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TWPT:
The beginning
is always a good place to start so my first question
has to do with your beginnings with Witchcraft. I've
read many of your answers from previous interviews up
on your website but let me ask you this, during the
transition from Catholicism to Witchcraft what was it
that first attracted your attention to Witchcraft out
of all the other religions that are out there and how
was Witchcraft able to meet your spiritual needs compared
to what you had grown up with?
FH: What attracted me to Witchcraft
first and foremost was it's reverence for nature (give
me the option of a TV set or movie cinema and a walk
outside and I will always pick the nature option!) and
emphasis on healing. When I knew that the Craft
was resonating strongly in me I enrolled in a naturopathy
college part time for two years and graduated with diplomas
in Anatomy and Physiology, Symptomatology and Diagnosis,
Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, Massage and Aromatherapy.
As the books I was reading to educate myself on
the Craft emphasised the role of healing I thought I
should 'walk the talk' and get some academic training
in the practical world of healing to mirror the metaphysical
insights I was learning.
And of course the emphasis the Craft places on a
Feminine Principle of Divinity resonated very strongly
in me having been brought up in a strict Catholic patriarchal
values-based family and school environment - which I
found very oppressive and uninspiring.
TWPT:
You started to question the faith that you had
been brought up on early in your life, do you think
that teens and young adults are quicker these days to
break away from their parent's beliefs and go looking
for something to call their own? Why is it that Witchcraft
seems to be benefiting so greatly from these migrations?
FH: I think Teens and Young adults
are encouraged to grow up faster these days and gain
a greater sense of independence sooner than previous
teen generations - this is not only in their daily lives
but in their timeless spiritual lives also. I
know the proliferation of Witches portrayed in popular
entertainment now is inspiring for them - when I was
growing up it was mainly Bewitched - now its Charmed,
Sabrina, Buffy, (Bewitched still) and movies like The
Craft, Practical Magic etc etc. Plus there are
so many more books available on the subject and the
main influence I think ahead of everything is the Internet
and the massive amount of esoteric information available
there and the networking opportunities it presents with
others sharing similar interests.
I think it is natural and inevitable that Witchcraft
is establishing itself in modern times as a powerful
and positive expression of the evolving human spirit
and the teens and young adults drawn to it now are the
practicing adult Witches of tomorrow - which can only
be a good thing as our Craft encourages environmental
responsibility and love, positive personal empowerment,
respect and tolerance for others not of our Path and
all the other good stuff!
TWPT:
Tell me about your first few years as a dedicated
Witch. What kinds of differences did being a Witch make
in your life and how you lived from day to day?
FH: I spent a lot of time at
home, boiling and labeling glass jars to contain my
magickal herbs, potions and ointments! I kept
my interests very private and read a lot of books (there
was no Internet) and wrote song lyrics inspired by what
I was learning. I spent a lot of time practicing
meditation and visualisation and went on road trips
to spiritual places like Byron Bay. I was also
studying at college as I mentioned above. In the
early days it was very much about 'doing' Witchy things
rather than 'Being' a Witch. I didn't really have
any friends with similar interests so it was a solitary
passion which was good but also had me worried I wasn't
doing things 'properly' hence the emphasis on honing
the external 'Craft' aspect rather than knowing the
magick and wisdom was actually inside me.
TWPT:
Books about Paganism and Witchcraft have been
steadily growing in numbers over the years, could you
tell me about a few of the books that you found very
helpful when you were still a book Witch seeking to
learn what you could on your own. How much of that information
has held true for you over the years and how much of
it have you had to reevaluate as you grew into your
faith?
FH: Starhawk's 'Spiral Dance'
was a huge influence and is still a very relevant
text. Ray Buckland's Blue Book was very helpful
with it's school text book lay out and I still recommend
that one to beginners.
'What Witches Do' by Janet and Stewart Farrar was
(and is terrific) and the books I read first, 'The Way
of the Goddess' by Ly Warren Clarke (now republished
by Llewellyn as 'Magick in Theory and Practice' was and
is terrific especially for it's Qaballistic pathworking
and visualisations. And last but certainly not
least, Scott Cunningham's 'Encyclopedia of Magickal
Herbs' was and is an indispensable reference book.
TWPT:
Your bio refers to you as a journalist and an
author, when was it that your interest in writing began
to surface and what were some of the first outlets you
found for this talent?
FH: When I was in early grade
school! I won an award for a short story I wrote
and it was published in the School Year book when I
was 10 years old! I always loved reading - my
mother tells me that she threw a party for me on my
fifth birthday and invited all the neighbourhood kids.
The party was in full swing but she couldn't find
me - when she did finally I was sitting in my wardrobe
reading a book! I always loved Enid Blyton and
C.S Lewis tales growing up - I couldn't get enough of
them! Much like kids love Harry Potter now.
