I had the privilege of being interviewed by author Tony Mierzwicki on his Patheos blog. Tony is the author of “Graeco-Egyptian Magick” and “Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today.” These are excellent books to have in your library. “Graeco-Egyptian Magick” in particular changed my life. The actual Work of aligning oneself to planetary energies and, thusly, the Gods, is rewarding in many ways. Get them for yourself, do the Work, and see the change. Thanks Tony for inviting me to your blog. Below is the link. Peace and Health!
This blog post is a bit different from my usual ones. I am here writing a review of a book. Tony Mierzwicki, author of Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment, leaves his indelible mark on the Hellenic and Hellenistic Movements today. His new book, Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today, is a treasure trove that is sure to be a part of any Greek Polytheist’s library.
The book begins with an overview of the ancient Greek religious mindset. He does an accurate job of relaying ancient mores with common sense spirituality today. But it isn’t just “here is what they did and now we do this.” No, he examines the why’s and wherefore’s so that we can not only understand but metaphorically step into their shoes so that we have a true glimpse of the world of the ancient Greek.
What I especially enjoyed about the beginning of the book was not just a chapter on the Olympians, but also a chapter discussing the chthonic cults of Heroes, Daimones, and other Deities. It is brief to be sure, but the fact that he even covered it is amazing. Some people ignore the chthonic cults, focusing on the Olympians alone.
But for those who do focus on the Olympians, there is an interesting idea in the section on Altars for using 12 candles. Mind you, the author does mention that this was something he came across and was not his own idea. Nonetheless I liked it and might be borrowing it in the near future.
A feature I readily enjoyed was his encouragement to purchase a journal in order to notate one’s journey. Personally I use journals quite a bit in my spiritual walk, and find them indispensable. It is always good to look back on the research and experiences (often UPG) one has had and examine how that affects one’s personal walk. Journaling is a task I encourage for anyone budding in Neopagan/polytheistic spirituality and occultism. Tony does address UPG and that it is very personal, but alongside them to study the Mythos which surround the deities and spirits in question.
He does make a careful tread in what Reconstructionists may practice and what others may do. While his work is certain to be controversial to some, he leaves it up to the reader to to decide where they stand on certain issues such as UPG. That being said, his personal voice is that Hellenismos should be experiential and not a static religion boxed in. It is living and breathing, and I cannot help but strongly agree with him.
The practicums on celebrating the Lunar and Annual Cycles are amazing. I love the structure and ideas he presents, and they serve as a foundation for your own praxis. And then finally he tackles the controversies of Ancient Greece when it comes to slavery, the subjugation of women, sacrifice (both human and animal), and entheogens. I leave it to you to look into those when you purchase this book. There is so much to go into and enjoy. So much to savor, contemplate, and debate.
This book Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today will be released on August 8th, available through Llewellyn Publications.
Donald Michael Kraig (March 28, 1951 – March 17, 2014)
It’s been a hectic time for me on a personal level since my last blog post. I began new anti-seizure medications that had severe side effects, including intense drowsiness. I found myself sleeping nearly 15 hours per day. Include that with some other personal issues with my sister, my family, and trying to keep a Temple going, and I just did not have the time to be on the blog-o-sphere as much. I did keep up with current events however. This blog post is dedicated to an individual that I just met, barely knew, and yet had a significant impact on me.
Donald made a blog post on February 8, 2013 with a title, “I Want You To Write!” It was just before he was scheduled to attend PantheaCon that year. I made a comment (as I sometimes did on his blog posts), and shortly afterwards I made contact with him. Like many within the NeoPagan Community, I was a fan in my early days, and later a critic, of Llewellyn Publications. I honestly didn’t know where to stand half the time, because when I began to make contacts within Traditional Craft lots of people were seriously against this publication for various grudges and political reasons that went back to the 60s, including the writings of controversial authors and material in the 90s. Situations which I’ll leave out of this blog post.
But I knew one thing: I wanted to write. I had so many thoughts and issues I wanted to address. I began to write a few articles on Witchvox, but it wasn’t steady. I also did not have a lot of time to devote myself to writing. Not until after my car accident. Keeping it short, I’ll say that my correspondence with Don was encouraging. In fact, this blog was born because of his influence. He encouraged me to put my name out there and build an audience. His exhortation, the inspirational seeds he planted within my conscious, soon flowered into what we have here.
Don died recently. I mourned his passing along with other people. His books started me on my serious adventures into the Occult World. But his influence upon me reverberated way more than outside of our personal communications. I made friends with mutual people. I am writing. And this, following below, is my last letter that I would have written Don. Call it closure. Call it a memorial. I may not have known him as well as other people. But the briefest meeting and the subsequent results prove what a great man Donald Michael Kraig truly was. So Don, wherever you are, I hope you’ll read what I have to say below:
“Dear Don,
Thank you very much for your time, your friendship, and your mentorship. I don’t think I had an opportunity to say that. Or I mean, I did several times when you answered all of my questions individually, and again when you steered me in the right direction with submitting a manuscript, or how I would put together my pictures and such. I mean, seriously, you were a great help. But honestly, that’s not all I want to thank you for. You changed my world. Literally. I guess you would personally argue that you didn’t do anything: you wrote the books, and it was up to me to put them into practice. I changed my own world is what you would have said. But no, you did. Don’t take away the praise that you deserve.
By your writing, you also developed a network of fans and students who all soon grew up and became comparable magical practitioners in their own right. People like Tony Mierzwicki. I made mutual friends like Alfred Surenyan. And, more than anything, your spirit was with me the entire time I began to seriously dive into the Occult World. It was a personal dream come true when we began to correspond, and you took my project seriously.
With you gone, so many are mourning. I know I am, and I hardly knew you. But I hope you’re proud of me, because I am writing. I am building an audience. I am putting my name, my beliefs, and what I stand for out in the world. I am taking a risk like other authors. You’re in the Spirit World, and you are still inspiring me. You’re awesome.
My project isn’t done. I will write that book. I will continue to pass on what you have taught me writing is all about – teaching, growing, legacy and building bridges for future generations of writers. Thank you for teaching me the business side of book companies, and for opening me eyes. I’ll never forget what you told me. You said, ‘If you think you can write a better book, than write it!’ I realized then and there I was part of the problem, not the solution. I hope I will always continue to be part of the solution. I hope I bring honor to what you have shown me.
The Cave of Oracle 