Comment from a Sunday OP

Yesterday (Sunday) a op was written on the old Satanic Panic of the late 70’s and 80’s. I know there must be at least several of us here who lived through those times. Some of us were affected more than others. I was asked to cross post this over here, and I decided to flesh it out just a bit before I did that.
Here’s the original OP: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=15611635


I don’t think I gave him a lot of heat. And we all know there was nothing to the Satanic Panic that was real, except how “regular” people over reacted and saw pedophile Satanists every place. My degree is in psychology; and that career field took a well-deserved drubbing for the harm it did in trying to ferret out the “repressed” memories.

There was an aspect of the evil that WAS done that’s rarely mentioned around people who talk of such things. The author mentioned upside down crosses and pentagrams in your reply. Now, I've never been around anyone with upside-down crosses, but pentagrams, yes... galore. And WE were thrown in with all the hoopla. Talk about no way to prove your innocence. Families were torn apart. Parents in jail. People jailed for doing no more than gathering together to worship the Goddess. That was the time when we began the Witches Defense League. But we were thrown in with the Satanists in everyone's minds. It was hard living and still try to practice and live your religion. Our pentacles and other religious jewelry was worn under our shirts, away from any eyes. It was a time of trying to educate your boss as to what your religion was... just in case... so you might have someone on your side. Gods, talk about a terrifying time! Problem is, with the Dominionists in full bloom coming at us thru the *rump administration, their theocracy a hair's breadth from realization, I can see those times coming again. I call them the return of the Burning Times. Any other witches on DU will know what I mean. It doesn't mean literal burning, tho I wouldn't put that past Dominionists; but it does mean going back into the deepest, darkest closet you can find and instituting, once again, The Laws of the old days. Not one of us wants that.

But even still, in 2021, you see, we've got someone enlightened who is still thinking pentagrams=Satanism. (sigh) I've been Craft since the 1970's. Will we ever be accepted, even now when our religion is recognized legally and militarily? I weep for this country. Two steps forward and three steps back on every progress we've ever made on any subject, it seems. And now, so close to losing all that and democracy, too. But while I can, I will state proudly and most affirmatively: I am a Witch. I am a Priestess of the Goddess and I'm proud and humbled by it. I am NOT a Satanist, and tho I can think *rump is the Anti-Christ, I don't believe in a devil called Satan or Shaitan.

And I am stuck here; at my age, no other country would want me. And guess what, most witches give away what money or assets they have to those who need it more; money was never our "big thing" anyway... so, yippers, I'm poor; most of us are. Gryn

I’ve been HPS to the same Coven for almost 30 years now. We actually call ourselves a coven of Solitaires, because each tends to have his/her own alignment but each can take over for me at a drop of a hat. We’re a training coven. If what I fear happens, we’ll have to go underground. You see, I started out in life as the daughter, niece, and granddaughter of preachers – old-time, bible thumping charismatics. I knew about the 7 Hills (tho everyone today calls them “mountains.”) before I learned about politics. Of course, this is when separation of church and state was seen to be a GOOD thing, according to the Church. After being turned away from seminary at 18 because I was a woman, I enlisted in the Air Force AND became Craft. The AF wasn’t for me; but I’ve never turned my back on the Goddess. And that was even thru the Satanic Panic, when I actually had to set my boss down and tell him I was a real-life witch. You should have seen his face! But, strong in his Scottish background he was, and even asked me to march with his Scottish family in the gathering that Spring. You never know who will become your ally. Always treat everyone with love and respect. After all, all acts of love and pleasure are Hers.

If we are caught up once again in a new Burning Times, just remember our networks, Sisters. We all stand with each other, and we will find a way to honor Her, even if it’s as our ancestors once did after the infiltration of Christianity. Be careful, be wary, be strong, and know which way the wind blows. Take appropriate action. We’ve got a lot of things to fight for all over again for our granddaughters’ and great granddaughters’ sakes.

Once we are through the generational change of the planets, things will become clearer. For now, all we can do is hang on while Uranus does its thing!

Blessings to all…