Posts Tagged death

In honor of our revered Neo-Pagan Elder Isaac Bonewits (http://www.adf.org/about/leaders/isaac-bonewits/), who passed away on Thorsday, Augustus 12th 2010, we are holding an ADF Druid style memorial rite on Wodensday Augustus 18th in Angrignon Park at 7pm (6:30pm arrival). The ritual will be led by Linda Demissy, former Senior Druid of Silver Fox Grove, ADF.

Everyone is invited to join and make a short bardic offering, sacrifice of a crafted item or food, or retell their encounter with Isaac (even if it’s just by reading one of his books).

ADF rites are basically a “party” where Gods, Ancestors and Nature Spirits are invited and made offering to, through the gates of the triple centre, Fire of the Gods, Well of the Ancestors, and Tree of Life. An omen is then cast to determine how the offerings were received, and if well received, the ritual drink is blessed and shared.

In this case, we will ask for the blessings to go to Isaac. Bridget will be called at the start of the ritual for bardic inspiration, the Dagda at the centre of the rite, and the Morrigan to help carry him with blessings to the Otherworld. These three deities were those he loved best.

We will be passing the hat to help his family pay for his large medical bills, and you may want to bring some coins to drop into the cauldron during the Ancestors offerings. Bring instruments, drums, your voices and food to share.

Isaac Bonewits Public Memorial
Wednesday, August 18th, 7pm
Angrignon Park, Lasalle
Meet at Angrignon metro at 6:30pm
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117993618252415

If you wish to donate to the Bonewits family, you can get more information at:
http://www.adf.org/about/leaders/isaac-bonewits/donate.html

It is with great sadness that our community mourns the loss of a beloved author and pioneer in the Neo-Pagan movement. On the morning, of August 12, 2010 at approximately 8 AM ET, Isaac Bonewits passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife, his brothers and sisters, his family and friends.

Isaac Bonewits was a published author, teacher, and the the founder of Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF), currently one of the largest Neopagan Druid groups in North America. He was a witty, passionate visionary who encouraged critical thought and magical personal responsibility, giggling all the while.

In 2009, he appeared in Ottawa during a conference called Fire in the Hearth (organized by the Red Maple Grove) and gave one of his last lectures and panel discussions. You can listen to one of those lectures at the Standing Stone & Garden Gate podcast.

Later in 2009, he was diagnosed with cancer, and although initial treatments showed promise, as 2010 progressed, his health deteriorated, although not his spirit! On his Facebook page, he invoked a line that all geeks would recognize: “I’m not dead yet!”

He will be sorely missed by friends and fans all over the world. We wish him safe journey to the Summerlands and know that he will be received warmly by those who have gone before. We also wish to share our deepest sympathies to his wife Phaedra Bonewits and to his son Arthur.

You can read more about his life and accomplishments at the ADF website.

Stay tuned to the MPRC website because a few Montreal groups are preparing a public memorial for Isaac Bonewits to take place (tentatively) on Wednesday August 18th. Check back here for confirmation on that!