An Interview with
Ginney

Witch

How did you discover you were a Pagan?

My upbringing in Somerset was essentially pagan but that is the way of the small farming communities even if they think they are Christian. I came to South Africa in 1982 and I guess I was looking for the same thing here and I could not find it. Suddenly life had gone from "God is the head honcho" and harvest festivals and maypole dancing at church gatherings, to "Jesus is top dog and main deity" and God doesn't really get a look in.

With this whole foreign concept of Christianity that I did not enjoy in the least I started looking at all religions. I did a lot of research on the history of religions and I went to various churches and religious gatherings trying to find something I was comfortable with. I did not find it. Whilst I was studying Palmistry and Tarot in 1990 I found Raymond Buckland's 'Complete Book of Witchcraft'. I read the book and I knew that I had found everything I had been looking for and had actually been around me my whole life. Soon after Scott Cunningham followed and as they say, the rest is history.

What does being a Pagan mean to you?

To me being Pagan is part of who I am - the same way we breathe and eat. It makes me feel at one with the Universe and the cycles of Nature.

What Pagan Path do you follow?

A mix of Wicca and Sun Pagan. Wicca is already well defined but a Sun Pagan is a little less known. Very popular in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Heliopolis was named after Helios the Greek God of the Sun. Constantine was a Sun Pagan before his death-bed conversion to Christianity.

What do you do for a living?

I'm an Administrator for TOPROCK GEMSTONES AND MINERALS

I have been a Tarot and Palmistry reader for about 16 years. I did my Reiki Masters in Intentional Reiki in 1998 but don't practice as a therapist.

Do you feel that you have a deeper connection with crystals as a result of your spiritual path?

Surprisingly the answer is no. I think crystals work with or without religion. Crystals are a tool very much like a builder might use a hammer. Practice makes perfect.

Are you actively involved in your Pagan community?

Unfortunately the Pagan community doesn't really seem to work together very much in this area. Most people are solitary but I have managed to get like minded people together for picnics and braais. I'm also helping a new coffee shop get off the ground which will become an open venue for Pagan and esoteric events. The place used to bethe Deck's Edge in Botha's Hill but the name will be changed and they will be doing vegetarian meals and have an organic herb garden.

My biggest project in the area is working with an orphanage which is run by The Church of England. These people have put religious differences aside for the bigger picture - namely the children. They also work closely with the Muslim community as well. I think this multi-dimensional project is the way communities should work and I am very pleased with the results.

Do you host Pagan gatherings for solitaries in your area?

In May I started the Temple of the Midnight Sun. The Temple is my garden. It is a place of gathering. I am going to be holding a series of courses and invite people to present talks and facilitate courses. Those who want to come are welcome.

I do teach Wicca classes on a Thursday night. We have a great time working through spells and basic Wicca. This is a great place to start if you have not done Wicca before and want to know where to begin.

You are the Editor of The Pagan Fellowship?

Yes, The Pagan Fellowship is an e-mail newsletter mainly concerned with networking Pagans (i.e. what's on where?!). It also includes news on current environmental issues, contributors poetry and short stories. All advertising is free.

The Pagan Fellowship is also uploaded to Marigold's Loft each month. Marigold's loft and Zephyr's Xanadu work as a team forum and free on-line Pagan school. I teach Crystal healing, Runes and Palmistry through the on-line school.

Where would you like to see South African Paganism in 2010?

I would like to see Paganism, or at least the sects of Paganism, as recognized religions; not treated as fringe lunatic cults or the way out there stuff. I would like to see all Pagans tolerating each other. Tolerate does not mean like. It is impossible to like everyone but it is possible to tolerate or at least not fight with somebody. I would like to see us have our own marriage officers and I would like to see Pagan cemeteries and crematoria. I would like to see more Pagan communities, communities that look after and care for each other and their environment. When somebody looses a loved one the community and clergy should be there for them. When somebody has an engagement or a baby the community should also be able to share their joy with them. When somebody is old and sick they should never have to be on their own.

I would also like a more environmentally aware community. I personally am very obsessed with anti-littering campaigns. I feel if each human being could keep their own space clean then the whole world would end up clean. I grew up on farms. I have seen a sheep choked to death after trying to eat a plastic bag. I have seen buck burnt to death because fires raged out of control after somebody threw a bottle out of the window and the sun worked on it like a magnifying glass until the grass caught alight. I have seen a hedgehog die because it cut it's nose off on a can that it had investigated. These images stay with you for life. I would also like to see more trees planted. Trees take carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen. Doesn't it make sense to plant your own environmental filter system? And that is only the begining of a whole long list of good things that trees can do for our planet.

How may Pagans who are interested in attending either talks or studying on-line contact you?

I have two websites: www.midnightsun.co.za and www.natalpagans.net

I am also advertised on the website for www.bodyandmind.co.za

Contact Ginney