gdp's Comments

The Wild Hunt : Esoteric Publishers, Crowley, and the 'New Right'

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:55:43 +0000

Jason, the New Right (as it exists in the UK and Europe) is remarkably a lot like the Knights Party http://www.kkk.bz , the most prominent face of the KKK in America today. More, it's figure-head David Duke http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Duke travels extensively in the UK and Europe to promote his particular brand of racism. I wouldn't at all be surprised to hear if he has connections with these folks. It's just like the relationship between the FARC and the NRA - they're in different parts of the world, but they cooperate on common interests http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Duke#Conferenc... . I researched the Knights Party as part of my effort to get my friend to change his mind - it didn't work, but comparing what I know about the KKK to the New Right their speaking points are nearly identical. Speaking only for myself I find it disturbing that this hydra has sprouted heads in so many corners of the world.

The Wild Hunt : Esoteric Publishers, Crowley, and the 'New Right'

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 19:12:19 +0000

Racism is an ugly trap to fall into; I once had a close friend but lost contact with him after he went on a few deployments to Iraq. When he came back he was a different person and had taken up not just with the Christian Identity / Dominionism crowd but also with the KKK. I thought I was wise enough to talk him out of his new friendships, but the conversation quickly devolved. He had learned a few speaking points and some very slippery arguments; in the end, the only way I could find forward was to put him out of my life. It's difficult to carry on a conversation with this crowd because they have a way dividing everything into splitters and fractures that defy logical debate and refuse to be "solved" by any manner of rational discourse. This isn't the first time the dark horse of racism has appeared in the occult community (some Asatru and Odinist groups are accused of the same), but that doesn't make it any less repulsive. Hell knows what Aleister Crowley would have to say on this matter?

The Wild Hunt : Pagan Community Notes: Isaac Bonewits Memorial DVD Controversy, Temple of the River Closes Down, and

Wed, 8 Jun 2011 00:48:47 +0000

Thanks for the response, Mr. Jacob; I can appreciate that you have Heroic goals and I wish you the best.

The Wild Hunt : Pagan Community Notes: Isaac Bonewits Memorial DVD Controversy, Temple of the River Closes Down, and

Tue, 7 Jun 2011 13:26:19 +0000

I'm a little shocked to hear that ToR is closing - I've been so impressed with the tradition, community, and infrastructure that Drew Jacob built that I can't say I entirely understand why it's closing. Of course I can appreciate that Mr. Jacob is always free to go his own way and do what he will (as are any of us), but I can't say that understand why he's closing the temple and disbanding the religious community he helped form. If his motivation is to live a heroic life, I don't know why he can't leave the temple and his community-at-large in the hands of his more capable students. I guess I'm confused - are there any more details on why Mr. Jacob is closing everything completely? EDIT: I've read and re-read the interview posted above, but it still seems rather vague. How does on quantify another's spiritual progress? I'm not a member of ToR and am not impacted by Mr. Jacob's decision, but I have to say it feels like a death in the community to hear that one of the most well-established polytheist organizations in the United States is suddenly closing doors.

The Wild Hunt : The Pagan Terminology Discussion Continues

Sun, 29 May 2011 17:16:29 +0000

Before rallying around a common name, I think the first question that one should ask if the name in question is even worth using: Pagan Pa"gan (p[=a]"gan), n. [L. paganus a countryman, peasant, villager, a pagan, fr. paganus of or pertaining to the country, rustic, also, pagan, fr. pagus a district,canton, the country, perh. orig., a district with fixed boundaries: cf. pangere to fasten. Cf. Painim, Peasant, and Pact, also Heathen.] One who worships false gods; an idolater; a heathen; one who is neither a Christian, a Mohammedan, nor a Jew. [1913 Webster] Under this definition, we're idolaters who worship false gods; let's pick something else.

The Wild Hunt : Quick Notes: Spartacus, American Gods, and James Arthur Ray

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:52:26 +0000

Where's Ray's "law of attraction" now? Why isn't he "attracting" his way out of this latest legal trouble? Or maybe the strength of his clients' attraction to severe legal recourse is simply stronger than his attraction to freedom.

The Wild Hunt : Commission Finds Widespread Distrust of Pagans in Australia

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:08:35 +0000

I think part of the trouble with defining paganism is that the definition has been written by a Christian pen. Consider these definitions: Paganism Pa"gan*ism (-[i^]z'm), n. [L. paganismus: cf. F. paganisme. See Pagan, and cf. Painim.] The state of being pagan; pagan characteristics; esp., the worship of idols or false gods, or the system of religious opinions and worship maintained by pagans; heathenism. [1913 Webster] Pagan Pa"gan (p[=a]"gan), n. [L. paganus a countryman, peasant, villager, a pagan, fr. paganus of or pertaining to the country, rustic, also, pagan, fr. pagus a district, canton, the country, perh. orig., a district with fixed boundaries: cf. pangere to fasten. Cf. Painim, Peasant, and Pact, also Heathen.] One who worships false gods; an idolater; a heathen; one who is neither a Christian, a Mohammedan, nor a Jew. [1913 Webster] In other words, anybody who doesn't worship according to one of three Abrahamic faiths is a pagan. Clearly anybody can see that "pagan" didn't have the cultural significance in 1913 as it does today in 2011, but the the definitions are still largely the same. Some references are coming up to speed and acknowledging the gross bias in naming everything that is not Islam, Judaism, or Christianity in a pejorative sense, but for the most part "pagan" is (outside of our community) still synonymous with infidel. Of course, paganism is often used to describe polytheistic faiths, so I don't see why Christians shouldn't also be called pagans - they worship a triune god, some worship Mary, and others also give special significance to saints and angels. My impression is that the trend outside of the Christian community is changing rapidly in favor of a positive modern interpretation of the word pagan, but within the Christian community I'm not sure there'll ever be a distinction.

