I wondered why we hang onto old anger, pain and resentment. Why put energy into negativity when we have enough else to worry about just living in today's world? I also thought, how important can it be for me to hold onto this energy if I can't even remember why it started in the first place? I thought about how anger can be useful, how we can transform the energy behind it into something new and different - such as Widdershins.
We first published the paper two years ago, partly as a response to an editorial campaign in another, now defunct local pagan paper, The Northwest Magickal Times. That campaign retailed old rumors, most with no basis in fact, that slandered myself and others in the community. At the same time, the Magickal Times' other content dwindled. My coven and I started thinking, "We can do better than that" - not only in terms of content, but also in taking the energy started by this battle and rechanneling it to create unity and peace.
One Full Moon in March, the question came up again. I had already published a small paper in the '80s and had been instrumental in working on The Puck Paper. After a few minutes of discussion, I asked my coven if they really wanted to publish a paper. They practically knocked me over when they said yes! I asked them once more to be sure, and still they said yes! That Beltaine, we brought out the first Widdershins. The initial anger, transformed, became what we hope is a positive force.
Since then, there have been a few side trips, and we've had our share of problems, but all in all it's been a pretty good time. We have interviewed some of the most interesting and controversial people we could find. We have gone out of our way to publish the coolest stuff around, and damn the politically correct Nazis! We have been congratulated on being successful in maintaining our integrity, both in our subject matter and in its quality. I thank all of you who have noticed!
I wish to take a moment to thank the people who have made it possible to publish for two years. First, my co-editor and partner in crime, Miriam Harline, who has contributed a tremendous amount of money, time and skill to making Widdershins a successful and professional venture. She has been a cheerleader and a taskmaster; she has kept me grounded in reality and kept me from inserting my whole leg into my mouth at times; she has also been a driving force for doing the "right thing" journalistically speaking. I can't say enough about how incredibly blessed we are to have her and her infinite wisdom.
I give my eternal love and appreciation - not to mention sexual favors - to my mate Wade Peterson, who has constantly helped out in myriad ways, including cooking and cleaning and putting up with not seeing me for days at a time, plus when he does see me I'm a seething deadline bitch! He has even written a few articles! Next, I offer my undying thanks and gratitude to Harold Henry, computer wizard, who has given an outrageous amount of money, time, skill and equipment beyond the call of duty - without which, we'd still be in the dark ages!
One person I want to especially thank is Dedric, our Webmaster. He has worked many long hours and spent an incredible amount of energy creating, upgrading and maintaining our Web page, our HTTP site and our electronic subscriptions. Thank you, thank you, sweetie!
I also want to thank all the Sylvan Grove, past and present. Without all of my coveners, we would not have had the wherewithal to begin, not to mention continue, such a huge project. Thanks also to all the other people who have helped in writing, creating art, editing, copyediting, interview transcribing and delivery. All of you have my gratitude. With your help, we have realized the vision we began with, and more.
Where does Widdershins go from here? We hope to carry on, to grow larger and better and to continue to contribute to the pagan community. We hope that we can be a impetus in the community for unity rather than divisiveness. Going back to my earlier topic of disagreements, I invite anyone with whom I have had an argument in the past to contact me. Let's put the past behind us and let go of the old negative energy. I make a commitment to attempt to heal the relationships that have been broken, and to move into the future with as clean a slate as I can.
As for the paper's content - we have a few ideas. You'll just have to stick around and see them manifest!
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