Dear editors,
Part of the statement of purpose for your paper, Widdershins is "to provide an opening for healing, growth and transformation in the Pagan Community."
It therefore mystifies me why you would publish a recent article by Melanie Fire Salamander entitled "Witches Think Ceremonialists Wankers."
In the aforementioned piece, our salamandarine friend tells us that ceremonialists annoy her, that they are boastful, arrogant, pompous, and powerless. She goes on to describe most ceremonial magi as people who pick up a trashy book like the phony Necromonicon, read a part of it, and think they are Adul Alhazared himself.
I freely admit that I have, in the past, written some articles slamming people in other disciplines. I have seen the light and will not be submitting any more hate literature to anyone. It's bad for your Karma, it's small and asinine and, well, arrogant. I hardly see how publishing slimy articles like our friend the salamander's will heal, induce growth, or harmonize our community. Just the opposite is true. Her article was petty, stupid, and designed to insult a specific group.
I do not pretend to be a ceremonial magician. I am one. I am also a Wiccan. It is possible to be both. I don't see a problem with that. I am not a "fake" - I put in the work and have done so since the early seventies. I have studied hundreds of books (and yes, I read them right through, even though most of them were drivel). I apply what works and cast away what, for me, does not.
I really could care less what some self proclaimed "witch" thinks of my practices. Yet it does concern me when a paper that claims to be a community builder happily publishes crap like this. I am from a different culture and honestly do not know what the term "wanker" means, but I do know when I'm being insulted. So do members of the O.T.O., the Masons, the Thelemites, Dawners, and solitary ceremonialists. The salamander protests that she (if she really is a she) is tolerant and accepting. Horseshit, she is.
It is true that the title of the piece includes the disclaimer "Sincere Ceremonialists Prove Them Wrong". Too bad that seems to be an editor's add on, since the article doesn't demonstrate such proof. Salamander only states that most ceremonialists she has met are phonies looking for group sex. I could say the same about many witches. It's too bad that Melanie hasn't met any of the sincere occultists. The real thing is hard to find. The real ones perhaps don't have the need or desire to be found. Perhaps the fault lies in her (or her Karma) and not in the community.
I have also heard around the ceremonialist community some folks who slam Ms. Silvers and the Sylvan Grove in the exact same way as the salamander. I will not circulate such hearsay, nor do I condone it.
The bottom line is this: if we are to heal and grow as a community, we have to stop it. We have to show respect and tolerance, not merely ape it. I have been a jerk in the past but I hope that I have grown since then. Perhaps you should as well and refuse to print any more such rubbish in the future.
Yours truly,
Harley Hashman, B. Ed., B.Sc., R. Ph.
Dear Harley,
Miss Salamander - and I am female, though I shall forbear from proving it in person - is going to have to get very strict with you.
Next time you reply to an article, you must read it through first.
First, a definition of terms. "Wanker" is British slang for "one who masturbates." In my article, I used this term pejoratively though not in a literal sense - I support everyone, including ceremonial magicians, in any self-pleasuring they perform. The cute ones I even help. I meant in my article by "wankers" people who pump up their egos based on fantasy - who boast of themselves as magicians when they are not. I apologize for not defining this term, and if I have confused anyone I'm sorry.
However, I'm not a bit sorry for anything else I said.
I never said, and I don't believe, that all or even most ceremonial magicians are fakes. What I did say was: "I have a problem with bogus ceremonial magicians.... I accept and support the sincere ceremonial magicians out there." I did not describe sincere magicians as "boastful, arrogant, pompous and powerless." Rather, I reported I'd found the phonies to be.
I also said "If you follow almost any discipline sincerely, patiently and humbly, doing the work required, I believe the discipline will lead you to wisdom." If I'm right in this last point, and if your self-analysis is correct you're an honest-to-Beelzebub ceremonial magician, we don't have a disagreement. In fact, I'm part of your fan club.
However, if you're saying that you're really a bogus ceremonial magician and that you have an innate right to be a phony and a liar, and furthermore that I don't get to make fun of you, we do have a difference of opinion. You see, I think it's a service to the community to pinprick bubbles of arrogance, self-importance and pomposity.
