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Controverscial.Com

Welcome

Controverscial.Com

Welcome to my website. Most of you will no doubt note the incorrect spelling of my tile for this site "Controverscial.com?"  Well no it is not a mistake, quite simply somebody was already using the correct spelling, so I added the letter "c" after the "s" to make a soundalike.  Okay with that out of the way, for ease of navigation I have included all the "Site Contents" with links to all pages at the bottom of each page, so if you haven't been here before or are looking for something in particular, this would be a good place for you to start.  If you have any questions or quires, you can contact me personally at the email address below the Site Contents.  You will also notice that I have a quirky sense of humour regarding music.  I know some people do not like to listen to music while reading and may find it intrusive to their concentration, so I have recently installed the Windows Media Player on most pages, so now you can turn it off if you choose to do so, however this is a work in progress and some pages still have background sound.  In the meantime here's just some of the things you will find here:

Personal

These pages contain all my personal details and include:  A brief biography with "Ben" my dog, my past friend and companion.  Also my personal Photo Gallery (but this may take a little time to load, so enjoy the music). 

Wicca/Witchcraft/Paganism

These pages contain information about "Wicca", "Witchcraft" and Paganism.  Religion down through the ages has always caused controversy, no less so in this day and age.  It was my intention on these pages to write an exposé on the evils associated with Wicca/Witchcraft, Paganism, Satanism and the Black Arts, but like many misinformed people, I had a preconceived view of the subject.  I had expected to be writing about Ritual Sacrifices, Sexual Orgies and Evil Spells etc.  How wrong I was.  

I am now taking an active interest in "Wicca", "Witchcraft" and "Paganism", and while I don't necessarily consider myself a "Witch", I do practice some elements of the craft that I feel benefits my beliefs and personal circumstances.  Take a look and experience some true facts about witchcraft as I strive learn about it myself.

This was how I started some years ago and then after starting this website, due to the amount off comments being made in my Guest Book, I decided to set up a place were people could go to discuss, ask questions, share opinions, seek further information and share their own experiences with other like minded people.  Indeed it is also be a place were people can submit their own articles for inclusion in this website, and by doing so help to make this website a truly interactive one by expanding its knowledge base to include all aspects of Wicca/Witchcraft/Paganism and Magick.

Email Witches

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Email_Witches

Formed in July 2001, Email Witches is a pagan friendly email group attracting people from all walks of life, from all spectrums of society and from all around the world. Most are individuals seeking a personal practical religion that can be adapted to their own needs and criteria.  Wicca is a wonderfully diverse religion that meets most of these needs. Email Witches is set up as a place were those of same interest can meet, discuss, share and gain more information about their chosen paths. All visitors to this website are welcome, so why not join us today and make new friends?

The members and moderators of Email Witches are proud to present their public digital Newsletter.

The Controversial Cauldron

Beltane (May Eve)

(30th April)

Sadly due to time restrains and other work pressures this newsletter is now suspended.  We hope to resume it's publication again sometime in the future.  Other previous issues can be downloaded free from here:

Litha (June) 2008 / Lammas/Lughnasadh (August) 2008 / Mabon (September) 2008 / Samhain (October) 2008 / Yule (December) 2008 / Imbolc (February) 2009 / Ostara (March) 2009 / Beltane (April) 2009 / Litha (June - not published) 2009 / Lammas/Lughnasadh (August) 2009 / Mabon (September) 2009 / Samhain (October) 2009 / Yule (December) 2009 / Imbolc (February) 2010 / Ostara (March) 2010 / Beltane (April) 2010 / Litha (June) 2010 / Lammas/Lughnasadh (August) 2010

Updates & Additions

Greetings one and all, time for an up-date.

13th May 2013

Karl von Eckartshausen

Departed to day on the 13th May 1803.  One of the greatest influences on theological and philosophical thought of the 18th century, was the writings of a little known author called ‘Karl von Eckartshausen’. Popular during his own time, he was a prolific writer of books, papers and articles covering such subjects as: the Sciences, fine Art, Drama, Politics, Religion and History, though over time many of these have been forgotten. He is perhaps best known in esoteric circles for his writings about Magic, Alchemy and the properties of Numbers of which his most influential book was ‘The Cloud upon the Sanctuary’. This was the book that influenced such people as A.E. Waite (indeed it was Waite who wrote the introduction to its current printing) and other members of the ‘Order of the Golden Dawn’, most particularly the infamous Aleister Crowley.

08th May 2013

Born today on the 06th May 1898  -  Vera Chapman is perhaps best known as the founder of the Tolkien Society of Great Britain, founded in 1969 to promote the works of the author J.R.R. Tolkien. Later she became an accomplished author herself, best known for the Arthurian Trilogy: The Green Knight (1975), King Arthur’s Daughter (1976) and The King’s Damosels (1976). However, less was known about her interest in Woodcraft and Paganism, for she was an early member of the Kibbo Kift Kindred, a movement founded by John Gordon Hargrave in 1920, a member of the Ancient Druid Order, and later Pendragon of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids founded by Ross Nichols in 1964.

