The Moonlight Circle

Celebrating Life Through the Change of the Seasons. By Rain.

We all have our individual ways of expressing our faith but wouldn’t it be great to have someone to bounce ideas off and trade information with? This is why Moonlight Circle (MLC) is here. Not just a hub for practicing magic, but also a platform to meet and socialize with people of like minds and/or interests.

MLC is a family of kindred spirits who are bound by a common goal: to grow and experience life by celebrating the constant change of the seasons and reliving the ancient ways in everyday life. It is made up of people from different walks of life and different belief systems such as Wicca, Witchcraft, Christian-Wicca and Paganism.

Over the years, MLC has been an exclusive group. Now, MLC is opening its doors to new members with its two sub-groups – MLC Main and MLC Core! Also, old members are very much welcome to be back home.

MLC Main is the official mailing list of MLC Members. It is your online home where you make new friends, exchange ideas, broaden your knowledge about the craft and expand your horizons. Also, MLC holds quarter meet-ups where members mingle and get to know each other on a face-to-face basis.

MLC Core have several projects in store for MLC Main members all year round such as internship programs and witchcraft classes. So what are you waiting for, grab a seat now and join in the conversation!

Group address: http://groups.yahoo.com/Themoonlightcircle

Location: Manila, Philippines

About the Author: A computer techie, RAIN WATER is definitely a mix of both worlds - the mundane and extraordinary. But behind the busy world she lives in, you would be surprised to see how very well she is at home and at her kitchen. One of the things she likes about Wicca is the fact that Wiccans are very tolerant of other faith traditions. Evidently, Rain is halfway outside the broom closet. She, along with 3 others, runs a Circle of Witches called Moonlight Circle.

© Manggagaway E-magazine. Articles may be distributed freely on the condition that all accreditation is acknowledged, no part is altered and this notice is attached and the website: http://manggagaway-central.blogspot.com is included. Thank you!

Mumbakki, Medicine Man

Learn the ways and philosophies of ancient Filipino tribal magick from our very own Daniel “Mumbakki” Foronda Jr as Firechild narrates her one-on-one encounter with this true-blue Filipino pagan. By Firechild.

Universal Reality Combat Championship participants quail in the face of a match with Daniel “Mumbakki” Foronda Jr. Legendary in his own right, this towering man’s signature, aside from his fighting style, is a traditional tribal dance he does in the ring, something that strikes fear into his opponent’s heart.

Few people, though, know that this dance is not only a matter of psychological warfare. Mumbakki, as people fondly call him, is a true-blue pagan. The dance he does is a traditional war dance as well as a death dance – Mumbakki insists that to be able to do battle with 100% of your abilities, you have to be prepared to die. The implication is not lost on any of his opponents, even though the history and reason of it is.

Outside of the ring, however, Mumbakki is much more genial, and we were able to catch up with him to ask him a few questions about his pagan experiences.

What’s so unique about Mumbakki’s discipline is that it is patterned more along the lines of tribal Filipino worship. Many Wiccans in the Philippines are more aware of European magickal history, traditions and practices, often adopting their disciplines as our own. Mumbakki, on the other hand, has remained loyal to Filipino traditions.

Mumbakki learned of the power of prayer early on. When he was but a boy in third grade, he began praying in earnest for things he wanted when he was able to “ask” the rain to stop one day. (The older and wiser Mumbakki now admits that the rain stopping must have been a coincidence, but it did lead him to believe in personal power and his ability to affect his surroundings) From there, he began testing this newfound faith by praying for things in secret, away from his Catholic teachers and parents.

As time passed, he began researching other religions. He learned of the pagan worship of the Filipinos, of the Wiccans of Europe, and all the rest of the ancient religions. He became particularly intrigued by the ancient Filipinos who worshipped nature, so much so that one day, he decided to try it for himself, and to his surprise, he had seemed to find his calling.

As he began to study his chosen religion more deeply, Mumbakki began turning to the experts. He practiced relentlessly, and began finding living sources of information – university professors who are also members of a local tribe. He also read up on the subject, researching on history and practices of native pagans. To top it all off, he also immerses himself in native culture, visiting different tribes – he’s easily accepted amongst them since he’s a member of the indigenous tribes from the North – and gaining ever-growing insights.

Mumbakki's East and South Altars

Photos by Firechild

Weapons of War and the Temple Guardian

Photos by Firechild

Today, he has his own worship space in a hidden-away room that not even his wife ventures into, out of respect. His philosophy is simple – it’s all about respecting and taking care of the world around us. “Everything in the world,” Mumbakki explains, “is a living thing.” Thus he lives each day with this in mind- taking care not to be destructive of the space entrusted to him. He has one principal God, Kabunyan, and other gods who do their responsibilities under Kabunyan – something like the angels of the Catholic faith.

When asked as to how native pagan worship is different from western pagan practices, Mumbakki replies, “the methods, presentations and gods are the only thing that makes each and every form of paganism different. I believe it’s all one and the same. As people have different colors, so [do we have different ways of praying]. But all people are made of the same skeletal and muscular system. [Similarly], only one is responsible in making us human beings.”

To those who would like to follow in his footsteps and practice tribal magick, Mumbakki has these words of advice: “You have to know the roots of your belief.” Learn your history, in other words – this kind of worship is interwoven intrinsically with our Filipino identity and is found throughout our history. Find out how the tribes of yore worshipped and lived, and for certain you will find invaluable guidelines.

About the Author: FIRECHILD is a firm believer in equality for all; Barbie is dedicating her efforts to the advocacy for Wiccan recognition, Lesbian and Women’s Rights, and the fight against injustice everywhere. A solitary Kitchen Witch of the Dianic tradition for more than six years already, she uses the pen name Firechild. She works as a freelance writer and editor, Contributing Editor of ICON Magazine, and has had her work published in varied publications such as the Philippine Graphic and The Manila Standard.

© 2006 Manggagaway E-magazine. Articles may be distributed freely on the condition that all accreditation is acknowledged, no part is altered and this notice is attached and the website: http://manggagaway-central.blogspot.com is included. ~ Thank you