Pagan Plagiarism

I recently joined a message board via ProBoards. It is supposed to be a teaching site, and I thought "heck, I could learn something."

Indeed I did. I learned that "Dr. Candi Howard" aka "Lady Mystic Moon" is a controlling, ego maniacal plagiarist. She asked me if I could help her out on the boards, and I said "sure". Then she INSISTED that I have either MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger, neither of which our computer supports for various reasons. So she detracted her request. She told me she "likes to have constant contact with her staff". "Staff"???? I certainly wasn't being paid, and I didn't ASK for a position, SHE asked ME.

Now, onto the plagiarism part of this. Upon actually READING all the posts on the boards, I found they ALL are ripped off from other sites (including about.com and goddessgift.com). I mentioned this in the Administration board which has rules about RESPECTING people on the boards. I think that adding copyright information is a form of RESPECTING that person for writing the article and putting it out there for free for your perusal. Anyhow, I was banned. My IP was banned entirely, so I can't even go back and get all the information from the articles to contact the original writers.

Here are links to Pandora's Box Mystical Academy and Dr. Candi Howard:
MySpace Group
Pandora's Mystical Academy MySpace Profile
Freewebs Website for Pandora's Box Mystical Academy
The Message Boards with the Plagiarized Lessons

I will be contacting goddessgift.com, about.com and Mike Nichols about the plagiarized copies of their articles. It's a start, anyways, since I can't get back on the boards to see what else they have stolen from other Pagan writers.

And PLEASE know I am not doing this out of spite, I am doing this out of respect for the people who actually wrote these articles. Plagiarism in the Pagan Community has GOT TO STOP!

Blessings,
Aelwyn

Tags: banned, copyright, lessons, plagiarism, plagiarize, stealing

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Imakhu on February 23, 2008 at 9:33am: I just read the post about the tragic outcome of Dr. Candi. How very sad. Prayers for her family and loved ones.

Imakhu; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aelwyndaeira on February 23, 2008 at 12:34pm: Candi is not "dead". This is all a hoax. The "article" was stolen from the Florida police department commending an officer for saving a woman in 2004. So unless Candi has been dead for 4 years, it is NOT about her.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Starrfire Price on February 23, 2008 at 12:20pm: I'm just sickened that someone would plagiarize others works but to plagiarize a death article about some people who actually perished in Florida is disgusting. The true article was commending a Florida State Trooper for their heroic efforts in 2004.
Here's the link and it's verbatim outside of the names:
http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/PhotoGallery/PG030304.htm

Hugs,
Starrfire; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Wicket Icons on February 23, 2008 at 2:11pm: That is truly horrific.
:( There are no words for someone who would disrespect the dead that way.
Thank the Gods for Karma - I wouldn't want to be in her shoes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by witchseavey on July 9, 2008 at 2:09pm: Just though I'd give an update. I found this site (paganspace) when googling a phrase from a lesson provided by "Rev. Gypsy Witch" in a private Yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AUTMCrystalWorkshop/

I had suspected that it was plagiarized, as most of the contents of the main (non-workshop) yahoo group were also stolen wholesale without attribution. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnythingUndertheMoon/?yguid=72779700

I spent some time googling them and posting sources for the stuff spamming the main list, but it appeared that would be a full time job to keep up with it.

I had volunteered to help out, (same story, must use some sort of IM program) when suddenly all of the help seemed to surround fund raising (???) and an on-line store.

What with all of the cut and pastes and then throw some money into the mix, I resigned. But I'm still getting the emails (sometimes takes Yahoo some time I guess).

I don't know if this is the same person, although ooxlisajoyxoo.blogspot.com/2008/03/sound-alarms.html thinks so.

Simply appalling.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Darkfire on July 10, 2008 at 11:09pm: I for one, as an author, wouldn't appreciate it if my works were put out as another's. I'd also be disappointed with someone who didn't put a footnote or something near the article that gave the author the proper credit. Yes, it does happen a lot in the world, not to mention in the pagan community, which is just sad.

