Merlin Sythove 1955-2012

On January 3rd of this new year Merlin Sythove passed to the Summerlands after he lost the battle with cancer. Although he wasn't a close friend, I'm glad our paths have crossed more than once. I'll miss him. He was a wise man who shared his knowledge happily and freely. We didn't always agree, but always agreed to disagree with mutual respect.

He was an important man for wicca in The Netherlands. In his last days his family, friends, acquaintances and others gathered together on his Facebook-page and on his Silver Circle forum, united in our sorrow. Numerous candles were lit around the world, healing sent, thoughts shared, etc. Even then (and still...) he brought people together.

Last Saturday we celebrated his life in an impressive and moving ceremony. Lots of people came together, dressed in medieval or appropriate fantasy style as was his wish. My heartfelt condolences go out to the people close to him. He'll be missed by many. Thank you for everything, Merlin. May you rest in peace. Until we meet again!

• Merlin Sythove, witch extraordinaire - In Memoriam (Wiccan Rede Online)
• Merlin's Archive - a collection of articles, mostly written by Merlin Sythove. Often published in Wiccan Rede, sometimes written by others and / or published in other journals or web sites.
• Merlin about himself (in Dutch, but you can click the translate button for English, German or French)
• Silver Circle - Center for The Old Religion, founded in 1979

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Elegy For a Dead Witch

by Doreen Valiente

To think that you are gone, over the crest of the hills, 

As the Moon passed from her fullness, riding the sky, 

 And the White Mare took you with her. 

 To think that we will wait another life 

 To drink the wine from the horns and leap the fire. 

 Farewell from this world, but not from the Circle. 

 That place that is between the worlds 

 Shall hold return in due time. Nothing is lost. 

 The half of a fruit from the tree of Avalon 

 Shall be our reminder, among the fallen leaves 

 This life treads underfoot. Let the rain weep. 

 Waken in sunlight from the Realms of Sleep.

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