Modern Paganism, or Neo-Paganism as it is also referred to, sometimes really gets my goat. I have been following the occult path for over ten years now and have seen a number of changes. While the current "interest" in certain traditions, in particular Wicca, may be doing good in raising the basic understanding of non-Christian beliefs in the Western world, the in-house bickering makes me sick. I would like to make a few points which will, no doubt, upset some folk.

• Wicca is NOT wytchcraft - There may be some elements of similarity but that is as far as it goes. Traditional wytchcraft is a very simplified form of magick where the emphasis is more on the land than anything. And this is why I prefer spell wytchcraft with a "y", reflecting the more traditional sense - if even in my own little mind.

• Wicca is NOT an ancient tradition that goes back to the dawn of time. It was constructed by one Gerald Gardner, an Englishman, who in 1954 when the English laws against witchcraft were appealed, wrote a couple of books. Gardner had a number of interests and blended them into one, and called it "Wica" - notice the one "c".

• The "Wiccan Rede" and in particular the most quoted line, And it harm none, do as thy wilt is NOT a general moral standing for ALL Pagans. And on a side line, this quote is a corruption of Aleister Crowley's "Law of Thelema" being Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Sometimes I wonder whether it is just me that feels that some people are trying to blend Wicca "ethics" to ALL Pagan paths, or who sees Wicca fast becoming an alternative religion based on Christian values, binded by rules and regulations. I have recently seen some Wiccan "Lady" enciting over 80 "Wiccan Laws"! The whole point I am trying to make is the Paganism, as a whole, is not based on dogma, but on individual experience and responsibility. I ask, how can one take responsibility for their own actions when they are so bound up by dogma on what to do and what not to do? Please, don't think I am only about Wiccan bashing - I have met a number of Wiccans who indeed are very worthy and capable magickal practitioners. And, indeed, I have even called myself a Wiccan at some stage. However, in the last five years what seems to be churned out and "preached" is not the Wicca I once knew.

By now, if you are still here, you may have guessed that I am no fluffy, white-lighting, New Age inspired Neo-anything. I have readed further than Llewellyn publications. I have be involved in some "not so nice" stuff. I have been around for a while and therefore the path that I follow is not some latest fad. In fact, it embraces all of my life.

If you disagree with anything I write, fine - do you think I care? This is, after all, my place to rant and rave. Taking personal responsibility of one's own actions is the key to magickal work - so be responsible. If what I write offends you, maybe you should question yourself as to why?

DEFENDING OURSELVES

Over the last few years I have become rather disappointed with the lack of support found within the Pagan community, especially when it comes to defending our religious "rights". It have found that the ever-increasing "fluffy", "white-lighting" beliefs of some, especially those new to traditions, such as what Wicca seems to be becoming, is being seen as the belief of ALL Pagans. This has blown out to the extent that those of us who may work with darker, primal, more purer energy sources, are being labelled as "Satanist". What has astounded me about this labelling is that it is based on what can only be ingrained the Christian belief of "Satan" - the prince of darkness, God's opposition, etc, etc. This labelling coming from within the very Pagan community that I have personally supported for a number of years.

I have never viewed my magick as being "Satanic", nor have I have any real interest in the man/being/deity (whatever) himself, being a Pagan not a Christian. But what this tends to show me is the narrow-mindedness that is steadily encroaching all things Pagan.

Last year a few of us were hoping to organise a public rally and demonstration in line with the changes to the knife laws in South Australia (which came into effect on 1 December 2000). We were hoping to be able to work with educating the public as to the various traditions that fall under the umbrella term of Paganism. We also wanted to make Pagans aware of how these law changes would affect them and get Paganism, as a whole, to be connected with environmental issues in the minds of the general public, as opposed to the Christian mythos figure. We wanted the public to see Pagan groups publically working along side organisation such as Green Peace, the World Wildlife Fund, the Australian Conversation Foundation, etc, on protecting and preserving our local, and extremely fragile environment.

And the result - about four people within the whole South Australian Pagan community were interested. Did everyone else have their heads buried deep in the sand? If they did, they are leaving a very vunerable part of their anatomy exposed!! A dangerous situation to be in. Or is the Pagan community all filled with hot air? People in discussion groups spouting off what they want and demand, but when it comes down to the crunch, they don't want to upset the applecart, or put their money where their mouth is. Hmm, don't you just love fence setters?

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM?

Newcomers to the Pagan paths tend to run around spouting off about "religious freedom". Well, a few pointers that I have observed over the years (and please correct me if I am wrong):

• Australian law is different from American law which acknowledges Wicca at least as a religion (though who knows what will happen with George W. Bush in the hot seat).
  

• In Australia, the law regarding religious freedom is a Federal law. This means that each State and Territory can interpret this law how they see fit.
  

• In all reality, in Australia, there is still no such thing as "religious freedom" as the structure of minority religions are based on Christianity.
  

• Christianity is still the official religion of Australia whether you like it or not.
  

• The majority, if not all, of the law makers, ie, Members of Parliament, are Christian.
  

• Christianity has been around so long that it is etched into the subliminal reaches of most people's minds, despite whether they believe themselves to be Christian or not.
  

• In the eyes of most of the general public, Paganism = Satanism = evil and nasty stuff with the practitioners being evil, nasty people or con artists. Hmm, interesting considering some of the recent mass murders in religious groups (like Waco) are in fact Christian-based groups.
  

• Paganism is a "cult" which equals evil and nasty brainwashing stuff with the leaders of such "cults" being evil, nasty people or con artists. This is despite the dictionary meaning of "cult" is "specific system of worship; devotion to a person, idea, or activity". Therefore, in my opinion, and I am no University graduate, any religion that involves a system of worship is in fact a "cult" - ie, Christianity, Wicca, etc.

May I be so bold in saying that religious freedom only exists if your "religion" is recognised by the State and in Australia the only "body" that recognised religions is the Australian Taxation Office. There is an interesting case in relation to this which involved (love them or leave them) the Scientology group.

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