Witches' Hive
The Coven of the IFTAS
By Marlon Toledo Lacsamana, OSAe, LL and Triszjhkha Flores
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARLON TOLEDO LACSAMANA, OSAE, LL
PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 2009

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We have accepted and understood these facts, and as practitioners, we had to learn the bitterness of the truth that there is no running away from this. And when one does not accept, she/he cannot move on; and when one cannot move on, it means that there is no more room for her/him to grow, with that she/he must be left behind and that is the hardest for us.

In short, we deal with our emotions, our mind, our future, and others’ as well. It is a responsibility that many carries, but do not fully understand. We dare to help others by opening their eyes to the truth that is in front of them, but from then on, they shall carry on their own. This is the burden we carry as a coven, the feeling that we are helpless. It is hard to reach out to people who would not listen, and patience is our only weapon. Even within the circle, we need to be guided, (at times) admitting defeat to weaknesses; but even so, we continue to fight for what we believe in and for those whom we love, giving everything a sweet taste of satisfaction.

Why or how are we different from other covens? That I do not know (as there are no definite answers), but if I were to guess, it would probably be because of how we often admit that we are weak, how some of us often wear their hearts on our sleeves, and how we not forget that we are not superior to anyone even if we are gifted of certain knowledge that often, even us, cannot explain.

It is much like what we see in the society, where there is prejudice amongst people who are different, people who do not follow the “norms.”  I can say that LGBT and the Wiccan practitioners are two peas in a pod, and Iftas has closed the gap between these two worlds. There is not much more we can do for now, for we believe that man, whatever gender, should choose his own path and find satisfaction and love in it. It is nice to know that the LGBT community is continuing to prove that they are not so different from the “regular” guy or gall. We are smart, strong and proud – these are what we have seen through our lenses, and see in the future. Any disappointments along the way will remain disappointments if that is how we see it. To speak of one’s mistakes will not correct them, action is what is needed, and only then will all these pessimisms about the LGBT will cease to exist.

We have gone through a lot and we have seen many of us grow to be wiser and more responsible. The achievement that we probably boast of about IFTAS is how we remain to be innocent amidst the knowledge and the responsibilities that we shoulder. There are more spaces for change, more questions that seek for our answers, more knowledge, and, most of all, more good to show.

And with that being said, we call forth those who would want to be guided by the Mariposan path, we are here to welcome and share with you our beliefs and our friendship. Our circle grows bigger and stronger, so we welcome anyone who is interested, for a man’s future is judged by the path that he/she chooses and what you do during your walk with us is all up to you. We will continue to help people who we think deserve the help – at times, a man deserves to have bad luck or misfortunes, this is for them to grow and be stronger; that is what life in general must be, and no magick can change that.

Blessed be.

For inquiries, visit www.iftas.multiply.com