An Interview with
Damon Leff
and Penton Pagan Magazine

Pagan Witch

by Odey and Angie (O&A) - www.MazeWorldWide.com

O&A: When did it all start (Penton Pagan Magazine)?

Penton was first published in 1995 in hard copy. It was self- published. I printed a master-copy and photocopied 100+ issues every second month. The first issue featured articles on the Horned God and Nature, the Gardnerian revival of Wicca and Goddess spirituality. Subsequent issues explored Paganism and Pagan- related spiritualities and paths. I hit the streets with free copies under-arm and handed them to everyone my spirit moved me to touch with the message of inner spiritual revolution ha ha. Penton is no longer produced in hard-copy because we can't afford to lose any more trees. The internet has its own eco-associated problems (resource extraction, manufacture and industry), but at least I can look at a forest without shame :) .

O&A: How did the idea come about?

I realized that people generally fear what they do not understand. I saw an opportunity to connect self-identified Pagans, and an opportunity to break the strangle-hold of Christian apartheid propaganda on the social psyche. It was and is an opportunity to educate, inspire and explore ancient and modern Pagan spiritualities and religious expressions.

O&A: Admitting to your family that you are Pagan, is one thing. Admitting to the world that you belong to the Old Religion, is quite a different thing. How did you overcome your fear to come out of the proverbial "closet"?

This Witch was never in the closet :) . I recall feeling anticipation and excitement the first time I revealed what I was to others, not fear. Fear is 'false evidence appearing real' (can't remember who said that first but it is true never-the-less). Fear is an appropriate emotional response to the sense of immanent danger. It isn't an appropriate feeling for taking back your own power, nor for claiming your own human right to exist, to believe and to prosper. My family does not find my spirituality uncomfortable at all. Some of my cousins and their children are also curious about or experimenting with the Craft, so I don't feel like a light-house (neither exposed nor alone).

O&A: According to you - where do you see the "modern-day-Pagan" fit into the "modern-day-society"?

In my opinion, squarely in the environmental movement of Deep Ecology (Spinoza to Naess, et al), but that's probably because I'm an environmental and social activist. I believe that my Pagan world-view gives me a unique perspective on current global concerns. I attempt to apply the wisdom of our ancient Pagan ancestors to modern ecological, economic, social and political problems. I think environmentalists, economists, businessmen and -women, and politicians should shed their ego-centric approaches to Nature and social relationships and embrace a more holistic eco-centric paradigm, one I believe Paganism offers in its reverential approach to sacred relationships with and within Nature.

O&A: Tell us more about yourself. What lies beyond Penton?

I time-share between social activism through the South African Pagan Rights Alliance and the Pagan Freedom Day Movement , and environmental activism through the Aradian Planetary Cooperative and the Wilderness & Lakes Environmental Action Forum .

I own and run a small Permaculture farm, am self-studying environmental law, starting up my own Pottery called MINERVA Pottery, and co-host 'Vuya!Pagan' with Arias Ndlovu. 'Vuya!Pagan' is a South African based on-line Community and Store hosted by Pagans for Pagans.

I'm a founding member and Elder of an eclectic Pagan mystery school called the Grove (formed in 1996) and Magister of the Clan of Ysgithyrwyn (formed in 1998).

I'm also a member of the Living Earth Priory - Noble Order of Tara and an honorary member of The Circle of Awen, a Druidic order founded by Druid Morgainne Emrhys based in Johannesburg.

O&A: Are you a very open person, with regards to religion?

Yes I think I am. I think that whilst there is a place for some discretion in the Craft, information should be free and shared equally with all who seek it. I believe in diversity and in the diverse expression of spirituality. My own spirituality is informed by Nature and diversity is an essential component of a healthy eco-system.

O&A: What do you do for fun?

Write 'persuasive' letters to government officials who aren't doing their job ha ha ha. The challenge of social and environmental activism excites me. I know, I'm weird (sic). I spend a lot of time outdoors, love walking through and planting forests, and playing with my greyhounds.

O&A: What has been your greatest achievement to date?

Resisting forced conscription to military service in the mid-1980's. I objected to military training and service, was arrested, went on a hunger strike, was imprisoned for nine days in a military holding cell in Potchefstroom, and eventually released to await trial. I won my self-defended case in Bloemfontein and was given permanent exemption from military service even in times of war. I was sentenced to serve four years in community service.

It was a good experience for me. It taught me the value of deriving inner strength by paying attention to what I believed in. Conflict is often simply a result of a clash in ideologies. In this instance, my ideology did not include Christian Nationalism, racism, apartheid, or military service. I drew a lot of inspiration from people like M.K. Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, for which I am deeply grateful.

O&A: Where do you see Penton in 2010?

I think Penton will become far more environmentally focused and vociferous in its condemnation, especially if global governments and economies keep shelving real tangible action to end activities and assumptions which continue to contribute to global warming.

I hope Penton will be celebrating real Pagan unity and full emancipation in 2010. Perhaps Paganism may even evolve towards gaining some political and consumer influence within our own country by then.

O&A: Any message out there for the Visitors to Maze?

Think local, act local! Use your influence as a consumer to force unsustainable businesses and business practices out of your market place and support locally produced goods. Take action to end your own contribution to habitat and ecosystem pollution and destruction. Stand up for what you believe in. We live in one of the world's finest examples of constitutional democracy. Study your constitution and embrace your legislated freedom to be who you truly are.