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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,012,412 |
Question of the Week: 94 - 1/13/2003 Who Would Make Your Pagan/Heathen Who’s Who List? If you were compiling the Pagan/Heathen equivalent of the famous ‘Who’s Who’ list of influential people, which Pagan or Heathen names would make it on your list? Why did you choose these people? Which non-Pagans, but still people who are/were influential in some way to issues important to Pagans, should be on the list? What qualities or accomplishments did you consider to be the most important in making your choices? Finally, which people of your own acquaintance would make your private ‘most influential people in my life’ list? |
| Reponses: There are 91 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| Who's/Who In New Orleans | Jan 15th. at 9:28:42 pm EST |
| Donna Fransen (New Orleans, LA) | Age: 48 - Email - Web |
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I have been involved in the local Pagan community here in the New Orleans area for the past seven years. I have met wonderful people here, including Lady Mimi at Esoterica and Sally Glassman of the Voudon community. But the most influential person in my life the past years has been the Reverend Velvet Rieth, APS. Rev. Rieth co-founded Covenant of the Pentacle Wiccan Church-ATC in 1994 to give the local Pagan community a place to pray with like-minded others. Since the founding of this church, it has branched into numerous teaching circles, a food bank, and a hospital chaplaincy program. The most important contribution that she has made, however, is the founding and continuing work as the ONLY Wiccan prison ministry program in the state of Louisiana. Rev. Rieth began this work in 1996 and for the first 18 months traveled every other weekend to establish this program at Allen Correctional Center in Kinder, LA. Since that time, five prisons have been added to this list with active working circles in them, including an inmate on Death Row at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, LA. This past week, Rev. Rieth has been invited to work with the Federal prison system here in the state and is also working with chaplains in other states across the country to help educate them on Wicca. These accomplishments alone would be enough for many, but for me, she is also much more. She is not only my pastor and friend, but I am proud and honored to call her my sister. She has been there for me and many others in our times of need. In the face of personal adversity, she has stood strong and guided us. She is, to me, the Wo/Man of the Year. |
| Just My Opinion | Jan 16th. at 4:39:53 am EST |
| Cougar (Zanesville, OH) | Age: 27 - Email |
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I wouldn't choose anyone. Why do we have to cheapen the Wiccan experience by playing popularity games like "ooh, vote for your favorite witches celebrity!!"? It's bad enough that teenagers are playing "The Craft" and Covens have become Mini-Churches. Wiccan leaders set up supposed unbiased online communities but only so they can hear themselves preech Wiccan Doctrine and sell their hand-crafted, mass produced crap they call "essential crafting tools". With that opinion expressed, I would give honorable mention to Mr. Crowley and possibly Konstantinos for their ground breaking journeys into the feared and avoided sides of the Craft. Not to say that others haven't traveled down similar roads, but these are the names I have heard. |
| Ralph Blum Hehehehehehehe | Jan 16th. at 10:21:16 am EST |
| Sean (USA and Canada) | Age: 35 - Email - Web |
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I would sat Ralph Blum for his Rune book and the controvesy it has started over the Blank Rune. And to all the other Rune authors out there who's Names I dont know. Thank you |
| Help....I Can't Choose!! | Jan 16th. at 10:29:42 am EST |
| Lisa (New Jersey) | Age: 31 - Email |
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When I sat and pondered this question many names came to mind. I have read many books about Wicca and Paganism and have found many to be enlightening and some just rather foolish. At first, I was going to write the names of these authors and their contribution to the Wiccan/Pagan community. But, then I realized the true person that started me on the path to Wicca. Her name is Diane, and she is my mother. When, I was the tender age of eight my mother bought me a pack of tarot cards. She herself didn't follow any particular doctrine or religion but that instance of the opening of my psychic mind brought many possibilities that I would not have explored without her nurturing that within me. She never once said that I could not be what I envisioned myself to be and for that I place her in the class of the most influential Pagan/Wiccan person in your life catergory. |
| Pagan Who's Who | Jan 16th. at 11:18:00 am EST |
| Branowen (Mesa, AZ) | Age: 20 - Email - Web |
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The Goddess, and therefore essentailly every pagan who has ever served her. I think every one of us plays a huge part, not just the celebrities. And for that, I would thank all of us. |
| Who's Who | Jan 16th. at 11:25:08 am EST |
| Angela (Washington, DC) | Age: 32 - Email |
