Gone but Not Forgotten

In the olden days of magick pure,
the glittering Faerie danced.
Their home of Avalon matched their beauty
behind the clouds of thickened mist -
a mystery it seems to add.

Then there came a time of the Witch,
a friend to these winged Fay.
They danced and played,
and laughed and sang.
They chanted forms of magick,
and taught the witch their ways.
This was a time of peace.

There were many of these magickal kind,
and many of a different road.
But none of which would harm the next,
or even harm their foe.
Then the darkness came.

The Witch and many fought,
to keep that which is dear.
But there was too many of the darkness kind,
whose ears and eyes deceived them-
peace and love they preached.
The Witch knew it was false.

The darkness covered the land,
as thickest veil of bane.
Our ancestor’s memory they slandered.
Our men woman and children they slain,
And then they preach of righteousness and truth.
They say their way is pure and right,
while spitting up words of poison-
from lips of lustful envy.

Now we are in present day,
the darkness starts to fade.
The ancient truth we carry with us,
enlightened from ancestral ways.
The darkness fears us more and more,
as their powers wither-
they see they will not win.

So when you go to bed tonight,
remember what is said.
Though we are an ancient race,
our spirits will live on.

And when we go across the veil,
of spirit and of rest.
Our other kin will bid us well,
Like those who went before-
And those who will be left behind;
Will say what we have said,
their lips will say these gentle words,
“In Loving memory of this Witch,
Gone but Not Forgotten.”


Copyright©2011. Rev. Mirado Crow. All Rights Reserved.

Samhain Approches 2011

Dear Readers:

September has rolled around and already there are a plethora of Halloween Decorations and Costumes in stores. There are Goblins, creatures of the night, Devils, Black Cats...and even “Witches”. With the green old, ugly, hag like figure, dressed in black stirring a bubbling cauldron.

We know the fairytales by Hans Christian Anderson, and the Brothers Grimm. We are also very familiar with the Green cackling Old Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz”. But that is nothing of what a REAL Witch is like, and is an invention of the imagination. It’s no surprise to know that not many people know where the stereotype came from.

In medieval Europe, Witchcraft was practiced before and alongside with Christianity. There were Norse Odinists, Druids, Celts, Wicca (Witches) whom were both men and women that have helped both villagers and Royalty and were healers, Priestesses, Witan, and Wise Elders in many country villages. When the Church came into power, there started “The Burning Times” a time of which the King James Bible was written during the reign of King James I of England and VI of Scotland, and the start of the Inquisition by the Pope himself. When this all happened, and these groups came under attack, the inquisition (and the Church) had painted an image of Witches as evil, ugly devil worshippers to feed the Witch-craze; and it was all used as propaganda in a religious hate war to exterminate all non-believers of the Christian Church.

Over the past several centuries, Millions of innocent Men, Women, and Children were accused of Witchcraft and killed. The majority of these people were no real Witches, but were of an individual mind. We can also never forget the famous Salem Witch trials of 1692, where Nineteen people were executed on Witchcraft charges; this included many Women whom were either hanged or drowned and one man was accused and crushed to death, and hundreds more people were jailed. None of these people were real Witches, but elderly eccentrics or wealthy or attractive people with jealous neighbors. Not to mention that the trials was presided over by Rev. Judge Cotton Mather (Founder of Yale University). He had written many theological works that encouraged the belief in Witchcraft, and yet never once lifted a finger to help the accused, even though he knew they were innocent. One man that was executed was George Burrough, he recited the “Our Father” prayer and Mather urged that his execution continue.

The Witch stereotype was false when it was started centuries ago, and false even to this day. It promotes a hateful image that connects women, old age, and Magick with a shroud of darkness, ugliness and evil. It is completely disrespectful to elderly women, especially strong, elderly women. This is also a slander on a beautiful living religion, called Wicca.

Wicca exists today. It is an Earth-based Religion goaled on the revival of ancient Pagan practices and Witchcraft Traditions. It is a harmless religion that teaches respect for Mother Earth, each other, and the community. We worship the Divine as both Male and Female (God and Goddess), and work towards the many aspects of the Divine. It has nothing to do with Satanism of any kind, warts, ritual sacrifice (of any kind) of children or virgins, or hexes.

