|
NEWS (16th Oct’11)- Radio Interview with OnFM
Earlier today (16/10/11) I participated in a radio discussion on the subject of Halloween’ (or Samhain as we pagans call it!). It took place for `OnFM’ radio station in Hammersmith, London. I represented the Pagans, and there were others representing Christian & Jewish views. The debate (2pm-4pm) largely revolved around Halloween (Samhain as we call them!!) and drifted into Satanism (I had to point out it has nothing to do with Paganism), Witches and Occultism. The Christian representative spoke at great length- of his experience of personal demonic possession in his preteen years (bed bouncing, levitation ..the whole works), how he was later delivered by Jesus, and years later proceeded to have delivered’ many possessed people to freedom. He also briefly quoted the famous Occultist Aleister Crowley as a Satanist’ (clearly misinformed). There were many other misconceptions about paganism, and how children who have Halloween parties and play-curse each other could be harming and dangerous.
It must be said, that until now, we have taken such comments with a big pinch of salt. (The Pagan Federation has made it a policy to campaign against the world’s perceived misconceptions and prejudices about paganism). However following this radio interview, we here at Craft & Magic have reached serious decision.
We shall not only be assertively correcting such misconceptions, but take proactive steps to educate people of other religions, media and educational institutions on the real ideals, values and merits of paganism (of which Wicca/ Witchcraft is one strand). To that end, we shall be proactrively writing to such establishments, put educational articles, and write some much needed books in this particular field (which has been in our `pipeline’ for some months!).
|
Recently we attended the much prestigious Witchcraft & Wiccan event `Charge of the Goddess - Day for Gerald’ in London, organised by The Centre for Pagan Studies. 
known Doreen Valiente (fondly considered as the mother of modern Witchcraft), and Gerald Gardner (the man who revived the modern Wicca movement some 60 yrs ago!).