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 December 2004 - January 2005 See the Elements of Chants CD by Kate West and the Hearth of Hecate reviewed here. Georgia of For The Witch In You interviewed esteemed Wiccan author Kate West. The following is an email interview conducted on 19th November 2004.  FTWIY: What
do you like most about being a witch?KATE: I find that all aspects of the Craft are great. I particularly love following and celebrating the cycles of the Moon and the Wheel of the Year; it makes me feel truly connected with the Goddess and God, and to the earth itself. There’s also the great sense of community between Witches from around the world. We may be separated by miles, but we are still all of one Circle. FTWIY: How does magic fit into your life with such a busy career and looking after your family? KATE: I don’t have to fit magic into my life as it is there in everything; from the quick plea to the Goddess to help me get my son out of bed in the morning to the spells for inspiration when I’m stuck on a particular piece of writing. I’m lucky in that both my husband and son are a part of the Craft, so it is a part of our family life. FTWIY: When you write your books do you start with a plan or does it just unfold as you go along? KATE: My publishers like me to come up with a chapter by chapter synopsis, as well as an overall outline of the book, so yes, I do plan. Having said that, a book has a tendency to take its own path as I write, so sometimes the plan gets changed! On the other hand, when we worked on our CD Elements of Chants, we did no planning at all, we just let it unfold with the guidance of the Goddess. FTWIY: If you could sit and talk to anyone about witch craft past or present, who would it be and what three things would you like to ask them? KATE: There are many Witches alive today with whom I would like to discuss the Craft, but as there is always the chance that I may yet meet them, then I would not use a ‘wish’ such as this for something which may well come about. So I would like to travel back in time and meet one of the Witches from around say 1,300 years ago, before Christianity became established in these lands. I’d like to find out how worship of the Goddess was before Witches had to hide their beliefs, how it effected their lives and what it meant to be accepted into the community. Conversely I’d like to travel forward, say about 100 years, and find out how our Craft has changed by then. FTWIY: What's the most important message you try to get across to people when you're writing your books? KATE: There are many things I try to get across in my writing, but I suppose chiefly it’s that; the Craft is accessible to anyone who is prepared to work at it, but that working spells and magic are only a small part of it and should not be the main focus. That Witchcraft should be a part of life, not apart from it. And that it is the elements of Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit which are the keystones of the Craft, not the tools, equipment, robes and other ‘tangible’ stuff. FTWIY: Where do you think magic has had the most affect in your life? KATE: This is impossible to answer really, because magic is there in everything. I don’t just means spells, but also the magic of a crisp frosty morning, or a brilliant sunset. Magic is there all around, we just need to remember to watch out for it. FTWIY: Are your family in general understanding of the fact that you are a witch? KATE: My husband is my working partner and High Priest of our Coven, and our son, although only 7, is expressing an interest in the Craft. The rest of our family is aware of what we do and, by and large, are supportive. I thought long and hard before ‘coming out of the broom closet’ as I feel that, no matter how wonderful the Craft is to the individual, how ever keen you are to share, you should consider whether your near and dear actually want to know. Ask yourself the question “In what way will it benefit them, not me"? FTWIY: What advice would you give to new witches that are looking for direction starting out on their new spiritual paths? KATE: Read and think! Ask questions and think! If you learn to listen, you will hear the voice of the Goddess within and She will guide you as to what is truly right for you. This does not mean you should do whatever takes your fancy, but that you can learn for yourself what is right and wrong, good and bad. In conclusion; thank you for this opportunity to speak. I wish everyone the joy of the season and the love of the Goddess Blessed Be Kate West )O( KATE WEST has been a practicing Witch for over thirty years. She is the Vice-President and Media Co-ordinator of The Pagan Federation and High Priestess of the Hearth of Hecate. For more information please visit her web site :: Kate West - Witch, Mother & Author |