An Interview with
Mourgainne

Witch and editor of Wiccan Rede

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.

I just turned 30! Aah! I suppose it’s all downhill from here… I’m married to a wonderful man (might I add that he’s Christian and loves his witchy wife!). We have two sons aged 7 yrs and 6 months. We bought a house about 2½ years ago and we’re busy renovating. It’s a lot of fun! I work as a data analyst for a marketing research company in Newlands, Cape Town.

Q. What kind of Pagan would you describe yourself as?

Not the silent, quiet type... at all! When something upsets me, or makes me happy, everybody around me knows about it. I’m one of the HPS of our coven (my mom’s the other). I tend to stay in the background watching everything around me and only open my mouth when really necessary, but when I do open it… well. Religion is a very private affair for me, even though I belong to a coven. We worship together, but it’s hard for me to put into words all the mushy stuff people so like to read.

Q. How were you introduced to Paganism in S.A.?

When I was younger I attended church with my grandmother. After she died, I still went to church until the day I told the “Dominee” to take his church and shove it. I can’t even remember what caused the whole scene. Then I sat down and thought about what the Bible says, and a lot of it just didn’t make sense… So, I thought I was a Satanist, coz what else is there? WRONG! My mother brought a book home, The Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland aka The Big Blue Book. A light at the end of the tunnel went on! And it wasn’t a train!!!

Q. What inspired you to continue walking the path you are on?

I found the path (or it found me)! I also think it helped me to be a better person. It makes me happy, I feel that something missing has been replaced. But like I said I don’t do deep and mushy.

Q. Tell us about the Wiccan Read. Where does your inspiration come from?

My brother (Zeo) and I started The Wiccan Read in September 2001. In our first month we had 6 subscribers! Today we have 796 subscribers. After a request from a subscriber, we added our plain text format in July 2002. The inspiration comes from the subscribers. Every time that you get an e-mail saying the latest issue was the best ever, that’s it! That’s why we
do it.

Q. Is there room for more Pagan publications in S.A.?

I certainly think so. It’s always good to something from another perspective. It also helps to keep the current publications on their toes.

Q. Are you open about being a Pagan in your local community?

I certainly am! Although I only told my mother-in-law about my religion a couple of weeks ago! I ALWAYS wear my pentacle around my neck; I never leave home without it. If I walk down the street and someone stops me to ask what it is, I explain it to them. My neighbours read the newspaper article and said to me, “I didn’t know!” Unfortunately, I live in a VERY Afrikaans neighbourhood and some people do look at me with strange looks. I just shrug it off. I don’t hide my being a Pagan, but I don’t advertise it either. If someone asks, I’ll tell them.

Q. Are you active as a Pagan in your community?

Not as much as I would like to be. Working, running a household, renovating a house, creating The Wiccan Read and raising two boys doesn’t leave you with much spare time. About a year ago we collected toys for orphans for Christmas. We called the Dutch Reformed Church and they came to collect 6 black refuse bags full of toys for the kids. We are currently working on another project, but it’s still in the planning stages. Watch this space!

Q. Do you support the Pagan Freedom day initiative? Why?

I most definitely do! I think it’s the best idea someone’s ever come up with. We need unity in our religion and I think this is the first big step towards that.

The Coven of the Old Order

The Coven of the Old Order is based in Cape Town. Sabbats and Esbats are held on a regular basis. Members of all traditions welcome.

Contact Mourgaine on 083 324 0105