5/9 UPDATE: We have received word that due to scheduling conflicts, the Frosts will not be attending Blue Ridge Beltane this year.
Blue Ridge Beltane has been a beloved tradition in the Northern Virginia area for many years. The event, which has its roots beginning in 1995, seems to have evolved into a cultural tradition for many Pagans and Earth-honoring folks in the area. However, the arrival of two highly controversial speakers this year has sparked a heated debate that has put the festival in the hot seat by the community. Gavin and Yvonne Frost, founders of the Church and School of Wicca and authors of The Good Witches Bible will be holding workshop presentations throughout the festival program.
I wouldn't have bothered to mention the Frosts presence if it weren't for the tips we received from an anonymous source that the Blue Ridge Beltane community has been shaken by the announcement that they'll be there. Allegedly, frequent festival goers are reporting changing their plans and not attending at all. We have even been made privy to allegations that the festival has censored feedback on the Frosts by removing comments from their yahoo group. Festival organizers could not be reached for comment.
Upon observing the festival website, you can see that it takes quite a bit of digging to even see that these "big name Pagans" are going to be there. Could this be to give all presenters equal footing, or because of a regretful decision on the choice of speakers? We'll let you decide that one.
What are your thoughts on the Frosts presenting at Blue Ridge Beltane? Do you think the festival organizers should be censoring communication on its message boards? Weigh in via the comments below.
I went to Sacred Space conference the year the Frosts presented there. I just didn't go to their classes/workshops/rituals.
ReplyDeletei hope to go to blue ridge beltaine this year, but if i don't it won't have anything to do with the frosts. i think it's an incredibly bad decision on the part of the organizers to have them presenting, but no one's got a gun to my head forcing me into their workshops.
ReplyDeletekhairete
suz
I have to agree with NeoWiccan and FernWise. Perhaps if NO one shows up at their workshops then they will realize their controversial views are unwelcomed in the pagan community.
ReplyDeleteWhy ruin a good time with a couple of bad seeds?
WyldWytch
I just find the duo vile. The fact that organizers would host individuals at a family event that condone child abuse does not speak well to the organization. Not to mention the countless other things that they are notorious for. There is def nothing "good" about their work or them as "presenters" in a community.
ReplyDeleteFinding an appropriate response for the Frosts is a tough nut to crack. On the one hand, there's the controversy about some of their writings. On the other hand, without the Frosts, we wouldn't have had Dettmer v. Landon, which is one of the court rulings that modern Craft folk rely on for securing freedoms. Would I attend a festival where they were present? It would depend what else the festival offered. Would I attend a workshop or ritual done by them? No. Not only because of the controversy, but also because their style of practice doesn't suit my needs.
ReplyDeleteDo I think this will be the end of Blue Ridge Beltane? Nah. If anything, rising gasoline prices and the "pagan and poor" lifestyle that many people seem to embrace tend to be a more likely death of out-of-town festivals than who does or doesn't show up as a presenter. If the presence of drama-inducing people at a festival site was enough to kill off a festival, there wouldn't be any festivals at all. ;)
I can't speak to the validity of your claims of censorship, but I'll say I think it's generally a bad idea (especially on the internet, where what you write tends to stick around even after you think you've deleted all evidence).
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't already have plans, I'd consider going to Blue Ridge. I'd like to ask the Frosts a few questions and get some first-hand information as to what they practice, and why they preach what they (allegedly) do. Controversial views should be welcome in the Pagan community, as should an open dialogue about them. It's not like there's a codified Pagan "normal" against which to measure what's controversial (or even a loose approximation thereof), and there never will be without conversation.
I see a lot of what I consider to be a disturbing practice in modern Paganism - that of "we won't say anything *to*, we'll just talk *about*". Maybe that's due to the fact that new Pagans aren't being encouraged to thoroughly question and challenge those who would call themselves leaders in our community (and anyone can). Perhaps if our "noobs" were taught first and foremost to question what they're being spoonfed and honor their own internal compass, practices like those allegedly sanctioned by the Frosts would be less of a threat. I mean, really. Somehow I made it out of noobdom without ever being sexually initiated by a stranger...
As for the claim that some people are changing their plans because people with different practices might be at an event, well, that doesn't seem like a very sustainable approach in the world of Pagans, does it? We do tend to be a pretty diverse bunch, and it seems rare to find even a handful of others who practice exactly what any given individual might believe.
I think Blue Ridge will weather this just fine.
Kate,
ReplyDeleteI agree that diversity is normal and wonderful in the world of Paganism, but what the article is referencing is the sexual abuse they advocate for in 'The Good Witches Bible". That part isnt hear-say, its easily available to look at in the book itself. I dont think anyone should be lead by a moral compass to chose weather or not to harm another. There are laws of humanity and usurp any code of a spiritual tradition.
The Good Witch's Bible is a re-titled version of The Witch's Bible, originally published in 1972 (including the controversial section). A disclaimer was added to recent editions stating that sexual initiation should be limited to those 18 years of age or older (http://bit.ly/lMjclj). I'm not sure how that constitutes advocating sexual abuse, unless you're referring to a much outdated version. It's not what I practice, but a lot of things fall into that category without being abusive. Speaking of, my practice has changed over the years and I'm willing to remain open to the possibility that theirs has, as well- or that there's additional information behind why they wrote what they wrote nearly 40 years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why I wrote that I'd like to ask them what they currently practice/advocate and why. Without current information, this is all so much hearsay, and based in a whole lotta not much.
I attended the Blue Ridge Beltane festival this year, and had a wonderful time there. There was a great mix of people in attendance, and the events and vendors there were great. I've met the Frosts a couple times before through various channels, and generally feel the same way as many of the commenters. They may have brought a lot of good things to the modern Pagan movement, but they also drag with them a fair amount of controversy that creates a lot of friction in the community.
ReplyDeleteThe festival was no worse without them in attendance, and probably turned out better without their controversy coming with them. We're looking forward to Shenandoah Midsummer already, we attended last years and hope to do so every year, same with Blue Ridge Beltane. The attendance of a potentially controversial person would not dampen my plans to go, but I would not attend any workshops or rituals performed by the Frosts, or people with other clouds looming.
We just try to do what we can to support the local community and the state-wide festivals and gatherings as much as we can, especially since our part of the state (southwest VA) is particularly hostile toward non-Christians, and being openly Pagan here is a gamble. It's nice to at least have a few times a year where we don't have to worry about such matters.
@Kate - I believe the controversy is also that different individual pagans have different sexual ethics. Some may feel that having to have a sexual initiation or no initiation, regardless of age, is extremely controversial. While pagans, unlike other religious groups, don't have rules about sexuality as a whole, individuals should not be discriminated against just for exercising their right to say "no," if the rest of a particular pagan path feels right to them, and feels like home. Just like an individual shouldn't feel pressured to go skyclad just because everyone else is - same principle, same idea.
ReplyDelete