The WitchTower

                   @tarot card copyright Robin Wood

        Archives

        WARNING!   This page contains information on WitchCraft, Wicca, Pagan and other Earth Centered and Nature Based Religious Faiths. Contents could be dangerous if ingested.  Do not induce vomiting.  Contact your Creator immediately for treatment instructions.

        Click on the keys Keyat the end of the story synopsis for more details!

        "Native American" Company Capitalizes on Fear and Pain!

        Without a doubt, Spam is the Cyber version of a cockroach!

        September 12, 2001, barely 24 hours after America suffered the most
        devastating terrorist attack in history, I was spammed with an offer to sell me a "All Nations Dream Catcher"  from the "heart of Mt. Shasta." The spam read in part:

        "In the aftermath of the so-called "Attack on America," the All Nations
        dream catcher would be a most appropriate article for sale--it represents the ultimate peace symbol and teaches the ways of peace. Key See 
        www.the7thfire.com/gallery.htm and
        click on All Nations. ", 

                                            Click the key for more info ...... 

        Tidewater Indians Support Fundie Persecution of Pagans

        As some of you may have noticed John "Grey Medicine Wolf" Wilde has been removed from our Gathering website. We did this at his request and we think it is VERY important that the entire Pagan Community know why. 

        For a few Gatherings now John has been holding sweat lodges at the Gathering.  He gives these sweat lodges for free, and they have been VERY well received by Gathering attendees. A couple of young men have described them as being "life changing".  One returning Gathering member told me he "has not touched drugs or alcohol since he did a sweat at a prior Gathering".   John is at our Gatherings because he helps people, pure and simple.  He takes absolutely nothing for the work he does, in fact he would not even allow us to reimburse him for blankets, special rocks, and other materials used in the sweats.  He considers those his "contribution" to the Community.

        John has informed us that, due to the publicity surrounding the Fundamentalist Christian's efforts to drive us from Isle of Wight County,Key he has been "sanctioned" by Tidewater Native American Support Group for his appearance at the Gathering. 

                                            Click the key for more info ...... 

        New Quarter Park Plans Policy Change

        The York County Board of Supervisors (BoS) intends to open New Quarter Park to general usage. They will not allow any overnight camping as of June 2000.  They will honor all current contracts for the park but no future reservations will be accepted.

        This decision comes as a devastating blow to the Southern Virginia Pagan Community.  New Quarter Park has been home to area Pagan events for almost 20 years.  Over the years we have fought to keep the park from being turned into a marina and a golf course.   We have seen BoS members with grand plans for New Quarter Park come and go.  Unfortunately, this latest proposalKey to open New Quarter park for general usage is much more difficult to oppose than earlier plans that played to special interests.

                                             Click the key for more info ...... 

        The Death of a Duck

        WADL {The Witches Anti Discrimination League )  died a painful death on the eve of Y2K.  Steve Foster, President of WADL National announced that as of January 1, 2000 WADL National would henceforth be known as AREN, the Alternative Religious Education Network.  After more than 30 years as the premier voice for Pagan and Wiccan culture, WADL was no more.  A very sad day indeed.

        Sadder still is how our faithful little anti-discrimination duck met its demise.  The ADL (Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith) killed it.  Yup, our poor little duck was shot down by another Religious Rights organization.  It seems that the ADL (Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith) claims that the name WADL {The Witches Anti Discrimination League ) infringes on their trademark rights.Key WADL was informed that they were trespassing on the ADL's intellectual property and that WADL could face legal action if they didn't vacate. 

                                   Click the key for more info ...... 

        "Why WADL like a duck when you can fly like AREN"

        "Why WADL like a duck when you can fly like AREN?" is the tag line that has been appearing on the AREN /WADL mailings since the name change and restructuring.   In addition to beating a dead duck, this signature file asks a very interesting question.

        Why was WADL so successful in bringing together a variety of different Pagan groups and organizations?  How did WADL succeed in creating a large network of Pagan activists, when so many other organizations failed at the task?

        What made WADL unique, and a viable force in the community was the way it was organized.  There was no central authority, per say.  Each WADL chapter was independent of the others.  Local WADL Regionals made their own rules and established their own networks of activists.  Due to its structure WADL encouraged participation of a very diverse group of independent folksKey who would not otherwise consent to being "organized".
         

                                   Click the key for more info ...... 

        Granny D nears DC!

