Interview with a Queen

Reprinted from the Mystic Journeys Webzine, presented by The Magickal Cauldron! A bi-monthly webzine, featuring interviews, literary and movie reviews, and original stories and artwork by Wiccan/Pagan artists both well known and private

Lady Galadriel is the co-founder and Matriarch of the Unicorn Tradition. She has three daughter and two granddaughter groves. Proud mother of two fine sons, who have recently left the nest, Lady Galadriel is an avid scholar and historian of all the occult paths. She is the author of "A New Wiccan Book of the Law", "The Magick of Incense and Oils", and "The Tarot - Esoteric, Psychological and Divinatory Symbolism". Lady Galadriel is currently working on an encyclopedia of tree lore, and a compendium of Egyptian Magick.

Hawk caught up with Lady Galadriel the last week in August to harvest some of this Witch Queen's wisdom...

MJ: You wrote the New Wiccan Book of the Law wherein you "took the four different versions of the Laws...combined and reworked them....deleted what was no longer pertinent or meaningful, rewording others to make them clearer and more understandable, as well as throwing in a few new ones which [you] felt had been lacking." Why do you feel that both the creation and evolution of the Law were and are necessary for the Wiccan community?

Lady G: Laws or rules are necessary and helpful for several reasons. They create structure, pass on wisdom and experience, and are helpful guidelines in creating boundaries. Although the primary law of Wicca, and many other forms of contemporary Paganism is "An it harm none", enumeration on what this means in various aspects of our lives is often useful as well as thought provoking. As a working High Priestess and Matriarch of a Tradition, when I encounter a situation with which I have had no familiarity, I like to know the guidelines the elders before me used. Laws are an aid to focusing and defining one's ethics and thoughts.

As to why they need to evolve, well that's easy. We no longer live in the same world as the Greeks, Celts and Romans of 2,000 years ago. We don't even live in the same climate as the Victorians of 100 years ago, when the great magickal resurgence began. Cultures and situations change. Many of the old laws were specifically written for the times of persecution, when secrecy and blending were all that kept you alive. Nowadays, we have gained much more public awareness and acceptance, we are coming "out-of -the-broom-closet", and our code of ethics and philosophy should speak to the needs of the culture today.

MJ: In your 25 years of practicing the Craft, how have you seen the community and the belief system change?

Lady G: I have to give a very multi-layered answer to this question. First, when I came to the Craft, it was VERY difficult to find a teacher. To find ONE was good fortune, to have a choice was rare. I was fortunate in that myself and Lord Athanor both found an excellent teacher, whose wisdom we respected. Nowadays there are far more choices available, especially in the bigger cities. In some ways I think this has improved the quality of training available, because so many different pagan paths are available now, and there has been a 'weeding out' of those with hidden agendas. Nevertheless, students should always listen to their inner voices, and should seriously "interview" anyone with whom they hope to study.

Another way in which things have changed is the building of a more interconnected community. In the '70's it was pretty much each coven on its own, very defensive of their turf. Nowadays I see more acknowledgment and understanding of the various traditions, and a valuing of the intrinsic worth of the teachings and its practitioners. I suppose that is a long-winded way of saying that I believe the "Witch Wars" have calmed down considerably over the last two decades, and instead been replaced by a feeling of cooperation and friendship. And I think that bodes well for the future of Witchcraft and Paganism.

MJ: Traditional vs. Non-Traditional, self-Initiated vs Trad Initiated---does it matter? Why?

Lady G: In the big picture - NO. But in the little ways, yes it certainly can. I think the thing to remember here is not that any one trad or method of training is inherently better than another, but rather that the question should be "Is this Trad coherent and based on sound metaphysical principles and laws? Are the teachers knowledgeable and is the training reasonable, clear, and workable for the people we wish to attract? There are many paths up the mountain - each with a slightly different view; none inherently better than another.

