In Memoriam: Edain McCoy (1957-2019)
Edain McCoy was a beloved Pagan author, Witch, Brigid priestess, and longtime friend of Circle Sanctuary. Edain was born in South Ben, Indiana on August 11, 1957 as Carol M. Taylor. She studied at Lynchburg College in Virginia, received a BA in History from the University of Texas, and a MA in Fine Arts from Butler University. Edain died on March 21, 2019 due to complications from influenza. A funeral for Edain was held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana attended by family & friends, including some Circle Sanctuary Community members. She also was remembered at a variety of Ostara festivals, including at Circle Sanctuary's Welcome Spring Festival on Saturday, March 23 at Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve in Wisconsin. In addition, she was honored as part of the Ceremony of Remembrance at the Pagan Spirit Gathering on Sunday, June 16 in Ohio. Edain was a prolific writer. She wrote two dozen books and her articles appeared in a variety of publications over the years, including CIRCLE Magazine. When Edain visited the grave of Witch & Pagan author Marion Weinstein at Circle Cemetery at Lughnasadh 2010, she expressed her wish to have some of her ashes buried at Circle Cemetery near Marion's grave as well as to have her grave marked by her own memorial stone with pentacle. On Saturday, October 12 at 4 pm, Edain's wish was fulfilled. A memorial ceremony was held at Circle Cemetery facilitated by Circle Sanctuary senior minister Selena Fox. Some of Edain's ashes were buried and marked by a memorial stone made possible by contributions of friends and fans. Tributes & Obituaries:The Wild Hunt, March 22, 2019: Pagan Business Network, March 22, 2019: Llewellyn: https://www.llewellyn.com/author.php?author_id=2561 Legacy.com: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/carol-taylor-obituary?pid=191900078 Everyday Blog: https://www.everydaydevotional.com/blog/obituaries-death-of-edain-mccoy-1957-2019-pagan-author-witch-brigid-priestess/ About Paganism by Edain McCoy: "When one defines oneself as Pagan, it means she or he follows an earth or nature religion, one that sees the divine manifest in all creation. The cycles of nature are our holy days, the earth is our temple, its plants and creatures our partners and teachers. We worship a deity that is both male and female, a mother Goddess and father God, who together created all that is, was, or will be. We respect life, cherish the free will of sentient beings, and accept the sacredness of all creation."
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