“Our definition of community extends to include the dead…we honor the ancestors, the beloved dead, the Mighty Ones of the Craft…” (4) Starhawk Reclaiming: A Working Definition
What is remembered, lives.
Waverly Fitzgerald: Dec 19, 2019
Waverly Fitzgerald was a writer, teacher, and calendar priestess who studied the lore of holidays and the secrets of time for decades. She shared her research and her thoughts on her Living in Season website, in her book Slow Time, and here on the Amber Lotus blog. We were very sorry to learn that Waverly passed away in December 2019. We will miss her deep wisdom, clever insight, and generous spirit.
Her friend Joanna Powell Colbert shared these beautiful thoughts after Waverly’s passing:
I am mourning the loss of my beloved friend Waverly Fitzgerald, who died Friday night of cancer. I am not at all surprised that she left us on St. Lucia’s Day, calendar maven that she was. We had conversations over the years about how many people who walk the Wheel of the Year during their lives tend to leave on a significant date. Marija Gimbutas died on Brigid’s Day 1994, our friend Helen Farias died on Autumn Equinox 1994, and another friend died on Winter Solstice 2013.
I posted a photo of St. Lucia in the doorway Friday night as I was holding vigil for Waverly along with an entire community of her friends, our candles glowing on altars in all our homes. I imagined St. Lucia aka Freya arriving in her golden chariot drawn by cats, gathering Waverly up, and heading out across the starry sky — their pathway lit by blazing candles.
My head is bowed in grief and grace. I will miss you so much, my friend.
The Wild Hunt shared the sad news with their community:
Fitzgerald was based in Seattle and wrote both fiction and non-fiction, though many Pagans may remember her for her work on The Beltane Papers with Helen Farias. Fitzgerald became editor of the Beltane Papers in 1994 after Farias death and continued in that role until 1998 when she resigned to focus more on her writing and teaching.
Fitzgerald was a noted folklorist and published several books of interest to Pagans: Slow Time: Recovering the Natural Rhythm of Life, and several books that focused on the crafts and customs and rituals surrounding Pagan celebrations, most notably: Celebrating Spring Equinox and Celebrating Summer Solstice. Her writing also was featured in the publications Sagewoman and Gnosis.
She taught classes online, for Hugo House in Seattle, and also offered correspondence courses through her site, School of the Seasons. In 2014 she opened her own publishing company, Rat City Publishing.
She is noted by others for being kind, talented, and generous — especially in the aid she provided to many writers, both aspiring and well-established, with her wellspring of knowledge.
She who is remembered, lives.
Copper (Anna Molly) Resnik: September 22, 1962 – June 28, 2020
Copper (Anna Molly) Resnik, 57, died at home in Vacaville, CA, on June 28, 2020, with her daughter and beloved friends at her side. She had been living with stage 4 colorectal cancer since late 2017. Copper is survived by her daughter, Sarah Bender-Resnik, of Vallejo, CA, her father, David Resnik, of Stockbridge and Atlanta, her sister, Kim Resnik, and brother in law, Jeffrey Gerth, both of Atlanta, as well as a large and beloved community. She was predeceased by her mother, Elizabeth Gellhorn Resnik, her sister, Katharine Resnik, and her brother, Christopher Resnik.
Born Anna Molly Resnik and known as Copper for most of her life, she was raised in Stockbridge, MA, attending Berkshire Country Day School and Berkshire School.
From an early age, Copper was drawn to social justice, the arts, and inspiring people to live fuller, happier lives. She loved bringing people together over a good meal or a good cause, growing herbs and vegetables, reading voraciously, caring for her beloved bees, hiking along the beach or among the redwoods. She brought joy to hundreds of people through her work and her dedication to creating community.
Copper completed her B.A. at Blackburn College in Illinois, with a double major in psychology and theater. After graduation, Copper moved to Chicago to do street theater and activist work. At 28, she continued west to northern California, intending to study for a master’s degree in drama therapy. Before completing the degree, however, she began her social work career, serving people who live in poverty and shelterless for more than 20 years. In 2016, she completed her master’s degree in social work at California State University–Long Beach.
Copper lived in northern California for most of her adult life, other than spending 2016 through 2018 with her beloved community in Minneapolis. At the time of her death, she lived with her dear friends, Yule and George Emerson, on land that settlers forcibly removed from deep and sustainable connection with the Patwin Band of the Wintun peoples although they continue to live and do ceremony there to this day.
For more than 25 years Copper was a practicing witch in the Reclaiming Tradition, doing ritual and performance, community organizing, and activism. She facilitated workshops locally and internationally for many years. Dedicated to spirituality, she was devoted to service and organizing work. The roots and conversations of the Reclaiming Tradition informed her daily life.
