I was Wiccan for like 35 years and remember remember going into Enchantments in the East Village and The Majical Childe in midtown Manhattan for supplies. I love what you said about context. Yes, context is everything.

Recently — if you think of eight years as recent — I’m back to my Episcopalian roots. I don’t go to my church’s scriptural study sessions very often though because I’m such a heretic. 35 years was long enough for me to learn that what I now follow is a Mediterranean mystery religion — albeit one that, like Graves’ muse*, demands complete devotion or none at all.

* Find a copy of The White Goddess and check the afterward. I think that’s where it is. I’d look it up for you but I can’t find my copy.