Refuge from religion, back to Nature or secret sex cult? With the Summer Solstice (20/21 June) upon us, Circa’s own little heathen Adrian Gillan asks a gay Wicca Witch why more and more Pagan queers are falling under the spell.
Paganism is a catch-all title for many and varied Nature-based spiritual traditions, perhaps the most well-known of which are Wicca and Druidry. It is mainly practiced by solitary individuals or in small groups - called “covens”, “hearths” or “groves”, depending on the Pagan path.
But there is no rigid creed or format in any Pagan tradition, and only one golden rule: “Do what you want but harm none.” All pagans have a profound respect for Nature in all its forms, a part of which we are. Their morality is built on the inter-connectedness of Nature which informs their relationship with the environment and with each other.
All Pagan paths revolve around the four Elements (water, earth, fire and air), the Seasons and the phases of the Moon, and involve harnessing energy generated by various natural polarities, including that between the God and Goddess figures, who themselves spawn all creation, including other gods. This energy is used to perform “magick” (correct spelling).
The Seasons and the phases of the Moon dictate times of worship (such as solstices and equinoxes) which occurs in designated “circles”, indoors or out, demarked by symbols and often involving tools of witchcraft such as wands, broomsticks, blunted knives, crystals, candles, chalices and cauldrons. The encircled five pointed star is a major Pagan symbol.
Many Pagans are “eclectic”, drawing on more than one Pagan path in their ritual. Pagan traditions are non-evangelical and commonly co-mix at open social gatherings called “moots”.
Aren’t Pagans all New Age hippies?
New Agers tend to pick and choose specific bits of Paganism in isolation - like crystals, say - but they take such things out of context and so lose much or most of their power.
You follow the Wicca Pagan path and are a gay Wicca witch: do you cast lots of spells?
Yes. But Wicca witchcraft isn’t all snails and pointy hats. We harness the energy produced by natural polarities through ritual to work our magick. And you don’t cast spells asking for money! In fact, when you start Wicca you get less materialistic. Much of our magick involves healing - physically and emotionally. Our group recently tried to stop the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Don’t all Pagans take a magick name like Night Jewel or Dew Drop?
I have a magick name but we only use it “in circle” during rituals - so I’m not telling! You pick a name that reflects something about you or that you respond to. Merlin’s quite common!
How long have you been practicing Wicca?
I’ve been practicing a branch of Wicca on my own since the 70s, but joined a coven in the 90s. I set up my own coven a few years ago and there are currently around a dozen of us. I’ve been training up other witches to be “third degree”, like me, so they can “hive off” and form groups of their own. We take it in turns to lead in ritual - we’re not hierarchical like organised religions!
How would someone join your coven?
We’re not at all evangelical - I haven’t even told my neighbours I’m a witch, I couldn’t stand the hassle. And I’d never ask someone to join our coven - they’d have to ask me. Then, I’d only let them in after a long chat and face-to-face meeting. I’m good at sussing out weirdoes.
Is homosexuality accepted by all Pagans?
I’ve always been “out” as a Pagan. Paganism thinks all creation is part of Nature. If we deny our own natures, including our sexualities, we deny and insult the God & Goddess who created us. Any so-called “Pagan” who is anti-gay is in fact anti-Pagan. Of course, you’ll always find homophobic individuals but they’re probably under a Christian cultural influence.
How integrated are openly gay LGB people into Pagan groups?
In general, I’d say completely. If you go to a Pagan Federation conference, the place is full of queers! Our Wicca coven is mixed - half straight, half gay, and both genders - and we’d never exclude a genuine “seeker”, whatever their sexuality.
What do you think of gay-only covens?
I suppose some gay people might want a gay-only coven - there are few hard and fast rules in Wicca or in wider Paganism - but personally I can’t see the need. You’re not, in my experience, likely to encounter much homophobia out there. And if you did, just jump coven.
Do some people, including some gay men, enter Paganism for the wrong reasons?
Regardless of gender or sexuality, if anyone approaches Paganism looking for sex then they’d soon get bored. You’d have far more fun that way down your local sauna!
Aren’t many Pagans, gay or straight, in fact a little overly-prudish about sex magick?
It’s down to the individual group. But, if it all revolved around sex, things would soon unravel.
Even if not for sex reasons, are many rituals performed “skyclad” (naked)?
My coven doesn’t, we all wear robes. Some do strip off though - claiming being naked helps the energies flow better - but it seems to me if energy can pass through brick walls it can surely pass through a piece of cloth! I personally think it’s a bit silly, but call me a prude!
Do you suspect some Pagan’s misuse magick and cast nasty spells?
If they did, it would rebound on them threefold, so that wouldn’t be wise. However, some groups out there are more drawn to the Black Side, worshipping the less friendly gods. But I don’t know much about that.
How does bisexuality rest within Paganism, given the emphasis on natural polarities?
A guy called Raven Grimassi claims the best Pagans are bisexual! That’s a view.
Do you think gay people can bring something special and unique to Paganism?
I think gay people tend to be more enthusiastic and perhaps often have fewer hang-ups about trying new things out. Organised mainstream religions treat worshippers like sheep and I don’t think gay people make very good sheep.
Do you think many gays are drawn to Paganism since shunned by mainstream faiths?
That wouldn’t surprise me. Most of us in this country are brought up in a repressive Christian tradition or by one of the other hierarchical, organised mainstream world religions where gays are made to feel terrible about themselves. I can’t understand anyone wanting to stay in such an environment. Christians have historically attacked Pagans whilst ironically stealing much of our tradition. They recast our lovely Horned Man as the wicked Devil; whilst our Earth Mother was somehow made-over as their Virgin Mary! And as for Christmas and Easter!
What other issues specifically affect gay people in relation to Pagan practice?
Nothing. For me, it’s all a big non-issue.
How does your Wicca coven celebrate the Summer Solstice (20/21 June)?
We normally go to Glastonbury Tor and join hundreds of other Pagans to scream and shout - just like at some great football match - as The Sun, the giver of Life, rises through the sky!
Have Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings had a good or bad impact on Paganism?
I suppose it’s better than people thinking we’re all nasty, wicked witches. But it might draw young, impressionable people into Paganism for slightly the wrong reasons.
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