Pagan's topics - tribe.net

Earthweavers Festival Announcement (festival event for pagans and all other believers)

Amanda — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:31:21 GMT

Earthweavers First Annual Fall Calling of the Clans

October 10-13, 2008 Kent's Store, Virginia

We are thrilled to announce that after months of searching, we have finally found the perfect setting for our first annual festival, The Calling of the Clans!

The Calling of the Clans is being held at the CampOut Campground, which is located off I-64 between Richmond and Charlottesville Virginia. This location is a 90 minute drive from Norfolk, a 45 minute drive from Charlottesville. You can't get lost, it's interstate driving almost all of the way!

CampOut Campground is 97 fully wooded acres of gently rolling pristine Virginia forest. Included is Lake Towanda, a 7.5 acre, immaculate swimming lake with a sandy beach. The Campground is equipped with a clean, well-lit, and scrupulously maintained shower house and privately maintained Port-a-Potties.

CampOut is an Earth conscious campoground, complete with an on-site Recycling Center. We are truly blessed to have found such a perfect place to celebrate life on our Mother Earth, with our unique Community amongst friends and friends-to-be!

We decided to begin The Calling of the Clans because of a need we have felt and heard expressed throughout our Community, a need to return to the basics to what drew us to out-door festivals many years ago — a love of this beautiful planet, the ties of soul and spirit to our Community, our Mother, and her creatures, be they four footed, winged or fey.

Myspace Link:
http://www.myspace.com/earthweaversfestival

Official Website:
http://www.earthweavers.net/main.html

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

So as not to take ourselves too seriously...

Phoenix Faust — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:32:18 GMT

How to Become A Witch in Nine Easy Lessons
by Don McLeod

In the 1980's it was fashionable to be interested in the New Age. This is now a dreadful faux pas within the alternative scene, and in order to be accepted in the 21st century metaphysical social set, one must have an interest in Witchcraft or Paganism. Of course, you don't have to actually belong to a coven in order to be thought of as a Witch, you can bluff your way into being accepted as a fully fledged Witch simply by knowing a few terms and dressing accordingly. This brings us to...

Rule # 1: Image is Everything. After all, what's the good of being a Witch if nobody knows you are one? You must therefore wear black at all times. If possible, stay out of the sun until you become really pale, as this makes the effect even better. For women (and adventurous males) dark eyeliner and black nail polish can enhance this look. Also wear crystals and cheap occult paraphernalia at all times, and make sure that these are as gaudy and bizarre as possible, as this can only help your image. Wearing a pentacle around your neck is an absolutely necessary accessory - the bigger the better! Capes and cloaks are optional around town - it depends on how much of a visual impact you want to make, but either of these are also crucial apparel at any ritual or gathering that you may attend.

Rule # 2: Name Dropping is Good. Every serious student of The Craft (and I'm talking here about the term for Witchcraft, not macrame) knows the name Gerald Gardner. This man revitalised Witchcraft in the mid 1900's with his book about the true history of The Old Religion (some have called this book pure fiction, but only those picky few who like books to be based on facts). Real Witches however, never let historical accuracy get in the way of their spiritual path, so in conversations with other Witches, quote his name as often as possible (in tones of awe) and you will always be rewarded with smiles of acceptance.

Rule # 3: Past Life Name Dropping is Even Better. Tell everyone about the past life memories that have been surfacing since you began studying the Black Arts. It is especially useful to remember a past lifetime as a Witch who was killed during the Inquisition, or at least recall a lifetime as a famous occultist. My past lives have included Aleister Crowley, Cagliostro, Mandrake the Magician, and most of the cast of "Bewitched".

Rule # 4: Behave Strangely. Never forget why it was that you wanted to become a Witch - yes, so that you have an excuse for strange behaviour. Previously labelled eccentric behaviour patterns can now be accepted by others if they have a reason to explain it, even if that reason for howling at full moons while naked is simply, "He/she is a Witch, that's normal for them evidently." So, don't let your friends down, behave strangely, you can get away with it now.

Rule # 5: Watch Occult Movies. Make sure that you watch the movie "Warlock" lots of times to perfect those soft landings after over-indulging with the flying ointments (read as mead and weed).

