NMR ISSUE 37

Astrological Forecast 37
Editorial 37
Esoteric Symbology of the Tarot
For Scrying
Hearts, Minds and Single Pigs
Inner Peace, Part II
Letters 37
Meditations on the Elements: Earth
Plastic Needlepoint Pentegram
Prophecy
Seasons of the Witch
Tarot Anyone?
The Machine
The Magical Flute IX:
The Staff of Spring
Whale & Finch

Articles
Authors
Rituals
Book Reviews
NMR Issues
NMR Covers

Letters

We encourage readers to send us comments! We may assume that they are available for publishing and forwarding to relevant parties unless you state otherwise. If you do not want your name or city printed, please let us know how you would like your letter signed. Opinions of authors in New Moon Rising and especially in the Letters section do not necessarily reflect those of New Moon Rising.

Religion and What to Do with It.

I have recently purchased a copy of New Moon Rising, 7:1, and I have read your editorial regarding why Pagans should organize to seek legitimacy. I completely agree that through our struggles to be accepted in the mainstream, we will redefine what it means to be legitimate.

I believe, that we are approaching a critical era in the evolution (or revolution) of the human experience. Technology has been able to reproduce a vast majority of the miracles that ancient prophets attributed to divine intervention. Walking on water, like flying through the air, has become a matter of physics. The information age has put the resources of the whole world in the hands of anyone who can operate a computer keyboard.

In light of all this, we must re-examine what purpose religion is to serve. Today's mainstream religions were designed some centuries and even millennia ago for illiterate hoards of hunters, farmers, and nomads. They served their purpose; humanity has grown in intelligence and prosperity. Out of all other mammalian, reptilian, and other species that have struggled for domination, humans have indisputably won dominion, save, perhaps, for the almighty cockroach.

All paradigms, religious or otherwise, are created for a purpose. They have a useful life span. Eventually, they outgrow their usefulness, and need to be re-examined. Just like today's explorers have traded the sail ship for a space shuttle, religion must change from an authoritarian dogmatism to open discussion of the dialectic and intuitive nature.

We must be free to study the ancient texts and practices of all religions Pagans, as well as main stream. We must decide for ourselves what we accept, what we reject, and what we expand upon.

My personal hypothesis is that the legitimized new spirituality will be an organization for the purpose of learning, experimenting with, and creating new points of view, philosophies and technologies (magicks?). I predict a structure where questions are prized much more than answers. Questions make one think, wonder, and learn; answers stop the learning process and lull the intellect into a false sense of security.

Michael Kachelski

Opus Enterprises

Agoura, CA

The Reason for the Season, or What?

We received some support for the Sol Invictus is the Reason for the Season Yuletide billboard idea outlined in last issue's The Editorial, but not enough to go ahead with the plan right now. There was also this compelling commentary:

I would not support your bill board idea for the simple reason that if you put up either slogan, the fundies would simply reread it in their own minds to mean what they want. As I grow, I have come to realize that one can not change the attitudes of others, even with their own holy books. Recently I tried to persuade a fellow at work that an opinion of mine was correct with a quote from a Vulgate Bible, and he, a Catholic, accused me inventing the quote just to prove a Pagan value and that he could not find the quote in his (Kings James) Bible.

The best new term going around is Religio-political. Referring to the movement of the fundies to establish their own brand of religion as the belief system for our country. This group is well organized and makes small victories, especially in the news media constantly. These types are in all probability the greatest threat to Pagan philosophy or the Wiccan movement.

Kraig's article Never Again the Burnings is reflective of the state of religious persecution in our world. It has not been that long since laws prohibiting the practice of the Craft were repealed. Many of us who have come out of the broom closet after being hidden so long, mark with envy those newly converted to Paganism who are so open and frank about their beliefs.

I expect a backlash from the Christian power base against Paganism in the near future. Call me paranoid, but I do not foresee the fundies giving up the money and power they have acquired to any one. Indeed, the circle I am a member of fear them greatly and so for the most part stay in the Broom Closet.

Glen A. Harroun

Spokane, WA

On rereading, I can see how this could look like it was a plan to enlighten hostiles. It was, after all, vociferous sanctimonious Fundies that inspired the idea. But I have to agree that this would be a futile gesture if that were its goal. We cannot win over hostile closed minds with a direct action like this billboard. But there is a silent majority out there that is open to influence. A billboard like this could get them thinking, and it could attract positive attention. Because they are open to influence, that means everyone, not just us, will make their mark. If we remain quiet because of the futility or hazards of addressing hostile Fundies, we leave their voices as the only ones. And it doesn't matter how silly an idea is; it becomes plausible if it's repeated enough without challenge.

Local conditions would determine if this would be a good idea or a bad one, and that might be hard to predict. But to make that prediction, we must remember that the goal is not to change the minds of the salient hostile minority, but to influence all society.

News from the

Pagan Educational Network

Sending a Call for Action to Reno

Leaders in the Pagan and women's spirituality communities have sent a letter to Attorney General Janet Reno calling for the promotion of religious tolerance. The leaders, from all across the United States, included a copy of an anti-Witchcraft newsletter entitled The Champion. This newsletter, published last fall, alleged that Witches were behind the pro-choice movement because they view abortion as holy child sacrifice. The letter to Attorney General Reno pointed out this and other falsehoods, requesting her to include the information in her department's current investigation of militant anti-abortion groups. Brochures describing the positive nature of Paganism and Witchcraft were also included. The letter ended by asking the Attorney General to encourage a deep understanding of religious pluralism so that all citizens may enjoy the liberties promised by the Bill of Rights. Co-signers of the letter were Cairril Adaire of the Pagan Educational Network, Anne Newkirk Niven of Sage Woman magazine, Silver Ravenwood of the Wiccan/Pagan Press Alliance, Cindy Parker of the Northern Company, Marty Laubach of Black Moon Publishing, and Magdalena Morrigan, Daniel McDeavitt, Danielle Yeager, and Clan Cattraighe. For a copy of the letter, please send $1 to PEN, PO Box 1364, Bloomington IN 47402-1364.

Report on the Religious Right

The Pagan Educational Network has published a special report entitled Voting for God: The Religious Right in America. This 30-page, documented article details the agenda, personalities, and tactics of this powerful political movement. Cairril Adaire, PEN Coordinator and the report's author, calls the religious right the most significant threat to religious liberty in the last fifty years. The religious right controls the Republican party in 18 states, and candidates backed by the Christian Coalition comprise two-thirds of the freshman class of the current Congress. As the religious right seeks to curb freedom in the arts, religion, sexuality, and education, it is crucial for Pagans to inform themselves before it's too late. Copies of Voting for God are available for a $5 donation to PEN, PO Box 1364, Bloomington IN 47402-1364.