‘Let us realize, my daughters, that true perfection consists in the love of God and of our neighbour.’
~ Saint Teresa of Avila

In this post I’m explaining my reasons for removing my review of Galina Krasskova’s book Devotional Polytheism. As noted in the review it has been incredibly valuable to me and somewhat of a lifeline on my own devotional journey. 

However, Galina is considered to be controversial in the polytheist communities and I was unaware of the precise roots of that controversy. At first I thought it was simply based around unfounded suspicions of her being a fascist and white supremacist and due to differences in political standpoint with Galina being right-wing and her opponents being left-wing. 

Over the past few weeks I have spoken to a number of people in the polytheist community who have raised concerns about my endorsement of Galina’s book. This has helped me realise what it comes down to is not so much Galina’s politics but her insensitive and provocative behaviour. 

An example which keeps coming up is Galina and her husband wearing Heathen imagery which was appropriated by the Nazis such as the black sun during the Black Lives Matter protests. Galina has also attacked Rhyd Wildermuth and other Marxist polytheists with a vehemency beyond the pale that amounts to more than theological disagreement.

I was blinded to these issues for a number of reasons. Firstly I live in the UK and don’t use social media so my knowledge of the US polytheist communities is limited. Secondly I’m autistic and don’t always read between the lines and pick up on other people’s feelings or understand interpersonal arguments. 

Thirdly I greatly admire Galina’s writings as a devotional polytheist and mystic. Her work has helped me through turbulent periods in my devotional journey and I have felt the need for some sort of elder to turn to on matters of mysticism and devotion. (I have a brilliant spiritual mentor who is open-minded and supportive but isn’t a polytheist or godspouse).

It’s been really painful trying to weigh my own needs against the needs of my community but, for once in my life as someone very selfish and ego-driven, the needs of my community have won out. I’ve decided to remove the review out of respect for those who have been hurt by her remarks and need to feel safe. 

For most of my life I’ve been incredibly self-centred. Since meeting Gwyn I’ve become increasingly God-centred with my transition from being a bard with a big gob to an awenydd to a nun being steps in the dismantling of my ego. I’ve learnt to love Gwyn and my challenge now is to learn to love other people. Before I founded a monastery it was all about me and now it’s not. 

So removing my review of Galina’s book is a step in that direction. I will be leaving the review up for another week HERE so anybody reading this can see what was said and what happened and then will be removing it for perpetuity. 

With some regret, as I really dislike the way the internet makes it so easy, I’m also going to cut my contact with Galina. This is something I would choose to do if I knew her face-to-face as an elder in my local Pagan community too based on my considerations of her behaviour towards others.