Rule # 6: Ready Yourself for Sex, Money and Power. Wasn't this the other reason you were drawn to Witchcraft? In the past, adepts of the occult were known to possess charismatic, lusty and powerful personas - when people find out that you are a Witch, they may automatically assume (and therefore empower you) with these same qualities. This may sound pretty good, but unfortunately in today's world, another group of people have become even more established within the realms of kinky sex sessions and unlimited power - yes, the politicians! Beware of this elitist group of power-brokers...they don't want any competition to their manipulative monopoly over the gullible public - hence the laws against Witchcraft and divination that have remained unchanged for centuries. So, if calling yourself a High Priest doesn't lead you to unlimited sex, money and power - or if it does, but you then find yourself as the target of political and legal harassment - you may have to put aside your cloak and broomstick and pick up a pin-stripe suit and a back-bench in Parliament. If you can't beat them, try bribery, then if that doesn't work...join them!

Rule # 7: Atmosphere is Essential. Your home must reflect your Witchy nature. Incense must burn continuously. It's important that visitors see clouds of incense smoke billowing from a spluttering censer in the corner of your dim, dank and dusty home, so dismantle the smoke detectors and start collecting strange little bottles of exotic looking ingredients (use your imagination and label them with names like powdered bat's eyes, or dried dragon's gonads). And if you don't like housework, you can explain that the layer of dust that covers your floors and furniture helps to neutralise the highly charged psychic energy that results from your magical spells, thereby protecting your home and possessions from electromagnetic disintegration.

Rule # 8: Be Patronising to Christians. In social discussions don't forget to make plenty of derogatory remarks about fundamentalist Christians, but remember to save your most biting comments for other Witches that you don't get along with.

Rule # 9: Brag About Your Psychic Powers. Any self-respecting Witch will tell you that after their initiation to Witchcraft, their psychic powers awakened and their tarot cards (which they always carry with them) are now much easier to read (they now get something right once in a while). They will also tell you that they can now sense energy fields (in other words, they don't bump into things as often as they used to). Follow this example and brag about the rapid development of your psychic abilities since your initiation. If asked about your initiation ceremony, simply state that you were sworn to secrecy about it, then quickly change the subject by mentioning your newly awakened ability to detect Ley-lines, but try to remember that a Ley-line is not a queue for the after-ritual orgy!

Now you know how to pass yourself off as a real Witch, so place that broomstick in a conspicuous corner (one that is not clouded by too much incense smoke); pull on those black clothes; give everyone that you meet a sinister look - and your social status will improve overnight. If you do all of this successfully, you may even find yourself with enough adoring acolytes so that you can start your own coven! Good luck and Blessed Be!

posted in Pagan - 9 replies

Watch out for wolf in Pagan's clothing: Cybermoon Emporium

slechleiter — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:07:19 GMT

I decided to go online and order a few items from Cybermoon.com- well maybe more than a few items almost $200 worth on March 23rd, was told my order would ship out that week and they took my money, I had ordered a kit and they said: "As soon as the boxes come in, we will ship kits. We are expecting our boxes to arrive literally any day."

I waited 2 weeks and got nothing, emailed again got an email saying:

+++

Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 3:27 AM
Greetings!

Thank you for letting us know your order failed to arrive. We will check
with the warehouse and, if your order hasn't already shipped, make sure it
gets out asap. If you ordered more than one item, please be aware your
order may arrive in more than one package.

If your order included runes, please remember that runes are not made until
they are ordered. That way, you receive runes that were made just for you.

If your order included an altar kit, please be aware that the boxes for the
altar kits are late arriving. We are expecting the boxes literally any day
and will ship the kits as soon as the boxes arrive. We haven't forgotten
about you.

Our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Blessings
Beth
****************************
CyberMoon Emporium
cybermoonemporium.com

****************************

Within 5 days of that email I got about $35 worth of my order, still missing arround $120 worth of product, not to count the $20 shipping fee. On top of that the OLOTA Anna Riva Oil that they sent me smells like nothing but Johnson & Johnson baby oil.

I have emailed and phoned them almost every day since and have not had once response. The 1 month anniversary of my order was the day that I promised them I'd go online and start spreading the word on what a horrible, fraudlant company they are.

