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| Witchvox Chapter: Wren's Nest News | Chapter Page Views: 54,888,002 |
 Obit: Joseph Author: Aisling Source: email Title: Obit: Joseph    Joseph "Bearwalker" Wilson, Founder of the 1734 Tradition of Witchcraft, Metista American Shamanism, TOTEG (Temple Of The Elder Gods) in California, Toteg Tribe, and publisher of the first Pagan newsletter in the United States, passed into the Otherworld on August fourth, 2004, from complicaitons of COPD.Joseph Wilson was born in 1942. His earliest spiritual influence was his grandmother's church meetings. After High School Joseph enlisted in the Air Force, where he met Sean, who began to teach Joseph to listen to nature. Under Sean's influence, Joseph participated in several nature-based activities that gave him direct experience with spirit. In 1963, Joseph was inspired to start a witchcraft publication, which he titled "The Waxing Moon." This was the basis for the first Craft-related contact circles in the United States. An ad in Pentagram (a British publication) for The Waxing Moon put Joseph in contact with Robert Cochrane (Roy Bowers) , with whom Joseph studied through correspondence during the last six months of Robert's life. By 1969 Joseph "had something of a national reputation." After the publication of Witches USA, contributors Ed Fitch, John Hansen, and Joe, along with Gwydion Penderwen (Tom DeLong) created a publication of practices, which later evolved into three sister groups: "Nemeton" on the west coast of the USA (Gwydion) , "Pagan Way" on the east coast of the USA (John and Ed) , and the "Pagan Movement In Britain and Ireland" in England (Joe) . In 1969 Joseph moved to England, where he worked with Ruth Wynn-Owen of Plant Bran, who was to become the third major influence on his practice. There he was initiated into Gardnerian Wicca through three degrees by an HPS he calls "Lady Alice." Ruth also introduced Joseph to Norman Giles, who continued Robert's teaching, and explained to Joe about Robert's tendency to mix "truth with falsehood." Joe also met Tony Kelly in Wales, who urged Joseph into natural themes. After retiring from the Air Force in 1973, Josephmoved to Los Angeles, where he participated in many circles, and was initiated into Ordo Templi Astartes. During this period, he created the 1734 tradition. He also participated in the formation of the Covenant of the Goddess until their insistence on the acceptance of the Wiccan Rede forced him out. Joe was a periodic contributor to Gnostic News as well. In 1977 Joseph met Ernie (Longwalker) Peters, who pointed out the importance of listening to nature over ritual and tools. Suddenly Joseph saw that Sean, Ruth, and Robert had all tried to tell him the exact same thing. The immediate result was formation of the Temple Of The Elder Gods (TOTEG) . An attempt was made to "connect directly with our ancestors and the Gods and to discover ways that were appropriate to them based on where we lived." In 1988 TOTEG was dissolved and Joseph left the neopagan community entirely. In 1994 Joseph began participating in Usenet group soc.religion.shamanism. In 1996 he met Starrhawke, with whom he wrote the Declaration of Metista, and later maintained a website for Metista - a uniquely American, primarily shamanic evolution of the original TOTEG - along with an internet based community. In 2003 Joseph and Starr went their separate ways, and Joseph continued along his path of promoting and teaching natural spirituality through Toteg Tribe http://www.toteg.com. Joseph had been diagnosed with COPD many years ago, and fought the disease far longer than his doctors had expected him to do. Several months ago he was put on morphine to help cope with the pain he endured, but the medication caused him to fall into short naps. On August 4, 2004 sometime between midnight and 7 AM, it he passed away during one of these naps. Joseph will be sorely missed. A memorial site will be set up by the Tribal Council of Toteg Tribe, and the URL will be posted on the Toteg Tribe page http://www.toteg.com. All requests for information or attempts to give assistance to the family should be addressed to JoeWilson@technoharp.com Website: http://www.toteg.com | |
| Community Thoughts: There are 20 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| For An Old Friend.......... | Aug 10th. at 8:00:35 pm EDT |
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by Joeline Webber (North Central California) - wc_xemail Goodbye, old friend. You came, you shared, and you went your own way. You touched, but lightly. You gave and took in equal measure and left nothing behind but the echo of your spirit. Rest well, we will meet again soon enough. |
| Joe Wilson-a Friend. | Aug 9th. at 11:34:31 am EDT |
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by Dave Finnin (Los Angeles) - wc_xemail - Web Joe is gone and what can you say about him, I have know and worked with Joe for thirty years. We have both gone thru good and bad times over those years. I first met him in 1974 at Ed Fitch's home, thru Joe I got a job at the same company that he worked for. Joe was no saint, but he had a talent for attracting people and inspiring them to study. In Joe's case it is better to print the legend than the truth. He will be missed and remembered by those who's path he crossed. FFF Joe on your journey. Dave Finnin The Roebuck The Ancient Keltic Church The Clan of Tubal Cain |
| Happy Thoughts | Aug 9th. at 5:01:47 am EDT |
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by the child (south africa) - wc_xemail we should keep in mind that his earthly live was filed with lessons and wisedom and he is no longer a student. he has graduated and we should be happy for "bearwalker". |
| I'll Miss Him | Aug 8th. at 4:16:01 pm EDT |
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by EOA (satx) - wc_xemail R.I.L. Joseph Bearwalker Wilson In the hollow The fire is lit In the heart Embers carry words Be with the light My friend Your cares eased Your pain accepted May Balinor And Balas Guide you gently To the Eastern Shore Papa Bear And may they Replace my sorrow With joy for your life …………. Echo off …………. |
