you feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Write them down in a journal and contemplate the reasons for your reaction. If you are familiar with the Iron Pentacle practice, begin a weekly practice with it. Run the energies of sex, pride, self, power, and passion, aspects of the collective Shadow of our society, through your body and record your results. What sorts of emotions does it bring up for you? What can you commit to do to heal those parts of yourself? If nothing particularly noteworthy bubbles up, simply be mindful in your practice and allow yourself to be open to what needs to be healed. The goal of working with the Shadow is not to be ruled

Welcome Back Reclaiming Quarterly

from Magnolia Circle, Tallahassee, Florida

www.magnoliacircle.org www.directaction.org

Interesting that you would be reading this paragraph. How it got here is one of those typographical mysteries that can only be revealed to Third Degree Initiate Proofreaders. But since it’s here, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for so thoroughly reading your copy of RQ. In fact, we will go so far as to suggest that you consider subscribing to the magazine, as you clearly are the sort of painstaking reader that makes our work a true pleasure. When we go to the trouble of assembling and proofreading an entire issue, it is very gratifying to know that someone is actually reading all of it. And it would really make our day if we knew you were a subscriber! So think about it. More info on back cover.

42 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 by it, but to reach a state of wholeness, alignment with all And And And. For happy endings, we need more happy parts of self. From this space we are able to evaluate choices Andings. from a holistic perspective and flow with the rhythms of the We need ways of bridging gaps, leaping over speed Universe. More than that, though, engagement with the bumps and brick walls of territoriality. Perhaps most of all we Shadow allows us to truly become complete humans and live need to find ways to suspend our presumptions about one more fully within this sacred world. another. The more I test the power of InterPlay and hear stories of others who do the same, the more I believe that Abel R. Gomez is enjoying the final months as a senior at a InterPlay and similar modalities offer the training wheels we Christian high school in San Francisco. He enjoys writing need for riding our individual and social tricycles into the and theatre and recently began planning and co-priestessing sunset of many more happy andings. public rituals with Reclaiming. InterPlay is an “And” practice because our bodies reach “And” faster than our minds do. Plus, I never have to let go of me in InterPlay. I don’t have to get better, heal, or do good to I Want a Happy Anding belong. Play doesn’t require self-improvement. Maybe that’s continued from page 29 why many InterPlayers improve so quickly. Play takes the pressure off. Our healing doesn’t even depend on a It turns out that this is what people all over the planet do if charismatic leader. “Integrative “And” experiences naturally they want to be happy, no matter what. See the movie result from InterPlay forms like hand-to-hand dances, Amandyla about South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. babbling, walking-stopping-and-running, witnessing, and the They kept at it because they sang and danced. like. We don’t minimize ourselves. On the contrary, we celebrate and affirm each other. HAPPY ANDINGS Is happiness only personal? I hope not. The words in the A friend is writing a script called “And.” It got me thinking. American Declaration of Independence (in depend dance?) “And” is an improviser’s motto. “And” is another word for say, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people InterPlay. are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with You and me, love and hurt, black and white, body and certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty soul, female and male, wealthy and poor, young and old, and the pursuit of Happiness.” The pursuit of happiness is not imprisoned and free, enemy and friend. continued on next page