Heartfelt gratitude goes to the loving circle of friends, her devoted daughter, and the wonderful team from Yolo Hospice in Davis, CA, who cared for her so compassionately and beautifully during her last days.
Copper’s life will be celebrated at gatherings in northern California and in Stockbridge at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a contribution to the preservation of the Mendocino Woodlands (https://www.
She who is remembered, lives.
Medusa: May 30, 2020
Medusa, although living in California, was a beloved BCWC teacher. She was a powerful Reclaiming and Feri priestess who always encouraged people to become their authentic selves. She was also psychic and intimately connected to the dead, even having a seance medusaparlour in her home. She and her husband Babe always welcomed people into their home and treated their guests like family. Medusa died May 30, 2020 of ovarian cancer. She is sorely missed.
She who is remembered, lives.
Merluna (Paige Deryck): Dec 24, 1953- 2020
You would see Merluna at the smoking table at Witch Camp. She almost always had something she was making in her hands. She was deeply loved by her community in Grand Forks where she lived with her husband and cat Punkin’. Merluna was a witch of many talents. She was a writer, graphic designer, sang, played keyboards and drums, photographer, and loved her crafts. She was a lover of nature, art, poetry and the Goddess. Merluna had many friends and knew how to have a good time, tubing down the river, and playing pool. She brought magic to her community teaching Elements with Holly and beginning a coven called Weavers of Light. She was a great tarot reader and also taught tarot.
Merluna passed from this world. She will be remembered and missed.
She who is remembered, lives.
Indigo (Lori Holley): 1961 – Sept. 7, 2019
Indigo walked her talk. She always spoke for what she believed was right or wrong. Co-op, community and mother earth were at the heart of her life. She served on the Board of CHASEO (Co-op Housing Assoc. of East. ON) in Ottawa and on many social action and environment groups. She always had words of support and encouragement.
Indigo died suddenly soon after enjoying a group sing along with the Beatles, ‘Hey Jude’. She leaves behind her daughter and three grandsons who she adored. Many people came to her memorial wearing bright colours, sharing stories of her remarkable life and all she brought to the world.
She who is remembered, lives.
Carla: July 11, 1941- May 30, 1917.
Carla was part of the Vancouver Reclaiming Community for many years. You would often see her at community rituals wearing her iconic colourful hat and her favorite colour purple. In the early years she organized community rituals. She was also a member of the infamous fighting coven.
Carla was educated in theology. She wore many hats in her life including working in early childhood and as a businesswoman. She was political and cared about social justice. She was known to be opinionated and difficult at times, she was also known to be wize, kind, caring, generous and to have a sense of humour. Carla could seem to have a tough exterior, but she was very sensitive and felt things deeply.
Carla was taken by cancer after a stay in hospice. She had told her friend Shadow she wanted her to be with her when she died. One night Shadow felt a pull. She called a taxi and went to Carla’s bedside where she witnessed Carla take her last breath.
She who is remembered, lives.
Rebecca Tidewalker: August 2016
Rebecca Tidewalker was a well known and loved member of the Free Cascadia Activist Camp and many other Reclaiming Communities. One of the most potent Reclaiming magical concepts came through her at BC Witchcamp when she was student teaching the fairy path with Willow. She pulled a black and white rock that had gold flecks in it out of the fire pit and said, “Whole Time”. Whole Time continues to be pivotal in magical workings holding the knowing that all time exists at once and can be influenced backwards and forwards. She was also a co-founder of the New Moon Culture path, a water priestess, a grandmother lover, a friend of the Fae and a devotee of Mary.
Rebecca Tidewalker was 7 ½ months pregnant when she and her partner Iridaea received the devastating news that she had stage 4 lung cancer. She delayed treatment until the birth of their beautiful son Solas so that she could breastfeed him that first week. After that week, a combination of conventional treatment and the love and prayers of her magical community and beyond were able to sustain her until her son was 17 months old. She saw him take his first steps and heard him say “Mama” before she crossed in August of 2016 during the Perseides meteor shower. She is deeply missed and remembered for how she enriched our lives. A letter from her can be found at the Mustard Seed blog at the Temple of the Waters website:
http://www.templeofthewaters.
She who is remembered, lives.
Ceridwen: June 10, 2015
Ceridwen was a Reclaiming initiate and one of the first teachers at BC Witch camp. As a long-time ReclaimingMember,r she always supported the community and Witch camp. For many years the teachers’ pre-camp meetings were held in Ceridwen’s home. The beautiful capes Ceridwen made for many witches in our community remain prised possessions and worn to rituals.
