Isaac Bonewits

Noted pagan author and theologian Isaac Bonewits is nearing the end of his battle with colon cancer. His wife Phaedra posted on Facebook on Monday that he is at home for the end as he had wished, and his brothers and sisters were on their way to say goodbye.

Bonewits was ordained as a Neo-druid priest in 1969 in the Reformed Druids of North America. He then went on to found Ar nDraiocht Fein (also known as “A Druid Fellowship” or ADF), a non-profit religious organization dedicated to the study and further development of modern, Neo-druidism practice. Over the years Bonewits has also had varying degrees of involvement with Ordo Templi Orientis, Gardnerian Wicca and the New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn (a Wiccan organization not to be confused with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn) as well as others. Bonewits graduated from UC Berkeley in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in Magic, becoming the first and only person to have ever received any kind of degree in Magic from an accredited university.

He has written extensively on various pagan topics and coined much of the modern terminology used to define and articulate many of the conceptual themes and issues which affect the North American Neopagan community and is widely respected as a writer, teacher and speaker upon pagan issues and concerns; he is also a songwriter, singer and recording artist who has produced two CDs of Pagan music and numerous recorded lectures and panel discussions, produced and distributed by the Association for Consciousness Exploration.

At the time of writing this, Isaac has not yet passed on though it is only a matter of time. Tributes and blessings have been pouring in at the Facebook page from Pagans of all positions, faiths, and walks of life, thanking Isaac for his incalculable contributions to modern paganism, and wishing him a good journey. I add my own good wishes and blessings to theirs, and hope his passing is marked by peace and grace. My thoughts go out to Phaedra, their son Arthur, and the rest of their family and friends at this emotionally difficult time.