An Interview with
Saffron van Helsdingen Brink

Journalist

Tell us a little about yourself. How would you define who you are as a person?

I've always been a bit of a bookworm and devour nearly all the information the crosses my path, which suits me fine in my chosen occupation of sub-editor at a newspaper. I enjoy learning about things, and then writing about my experiences. I would define myself as a scholar, albeit one with occult interests. This has also led to a bit of practical work.

Are you a Pagan? What is your personal spiritual path?

I am not a Pagan. For a while I was finding out more about the path, but have since moved away from it, although I've met some wonderful people. I work primarily with Egyptian thought-forms or entities. The best way to describe what I do is that I am a ritual magician with Egyptian tendencies. I am primarily Self-orientated, and seek to grow and change myself within my magickal practices. As I grow, I realise how much more I am in control of not only myself, but my environment. However, I have made some wonderful acquaintences within the Pagan and Heathen circles, and will participate in workings with others, should the opportunity arise. About the only thing that I carry over from my time studying Wicca and Paganism is the joy in celebrating the natural changes that take place and respect and love for earth and nature. Perhaps here is also the fact that I watched far too much 50/50 on telly as a kid and originally wanted to be a nature conservationist when I was little! As I have rejected Christianity and all its tenets, I still feel the need to celebrate some seasonal changes, and by returning and "tuning in" to pagan festivals, I feel a connectivity with a part of the human subconscious and the turning of the earth.

You're a sub-editor of which newspaper? Are you open about your occult interests with your colleagues?

I'm with Independent Newspapers, but I'll prefer not having that published as I like to keep my personal stuff separate from work stuff. I'm relatively open about my beliefs in the sense that I tell my co-workers that I'm agnostic (which I am, to a certain degree). I do let on that I work with Tarot cards and that I have an interest in the occult. I'm careful as to what I say as people can take it the wrong way. At least I do try to downplay it.

Tell us more about Egyptian thought-forms or entities.

Basically I work with the Egyptian (or Kemetic as they're called in some circles) thought forms as various manifestations of the All. The different forms have different magickal applications. I see all these forms as an expression of my higher self, and in a sense see myself as being divine. This is, however, not a standard viewpoint among the Egyptian reconstructionists, many of whom are very much theistic in their approach. I'm not really a reconstructionist, although I have learnt much from Kemetic Orthodoxy, and am still nominally affiliated with House of Netjer pending other occult developments that I'm not really willing to talk about right now.

As for the entities, I work primarily with Yinepu-Wepwawet (Anubis) who is my patron and protector. He is a gatekeeper and a teacher of magick. He also slaps me upside the head when I get stupid ideas. I also have had experience with Bast and Sekhmet, who are the two ladies in my life. Djhehuty (Thoth) occasionally pulls some strings and I've met with Set on occasion. These personages exist on two distinct levels, in my experience. They are personal fragments of my own Self, yet they also exist on a larger scale within the human subconscious, and have a degree of independence beyond the individual who chooses to work with them. Without us, they are nothing. Through us, they are mighty. But that is just my opinion, and others will see this differently.

What is it about ritual magic/k that attracts you to it? What do you hope to gain from your experiences?

Ritual magick to me is highly logical. I have been accused of rationalising my practice, and perhaps this is true, which makes it difficult for me to work with more intuitive people. I'm afraid I won't make a very good Wiccan as I do not easily slide into that group mind that I perceive is so important in a group working. Ritual magick follows a formula, almost a mantra that varies, for me, with the need and the intent of the working. Before going into my sacred space I ask myself what I wish to achieve. Will I destroy negative influences in my life in a destruction ritual? Will I work on my astral body and affirm my energy? Will I just open and close my chakras and raise energy to recharge my self? What I wish to gain is to grow personally intellectually, physically and magickally. I wish to boost that which is good for my development, and destroy that which is bad.

Why have you rejected Christianity and all its tenets?

It constrained me. Other people were enforcing their world view on me and I could not develop freely. Also I could not indulge in my lifelong passion of studying and practicing the occult arts. It's long and complicated, but the rub is that I was raised Dutch Reformed and hated every minute of the patriarchal nonsense that tried to make a good little Afrikaner
woman out of me. Now I'm a very outspoken and adventurous Afrikaner woman, and far happier for it!

Do you celebrate the Sabbats on your own? With your family?

I celebrate the Wheel of the Year either by myself, over long distance with my study group or in person with a selection of pagans and heathens that I care to associate with. It's all about celebrating nature. If one does it with or without companions, so be it. The end result is the same.

You recently investigated a story surrounding Satanism is South Africa. Tell us a little more about your investigation. Do you consider the sensationalism surrounding Satanism to be based on fact or fiction? What are your thoughts on this subject?

My investigation confirmed what I already suspected, that the myth of Satanism, as perpetuated by the SA Police force is turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy. As this is such a contentious subject with so little useful published literature, many people fall back on the communications of biased Christian understanding of the subject. Now if one looks at your average troubled teen rebelling against his/her parents, they will try and act the complete opposite of their parents mostly-Christian values. Unfortunately the only basis for their actions is skimmed off hysterical rantings by Christians as to what Satanists are and what they do... Leading to more reports of so-called "Satanic" crime. A vicious circle.

Of course this is not helped by pagans who are so voicibly putting down Satanism and inadvertently perpetuating the myth in their rush to distance themselves from the subject. The Satanists that I dealt with during interviews were normal people, and some were more level-headed than some of the pagans that I know. However, now we're dealing with Satanists that belong to such organisations as the First Church of Satan, which makes them a completely different cup of tea from what the media portrays. Also, I dealt with such adversorial groups as the Temple of Set, which although sprung from the Church of Satan, have moved beyond the need to caper around in a red suit and pointy horns. There is a lot more out there if people were just willing to look and keep an open mind.

What are your personal opinions regarding Paganism in South Africa?

A lot of groundwork was done 10 years ago, but my opinion is that people are too wrapped up in the politics and not just getting down and doing their thing. I've been to a couple of public rituals, but personally I feel that working with an intimate group of 3-5 people is more rewarding. The internet has opened up a world of information, and the forums are valuable resources for those wishing to share information that need to be utilised.

Hats off to people who organise e-zines. Haven't yet read Penton, but have regularly contributed to Red Oak Tavern. The key to the game is information. So many people come to alternative religious options with so much deadweight and dross that is fed to them by the mainstream media. More people need to get involved on the media side, at least just to have information
available that can educate and keep us all informed.

And then more importantly, personally, pagans, heathens, magicians, witches... whatever we minority alternative religions / paths call ourselves... We need to balance knowledge with active practice, and get up from behind our computer screens ever so often.