NMR ISSUE 10

An Introduction to Modern Practical Alchemy
Astrological Forecast 10
Blue Lace Agate
Chant of Luna
Editorial
Is the New Age Dead
Letters 10
Mother-Night
Open Letter
Should I do it while I'm Sick
Snake & Elk
The Environment
The Oldest Magick
The Winter Sunstead Yule

Articles
Authors
Rituals
Book Reviews
NMR Issues
NMR Covers

The Editorial

Scot Rhoads

Gangs, Groups, Cults and Deputies

The last two issues I have talked about the problems with An Informational Aid to Understanding Gangs, Groups, Cults which, until recently, was making the rounds through the San Diego Public Library. We have been trying to do something to reduce the threat of problems stemming from the disinformational nature of the "Groups" and

"Cults" sections. Though the publisher has been unhelpful, I have made progress with the San Diego City Librarian, William Sannwald.

In his latest letter, Mr. Sannwald said: "The publisher of the guide, the San Diego County Deputy Sheriff's Association [DSA] has informed us that they would not object to the flier that you proposed to `help clarify the misleading information in Gangs, Groups, and Cults.'" Thus, with the blessings of the DSA, the library has acquiesced. They will distribute 500 copies of the flier we have written. In order to get the DSA's blessing, we had to drop all direct references to the Deputies' book. I am hoping that the title, "An Additional Informational Guide to Groups and Cults," will fill this gap.

This is, I feel, a bit of a Pyrrhic victory. Though I don't know how many copies of Gangs, Groups, Cults were printed, 500 is surely but a fraction of that. However, I hope to garner some media attention that will create a demand for the fliers. With luck, we will be able to achieve some parity in distribution.

I have included a copy of the flier on the next two pages, in case anyone else would like to use it. I ask that you leave it unchanged. If that does not fit in with your needs, feel free to make changes (especially the title), but: if you make extensive changes to the text, please remove our byline; and if you make any changes (especially dropping the ads at the end), permission to use the flier ends with you—that is, if anyone else would like to use it, we request they start with an original copy. (If you can, please leave the ads, as we hope that they will help to allow us to continue our services.)

This flier is tailored to address Gangs, Groups, Cults, but that book touches upon so many common problems that many may find the flier useful for their purposes. Also, many people may find similar books in other parts of the country. Mark Whorly, a friend through a local computer bulletin board, has looked into the matter as well. From a secretary at the offices of the DSA, Mark learned that Stuart-Bradley Productions, Inc. ("The Premier National Law Enforcement Publishing Company") provided all the unattributed information in Gangs, Groups, and Cults. The indistinct titles and subtitles make it difficult to judge, but this material seems to comprise 40% to 60% of the "Cults" section. It includes some of the more odious parts, such as "The Satanic Calendar Explained." Stuart-Bradley seems to be a national company providing `canned' information to help fill out local publications such as Gangs, Groups, Cults.

Mark also informed me that L. Nelson (of Warnke Publishing in Kentucky), whose books compose a third of the "Cults" bibliography, is an evangelical Witch-hater. The preponderance of such references in the bibliography and the book itself suggest that this material is evangelical disinformation. It suggests the publishers have a subconscious agenda (or worse). If this is so, it is potentially a serious national problem. Law enforcement groups disseminating this information give it a dangerous air of authority.

To be fair, one of Start-Bradley's advertisements talks of their providing information on "such issues as domestic violence, child abuse, teen suicide, drugs, public safety, and missing children." These are all laudable. Based on what I saw in the "Gangs" section, I am confident that they can help in these areas. They just seem to be a little bit unaware and a little bit irresponsible in the "Groups and Cults" areas. We need to educate them.

I have not yet had any success in following up on Stuart-Bradley to confirm any of this. But I will not be able to try in earnest before I finish work on this issue of the magazine. If you would like to look into them as well, contact them at: Stuart-Bradley Productions, Inc., 1610 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523; CA phone (800) 992-9096, West U.S. phone (800) 223-6488, other phone (415) 932-2156; chairman is George S. Kellner, president is Matthew B. Kellner. Please let me know what you find out.

Worshipping the $
or supporting an eating habit?

It this issue, you find the result of my recent stroke of moderate intelligence. I had always intended for this magazine and our catalog to be mutually supporting—now I have finally put in an insert with some of our more popular items for your edification. Please note that this is on the easy-to-remove center pages, so that you can easily remove it, if it offends. Also note that it is not at the expense of the rest of the magazine—these are extra pages. (I guess I have technically lived up to my ancient promise of expanding the magazine.)

