Tributes to Stewart Farrar
Stewart Farrar passed in his home surrounded by the people he loved at 7am Monday February 7th. While many know Stewart had been ill for some time due to a stroke, few knew the dedication of Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone in caring for him at home.
Stewart Farrar was an accomplished author having been in print under a variety of names including the pen names of Margot Villiers and Laurie Stewart since 1958. Among his works are numbered Detective, Romance and Occult/Fantasy titles, radio and television plays, books on a variety of pagan subjects and of course the book most know as The Witches Bible being a compilation of The Witches Way and Eight Sabbats for Witches.
Stewart Farrar lived with his second wife Janet Farrar in their home in Ireland where the 'veil between Seen and Unseen is very thin' in Herne's cottage. One of the founding fathers of modern wicca, he lived his craft and travelled far and wide making himself as accessible as possible, answering questions and teaching all he spoke to something new.
Controversial at times and heavily criticized for his publishing with Janet Farrar of much of Gardners book of shadows, he will be remembered most as an artist, author, poet and smiling but strong Oak King, consort of the Goddess. May his time in the Summerlands be filled with joy and blessings, surrounded by friends.
Please respect the need for privacy during this time. A small family service has taken place and a book of memories is available at The Witches Voice.
(by Judith Lewis)
Stuart Farrar, well known journalist, writer of fiction, and author on modern-day Wicca, passed to the Summerland at his home, surrounded by those he loved, Monday Feb. 7, 2000, at approx. 7 am GMT.
Stuart lived with his second wife, Janet, and his care-giver Gavin Bone. Stuart's health had been in decline for some time now, and he was not well enough to attend Doreen Valiente's funeral last fall. Doreen and the Farrars/Bone had been good friends, and it was with her EXPRESS permission that so much her writings, now incorporated into the Gardnerian BoS, was published in the Farrar's book (retitled "The Witches Bible") in the 1980s.
I count myself very lucky to have met Stuart and Janet during some of their trips to North America during the years he was still well enough to travel extensively. Both in private and in public, Stuart was a gentle, soft-spoken soul with eyes that scanned around him for information. He sat and thought before he expressed opinions, so that comments from him were worth their weight in gold.
He was a strong man and not afraid of laughter. He found his heart's match in Janet, his bright and vivacious HPs and wife. He was gracious as his health failed, appreciating the support and help Gavin Bone offered both of them. Stuart Farrar was a magical man, a man whose soul never grew OLD, just wise. We in modern Wicca owe him a great deal for having the strength to publish "What Witches Do" in the 1970s.
He will be deeply and sorely missed by those of us who knew him as a gentle soul with a sharp, inquiring, creative mind.
May his crossing be gentle. We will know him and love him, and know him again. Blessed be!
(by Anahita-Gula, Canada)
Written as a tribute to Stewart Farrar, 15 February 2000 C.E.
(Anahita-Gula)
"In the Sky A New Bright Star Shines"
In the sky a new bright star shines -
Bathing us in loving light.
Once again, he leads the dancers
Moving moon-gilt, through the night.
Weaving, dancing, steps entrancing,
Merry meet and merry part:
Wind lifts incense curling skyward,
Balm upon each dancer's hearts.
Light our lives as we move onward,
May your mem'ry guide us well.
Thank you Stewart, for your wisdom
And your tales for us to tell.
Now at last, your soul flies freely,
Loosed from age and mortal pain.
Summerland is where we'll find you
When we meet you once again.
Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!
Love and condolences to Janet, Gavin, and the rest of Stewart's family.
