We just learned that one of the most important co-founders of the first form of Feraferia, then called the Hesperian Fellowship, has died. Jonathan Beggs attained the respectable age of 88. He stayed humorous and active right up until his last year. His lovely and beloved wife Mitzi Hoag died four years earlier, and he certainly spoke fondly of her when we visited with Jon at his Sherman Oaks home in 2019. What a gentle man and kind host he was!  Jon made friends with many folks over the years. He and some neighbors formed a comedy troupe called the "Future Hasbeens." He also helped create the Little Free Library movement in Los Angeles. His neighbor Keith Valcourt wrote a tribute in Facebook revealing that Jon had also been a male model! And claiming that he could play "the perfect old man foil for any ad." Apparently this included playing "Rocky" in a parody called "Rocky54" and KFC pitchman Colonel Sanders, not to mention "appearances in Dos XX now Tres XXX Beer ads as the "Second Most Interesting Man in the World." Jon was also a science-fiction writer, bon vivant, and contractor by trade.

Jon accompanied Fred and another half dozen Mystai on an pilgrimage to Mojave Desert to celebrate Oimelc and the Eclipse Stellium on February 4, 1962; see bottom photo below, of a young Jon squinting into the sunrise.

Jon was an original member of the colorful commune Fred lived in in the mid-1950s in Sierra Madre Canyon, California. He contributed playfulness, ideas and essays to Feraferia, and he helped Fred create a Goddess Temple, a large Goddess sculpture, and several Sacred Henge Circles for Feraferia. Jon, we remember you with fondness and admiration for a life well lived. Hail the Traveler!

Jonathan Beggs with his wife, actor Mitzi Hoag, attending a play.

 

Fred wrote: In a beautiful avenue of Privet trees leading to the San Gabriel Mountains; Feraferia Ceremonial Complex in Altadena, home of Sui Yi and Jon Beggs, Canyon Crest 1967 - 69. Sculpture by Fred McL. Adams, 1969.

 

Greeting the sun at the Eclipse Stellium and concurrent Oimelc Celebration; Mojave Desert, February 4, 1962. Jon is third from the right, Fred Adams on the far right. This was an eclipse where the moon blocked out the sun. An 'eclipse stellium' is where an eclipse also has a large number of planets aligned with it. This eclipse lasted 2 1/2 minutes, which astrologers say meant its influence lasted 2 1/2 years.