Member: Pombagira

I slip back many times.
I fall.
I stand still.
I run against the edge of hidden obstacles.
I lose my temper.,
And then I find it again.
And I keep it better.
I trudge on.
I gain a little.
I feel encouraged.
I get more eager.
And I climb higher.
And begin to see widening horizons.---Helen Keller

posted by theoldman at 7:17 am (EST) on Sep 5, 2009

Thanks for the Add, good luck with the Masters!

posted by Paganparacelsus at 3:05 am (EST) on Mar 29, 2009

Thank you for adding me.
Alexandra Everist
Author of "A Katrina Moment"
www.alexandraeverist.com

posted by aeverist at 7:03 am (EST) on Oct 15, 2008

Lilinah is absolutely correct about Spiral Dance. Not quite sure why I would have put 89. I will have to go back and see what I actually wrote.

posted by Sine at 11:29 am (EST) on Apr 29, 2008

Your thesis paper sounds really interesting...I wrote a similar one (not near as big though) for a myth, magic, and mystery class I took...I would love to read it when your finished

posted by SageWoodWitch at 2:54 pm (EST) on Nov 23, 2007

Despite what Sine wrote, Starhawk's Spiral Dance was published in *1979*, not 1989. I considered myself a Pagan since i was about 8 years old, in the mid-1950s, when i was reading Greek mythology. I ran into a couple different kinds of "witches" in the late 1960s/early 1970s, but what they were doing didn't appeal to me (Gardnerian/Alexandrian and NROOGD). I just continued to "do my own thing". Then in 1980 i re-discovered neoPaganism became very active and public. There was a real burst of publishing in the mid to late 1980s. Since then, i've been involed in a couple American traditions, as well as some "freeform" witchcraft/neoPaganism, as well as Canaanite/Phoenician revival.

Your name attracted me because i was involved with some people who honored Pombagira, among others.

You're welcome to correspond with me in private. See my e-mail address on my LT... and my website, Qadesh Kinahnu.

posted by lilinah at 12:41 am (EST) on Mar 24, 2007

You might even want to put the 70s as its own wave.

There were writers like Paul Huson who were a hugh impact on witches.

Blavatsky, Stewart, and Joseph Campbell really had a large impact on a newly awakened pagan population of seekers.

posted by Sine at 12:22 pm (EST) on Nov 8, 2006

You might also consider a primary wave that began in the 30's and surged with the repeal of witchcraft laws.

Most people consider Gardner's books to be the beginning surge.

So one could argue the following:

1930 First surge

1960 Second Surge

1985 Third Surge

1995 Fourth Surge

And I think we are in the midst of a major shift in how the word pagan is defined and perceived right now.

posted by Sine at 11:52 am (EST) on Nov 8, 2006

Ok I am ok with your first two waves.

I would put the third wave in 1989 with Starhawk's Spiral Dance.
1989 you also have the first forays into BBS discussion groups.

You could concievably make an argument for a fourth wave beginning in 1996. The internet becomes a predominant communication.
You also have a number of British Traditional Craft folks who begin writing books in the late 90's.

In addition you have a hugh surge of solitary practitioners who begin creating a new public popular definition for the word "Wicca" which is different from Traditional Craft concepts.

Somewhere around mid 90's you also have a surge of pagan unity ideas surfacing, creating an odd juxtaposition between new traditions emerging in the US and the mass of seekers/solitaries.

I understand the same is being seen in Britain, though not quite as extreme as here in the states.

Hope that helps.

posted by Sine at 11:47 am (EST) on Nov 8, 2006

Sure, you gave me an idea for how to kinda put some thoughts together.

I will give this a bit more thought and get back to you.

posted by Sine at 8:14 am (EST) on Nov 7, 2006

I found your concept very interesting.

Just a suggestion, you might want to consider the last 10 to 15 years a third wave.

I think you look at books from that perspective you will notice some interesting if subtle cultural shifts in paganism occuring.

You have a nice start though.

posted by Sine at 1:10 pm (EST) on Nov 6, 2006