Lakota Elder Speaks on Sedona Deaths

Monday October 19, 2009

Chief Arvol Looking Horse is the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle, and a well-known elder of the Lakota people. He recently made a statement to the Rapid City Journal about the deaths of three people in a sweatlodge ceremony in Sedona, Arizona. Chief Arvol Looking Horse goes into great depth describing the history of the ceremony -- which is intended as a purification ritual -- and describes the process by which one must be qualified to lead such an event.

He also says, "When you do ceremony - you can not have money on your mind... The heart and mind must be connected. When you involve money, it changes the energy of healing. The person wants to get what they paid for; the Spirit Grandfathers will not be there, our way of life is now being exploited! You do more damage then good."

It's a shame that self-help guru James Arthur Ray didn't keep this in mind when he crammed 64 people into a shabbily constructed plastic sweatlodge last weekend. In addition to the three deaths, another twenty people were hospitalized after being taken ill. Officials are investigating the incident as homicides, but at this time no charges have been filed.

Witches on the Air

By Elysia Gallo
If you're anything like me, you take notice when anything even slightly witchy turns up on TV. And if that's a Pagan family on Wife Swap or Tyra Banks' all-out assault on our witchy sisters, it really gets your attention!
Now if you happen to live in a box that's not hooked up to the Internet, chances are you have missed the flurry of blogs and web commentary galore about the "Lives of Witches" episode of The Tyra Banks Show that aired on January 29 (check out some of the blogs in the links section to get caught up!).
However, if you're like the rest of us, you've been reading them all and rolling your eyes. How dare Tyra say she needed to burn sage (our thing) because she got the "heebie jeebies" from her own guests? How dare she insinuate that it was offensive to her viewers to refer to Wicca as a religion? And what roles do Satanists and born-again Christians have to play on a program about Witchcraft? In the end, I guess it's just sad that anyone felt that she would even attempt to be unbiased; she showed clearly enough that she was petrified of offending her Christian audience.
But just how right-wing Christian is her audience? I did a very, very informal analysis of the viewer comments that appeared on the network's web site by the next day. At that point, I counted roughly 150 peeved Pagan voices, some demanding an apology; about 50 comments that didn't admit being Pagan or not but said either that they enjoyed the show or that they thought Tyra was being too biased; and less than 50 that said they were irate with Tyra for being so irresponsible as to brainwash all these innocent, susceptible teens who watch her program because all witchcraft is of the devil. That's about two hundred against fifty. So all in all, Tyra did a much better job at garnering Pagan wrath than the Christian variety.
But let's back up just a bit. Tyra may or may not be deserving of this outcry (did she ever claim to be an unbiased journalist, or is she a daytime talk show hostess?) but what about Fiona Horne? Pagan venues have been saying some rather unfriendly things about her, mainly about being too light, fluffy, and who knows what else. Does she deserve this? She is simply putting her best face forward as a non-threatening, clear-spoken, mediagenic representative of Witchcraft. Pagans are more tolerant of people from other religions than from their own, even though we know and acknowledge at every turn that Paganism - and witchcraft - is a highly personal belief system that differs for everyone. Who is anyone to say that Fiona is "too light" in her beliefs or practices, or in her public image for that matter?
I'll tell you what (here comes my two cents). There are always going to be newcomers to Wicca, who will seek out those 101 books so many of us are bored with; who are curious about a new, empowering belief system that works for their lives; and if they find even a grain of interest in what gorgeous blonde Fiona had to say, then Fiona did deserve to be on that show. And you know what? There were tons of viewer comments asking who she was, what the book she mentioned was, how they can do the spell she talked about. And if she can get these curious seekers into the metaphysical section of the bookstore or library, or even to do a little exploring on the Internet, it is widening their horizons and opening their minds. As Fiona wrote in her blog, "Despite the ending being so loaded with negativity against Modern Witchcraft (as the show wrapped on the Christian girl's negative opinion and Tyra echoed that) something wonderful happened. I have had so many Christians emailing me and saying they didn't support Tyra's opinion and saying positive things about Modern Witchcraft." (Check out her blog for the full account of what happened behind the scenes that day with Tyra, and afterwards!)
Later this spring we will be publishing a book by Fiona, L.A. Witch, that details in a fun and rather bubbly way how to get together with like-minded people to form a coven. (Having fun is a good way to get people involved in their spiritual life - just look at Christian youth groups for a case in point.) In it, Fiona never says that her way is the only way. She encourages readers to go further, to form reading circles, attend workshops, and "experiment, explore and enjoy!" She outlines a whole slew of study topics that wouldn't fit into just one book, and recommends her favorite books, including ones by Phyllis Curott, Amber K, the Farrars and Gavin Bone, etc.
So what's my point? Simply that we have enough Tyras to bash Pagans; why should Pagans bash each other? In today's American media, yes, sometimes we need a beautiful, articulate celebrity just to open the door for people to actually consider us as something other than evil, dark, scary and Satanic. I say go for it, Fiona!