Ceridwen was quiet and amazing. Her inner life was vast and creative. Her home radiated comfort and she baked wonderful cakes that could grace the cover of Homes and Gardens. She came to Vancouver as a single parent with her two daughters from Ottawa where she was a beloved member of the lesbian community. Ceridwen was a feminist and political. It was noticeable in the respect she showed in her interactions and in the way she equalized power. As a younger woman she drove American draft dodgers across the border and as an older woman she became a Raging Granny. She was known as Glenda at her job where she worked in mental health until her retirement. Ceridwen loved to birdwatch and kayak. She loved her two daughters and her granddaughter.
In later years Ceridwen began to lose her memories with dementia. She forgot who everyone was but was happy to see you and continued to enjoyed singing and to go for walks. Her daughters moved in to help care for her. After a year Ceridwen needed to move to a care home. Ceridwen died on June 10, 2015. She was lovingly remembered at a memorial with her loving family, witches, Raging Grannies, and strong political lesbians from her early days in Ottawa. Ceridwen was a quiet, strong woman who walked in integrity and made a difference.
She who is remembered, lives.
Jeff Hoover: Nov 29, 1965 – Oct 11, 2013.
Jeff was a longtime Reclaiming Community Member. He lived in Portland Oregon. Jeff was a kind, quiet, gay man and was loved by the community.
As a Member of the BC Witchcamp Org he helped shape camp. He wanted to make sure everyone felt they belonged at camp, especially the quiet ones. When he was diagnosed with cancer Jeff continued to come to camp sharing his condition and experience with the community. Over three years his community and friends witnessed his courage and his decline. Everyone knew in 2013 .that it was to be his last camp. He became increasingly ill at camp and returned home to die on Oct 11, 2013. Jeff was an introvert and was honoured by the establishment of the BC Witchcamp Jeff Hoover Introvert Scholarship Fund. Witches spread Jeff’s ashes in many natural places that were sacred to him.
He who is remembered, lives.
Sonya Ellis
Sonya, whom Shadow always referred to her as “witchlet”, was a young woman who was a talented and intuitive tarot reader. She attended some Reclaiming classes and rituals but because of severe anxiety mostly met with just Shadow. Sonya died suddenly of a brain aneurysm at the age of 30. Her mother Joan is now writing a book about Sonya’s journey.
She who is remembered, lives.
Patchouli: June 9, 1948 – Sept 11, 2010.
Patchouli, also known as Nancy Eagles was a part of the Vancouver Reclaiming Community for many years. She had two beautiful daughters (Jasmine and Amber) who are also part of the Reclaiming Community. Patchouli often contributed to community rituals in a very practical way showing up with candles or huge bouquets of flowers from her garden, or herbs for everyone. She knew a lot about herbs and took people on a teaching herb walk at Phenix Camp. Herbs were also an integral part of her natural skin products and remedies company Inayna which she began after working for many years in the film industry. Patchouli also acted as the kitchen liaison at camp.
Patchouli was on the verge of success and happy when she suddenly died. She had completely reinvented herself. Her business Inyna after a lot of hard work was beginning to be profitable. After a long marriage she had fairly recently set out on her own and came out as a lesbian. She was on her way driving home from having a wonderful time at the Lesbian Bold Conference when she had a heart attack and died leaving behind a mourning family and friends, she was remembered and celebrated at the Fairy Mound the following spring.
She who is remembered, lives.
Janet
Janet was an introvert so you might not immediately notice her quiet presence. She was a part of the Vancouver Reclaiming Community and long-time member of a local coven with Susan and Suzanne.
She lived with her husband and had two daughters, and grandchildren. Everyday Janet would walk her dogs in a nearby woods. When the land came under threat of developers, she joined with her neighbours to organize to fight to preserve the land. Like many Reclaiming witches Janet fought for social justice working to end violence against women.
When Janet was diagnosed with cancer, she used her quiet determination to recover, but it was not to be.
She who is remembered, lives.
Aylwin
Aylwin was a Salt Spring witch, living close to the land and raising her daughter as a single parent and practicing tai chi. At one point she lived in a tree house. Aylwin was a lesbian and the lesbian community was really important to her. She was a psychic and was a skilled tarot reader. In her later years she relocated to Whitehorse to become a Yukon witch.
Aylwin suffered from M.E. or myalgic encephalomyelitis which made everything a struggle with severe sensitivities and fatigue. Her life was difficult. Still, she advocated and supported others with the same condition. With the use of the internet Aylwin connected with people around the world.
