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List Price: $19.95 Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser Salesrank: 38,008 Released: June, 2003 Our Price: $13.97   Media: Paperback    Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours

[PNN] Why did you write Gay Witchcraft?

[CP] I wrote Gay Witchcraft because in my personal practice and research, I discovered there was a strong current of Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Trangendered (GLBT) themes in both mythology and pagan history. There was a personal challenge of being a gay man in a tradition that is known for its masculine and feminine, fertility imagery. Some think of it as purely heterosexual, though there are many aspects to polarity and fertility. Some are just not discussed. I had never had a gay teacher, at least in the craft, so I had to struggle alone with it. As I researched and found all these prized bits of wisdom that were so pivotal for me. I never learned them from traditional teachers and books. I would come across old out of print books of a much more clinical variety than from a practicing witch or mystic, but the information was just waiting to be applied in my own practice. Gay Witchcraft evolved out of things I practiced by myself, and with my husband. A lot of it, including the handfasting ceremony came from our book of shadows. I realized that many would benefit from getting this information, and personal experience in more of a work book format, encouraging you to use the information in your own practice.

Christopher Penczak (photo courtesy of Weiser Books)

[PNN] Why do people need to read this book?

[CP] The book has a two fold purpose, and two audiences. Originally it was for the gay pagan population, to give them additional information, but it grew from that first concept. Now the book is for the pagan population in general, to educate them on gay mythology and history, because they are so intertwined with traditional pagan lore, yet buried and misunderstood. I wanted to fill that gap in traditional pagan knowledge. I also wrote it for the gay community in general, those seeking out a spiritual path but not knowing where to look. Witchcraft has so much to offer the GLBT communities. Not only is our lifestyle and orientation tolerated, but many traditions honor and respect it.

[PNN] Do you need to be a gay wiccan to benefit from 'Gay Witchraft'?

[CP] Not at all. You don't necessarily have to be gay or be Wiccan. The alternate history and mythology is available to anyone. Many of the meditations, rituals and spells can be used by anyone as well. Many people come to my workshops and classes not wanting to be Wiccan, but wanting to live more magically. I have a broad definition of the word, but to me, a witch is one who lives a magical life. They learn magick and ritual and suddenly become comfortable with the word. Like witch, many people don't identify with the word gay. They use other words, or no label at all. I understand. The words and labels don't mean anything unless they are important to you. Claiming the word gay and witch was important to me, but I've written the book so that many communities can benefit from it.

[PNN] What kind of response to this book have you seen from the Gay Pagan community?

[CP]So far the response has been great. I've done a few book signings and workshops and had a great time. A few traditional practitioners have been horrified at the idea of their favorite deity having homoerotic elements, but overall both the gay and straight community has been very supportive. Many people felt like it was about time that the topic was handled. Some books have written about it, and either been out of print, very academic, or not very gay. Not many are written from a practitioner's point of view. I try to balance all aspects, but my focus was to make a manual or meditations and rituals to be used.

[PNN] It has been said that Paganism and Wicca are becoming more mainstream. Do you feel that's a good thing, or will the meaning become diluted as they are marketed for mass-consumption?

[CP] In the end, everybody will take it to the level they are willing to go. For some, it will be on the surface, but for others, they will take it deeper and make it a true spiritual practice. I believe magick and witchcraft is about healing and empowerment. The more people who potentially get in touch with their own magick and empowerment, the better the world will be. Those who are not right for the path will find other ways, but paganism can be a stepping stone for them. It the end, its personal, and experiential. Those willing to put the time into it will experience the mysteries, and nothing can dilute them. I write these books to hopefully show people a magical reality.

[PNN] Four books written, plus a companion CD for the Inner Temple of Witchcraft. What’s next? Will you be revisiting and expanding on some of the subjects in your earlier works? Any additional multimedia projects coming up?

[CP] Oh, I have lots of things in the works. The Inner Temple book and CD is the first of a series of five books and CD sets, designed to take the solitary eclectic through the five elements, from initiate to Minster. The next in the series, The Outer Temple of Witchcraft, will be released in April 2004, along with a CD set. I'm currently writing the third in the series, The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft. The last two are called The Temple of High Witchcraft and The Living Temple of Witchcraft. They are based on the classes I teach.

Also in process is a series of shorter books, on a single topic, with a CD included, to guide you through meditations and rituals. The aim is to make some difficult topics more accessible, much like taking a weekend intensive, but for people who can't get out to classes. The first is The Witch's Shield: Protection Magick and Psychic Self Defense, released through Llewellyn in the summer of 2004. I really wanted to get into the essence of protection from a spiritual point of view. Future topics include the spiritual views of prosperity and love. I also want to do something with sacred sound and working with the energy grids of the planet in this series.

