From the Owl's Perch

Owl (Jacci Sutton) has provided us with some of the class material she did for the BBMMDC event. Titled "So Ya Wanna be a Witch, Eh?" and "Who's Watching the Witches" and her Bodhran class. Here for your reading pleasure are those articles, as we promised, along with Owl's own notes.

This particular class "So, Ya Wanna Be A Witch, Eh?", was designated as a "Teen Witch" class .. however, the attendees included Newbies, as well as Elders, and I think we all learned something <G>.

Perhaps the most difficult point to address in any workshop, is the fact that to achieve balance within the craft, we must acknowledge that energy is neuter. Whether the results of a particular working is "good" or "bad" depends upon one's perspective. Looking to Nature helps us to understand that things which occur in our lives can be both harmful and beneficial at the same time. A forest fire can be devastating, but it is also necessary to cleanse, and encourage new growth and evolution. Hurricanes are destructive to populated areas, but they are a natural occurance, and are necessary for our environment to balance itself. Therefore, how we prepare for, and handle the force of the storm, is what is most important.

Knowing the storms within each of us is part of the Witch's strongest arsenal <G>. Accepting those parts of us which are not quite so "nice", and learning to accept our own responsibility when things are not going the way we want, is the hardest lesson to teach, and the hardest lesson to learn.

In this class, I was very gratifide with the awareness and understanding all of the attendees exibited. Yes, there were those you could actually SEE the lightbulb turning on <G>.

My style of teaching is interactive. Having students get physically, and emotionally involved in the learning process is wonderful. Lectures bore me <G> ... but participation stimulates all of us.

So thanks to all the attendees for making the workshop a wonderful experience for everyone ... including the teacher <G>.

Blessed Be .. Owl

© 1997 .. Jacci Sutton aka Paniteowl

As one of the examples, I included the article on Donna Mauldin. This situation is a prime example of something being printed which is detrimental to all of us. If the woman is telling the truth, she was a participant in murder. This is a crime against society and should be investigated. If this woman is lying, this is a slanderous statement against those who practice the Craft.

Either way, WE are the ones who Watch the Witches. We are the ones who buy the books and magazines. We are the ones who join the Covens, and attend the Events and Workshops. By our support and participation, we validate those who would speak for the Witches. And WE are the ones who VOTE .. and who have the power to elect, or reject, those who would deny us our right to practice our faith.

So who watches the witches?? We do!! Each and every one of us. This too is part of the responsibility of practicing our craft.

BB .. Owl

For centuries, the common belief was that Witches were spiteful old hags, who conspired with the Devil to plague the good, upstanding, God-fearing people of the community. It has only been within the last 50 years that the practice of Witchcraft has come to be recognized as a valid Religious path in some countries.

The numbers of people finding the way to the Pagan Paths is amazing! The estimates are that there are anywhere from 50,000 to 10 Million practitioners in the US today. And our numbers are growing.

Along with growth comes public scrutiny. Yes, the very fact of our existence threatens a lot of people, while others wring their hands with glee, assuming that we are prime targets for scams and ripoffs. With the large on-line Pagan Community, we are more accessible than ever before. This is a good thing! But please know that our accessibility also makes us vulnerable. With our notoriety, many people have come to realize that we are a large Voting, and Buying segment of society. Perhaps, more than ever before, we must consider who we are, and why, in the past, secrecy was so important to our Elders.

Just because the laws against Witchcraft have been repealed, does not mean we are automatically exempt, or protected, from age-old discrimination. Changing a law does not change a person’s mind.

We will continue to be attacked from a Religious standpoint. We’re not trying to change people’s paths. We teach that all paths are valid and deserving of respect. Spiritual beliefs are universal, and ours is not an “either/or” position. However, we must acknowledge that not all who would use and abuse us are those of a specific religion. It would be nice if all our adversaries wore a cross, or maybe had a tatoo on their forehead so that we’d recognize them immediately, but that’s not the case.

Within our own community, we can find instances where people have claimed to be High Priests or High Priestesses, and have led people to believe that certain behaviors, or practices were required in order to practice a Pagan Pathway. Some are obviously more concerned with making money off of our community, than helping it to grow. Some are using the Pagan Community as a source to exert control, and encourage aberrant behaviors.

