An Interview with
Fey Fand

Eclectic Wiccan - founder of Celestine Circle

Q. Would you tell our readers a little about yourself?

I am a solitary Eclectic Wiccan Teacher together with my partner, Steven. I have been a practicing Wiccan for almost twenty years now, having first discovered it in 1983 when I visited the USA and bought Starhawk's book "The Spiral Dance". We live in Umkomaas, a town on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, with a river view and a nature reserve almost at the bottom of the garden. We share our home with Shane (8) and Skye (9), Steven's two boys who are a great blessing.

Q. What kind of Witch are you?

Steven and I are, by choice, solitary practitioners, although a couple of covens have formed as a result of the courses we teach - one in Nelspruit, one in Hillcrest and one in Durban. I am essentially a kitchen witch with a great herb garden, and I love brewing up potions and giving readings and so on, as well as teaching Wicca.

Q. Why have you chosen to remain a solitary practitioner?

We chose to remain solitary because neither of us really has very much patience with coven hierarchy or politics, and we have seen the damage that can be done when people with the wrong motives and agendas involve themselves in such a sensitive environment.

Q. Tell me more about your involvement with astrology?

I have always been fascinated by the night sky, and have star watched all my life. I remember bursting into tears when I looked into the sky in the States, and it was so different, and I was so homesick. I look always for the Southern Cross. I am still very much a beginner at astrology - it is a vast and ancient science - but learn more every day. It makes complete sense to me that planetary energies affect our daily lives as well as our chosen life paths.

Q. Do you use astrology to predict future events?

Future events certainly can be predicted by astrological study, and a very good example of this is the recent transit of Uranus into Pisces, which heralds radical changes in human society. People will generally "loosen up" and become less judgmental. Eccentricity may proliferate. Environmentally our sustainable water focus will come into play, and there may be environmental disasters at sea. Technology will meet with mysticism and spiritual sciences will increase in development. Fundamentalist religions will begin to question their premises. There will be a growing search for individuated spiritual philosophies. Uranus was in Pisces when Jesus of Nazareth was born, making it possible that great teachers will emerge at this time. This is a generational change and will last many years.

Q. What are your opinions with regard to the Pagan community in South Africa?

Very mixed. There are many wonderful folk out there working very hard to bring paganism out of the "scary-demon zone" and into daylight, whilst others seem to be misguidedly using their status as pagans to fulfill their own egotistical needs. This has done great damage to SA paganism in the past and I believe that until this sort of attitude can be changed by realizing how very important the emergent image of paganism is in this country, and that it needs to be represented by responsible, experienced teachers and elders who are respected and have only the good of the Goddess as a goal, we will continue to remain polarized and apart. This makes me very sad. To all the great and unselfish teachers out there, we owe a great gratitude.

Q. What do you do for a living?

I am blessed to have a small independent income which covers all my living expenses, and also give readings (Tarot and runes) and teach Wicca. However, I do not expect to make money from teaching. I charge R65 per class, which just about covers the numerous notes, photocopying, tools and other goodies we give out, as well as my time every Saturday afternoon. I spend a massive amount of time networking via email with other pagans and graduate students, who often remain close. The course I give is a beginner/intermediate class which covers many of the different disciplines involved with Wicca, including herbalism, divination, etc. Each student receives very comprehensive notes, guided meditations, an astrological chart, dowsing rods, and much more. The course is also available by correspondence.

Contact Fey Fand