In The Magick of Reiki, I will be comparing the techniques find in the traditional Japanese form of energy healing with other forms of magick, from Ceremonial Magick to Witchcraft. It is to bridge the gap between the communities, and show how healing in any form is magick. It set for the fall of 2004, also through Llewellyn.

I also have a book focusing on young men and the traditions of the craft. It's tentative called Sons of the Goddess: A Young Man's Guide to Wicca. It's in response to talking to so many teen guys who are trying to find their place in such a goddess reverent tradition. It will be focusing on mother and son mythology, and how the God goes though his developmental cycle from Sun Child, to Green Man, Warrior, King, Sacrifice and Rebirth. It will contain both spell craft and meditations for creating change. My goal is to instill healthy image of manhood with the feminine, and instill a code of honor and ethics into the practice I find many, teens and adults, lacking when they go to the craft. Its written for young men specifically, but men and women of all ages can benefit from it.

There's lots of other stuff in mind, including a tarot deck, but that's what actually done and ready to go into production. I have plans for an herb book, astrology/magick book and something on chaos magick, but those in far off. I also am researching Gay Sex Magick with my husband right now, so that's been fun.

My degree is actually in music, and I've been planning on getting back into composing, to write some meditation and ritual music. I've just not be happy with what's available, so I hope to put some of my past experiences to good use and make my own. I plan on taking some quiet time this August to do some different things and visit with people i've neglected while promoting my books.

[PNN] You've said before that you enjoy the works of Anne Rice, are their any other fiction authors that hold your attention?

[CP] I was just in New Orleans, but unfortunately wasn't able to take the tour of Anne Rice's house. Perhaps next time. I plan on going back next year, to the same convention, Saints and Sinners. Someone at the convention turned me on to her son, Christopher Rice and I've liked his work.

I'm really partial to the sci-fi author Steve Kenson, but I'm biased because he is my husband. He works on role playing games and relates novels. Most of his novels are set in the Shadowrun universe. I've been actually reading a lot of the stuff he's been involved in, particularly Mage: The Ascension role playing game. I don't play, but I find the background story fascinating. It just proves the saying of the Christian right wing that role playing games lead to witchcraft and devil worship.

Since becoming a full time writer, I find I don't read as much for pleasure. I like to give my eyes a break. I go in cycles. I am an avid comic book fan though. My favorite book at the moment is Promethea by Alan Moore. As a ritual magician, he mixed magical theory with a great comic story. Sometimes I think comics are the best medium to teach magick. Grant Morrison did it in The Invisibles comic too. Perhaps I should look into writing my own.....

[PNN] What would you say has been your greatest achievement to date?

[CP] Being a part of a community of loving, magical friends and family. I'm very blessed to have drawn together so many amazing people in my life and thank the gods every day for it. I also think being a full time writer/teacher/healer is an achievement. When the Goddess told me I didn't need a day job, I didn't quite believe her, but here I am. It can still be a struggle, but I continued to be blessed.

[PNN] If you could go back in your life and change one thing, what would it be?

[CP] I regret the way my band broke up. We broke up on stage, in a rather messy little divorce for all to see. It was heartbreaking for me. Actually took me years to get over because I invested so much of myself in the group, music and friendships. I'm glad its over, and the break was needed. I just wish I handled it better and didn't try to attack the guitarist with my microphone stand. Lol. Only kidding... sort of... Otherwise, I don't really have any regrets. I'm pretty happy with my decisions, and those that have been less than happy, were sorely needed, so I can appreciate the higher purpose in perspective. I can say the same thing about the band. I don't think I was really capable of reacting in any other way at the time.

[PNN] How would you want to be remembered?

[CP] Tough question. I've never really thought about it. I think I want to be remembered in a real way, who I am - warts and all. Some people become like saints in the minds of others, after they cross over, and people erase all flaws from them. I'd like to be kept real. Just because you do magick or write books, you're still a person and people should remember that. That's what I try to teach. Everybody can do what I do. I didn't come from a mystical line of witches. I just work hard, practice and learn.

[PNN] Do you have a favorite group/musician?

[CP] I'm a huge Tori Amos fan. her album Little Earthquakes changed my life. I also adored Andrew Wood and Mother Love Bone. He died and they went on to form Pearl Jam. Out of new music, Evanescence, Tanya Donelly and Linkin Park have been in my car CD player for a while. For classical music, my favorite is Stravinsky.

[PNN] Do you have a favorite bumper sticker?

[CP] "Question Reality."

[PNN] If you drew a picture to represent your mind, body and spirit, what would you draw?

[CP] I actually have. Well, I don't know if its mind/body/spirit, but it is representative of me. It's two serpents descending and intertwined, kind of like DNA, but crossing only once and forming a loop at the bottom, as one eats the other. It also looks like a stylized form of Taurus. In the center is a pentagram, and below a crescent moon. It sounds more vivid here than it actually looks. It's more like a stencil. It's on my business card and my website. To see it, go to www.christopherpenczak.com!