When I got older and was touring with my band I started
doing a little music journalism cause I would be on
the road with certain bands for months sometimes and
would have cool conversations with 'famous' musicians
that I turned into articles - I would always get a unique
interview because of my status as another muso on the
road with them.
This branched out into full blown journalism and
then books eventually.
TWPT:
With so many things going on in your life and
the travel involved when is it that you find the time
needed to write your books or for that matter answer
interview questions such as these?
FH: I tend to plan books for
months ahead of actually sitting down and writing them.
Scraps of paper, the back of tickets, bills, napkins...all
contain scribblings of sentences and ideas that ultimately
I flesh out into books when I finally do reach the allocated
time to 'write'. It usually takes me a bout 6
weeks to fully write a book, but I may have spent 3
to 4 months prior to that collating ideas. Answering
interviews like this I just grab the moment for. Right
now I am at the hairdressers and have my lap top with
me. It's important to multi task.
Plus I never watch TV (well on very rare occasions)
and that gives me time to answer the huge amount of
emails I get everyday.
TWPT:
Your first book was called Witch: A Magickal Journey,
what was it that prompted you to write this book and
what were some of the reactions that you received from
readers to its publication? You were already in the
public eye through your band but did this book thrust
you into a whole other arena of publicity and if so
how did you cope with this new attention?
FH: The book was a cathartic
and healing experience coming out of the traumatic break
up of my band. The initial buyers of it were fans
of my band and there were quite a few of them who would
have bought any book I wrote, whether it be on Witchcraft
or making shoes! The popularity of my first book
certainly rode on my profile from the band and in doing
so positively introduced a lot of people to the Craft,
popularising it greatly and also really opening the
flood gates in Australia for other books on the subject.
The attention wasn't really new - it just continued
on from where the band left off and gave me a privileged
opportunity to talk about the Craft in a large public
arena in Australia whilst being treated with respect
and a positive interest by the media.
TWPT:
Our society tends to promote celebrities to the
status of spokespersons for many causes once it is known
what they stand for, what kind of responsibility do
you feel towards how you represent Wicca/Witchcraft
in the public eye?
FH: I am honest and work to dispel
the negative stereotypes and misinformation which involve
Satanic practices, black magic and other negative misconceptions.
I always make the point that Witchcraft is a very
individual path and just because I am a very visible
Witch it does not mean that other Witches practice the
same as me. For all our individuality I emphasise
that we have enough in common to unite us as one of
the fastest growing spiritual paths in the western world.
The nature of my work means that sometimes I am personally
misrepresented however but I use these times and the
exposure I receive from them as opportunities to share
more positive information about our Craft and manifest
healing energy to correct the situation.
TWPT:
Does it get easier to write each successive book
or is the birth process pretty much the same for each
book that you write? What is it that determines what
a book will be about when you start thinking about the
next one you'd like to do?
FH: The process gets easier,
but the book writing itself doesn't - I will find any
excuse to not sit down and write! My other friends
who are writers say exactly the same thing! After
I finish every book I think, 'Never Again!' but then
a couple of months later an idea may start to germinate,
usually seeded from a series of queries from people
I will start to receive or a work offer that relates
to a particular subject or aspect of the Craft will
trigger me into 'book writing mode' again. For example
my latest book in Australia called 'The Coven' (not
yet released in the USA/UK) came about because I formed
my first Coven in Los Angeles last year, and 'POP! Goes
the Witch' came about because of the emails I was exchanging
with close friends and fellow Witches in the Craft about
how it is expressing itself in the 21st century after
such a rapid period of growth over the last 10 to 15
years.
TWPT:
We featured articles from both sides of this next
issue including one from Phyllis Curott and one from
Kerr Cuhulain about your appearance on Mad Mad House
so I wanted to give you the floor for the next few questions
as we delve into this subject a little bit. When was
it that the concept of Mad Mad House was first presented
to you and what were your initial reactions to the idea?
What was it that finally convinced you that you should
do the show and what kinds of reactions did you get
from friends and the Wiccan/Pagan community at large?
FH: I have addressed this at
length on my website and in article on the show in 'POP!Goes
the Witch'. So to repeat myself... I was pitching
show concepts to Sci Fi channel for a couple of years
before Mad Mad House and they liked me but not the show
concepts enough to greenlight them. They came to me with
MMH and the offer to be the 'Witch' on the show and
I immediately turned it down after seeing the first casting
call which made the show look like it would be presented
as an assembled 'freak' show. I really wanted
to work for SciFi channel but not on something like
that. But they kept coming back and asking me
to be a part of it.
They also drastically revised the premise of the
show and ultimately convinced me they did not want to
portray Witchcraft in a negative light. So I decided
to go with the path of least resistance and do the show.