Some of this is my bad, I should have done my homework first. Other complaints I have found on:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/?search=cybermoon

Cybermoon Emporium (complaint)
Posted: 2008-03-08 by Keitha Shrremetis [send email]
Item order not received!
Ring was ordered on February 2, 2008. I have tried to contact at phone # 404-348-4477 as I had order the wrong ring size. But to this day I have not heard from them. I have left quiet a few messages and have tried to e-mail them, to no prevail. I will be contacting my credit card com, to ask...

cybermoon (complaint)
Posted: 2007-08-29 by jeanmarie Blache [send email]
Order never delivered
I placed an order in June 2007 for a charmed altar kit as a gift for a friend. My credit card was charged and no product was received. I have tried to contact CyberMoon but have gotten nowhere. Someone help resolve this matter. I am a single parent of two young daughters and can not afford to...

Cybermoon Emporium (complaint)
Posted: 2008-04-24 by Stephanie [send email]
non delivered items that was paid for
I decided to go online and order a few items from Cybermoon.com- well maybe more than a few items almost $200 worth on March 23rd, was told my order would ship out that week and they took my money, I had ordered a kit and they said: "As soon as the boxes come in, we will ship kits. We are...

CyberMoon.com (complaint)
Posted: 2007-03-21 by Francine Conti [send email]
No product delivered!
I placed an order with CyberMoon.com on 2-1-07. I have called 2 XS and never received a call back and emailed them 4'XS with one email generating that their computers were down on 3-9-07. Still to this date no product delivered. I have asked them to credit my card back and cancel my order......

CyberMoon.com (complaint)
Posted: 2008-02-23 by Christina [send email]
ordered and paid online product never delivered
My mother placed an order with Cybermoon. com in Aug 2007 and never recieved the product, I ordered in Nov 2007 not knowing and still have not recieved any product either. Both her and I have left repeated emails and voicemails with no response to date. The entire websit is just a fraud, Both...

Beware and please don't shop here!
Stephanie

posted in Pagan - 7 replies

Kathy Lee put down (like her opinion matters)

urbangal70 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:58:53 GMT

I just found this out (via witchvox.com & someone's article there) but came here and saw nothing on it. I assume most people already heard but I'm posting for those who didn't. I understand its may or may not be there but once the anger dies down perhaps its back up. I'd also check youtube or google vids too.
------------------------------

On Wednesday, 25 June 2008, Kathy Lee Gifford expressed her opinion about pagans. It wasn't very good. In fact, she called us nasty, bad pagans. At approximately minute 4:40 in the segment, you can hear her reading options off a card and she stated, “Pagans … the nasty, bad pagans believed it was bad luck to carry metal on your right side.”

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25368216#25368216

MY THOUGHTS:
I wish I could care more about Gifford. I forgot who she is to be quite honest. I had to look her up on google. Then I thought about how I'd like to slap her in the mouth but I don't want to get my hands dirty. Honestly, what a cunt thing to say. Whatever. Talk to the pentagram.

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

Summer Solstice Marked With Fire & Magic

Phoenix Faust — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:50:46 GMT

June 19, 2008—lames illuminate thousands of revelers in a cave in Zugarramurdi, Spain, during a 1998 Aquelarre, or Witch Coven.

Held on or near the summer solstice, the festival commemorates the alleged witches who used the cave in centuries past—any of whom died by fire during the Basque witch trials of the 1600s.

For millennia the summer solstice has been embraced as a time of rebirth and hope, and as a herald of abundant food and warm temperatures to come (summer solstice facts).

Falling this year on Friday, June 20, in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year is still regarded by many as a day of mystical and religious significance—and the cause for many a celebration.

news.nationalgeographic.com/news....html

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

A Post to generate some discussion!

Nevyn — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:05:56 GMT

Although the original meaning meant 'country dweller' the term Pagan in the modern world is difficult to define. It is a life style more than a belief system and I am curious as to how others view the term. For myself Paganism means someone who keeps psychological distance from the main stream, such as living a rustic life in the mountains of Colorado or a Town House in New York. Simply put, the neo-pagan is a 'Free Spirit'. Much of what we see today regarding concepts of paganism came about during the 1960s. Back then as now people were seeking a way to insulate themselves from the frenzy associated with modern traditional lifestyle. And it was also a way of defining themselves as not a part of the insanity that seemed to define modern society such as wars etc. Although some religious groups use the term to define their life style, such as Wiccan', the term Paganism is not definable by dogma but rather by its statement of what it is not. In the modern world calling yourself a pagan is a way of saying you have had enough of traditional society.