When her condition worsened and she needed care she knew that her severe sensitivities would be impossible in a care facility. In the face of no adequate support for her complicated condition Aylwin decided to take her life. Her actions so honestly shone a light on a health system totally incapable of caring for someone wIth such sensitivities. She left a note on her front door letting people know and arranged everything to cause as little trauma or mess before taking her life. Right to the end Aylwin remained sensitive to the needs of others while the challenges she was facing in her own life were insurmountable.
She who is remembered, lives.
Gordie
In the 90’s you would see Gordie with his wife Heidi and their son Jason at most Vancouver Reclaiming Rituals and community events. They were one of the very early families that were a part of our community. Heidi would take on priestessing roles and organize rituals. Gordie supported the rituals helping out with tasks like raising our first MayPole up at the Fairy Mound for Beltane. He was kind and very well liked, the quintessential nice guy. Gordie was a wonderful man, husband, father, friend to all he met. He helped anyone who needed a hand, and was always there for his family. He was taken far too soon from this world.
It was a shock and terribly sad to see such a young and vibrant man die after a long struggle in the hospital, especially for his loving family. Many witches went to his memorial which was filled with family, friends, co-workers and people from all parts of his life. He lives on in his son and his name is on the marble wall at Mountain View Cemetery looking west. Gordie is missed.
He who is remembered, lives.
Bev Parent: October 15, 2005
Bev was an early and longtime member of the Vancouver Reclaiming Community. She was known for her cheerfulness. Bev and Shadow were close friends and could be seen together at most community rituals and events. She always arrived early.
Bev was a lover of animals and a rescuer of cats. Her home was full of pets which caused her trouble with landlords and forced her to move from time to time. Bev died October 15, 2005 as the result of a house fire trying to rescue her cats. She continued going back into her burning home trying to rescue her cats until she succumbed. Bev was 50 years old when she died. At her memorial witches and members of the cat rescue community gathered to remember her. There were many stories of the fearlessness Bev showed in going to any length to rescue cats.Bev’s ashes and the ashes of the 63 cats that died in the fire are spread up at the Fairy Mound above Spanish Banks where many community rituals were held. Friends and Bev’s sister Marnie still visit the Fairy Mound every year to remember her.
In 2017 Bev was invoked at Witchcamp as one of the community’s Mighty Dead. Unbeknownst her cats came with her causing all kinds of kitty mayhem until they were devoked a couple of days later. We should have known, Bev never went anywhere without her cats.
She who is remembered, lives.
Jamie Tudor
Jamie was a sweet gentle man who found his home in BC Witch Camp. As a goat herder he lived close to nature near Lillooet. I remember he wore a grey steinfeld wool undershirt with primary buttons in red, yellow & blue. He fit right in and stepped up to do service in the community. He died in a car accident shortly after returning from camp leaving a community wondering what could have been.
He who is remembered, lives.
Hazel
Hazel was always pleasant, warm and open hearted. You would see her at community rituals and events with her good friend Marcel. You would seldom see one without the other. Hazel was a feminist and part of the woman’s movement where she worked in a transition house to stop violence against women.
Hazel was a fairly quiet person but was a determined dancer. When Gwen (now on Gabriola Island) offered the first dance class at Sitka Housing Co-op (all lesbian co-op) many of us jumped (or danced – lol) at the chance. After the class finished there was a community of women who wanted to continue. Gay and Hazel, who were dancing regularly with each other, set in motion what became Not So Strictly Ballroom – a play on words as NSSB offered many kinds of dance classes. After a long search for a place to hold classes, some of which didn’t work out (also held briefly at Josephine’s, eastside cafe I had) Hazel and Gay secured the Buddhist temple on 1st Avenue, 1 block east of Commercial, NSSB’s first venue offering classes, just to women. Eventually it was expanded to include men. NSSB took a hiatus this past year but otherwise has been running since the early 1990’s, thanks to Hazel (and Gay).
Pat Hogan visited Hazel when she was at Cottage Hospice on Penticton Street in East Van. A few women gathered in their reception room with Hazel to celebrate her life, sing and tell stories. She was smiling, enjoyed the company and laughter and tears. I think she passed over peacefully. She is remembered as a strong passionate woman who fought for justice.
She who is remembered, lives.
Joanne
Joanne was fairly new to the Vancouver Reclaiming Community in the late 90’s when she received the terrible news that she had a brain tumour. She underwent awful treatments with the support of the community. Joanne loved to sit in the centre of the cones during community rituals and at witchcamp hopeful for a cure. After she would glow with ecstatic pleasure from all the energy.
Joanne enjoyed the pleasures of life. She was good friends with Cathy and Mari. She had many friends and witches around her to support her in her healing, and in the end assist her in her crossing, including Cathy, Mari, Bridget, Sage, Linden and Maecan.
She who is remembered, lives.