Dear editors,
(I dunno if you take letters to the editor by e-mail, or if this is too late to be timely. But I try.)
Howdy!
I just read the "Greener Pagans" article in the Oestara '96 issue. It's a good article, but it takes more than recycling and "sending energy" to help our planet.
Said Utah Phillips, "The Earth isn't dying. It's being killed, and the people killing it have names and addresses."
All the ritual in the world cannot replace action. In the Seattle area, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. I don't have all the addresses I'd like to give handy, but here are some direct action groups in the Pacific Northwest:
Seattle Earth First!
P.O. Box 12124
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 329-3432
Blue Heron Earth First!
Reed College SAO
Portland, OR 97440
(503) 771-1112, extension 7875
Earth First! Journal
P.O. Box 1415
Eugene, OR 97440
Also, check out the journal on the World Wide Web at: http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/ef
These are just a few contacts. They can probably put you in touch with someone closer to your area. It's too late to sit back and hope things will get better. They won't, unless we do something about it.
Jean-Luc
Widdershins Agrees
Dear Jean-Luc,
Thanks for the response, and I'm sorry we didn't get your letter published last issue. I have been having trouble with my e-mail and wasn't able to retrieve it until recently.
I agree with you, and we weren't suggesting that people do nothing except spells. Spells are better than doing nothing, and taking action is even better yet. Thank you for the contacts; they are good ones, and hopefully people will use them! The best thing we all can do is to register and vote!
Blessings,
Sylvana
Fans, Distributors and Pagan-Curious Folks
Dear editors,
Please, I just gotta have your papers. I subscribed last year and received three, and just today I downloaded your allfiles.zip. Thanks for publishing a good paper. May your Midsummer's Fest be magickal and your bonfire bright.
Blessed be,
Megan Dragonsdottir
Yakima, WA
Dear editors,
There is a Goddess; I'm out surfing and caught your page.
Very nice - and informative!
I am a somewhat community involved pagan here in the Midwest who is seriously planning a move to the Seattle/Portland area. In fact, I have plans to be in the Seattle neighborhood sometime in late September. I am attempting to plug in to the area as much as possible in the meantime. Your page will be coming in handy.
Thank you and blessed be,
B. Rinke
Dear editors,
I just read an issue of Widdershins for the first time. I found it to be informative, enlightening, and I must admit a little confusing.
I've only just recently developed an avid interest in paganism, and there are so many different persuasions it's hard to determine which path is right for me. It seems that "pagan" has as many different meanings as it does practitioners!
I would like to suggest a couple of possible distribution points for Widdershins: Blue Moon Espresso Book Bar, located at 28717 Pacific Highway S. in Federal Way, and Y-Not Magazines and News, located at 2016 S. 320th in Federal Way.
I have the online version of you newsletter. I tried to get my hands on a printed copy, but the nearest distribution point only had two copies of the Oestara issue.
I would even be willing to deliver to these locations if you like.
Peace,
Jared
Dear editors,
I saw your message on "The Pagan Pages" and also live in the Seattle area. I would like to find other pagans, particularly Wiccans. I am 18 and fairly new to Wicca. Any information you could give me would be helpful.
Shewolf
Dear editors,
I'm new to all this; call me pagan-curious. For a long time, though, I've felt a tug toward some of the things that it seems make up modern-day pagan practice (respect for all life, connection to Earth and Her rhythms, desire to connect to old things and old ways, etc.).
I'd like to hear more about what you do and about the Seattle pagan community (if there is such).
I'm looking for people who take what they do seriously but are not fanatical about the outward aspects of the way a religion is practiced. Rules, hierarchy, etc. are to be found in plenty in other religions, are they not?
Community, ritual, spirituality... these what am hoping to find, I guess. Anyway, thanks in advance, and as I gather it is said,
Blessed be!
Eric Rose
Glad to Be of Service
Dear friends,
I am happy to hear from all of you and thrilled that you enjoy the paper. I hope you all have been able to access it easily enough.
As mentioned in the community notices, e-mail subscriptions to Widdershins are now available. We would like to be able to offer subscriptions via U.S. Mail, but there are a precious few of us doing the work, and at this time it's just not possible.