I was almost hesitant to put in the catalog section because I've been a little dismayed by the expansion of ads in some other metaphysical publications. Also, I dread "catazines." (The insert's removeability was a happy compromise.) Upon second thought, I became defiant. The marriage between spirituality and economics supposedly results in Jim Bakers, Jerry Falwells and Rajneeshes—spirituality overcome by greed. I have even heard some comments that Circle Sanctuary is too commercial. Our society's view is that spirituality never mixes with capitalism—to be spiritual, you must be poor. This I choose to reject.

If we do create our reality, we must on some level choose life to be this way. Why make such a choice? The threat of greed overcoming spirituality, as mentioned above, is the only reason I can imagine. But why not create a reality where this does not happen? That leaves no reason that I can see.

Consider the effect of `impoverished spirituality.' It divorces spirituality from our lives. The rich can't be spiritual. The poor don't have time for an investment that doesn't put food on the table. Poor spirituality is a lie.

Spirituality, like love, should be throughout our lives, in every action and aspect. Certainly there are occasions when spirituality is of prime importance, and occasions when it is not. You can't focus on anything all the time, but you can make spirituality an undercurrent that shapes your attitudes and actions at all times. There is nothing that you cannot do in a spiritual way.

If we are to incorporate spirituality in our lives, it must reflect those things in our lives. A big part of our lives is money. If we look at the rituals of history and of ancient cultures, we find most of them associated with prosperity. A rite for a successful hunt or for good crops or fertility is not that different from a rite for success in the stock market. There are many deities of prosperity, fertility and good fortune, etc. And don't forget that Mercury is a god of commerce. Our riches/spirituality dichotomy is a recent aberration.

I suspect that this separation reflects the increased specialization that western civilization has experience over the last couple centuries (though I don't think it's causal). We have compartmentalized the activity necessary to succeed materially, thus distinguishing it from spiritual activity.

We are just now beginning to synthesize the many disciplines that have brought us so much development. Socio-biology, bio-physics, bio-chemistry, et al, are part of the "putting back together" process. The New Age is part of this, too. We now ask the gods' help in rituals for prosperity and other material goals. Why not ask the Goddess for a BMW? (As long as there is more to your relationship with her than that.) As the synthesis proceeds, spirituality and income will eventually become independent (or directly proportional).

This is as it should be. Spirituality and riches being inversely proportional tells us that we have an inherent lack of balance in our society. Prosperity and spirituality are as fundamental to being human as sex, eating, thinking, loving, and creating. We should have as much of all of these as we desire. When we do not, we should unashamedly work to get what we want, and not at the expense of our other desires. In other words, if you're not happy, fix it. In still other words:

"Do what thou wilt?"

I am not saying that there is no risk. One can be unbalanced in favor of materialism, spirituality, or anything. But let us see try to that for what it is, and only when it is there. Our society is biased to assume that where materialism and spirituality mix, the latter is corrupted. Don't buy into that unfortunate attitude. That is part of our society's consciousness of lack and struggle. Everyone wants to have enough, everyone wants spirituality—let's tear down the wall between them.

The Point

I certainly owe no apologies as long as I'm netting less than minimum wage and have no free time. But, I am as immersed in society's attitudes as anyone. I take it personally when some clown objects that we shouldn't charge for craft classes, even when I know the alternative is no classes. I feel a twinge when I see piles of advertising in a spiritual publication, and I start to think of them as "New Wage." I assume that others feel similarly.

I am asking you not to be put out by advertising in "spiritual" publications (especially ours!). As anywhere else, look at what your money is going for. After sifting through the ads, have you gotten your money's worth in the publication? When your order arrives, do you feel it was worth the investment? If you choose to order from an organization as "charity" (or if you make a straight out donation), do they spend the profits on what you want? It's that simple. What do we spend our profits on? Well, we're still establishing ourselves, so we haven't actually gotten any profits yet. But our goal is to build a business that will help us to create and support a Pagan community in the Pacific Northwest. Thus, it comes back to spirituality. But this is a down-to-earth spirituality, which, I hope you agree, is the kind the world needs most right now. Scott Cunningham Update: Scott Cunningham has recovered from his hospital stay; but since his pocket book still has a long convalescence ahead, here again is the address where friends and fans can send contributions: The Scott Cunningham Medical Fund 8431 Beaver Lake Dr. San Diego, CA 92119. Scott expresses his gratitude to the many people who have offered their support, well wishes and healing energy. Blessed Be.