Category: Human Interest

Isaac Bonewits (Oct. 1, 1949 – Aug. 12, 2010)

Isaac Bonewits, noted Pagan author and instrumental voice in the Druidic spiritual movement has passed, August 12th, 2010. You likely heard over the weekend. What we can add is some insight into his Minnesota connections and influence.

Isaac Photo From ADF.org

Magenta, well-known TC Elder, knew Isaac well in the early 70’s and was for a time part of his household.  From her recent LiveJournal Entry: “He was a hell of a lot of fun, gave great parties, was a very joyous, humorous, and sensual man. I was part of his household, off and on, from June 1974 until he left town in the fall of 1976.

Isaac moved to St Paul, MN in the spring of 1974 to take a position as editor of Gnostica Magazine. He held that position for a couple of years, publishing fascinating material and adding humor, a rare thing in those days. Because of Isaac’s involvement with Llewellyn, his friend Robert Anton Wilson was a guest speaker at the Gnostica Festival in 1974.

While Isaac was in the Twin Cities, he started a Reformed Druids of North America grove, which met weekly during the summer half of the year, from Beltaine to Samhain, at the park at the base of the Witch’s Hat Tower. This may have been the first Pagan organization here that was not connected to Witchcraft or ceremonial Magick.
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Magic and Art Combine in SHF Merchants’ Wares

Part of the Sacred Harvest Festival experience is spending a leisurely afternoon shopping along Merchant Row. You can find ritual robes, comfortable sarongs, jewelry, drums, and hand thrown pottery. I purchased a beautiful libation cup from Hawkdancing Studio. Some offer services such as energy work or body painting and henna. The merchants are willing to let you shop in silence or strike up a conversation. Some are willing to fill you in on their particular craft while you watch them work.

Skywolf SingingHeart prepares to embed a stone into a broom staff

That is the case with Earnest Stevens, known by his craft name Skywolf SingingHeart. He makes brooms and he makes them only while he is at festivals or on other high energy occasions such as a full moon.

If you see Skywolf at a festival and you want one of his brooms, I suggest you talk to him the very first day or you may not be able to get one. The reason his brooms are so sought after is apparent once you watch him work and listen to how they are made. Continue reading →

SHF Series – Childrens’ Play “Sleeping Beauty” with Pagan Twists

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The Kids’ Cauldron performed an old classic with modern Pagan updates to an appreciative audience Tuesday night.

The story is one we are all familiar with. A King and Queen hold a party to celebrate the birth of a long desired child and all the fairies of the realm are invited to bestow gifts on the young girl except one. That fairy, angry at not being invited, curses the child to die at age 16. The curse cannot be changed, but a fairy is able to alter it to something less dire – Sleeping Beauty will prick her finger on a spinning wheel at age 16 and fall into a deep sleep that can only be broken by her true love.

That may have been what attendees at Sacred Harvest Festival were expecting, but what they got was something more up to date and in line with Pagan sensibilities.

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