Post by Mysti on Aug 11, 2007 12:25:35 GMT -5
The following is a continuation of an article/interview with Raymond Buckland by Beth Scudder/New Worlds Magazine, that I wanted to share:
New Worlds: How do you think Witchcraft has changed in the time you have been involved in it?
Ray Buckland: The main change has been the tremendous advances it has made in terms of public acceptance. From a few solitary groups meeting in secret in homes and apartments, it has come to be a religion that is touted in hotel conference centers and huge campgrounds. Witches serve on interfaith committees and speak at international religious conferences. Wiccan priests and priestesses are able to work with prisons and hospitals. The religion is acknowledged by the armed services. It is becoming ~ dare I use the phrase? ~ mainstream! Although there's still quite a way to go (especially to overcome the bickering amongst ourselves) it is gradually getting to the point where it is being accepted as "just another religion". That's something a lot of us have been working for a very long time to achieve. We've endured the persecutions and we've re-emerged to grow to where we we are today. We need to stand up for our rights and to spread love and harmony with all nature.
NW: What do you feel your greatest accomplishment has been as a writer?
RB: To be read. Seriously, I think I have been especially blessed. I love to write and will always do so. I enjoy teaching, so my writing is usually of that type. The fact that these days I am approached by publishers who want me to write for them, instead of having to run around looking and hoping for a publisher ~ any publisher! ~ is a blessing, and a great accomplishment, for which I thank the gods.
NW: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the Craft?
RB: Be honest, with yourself and with others. Be sincere in your belief in the gods. Be tolerant. There are many paths , all of which lead to the same center. No one tradition of Wicca is more correct, more "authentic", more ancient, than another. You do your thing, and allow others to do theirs. And don't come into Wicca just because you think it will be a neat way to learn to do spells. If magic is what you want, you don't need the Craft.
NW: Aside from writing, what are some pastimes you enjoy?
RB: I used to fly ultralight aircraft, but these days I have switched my emphasis to cars, mostly unusual vehicles with emphasis on 3-wheeled cars. I have taught myself to weld, and actually build some of my weird designs. Also, (although it's writing still), I love writing fiction, and am presently deep into a Tolkienesque fantasy novel. I'm also very much into music. Back when I lived in England, I had a jazz band (New Orleans style) which played regularly at the Picadilly Jazz Club and elsewhere. A few years ago, my wife Tara and I bought an expensive piano (Roland KR77) that also carried nearly 400 different instrument sounds and has a built-in 16-track recorder. On this, I started to reconstruct my old band, playing all the different instruments and putting them together. This worked well, and inspired me to go on and record a lot of Ragtime ( a big love of mine). I created the Cresent City Ragtime Orchestra, and not only played all the instruments, but also arranged and orchestrated the music. I have one CD out and two more about to be released. Tara plays music; I say that I "construct" music. It's lots of fun!
NW: How do you feel about the negative stereotypes of Wiccans and pagans that are commonly found in society? What can, or should, the community do to change those negative associations?
RB: Educate. Approach whomever is responsible for what is being presented and try to correct their perspective. There's never any need to get into a shouting match, but if you can show that presenting the stereotypes is a display of ignorance, it can help.
NW: You have a lot of fans ~ people who are extremely grateful to you for the writing and work that you have done. What would you like to say to them?
RB: I would like, very sincerely, to thank them for reading my work. It does no good for me to write if it's not going to be read. If I have a lot of fans, it's obviously because I've been touching some chords. Those chords are of the Old Religion, and that is what is popular. I'm just an instrument to bring the information forward. But thank you ~ a big thank you.
NW: What projects are you currently working on?
RB:I have just finished up Buckland's Book of Spirit Communications, which I am very excited about. It completes the circle, taking me back to my Spiritualist beginnings. Also, Lissane Lake and I are working on a new tarot deck that we think will be appreciated. Sometime next year I have to get back to an advanced Wicca book I've put on the back burner a couple of times. And I am now working on my fantasy novel and hope to have that finsihed by the end of the year.