07th May 2013

Departed today on the 07th May 1941 - Sir James George Frazer was a leading Anthropologist, Folklorist and Classical Scholar. A respected academic by his peers and colleagues he devoted much of his life researching the early history of mankind, on which he studied, wrote and theorized about the early magical thinking into religious thought. His most famous book The Golden Bough: a Study in Magic and Religion became an instant classic when first it was published in 1890.

06th May 2013

Born today on the 06th May 1955 - Dorothy Morrison is an award winning American author and teacher of Wicca and Neo-Paganism.  An author of more than twelve books on Witchcraft and associated subjects, she is a member of the Pagan Poet’s Society and has contributed many articles to leading magazines and journals.  A teacher for more than 25 years, her practical down-to-earth approach to Witchcraft has inspired many on their paths to the Craft of the Wise.

04th May 2013

Born today on the 4th May 1858 - Mrs. Maud Grieve.  If you ever need information about herbs, plants or trees, then one of the best resources available today is a book called “A Modern Herbal” by Mrs M. Grieve F.R.H.S. - Edited and introduced by Mrs C.F. Leyel (first published by Jonathan Cape Ltd in 1931). This book is a veritable tome and contains all you need to know about the “Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folklore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs and Trees with all their modern scientific uses.” But who was the author Mrs M. Grieve? Sadly while this lady deserves so much credit for her work, which continues to inspire so many people, very little is known about her life. This bio is full of speculation leading from what few actual facts we have been able to uncover, so I would encourage anyone reading it who can add to our knowledge, to please contact me and let me know.

Events in the UK

Here's a note worthy event for all Pagans and Witches located in the UK.  Sponsored by John Belham-Payne & The Centre for Pagan Studies in aid of the recently formed charitable trust - The Doreen Valiente Foundation, this will be a very special day here in the UK.  It is hoped that as many people as possible will turn out and be part of this historic event, and gather together to raise awareness of Paganism and Witchcraft in England by celebrating the life of Doreen Valiente who is commonly regarded as the "Mother of Modern-day Witchcraft".

The Blue Plaques Project

The Centre for Pagan Studies is heading a project to get commemorative "Blue Plaques" placed on buildings and in areas where people who have shaped our pagan history have lived or worked in during the past.  After a number of years in consultation with the Brighton and Hove City Council,  the Centre for Pagan Studies are now pleased to announce that Doreen Valiente’s plaque will be going on the wall of the apartment block where she lived and worked for the last 30 years of her life, the where she did most of her seminal writing.  The event is to take place on the Summer Solstice – 21st June 2013.  As afar as is known, this will be the first plaque of its kind placed on a council apartment block in this country, and certainly one of the first to commemorate the life of a modern contemporary Witch.  Two other plaques are being planned for in the future, one for Gerald B. Gardner in 2014, and one for Alex Sanders in 2015. 

On the day, 21st June 2013, there will be speeches and a surprise guest to unveil the plaque, there will also entertainment on the steps of the building where Doreen lived.  While this is a free event open to the public , there is a cost to pay.  The Centre of Pagan Studies are having to pay for the commemorative plaque themselves and need our help to raise funds.  The manufacturing cost and installation fee is expected to be around 1200 pounds, so it would be great if those people knowingly going, would enter into the spirit of the event and make a small advanced donation.  Also on the day special arrangements are being made for any person or organisation that donates 100 pounds or more to the fund, to be invited into the residents lounge of the building where Doreen lived, and enjoy a special VIP buffet luncheon.

To make a donation please go to:  http://doreenvaliente.org/

And Finally ....

Many thanks for stopping by.  If you have enjoyed this site please say so by using the Guest Book or my personal email link at the bottom of this page.  Your comments are particularly welcome for without your help I couldn't hope to improve this site.  Please don't be shy, be bold and have your say, above all please be critical, even controversial, I promise not to take offence  :-)

All for now have a nice day.  