| Thank You Joe, For Setting The Record Straight | Aug 8th. at 3:38:11 pm EDT |
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by Patricia Scheu (Philadelphia, PA) - wc_xemail - Web I was stunned to hear of Joe's crossing. I guess we think our elders will go on and on, like the horizon. But then eventually, they have to reach that point themselves, too. I was very lucky to have had an email conversation with Joe years ago, and he gifted me with the Bowers material. I've passed them as as requested, and I've never stopped looking as directed. Rest well in the castle of our Lady, Joe - I will see you again next time. Flags, Flax and Fodder, Sayyadina, Lodge of the Walker |
| I Feel Very Blessed | Aug 7th. at 8:57:26 pm EDT |
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by William Fisk (Kingsley "in the woods") - wc_xemail Joe, the man, the friend, and so much more to many of us, has passed on. But in the reading of so many heart warming statments from many different places/people, I find myself very priviledged to have called him friend and to have lived so close to him as his life wound down. Through the tears, I cannot but feel so very blessed that this man, who we know by so many names, spent the time to answer my questions, to listen to my tales, and to have been a friend in every sense of the word. We will miss you but will never forget you and the path you sought to help light the way toward understanding and truth. William aka/Satyr |
| It Was An Honor... | Aug 7th. at 5:12:06 pm EDT |
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by Anna Helvie (New Bern, NC) - wc_xemail ....to be a lurker on one of this man's lists. I wish every Pagan would look at and think about the TOTEG material, and think about working with the Land directly. May the Ancestors welcome him and may we all continue to honor him. |
| Blessed Be | Aug 7th. at 8:34:36 am EDT |
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by Michael (Detroit/Traverse City) - wc_xemail Fair winds and following seas my friend, we will laugh again on the other side. |
| My Friend, Father, Mentor | Aug 7th. at 2:14:10 am EDT |
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by lillpurr- Alicia (Traverse City, Mi) - wc_xemail I am so happy that this man has touched my life. He made me think, work and always broaden horizons. He understood what I was and accepted, encouraged me. He was a strong man and a rock, an enlightened one. I'm glad I got to tell you that I loved you, you big bear. I owe so much to you and will miss you... May you have the comfort of a better place. |
| For PapaBear From S.C. | Aug 6th. at 7:46:39 pm EDT |
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by Aisling (SAlt Lake City, Utah) - wc_xemail - Web In the heart of this great Bear Dwelt Mystery, and deep love, and connection with Creation, with the Otherworlds, with the Heart of Being. He walked silent in the dark woods, Disturbing nothing, leaving no trace of his presence Save an awakening. In his silence Myriads was spoken Of Wisdom, , of Love, of Honor Of Lore, of Spirit, of Mana... Powers that Be! Know your Son! Know the face, and the step, and the Being of this Spirit! Welcome him into the Realms Where so often he has wandered while still in the body Let him meet friends, and companions, and kin beyond the horizon of this Earth. Bearwalker walks beyond the shadows. May his steps not falter. May his heart be at rest May his body be healed. May he find peace. *** I am honored to have known and loved you, honored to have shared your laughter and wisdom, honored to have written with and for you, and especially honored to sign myself a member of Toteg Tribe. Be well and free at last! In loving tribute, Aisling SongWeaver Sacar, MountainShadows Clan, Toteg Tribe "Do not follow in the footsteps of the men of old. Seek what they sought" Matsuo Basho |
| Thank You Joe | Aug 6th. at 7:13:20 pm EDT |
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by Lee Canipe (Virginia) - wc_xemail Joe, my Elder, my Doyen, my friend... I wish I could have spent more time with you. I am very grateful for the time I did have with you, and for the wisdom you shared with me. I will always remember your kindness, your wit, and your good advice. I promise to carry on your work. I will miss you. Thanks for everything, Joe. Lee |
| Words Fail Me | Aug 6th. at 3:17:27 pm EDT |
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by Dee (Mississippi) - wc_xemail For a writer to admit to being at a loss for words is a sad day -- but then this is a sad day. I only met Joe in the last year or so, thru the Toteg Tribe. webpage and email group, and a few personal emails I allow myself few regrets in my life, but one regret is that I didn't know him longer or better. The impact he and his teachings made on my spiritual and mundane life are and will always be with me and will be forever treasured. Dee |
| A Grateful Heart | Aug 6th. at 2:15:16 pm EDT |
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by Tamara (Houston) - wc_xemail I will forever be grateful for the book you sent me, Practicing Nature Relgion-Natural Magic In Everyday Life. And I look forward to your latest book coming out, as I learned so much from pre-reading So You Wanna Be A Shaman...Thankyou for the tribe and family you gave us, we will keep your vision alive. |
| Someone From Back In The Day... | Aug 6th. at 1:34:48 pm EDT |
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by Magic Rat (Under the Spreading Mythtree) - wc_xemail Ah, I remember the Usenet days... *putting fedora over heart.* |
| Happy Trails | Aug 6th. at 12:49:30 pm EDT |
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by Sarah (Olympia, Washington) - wc_xemail Joe, thank you for reminding us to look to where you are pointing, not at your finger. |
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