As far as connecting with others in the area, your best bet is the "Pagan Resources" section. It lists names, addresses and phone numbers for a number of people, groups and organizations willing to be contacted directly. Call, write or e-mail them; they are usually happy to help newcomers to the Craft or even to the area! As for you, B. Rinke, give us a call when you are in the area. Check the publishing information on Page 2 for our phone number.
Also, if you live in the area, check out the calendar section for events, classes, workshops and circles that you might attend to network and make new pagan friends.
Another good way to get your finger on the pulse of the Northwest pagan community (yes, there is such a thing, in my opinion) is to volunteer to work with the Widdershins staff. We are always looking for new talent; you don't have to be a pro, either!
Jared, we would be happy to add the stores you suggested to our distribution list, if the stores are willing to carry the paper, especially if you are willing to do some (much-needed) delivery. Thank you for volunteering, and we will happily take you up on your offer!
So glad you wrote, Megan, Jared, B. Rinke, Shewolf and Eric.
Thank you all and blessings to you and yours,
Sylvana
Discrimination Against Imprisoned Pagans?
Dear editors,
Blessed be... to you, S. SilverWitch, and a heartfelt Merry Meet to all at Widdershins.
Who better to address a letter from the Order of the Silver Dragon than SilverWitch?
I am Jerov (Lonnie J. Kelly), spokesperson for our Wiccan order/circle/study group; any description fits as long as it is Wiccan. We are an eclectic bunch bonded by the intent to live what we believe while we are in prison - we can never be imprisoned.
June marked the gift to our order of the lineage through High Priestess Cassandra and the Woodsong tradition. The name for our order was a gift from Rev. James Staples, D.D., who coincidentally owns the store Five Corners, which you spoke of in the Yule 1995 issue of Widdershins. The founder of the Wiccan study group here at Twin Rivers Corrections Center was Pete Pathfinder of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church; the evolution of the study group to an order was perfectly timed in order to enjoy the recent court support for freedom of religion.
Why am I writing? Today I acted as the spokesperson for the Order of the Silver Dragon by submitting a written request for Wiccans to be allowed to attend our circle on Fridays. The first Wiccan to lodge a complaint for being denied permission to attend our circle is now at Walla Walla; the response of midlevel prison administrators is that working for the state is a higher priority than being provided access to spiritual gatherings more than once per month.
My response that any policy that inherently classifies an individual as a resource, to be allocated according to institutional need, while at the same time ignoring the humanity of the individual and the right of that same individual to follow a spiritual path of his choice, must necessarily need examination by the light of day... seems to be rather unpopular at the moment.
The light of day is an allusion to the need of our circle for the support of Wiccans who by sending letters, making phone calls, volunteering to sponsor a circle one day a month... can reassure the prison administrators that there are indeed witnesses to their actions.
I personally have never been kept from a circle; however, if I do not act on the ethics and tradition gifted to me by the Craft, I only strengthen the power of the silence historically enjoyed by my oppressors. No matter the personal cost, I must at least raise my voice in support of any Wiccan wishing to join the circle in fellowship and say to the administration that the only burning at Twin Rivers will be done in the kitchen - and it will not be a Wiccan.
Feel free to paraphrase, restate and or edit this letter - but please do not ignore it. Real people are protecting the right to practice our Craft and suffering for it (granted we are convicted for past crimes, but in spite of, or in some cases because of it, we honor each other and each Wiccan as we live, breathe and hope Wicca).
Lon J.
Where to Protest
Dear Jerov,
Thank you for your nice letter, and on such lovely paper! Wherever did you find silver ink?
While I appreciate your position, I am also of the opinion that we as pagans are not entitled to any more special privileges than those of other paths enjoy. What do they do for the Jewish inmates? Native Americans? There is much more to this question than I may respond to here.
I urge you who read this to decide for yourself what action to take. Letter writing is always effective.
Write to:
Lonnie J. Shelly
#925898 C314-2
P.O. Box 888
Monroe, WA 98272
The very nice seagreen with silver print stationary says to direct all correspondence in protest of the disputed policy to:
Chaplain's Office
Twin Rivers Corrections Center
May Hecate protect you,
Sylvana
[Home Page | Other Articles in This Issue | FAQ | Local Resources]