I received an e-mail from a forum member last night regarding the thread about Wiccai. After subsequently spending half-an-hour reviewing all sorts of comments about this admittedly new style of martial art, and all sorts of presumptions about myself, its founder, I’ve decided to respond.
I wasn’t shocked so much as disappointed that the thread rapidly spiralled into a diatribe of negative judgments about myself and my theology. Ultimately, it became a thread about satanism.
Rather than engage in discussion within the context of that thread – to which my children have access – I will attempt to briefly address what Wiccai is, who I am and a little about why I have created this style. I will not engage in useless words in defense of my faith or person with reference to the things that were said in the last forum. Although I found some of the postings interesting, for the most part, they were based on a combination of ignorance, intolerance and lack of research.
I am not out to convert anyone, nor change anyone’s religious path. I am not a demon-worshipper. I do not believe in (let alone worship) Satan, and I have never harmed a baby. Nor would I tolerate anyone else doing anything of the sort. Any one of my five children can testify to that.
Nor have I ever charged a single person money for teaching this particular style. Some day I may open a school, but until such time, I am happy with the way things are. I respect most spiritual and martial disciplines and I have a vivid comprehension that many paths lead to the same end.
History of Wiccai. An initiate of Tibetan Buddhism, I was exposed to five animal training, and excelled at it. I trained about 8-10 hours a day for 3 years. Gradually, I altered my faith to Wicca. Once I did so, things changed drastically for me. I stopped training for several months because I thought I might be disrespecting the temple by doing Hung Gar through the eyes of a Wiccan. I started a long search to find a Wiccan martial art system – new or old – and I found none. You’re right, Wiccai is not an ancient style. Nor have I ever claimed it to be. Ultimately, I adapted my prior martial arts training to suit my own personal needs, and subsequently created Wiccai.
A few comments were made suggesting that what I do is watered-down Hung Gar, and some sort of *******ization of the Shaolin temple. Having studied Buddhism and Native traditions, I worked well with animal familiars and totems. It is important to note that many ancient and new systems were directly influenced by the Shaolin temple. No doubt most of the current day grappling and kung fu styles are offshoots of the Temple; do your research. Does this mean they are watered down or illegitimate? Of course not. A martial art system with a sound spiritual core is fullfilling.
If all styles had to come up with their own moves, the martial arts would be in trouble. A lot of what I do looks Shaolin, of course; I still practice Hung Gar. I still do dragon, snake, cat and bird. But in the context of Wiccai, I no longer use crane exclusively: I adapt the same principle movements to create raven, crow, owl and phoenix. I also use stag, scorpion, wolverine, bear, etc. I work with animal totemry primary to augment Wiccai as a healing and personal health system, and secondarily as a self-defense style. Each bird I mentioned may execute a techinique that looks similar to the others, but it is the application of its shen or spirit that drives the intentions and will behind the technique. This is where the five elements also come into the picture.
I work with animals because it makes sense to me to connect to the earth in this way. Although I focus on the basics like punching, kicking, striking, rolling, grappling, breathing etc. it is up to each individual to choose the animals they will work with. I do not force anyone to work with the animals I have chosen for myself. Who taught the masters? It is a lot more than just sitting and watching animals fight. You can read some of my threads at dragonslist.com if you want further clarification of what I am talking about.
I look at fighting a little bit differently than most. I lived on the streets for several years ( not in the way described in the previous thread; I have never been classified as a “hippie” and I do not wear dreadlocks. I do not dye my hair black and I do not wear a black trenchcoat - sorry) and witnessed the maiming of many and the killing of one. I have chosen to learn from these experiences, and therefore I take the fighting arts very seriously. UFC is great and it has its place, however, most bloody street fights have no rules at all.
Have you ever seen another man bite chunks of flesh off of another man’s face? Rip his ear clean off his head? Stick his finger into the eye socket all the way down to the knuckle? I was involved in (and witnessed) fights like this in my youth, and they scared the hell out of me. But I train this way also. Believe me, if I found an intruder in any one of my children’s bedrooms, I would react, fiercely. The animals of Hung Gar and Wiccai will be there with me, punching, grappling, biting, eye-gouging with the sole intention of diffusing and eliminating the danger.
In Wiccai, as with any respectable martial arts system, personal responsibility is paramount. Clear will and intentions directing the force used are crucial. Wiccai is an alternative for pagans or anyone else wanting to learn about working with the animals that they are most connected with. it is a flexible system and it is not meant for everyone - and like I said, I do not seek converts and I do not have a school. I am simply writing a manuscript that deals with Wiccai and several years of magic and healing with animals.
As far as Wicca, if your interested, their are many good internet sites and books. My personal e-mail is in my bio. If you want to know more about me, Wiccai or just discuss animal theory and strategies, feel free.
If you want to make attempts at connecting me and my faith to satan, baby killing and the like, please save your breath. I will not engage in such useless, ignorant activity.
Phoenix Pangaryk