-David Darkfire-
Author, The Dharagon Journey; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lillee Allee on July 11, 2008 at 12:01am: Okay I have to agree with you that such plagiarism should be reported.
But lets also agree that this person is not the first or the last to be teaching on the net to plagiarize or simply use another's work for her own benefit.

First off, who is she? Where did she get her doctorate? What was it in?

I will go over my caveats with people here again over online teaching.
1. Research the teacher - ask him/her for student references just as if they were applying for a job - because they are - your teacher. If they are hesitant about hooking you up with present or past students.. Rethink this.
2. Research the teacher - Get professional references. Can he/tell you who trained her? Who she has worked with? Can she give you the name of a few "out"pagans who can vouch for him/her?
Are their any stores or colleges she has spoken at that you can contact?
Did he/she write any books? Does she/he write articles in a particular magazine?
Has she spoken at any festivals/conventions/PPDs so you can contact the organizer(s).
3. Research the teacher - Ask him if he is really named Lord Mucky Muck. Do a few google searches. Find out if this is a real name, professional (or pen or net) name, or if this is just fantasy.
If someone is teaching you, you have a right to know who this person is.
Telling you he is Merlin the Great or High Lord of the Flies should never be enough.
4. If applicable, allow him/her to research/interview you. Be honest about what you hope to learn, what level you think you are at, previous experience, etc. Personally, I prefer to work with newbies because from the get-go I can start them with basics and go in a set pattern.
However, there are others I will love teaching who are very experienced and have just come to learn a particular slant from me. Either way be honest in what you want to do and where you want to be after you are finished. For example, lets say you want to be a professional card reader.
Tell the teacher that. If she does not read professionally, she will probably send you to someone who does and you are on your way. If you want to be a card reader and take some net course that is beyond basic and does not teach you real application, think of the time you have wasted.
I actually worked with a woman who had gone through a whole Level I Wicca Class just to learn the tarot. She was very disappointed and felt not enough time was spent on the tarot. Well, of course not! That is just a little part of an introductory class. That class was for those interested in Wicca, not for reading. The teacher cannot help if you are not clear about your intentions.
5. If possible, talk on the phone with the teacher or meet in person, even just once. There will either be chemistry there or there will not. I am lucky enough to have learned from some of the most incredible teachers - and some were well-known others were not.
6. In looking for a teacher, check out the local new age store AND your PPD events. Usually you can get a list of people willing to talk to you or at least give you advice on your path.
7. If someone lies about a piece of material being original, chances are there are just more lies to come.
8. If the teacher or anyone in the group (online or in person) says something that makes you feel uncomfortable, or hits you the wrong way, listen to your instinct. It is hard to enjoy a ritual if you are skyclad and this is something you did not want to do. If your teacher brings up sex in a somewhat inappropriate manner to you (note to you - that does not mean it would offend Patsy Pagan - but then Patsy Pagan isnt you) then think twice. I have had the misfortune to have more than one person come to me and ask if I thought it was all right for a high priestess to demand that you sleep with the high priest. For me, that does not fly. If it does not fly for you, then go no further. This is not the time to feel that you are too "hung up," it is the time to decide what is right for you.
9. When you challenge the teacher, is the teacher happy to see that you are thinking, or do you get put down for "asking too many questions" or "not respecting authority."

I am not against online teaching - I have been doing it since 1999. However, I have seen some of these academies pop up, and the credentials of some are dubious at best. Others are excellent, so you have to investigate and make the right decision for you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carmin on November 14, 2008 at 3:24am: Good on you!
I'm seriously considering starting a site consisting of nothing more than verified cases of Pagan plagiarism. You do it, you get blacklisted. Only when there are real social and financial consequences (they ARE in it for the cold hard cash) will we see this changing anytime soon.; ▶ Reply to This