Deborah Lipp

My most popular lecture was on Gardnerian Wicca. Because there had been some controversy in Brazil’s Wiccan community on that very subject, people were eager to hear what I had to say. The organizers put me in the big main room for that one, and I’m sure I had over a hundred attendees.

In that big room, we used a microphone, and since we had only one, we handed it back and forth. Which was a pain in the ass. (Next year, Claudiney, two mikes!)

Not surprisingly, we spent some time discussing the issue of fraudulent claims. I talked about how Gardnerians network and know one another and how rare it is for someone no one knows to be a true Gardnerian. Nonetheless, people try to establish claims based on unknown or unavailable connections. ‘For example,’ I said, ‘Within a month of Doreen Valiente’s death, there were at least 4 or 5 people who emerged from nowhere to claim initiation by her.’

I handed the mike to Lulu, who translated and handed it back.

At this point, I was about to say “What a surprise” when I realized I knew that phrase in Portuguese.

“Que supresa” I said dryly.

I got the biggest laugh of the day and a huge round of applause.