1st May 2017

It is remarkable how the Craft has evolved and not always in a priestly way, however, the majority of Alexandrian groups continue the work of the priesthood ever aspiring in their understanding of the ways of magic and spirit. There are some who have responded to the public need to take part in honouring the Gods of old, their work is admirable; others practice enactments in the form of mystery plays and others who specialise in giving talks either on the Craft or its modern history. The diversity is supplying a genuine need that has come into being, not only in the public arena but in the circles of the Craft.

Alex and I were rebels who were vilified by the Gardnerian Tradition of Witchcraft; we dared to break their rules by initiating homosexual men and women. In fact, we broke and changed several rules that were proven to be controlling in less than spiritual ways; this set us apart from Gardnerian Craft and other traditions of the time. Eventually, we became known as ‘Alexandrian’ not least because we developed the Craft along the lines of Freedom, Consciousness, Worship, and Magic, much to the despair of other traditions. We believed that all are entitled to seek Initiation. This did not mean all were accepted, irrespective of whether they were gay, disabled, whole-bodied, able-bodied, or just different. Much to the annoyance of the Gardnerians, many more were accepted than rejected.

In the Sixties, requests from the disabled were scarce, it was therefore not something we had to consider; it was simply how things were at the time. No doubt, had more come forward, they would have been accepted if they had the right attitude to work in our circle; we were rebels who believed in the beauty of the Individual and the magic of Witchcraft.

*Alexandrian Craft is for those who have a vocation, aptitude, and aspiration to practice the Art of Witchcraft; not all people have the right attitude to work in an Alexandrian Circle. If a person requests Initiation into non-diluted Alexandrian Craft and is accepted after the usual period of asking questions; they know what to expect. *

*This begs the question why someone would ask for Initiation into a group if they are not properly prepared to accept the group’s way of working, especially given there are so many traditions nowadays who work differently or in ways that are suitable to all who ask regardless of attitude. *

Why would any Initiate or group want to be known as ‘Alexandrian’ and yet yearn to change the refinements that make it Alexandrian? Perhaps they recognise that Alexandrians are true to the Art Magical; that we refuse to dilute our rituals; we do not seek converts; we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before; and, we do not perform same-sex Initiation. The new book is coming on, however, the research is bringing up so much information that has to be put into a comprehensive timeline hence the new website that is nearly ready to go.

It is wonderful to be home in Ffestiniog, Snowdonia North Wales working the rituals in my stone circle, the river Teigl roars past us as we invoke the Watchtowers and work the magic; raising power is almost unnecessary as the elements are so vital especially at this time of year.

I spoke at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff and at Fairfield halls for the Witchfest conferences. I was then invited to Atlanta to speak at the Gathering of the Tribes and then in Connecticut. My favourite talk was at Conway Hall in London on ‘The Day for Doreen’, it rather made the audience pay attention. I was surprised by the mundane attitude of the many and the viciousness with which the Sanders were vilified, ah well I bless them with love and kind thoughts.

Victor, my son had a catastrophic stroke, which left him severely brain damaged. After much ado, I found an apartment in London’s famous Abbey Road that enabled me to take Victor out of the nursing home and care for him in our new loving magical home. The address sounds quite grand given its closeness to Abbey Road Studios famous for the Beatles recording, and the Zebra crossing, which nowadays attracts tourists flocking to have their photographs taken in the likeness of the famous four causing massive traffic jams. Our home is not grand, it is perfect for us; we give thanks to the Universe every day for the abundance of blessings that fill our lives.

At first, it was all rather scary, pills, nurses, Doctors, physiotherapist’s, and carers, all professional and me overwhelmed by the enormity of Victors’ state of being and the awesome responsibility of nursing a man who loves life. Thank God, for humour and that the mistakes I made did not kill him.

It took about three years to establish a routine that even now can be shattered in a moment with the unpredictability of infection and its devastating painful effects that can literally take months to clear.

It was shocking to learn the witches were once again up to their mischief; actually, it was not shocking at all. Admittedly, they were not to know my personal circumstances and somehow I do not think their knowing would have made any difference. Alex always called the witches a quarrelsome bunch. Of late, I have wanted to call them far worse. Initiate or not, social media seems to strip some people of all the social graces and their supposed spirituality. Just because they are on a closed or so-called secret group, they seem to think their rabble-rousing is only for the eyes of the mob. Do I have news for them!

There will always be tittle-tattlers who take a snapshot of the most interesting posts and send it to who? Well… recently my inbox is full of vile duplicitous posts, screenshot for my attention.

And now… I have received and read a copy of the broomstick book. Both the screenshot postings and the broomstick book would have at one time been treated with dignified silence. Alas, historical fact is constantly being falsely portrayed.

I am no stranger to the supposed ‘leading authorities’ recreating events that do not match the truth.

Dignified silence is no longer respected by those who know the facts yet choose to alter them to enhance their own position in history.

If illusion and malignant suggestion are left unchallenged, inherited grudges become a mass of hatred within those who were neither present at the time who after several decades have become the devotees of those who continue to spread malicious untruths. All because of jealousy, lies which when published enough times are perceived as truth and so history is corrupted.

So… the records have been accessed, legal advice taken, and the book in progress.

Hold on to your brooms this is definitely going to be a somewhat rocky, hilarious, fascinating and clarifying read.