Welsh Witch Queen attends Buczynski Memorial

Last night was the New York book release party for "http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-lloyd/bull-of-heaven-the-mythic-li...
Bull of Heaven: The Mythic Life of Eddie Buczynski and the Rise of the New York Pagan" by Michael Lloyd. This event took place at, Sala One Nine, the former location of, The Magickal Childe.http://vassifer.blogs.com/alexinnyc/2010/03/then-now-magickal-child..."
The guest list was extensive and included Welsh Initiates, Gardnerian initiates, Wica Initiates, and Minoan Brotherhood initiates.

Lady Vivienne, Welsh Witch Queen, aka Kaye Flagg was in attendance and spoke about Eddie during the Memorial.
I might note this is the only public Memorial that Eddie Buczynski ever had. After he died there was a small memorial, but it was private and from what I was told, no women were in attendance. 

Also present was Eddie's Brother, Frank Buczynski, representing the Buczynski family. It was good to meet Eddie's Spiritual Family, but it was really nice to meet a blood relative. Michael Lloyd, besides talking with Eddie's mother on the phone, finally met her 2 days ago. He went with Bennie G, Eddie's lover in the mid to late 70's, when he created the Minoan Brotherhood. Together they spend 4 1/2 hours reminiscing with Eddie's Mother and Step Father. Michael got to see even more photos and documents that he hadn't already collected for the book. Bennie also spoke at this time about his relationship with Eddie, giving us more info on what he was like in private.

Also speaking at the Memorial was Margot Adler. She wrote the forward to 'Bull of Heaven' and was there in the beginning when Eddie first started. I know I'm forgetting some people but will edit my entry once some other blogs come out.

Last to speak was Ria Rivera, aka Lady Rhea. Eddie initiated her and as many know, she went on to many traditions and created the Minoan Sisterhood with Carol Bulzone (who was also in attendance last night). I'll add that 'Bull of Heaven' had many auspicious dates involved along the way and was no surprise when the only date available for this event fell on Rhea's Birthday.

After the speakers it was time for the ritual. Michael Lloyd asked me to get the NY Gay Men's OPEN Pagan Circle to write and perform the Memorial Ritual. This in itself was a great honor. I had never written a memorial before, so at first I was having a block. Cory gave me a guideline, to which I started filling it out, getting input from Matthew Sawiki, Cory R, Langston, Puck, Brian and a few others. Everyone seemed to really appreciate the work that went into it.

I was the High Priest in charge, making sure each part of the ritual ran smoothly into the next.
We started with a procession to the music of Carmina Burana O Fortuna (initially I was going to start with Lyke Wake Dirge, but Matthew make the excellent suggestion of this song because of how much Eddie loved it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdIpoE2LEps
As soon as it started playing the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. As I was 'back stage' and couldn't see everyone, I was told that Carol Bulzone started dancing. It should be noted that many in Eddie's circles were initiated while Carmina Burana was playing.
I had choreographed the entire song, starting with a procession of 13 men and ended it with all 13 of us lighting Eddie's candle as one.

I then asked for Eddie's Spiritual Family to identify themselves, with me starting
"Lord Jack-in-the-Green, Wica Tradition High Priest; Minos Silenos, Minoan Brotherhood High Priest"
Lady Vivienne was the next to call out, and then it was a waterfall of Eddie's Spiritual brothers and sisters.
We ended with Puck, saying 'Magickal Childe customer, which caused some laughter and allowed others that were not part of a tradition to feel connected.

We then did a brief 'pagan-lite' calling of the quarters (Gary, Delphi, Puck, Mojo), Invocation to the Goddess (Tommy, Robert, Mario), Invocation to the God (Cory, Brian, Langston), and Invocation of Ancestors (Chris, Damon, Matthew)

Matthew then had words about Eddie's Accomplishments.

Delphi had words about Death and Rebirth. He was supposed to lead a chant but I found out an hour beforehand that he didn't know the chant, so Cory and I did that part. We repeated it over and over until I felt the energy raise to the appropriate level.

"When we are Gone"
When we are gone, they will remain
Wind and Rock, Fire and Rain
They will remain, When we return,
The wind will blow, and the fire will burn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT6PhtYiAhI&feature=plcp

next was Puck reciting a pagan funeral speech from Shakespear's Cybalene (last verse re-written)

Fear no more the Heat of the Sun, nor the furious Winter's Rages: Thou thy worldly Task has done; Home art gone, and ta'en thy Wages. Golden Lads and Girls all must, as chimney-sweepers, come to Dust.

Fear no more the Frown of the Great; thou art past the Tyrant's Stroke. Care no more to Clothe and Eat; to thee the Reed is as the Oak. The Scepter, Learning, Physic, must: all follow this, and come to Dust.

Fear no more the Lightening-Flash, nor the all-dreaded Thunder-Stone. Fear not slander, censure rash; thou hast finished Joy and Moan. All Lovers young, all Lovers must: consign to Thee, and come to Dust.

Hear, nature, hear: Dear Goddess hear. Crown them with flowers and make them your joy. Who taught thee how to make me love thee? Quiet Consumption have and Renowned be thy grave

I gave people an opportunity to say the name or names of ancestors that have passed.

Langston then led us in an Ancestor chant

We are standing on your bones
We are calling you home
We are thankful for your gifts
We are thanful for your songs
You who've waited for so long

Michael Lloyd finished this section by naming seven people that contributed to 'Bull of Heaven' but died before it was published. Somehow I didn't get a program that listed them but remember that Harold Moss and Tommy Kneitel were two of them.

Rhea closed the circle. We ended with Judy Collin's 'Song for the Duke', and Michael gave a final toast to Eddie Buczynski.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTSjlLH4Aug

With the ritual over, I finally gave myself permission to drink and socialize. I loved hearing Roger Pratt recite Eddie's Welsh God invocation by heart to Lady Vivienne as she followed it in her hand written book of shadows. It was great seeing Rich Wandel, meeting Michael Waterman, talking with Lady Zoradia and meeting many people from the Eddie's past. The Welsh Tradition, Long Island Garnerians, Wica Tradition, Minoan Sisterhood, and Minoan Brotherhood were all present. Many threads were mended and many were reconnected.

For any Minoan Brotherhood members that are still holding a grudge against Michael Lloyd, you need to put your egos aside and learn from your elders. What you did to Michael would be understandable if you did the same thing to all those that have Eddie's Welsh book. This includes Theos and Phoenix (Judy and Tommy Kneidel), Ray Buckland, and many more. Now that the book, 'Bull of Heaven', is out, for you to continue to single him out shows that it is only a vendetta against one person. As the Pagan community repairs and mends the broken threads, it would be wise for you to get on board, for to continue with this reculade only makes you look like petulant children to everyone in the community.

In loving memory of Eddie Buczynski.
You will always be in my heart.