I have no regrets. If you watch the show
you see in the early episodes I was given the opportunity
to speak about the Craft and demonstrate practices of
it and was in no way misrepresented. As the show
went on however it started to portray me in a negative
light, but not my Witchcraft - just me as a person.
They made me look irrational, bitchy and fabricated
a 'flirtatious relationship' between me and a young
male contestant to give the show a story line that they
felt was sensational enough to appeal to an audience.
In the real world none of that stuff went on.
Like most reality shows the editing was done in
such a way to create totally fictitious scenarios - events
were assembled out of order and conversations cut up
to say something completely different to what was really
being discussed. What was mostly left out of the
final edit was what I loved most about being in the
MMH. The daily yoga, the beautiful rituals, the
inspiring spiritual conversations, the laughter, the
friendship and the harmony. All these things are
considered 'soft' and not entertaining by the TV executives
that decide what ultimately goes to air.
Having said that, earlier in the show a lot of really
positive information about the Craft made it to the
screen even though I was portrayed as someone completely
different to who I really am later on.
TWPT:
Since you were being asked specifically to represent
Wicca on this show what were your goals from the beginning
as far as how you wanted to represent the Wiccan religion
in this reality setting? Did you have any lines that
you refused to cross during the filming of the show
if by doing so you would cast Wicca in a bad light?
FH: As far as my Craft went the
producers never asked me to do anything I didn't want
to - for example I was never asked to hex anyone, they
once asked Iya Tashia (the Yoruba Priestess) and I to
do a séance which we disagreed to do as we felt it was
not respectful to the spirits of the house and they
didn't push us to. I really felt as a Witch I
was treated very respectfully. As an individual
in the final edit being made to look like I had a crush
on one of the contestants and that I was cruel and irrational
at times - well these things were unkind to me but not
to the Craft. Everyone on the show was at times
portrayed 'other' than who they really were - I just
copped it more than most!
I had definite goals - simple ones like never to
cuss, roll my eyes at anything any one said, drink alcohol,
etc etc cause these obvious things can be cut up to
make you look like an alcoholic! But there was
over 3000 hours of footage filmed that was edited into
10 hour shows and unless you sat in a corner and did
not move or say anything the whole time there was no
way of guaranteeing definitive control over what airs.
You can only be yourself and hope for the best! And
the best did make it to air...at least a little bit.
TWPT:
Were you allowed input by the producers of the
show as to what role you were to play in regards to
Wicca and how much of this input was brought to bear
on the direction that your part in the show took?
FH: The producers promised never
to make an Satanic or evil/black magic references and
associations and they asked for my input on the two
trials - for one I gave them information on cord magick
and on the other information about the Salem Witch Trials.
But ultimately the risk you take with reality
TV is that the final edit is theirs and the networks
choice. Again if you watch, it was never the Craft
that was misrepresented, just me as a person sometimes.
TWPT:
As a way to finish off this subject I'd like to
offer you a free question here to speak to the reactions
both good and bad that you received after your appearance
on Mad Mad House and to let you speak to any other issues
that I did not bring up in regards to your participation
in this show that you would like to air out a bit.
FH: I received a lot of positive
feedback about the show, mostly from other Witches who
are also in the public eye who said I did a good job
getting important positive factual information across
about the Craft early on in the piece and even later
on when there were moments shown of some of the impromptu
rituals I conducted that were not a part of the trials
and 'game' aspect of the show.
If people are interested in knowing more I encourage
them to read my 'Behind the Scenes' reports on my website.
TWPT:
Your latest book, Pop! Goes the Witch is a rather
interesting project. First off where did the title come
from and what was the message behind it?
FH: I created the title after
playing around with the title, 'Pop goes the weasel'!
The word 'POP' refers to popular culture and the
whole title implies the 'pop culture explosion' of interest
in Witchcraft and Wicca.
TWPT:
How did you and disinformation press hook up?
Tell me a little bit about the goals of disinformation
press and why they decided to tackle a book about Witchcraft.
FH: I have been friends with
the owners Richard Metzger and Gary Baddeley for a few
years, being a fan of their other publications also.
They are one of the most brilliantly subversive
publishers in the world today.
It is an honor to be on their list! Richard
is very knowledgeable in the occult and it was he that
originally came up with the idea of me creating an anthology
on modern Witchcraft for disinformation.
TWPT:
You are listed as editor of Pop! Goes the Witch,
how does that differ from what you normally do when
you write a book? Was the experience better for you
or do you still prefer being the author?
FH: I also contributed a couple
of written pieces to POP! which was familiar territory,
but overall the editing experience was very new and
a challenge to 'tighten' up some of the submissions
without changing the original voice of the writer. I
had help from my good friend, Liam Cyfrin whose contribution
to editing and arranging of chapters was invaluable.
I can't compare being an editor and an author - I
enjoyed both equally for different reasons!
