Farewell Crooked Path
May 9th, 2009 | 
Author: The Crooked Path website and Podcast have reached an end.
To quote Peter Paddon “I find that the politics, fundamentalism and downright ugliness that is so vocal within the Pagan community right now has sucked the joy from this project.”
Like many endeavors started by eager pagans and witches seeking to share, learn, teach, help and heal, it seems that even the Crooked Path could not escape the ugliness and in-fighting of our community.
I will truly miss the wonderful and informative podcasts and lurking on your forum Peter, I also have enjoyed reading the Crooked Path Journal.
Thank you to Peter, Raven and everyone at the Crooked Path for your hard work and service to the community.
I do hope that Pendraig Publishing continues and I pledge to keep on supporting (already over $100 in books bought!)
As for the rest of us … SHAME, SHAME and DOUBLE SHAME.
Pagans suck and witches are bitches.
What the fuck do we think we are doing here?
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Not to discredit him, but I find it strange than no Pagans I’ve met have experienced in fighting within Paganism nor any “witch wars”. Besides, fighting and politics are inescapable and to deprive the individuals who would benefit the Crooked Path seems unfair.
Where the heck do you live Aethelbera??? lol
That sucks beyond measure…..
It saddens me to think that it got so bad that he felt he had no other option but to end it, that the level of crap he has experienced exceeded the positive feedback he may have received about his efforts on the Crooked Path. Perhaps that’s another area in which we are failing our community — we aren’t letting the *good* folk know how much we appreciate all that they do…..
Hey Juniper…..YOU ROCK!! Keep the faith……;)
~love~ Mel
First Ontario, then Newfoundland.
You do rock Juniper..I never comment, lol. I just lurk because I love your writings. It is a shame what happened with the Crooked Path and saddening to see the 10% that do all the work not appreciated.
Keep up the awesome blogging…
Oh no! Reading this kind of late…. very sad. Another one bites the dust. Now…. Im off to search for your Beltaine pics!
It really is a tragic state of affairs for the Crooked Path community. I think Peter Paddon has alot to offer those searching for guidance on their own spiritual path. I’ve really enjoyed his weekly podcasts as they have provided me with a wealth of information on the trad craft. I hope that he decides to continue his efforts with the website as well as the podcasts. Unfortunately there will always be those people who will ridicule and mock others with differing viewpoints than their own.
Peter Paddon was a victim of malice directed by some in the pagan community. I still hold out hope that things will get better and those of us interested in his vast knowledge of the occult can partake of that ancient wisdom. I look forward to purchasing a copy of his book “The Crooked Path: A Grimoire for Modern Cunning Folk” when it is finished.
I, too, have been sorry to hear about Peter feeling so bad…but I believe he will spring back and keep the good fight going to help people and provide a way for sharing knowledge.
The Crooked Path is up to issue #5 and I know it will keep going so long as people send in articles for it. I’m trying to play my part in that.
Cheers,
Veronica
I enjoyed his podcast. It’s sad that he couldn’t just ignore the people who were harassing him, ban them from his site or do whatever had to be done. Now they will just think that he’s a coward. I didn’t see what all went on, but it must have been pretty bad for him to do that. Oh well.. We love you Peter, no matter what the Nay Sayers say.
From what I understand, alot of it has to do with two “true” Tubal Cain groups going at each other. Getting to the point of litigation, and drawing others into thier dispute.
Which for the record, the whole freaking situation and the drama involved, and how its has been affecting the community at its edges, just makes me want to puke.
It also makes me lose much respect for those involved “adding fuel to the fire” … which is why this is the last I will say on the subject on the Hedge (at least for now)
(I have considered sending something to Peter for the Journal myself, but figured I’d get rejected lol)
Oh damn….I was just about to post on Crooked Path as “froglover” and have just now discovered it is off the air.
It was a nice place, I was new and I don’t know much about it, but it was clearly a nice place. Hope the people who made it happen don’t move out of public space….
Best, J
Hello,
I’m in the same boat as everyone else. I will truly miss The Crooked Path site as well as the podcasts. It’s ironic how there are always individuals in the pagan and crafting community who have time to complain about petty issues and conversely,have little time to focus on more important things. They will always be there to quibble over whose lineage is more genuine,what color robe should be worn in a ritual,etc. Let the rest of us focus and deal with what is of real concern in the world. I doff my hat off to Peter Paddon for providing such a wonderful springboard for those new to traditional witchcraft as well as taking the higher ground in the midst of such infantile bantering. We all know those who truly walk the path versus those who merely pretend.
Brightest Blessings,
Ken
It is sad indeed and I wish Peter the best- There is a point for anyone where you are constantly wading through the crap of human behavior you say enough. We may all be pagans but one thing you must keep in mind
Human Nature at best follows the least path of resistance
to the lowest common denominator. It is so hard to give up this failing human trait of “being right” though you may be wrong. Even Pagans have egos
It takes a lot of work to leave the ego behind – Peter was one such gentleman – I appreciate everything he did to bring his sisters and brothers together, to share knowledge and bring inspiration.
I will sorely miss his podcast
Lurker in the forest
I hated to see the crooked path podcast go away as well. It got me through many boring days at work. It is a shame that his works got taken down in the midst of the actions of late.
Everyone should support his publishing efforts. I would like see the Journal grow to a wide circulation.
I am crushed. I used to go to his site daily. I hadnt been online in a long time so I tried to go to his website only to find it was no longer there! I googled it and found this place. i know how bad politics and drama can be. you get it in any sort of group. i was on the council for the tri-state organization of alternative lifestyles. I wouldnt sleep with one of the atlanta reps so I got booted (well, I left before that but had I stayed I would have been ) His reason- I was 19 and he started telling everyone that the council was being run by babies. I also had one roomate who claimed to have 42 personalities, and another who claimed to be born in Ireland but was raised by Jamacain amazons. she spoke with a bad attempt at an English accent. (Think dick Van Dyke on Mary Poppins)
Anywho…Im sorry peter and wish there was something i could do. Your DVDs and site were inspirational to me.
Gyp
Erm…if you head over to the Pendraig Publishing website and click on his blog, he’s posting his podcasts there.
No in-community fighting?!
Come on. Many of the so called genuine Traditional paths are living on a surge or powertrip. They all think they lay a claim to some medieval lineage that makes them the ruling royal family of witches somehow. What strikes me moreover is the fact that they always have to tell us what is right from wrong and how the information is incorrect. Well people there is no right and wrong in Traditional craft, that is why we are not an organised religion. I personally would like to thank Peter for his amazing contribution to the dying art of our craft. Stand tall and hold your head up high knowing that you taught people something. And those who opposed you are neither pagans or witches and should stop reading so much Lord of the Rings thinking they’re the last ruling Uberwitch from anglo saxon England.
Sadly, I’ve seen this in-community fighting here and there. Drama just seems to follow some people, but I digress… I agree with Arthur’s comment regarding holding your head up high knowing that you taught people something. As long as you try to focus on that and not get caught up with negative things. Best of luck to Peter.
Does any one still have the episode on salvia divinorum?
I might. It will take me a while to find it, I never did label them properly when downloading and burning onto CD.