I consider myself to be a pagan because I maintain a psychological distance from traditional religion and politics. As to my own form of dogma, well I sort of contrive it as I go along. When it does not work I toss it out and try another concept. I don’t really care for the Trendy Pagan Dogma, such as seen on pagan net forums, anymore than I care for the dogma of Christianity.

I do have a word of caution for those seeking spiritual guidance especially on the net: and that is to be wary of those who claim to have existential answers. More often than not they are simply selling a different type of snake oil. It may come in the form of traditional religion, or politics, or trendy types of paganism (whatever the hell that means). The best place to start looking for existential answers is within your self. What do you really believe regarding your own existence? There are only two basic assumptions 1: either you were created by some external force and are a puppet of that force or 2: you are infinite and are the creator of your own existence (you create your own reality). If you assume number 1 then there are many gurus who are waiting to be your MC between this life and the next. If you assume number 2 than you are likely to keep a comfortable distance from both religion and politics and will find a path of action and beliefs that feels comfortable, and logical.

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

Spiritual Awareness

Nevyn — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:50:58 GMT

My days are spent ‘blog surfing’ and as such I have developed a sense of what is out there. Now if you are looking for something you are bound to find it, at least that is what I always believed. Lately I am not so sure. And this is difficult to explain but I really think someone should at least make the attempt.The blogs are a wonderful way to get a quick view of what the net world is thinking about. Now I seriously doubt that a 3rd world family living in poverty has even a glimmer of understanding of the net and all it offers the imaginative and grasping mind. For this reason my conclusion is that only a few of us will actually shape events of the future, but hasn’t that always been the case? One of my efforts in was to find well informed non biased articles regarding spiritual awareness. And did I find it? Well if you look at it from the classic view of western civilization then I did: but with some stipulations. If you wander into the traditional religious (spiritual awareness) blogs there is enough information to blog the mind blind, and without interruption (no advertisements). But with anything beyond the traditional you get ‘buy my book, herb, magnet, crystal, candle, etc. etc. etc. etc. NOW!’. The argument of course is that without the ads they would not be able to continue the lofty work of being a guru.Well my question to the guides (channeling), gurus, spiritual advisors, feel good crystal heads and the thousands of others is this: at what point did the Buddha or Jesus The Christ (Pagans of the first order) find a need to charge for spiritual guidance services? Did I miss something? Did either one of them have an agent that I am not aware of. Was their path preceded by an ad campaign to purchase first hand accounts of their wonderful work? I have yet to find a spiritual advisor web site that stated no one would be refused services for lack of money. It may be out there but as yet I have not seen it. If you know of one, please post the links in comment to this post.Now I have heard a lot of ranting on message boards most of them regarding the politics of the planet. The simple truth is that none of this matters in terms of infinity and the powers who are in control will remain because most of us are too apathetic to actually take any kind of positive action. Can it be turned around?

Over the past 20 years I have had the opportunity to listen to many lofty ideals regarding humanity and its spiritual direction. Much of this came from New Age chatter and eventually internet gurus. My own experience with humanity is that most are mentally lazy and prefer ego based reactive solutions. And that is the reason why we are probably not ready for a compassionate government. A compassionate government is based on the premise that each individual will take 100 percent responsibility for forward movement of the group. This is a replacement of the external god head with self determination. Laws are counter productive in a compassionate government because the premise is an expectation of aberrant behavior. In simple terms, you get what you expect. Laws are created by those who wish to control and this wish is due to their own fears that others cannot be trusted. Historically it has been fear which has ruled our little planet. And it would appear from what I can see, admittedly a narrow view, that it will continue to rule until we are ready to Trust. Replacing fear with Trust requires an intense amount of hard work and creative thought. The old world is gone, and all that remains is sweeping out the corners. Those of us who still require others to provide community harmony and operate on fear and paranoia are tied ‘to the illusion’. The illusion comes in many forms, and usually includes a belief that an external authority somehow controls our destiny (the god head). In short, most of us like the idea of self determination, but we always seem to qualify it with “I’m OK but you are not, therefore we need laws to protect me from you.”

The lofty net talk about ascension, transmutation and entering new dimensions is delightful to listen to, but few of us are really ready to handle the responsibility. It is easy to sit in the comfort of our living rooms and discuss the potential of mankind, however, it is quite another story to actually change our view from fear and paranoia to love and compassion. Until we are ready to Trust the Universe we are not going anywhere.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Celtic Myth Podshow

Ruthie — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:25:24 GMT

Hi all,

I apologise if advertising here causes offence but I am hoping that
the subject of this podcast will be of sufficient interest to the
subscribers to this list to warrant inclusion.

