PHOTOS

The Rev. Dr. Pamela Hancock playing singing bowls as she invokes the Goddess.

The Rev. Dr. Hancock doing a Goddess blessing of participant, Brenda Cuzzi, with holy water from sacred sites such as Brigid’s Well in Ireland.

Gunnar Jorgenson and Pamela Hancock at their first service at Akasha in Crestline.

Coming out of the broom closet

By P. D. Hancock
Special to The Alpine Mountaineer

You may not have seen the Crestline Witch Walk that happened in late October, but some fundamentalists did.
On a blustery day, near Halloween, pointy hats could be seen trundling down Lake Drive. A cute, tow-headed boy was riding a massive antique bicycle, while a girl pushed a wicker baby carriage with a black cat inside. Families, all clad in black, and striped-socked mothers holding the hands of laughing children waved at cars as the passers-by honked and cheered. Yet, they were being pursued by a gaggle of older folks brandishing rosaries and muttering prayers.
So, what was going on?
It appears that a country-wide trend has come to our mountain communities. According to data collected by the Pew Research Center and Trinity College in Connecticut, witchcraft and pre-Christian traditions have been on the rise since the 1990s, with numbers rising from the thousands to now over 1.8 million Americans identifying as Pagan. And that has Christian sects worried.
But who are these Pagans and should we be worried? A definition of the word “Pagan” is “country dweller.” It came to be used to define those who followed the old gods that existed prior to the rise of Christianity. In other words, much like Hindus, Buddhists and other traditions that do not follow Biblical writings, Pagan believe in a myriad of deities.
Having their roots in the Celtic traditions of Druids, indigenous beliefs, Roman and Egyptian pantheons, as well as those of the Norse, there is no one fixed definition of what a Pagan believes. Often, they have a reverence for the sacredness of nature, and sometimes honor the Earth as a Mother Goddess. Yet some do not have gods at all and rather a spiritual connection to the Universe.
Some use Tarot cards and Runes, some do not. Some write spells, and some do not—but I have not come across a single person identifying as a Pagan who worships Satan or willingly will harm another. In fact, the “Wiccan Rede,” much like the Golden Rule in religion, stated that, as long as you harm no one, to do as you will.
So where did this fear come from? Unfortunately, a new article cannot encapsulate 2,000 years of Christian history—but it essentially boils down to edicts set forth by Catholic Church leaders starting as far back as Roman Empire. These proclamations primarily were directed at the midwives and herbal healers of the day that country folk went to for healing of their ailments. Not wanting power to be taken away from the Church, multiple campaigns, over centuries of time (all the way to our country’s witch trials), made these women into monsters—all for the sake of maintaining control of the masses. Over time it became more complicated, but that is the essence of it.
Fast forward to 2023 in our mountain communities and a group of Pagan-identifying individuals are willing to come out of the broom closet, so to speak—and reclaim their spiritual authority.
One such group is the MoonStone Society. On their website (www.moonstonesociety.org) they state that they are “a gathering place for Pagans, Heathens, Witches, Druids and the Spiritual-But-Not-Religious in the beautiful Southern California Mountains. The MoonStone Society is accessible to the Inland Empire, Los Angeles/Orange counties, and mountain communities. Come join us for Sunday services, Wednesday evening meditations, and Seasonal Holy Day Rituals. Feel welcomed by a community of like-minded individuals who want to connect to nature and the Divine in their many forms.”
The MoonStone Society is led by the Rev. Dr. Pamela Hancock, a seminary professor with a PhD in psychology, who has been practicing witchcraft since she was a child and is the Priestess of a local coven; and Gunnar Jorgenson, the owner of Akasha in Crestline who holds multiple degrees in metaphysical science and religious philosophy and is the leader of a local contingent of those who follow the Norse tradition called Asatru. Together they are offering weekly services to those who already identify as Pagan or who wish to learn more.
If you are curious and would like to see what it is all about, here is a schedule of their upcoming events, the locations where you can find them and what you can expect.
But what is key, is being sure to be respectful when exploring other’s traditions. Because remember, they do not seek to harm anyone, just as those in other religions.
Locations:
• Stone Hearth at Akasha, 24060 Lake Drive
• The Palace of Bone & Salt, 580 Forest Shade Rd, Unit 10
• Mystic Raven Manor, Cedarpines Park
Dates & Time/Events/Locations:
• Jan. 15, 11 a.m. – Asatru Blót – Stone Hearth at Akasha
• Jan. 18, 7 p.m. – Wednesday Night Meditation – Stone Hearth at Akasha
• Jan. 22, 11 a.m. – Witches ’ Sabbath – The Palace of Bone & Salt
• Jan. 29, 11 a.m. – Asatru Blót – Stone Hearth at Akasha
• Feb. 5, 11 a.m. – Witches’ Sabbath – The Palace of Bone & Salt
• Feb. 12, 11 a.m. – Asatru Blót – Stone Hearth at Akasha
• Feb. 15, 7p.m. – Wednesday Night Meditation – Stone Hearth at Akasha
• Feb. 19th, 11am – Witches’ Sabbath – The Palace of Bone & Salt
• Feb. 26, 11 a.m. – Asatru Blót – Stone Hearth at Akasha
• March 5, 11 a.m. – Witches’ Sabbath – The Palace of Bone & Salt
• March 12, 11 a.m. – Asatru Blót – Stone Hearth at Akasha
• March 15, 7 p.m. – Wednesday Night Meditation – Stone Hearth at Akasha
• March 19, GATHER 6 p.m., RITUAL 7 p.m. – SPRING EQUINOX with all of MoonStone Society (Please bring a dish or beverage to share with the Community) – Mystic Raven Manor
Descriptions of Events:
• Asatru Blót – Gatherings will begin with a greeting and invocation—calling of the ancestors and landvaetir, Galdr. There will then be a lesson, and Mjod and bread during which music is played. The event will close with final thoughts, invitation to share concerns or joys and a closing prayer. Those who have been Asatru for a long time or are simply interested in finding out more are welcome.
• Witches’ Sabbath – Come learn about witchcraft with Priestess Pamela. Gatherings will begin with a sound meditation and prayer. Each week you will learn about different Goddesses, herbs, crystals and charms, easy spellcrafting and more. For all skill and curiosity levels.
• Wednesday Night Meditation – A guided meditation approximately 30 minutes in length will have varying focuses and intentions. Following in the way of the Asatru, these meditations will be a way to get to know the pantheon of this tradition.