From "New Worlds" November/December 2003 Issue
New Worlds: How do you think Witchcraft has changed in the time you have been involved in it?
Ray Buckland: The main change has been the tremendous advances it has made in terms of public acceptance. From a few solitary groups meeting in secret in homes and apartments, it has come to be a religion that is touted in hotel conference centers and huge campgrounds. Witches serve on interfaith committees and speak at international religious conferences. Wiccan priests and priestesses are able to work with prisons and hospitals. The religion is acknowledged by the armed services. It is becoming ~ dare I use the phrase? ~ mainstream! Although there's still quite a way to go (especially to overcome the bickering amongst ourselves) it is gradually getting to the point where it is being accepted as "just another religion". That's something a lot of us have been working for a very long time to achieve. We've endured the persecutions and we've re-emerged to grow to where we we are today. We need to stand up for our rights and to spread love and harmony with all nature.
NW: What do you feel your greatest accomplishment has been as a writer?
RB: To be read. Seriously, I think I have been especially blessed. I love to write and will always do so. I enjoy teaching, so my writing is usually of that type. The fact that these days I am approached by publishers who want me to write for them, instead of having to run around looking and hoping for a publisher ~ any publisher! ~ is a blessing, and a great accomplishment, for which I thank the gods.
NW: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the Craft?
RB: Be honest, with yourself and with others. Be sincere in your belief in the gods. Be tolerant. There are many paths , all of which lead to the same center. No one tradition of Wicca is more correct, more "authentic", more ancient, than another. You do your thing, and allow others to do theirs. And don't come into Wicca just because you think it will be a neat way to learn to do spells. If magic is what you want, you don't need the Craft.
NW: Aside from writing, what are some pastimes you enjoy?
RB: I used to fly ultralight aircraft, but these days I have switched my emphasis to cars, mostly unusual vehicles with emphasis on 3-wheeled cars. I have taught myself to weld, and actually build some of my weird designs. Also, (although it's writing still), I love writing fiction, and am presently deep into a Tolkienesque fantasy novel. I'm also very much into music. Back when I lived in England, I had a jazz band (New Orleans style) which played regularly at the Picadilly Jazz Club and elsewhere. A few years ago, my wife Tara and I bought an expensive piano (Roland KR77) that also carried nearly 400 different instrument sounds and has a built-in 16-track recorder. On this, I started to reconstruct my old band, playing all the different instruments and putting them together. This worked well, and inspired me to go on and record a lot of Ragtime ( a big love of mine). I created the Cresent City Ragtime Orchestra, and not only played all the instruments, but also arranged and orchestrated the music. I have one CD out and two more about to be released. Tara plays music; I say that I "construct" music. It's lots of fun!
NW: How do you feel about the negative stereotypes of Wiccans and pagans that are commonly found in society? What can, or should, the community do to change those negative associations?
RB: Educate. Approach whomever is responsible for what is being presented and try to correct their perspective. There's never any need to get into a shouting match, but if you can show that presenting the stereotypes is a display of ignorance, it can help.
NW: You have a lot of fans ~ people who are extremely grateful to you for the writing and work that you have done. What would you like to say to them?
RB: I would like, very sincerely, to thank them for reading my work. It does no good for me to write if it's not going to be read. If I have a lot of fans, it's obviously because I've been touching some chords. Those chords are of the Old Religion, and that is what is popular. I'm just an instrument to bring the information forward. But thank you ~ a big thank you.
NW: What projects are you currently working on?
RB:I have just finished up Buckland's Book of Spirit Communications, which I am very excited about. It completes the circle, taking me back to my Spiritualist beginnings. Also, Lissane Lake and I are working on a new tarot deck that we think will be appreciated. Sometime next year I have to get back to an advanced Wicca book I've put on the back burner a couple of times. And I am now working on my fantasy novel and hope to have that finsihed by the end of the year.
From "New Worlds" November/December 2003 Issue