I produce the Celtic Myth Podshow (http://celticmythpodshow.com) which
is a free MP3 download and aims to tell the stories of Celtic
mythology to its listeners. We have started with the Irish
Mythological Cycle and aim to cover all of the Six Nations in the
series. The by-line of the show is "Bringing the Tales and Stories of
the Ancient Celts to your Fireside" which is the atmosphere we would
like to create. The old legends were recounted orally and only written
down in later years, so by hearing them told we are getting a step
closer to their original presentation and hopefull, meaning. That's
the theory anyway :)

You can find us on itunes or download/listen to the episodes on the website

I hope this is of interest to some

Thank you

Ruth

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

ordering supplies

Dizzy D — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:43:34 GMT

So where do most of you order your supplies from? Or are you lucky enough to have a local shop with everything you need.

posted in Pagan - 8 replies

SunFest 08

schellin9 — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:55:13 GMT

June 19-22
SUNFEST—THROUGH THE AGES WITH THE NORSE: presented by Other Worlds of Wonder. This festival will be held near Lincoln City Oregon on the Selitz River. Come join us in celebration of the Summer Solstice. Event includes: A Solstice Ritual, Drumming, Dancing, Bon Fires, Workshops, Family Activities, and Merchants Village. We will be camping where it feels as though the Mother is holding you in her hands. Adults $60, less for children based on age. Please visit www.owow.org for further information and registration. This event helps to raise funds to purchase Pagan Land. OWOW is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Stones?

Faedra — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:51:06 GMT

Hello everyone! I'm a dedicated stone witch and I have more rocks than I need! A few of my favorites are:

Amethyst- for peace
Lapis- for visions and endurance
Rutilated Quartz- as a focus stone
Moss Agate- for Grounding
Garnet & Onyx- for Protection

What are yours? What do you use them for?

posted in Pagan - 7 replies

happy beltane!

sweetmamadoe — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:48:42 GMT

it is raining here and i bought myself a new labradorite ring today. how was your beltane, me lovlies?

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

RIDE SHARE - Reclaimings EB Beltane From Sonoma County

CrossSidhe — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:50:07 GMT

Anyone wants to go to Reclaimings East Bay Beltane on May 3???

Info:

Come and join RiteHere (Reclaiming in the East Bay) for our annual Merry May Day ritual and picnic in Tilden Park complete with Maypole dance and cauldron leaping. We will celebrate love in all its forms as well as the sunshine, flowers and flourishing growth of the season.

Come at noon to make head wreaths, share snacks, and decorate the Maypole. Ritual starts about 1:00-ish and is very likely to be finished by 2:30 or so. Then we'll have a picnic, weather permitting. (Steady rain cancels; cool weather, misty rain, ritual is on but will be shorter.)

Children are very welcome, & bring your friends! L/G/B/T-friendly group. Dogs on a leash (park rule) welcome too, if they are happy waiting outside the Circle during the ritual. Restrooms nearby. Wheelchair *might* be able to make it with assistance if ground is dry, but no paved path-sorry!

Bring: flowers & vines if you've got them; food and/or non-alcoholic drink to share; your own re-usable cup, plate, & utensils; a blanket to sit on (remember grass may be wet); sunscreen & hat if necessary.

Location: Meadow next to parking lot at Lone Oak Rd and Central Park Drive in Tilden Park, Berkeley hills. Find Nature Area on a map-drive away from it on Central Park Drive, past Pony Rides on right, take first left turn onto Lone Oak Road, which goes into parking lot. Park. Look for our round yellow signs. Walk up grass right there by parking lot, see us at far end of meadow.

www.reclaiming.org/rituals/index.html

Please let me know ASAP!!!

Cross

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

An Introduction

Leeanen Sidhe — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:07:04 GMT

Hi there,

I am Leeanen Sidhe. I'm from the North Bay area. I've been a Wiccan for about 16 years and have been part of a coven for about 3 years. I'm also a member of the Sonoma County Pagan Network. I am their web mistress and serve on their board of directors as the Secretary.