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Twas the Evening of Samhain

Twas the Evening of Samhain
by Cather Steincamp

'Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place

were pagans preparing the ritual space.

The candles were set in the corners with care,

in hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.

We all had our robes on (as is habitual)

and had just settled down and were starting our ritual

when out on the porch there arose such a chorus

that we went to the door, and waiting there for us

were children in costumes of various kinds

with visions of chocolate bright in their minds.

In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot,

but we had purchased candy (we'd purchased a LOT),

And so, as they flocked from all over the street,

they all got some chocolate or something else sweet.

We didn't think twice of delaying our rite,

Kids just don't have this much fun every night.

For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick

of giving a choice: a treat or a trick.

As is proper, the parents were there for the games,

Watching the children and calling their names.

"On Vader, On Leia,

On Dexter and DeeDee,

On Xena, on Buffy,

Casper and Tweety!

To the block of apartments

on the neighboring road;

You'll get so much candy,

you'll have to be TOWED!"

The volume of children eventually dropped,

and as it grew darker, it finally stopped.

But as we prepared to return to our rite,

One child more stepped out of the night.

She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen.

Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green

with a simple gold cord tying off at the waist.

She'd  a staff in her hand and a smile on her face.

No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch,

so we asked who she was; she replied "I'm a witch.

And no, I don't fly through the sky on my broom;

I only use that thing for cleaning my room.

My magical powers aren't really that neat,

but I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat."

We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones,

A candle, a crystal, a few other stones,

And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van).

She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan)

and laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed,"

and started to leave, but she first turned and said

"I'm sorry for further delaying your rite.

Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night."

Copyright (c) 1999 by Cather Steincamp

The 12 Days of Samhain Lyrics

This silly song is a great way to get your kids (or other adults) in the mood for the Samhain season. Sing it along to the tune of the classic Twelve Days of Christmas!

The Twelve Days of Samhain

On the first day of Samhain my true love gave to me
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the second day of Samhain my true love gave to me
two jack o lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the third day of Samhain my true love gave to me
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the fourth day of Samhain my true love gave to me
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the fifth day of Samhain my true love gave to me
five pointy hats,
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the sixth day of Samhain my true love gave to me
six owls a-hooting,
five pointy hats,
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the seventh day of Samhain my true love gave to me
seven skulls a-grinning,
six owls a-hooting,
five pointy hats,
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the eighth day of Samhain my true love gave to me
eight ghosts a-haunting,
seven skulls a-grinning,
six owls a-hooting,
five pointy hats,
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the ninth day of Samhain my true love gave to me
nine dead men dancing,
eight ghosts a-haunting,
seven skulls a-grinning,
six owls a-hooting,
five pointy hats,
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the tenth day of Samhain my true love gave to me
ten bats a-gliding,
nine dead men dancing,
eight ghosts a-haunting,
seven skulls a-grinning,
six owls a-hooting,
five pointy hats,
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the eleventh day of Samhain my true love gave to me
eleven spiders crawling,
ten bats a-gliding,
nine dead men dancing,
eight ghosts a-haunting,
seven skulls a-grinning,
six owls a-hooting,
five pointy hats,
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

On the twelfth day of Samhain my true love gave to me
twelve brooms a-flying,
eleven spiders crawling,
ten bats a-gliding,
nine dead men dancing,
eight ghosts a-haunting,
seven skulls a-grinning,
six owls a-hooting,
five pointy hats,
four séance spirits,
three crooked headstones,
two jack o'lanterns and
a black cat in a spooky tree.

Thirteen Spooky Poems for Samhain

Samhain night is a great time to sit around a fire telling spooky stories. Check out this witch's dozen of classic scary poems to read, either alone or out loud. Some are for adults, some for kids, but all are worth reading at Samhain!