        Doris "Granny D" Haddock is on the last leg of her journey across the country. For over a year Ms. Haddock, known to many as "Granny D", has been walking from coast to coast to draw attention to the need for campaign finance reform.  She began her trek in California, Jan. 1, 1999 and walks ten miles a day. This amazing woman celebrated her 90th birthday on January 24, 2000, at the 3000 mile mark of her trip.  As we sit out the harsh winter in the comfort of our nice warm homes, this remarkable Elder is cross country skiing through WV on the way to Washington DC.  If all goes as scheduled, Ms. Haddock and supporters will arrive in DC February 29, 2000.  We are hoping that a strong contingent from the Pagan community will show up "Leap Day"Key to keep Ms. Haddock company for the last few miles of her trek. 
         

                                   Click the key for more info ...... 

        Four Quarters Farm Fight is not Finished!

        A situation exists at Four Quarters Farm in Artemis, PA that could have far reaching consequences in the Pagan Community.  First off, this is not a Witch War folks...this is a DIVORCE, pure and simple.  A really ugly, nasty, DANGEROUS divorce where a valuable piece of land is in contention. If certain portions of the Pagan community could tell the difference between a divorce and a Witch War, the issue of ownership of Four Quarters Farm might be settled by now.  As it currently stands however, the situation is getting worse by the day. A court order is in place stating that no events are to be held on the property by either party, and one owner of the land, orren whiddon, is having events anyway.  The Mountain Music Festival is being advertised throughout the Pagan community as well as in some pretty unsavory public establishments along the interstate. When I stopped by two of these places to view the ads in question, I was subjected to Keycat calls, lewd comments, and offered a mustache ride by a clientele that appeared to be having a "who can wear the dirtiest ball cap" contest. This should make for an interesting Gathering. 
                                              Click on the key for further information.....

        The Scoop on Skye

        Once again illness has struck our community hard.  Skye Landry, daughter of Wren Walker and Fritz Jung  (of The Witches' Voice) , was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after Christmas.  These folks who have given so much to the Pagan Community need our prayers and healing energy for their child. 
        KeyWe received the following letter to the Community from Wren and Fritz:.
         

                                   Click the key for more info ...... 

        Frank Dalton Is Home And Doing Well !

        We received this happy message from his daughter Jess:

        Ok, for everyone who has expressed concern for my dad and how he is at the 
        present moment here you go....ready, brace yourselves....

        Dad walks without his cane, much to our dismay at first...But he climbs stairs and keeps up with almost all of us, except for Tanta the mall walker  :)  He can talk, sometimes he sounds like the teacher from Peanuts but all in all he is pretty clear. The other day he was in the living room and he tells everyone his arm feels funny..as he's lifting it to chest level...funny guy..The therapists are not going to Keysettle for anything less than at least a 95% recovery because he has that potential...

                                  Click the key for more info ...... 

        Mobile Festival Safety Services Has A New Addition : )
        Sydney and PaulMullin are the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy!  Well, they haven't actually bounced him yet, but the owners manual says he comes equipped with the bounce feature : )

        Sean Liam Mullin
        born 12/25/99 at 1:07am
        8 lbs 3 oz   21"

        All is well with both mother and baby (except for the sleep deprivation).
        It appears he may look like Paul, with a touch of Sydney, but it's a bit too early to tell.

        Pagan Parents Prefer Home Schooling

        With the increasing levels of violence and madness in the Public Schools, more and more Pagan parents are turning to home schooling to meet the educational needs of their children.  Teaching kids at home is no easy task.  Some states have adopted very stringent requirements that seem designed to discourage the practice.  Other States require that parents join a "cover school"  unless they are certified teachers.  Of course most of these "cover schools" are run by religious institutions, usually Christian, but that is slowly changing. KeyPagan parents are banding together to insure that their children can get a quality education without either having to risk life and limb or be subjected to religious practices other then their own . 
                                               Click on the key for further information.....

        ouse Eats WindTree Ranch's Mailing List

        Being utility free apparently offends computers, software, and e-mail. The folks at WindTree Ranch lost, and been unable to recover, their entire e -mail address list due to a serious mouse port glitch in their system.  They are asking anyone who was on their mailing list, or anybody who wants to be on their mailing list, to please send e-mail to  windtreeranch@theriver.com so they can rebuild their contact database.
        They can also be reached via snail mail at:

        Summerland Monastery, Inc. 
        WindTree Ranch
        RR 2 Box 1
        Douglas, AZ 85607-9802. 
        Message: 520-364-4611 
        attn. Rev. Jacque Omi Zaleski or Landskeeper Don Mackenzie

        The Legend of the Boo Hoo

        The  origin of the Legend of the Boo Hoo has been obscured by the mists of time, but the Baleful Babble of the Boo Hoo can still be heard in the Pagan community if one listens carefully.
        Most of the wisdom imparted to me regarding Boo Hoos came from Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin fame. Other details were related to me by modern day oracle Isaac Bonewits.Key
        I honor all contributors to the Holy Babble of the Boo Hoo.
        To help those new to Boo Hoos identify the not so elusive species, 

                                      Click on the key for Busty's Basic Boo Hoo Test...