Best Wishes

George Knowles (Man in Black)

re-set 15th May 2011

Gods and Goddesses (Greek Mythology) /  Esbats & Full Moons /  Links to Personal Friends & Resources /  Wicca/Witchcraft Resources /  What's a spell? /  Circle Casting and Sacred Space /  Pentagram - Pentacle /  Marks of a Witch /  The Witches Power /  The Witches Hat /  An esoteric guide to visiting London /  Satanism /  Pow-wow /  The Unitarian Universalist Association /  Numerology:  Part 1  /  Part 2  /  Part 3 /  A history of the Malleus Maleficarum:  includes:  Pope Innocent VIII  /  The papal Bull  /   The Malleus Maleficarum  /  An extract from the Malleus Maleficarum  /  The letter of approbation  /  Johann Nider’s Formicarius  /  Jacob Sprenger  /  Heinrich Kramer  /  Stefano Infessura  /  Montague Summers  /  The Waldenses  /  The Albigenses  /  The Hussites /  The Sun Dance /  Shielding (Occult and Psychic Protection) /  The History of Thanksgiving /

Articles and Stories about Witchcraft:

Murder by Witchcraft /  The Fairy Witch of Clonmel /  A Battleship, U-boat, and a Witch /  The Troll-Tear (A story for Children) /  Goody Hawkins - The Wise Goodwife /  The Story of Jack-O-Lantern /  The Murder of the Hammersmith Ghost /  Josephine Gray (The Infamous Black Widow) /  The Two Brothers - Light and Dark

Abramelin the Mage /  Agrippa /  Aidan A. Kelly /  Albertus Magnus “Albert the Great” /  Aleister Crowley “The Great Beast” /  Alex Sanders "the King of the Witches” /  Alison Harlow /  Amber K /  Anna Franklin /  Anodea Judith /  Anton Szandor LaVey  / Arnold Crowther /  Arthur Edward Waite /  Austin Osman Spare /  Biddy Early /  Bridget Cleary /  Carl Llewellyn Weschcke /  Cecil Hugh Williamson /  Charles Godfrey Leland /  Charles Walton /  Christina Oakley Harrington /  Damh the Bard (Dave Smith) /   Dion Fortune /  Dolores Aschroft-Nowicki /  Dorothy Morrison /  Doreen Valiente /  Edward Fitch /  Eleanor Ray Bone “Matriarch of British Witchcraft” /  Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelly /  Dr. Leo Louis Martello /  Eliphas Levi /  Ernest Thompson Seton /  Ernest Westlake and the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry /  Fiona Horne /  Friedrich von Spee /  Francis Barrett /  Gerald B. Gardner /  Gavin and Yvonne Frost and the School and Church of Wicca /  Gwydion Pendderwen /  Hans Holzer /  Helen Duncan /  Herman Slater "Horrible Herman" /  Israel Regardie /  James "Cunning" Murrell /  Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone /  Jessie Wicker Bell “Lady Sheba” / John Belham-Payne /  John George Hohman /  John Gerard / John Gordon Hargrave (the White Fox) /  John Michael Greer /  John Score /  Johannes Junius the Burgomaster of Bamberg /  Karl von Eckartshausen /  Laurie Cabot "the Official Witch of Salem" /  Lewis Spence /  Margaret Alice Murray /  Margot Adler /  Marie Laveau the " Voodoo Queen of New Orleans" /  Marion Weinstein /  Matthew Hopkins “The Witch-Finder General” /  Max Ehrmann and the Desiderata /  Monique Wilson the “Queen of the Witches” /  Montague Summers /  Nicholas Culpeper /  Nicholas Remy /  M. R. Sellers /  Mrs. Grieve "A Modern Herbal" /  Oberon and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart /  Old Dorothy Clutterbuck /  Old George Pickingill /   Paddy Slade /  Pamela Colman-Smith /  Paracelsus /  Patricia Crowther /  Patricia Monaghan /  Patricia “Trish” Telesco /  Philip Emmons Isaac Bonewits /  Philip Heselton /  Raymond Buckland /  Reginald Scot /  Robert Cochrane /  Robert ‘von Ranke’ Graves and "The White Goddess" /  Rudolf Steiner /  Rosaleen Norton “The Witch of Kings Cross” /  Ross Nichols and The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids /  Sabrina - The Ink Witch /  Scott Cunningham /  Selena Fox /  Silver Ravenwolf /  Sir Francis Dashwood /  Sir James George Frazer /  S.L. MacGregor Mathers and the “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn” /  Starhawk /  Stewart Farrar /  Sybil Leek /  Ted Andrews /  The Mather Family - includes: Richard Mather, Increase Mather, Cotton Mather /  Thomas Ady /  Vera Chapman /  Victor Henry Anderson /  Vivianne Crowley /  Walter Brown Gibson /  William Butler Yeats /  Zsuzsanna Budapest

Many of the above biographies are brief and far from complete.  If you know about any of these individuals and can help with aditional information, please cantact me privately at my email address below.  Many thanks for reading  :-)

"FAIR USE NOTICE"

While I have taken due care and dilligence to credit all sources where possible, this website may contain copyrighted material which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.  My use of making such material available here is done so in my efforts to advance our understanding of religious discrimination, the environmental and social justice issues etc.  I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.  In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the information for research and educational purposes.  For more information about 'fair use' see: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.  If you wish to use copyrighted material from this wedsite for purposes of your own that goes beyond this 'fair use' statement, you must obtain permission from the relevant copyright owner yourself.