Drawing Down the Moon (82 page)

Web site:
www.ipan.org

White Crane Journal.
Founded in 1989 as a quarterly forum for exploring and enhancing gay men's spirituality. The
Lambda Book Report
has described
White Crane
as “a literate, intelligent, and, at the same time, provocative and ground-breaking scholarly quarterly of gay culture.” Committed to the certainty that gay consciousness plays a special and important role in the evolution of life on Earth,
White Crane
exists to explore the variety of the manifestations of the spiritual search among contemporary gay men. Address: White Crane Journal, 172 Fifth Avenue #69, Brooklyn, NY 11217. E-mail: Bo@WhiteCrane
Journal.com
.

Web site:
www.whitecranejournal.com

The Wiccan/Pagan Times.
This online Pagan periodical has been in existence since 1999. TWPT was founded by the husband and wife team of Imajicka and Boudica (Michael and Margaret Foster), who work together to provide insightful interviews and book reviews for their readership. Their focus is not just the better-known authors, but also the up and coming contributors to the Pagan community. The site highlights the artwork of community artists and provides rituals, book spotlights, events, and store listings. The site is updated regularly and is free to the reading public.

Web site:
www.twpt.com

Wiccan Rede.
An English/Dutch Craft magazine published in the Netherlands by Gardnerian Witches, in print since 1979. Includes in-depth interviews, serious articles, and philosophical and controversial viewpoints on both the initiatory Wiccan traditions and solo/eclectic Witchcraft. Editors: Merlin and Morgana. Quarterly. 80 pages. Size A5. Address: Wiccan Rede, P.O. Box 473, 3705 AL, Zeist, the Netherlands.

Web site:
www.silvercircle.org/wiccanrede.htm

The Wise Woman.
A national journal that focuses on feminist issues, Goddess lore, feminist spirituality, and feminist Witchcraft. Includes articles on women's history, news, analysis, reviews, photos, poetry, interviews, original research on women in history, witch-hunts, and women today. Cartoons and Goddess graphics by Bulbul. The magazine began in 1980 and has been published by Ann Forfreedom, who writes many of the articles. The periodical in its entirety is on microfilm at: UMI, University Microfilms, Inc., 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1336.
Wise Woman
is turning from a magazine into a book publishing company, but back issues are available. Sample copy, $4. Address: The Wise Woman, 2441 Cordova Street, Oakland, CA 94602. E-mail: [email protected].

Witch Eye: A Zine of Feri Uprising.
This is a small paper zine full of art, articles, spells, and lore inspired by the F(a)eri(e) tradition of Witchcraft, meaning various permutations of the tradition passed down by Victor and Cora Anderson and popularized by the works of such people as Starhawk and Gwydion Pendderwen. While much of the focus is rooted in the Feri tradition, the magazine also offers many items of interest to any Pagan or Witch. Founded in 1999 and published roughly two or three times a year. Editor: Storm Faerywolf. 52 pages; full color covers. Current issues are $8 each; available back issues are $10 (check Web site for availability). CA residents add 7.25% sales tax. Make checks payable to “Faerywolf” and send to: Witch Eye, c/o Faerywolf, P.O. Box 3736, Antioch, CA 94531. Or order online.

Web site:
www.feritradition.org/witcheye

The Witches' Almanac.
“The complete annual guide to lunar harmony.” An occult treasury of magical lore, myths, legends, folk tales, herbal secrets, animal advice, spells, sacred rituals, and many a curious tale of good and evil. Authoritative and entertaining. Astrological information by Dikki-Jo Mullen shows at a glance the phases of the moon, aspects of planets and their influence on each sign. Also includes Wiccan holidays and monthly weather forecasts by region. Published since 1971. Despite the sad passing of editor Elizabeth Pepper in 2005, the present editor, Theitic, and staff plan to continue publication without interruption.
The Witches' Almanac
has also published eleven other titles and has plans for several more. The
Almanac
is available in most bookstores from early February and year round, at $8.95.

Web site:
www.TheWitchesAlmanac.com

The Witches' Voice (AKA Witchvox).
Open to all Earth Spirit paths, Witchvox is a not for profit organization and extraordinary online source of information that delivers a “no advertising” home for Pagans of the world to “share their muse and their magick.” A free community resource,
The Witches' Voice
is an educational network providing information services and resources for and about Pagans, Heathens, Witches, and Wiccans. Founded by Wren Walker, Peg Aloi, and Fritz Jung in December 1996. Offers the largest collection of Pagan content and networking resources on the Web. Articles, essays, columns, and more. A great place to go to research Wiccan traditions and to find current news. Winner of the 2003 Webby Award for Best Spirituality Site on the Internet, Witchvox serves over 3.8 million page requests to over 800,000 unique visitors per month.

Web site:
www.witchvox.com

WomenSpirit.
This was the first feminist spirituality periodical, which began in 1974, and although it is no longer publishing, back issues are available at the original cost of $3 each. Send a SASE to WomenSpirit, 2000 King Mountain Trail, Sunny Valley, Oregon 97497. E-mail: [email protected]. The journal is also available on microfilm through University Microfilm International (UMI).

Yggdrasil.
One of the oldest, continuously published (since 1984) Pagan publications in the world. A small journal focusing on Heathen religion, mythology, runes, culture, and ethos. Yggdrasil is the world ash tree of Norse mythology, whose roots and branches hold the universe together. The journal stresses Northern European Traditional (N.E.T.) religion and culture. Includes articles on history, mythology, rituals, reviews, and runes. Editrix: Prudence Priest. Published quarterly. 16 pages. Subscriptions: $10/year U.S.; $13/year elsewhere. $3 sample issue. (U.S. funds only). Make checks payable to “Freya's Folk.” Address: Freya's Folk, PMB 165, 537 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-2007.