I'm here as a contact person for the Sonoma County Pagan Network. I'll be posting our events here so all who are in the area who wish to attend will know what's going on and when. For more about the SCPN please our web site at http://www.scpagans.org.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Rowan Academy

RowanTreeCoven — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:26:12 GMT

Rowan Academy...
An interactive Pre-School/Kindergarten Program
Where a child learns to fly!
The Rowan Academy is designed to expose children to the many wonders of their world through interactive play and lessons using a solid educational foundation and a creative environment guiding their journey to discover the world around them. The Rowan Academy curriculum encourages freedom of expression, tolerance, values, exploration, and so much more! Our faith is important to us. Raising our children in an atmosphere of faith and tolerance is perhaps the greatest gift we can give them. By embracing the individual educational needs of each child, we can play an active role in producing the next generation of leaders. We believe that a child can learn to fly when shown how to use their wings. Support and encouragement is a vital stepping stone to every child while they learn to make choices and try new experiences.
We here at the Rowan Academy believe that one-on-one learning is very important to a child's development and growth. Our class sizes are limited to a maximum of 10 children so that a teacher can lift your child to his or her fullest potential.
We want you child to reach for stars!!! Rowan Academy will help them get there!! Ages 3-5 (Must be potty trained)
Reading & Language Arts
Mathematics
Science Discovery
Dramatic Play
Art & Music
Magick & The Nature around us
Our focus is making the process of learning fun and exciting.
Open to all families interested in a foundational program (ABC'S & 123's)
With an emphasis on Individuality, Openness, Creativity, and love.
A place where a child can spread their wings and fly!

Opening Fall 2008 (September)
For more information please contact Selyna Faola’n at selyna.faolan@yahoo.com or
come into The Rowan Tree at 33 N 3rd Street in Ashland, 488-5361
* Rowan Academy will never deny education based on religious, gender, racial, or other discriminatory practice. “All are welcome!”

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Hello!

Sydney — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:19:16 GMT

Hello out there!
I am a newbie to this site! I just wanted to say hello to everyone here.

Peace and Love,
syd

posted in Pagan - 8 replies

New Tribe: Followers of the Celtic Way.

Michy ~ Phoenix of the Flames — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:54:02 GMT

Hi to all fellow Pagans.

I just joined tribe.net and have started a new tribe called Followers of the Celtic Way. As it has just started there isn't much to see yet, but I hope that will soon change. i invite you to have a look and I hope some of you will join for sharing of knowledge and experiences.

Blessings, Michy

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Potion-Crafting

MacMorrighan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:44:55 GMT

Hey guys, I am preparing a course/workshop for my own local/geographic Pagan community on a fascet of Witchcraft that is very near-and-dear to me, as a Witch: Potion-Crafting! My impetus, of course, is because it seems like a relatively "dying" Art amid contemporary Witches, as though they could somehow care less! I certainly don't note any Witches admitting to brewing their own potions; rather, they rely on another's formula, as if it's better than anything they could ever formulate! ("Bullocks," I say!) Hell, some so-called "Witches" have absolutely no desire to brew any Potions, while others seem to bastardize the important epithet of "Witch" by differentiating between the Witch that employs Magick, and those that do not: More and more I meet so-called "Witches" who have no problem employing this descriptor, but...they reject Magick, and state, "I'm not that kind of 'Witch'"! WTF?!

Anyhoo...I was hoping to create an open dialogue between myself and any Witches/Pagans that have either taught, or attended, any classes and workshops specifically on the crafting of Potions. I'd like to know what was taught, or what assignments tendered, etc. While I have several ideas for my own lesson plans and syllibus, I don't want to short-change my students in any way, and want to ensure that my course be as exhaustive as possible, and that I not accidentally forget to cover anything. Ya' know what I mean? (I'm very exhaustive whenever I write and research something. ) Although, one concern of mine, is not enough stove-space when brewig Potions during class... I was hoping to model it, in part, after my high school Home Ec. class and give various research assignments, etc., etc.

Now, I am aware that many teaching Pagans and Witches that are educators guard their knowledge anbd course-teachings jealously, I rather subscribe to the view that educators can learn from, and aid each other.

Personally, one facet I really want to investigate about Voodou is, hopefully, at an ethnographic level, herbs and offerings, and other "correspondences" that are dedicated to the Lwa/Orishas. For example, I keep hearing that bail and cardamom seds is dedicated to Erzulie-Freda, but not why. Now, if I state that sandalwood is associated with ganesha, and someone were to ask me why, I would point them to the appropriate academic or source material after saying that it was his mother, Parvati, who first formed the god from sandalwood paste.