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 43 Happy Anding in our home cultures. In a world on the with nature, or rather, teaches us to move, in an immigrating, mixing-it-up “work as nature works.” continued from preceding page world, where more and more of us are Extend the principles and insights of just for individuals. It’s also for groups, farther and farther from home, I’d love permaculture into progressive political maybe even nations and whole worlds. more chances to InterPlay and to raise organizing, and explore strategies for How we pursue it is the question. the possibility of many more happy change. Weave in threads of Earth- Through InterPlay, I’ve learned that andings. Intuition tells me that this is based spirituality, inclusive and non- it is possible to increase the happiness our destiny. dogmatic, to connect heart and soul to quotient in groups of diverse people. And... the work. Add nature awareness as the InterPlay isn’t rooted in a single culture, Cynthia Winton-Henry is the author of touchstone. This is Earth Activist but in the universal abilities of the body. “What the Body Wants,” and is Training, a rich array of solutions, tools, It provides one of the quickest ways to cofounder of InterPlay: an active, and strategies to redesign our world. access the familiar joy that can be found creative approach to unlocking the Immerse yourself in this richness wisdom of the body. Visit InterPlay.org through classroom theory, hands-on for international offerings practice, inner experience, and community. Don’t forget that it’s damn fun, too. Many find it life-changing. Earth Activist Training The two-week, residential EAT First continued from page 37 courses include a rigorous 72-hour permaculture design course — for major mobilizations, restore participants receive a certificate on watersheds and habitats, organize completion. campaigns against forest clearcutting and GMOs, set up teaching programs TOPICS INCLUDE: and community centers, and many other important projects. EAT grads are at • Permaculture principles and ethics work in Brazil, Africa, Palestine, Israel, • Making a spiritual connection with Mexico, Jamaica, India, Thailand, the elements: real air, fire, water, and Spain, France, England, Australia, and earth — the equivalent of a “Magic all over the U.S. and Canada. 101” class with Starhawk • Nature awareness techniques (such as WHAT IS EAT? owl-vision, fox-walking, plant allies, Start with permaculture as the and the language of birds) foundation. “Permaculture” is • Humans’ role as Nature-in-Action. regenerative design: a set of ethics, • Pattern thinking in design, strategy, principles, and practices that create and movement-building beneficial relationships and whole systems. Permacuture meets human • Diversity in ecosystems and in needs sustainably and heals damaged political movements natural systems. Permaculture works • Planning for big changes: global warming and peak oil

44 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • Indefinitely renewable agriculture, urban food growing, • Weaving magic and ritual into action garden design, planting for wildlife, and food forests • How to stay grounded and centered in tough situations • Urban permaculture and strategies for cities • Breaking the spell of fear, rage, grief, and frustration • How to think like a watershed: collect, conserve, clean, and • How to renew personal energy, avoid burnout, and find reuse water hope for our world • Bioremediation: healing soil and water with beneficial bacteria, compost teas, fungi, and plants UPCOMING EARTH ACTIVIST TRAINING COURSES • Soil and forest ecology: ecology as economics, economics May 3-17 (EAT - Social Permaculture) as ecology May 30-JUNE 1 (Urban EAT - Weekend module) • Erosion control and soil conservation July 10-19 (Youth EAT - Northern California) • “Impermaculture”: temporary systems for encampments, July 12-26 (UK EAT) gatherings, and emergency response September 12-14 (Urban EAT - Weekend module) • Renewable energy and efficient design November 21-23 (Urban EAT - San Francisco) • Media strategies • Natural building and cob practice For more information, visit www.earthactivisttraining.org, or • Creative access to land and financing call (800) 381-7940. • Consensus process, facilitation, and conflict resolution • Movement building: basics of political organizing, strategy, and direct action Hypnotherapy & Reiki for your Mind, Body & Soul

Ewa Litauer

415.364.1853 [email protected] www.sfhypnotherapy.com San Francisco Mission District

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 45 Nuclear Power Safety — the danger of toxic leaks and emissions, groundwater contamination, and adverse health impacts on continued from page 7 workers at the facility are all substantially higher than alternate sources. generate as much energy as conventional fuels without significant carbon emissions, destructive mining, or the Security — a nuclear plant, particularly one located near a production of radioactive waste. population center, would be one of the most devastating sites possible for a terrorist attack. Increased security means FATAL FLAWS increased cost, with no guarantee of success. Public Citizen has produced a paper called “Five Fatal Flaws Waste — nuclear power produces radioactive waste for which of Nuclear Power.” Here’s a synopsis: no safe disposal method has ever been devised. This material Cost — nuclear power is viable only with billons of dollars of will be radioactive for tens or even hundreds of thousands of government subsidies. Subsidies for wind, solar, and other years — a lethal legacy to all future species. Proponents of renewable sources are only a fraction of that for nukes. nuclear power don’t like to mention the waste issue, apparently assuming that someone else will have to deal with that problem. Welcome Back RQ! Proliferation — Nuclear power also increases the risks of nuclear weapons proliferation. As more reactors are built around the world, nuclear material becomes more vulnerable to theft and diversion. Power reactors have led directly to nuclear weapons programs in some countries. Adding up the risk, the cost, and the overwhelming opposition of non-corporate environmental groups, we say, in the words of the 1980s: “Nuclear Power? Nein Danke!” From Reclaiming Spirit Colorado The full version of “Five Fatal Flaws of Nuclear Power” is www.reclaimingspirit.org available at www.publiccitizen.org, along with other resources and contacts.

