THE FAERY TRADITION

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2004-08-24 17:51:57

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THE FAERY TRADITION

Founder of the Faery tradition, Victor Anderson, a near blind poet claimed he was nine years old when he encountered a band of witches who called themselves faeries. Sitting naked in the center of a circle alongside brass bowls filled with herbs, a small old faery woman told him he was a witch. Instinctively, he removed his clothes and was 'sexually' initiated. During this bizarre initiation, the blind child claims to have experienced clear visions of black space, jungles and a vast sky filled with stars and a green moon. There, (during this sexual union) he communed with the Goddess and the Horned God. Whether this strange initiation was a vision, dream or fantasy is debatable. (It is reminiscent ot Alex Sanders initiation, though certainly more poetic.)

As a grown man, the publication of Gardner's 'Witchcraft Today', inspired Anderson to form his own coven. He and the late bard, Gwydion Pendderwen, wrote most of the rituals for the Faery Tradition which emphasized mystical, spiritual and artistic creativity. After Gwidion's meeting with Alexandrian witches in England, he and Anderson incorporated some material from their Book of Shadows. In 1970, Anderson wrote a beautiful book of poems called Thorns of the Blood Rose, which is still cherished by many pagans today. It was published by their organization, Neroeton, which means (sacred grove). Anderson still lives quietly in California with his wife, Cora.

Gwidion wrote many beautiful pagan songs, which were sung at nearly every pagan festival during the seventies and early eighties. He performed with his band, and has recorded two tapes, including Songs of the Old Religion and the Faery Shaman. Gwidion was found dead in his car in 1982, killed in a freak automobile accident. His ashes were buried in Forever Forest, a pagan land retreat in California where trees were grown. Many sad pagans attended his funeral.

Faery tradition identifies different currents of energy within the universe which are used in magick. Faery power is an ecstatic energy of attainment that is beautiful and sensual, but goes beyond the senses: one fills the senses with beauty to go beyond the senses. There is an awareness of unseen reality, a respect for the wisdom of nature and acceptance of oneself and others as a part of nature and a sensual mysticism that involves a celebratory embracing of life and a love of beauty.

The two key teachings center on the iron and pearl pentagrams, the points being meditation at tools. The tradition permits eclecticism. Most initiates are in the 'arts', and incorporate their own poetry, music and invocations into rituals.

It is estimated that there are less than 200 initiates who can trace their initiatory lineage directly to Anderson or Gwidion Pendderwen. Hundreds, perhaps more are estimated to practice neo-Faery traditions as outgrowths from Starhawk's book, The Spiral Dance, on which she draws much from the Faery tradition. Neo-Faery tradition corresponds very closely to pantheism.

2006-07-11 [BinaryPhoenix]: May I add a link to this page on my page Natural Magick ?

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