All my best,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Pagan - 6 replies

Pagans of The Pacific Northwest

Matthew — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:35:33 GMT

Is there any gatherings this summer on the Olympic Penninsulia. If not, Lets get one going.

posted in Pagan - 7 replies

Good morning

Matthew — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:48:56 GMT

On this beautiful Sunday morning I ask myself am I really a Pagan. I practice Chaos Magick and I worship Mother Earth. Does's that qualify me? Oh yes, I am Salamander Minion of the Olympic Pennensulia in Washington State.

posted in Pagan - 22 replies

Am I Pagan?

Elisheba — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:13:39 GMT

I was once a Christian. I was happy with having a religion, but I saw many things about Chrisistianity that didn't make sense, and also that it didn't match a few aspects of my ideals. So, I couldn't truly be happy unless I ignored these things. In otherwords, following Christianity was a blind pursuit. I am much too curious a person to blindly except a belief I don't agree with. For this reason, I waited until I could leave my Christian family members and sort it out on my own. Upon entrance into college, I decided to take the time to decide through logic and personal experience what I did believe in. However, what I did was not to look at religion's beliefs and find out which sounds the most "right". Instead, I thought about the universe and what I know to decide the particulars of it. This is what I believe:
1. God = energy
2. Those who put a name face or story to this energy are merely creating (or finding) a visual representation of their ideals. Even if they believe that they can't truly see their diety, if they give any kind of representation (as with Jesus being the human representation of a God they can not see), that is the face of their ideals.<this is a belief of mine that is really about religion in general.
3. If God = energy, and energy = life, then God = life. Therefore, the more life is present, the more god is present, and god is most present either in the forest or in a large group of people.
4. Right and wrong is dependant soley on the individual and what is right and wrong for them, much like as though it were written in the genes (but perhaps not really, because it is not necessarilly determined by the genes of the parents). In otherwords, wrong is what an individual feels to be wrong. Guilt comes when people do things that they know is wrong for them to do. However, what is wrong for one person may be right for another.
5. A balance need not necessarilly be maintained on an individual level, but the choices of every individual help to maintain a global balance. There is no such thing as "bad" people or "good" people. Simply yin and yang. On a global level, each balances the other.
6. Also, as God is energy, one need only implore the universe (as the entire universe contains that energy) for help, and if you truly believe it is a thing worth asking for, and you are willing to do whatever it takes to get it, the universe will conspire to give you what you ask. Perhaps it will not be given immediatly, but it will be given.
All these things I have seen to be true, so I can say that this is what I believe. However, my question is this: is this paganism as I was told and I believe it to be, or is it another religion. If so, do you know what religion it is?

posted in Pagan - 6 replies

Need a New Moderator

Adeline — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:49:04 GMT

Hi guys!

As most of you have noticed, I'm no longer active on Tribe these couple of months...uh, years?

I know there have been complaints, suggestions, and comments about this tribe and how it can be a better place for the Pagan community... for you wonderful folks! Unfortunately, I have been idle and away from the internet for a very long time. I feel bad for neglecting this tribe!

So here's the thing. I need someone who really is on here on a regular basis (not necessarily every day) to moderate this tribe. I don't know who is actually active (and responsible) here but I am going to let you all decide!

You can nominate someone you'd like to be your awesomely new moderator (a link to their profile would be helpful!) or you can nominate yourself(!) to run things here.

I will open this thread for a week and I will give this tribe to whomever gets the most vote!

I'm really sorry for not being around to take care of things lately but I surely hope that we'll have a better moderator soon!

With that, I wish you all the best and I hope everyone has a great week ahead!

Blessings,
Addy

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Paganism and Suicide

mamagaea — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:55:31 GMT

I know this was just brought up, but I think it turned more into a discussion of whether suicide is a good or a bad thing and not what was originally intended (I believe). So, I would like to start a separate thread.

According to your personal beliefs, what do you think happens if one were to commit suicide?

My answer: You come back to repeat the life you just lived, having to come up against all the same obstacles you just went through, to work on getting through it again. (as in, do you REALLY want to repeat the life you just lived? I know I sure don't. I'd rather keep living and growing with this one, thanks. :)

Mama Gaea

posted in Pagan - 50 replies

Short Documentry of the Burning Times - A Must See

CrossSidhe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:59:07 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_l5ntikaU

Cross

posted in Pagan - 16 replies

who here believes in monsters?