meet the woman who sparked the Goddess movement archaeologist Marija Gimbutas

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DVD and VHS $29.85 plus shipping

also available... Behind the Screen: The Uncut Interviews 19 scholars, 9 tapes

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46 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 DandelionGathering

The biennial Dandelion Gathering is the Dandelions have provided invaluable an All-Reclaiming retreat where opportunities to know one another in Witches, organizers, teachers, person. Witchcampers, and assorted other Reclaiming types come together to The 2008 Dandelion Gathering (in share ideas and inspiration. California) happened right after RQ#99 The first two gatherings, in 2004 went to press — we aimed to have the (Texas) and 2006 (Massachusetts) new issue available at the Gathering. laid the groundwork for a Unfortunately, that means we can’t representative body called BIRCH, to bring you photos and reports on the meet at future Dandelions. However, Gathering in this issue. anyone connected with Reclaiming is We’ll carry updates in future issues welcome to take part in the and/or Bulletins. In the meantime, you gatherings. may want to visit Reclaiming’s website to learn more about the 2008 Gathering. Most importantly, many folks who Photos by Luke Hauser/RQ, except know one another only by name, center by Gaiamore. through the magazine or the elists, are able to meet face to face. For such a far-flung network as Reclaiming,

RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 • 47 Revolutionary Pagan Workers Vanguard

Issue #32 The Voice of the Pagan Proletariat May 1, 2008

Reclaiming Teachers Mercury Retrograde Foils Pagan Uprising Launch Rewards Plan Global Pagan workers’ revolution was ous revolt. In a bold attempt to keep pace with derailed when a malfortuitous planetary However, due to Mercury being in spiritual competitors, Reclaiming has configuration caused a breakdown in the retrograde motion relative to the locus instituted a new “Rewards” program for vital communications sector. of the revolutionary conjuncture, the its initiation program. Plans called for a spontaneous text-message was inadvertently sent to Under the current initiatory uprising of the Earth-based proletariat of thousands of Boston Celtics fans, who regimen, novices are expected to the world, followed by a series of local obediently rose up and cheered louder provide food and drink for teachers at community forums to draft a new than usual. instructional sessions, but no cash provisional constitution empowering the The executive committee of the payments take place. working class to seize control of all vanguard of the Goddess-worshipping As a result, many of the finest rituals. proletariat went into emergency session, trainers and initiatory administrators To fool the security apparatus of the and only some inspired spin-doctoring have been lost to more organized imperialist bourgeoisie, a series of by Lucifer “Larry” Hieronymous of the traditions such as WiccanRede and Beltane Maypole rituals were an- Peoples’ Pagan Party saved the day. Spirit Matters, which offer structured nounced. Facilitators of the revolution- “The true revolution is in the heart,” commissions to their employees. ary vanguard then text-messaged an al- Hieronymous said. He declared the To provide increased incentive for ternate plan to thousands of Pagan pro- Maypole rituals had advanced the cause trainers and recruiters, the Rewards letarians, announcing the revolution and of global magical revolt, and called on program will be structured like a chain directing workers to begin the spontane- continued on page D-143 letter. The original initiator’s name will go at the top of the list. Someone initiated by them goes next, and so on, up to seven generations of initiation. Applicants for initiation will be given the list and instructed to make “appropriate contributions” to the person at the top of the list. When the new person is initiated, the top name drops off, and everyone else moves up one place. “It’s one of the compromises we have to make to keep pace in today’s fast-paced Pagan market,” said High Initiatrix Sunshine Moonbeam. “Once continued on page D-182

