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Until a few years ago, most Australian witches learned their skills from English-trained Gardnerians or Alexandrians (followers of Alex Sanders). The largest group within modern witchcraft is Wiccan, the invention of modern British occultists, especially Gerald Gardner.
Paganism includes witchcraft, Shamanism, goddess worship, Voudoun, druidism and rune lore and you'll find Australian versions of all the above. It's a politically-correct blend of earth worship, feminism and mysticism. Many practitioners are middle class and educated and look like your next-door neighbour. Dr Lynne Hume, a lecturer in religious studies at the University of Queensland Australia, is undertaking a survey of pegans in Australia and she estimates that there are 5000 in this country.
The biggest organised group of pegans in Australia is the Canberre-based Chirch of all Worlds (CAW). CAW began in the US in the 60s. Fiona and Anthorr Nomechong set up the Australian wing 6 years ago, deciding it would be easier to import an existing organisation rather than start one up. In November, 1992, recognition as the first pagan church by the Australian government was achieved. The Australian members of CAW aim to inform the public about paganism, establish permanent Pagan churches and provide workshops. CAW is the most open organisation incorporating several traditions, Celtic and Nordic, Wicca, Voudoun, Shamanism, runes and aromancy. It operates through a loose confederation of nests which hold open meetings once a month. They were the main organisers of the pagan summer gathering, held in 1994 from january 26 to 30.
CAW is struggling, as are other groups of this type, to meet the challenges of establishing an organisation which can offer training and support without becoming controlling.
People are drawn to it, says Anthorr Nomchong, director of Australian Operations of CAW, because of its feminity and because its not hierarchical, although he admits the adminstration has to be controlling at times. He says because there is no emphasis on death or sin or other negatives, and because pagans celebrate life and freedom, more and more people find themslves considering paganism as an option.
Witches in Australia are as eclectic as anywhere else. For some, rituals are formal and religious, others wing it. Some worship a god and a goddess, some a goddess exclusively, others have no deity at all.
Occasionally Australian witches, like their overseas counterparts, will work sky-clad (naked). Some ceremonies incorporate sexual imagery, usually appropriate when they want to create a sense of union between the masculine and the feminine. These rituals are not excuses or cover-ups for orgies.
Wicca should be adapted to the spirit of its enviroment. So how do Australians cope with the fact that the sun tracks anit-clockwise and that midsummer is in December, not July as it is traditionally dated? Some covens refuse to be intimidated by the laws of another hemisphere and follow books or devise their own ritual pattern.
Others use a variety of methods, both in the direction of casting the circle and in the placing of the elements, and also in the arrangement of the sabbats. In the southern hemisphere it can be so that the sun rises in the air element, reaches its zenith in fire, sinks in the water and at night hides behind the earth, and the circle is cast in the same direction as that which the sun moves.
The eight festival sabbats are then moved six months away from the European and the US pattern. For example, Halloween is rooted in the Celtic Pagan past and preserves the age-old custom of an end of summer feast. However, in Australia, all hallows eve falls at the beginning of summer and when celebrated at this time of year loses all its spiritual core. Many pagans celebrate Halloween at the end of April. In 1985, a new pagan festival was born. Held over the Easter long weekend, the "Eostre gathering" is a reclamation of a Pagan holiday. It is now an established part of the pagan scene and for many witches it is a pivotal event in the year. If you would like some information sent out can conatct the Church of All Worlds, PO Box 408, Woden, ACT 2600
