Our mission is to educate the public about the Wiccan religion and combat negative stereotypes in the public perception and the media. That all may sound pretty serious - even pompous - but on the local level, we're also serious networkers and possessed of the delusion that we can build a one-stop online resource center for the state's Wiccan/pagan community.
As time goes on, we hope to list most if not all Wiccan, pagan-oriented and pagan-friendly businesses, services, groups, places, contact people and so on in the state.
Ambitious? Yes, but we'd like your help. This site belongs to you, and it will become whatever you make of it. Curious? Please check out the WLPA-WA Web site at http://www.cnw.com/~greenman/wlpa.html for the full story; a link is also provided to the mother site in Salem.
The Washington WLPA representatives are, in Renton, Rev. Raevun Shadowstorm (e-mail address siwre@wolfenet.com) and, in Mount Vernon, Winter Owl (e-mail greenman@cnw.com).
Bright blessings to all.
by Taliesyne
I am a Wiccan clinical psychologist who helps pagans, Wiccans, magicians and Native Americans deal with their respective problems. Perhaps what the community needs is a Wiccan referral network of licensed health care professionals trained to deal with issues pertinent to pagans, Wiccans, magicians and so on. Many well-meaning high priestesses and priests try to help their people, but often the problems involved are beyond their ken. But where to send them?
I would be willing to create and promote such a network if there was support from the community at large. If people think this is a good idea, say so.
With this type of referral network in place, Wiccan families of lost ones in tragedies (such as the crash of TWA Flight 800 or the Oklahoma City bombing) can turn to those who would be sympathetic to their beliefs and concerns. Also, those who have medical concerns can seek help from physicians, nurse practitioners, chiropractors and so on who are sympathetic to their patients' world view.
Those licensed health care professionals interested can e-mail me directly with the following information: mundane name; profession; license/certification; types of clients and issues handled; city, state and country; telephone (optional, though as part of this network, I would like to talk with each clinician personally to obtain the clinician's ideas on how to best serve the community) and Craft name and affiliation (that is, Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Welsh traditional, Covenant of the Goddess, Church of All Worlds or other). All personal information will be regarded as oath-bound under Craft ethics and confidential under professional ethics.
For more information, contact me, Taliesyne, at: dr.tms@ix.netcom.com
Blessed be!
The rite was officiated by Lady Sylvana and Wülfgar Gregarsson, high priestess and high priest of the Sylvan Grove, Seattle, Washington. The delicious, abundant wedding feast was catered by Beyond the Edge Café.
Widdershins wishes the newlyweds much love, abundance, passion and laughter. May you never thirst.
There was a paragraph inadvertently left out of NightOwl's article "Selling the Spiritual Dream" in the last issue. We wish to apologize for the oversight; sorry, NightOwl! The missing paragraph is printed following.
"These people encourage spiritual seekers to be 'tourists' or consumers of flattering fantasies rather than doing the work of having a spiritual practice. Many people find it annoying to hear someone question the authenticity of their favorite source of spiritual teaching. If it is because you do not like to face it when you have fallen for a liar - oh well."
We also want to thank some people who provided special assistance on this issue. Extra special thanks go to Julie Albanese, Geo and especially Bonnie Lenk, for performing the arduous task of transcribing the interview with Beaver Chief, and all at the last minute. Goddess bless you all!
We want to welcome and thank several other newcomers to the Widdershins staff: Bonnie, Candace, Felicia, Geo, Jared, Jerry, Julie, Megan, Peter and Shevaun. Your contribution of energy and effort is greatly appreciated. Blessings to all of you!
She has been one of the moving forces behind the success of Widdershins, and we will (and do) miss her production support terribly.
We love you, Miriam! Ciao bella!
If you have a few spare hours a couple of times during the six-week period between issues, and a car, you can distribute to our pagan-friendly businesses. Doing distribution is lots of fun; you get to go to stores you might not normally visit and check out the pagan community and what's going on locally. The stores are great, and the people are delighted to see with you each new issue.
You also get to hang out in the hot tub with a bunch of cool people and eat chocolate. We would appreciate you tremendously, as would a lot of other people who would be able to see the paper much sooner. It also would be great for your karma!
We need help in all areas, especially downtown Seattle, Queen Anne, south Seattle, Renton, Kent, Federal Way, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver and Portland, Oregon.
Do you live farther north than Everett? We are also looking for distribution points in Monroe, Woodinville, Bellingham, and for Victoria and Vancouver B.C., Canada. If you know of a place that might like to carry Widdershins, or want to deliver, please call Sylvana at 363-7896 to volunteer.
Widdershins continues to look for desktop publishing experts, artists, writers, typists, office organizers, copy editors and proofreaders - in short, workers for just about every task associated with the paper. We're having so much fun, we've got to share it! Perks include semi-professional training and deep appreciation. Possession of your own personal computer, knowledge of Microsoft Word and/or Pagemaker for Windows are pluses but not requirements.
For more information, call 363-7896 and ask for Sylvana.
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