TWPT:
There are quite a number of well known Pagan authors
who have contributed to this book, tell me about your
interactions with these other authors starting with
how you decided on which ones you'd like to work with
and how you got them on board.
FH: As I talk about in the acknowledgements
section at the front of the book, I am extremely honored
to have mentors like Janet Farrar, Ray Buckland and
friends like Phyllis Curott contributing. Originally
I emailed everyone and told them I was putting a book
together and waited for a response. The response
was very generous - hence the large and comprehensive
content of POP!
TWPT:
Did you have a theme that you communicated to
all of these authors as to what you wanted to see covered
in this book?
FH: Yes I suggested to each author
what subject I was hoping they would be able to contribute
on. I also was open to any suggestions they had
as to what they would like to say in one of the first
guides to Witchcraft published in the 21st century.
TWPT:
Who is Pop! Goes the Witch aimed at as far as
your readers are concerned? (ie newbies, etc)
FH: Newbies and experienced occultists
- across the board, I think there is something in it
for everyone. I like the review that says it is
a terrific 'coffee table' book. I wanted it to
be something anyone (including non-occultists) can pick
up and browse through and enjoy.
TWPT:
When you are the editor of a project like this
do you go back and forth with the contributors trying
to get the material just right or were the contributions
right on target from the word go?
FH: I had to go back to some
and ask for additional info or ask them to check some
of the more extensive editing to make sure they were
happy with it. A lot though, especially from the
experienced writers was spot on. One of the joys
of putting POP! together was featuring previously unpublished
writers and giving them a public voice - though sometimes
their work required a hefty nip and tuck!
TWPT:
As for your own contributions to the book what
areas of Witchcraft did you want to personally address
and what messages did you want to get across?
FH: This is the first book published
in America since I moved here full time so the introductory
chapter from me includes a lot about what brought me
to America and my new life here. I also included
a piece about the controversial tv show I took part
in this year, Mad Mad House to help address some of
the questions I knew were out there in the community.
The spellcasting chapter is collated from a bunch
of spells I have written over the years. It was
one of the last chapters I added - as I always impress
Witchcraft is a lot more than just casting spells, but
I didn't want to leave them out entirely!
TWPT:
What kind of feedback have you gotten about the
book so far? Are you happy with the way that it
has been received?
FH: I have had very positive
feedback which is enormously gratifying. I am
very happy with the book - I am looking forward to the
appearances I am doing in support of it over the month
of October this year. The Pagan Day Festival in
Hollywood, Learning Annex Events in Los Angeles, San
Diego and New York as well as a book signing in Boston.
Please visit www.fionahorne.com
and click on 'Tours and Appearances' for full details.
TWPT:
Any ideas as to what you might like to tackle
next as an author? Are you considering a new book project
for a little further down the road?
FH: I have a book published in
Australia last year called 'The Coven -Making Magick
Together'. I do not have a USA/UK publisher for
it yet -so it is sitting there waiting for one. It
is about me forming my first Coven in LA and a guide
to doing that.
TWPT:
As far as everything else that you are involved
with, where might you be spotted next on TV. or in on
of the other mediums?
FH: I have just completed a pilot
called 'Ghost Encounters' with renowned psychic Peter
James which I am excited about - I hope it gets picked
up. Visit www.ghostencounters.com
for more info.
Also Mad Mad House is now airing in the UK, Spain
and France (yes I have been dubbed! It is hilarious!)
TWPT:
For many authors and celebrity Witches the mantle
of spokesperson for our path is immediately thrust upon
them, what are your thoughts and advice to those who
find themselves in the position of speaking for not
only themselves but the entire community? Is this a
responsibility that you personally enjoy?
FH: Don't be deterred by the
often very harsh and negative criticism you get from
your own community. Some of the best advice I
was ever given was by an Elder in our community - he
said, "Remember, those that most strongly criticise
you do so because they secretly desire to be you."
I enjoy promoting a positive acceptance and environment
of tolerance for our Craft in the general community.
It is tough work, but so rewarding, especially
when young people come up and say, 'Thank you, because
of you I am able to call myself Wiccan at school and
my teachers know I am not worshipping Satan or doing
bad things'.
TWPT:
Finally, as you look into the future where would
you like to see the Pagan community advance to over
the next few years? What are your personal goals as
they relate to where you'd like to be in a few years
in regards to your path of Witchcraft?
FH: I would love to see our community
really focus on practicing what we preach and promoting
tolerance and unity within our community.
Personally, I want to start stepping back out of
the public eye with my Craft and take it back just for
me. I feel I have done the work I was called to
do for the Craft and I want to continue in my career
in entertainment without my spirituality being such
a focus.
TWPT:
Thanks for taking the time to talk to us here
at TWPT and I wish you the best as you try to move ahead
with your entertainment career and restore some of the
privacy associated with your spirituality.
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