On the other hand, I do feel strongly that even if one is a solitary, you can benefit from having a teacher. Groups can, in many ways, raise more in power, energy, time and other things than can a solitary. However, even a solitary can benefit from having a teacher to interact with. Questions can be answered, examples and experiences can be shared, and having someone to talk with is an invaluable resource. I think the choice as to whether to be a member of a group or a solitary is a highly individual one, and that neither route is particularly better or worse, as long as you do the work.

When we get to the topic of initiation the answers become a little thornier, at least for me. I think that if at all possible, one should have an initiator. My reasoning for this is that there is more benefit to be had from a) partaking of a ritual that has been used "x" amount of times, and thus has built an energy battery, and b) the acknowledgment by others and the power transference in any level initiation is very hard to capture on your own.

On the other hand, if you cannot find a teacher, a self-initiation is better than none at all. If vows are made with an open heart, the gods always hear them.

MJ: Do you see a new generation of Pagans/Wiccans coming up?

Lady G: Certainly. As we have matured and had children, our children are now becoming young adults within the community. As this happens, and they apply both the wisdom they have inherited, and the experience and creativity which they bring, I can see a further blossoming of our ways. What a gift we have given to our children, who unlike us can say"We were born to the Craft". And I must admit, that those whom I have met seem to be so well balanced and grounded. I am excited about their visions for the future.

MJ: How do you feel about all of the information now available on the Internet? Is this a good thing or is it dangerous?

Lady G: Once again, I tend to have very mixed feelings on this subject. While I tend to think that the dissemination of information is a good thing for the most part, I am concerned because there are so many "false" personas on the internet - people claiming to be what they are not, or creating things out of thin air. I hope that folks stop and do some critical thinking about what they read and see.

Yet I have also seen so many folks take things on trust, or be so emotionally caught up in their present scenarios that they agree with things that defy common sense. In that way, it can be rather dangerous. I have seen people agree to some pretty silly stuff, and compromise themselves in dangerous ways. So it comes back to the standard priestess answer of 'yes and no'.

MJ: Why did you form the PEA (Wiccan and Pagan Educational Association)?

Lady G: We are not only at the turning point of the millennium, but it seems to me that we have reached a place where our (the earth religion paths) voice is beginning to be heard and respected. The difference from 20 or 15 years ago is tremendous! And this is due in large part to the efforts of so many individuals and organizations who have fearlessly spoken forth over the years.

And yet there is still a long way to go, and more education to be done. This is the reason that the WPEA came into being. Despite the advances we have made over the years, there is still a great deal of ignorance and intolerance of who and what we are and do. There is still a great need for education and positive public relations between the many pagan paths and the "Big 3" religions of the west. Eventually we would like to have a speakers bureau set up nationwide, with qualified and educated people available to help create an environment of acceptance and understanding between all humans and creeds. This is a big dream, but even the biggest begin with a single step.

MJ: You've just been elected as National First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess. How will CoG evolve with the "new" generation of Wiccans/Witches?

Lady G: When CoG was founded 25 years ago, it had a vision and a dream which it has been in process of filling. I am very proud to be able to midwife CoG into the next millennium, as the fruits of that dream become more manifest on a daily basis. CoG has done some pioneer work in Interfaith, as well as education and the building of a national community. It has endured and has helped both in education and in legal cases of concern to Pagans and Witches as a whole. As the children within our community reach maturity, CoG has helped to create a safer environment for them. Where the next generations vision and wisdom will take us, I do not know. But my instincts tell me that it will tend to be even more inclusive as well as outreaching then the legacy we have given them.

MJ: If you could leave one saying, one "rule", if you will, for other Earth Religion folks to have as your gift, what would it be?

Lady G: It would be this - to remember that the eyes of your friends are the mirrors of your soul, that all your words and deeds do indeed reflect back on you and that all our actions affect the great Web of Life. If you speak from a loving and open heart, the gods will always guide you.