I know, because I am a Wiccan High Priest—―a REAL Witch. Live in the Flesh. I don’t have Green skin, or warts, nor do I fatten up children to eat them. Real Witches do nothing of the sort found in fairytales. It saddens me that the Costume companies would contribute to the old stereotype about Witches, post the pictures on their store windows and advertising as part of the Halloween “Fun.” Degrading any group of people whether it be based on their: Age, Race, Religion, Gender, income, or handicap is a poor way to celebrate a Holiday.

So here’s a request from a friendly neighbor. Decorate your home or store with spooks, ghouls, and creatures of the night if you’d like – they’re not real. If you wish, add some black cats and pumpkins to your décor – they will not care. But please skip the Witch decorations and ugly images, because I am real, and I do care.

Have a Blessed Samhain!


Blessed Be,
Rev. Mirado Crow, D.D.
Founder and Tradition Head of
The Black Rose Tradition
President/Publisher and Editor in Chief of
The Enchanted Garden Press

Misconceptions of Harm None

We as Wiccans all know about the "Harm None" Law of the Craft of the Wise. Many people have interpreted this Law in many ways, but where is it that we draw the line? Some people will claim that Wiccans are to be Pacifists because of this law, some saw that it is only a guideline...but should we really see this Harm None Law as a mere guideline, or a serious law that protects the sacricity of our beloved Community?

I have been observing within the Pagan Community that there are people that would dress, and act the way they wish because they think it will harm none...when in fact it does harm. Would anyone do anything about this, no...all because they don't want to hurt this person's feelings. This particular incident I personally witnessed at a Witches Ball that I had Hosted in a previous year. This Harm None Law has been interpreted in such ways that we have allowed Toxic people into this Community. Last time I had checked, one of the things our Religion is about self-empowerment...not the slavery of the people who practice it. The most dreadful thing I have noticed is Tolerance in the name of Tolerance, and the things people in our Ranks have allowed to happen because of it. This is what destroys something as beautiful as our Community.

I have learned the meanings of the Wiccan Rede, one of the lines says, "With a fool no season spend, nor be counted as his friend...". Those who will allow things to happen just because they are tolerating in the name of tolerance, are fools. This has allowed Toxic people to enter into the Pagan Community, and even worse...Our Ranks. This has lead to Toxic Groups, Toxic Books, Dabblers, and even pseudo-branches to enter our Peaceful Community. And it's all because we are letting it all in the name of tolerance...

We also have this "Live and Let live.." concept that has allowed this cancer to reign throughout our community...When we ignore a group that forces their members to stay within it. When the leaders would demand that the members of their group call them Lord or Lady, in selfish vainglory. And we do NOTHING. Some people will state that since we don't believe in the Concept of absolute Evil, that we don't believe in Evil itself. That is a blatant misconception and twisted belief, since they are completely wrong with that statement. We do believe in Evil, because it is alive and well today...and people of our own ranks are of just that nature. I have heard many a times in the Pagan Community that these individuals are just "Misguided"...well, lets see....was Hitler Evil, or just Misguided? Could you really call a mass genocide, the result of being misguided? Was Elizabeth Bathory Evil, or just Misguided when she killed hundreds of Virgin girls so to bathe in their blood because she thought it would preserve her youth?

Though we don't have mass murder in the Pagan Community, nor do we have nut jobs like Charles Manson...but we do have people who act very closely like him, without the murderous mind manipulation part of course. We also have people in our community that would indulge themselves in "character assassinations" for their own vainglory. These people do this also because they fully believe in divide and conquer to get whatever it is that they want. Some of these people do this to get a group to follow them, or hate each other; destroying what was once a very healthy group. And we still do nothing, because we don't want to be the intolerant ones. We have a lot of evil going around in the Pagan Community, and what is allowing this Evil to parade itself throughout our Community is that Good Men and Women do NOTHING! The only thing for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing....a quote that is very powerful as it is true.

So why and how could we expect any respect from the Cowan world when we have these Toxic people in our ranks? We can't. This makes us no better than the Catholic Vatican when they try to hide the fact that their Priests molest little boys...and that is sad. But it is a very true concept, when we don't address the issue and take care of it; not hide or ignore it.

