[stylist] Bridgit and others

Wed Jun 5 02:26:45 UTC 2013

But it's not Adler's opinion but that of all the people she interviewed
and the outside sources she relies upon. It's not a memoir or
autobiography. Adler, I will point out once again, wrote this book
relying heavily upon outside sources, so you can't really say it's her
opinion alone.

I'm not pushing this point because I believe the content of her book. I
just think we need to recognize the type of book this is. Being a
practicing witch, Adler just include her personal experience when it
fits, but the book is primarily based upon interviews conducted over the
last 40 years and outside sources. As I said, you can visit any of the
websites and read the existing publications listed in the book to find
that Adler was providing info most in the pagan community agree with
because her info comes from them and not herself alone. This is a type
of journalism and not memoir.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of justin
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 8:15 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

Yes it does. It is nonfiction, but as Eve stated, it's one persons'
opinion.
It is a good book, and worth reading, though.   It is very long.  

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley
Bramlett
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 6:53 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

so what is Drawing down the Moon about?
Is this nonfiction? Are you saying it explores paganism as its practiced
today?

Thanks

-----Original Message-----
From: Eve Sanchez
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 4:11 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

Drawing Down the Moon is a great informational book, but not always a
good read. It does drag quite a bit, but is helpful for learning and
starting an exploration. Not all Pagans consider themselves Neo-Pagans
however and there are other misconceptions in the book that many do not
agree with. Pagan is the blanket term for many many traditions which
includes Neo-Paganism, Druidism, Celtic Paganism, Wiccan, Witchcraft and
so many more. Witches could be Wiccans and Wiccans could be Witches, but
the two terms are definitely NOT synonymous. Yes, Bridget. Beltane is
May 1st. It is a major Sabbatt and the spirit of Beltane carries through
the entire month of May. The first full moon following Beltane is
referred to as the Beltane Moon. I did however have the times all
screwed up that night as to when the eclipse took place as well as the
time of fullness. It was still a beautiful night though. I look forward
to reading your prompt contribution when it comes. Sometimes good things
must be waited for. Eve

On Tue, Jun 4, 2013 at 12:03 PM, Jacobson, Shawn D
<Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov> wrote:
> I just ordered "Drawing Down the Moon" yesterday and hope to have it
> from the library soon.  I recently read "The Reason for God" by 
> Timothy Keller and firmly believe that pop culture misunderstands 
> Christianity as much as it misunderstands Wicca.  Any great religion 
> has deep truths and pop culture is too shallow to really understand.  
> I also just read "Among Others" by Jo Walton; this is an excellent 
> book about magic (emphasizing caution in its use) and with a very life
affirming ending.
>
> I am reading "Endpoint" a book of poems by John Updike.  I'm hoping
> this inspires me to start up the poems again.
>
> I don't think I'm going to tackle the Salem Witch trials directly for
> the writing prompt, but one of the poems I'm thinking of writing will 
> touch upon them tangentially.
>
> Shawn
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
> Pollpeter
> Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 2:50 PM
> To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others
>
> It is a long book, and some of it is pretty far-out, though some of it
> does resonate with me. I really like the environmental conservation 
> element many pagan traditions get behind today along with the creative

> expression.
>
> Since most pagan ideals revolve around the natural world, many
> contemporary groups emphasize the importance of conservation and not 
> destroying the natural world around us. I'm a little bit into this and

> the whole organic thing, so I like a religion that believes this a key

> part of worship and life in general.
>
> The end drags a bit as she gets a little redundant and includes a lot
> of info about specific groups, festivals and other resources. If 
> anyone is interested in learning more about Wicca and neo-Paganism, 
> this is definitely the book to read.
>
> I finished Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials during the
> weekend. It uses actual documentation from the trials to attempt to 
> figure out why people accused others of such heinous acts. It's 
> written for teens, so it's not very long, and it doesn't delve into 
> the subject as much as I would like, but it was informative and
interesting nonetheless.
>
> That people may have or may not have been witches doesn't disturb me,
> but that people could have behaved in such a way as the accusers did 
> is incredibly disturbing to me, especially considering the Puritan 
> culture and mindset.
>
> It may take some time, but I still want to try to post something for
> the prompt. This is a fascinating subject, and I want to explore it in

> my writing.
>
> For now I better go. The baby is suppose to be sleeping, but he's
> playing in his crib, smile. Better make sure the diaper is okay. I 
> wouldn't mind some magical powers to instantly switch his diaper from 
> a dirty one to a clean one, grin! I actually don't mind changing 
> diapers, but Little Man hates to be confined, and he squirms, twists 
> and does high-pitch shrieking whenever his diaper is changed. I hope
this
is a phase, frown.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of justin
> Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 6:42 AM
> To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others
>
>
> I've read that book; it's pretty good.  Long though.  You are right
> about how across the board, creative expression id a big part of
neopaganism.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
> Pollpeter
> Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 1:27 PM
> To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
> Subject: [stylist] Bridgit and others
>
> I've actually been reading various texts and books on the subject as a
> whole. I'm finishing Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, 
> Goddess-worshippers and other Pagans in America Today, by Margot 
> Adler, a journalist and Wiccan, or witch, as she states the two are
synonymous.
> Next I plan to read a book detailing the actual trials during the
> Salem witch trials that has actual documentation from the hearings. 
> All very interesting.
>
> Like Eve, I want to do justice to anything I attempt. Even though just
> a simple exercise, I try to put my best into whatever I create. And I 
> go back and forth on nonfiction and fiction ideas. Though much of what

> is documented in Addler's book I find difficult to get behind, one 
> interesting fact that is almost across the board with neo-Pagans, as 
> they are called, is the importance placed on artistic expressions, 
> music, dance and poetry being emphasized. Many find spiritualism 
> through their art, and many believe these artforms are transformative
and
transcendent.
> Personally, whether it be music, dance, acting or writing, whenever I
> create, I feel alive, a sense of being something bigger than myself. 
> It's like I'm on the verge of discovering something truly grand and 
> big and beautiful. I've observed this predominatly when dancing, 
> singing and certain types of writing, particularly when adopting a
poetic
voice.
> Hmmm... This could make an interesting article for S & S.
>
> And BTW, Beltane is actually May first (what is referred to as May Day
> in modern culture) and celebrates fertility by the joining of the god 
> and goddess to usher in life with the coming of spring.
>
> Bridgit
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eve
> Sanchez
> Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 10:45 PM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: [stylist] Bridget and others
>
>
> I have been thinking of Bridget's prompt and must opt out of
> responding to it. I think it is a wonderful prompt and is actually 
> something I have been thinking of writing on for quite some time now. 
> It is for this reason that I can not write at the moment, but I am not

> saying never. I just feel for me, that it is too important a subject
for
me to do a half ass effort on.
> I do not have the time at the moment to devote to such a project, but
> will someday. I hope that others will write on this prompt though and 
> I look forward to reading the pieces. On this beautiful Witchy night 
> though, I send blessings. Go out just after midnight and enjoy the 
> magick of the lunar eclipse and the Beltane full moon. The veil is 
> thin at this time, so who knows
> who you might see.  ;)      (I am trying to figure out how to write
> "Oooooo-ooo-oooooo." for you to get the spooky effect I intend. Eve
>
>
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