The Hermetic Fellowship of Friends : Weekly prayer scroll: 3/18/2011

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:32:05 +0000

I'll keep you and yours in my prayers; sending love and light! -James

The Wild Hunt : A Special Message Regarding the Pagan Japan Relief Project

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 02:02:24 +0000

Thank-you, Mr. Dybing, for starting this initiative.

The Wild Hunt : The Third Wave's Predictable Wallowing in Japan's Tragedy

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 17:56:31 +0000

Welcome, welcome... did you sunglasses for the believers? Once they open their eyes, the light of awareness is going to be awfully bright after so many years of darkness.

The Wild Hunt : The Third Wave's Predictable Wallowing in Japan's Tragedy

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:16:58 +0000

Unfortunately, I don't think there's any getting around that. I sympathize with Wiccans who dislike when they're slandered for being witches, but that's a tough obstacle to overcome when those criticizing are reading from scripture which specifically maligns the words "witch" and "witchcraft." Likewise, I sympathize with Satanists since for the most part they're hugely misunderstood, but you have to admit that it's hard to convince people of who you really are when they're reading "the word of god" in their holy book that specifically names Satan as the greatest enemy. Perhaps the way around it is to start a discussion of the Gnostic interpretation of Satan as a deity existing from before the creation of the world who brings knowledge and enlightenment (and consequently freedom from the jealous Demiurge, the God of Abraham?)

The Wild Hunt : The Third Wave's Predictable Wallowing in Japan's Tragedy

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 00:41:12 +0000

Nah, I don't mean Anton LaVey's Church of Satan - they're something quite a bit different and as much as I understand it they just use the name of Satan to create controversy. Out of curiosity I read a copy of the Satanic Bible a few years ago and found out they're really more hedonists than anything. In fact, if I understood it correctly they don't believe in deities at all - they only believe in themselves (which I think is actually rather healthy.)

The Wild Hunt : The Third Wave's Predictable Wallowing in Japan's Tragedy

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:30:39 +0000

If the anti-Christ is the opposite of a "friend to sinners" and thus an "enemy to believers," then by all means I would welcome his arrival, lol

The Wild Hunt : The Third Wave's Predictable Wallowing in Japan's Tragedy

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:08:02 +0000

I agree, and I think if these people had been busier reading, learning, and living their faith they too would not only agree but also remember verses such as this one: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.' Matthew 7:15-23

The Wild Hunt : The Third Wave's Predictable Wallowing in Japan's Tragedy

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:04:35 +0000

Call it Third Wave or whatever you like, but it would appear that Satanism is alive and well in the United States.

The Wild Hunt : Theodism isn't Asatru (even in prison) and other Pagan News of Note

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:56:55 +0000

I think my opposition to the human skulls in the ceremony stems from Puritanical sentiments learned in my youth as member of the Christian community. Like I mentioned to you by email, I'm largely ignorant of necromancy but would like to learn more about how it's used in modern sorcery so I can speak more intelligently on the subject. I've learned really quickly that when it comes to necromancy, in the words of John Stossel, "you can't even talk about it." The impression I get is that if we can't even talk about necromancy in a civil manner inside the occult community, how can we possibly expect the cowan / outside / non-occult community to appreciate or respect the practice? *shaking head* I think free speech is really important, but like anybody I dislike when what other people say or do make it difficult for my wife to say she's a Wiccan or for me to say I practice cartomancy (traditionally lumped together with all things witchy.)

The Wild Hunt : A Message from Peter Dybing on Japan Earthquake

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 18:51:41 +0000

Thanks

The Wild Hunt : A Message from Peter Dybing on Japan Earthquake

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:12:29 +0000

Will Mr. Dybing's suggested charities be posted here in the comments section, or at the end of this article? Or will they appear in a later post? I don't want to miss the call to action when it comes up - is there a way we can subscribe to be notified when a path forward appears?

The Wild Hunt : A Message from Peter Dybing on Japan Earthquake

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:10:51 +0000

Semper Fi! My father, my brother, and I are in solidarity with you and your devil-dog - knowing the Marines, he'll be in action soon enough doing what it takes to help the Okinawans and Japanese recover.

The Wild Hunt : Wisconsin Pagans React to Latest Anti-Union Developments

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:34:35 +0000

Yeah, like I said, it's a multi-faceted issue and people are going to feel differently about it. I worked at a grocery store in Indiana years ago where the staff was all unionized. I was only there briefly and didn't get to see what happens up top in union leadership, but I was surprised because unlike other places I'd worked, every 8-hour shift came with a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks. Not like places where they say you get these things and then they just gloss over them or don't do it at all. I liked that the union provided me the tools to take my employer to task if they didn't give me what I was promised. I also enjoyed that the pay was higher than other other area grocers. When I talk about an individual's right to self-determination, I consider the material resources or the ability to acquire wealth and means the key vehicle to movement. When I see politicians busting up unions' rights to collective bargaining, I see a lot of people losing out on the ability to acquire the means to choose their own path, or the protection afforded by health care, insurance plans, etc. which shield them against financial disaster. That's where I'm coming from in my experience - I'm not trying to start an argument, just expressing my sympathy for the workers in Wisconsin.