Edgar Allen Poe, "The Raven"

First published in 1845, this is the classic poem of fear and terror. The narrator never tells us why there's a raven on his threshhold, but a few stanzas in we begin to realize it has to do with his lost love, the mourned Lenore. By the time we reach the end, the narrator is well on his way to madness, driven there by the "stately Raven of the saintly days of yore." For those of us who enjoy a slightly sillier version of our spookiness, watch the original Simpsons Treehouse of Horror (1990), which features Bart sqwawking "Eat my shorts!" at an enraged Homer.

Edgar Allen Poe, "Annabel Lee"

A classic bit of Poe, relating the tale of lost and doomed lovers, and the wind that "came out of the cloud, chilling and killing my Annabel Lee." By the final stanza, you'll be chilled too!

Traditional ballad, "Tam Lin"

First written down by James Francis Child in 1729, the tale of Tam Lin has been around for centuries. Young Tam Lin finds himself out on Halloween, and drawn into the arms of the Queen of the Fae in her seductive green mantle.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

A wedding guest meets an old sailor, and finds himself the recipient of this scary narrative, originally written in 1798. Coleridge's ancient mariner relates the tale of what happened to the men of a doomed ship, and hopes to find absolution for himself in the telling of the story.

Robert Burns, "Halloween"

Burns' Scottish dialect may be hard to translate for some readers, but if you take the time to figure out the story, it's well worth it. The family in the poem particpates in some traditional Halloween customs, including divination and the pulling of oats for a blessing.

William Shakespeare, Witches Spell Scene from "Macbeth"

"Double, double, toil and trouble" is the classic line from Shakespeare's MacBeth, written in 1606. A veritable grocery list of vile spell ingredients, this is great fun to read aloud on a dark and windy night. For a bit of extra fun, read it as your little ones are doing inventory of their Halloween loot bags.

Jack Prelutsky, "It's Halloween!"

Fun and silly, this is typical Prelutsky poetry that your little witchlets are sure to enjoy.

Robert Frost, "Ghost House"

Written in classic Frost style, this poem evokes the feeling we've all gotten at one point or another, looking at an empty home site, or a field where nothing remains but the mists.

Lord Byron, "Darkness"

In 1816, young George Gordon Lord Byron wrote this eerie tale of despair and sadness in which humanity and mankind itself are defeated by the things that lurk in the dark.

Percy Bysshe Shelley, "A Lament"

While his wife was busily penning Frankenstein, Percy Bysshe Shelley was scribbling away at poems of sadness and woe. Composed in 1821, the year before his death, A Lament is a simple yet sad acknowledgement of our own mortality.

Emily Dickinson, "Because I Could Not Stop For Death"

One of Dickinson's most evocative works, this poem takes us for a carriage ride with Death himself.

John Donne, "The Apparition"

A spooky, scary poem of murder and vengeance from beyond the grave!

Edna St. Vincent Millay, "The Little Ghost"

This sweet poem tells the tale of a harmless, enchanting spirit bedecked in lace and ruffles. It's a good one to read the kids, too.

How to make a scrying mirror from about.com

Samhain Countdown: Make a Scrying Mirror

Friday October 23, 2009

© Patti Wigington

Samhain is a great time of the year for doing divination. One of the oldest forms of divination involves staring into a piece of dark glass to see what messages may appear. If you make a scrying mirror, you can use it for divination rituals at Samhain, and the rest of the year as well! It's easy to put together, and even easier to use: Make a Scrying Mirror

Sign up for the Samhain Seven Day Sabbat Class, Get Ready for Samhain!

Wiccan says she was fired for her religion

A sales manager who has spent the last eight years working for Bath and Body Works says she was fired for making her annual pilgrimage to Salem, Massachussetts, for Samhain. Gina Uberti has made the trip for the past six years, but in 2008, things changed, and now she's filed a federal complaint.

Uberti says her request to take vacation the week of Oct. 31, 2008 was approved by regional manager Scotty Kerby, her direct supervisor. However, Kerby was replaced by Sandra Scibelli. In a conversation with Scibelli, Uberti says she explained that she was celebrating a religious holiday. According to the complaint, Scibelli's response was, "That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard... I will be damned if I have a devil-worshipper on my team."

Uberti was fired in November 2008. Although there's no indication as to what Uberti's work history was, it seems that if there was any reason for her to be fired, there should be documentation. She's claiming religious discrimination, and is suing for lost wages and punitive damages.

3rd Sweat Lodge Victim Dies

This is so sad for people who are just trying to get their lives illuminated, to end up GOING to the light!