Web site:
www.freyasfolk.org

In the event that you are new to all of this and have justifiable worries about contacting strange groups, here are a few words of advice. While Pagan groups are not cults (they do not try to “convert” you, or brainwash you, or take over your life), any person open enough to be on a spiritual quest is in a somewhat vulnerable position. There are also many people—no matter what their religion—who talk a good line but have not worked out their own emotional problems. The leader of one Wiccan group that I praised to the skies in the first edition of this book (fortunately the group has since dissolved) ended up on a guru trip and even expected sexual favors from some of the members of his group. Hopefully that is a rare exception. But there are probably lots of groups here that I disagree with politically or philosophically.

In
Real Magic
, Isaac Bonewits published what he called his “Cult Danger Evaluation Frame,” which was revised in 2001 and again in 2004. He lists eighteen things to look at when you are thinking about a specific group. You can give each item a score from one to ten. As a general rule, he says, the higher the numerical score of a given group, the more likely it is to be dangerous. He notes that while many of the scales in the frame are subjective, the evaluation frame is founded on modern ideas of humanistic psychology concerning the nature of mental health and personal growth, as well as being based on Bonewits's own experience. No matter what kind of group you are exploring, from Scientology to the local Pagan grove, it's worth considering the eighteen issues mentioned below before you make your plunge.

 

by P. E. I. Bonewits

Quite frankly, if you find that any group here has anything but a reasonably low score according to this evaluation frame, it shouldn't be in this book. Some groups will have a lot of structure, formal training, and a fair amount of hierarchy. A few groups may even have charismatic leaders. Others will be leaderless, anarchistic, and make their decisions by consensus. Some groups charge fees for workshops; many covens, groves, and kindreds do not charge fees for teaching. But none of these organizations should
ever
censor your information, control your life, decide on your friends, insist on sexual favors, demand exorbitant amounts of money, or try to prevent you from leaving. Thankfully, most Pagan groups believe that you are the master/mistress of your fate and that the only real initiation (and power and knowledge) comes from within. Since most Pagan groups are anti-authoritarian, abuses are less common, although they are still possible. With these caveats, here are the listings.

 

Aerious.
Aerious means “of Earth and Sky.” It is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1991, with the intention of remembering heaven on earth through metaphysics, permaculture, wholistic healing of mind, body, and spirit, and awareness of nature. It emphasizes hands-on experience and individual empowerment. It holds classes and gatherings at Yew Wood Forest Retreat Center, a nature sanctuary in the Oregon Coast Range, off the grid and “home to spotted Owls, spawning salmon and nature spirits.” Hosts the Earth and Sky Summer Creation Festival and other gatherings. Apprenticeships in permaculture and live-in situations available. Address: Aerious, c/o Mark McNutt, 93640 Deadwood Creek Road, Deadwood, OR 97430. Phone: 541-964-5341.

Web site:
www.aerious.org

The Albion Conclave.
A Druid organization that has been running since 1992. “We provide a highly respected distance learning course supporting Druids practicing within a solitary framework seeking to reconnect with their Pagan ancestors; see
www.druidnetwork.org
for more details.” The Albion Conclave launched the Mistletoe Foundation in 2003 with the support of the Druid Network as a medium to introduce the great mistletoe harvesting ritual back into the Druidic calendar. By providing a sacred space of mutual understanding and building bridges within the diversity of modern Druidry, the Albion Conclave seeks to support Druidry in its evolution as it slowly matures, questing to transform itself once again into an enlightened spiritual tradition. “The Albion Conclave also enjoys good relations with the An Ceile De, perhaps the only authentic branch of Druidry still in existence with 2000 years of unbroken practice behind it. The Albion Conclave encourages devotion to the spiritual path as a means to raise the human consciousness working within the native Druidic traditions of Britain.” Address: The Albion Conclave, 39 Dalby Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, LE7 &DL, U.K. E-mail: [email protected].

Alexandrian Wicca Incorporated.
Established in 2004 as an autonomous organization concerned primarily with the preservation and perpetuation of Alexandrian-based Wicca Craft within Australia and beyond. The organization does not claim to be the official representative body of all or any specific Alexandrian Wiccan lineage; however, it hopes to network its membership across the diversity of lineages—encouraging unity, respect, tolerance of differences, and recognition of a common heritage. Address: Alexandrian Wicca Incorporated, P.O. Box 653, Ulladulla 2539, N.S.W. Australia. Phone: 61 (02) 4455 3006. E-mail: [email protected]. E-group:
groups.yahoo.com/group/Alexandrian_Wicca_Incorporated
.

Web site:
www.geocities.com/alexandrianwiccans

The Alternative Religions Educational Network (AREN).
AREN grew out of WADL, the Witches' Anti-Discrimination League, one of the oldest Pagan religious anti-discrimination organizations in the country. AREN has also incorporated WARD (Witches Against Religious Discrimination). Since its inception in 2000, AREN has become one of the leading Pagan religious organizations helping people with religious discrimination problems, as well as educating legal personnel and others settling these problems. Direct financial help is not possible, but they will try to help you find an attorney, know the right questions to ask, aid in the investigation, and help the attorney develop the case. In many cases, just being able to provide education and help with investigation is all that is necessary to bring a discrimination case to a successful conclusion. A newsletter, ACTION, is published eight times a year for members. Individual membership: $15/year U.S.; $30/year elsewhere. Address: AREN, P.O. Box 1655, Richmond, KY 40475-1655. E-mail: [email protected].