[stylist] Bridgit and others

Wed Jun 5 03:19:24 UTC 2013

Let me state that I'm not debating specific practices especially
considering that I'm not a practicing pagan of any kind. As I've done
quite a bit of studying of Irish and Celtic traditions and cultures, and
written a couple of academic papers, the Beltane festival didn't sound
right to me, hence the pulling of outside sources, more than Wikipedia,
smile. They all agreed upon the fact that Beltane is only May first and
not the entire month. I'm also attempting to illustrate that Adler's
book, Drawing Down the Moon, is not a memoir based solely off her
opinions and beliefs. To say her book is controversial and not widely
accepted seems odd considering much of her material is collected from
the pagan community at large. Throughout the entire book, she references
various traditions and interviews various people from those traditions.
It's journalistic in nature, relying mostly on outside sources and not
Adler's opinion. And she has revised the book several times. The one I
read was just revised in 2005.

While this is but one book among many, and there are several practicing
pagans in this country, I guess I don't understand how Adler and her
book can be controversial and not speaking for the pagan community since
95% of her book is based off of material not her own and interviews
conducted, some with current leaders of known pagan groups. It would
seem to me, based on this, that if Adler and her book are controversial,
then that makes most of the pagan leaders equally controversial.

And as for the terms Wicca and witch, well, it's pretty widely accepted
that the etymology of witch derives from the word Wicca. Whether actual
Wiccans and witches choose to identify with the terms may be another
matter. Based on my research alone, which consists of several books and
online sources, it appears to be common to use both terms, but this
doesn't mean every Wiccan identifies as a witch, or every witch
identifies as a Wiccan. As most will say, it all comes down to personal
preference, but it would seem as though the terms themselves and
definitions are interchangeable even if certain people don't use both.
Again, based on a lot of research.

In Adler's book, the many people she interviewed who were Wiccans did
identify with the term witch, and this was from those interviewers
themselves and not Adler's personal assessment. Many online sources
follow suit, though most agree it's all about what you prefer to call
yourself.

One of the major *beliefs* with most pagan groups is that as long as it
does not harm others, there's no wrong way. So to say anything was white
and black would go against most pagan traditions, though a few do have
more rigid views especially the Norse traditions.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eve
Sanchez
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 6:41 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

Bridget, The greatest truth you stated was "...according to Adler..."
She is of one opinion that does not line perfectly with all other Pagans
including Neo-Pagans which fall under the umbrella of Paganism. Again,
Wicca is NOT Witchcraft and Not all Witches are Wiccan. Sorry, that is
not a point for opinion or debate. It is fact. Adler is very
controversial within the community. She provides some wonderful sources
and information, but she is NOT the Pagan authority. She also, is not
the only practicing Witch out there to gain the information about. Also,
there are some ancestral traditions that are not actually trying to
recreate. They are living the beliefs that were passed down from
generation to generation and can be traced back as far as genealogy
permits. Many of these traditions are very closed as they believe a
Witch is born, not made, and it is not something to share. I have had
exposure to one of these groups. I would not call them a coven as they
are more of a lineage. It is very beautiful andis possibly one of the
oldest traditions in the world. Eve

On Tue, Jun 4, 2013 at 4:20 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter
<bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials  by Marc Aronson is 
> available on BARD.
>
> I enjoy reading Young Adult novels, and just because it's YA doesn't 
> mean it's in *plain English.* smile. I just re-read Beast by Donna Jo 
> Napoli, and she writes so beautifully. A lot of her diction and 
> description is lyrical. She's one of my favorite authors.
>
> And I've read plenty of YA books that are longer. I think any novel, 
> despite the target audience, if it's good, it's good, and any audience

> will enjoy it.
>
> The other book is Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler, which I do 
> believe I mentioned in my original post. It's available on BARD as 
> well.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley 
> Bramlett
> Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 5:51 PM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others
>
>
> Bridget,
> Interesting. Is witch hunt on bard?
> So you read books meant for teens sometimes; me too. It is written in 
> more plain english and usually not as long. good way to get an 
> overview of the
> subject.
>
> Which other book are you refering to?
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bridgit Pollpeter
> Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 2:49 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist: 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/justin.willi
> am
> s2%4
> 0gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist: 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%4
> 0h
> otmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist: 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%
> 40
> earthlink.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist: 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%4
> 0h
> otmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> stylist: 
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/3rdeyeonly%4
> 0gmail.com

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com