Common Ground: The Kinship of Metaphysicians

A syncretic approach to esoteric teachings - the golden threads that connect Pagans, Yogis, Rosicrucians and Masons.

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THE POWER OF THE WITCH

Posted by on in Studies Blogs

I just came across a 1979 video posted on YouTube under the heading, “VERY RARE Witchcraft Documentary with Doreen Valiente.” It's a BBC offering titled The Power of the Witch – Real or Imaginary? And there's something really wrong with it, as many of the comments try to show.

For those of us who never met her, it is very cool to see what Doreen Valiente looked like, and to hear what she sounded like – but her relatively short and reasonable appearance in this film was twisted and misrepresented by the other participants who were edited-in after her. She states that Wiccans believe in the Horned God and the Moon Goddess. She probably ALSO explained that the Horned God has nothing to do with Satan; but the editors somehow forgot to include that bit of footage. From that point on, the entire so-called “documentary” makes the unequivocal case that Wiccans are Satan worshipers. What should have been an opportunity to disambiguate and clarify the modern Pagan movement, is instead turned into a defamatory attack based on stereotype, fear and superstition.

This is probably old news to many of you, but I was really disappointed. I had anticipated the privilege of a live class with a seminal teacher of our traditions, but instead witnessed a depressing example of how the media can use and abuse real authorities to support the producers' previously formed expectations, and what they think their public wants to see.

Sam Goldwyn said, “Pictures are for entertainment, messages should be delivered by Western Union.” Unfortunately, the producers at the BBC were still following that philosophy in 1979.

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A student of esoteric traditions since the age of 16, Ted Czukor (Theo the Green) taught Yoga for 37 years until retiring in 2013. For 26 years he was adjunct faculty for the Maricopa, AZ Community Colleges, teaching Gentle Yoga and Meditation & Wellness. Raised in the Methodist Church but drawn to Rosicrucianism, Hinduism and Buddhist philosophy, he is a devotee of the Goddess in all Her forms. Ted has been a Shakespearean actor, a Masonic ritualist and an Interfaith wedding officiant. He is the author of several books, none of which made any money and two of which are available as .pdf files. He lives with his wife Ravyn-Morgayne in Sun City, Arizona. Their shared dream is to someday relocate to Glastonbury, England. theoczukor@cox.net.

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