Unforgotten

[poliphilo]

My involvement in Wicca ended badly- and I've not wanted to revisit that time of my life- but Rik, our last initiate, came round for a chat yesterday afternoon and- rather to my surprise- led me into happy reminiscence- so I suppose I've left that particular slough of despond behind.

Good. 

Apart from the way it ended, being a witch was- take it all in all- a highly entertaining experience. I don't suppose I've ever had so much fun before or since. And it's good to know that Rik is keeping the name of our coven alive and handing on the flame. I'd have thought we'd have been long forgotten on the scene but apparently our names still count for something- and not only because we wrote a "how to do it" Wiccan manual. Rik was talking about us to a group of pagans and one of them said, "Tony Grist- isn't he the guy who founded the Manchester Goddess Group?"

Well, yes indeed. Way back In 1991. And how amazing that anyone still remembers. It was me and Kath Barber- with Ailz coming along shortly after to make it three.

You still out there, Kath?

Comments

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

Can you talk a bit about how your involvement ended badly? I'm finishing up my MA in Religious Studies this year, with my thesis concerning the effects of consumer culture on religious belief and practice. I'm using Neo-Paganism and Wicca as a lens through which to view the phenomenon.

I'm interviewing the leader of a Neo-Pagan group here in Arizona as part of my research - any chance I could email you the same set of questions to get your take on it?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I have a short attention span. I'd done something like ten years in paganism and I'd had enough. It didn't interest me any more. Or- to go a little deeper- I'd got to the stage where I didn't need religion any more - any religion.

And then our first initiate- whom we'd thought of as a daughter- fell under the influence of a money-making scam/cult, decided we were evil and that it behoved her to break all contact with us. This sort of broke my heart. I'd have got out anyway but that speeded my departure.

I'd be very happy to answer the questionnaire. Please send it to lostcow95@ntlworld.com.