With the debate over the right of same sex couples raging, being a both publicly open witch and partnered gay man, I’ve had a lot of people from many walks of life ask me what I think about the current events. When we talk about same sex marriage rights, they want to know if that is something I want, and if the word marriage is important or if a civil union is ok wit hme. They ask if I am going to get married in Massachusetts or San Francisco or even Canada and contest it in my home state of New Hampshire. I’ve been very surprised and warmed by the sensitivity and thoughtfulness of all the questioners, even those who disagreed with me.

Personally I am all for marriage rights, and the word marriage is important to me. I have a marriage with my husband, regardless of what the current laws say. Some in the queer community don’t want to be defined by straight models of relationship, and that’s fine. I think in the end everybody has to decide for themselves what their relationships really mean, gay, straight or otherwise, but I don’t want to be denied rights that are offered to others. We should all have the right to choose marriage if we desire, and not have it be denied based on orientation or gender identity.

Since this is important to me, I’ve done the usual steps anybody can do in the mundane world. I have written and called representatives, particularly as a local law is debated in my state. My husband and I went to visit the state house when an amendment to the NH constitution was proposed to close a potential loop hole for NH to accept out of state same sex marriages. I think just sitting back and being ourselves, we did more for the cause. Several newspapers and TV stations interviewed us because one said we looked like a “normal, happy couple.” We even made the front page of the local newspaper. I’ve talked the issue up to friends, family and acquaintances as something to get involved in. I have done all this real world action, but not brought my spirituality into the mix.

As a witch, I’ve done spells for world peace, environmental healing and to stop the proliferation of nuclear arms as well as the typical love, money, healing and protection spells you find in all the popular spell books. Yet I haven’t really ventured into politics and civil rights through ritual. I don’t know why really. I’ve been involved, yet not what I would really consider an activist. As I think about my craft, and how magick and intention lay the spiritual foundation of change, I need to practice what I preach, so to speak, and back up my political involvement with spiritual intention. Though I’ve been leery about combining the two, I’ve finally come to the realization that in the next age, the currents of spirituality, politics and social change will not be separate, but part of a greater whole. Magick is to solve life problems, and this is an issue in my life. My partner and I recently had some financial issues come up, all which would have been easily solvable, if we could effortlessly transfer assets and funds between us, like a married couple. We have some of the right of married couples, because we paid a lawyer to set up those rights via contracts and wills, but we lack a lot of basic rights and privileges that most couples get. So in an effort to change that reality, I am going to use magic. In fact, not only do I plan on using magick, but if we have enough people focused on making this relatively small change to our reality, I’m sure it will happen.

I propose that all magically minded people – Pagans, Witches, Wiccans, magicians, healers, shamans, yogis, seers – seekers on all paths who believe in equal rights for all – come together on the first Full Moon after the 35th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots that occurred June 27, 1969. Stonewall is considered by many to be the birth of the GLBT rights movement. On the waxing full Moon of after this historic anniversary, Thursday, July 1, we can raise energy to make a definitive change for the better, where all people’s rights are respected. I suggest a spell with this or a similar intention:

We ask in the name of the Goddess, God and Great Spirit to be immediately granted equal rights for same sex couples through the U.S.A., so that all couples may enjoy the rights of marriage if they so choose. We ask this be correct, and for the good of all involved, harming none. So mote it be.

Whatever your tradition or style, take this intention and carry it out to the universe to manifest as a reality. Do rituals privately in your homes. Do public rituals where the community can gather together. I plan on leading at public ritual at Unicorn Books, in Cambridge Massachusetts on Thursday, July 1, at 7 PM. It is the first full Moon, at its waxing peak, after the anniversary of the stonewall riots of NYC. There was the birth of the modern GLBT civil rights movement.

All contact info about the event and the ritual itself will be posted on the website, www.magicalactivism.org. If anybody would like to organize their own public ritual in their own area, I’d be happy to post such information as well, so we can have many groups coming together for change. Even if you are not familiar with magick and spell craft, take the time to center yourself and read the spell above with all your heart, mind, soul and body. Make your magick.

Follow up and precede this spell with real world intention. Find out what is going on in your local area in regards to GLBT rights and marriage rights. Write and call your local and national representatives. Connect with other civil rights organizations, such as Human Right Campaign,www.hrc.org and GLAAD - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation www.glaad.org. Make your voice heard on all levels. Be the change you wish to see in the world. Blessed be!

- Christopher Penczak, author of Gay Witchcraft: Empowering the Tribe. For more information on this event of using magic for marriage rights, visit www.magicalactivism.org. For more information on Christopher and his other work, visit www.christopherpenczak.com.