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Big Name Pagans Issac Bonewits Oberon Zell Gerald Gardner Doreen Valiente Starhawk Selena Fox Ronald Hutton Local Leaders Whose Names People Usually Forget Donal - founded the Pagan Night Out in Houston back in the 1990s, a concept which has spread throughout the US Dag and Cec Dewyr - started International Pagan Pride Day Project, leading to PPDs all over the world Shea Thomas - Mystic District Planning Coalition & Open Hearth Foundation Orren - founder of Four Quarters Sanctuary The countless people who spend enormous energy making pagan events happen in the real world - nothing would happen to bring our communities together if it were not for these people having the vision and handling the sweaty details. |
| My Chosen | Jan 16th. at 12:33:21 pm EST |
| James (Tx) | Age: 18 - Email |
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Half of these people listed may not be recognized by modern pagans.. Before I make my list, I would like to say that people who write new-agey books which are filled with nothing but lies IE: "witchcraft is a "goddess" religion" "paganism is a religion" "wicca is the old religion".... these people do not make the list... there is nothing "pagan" about them. Nigel Jackson Evan Jones R.J. Stewart Michael Howard Robert Cochrane "Robin Artisson" Who can be found here: http://www.angelfire.com/wv/clanndroen/hallpage.html |
| The Elders In The Trenches | Jan 16th. at 1:15:34 pm EST |
| Steve D. (N.J.) | Age: 43 - Email |
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While credit is due for the Big Names; Isaac Bonewits, Ravenwolf, just to name a couple. The big credits should go to the elders who are leading the covens, giving the "101" classes and hosting the local Sabbats for the Solitaries who would have no where to go and be with their fellow Pagans. Without the efforts of the "troops in the trenches" Wicca would be lost. Who's Who to me would be my first teacher and HPS: Indigo. |
| Non-fluffy Who's Who... | Jan 16th. at 3:56:53 pm EST |
| HrappR (New Jersey, USA) | Age: 36 - Email - Web |
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Garman Lord, Swain and Eric Wodening, Edred Thorsson, James chisholm, Steve McNallen, Valgard Murray, Piperskegg Ullerson, Lavrans Reimer-Moeller, and all the others in the forefront of Heathenry. Some are authors, some are leaders, one or two are just doers. All are fine folks. |
| A Short List | Jan 16th. at 4:14:40 pm EST |
| Kea Erisdottir (US) | Age: 38 - Email |
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Tamarra & Richard James, Wiccan Church of Canada -- They've done long term, meaningful work in terms of Pagan/Wiccan education, temple building, clerical support of their community. The prison ministry of the WCC, at last asking, has a recitivism rate of ZERO because of the thoughtful way in which prisoners are brought back home and helped back to a productive life. Tarostar -- Who, among other things, is an amazing man whom I admire because of his towering knowledge of the occult and his high personal standards. The Church of the Iron Oak -- Who fought their case until they won against the local governments who were complicit in their persecution and attempting to limit their religious freedom. Hadrea@Sword and Shield -- Who runs a very good BBS for Pagan Polytheists and well-behaved visitors of other faiths. Drew Campbell -- For his ground breaking work in Hellenic Reconstructionism. One of the principles of Hellenion. Kyrene Ariadne -- Founder of Hellenion and now working on a mysteries project called Ai Mystai. I personally admire her strong vision. Sannion -- A Hellenic writer whose essays are thought provoking and entertaining. Kveldulf Gundarrson Freya Aswynn Edred Thorsson |
| Influential Pagans | Jan 16th. at 4:24:56 pm EST |
| Datura (South Africa) | Age: 20 - Email |
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Hi there! I would like to just add my quick thoughts here, with a perhaps not so popular opinion. Thinking back over my journey of discovery these past four years I would have to say the most influential people were my friends and teachers here at home. But one of the most influential public pagans would have to be the webmaster of www.whywiccanssuck.com. Now I know a lot of people look at that URL and immediately get incensed - but there really is a lot of well thought out, rational, intelligent and honest work to be found on that page. I highly recommend it to anyone new to the path of Wicca who has learnt most of their religion from the multitude of "Wicca for beginners" sites scattered around the 'net. Aside from correcting a number of misconceptions this site also points newbies to well researched, academic and accurate sources for learning about witchcraft, magic and the history of pagan religions. So - to 4 at WWS - thanks for helping me and so many I know snap out of self-delusion and embark on a serious path of research into religion and magic. Datura |
| Who's Who List | Jan 16th. at 5:04:27 pm EST |
| Max Tucker (Alva, OK.) | Age: 27 - Email |
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1. Scott Cunningham 2. Gerald Gardner/Alister Crowley 3. Raven Grimassi 4. Farrar/Farrar/bone 5. Isaac Bonawits I would ad these people to any pagan who's who list. For, at least in my opinion these 8 people have done a lot for pagans, in regards to opening the mind's eye. |
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