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Cora
Ann Anderson, 93, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2008.
Cora
and her husband, Victor (who passed on in 2001), are well-known
as the Grand Masters and seminal teachers of the Feri
(Faery) Tradition of Witchcraft. Cora helped train some
of the most influential voices in neo-Paganism, including
the late Gwydion Pendderwen. Her straightforward approach
to the Craft earned her the respect and admiration of
many around the world.
Cora is the author of Fifty Years in the Feri Tradition,
Kitchen Witch: A Memoir, and coauthor (with Victor)
of Etheric Anatomy: The Three Selves and Astral Travel,
and The Heart of the Initiate. Her articles were
featured in Witch Eye and Circle magazines,
and her recipes appeared in Potpourri of Cookery, Women's
Circle, and T. Babes Recipe Service.
The
daughter of a coal miner, Cora grew up with her father,
paternal uncle, and older sister and brother in Blount
County, Ala. When Cora was one, her mother died of tuberculosis.
Cora moved to Oregon in the early '40s where she met her
husband, Victor, a poet, musician, and Witch/shaman. After
a brief courtship lasting three days, they married on
May 3, 1944.
Cora
came from a family tradition of folk magic and healing.
Her maternal grandfather, who immigrated from Ireland,
was a Druid and "herb doctor" or "root
doctor." Cora learned wildcrafting and herbs from
her maternal aunt, who was a midwife and healer also.
A natural kitchen Witch, Cora worked as a hospital cook
for many years, and often charged the food with healing
energy for the patients.
Soon after their marriage, Victor initiated Cora into
the Craft, and together they developed the Faery Tradition.
They moved to California in 1948, and eventually settled
in San Leandro.
Cora
graduated from Blountsville Agricultural High School.
She received a two-year diploma in children's education
from Jacksonville State Teacher's College in Ala. She
also held a certificate in autobiographical writing from
Chabot College in Hayward, Calif. She held a ministerial
certificate from the Covenant of the Goddess.
Cora
will be sorely missed by her son, Victor Elon; daughter-in-law,
Lois Diane; grandchildren: Victoria, Nathan and Elon Thomas;
adopted grandchildren: Lori, Jared and Jason; several
great-grandchildren; and her students and many admirers.
Her passing is a huge loss not only to the Feri community,
but also to the Craft as a whole.
© 2008 SoulFire. Photo courtesy of Valerie Walker. All rights
reserved. This text file may be freely distributed so long
as no editing is done, credit is given, and everything in
this notice is included.
See
also the Cora Anderson memorial at the Witches'
Voice.
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