Chas, I don’t think it is fair to say that Reclaiming is no longer a Witchcraft trad; the ritual forms taught would certainly be recognizable to eclectic Wiccans the world over. And though there is definitely a strand of messianic social change in the mix, I would not call it a done deal by any means. Fortunately. For now.

Rob, thanks for your thoughts. Throughout our meal conversation I kept remembering my friend Rose’s aphorism: “If you want diversity, be diverse.” In other words, be happy in your own skin, with all your internal contradictions, thoughts and influences. That’s the best way to attract others to join you, whether for a sandwich, a ritual, or anything else.

The problem as I see it (having pulled back a good distance) is that Reclaiming is trying to become federalized. This goes against the basic philosophy so any discussions wind up either going nowhere or else stating the obvious.

I also think that some of the people who go back to the collective really believed that massive change for world diversity, equality, and social justice would happen in their own lifetimes – something like the way the word “soon” is used in the Christian gospels.

I’m glad I’m afraid of airplanes – some people had told me that it would be good (for who?!?!?!?) for me to attend RDG2008. (At RDG2006, at one point, when Starhawk spoke out of stack for the third time, I simply stood up and cut her off.) If I had been at that lunch, I would have stood “up and (said) something confrontational in the middle of the dining hall.”

I have encountered far too many people who identify as Reclaiming but fear to speak truth to power *within the organization*. If semi-Federalized Reclaiming cannot maintain open speech within its gatherings, its hope as a group to change things economically and socially is asymptotic to zero.

As for proselytizing, however, I think that is necessary – or the Pagan equivalent of it. In John M. Ford’s book _The Final Reflection_, he introduces a Klingon duality of “komerex tel khesterex” – the structure that grows, as opposed to the structure that dies. But RDG isn’t the place for a major discussion on that unless there was some proposal that needed to be put to a vote (SpiralHeart has suggested for years that a regular, large-size ad be run by the whole Tradition in some major Pagan- and Pagan-friendly magazines, with camp communities and possibly local communities sharing the cost.) Other than that, that’s a thing for lists, or possibly the WCC, not RDG.

AND now I’m hanging out with the Unitarian Pagans — mixed trads — because my son has decided to be a Lapsed Catholic. I’m enjoying the stretching the boundaries.

Mostly what I do these days is what makes sense at the moment. And that changes.

Which is very much at the heart of the Reclaiming tradition as I was taught it — go with the energy; change as needed; don’t get hung up on form.

Follow the movement of ecstacy. Fair enough.

But it’s so HARD being mindful…..

People who think that it is a Witchcraft trad might be living in the past.

Wo, we tried to grow and we tried to be diverse and we tried to be like our models. We could not. We are who we are. We are six women at present. We are doing just fine. Much better, in fact, than when we were trying to be like any other community we knew of. I had to take a little break from involvment with the larger pagan community around here. I have sufficiently recovered to be joining with a neighbouring coven and being guests at each others’ rituals.

I am done convincing anyone they need or want reclaiming. If they do, it would seem that they find us. In the mean time we get to grow and solidify our own group and do what we need to do. Previously, we had such a huge ratio of new witches to any one with anything other than book experience it was insane. And when they got to that place where they hit a wall and left it threw the hole group into chaos…cause keep in mind that we could always be counted on the fingers.

So, should we grow, so be it; and should we stay small, so be it. We must be unique cause it seems hard for folks to understand that the next reclaiming group is at least 8 hours away so if we want it we gotta be it. Which has not been easy but the journey has never been dull.

Love In Pittsburgh,
Marjie

I’ve been in the position of your friend and it was offensive to say the least. I want to be known as Rob Taylor, a man who is a Bi-racial and a Pagan and a host of other interesting things (to me at least) and not a Bi-Racial Pagan Rob

I’d like people to accept me for me not for what I represent.

But that’s just my two cents.

- Deference being paid to the person with the biggest personality;
- A moment of real connection being broken by a call to arms over some cause;
- The “ideal vision” of Reclaiming being invoked at times when questions or divergent opinions are expressed—notice whether that ends the debate;
- Priestessing that evokes an emotional response rather than a sense of Spirit;
- Any political topic framed in an either/or, good/bad manner, rather than eliciting a range of beliefs or possibilities;
- Conversely, when ethical concerns are raised, notice whether the issue is quickly re-framed as an issue of personal choice or collective diversity, rather than as something requiring direct accountability.

Reclaiming is a good place to gain ritual experience and a number of valuable group skills. I just wish for people that they go into it with eyes open, and know when their needs and the direction of the group diverge.

The concept was to be a way for folks to have a chance to talk in small groups about some topics that were going to be on the BIRCH agenda. That way, there’d be some thought already put into the topics….w/ summary of the conversations jotted down to be made available to all.

I suspect that the issue that you articulate Anne…..is many years of meetings & history (on your part) vrs folks much newer. Folks who are champing at the bit.

I’m mixed about the process (meal-time assignments not old-timers & young’uns) but I suspect what’s the real problem isn’t imposed conversation. Or even the nature of the specific topic (don’t know where it came from….whether from non-Europeans or liberal guilt).

I think the issue is having BIRCH at Dandelion (and I’m not familair w/ issues to do w/ BIRCH….I only know it as presented to me last weekend).

A 4 day week-end dedicated to what BIRCH was stated to be……is one thing. A four-day retreat where folks can get together in a non-work situation w/ their peers (and thro in some good workshops/ritual) is another.

The question to me seems to be……..do these two things truely mix? Differing personal expectations can cause iproblems…..

As to the racial diversity issue that was being attempted to be looked at, I certainly know what was said at my lunch table. And we too didn’t feel that going door to door was appropriate. We (all European heritage appearing) didn’t really know how one could address the issue as presented.

I think a great deal of it has to do w/ the fact of folks in the closet vrs one’s who are not. If you’re in the closet, the only people who’re gonna know you’re a witch are those friends whom you choose to tell. Those friends may be of color or may not. In other words, a closeted person is certainly NOT an ambassedor of any sort.

I do think it’s important that younger/newer activists not assume that the question of racial diversity has been dealt w/. That it’s over. The part of the Principle’s of Unity that discusses diversity almost insists that Reclaiming check in to see if it’s living up to it’s stated principles. Almost a check-list: does Reclaiming “welcome all genders, all races, all ages and sexual orientations and all those differences of life situation, background, and ability that increase our diversity” at this time????

It’s so hard that the time-scale of the world/our culture and our own time-scales are so different. Yes, what happens between the worlds changes all the worlds…….but that doesn’t mean it’s this minute.

Why do non-Africans get involved in Kemetic Reconstructionism, Santeria and Ifa, non-Indians chase after plastic shamans and non-South Asians prance around in saffron robes handing out flowers at the airport? Are we really “welcome” to “your ways” if we are constantly being questioned about it by a self-appointed Inquisitorial committee? Do you have any idea just how assy and condescending that sounds?

I guarantee you there are far, far more Pagans of color–including Wiccans and members of other European-based trads–than you possibly think there are, and racist attitudes and assumptions like these are why we largely remain solitary or keep to our own. I’ve been a practicing witch for 13 years, and I’ve gotten just a little bit tired of getting stared at because I’m the only black woman at the public Beltane ritual. I’m just a little tired of having to explain my spirituality to blinded-by-privilege white Pagans who just jumped on this bandwagon and casually engage in cultural appropriation as if brown people’s religion is like the dollar menu at Wendy’s. Then you wonder why the brown folk never show up to your rituals. Try treating us with respect, as fellow walkers of Pagan paths, and you might start to see some change.