Also, I'd like to point out that it wasn't ceremonial magicians that I accused of using ritual as a cover for group sex, but witches: "The definitive witch-wanker, in my experience, is someone who wants to form a group-sex club and call it a coven." You have a point that one may be both a Wiccan and a ceremonial magician, as you say you are, but this is peripheral to both my argument and your own.
I'm sorry you stopped coming to editorial meetings, though, Harley. I always find it refreshing to joust with you.
Melanie Fire Salamander
More Etiquette Comments
Dear editors,
In regards to the letter by Kevin and his problem with Amanda: I think they both need to take chill-pills. Kevin doesn't seem to understand that whoever is leading Circle makes the rules. If he doesn't like it, he doesn't have to attend. With his obvious ranting and raving, he is also on a control trip, by insisting that Amanda is wrong. Yes, she is being controlling, but it is her Circle; she calls the rules. Now, I don't know the Lady, have never been to one of her Circles, but I'm sure she'll agree with "My Circle, My rules."
Also, Kevin has obviously never led a successful public ritual. In order to deal with and direct energy from people known and unknown in a public ritual, a proper HPS/HP must have a controlling ego. If the HPS cannot be a bitch, she cannot run a Circle. No wimps allowed. Kevin's wanting her to be a bit more "Lady-like" makes him as patriarchal as he is claiming she is. She is Goddess incarnate, Kevin; bow to her authority.
As for Amanda, she needs to realize that public rituals are open to chaos. I understand about bratty children (blame the parents), but children with "Circle manners" are welcome. Teaching a child manners is not Christianizing them, it's civilizing them. Animals should also be welcome. They bring the spirits in their physical form. If I'm calling in the earth elements, and a dog runs through the Circle, I can take a hint: Earth is here. Two dogs getting into an argument is also cause to say hello to Fire. Etc. Instead of calling the spirits, try listening to them. Chill, babe, and save the major control for private ritual. Don't take the fun out of other peoples' sails.
Editors, I would appreciate it if you could forward copies of this to the parties concerned.
Blessed Be,
Michele Briere, Akasha Keep
Dear Michele,
Thank you. I am happy that you took the time to state your opinion.
I did say in my article that well-mannered children were welcome, but I stand on my position about animals at open public rituals. What do you think would happen if even half the people brought their pets or familiars to a ritual all at the same time? Cats, dogs, birds, reptiles and other assorted beasties would have a free-for-all, and I'm afraid the end result would not be a pretty site. Leave your animals at home, please. Besides, some sites have rules against them anyway.
Though you don't know me, let me assure you, I can be a bitch if I need to be. Fortunately, it isn't necessary too often.
I have no way to forward letters to Kevin, but I trust he will read yours here.
Blessings,
Sylvana
To the editors:
I thoroughly enjoyed Sylvana's "Essential Pagan Etiquette" article. Though I don't agree with every aspect covered in this missive, my approval isn't required; nor should anyone else's be.
Besides, I thought that cleaning up after yourself and courtesy towards others were common-sense habits that all functioning adults ought to practice.
Blessed be!
Andrew C. Choate
Dear Andy,
Thank you for a calm and reasonable voice from the abyss. I was beginning to fear that I was the only one.
Sylvana
Compliments
Greetings:
I just subscribed to your on-line issue. It is wonderful! I enjoyed it so much. I am looking forward to receiving the Samhain issue.
With your permission, I would like to forward the article on the Witch's Calendar to Llewellyn Publishing. See, I am from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. At Merry Meet, Llewellyn handed out the calendar to all festival members for free. They just wanted our comments. Well, I have been lagging in this area but want to write them about how wonderful I think it is along with a copy of your article. They will appreciate the review.
Just want to say thank you for the wonderful newsletter. Hope it has a long life.
B*B,
Diana, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dear Diana,
Thank you for the letter, and we are happy that you enjoy the paper. Please be my guest and do forward the article to Llewellyn. I am sure they will be happy to see it. Thank you again.
Sylvana
Compliments From Ireland
Aye and good day ta ya! Tis a fine, fine thing yer doing here! Keep up tha' work.
Raven
Thank you, Raven; we appreciate your e-mail! Blessings,
Sylvana and the Widdershins Staff
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