We’ve all heard of the High Priest or Priestess molesting students. We’ve all heard the stories of exorbitant fees being charged to “Teach” the Craft. And we’ve all seen the offers to provide “Spells” to solve any and all your problems for a price.

Our Craft is one of personal responsibility. We have no “Ecumenical Council of Cardinals” to research and approve or oversee the actions of anyone in our Community. WE are the ones responsible to verify, or reject those who would misuse our Community. Each and every one of us has the right to say “NO”!

What brings some to the Pagan Paths?

Spirituality

Anger at previous religious exposure

Rebellion

Wanting to be special

Wanting to be antagonistic to authority

Wanting to have control thru spellworking, rather than personal responsibility

Shock value

Wanting to find a Utopia

A belief in the propaganda

A personal awareness of the God and Goddess

I doubt that the Pagan Community will ever be structured like the Organized Religions we see today. None of us want to be responsible for someone else’s spiritual beliefs. None of us wants to be the Pagan Police! .. And none of us wants to create another organization which inhibits the spiritual quest of another.

However, in order to keep the freedom of Religion in our own ranks, we must all share the burden of responsibility when it comes to abuses in our own community.

The Net is a powerful tool. We learn from it, and we teach through it. Use it responsibly! Rumors are horrid things to spread ... but truth is a wonderful balm.

Should you hear something about a Trad, or an individual .. don’t spread the word til you know it is true. There are many Bulletin Boards, and Email lists, which put you in contact with people all over the world. A private post to an individual you trust and know well, can help you find other sources to verify or dispel rumors before they get out of hand. Taking action to dispel rumors is a responsible way to combat negativity, and to help our community grow in stature and trust.

When you see, or hear someone talking about us in error .. speak up! You don’t have to challenge everything, but you can question their source, or their perspective. NOT everyone who claims being part of the Craft is truthful ... Not everyone who claims to be part of the Craft really knows what they are talking about. Some claim things from ignorance .. some claim things from malice. Perfect Love and Perfect Trust are NOT automatic .. They are earned, and nurtured by all of us.

BB ... Owl

The Bodhran (pronounced bow’-rawn) is an ancient Celtic Frame Drum, played with one drumstick called a Tipper, or a Cipeen. The frame of the drum is supported by two cross pieces which allow the player more control, and they also help the drum keep its shape.

The Bodhran was a household tool ... used to carry and pack things as the Celts moved around. It’s said that it was also used to carry the cut peat slabs. Think about how many things you have in your own home which do double duty as decoratives or tools. How many of you have a vase or a storage jar, that also holds pencils or keys?

The original drums were made from various local woods. The wood was planed to a workable thickness, then heated in a steam box until it was pliable. The wood was then shaped and fastened in a ring, and allowed to dry. Cross pieces were inserted to retain the shape, and a thin goat skin was stretched across to form the drum head. Tacking, or binding was used to hold the drum skin firmly in place.

Now this is a drum that makes you get up close and personal. You hold the drum close to your body. Place your hand, or your finger tips against it’s warm skin, and apply slight pressure to encourage it to give voice, as you strike the Tipper against the drum. You can mute it, or allow it to yell out in all it’s glory. This drum speaks with you, and you speak through it.

The Tipper is a unique drumstick. Sometimes you’ll find one which is merely a straight stick .. while others are shaped with a bulge at both ends. Some are ornately carved, and still others are wrapped with leathers or cloths. Collecting Tippers is a fast growing hobby, for artistry is important to the Celtic heart within all of us.

The Bodhran has been rediscovered in recent years, perhaps because of the increased interest in pre-Christian Celtic history. In mediaeval times, much of the Celtic practices were abolished or restructured to fit the ideology of the Catholic Church. The Celtic Culture was almost obliterated. The Bodhran was one of those native tools, which were useful, and gave pleasure. It was thought to be too excitable .. and it’s use was denigrated and discouraged. As the popular show “Riverdance” shows us, the attempts to suppress and curtail Celtic exuberance failed! The rigid posture of the arms, shoulders, and upper body, were attempts to confine the excitement of the Celtic dance. However, the Celts, ever an adaptable people, took the restrictions and made them a thing of beauty and excitement.

So too is the Bodhran enjoying it’s resurrection! Come and play with the ancients!

Enjoy!!