
Maureen Brown was a High Priestess of Wicca, and a qualified Counsellor, Psychotherapist, mother and grandmother- when she passed away into the arms of the veiled Isis, on this day, 11 years ago (25th December 2004). Since then Christmas day has never been the same.
I met her in the year 2000, at a Wiccan summer gathering of many covens, in a Glastonbury camping site. I didn’t know at the time that she had had surgery in her stomach and was recovering.. but she danced wildly with me in the barn that evening during the party / socials.. And later we spoke about magic and psychology and how she could help me with some of my issues (I didn;t tell her..she had just inferred!) It awed and impressed me so much.. She said to go and visit her in Croydon. I said I will.
But I did not. I thought I could do it myself.. you know.. sort myself out. I figured that if all else fails, I can always go to Maureen. And a year or so passed – until I was Pan in an Open ritual, and at the end of it, 2 Witches – a man and a woman, waited to give me an invite to their coven ritual.. at Maureen’s biding ofcourse!
So I went a few days later, and thus began a great friendship, admiration, and learning. There’s much more of course ..but that can all wait for some future write up.
What was important was.. few years later, she was diagnosed with cancer..terminal..and we all gathered around, as she spent weeks ..nay months preparing.. not just her life..but all her students & friends .. Well, she’s the psychologist, what else was she going to do?
And on the Christmas day, 2004, a fellow Wiccan Priestess Hazel and I went to the Hospice, and we just the two of us did a passing ceremony to aid Maureen who was already comatose. And within hours, she passed away. I ofcourse got home lit some candles.. and began to do some art work, titled, `passing of a Priestess’ – and after finishing the art, I called the Hospice, to hear the news that Maureen Brown has passed away.. just 15 minutes prior!
That Christmas time was special.. where few weeks prior, we had the most biggest party in her house, fire works, table for 30+ ..and passing her white wig around ..all of us taking photos ..making merry and light of what’s to come. It was one last glorious party she organised…for all of us! (she’s a Counsellor.. she prepared us all well).
This morning I woke up all still ..feeling rather quiet.. possibly as we are just coming out of a cancerian full moon.. and over coffee, I looked on internet to find that apart from my blogs, and a PF document, no mention exists of Maureen Brown or her work.. How sad.. And what an honour. And I’ve spent hours digging through my computer files, looking for photos, rituals, key dates..piecing dates together..(like the `Sea Priestess ritual Requiem’ that we Wiccans gathered to do at Brighton where Maureen’s ashes were scattered in the sea on an Autumn day in 2007!)
There is much more to say..so much more.
But for now.. I remember Maureen Brown, the Extraordinary High Priestess & friend who changed my life.. and empowered it. As she often said, the work never ends., and some of us carry it on…even now!
Bright Blessings
-Mani Navasothy
So by your work I too shall remember her…that wry old queen of girls. It is a good thing that memory is immortal isn’t it? I always thought that bit that everyone says..”move on” is such a lot of poppycock. Why on earth would I possibly WISH to move on even if it were possible I wouldn’t do it. So here’s to Maureen! May she come and go as she pleases and I will tie an immortal knot in her honor
Thank you Julia 🙂 Am sure where ever she roves, Maureen will be cackling dramatically.. and then pause for a serious but heartfelt smile and a hug. That what she used to do. BB. -Mani
Was so nice to find this online. I saw Maureen for therapy after my mum died, nearly twenty years ago, and she was a huge help to me. We also used to talk about all things magical. And she inspired me in my own career, as I ended up becoming a therapist myself – although she never knew that part. I will always be grateful to her for her impact on my life.
Dear James.. wow…Thank you for this. Am really pleased to meet another person who’s life Maureen has changed. Best wishes & Happy New year. -Mani
I met Maureen in 1993 and thought she was absolutely wonderful. She was wearing a leopard print robe. Awesome woman. I was looking for a photo of her to put on my ancestor altar for Samhain, so thank you for sharing the lovely photo and your memories of her.