In Mari's Bower
A Biography of Victor H. Anderson
Trade Paper
ISBN 9781936863778
In Mari's Bower
Trade Paper
ISBN 9781936863778
About In Mari's Bower
Penned by the subject’s wife after his passing, this biography chronicles Feri tradition teacher Victor H. Anderson’s early life in New Mexico and Oregon. Sharing personal stories about his family, upbringing, and spiritual development, this volume also includes questions and answers that Feri students posed to the author about her husband along with her surprisingly candid replies. The record explores Victor's roots in pre-Gardnerian American Witchcraft, folk magic, and mysticism—what ultimately became the Feri tradition. "Feri Proverbs" are also included, collected by the author and her students from Victor himself during their many years together, as well as rare letters that the subject wrote addressing his beliefs and values. Foreword by Michele Jackson.
Victor was one of my first teachers in the Craft. I will always be grateful for the worlds he opened up for me... He was fierce, passionate, powerful, real. An inspired poet, he was a brilliant creator of myth and liturgy. He was allied spiritually with all the indigenous traditions of the planet; a true shaman.
My interview with the poet and shaman Victor Anderson ... was among the most mysterious of my encounters. His was the only story I heard that was clearly from the land of faery. It was pure poetry.
Victor Anderson, the most important exponent of the Feri/Faery Faith in America, is also the person responsible for bringing it to this country. Victor has been a teacher and friend to some of the most influential personalities in the Craft today ...
The name of Victor Anderson is mentioned with a great deal of reverence, as he is one of the few direct discendents of this ancient faith. He is a keeper of the flame.
Victor wrote beautifully poetic rituals for the Faerie Tradition. Over the years, a number of remarkable people were trained by Victor ... The influence of the shamanic tradition now called 'Feri' has been enormous.
Victor may be even more influential in the Witch and Pagan movement than Gerald Gardner in the long run. He wrote very little, but his students have burst upon the scene over and over with the most creative and forceful visions of any set of trainees I have ever seen. Either more creative, dynamic and intelligent people were attracted to him, or he truly was exceptional.