RPWV Archives at RQ.org In an exclusive scoop, RQ offers a complete reprint of the first fifteen editions of the Revolutionary Pagan Workers’ Vanguard, along with several Modern Pagans re-enact the ancient game of Wackawich, originally played between other satirical features from our pages! rival squads of mystics and healers in the south of Wales. Photo by Luke Hauser. Visit www.ReclaimingQuarterly.org

48 RECLAIMING QUARTERLY • ISSUE #99 ReclaimingQuarterly.org

Current RQ website A website for all of Reclaiming! features include: Whether you’re a Pagan Cluster activist, a Sound-samples from Reclaiming solitary, a Witchcamper, part of a circle or coven Music and Chant CDs in the far-flung Reclaiming network — whatever Five-Minute Labyrinth* brings you to RQ — this is your website! Witchcamp Chants Book Stay connected to Reclaiming – bookmark this site Pagan Cluster at the and visit it often. School of the Americas* Clown Anarchy* Pagan Pride Parade* Witches Opposing War* Garden Lockdown at Reclaim the Commons*

Revolutionary Pagan Workers BREAKING NEWS ... Welcome to ReclaimingQuarterly.org LATEST ADDITIONS TO OUR SITE Vanguard and other humor Check out recent issues of RQ! Aspecting and Anchoring - Back-issue archives reflections and stories on two advanced magical practices Reclaiming’s mission is to combine Earth-based Links to Reclaiming rituals, ------spirituality with direct political, classes, and Witchcamps RQ ONLINE FEATURES social, and ecological action. Grassroots and Alternative News Reclaiming Quarterly is (* - RQ online photo-features) Photo features of the Witches dedicated to the meeting- Opposing War, Clown Anarchy, ground of these two goals - Art and Revolution, and other activist highlights of recent Magical Activism. From the months streets of Seattle to the wilds of Witchcamp, from Subscribe & Renew Online Witchcamp spiritual reflection to frontline direct action, RQ is Chantbook there with photographs and first-hand reports. You can subscribe or renew to Pagan Reclaiming Quarterly is produced by a volunteer cell Cluster RQ using PayPal, or print a form Actions - based in San Francisco, with correspondents in over and mail us a check. Or both! click here 20 communities across North America and Europe. for the Our website carries articles and images from each latest issue of RQ, plus many special features (see left). Revolutionary Pagan Workers Vanguard Subscribe or donate now! Help Shape the Site Contests, games and quizzes RQ is supported by subscriptions and advertising. Help us create a site that you Seasonal articles, photos, poetry, Your donations make our magazine possible. recipes, and more! Please subscribe or donate now. Even a small want to visit regularly. Send us These features will be updated contribution can make a difference! often, so bookmark the site! your feedback and suggestions — [email protected]

OTHER RECLAIMING WEBSITES

Reclaiming.org Witchcamp.org PaganCluster.org One-stop web resource for all of Get information on each of Reclaiming’s Link up with the ever-evolving group of Reclaiming — links to groups across Witchcamps and family camps. Reclaiming Reclaiming folks and other Pagans who North America and Europe, classes, camps are held in over a dozen locations join together to do magic, direct action, rituals, Witchcamps, elists, plus articles across North America and in Western permaculture, protest, and other grassroots and information about Reclaiming. Europe. activism. Music from Reclaiming

Songs, chants, and meditation music for rituals, personal practice, and just listening

Our latest CD is Witches’ Brew: Songs and Chants from the Reclaiming Cauldron, featuring songs by over a dozen Reclaiming teachers and musicians. Included are chants for rituals and classes, meditation music for personal or class use, and inspirational songs. Featuring music by: Evelie Posch • Evergreen Erb Coming Soon Green & Root • T. Thorn Coyle • Chants for Kids Danielle Rosa • David Miller (fun for everyone) Skyclad • Suzanne Sterling • Ritual Chants Jeffrey Alphonsus Mooney (a new compilation Beverly Frederick • Brook • Crow of recent chants from classes and Witchcamps)

Samples and online ordering at www.ReclaimingQuarterly.org Mail orders — $16 per copy to RQ at PO Box 14404, San Francisco CA 94114

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