It is not until we stand up and take back our Community that our community will be respected. We have to take our Community back from these toxic people. I'm not talking about going in with a gun, and forcing them to resign from their office. I'm talking about seeing the toxicity and calling it out for what it is, Evil. These people need to be called out, before other people get hurt. When we allow this toxicity to continue parading through our community, we are the ones allowing harm to be done...therefore causing harm. One of the things that hurts the Pagan Community is the merger of Christianity and various Pagan branches...I mean, come on...really? And many Pagans don't see this as harmful, when they have for centuries demonized our beliefs and killed our ancestors; and they are allowed to form a contradicting and might I add, INSULTING practice into our Community. They create a system in our community that provides a Christian spiritual safety net for the afterlife..while they insult the true roots of their practices. This is one of the many harmful things that have been allowed to parade into our community.

If we don't stand together and say, "Enough is Enough" and stamp out the toxic people in our community, these people win by default; and we have nobody to blame but ourselves. Even though Paganism doesn't have a Central Authoritarian Hierarchy, we can still be self-policing and stop these individuals in their tracks. When we see an individual of this nature, we need to give them what they want, "The Spotlight". Though this spotlight will bite them in the rear. Call them out where they stand, even though it may be in front of a group they are leading. It is far better to show a corrupted group what their leaders really are, than to wait until they are alone to call them out. The victims of these people will see that you are not afraid to stand up for what is truly right and what our Community truly believes in and practices...rather than cower and not help someone who has fallen victim to these people's toxic ways.

When I created The Black Rose Tradition, I had this in thought. I wanted to prevent the prevailing of Toxic individuals within the Community, so I created strict law to follow within The Black Rose Tradition. None of them causing harm to others, and designed to prevent harm to both student and teacher. These laws were also designed to prevent corruption of the leaders. Though Toxic people will disguise themselves as the curious student desperately wanting help or teaching. Watch their actions and body language, you'll know who is only there for toxic intentions. When I saw corruption, I called out the individuals and made them face their charges...they retaliated by calling me a paranoid and corrupt leader, this is to be expected from toxic individuals when they are called out. The will try to make you out to be the Toxic one, but you must stand your ground. No matter what happens, but do make sure that you prevent harm from befalling upon you. I would hate to hear about anyone getting hurt because they chose to stand their ground. Though they will most likely resort to childish ways to get back at you, instead of facing you like an adult.

If you happen to be a member of one of these groups, don't be afraid to stand up and expose them for what they really are; Evil. If you choose to leave the group, that's fine...but don't do it silently, because by leaving silently, you are causing harm...because you are taking the knowledge you have of a corrupt leader with you and leaving your brothers and sisters of the community to continue to be victimized by these toxic people. If the group isn't toxic, and you decide to leave, please, do it silently and without a scene. Toxicity spreads like a hot zone communicable disease, one that can be irreparable if left alone and not dealt with.

We need to keep in mind that these Toxic people are Power Hungry, and attention seekers. Like Children, they will seek attention by any means possible. If it's not given with what little good they do, then they will seek it through negative means. Psychology proves that. And that is what we should do for them, show them all the attention they are wanting to have, by showing what they and their actions really are, Evil. They, if smart, will change their toxic ways and become a positive hand in helping to mold our communities growth, or cower and be known for what they truly are.

Some people will fully agree with me on this, some will fully disagree with me...either or, I really don't care because that will not stop me from spreading the truth about this Toxicity that has been taking over our beloved Community. And will not stop me from doing my part to stamp out this toxicity.

I'm not asking for a Revolution or a Pagan Holy War...what I am asking is that we all stand together to stamp out these Toxic individuals and practices that is really harming our community. I am not saying that this is going to be easy, but I am saying that it would help our community grow in a healthy way. By stamping out these toxic individuals and practices, we will be allowing for a healthy growth of our community as a Respectable Religion as well as ourselves and fellow brothers and sisters of the community.



Article by: Rev. Mirado Crow
July 22, 2010

Copyright©2007 - 2010. Rev. Mirado Crow, The Black Rose Tradition. All Rights Reserved.