        The First Forth of July

        Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.  They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; Keymen of means, well educated.  But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

                                                Click on the key to learn more....

        Millennium March on Washington; 
                                             Where have all the Pagans Gone?

        On April 30th 2000 an estimated 1.5 million Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered people will be Gathering in Washington, DC for the Millennium March on Washington for Equality.
        How many of these folks will be Pagan?  We suspect quite a few.  The Pagan Faiths are very tolerant of sexual diversity (or at least they are supposed to be), and there are very few Pagan groups, covens, political organizations, etc.  that do not have their fair share of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, Keyor polyamorus members.  So where are all these queer Pagans and their respective groups among the supporters of the March? 

                                     Click the key for an answer to this question...

        Military Murders Marine Mammals!
        Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) testing  by the United States Military is resulting in the mass stranding of Whales and Dolphins.  Surveillance Towed  Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar (SURTASS LFA) is used by the military to detect submarines.  Recent reports have linked the US Navy trials to the deaths of dozens of whales and possibly 200 dolphins in the Mediterranean. The Navy is even using the birthing waters around Hawaii to test the sonar threshold of nursing cows and their young. Key In two weeks, two baby whales have died during these tests..........

                                   Click the key for more info ...... 
         
         

        Sgt. James Ray Wilson has pled guilty in the Fort Hood Child Molestation case.

        In a plea arrangement, Wilson was convicted of Sodomy on Diverse Occasions and three counts of Indecent Acts with a Child.
        March 28,1998 Wilson was sentenced to Reduction in rank to E-1, Forfeiture of all pay and allowances, Dishonorable discharge from the Military, and 13 years confinement.  He could have received up to 25 years in prison. This case came to the attention of the Pagan community in December when rumors began circulating the internet regarding Wilson's alleged involvement in the Fort Hood Open Circle.  Online speculation regarding Wilson's guilt and Pagan affiliations became so intense that it could have led to a claim by Wilson's defense lawyers that it affected his ability to receive a fair trial at Fort Hood.  Fortunately,Key his victim was spared further lengthy legal procedures by Wilson's guilty plea........

                                            Click the key for more info ...... 

        Green Egg Almost Broken By Largest Distributor's Bankruptcy

        Green Egg, A Journal of the Awakening Earth, has been dealt a devastating financial blow by the failure of one of its largest distributors, Fine Print. Several months ago Fine Print went bankrupt owing Green Egg a substantial amount of money.  It is unlikely that Green Egg will recover much, if any, of this lost revenue.
        Green Egg, like most independent presses, survives hand to mouth. They have no moneysKey laid aside to buffer the effects of such a major setback. A catastrophe like this would break a lesser magazine. Not this ovoid gem in the crown of Pagan periodicals however.................

                                            Click the key for more info ......

        The WitchTower 
         Out of the Dark, Inc. 
         7651 Whispering Pines Trail  
         Windsor, VA  23487  
        (757) 357-0664   
        Print these pages and you will always have something to hand back to the witnesses who knock on your door at 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

          THE WITCHTOWER -  COPYRIGHT 1998, 1999, 2000,2001  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
          THE WITCHTOWER MAY BE PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED IN ITS ENTIRETY ONLY!!! NO SINGLE  PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, OR TIED TO A ROCK AND THROWN AT THE AUTHOR, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF OUT OF THE DARK, INC. WE USUALLY SAY "YES" BUT WE INSIST YOU ASK FIRST.  IF WE DON'T LIKE YOU OR WHAT YOU STAND FOR, WE WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY "NO".
               
              Legal Disclaimer: It's not our fault!  The little voices made us do it!.
              If we had sense we'd be dangerous! All stories are the opinion of
              their author, who may or may not be wrapped too tight. We 
              were potty trained too early. We ate too many twinkies! 
              The dog ate our edited version. We were just standing 
              here minding our own business when this mysterious 
              dude walked up and handed us this story Officer
              Honest!