An Interview with the Story Witch
TaMara Gold, better known as Mother Goose to local children, has been a solitary, eclectic Pagan for the past decade. She shares her magic with children in story circles of Salt Lake City, Utah, and the surrounding regions. One might run into her at libraries, Pagan Pride day, and various festivals and gatherings, as she works to keep the traditional art of storytelling alive and well. We are honored to have her contribute to this month's column!
How is it different when a child hears a story from a live person instead of from a television screen?
Face to face communication is the most precious gift we can give our children. In addition to the story itself, there is the sharing of our personal time and energy that can't be duplicated on television. Children as young as 2 understand that TV is a one way communication...and that there is very little emotional connection in watching TV. Think of what can happen when the energy shared in a story circle is felt by a child; they will remember the love and laughter first, and then the story I've told and the lore shared will have a positive foundation in their memories.
What is your most memorable storytelling experience?
I did a circle at a regional Pagan festival a couple years ago. While most of the children were excited and singing and laughing and clapping, one boy was sitting quietly in the audience. As I began to cast circle and tell the story, a young girl began signing to him, sharing the experience with her deaf brother. This was a profound sight. I became a secondary actor in the play that was unfolding for him. Not only was the story shared, and the experience of the circle, but the love and caring of his sister who took the time to translate it for him. It was phenomenal and I was honored to be a part of it.
Did you ever have any accidents or mishaps happen while performing?
Of course! I also find that the mistakes often are a doorway into new opportunities. In the early Mother Goose circles I always cast circle using a wand, which I then gave to a child in the circle. One day I looked for the wand in my basket and couldn't find it. I ended up using my finger to cast the circle and got all the kids to join me. To this day, we all use our fingers to make the magical boundary and we disperse the circle by blowing kisses in to the air. The kids love this because "as a gypsy once told me" the kisses stay there, waiting for you until you come back the next time. I also have a song that I've used for many years to cast circle. I've forgotten the words, forgotten the tune, and forgotten to sing the song. I've learned over the years that when the preparation or plan for a circle is done, that part of the rite is finished. What happens when you actually step into the ritual space needs to be flexible and subject to change depending on the energies present. While I'm there to share something of Craft lore, children are highly flexible and that is a lesson we can learn from them.
Have you always been involved with drama, acting, and the like? What other creative outlets are you involved in?
I acted in high school and love attending the theater, but being "on the stage" for an adult audience is not what inspires me. I've found many adults who perform and even center rituals as a way to receive positive validation from their peers. That's not what I'm looking for. I am interested in providing a positive childhood experience for the kids in our community. This is my way of "paying it forward" to the next generation of local Pagani. As far as other "creative outlets", my husband and I are a professional Santa and Mrs. Claus!
What is your favorite story to tell? Why?
I have told a variety of stories over the years -- the story of Persephone, the Goddess of Spring; Grandmother Spider; Fairy poetry; Dragon stories, Water circles, Unicorn tales, Recycling circles at Earth Day (Michael Recycle is great story!)...but I have to say that my favorite story is "Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson. It's a story about a Witch and her friends who encounter a mean dragon...and how their friendship helps overcome the adversity. It's a wonderful tale of the power of friendship. For many of our Fall season circles I have a helper present the story with me, a young Gypsy man named Durriken who has a great gift of pantomime. This story with its strong rhymes and great cadence is a lot of fun when acted out!
Your website states that you include stories "appropriate to the season or the cycle of the year". Why do you think this is important?
Each Craft path follows its own cycle or wheel of the year. While many celebrate the 8 Sabbats, each station of the wheel has a different meaning for each tradition. Many Wiccans celebrate the agricultural cycle and the associated archetypes of the Holly King and Oak King as the consort and child of the Goddess. Native American traditions may view part of the wheel as the process of Grandmother Spider bringing the Sun. Our coven uses the life cycle of a Sacred King and the process of sacrifice to bring illumination and Mysteries. Each of these stations has it's own lore associated with it and exposure to the diversity of the different paths will keep the children asking questions and thinking outside the box.
What advice would you give to parents who might want to start a story-telling tradition with their own children but aren't sure how to be successful at it?
First, get used to reading to your children. This will set the stage for how stories are presented in your household. Read every day. Second, start putting your family's or tradition's stories in writing. This will make it easier, at first, to share this information. Third, start interjecting "your" stories occasionally as special offerings. Eventually, your children will start asking for the special stories! If you aren't a natural born storyteller or performer, check into local storyteller's guilds or workshops. One of my favorites is the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Utah, although there are others around the country like the National Storytelling Festival in Tennessee.
How does your storytelling tie into your religious experience and expression.
As I tell stories I find myself exploring the fables that are told. The allegorical tales are deeper mysteries that unfold for me as i select them for the children. For example, who is Jack? Jack and Beanstalk, Jack and Jill, Jack Sprat, Little Jack Horner, Jack jumped over the candlestick (this one is an entire mystery in itself!). Just like the kiss we blew into the air, these stories are there waiting for us whenever we return.