Wanderingwolf — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:35:33 GMT

real ones, real werewolves, real vampires, real evil life-sucking brain eating monsters? anyone? i do. i beleive in all of them, and in a lot more, met a few, kind of hard not to believe in the walking undead when hes slobbering over your shoes. ZOmbies? happens al the time, got a friend from Haiti, talks about it a lot, hardcore christian, beleives his faith keeps him from being Zombiefied, i wouldnt know maybe it does, but ive seen medical reports of things that are REALLY freaking weird. ive met people with extra parts, and with a few less than normal. i beleive in monsters , but the scariest ones dont look like anything scary, they look like JOe Schmoe, ordinary guy, wife, kids, life of the party, then he goes out and tortures somebody in a shcck for a month, slowly, till he dies, horribly. THOSE are the ones id like to go away, the creepy critters? hll they can stay all they want, they liven up the place. SO.... anyone else got any stories?

posted in Pagan - 31 replies

Manhood and the masculine divine

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:16:13 GMT

Thoughts?
What are some good masculine deities? and what makes them good and why?
which MAle God best represents, ( to you) all the best qualities of Manhood?Why? and what are HIs qualities that make Him this way?

posted in Pagan - 5 replies

Beltaine In the Grove Deadline to Register April 10, 2008

Seanachai — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:36:51 GMT

Merry Meet! Time is running out, but there is still space available to register for Beltaine In The Grove! Registration closes on April 10, 2008. If you have checked out our website, www.beltaineinthegrove.org thanks for your interest! If not, check out what we have going on for Beltaine. The festival is on private property in the Columbia River Gorge area- about 2 hours east of Portland (OR). We will be camping, having workshops that include Practical Magic Correspondences, Astrology, Archery, Belly Dancing and more. There will be a Maypole with Dancing and choosing a new May Queen along with a fantastic Main Fire and Tantric Temple too!
FYI If you have registered as a USER at our site and plan to join us, be sure you REGISTER for this year’s festival as well- alas it is a two step process- but will be streamlined next year. Any questions, please let me know. I can be emailed directly at Seanachai@beltaineinthegrove.org.
Merry Part,
Seanachai of The Oak Cauldron

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Introduction

Volva — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:50:25 GMT

I just joined this tribe and wanted to say "hello." I'm the Volva, a Kansas City-based seidkona exploring the intersections of Celtic/Northern European/Wiccan/Pagan/Magickal/Buddhist/Heathen spirituality (and some other things that don't fit into tidy categories that can be summed up in a word or two). Looking forward to getting to know more about all of you through your posts.

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

An Inconvenient Truth Presentation

WizardsAura — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:21:46 GMT

Other Worlds of Wonder Sponsors
An Inconvenient Truth Presentation
By Official Presenter Ezra Eckmeyer
Sunday, March 23rd @1 P.M.
Multnomah County Library, Midland Branch
805 S.E. 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233
Raise your awareness, and discuss strategies each of us can be involved in to address global warming.

This is a fund raiser for Pagan Land
Donations gladly accepted
Questions owoworg@hotmail.com or visit www.owow.org
OWOW is a federally recognized 501c3

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

wickerman burning - a new burn in south central PA

~em — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:25:03 GMT

www.wickermanburning.org

check it:

I wanted to let everyone know about a new burn, and I am part of the planning team for it, so my opinion is biased!

The burn is "Wicker Man," to be held Thursday through Monday, Memorial Day weekend; and we have a setup weekend, the weekend before. We are trying to lay the groundwork that will grow into a full-on burn, with an amazing site, roads for art cars, a $4,000 art grant budget and plans for a stupendous effigy.

We will be using Four Quarters as our site, which has the rep as one of the most edgy and progressive non-profit camps on the east coast. They have given us their full support for Wicker Man. Four Quarters has a piped water system, hot showers, flush toilets and of course port-a-potties. Buried power lines for their bio-fueled camp generator, a covered stage and three swimming holes. Lots of camping under tall trees and out in the sun too. And 2 miles of gravelled roads. Four Quarters is located 100 miles west of DC and Baltimore, just off I-68.

We want to develop a burn that is art focused and will support big art. And one that has a vision of the future of burns that is sustainable, ecologically responsible and leaves behind a small foot print. Thus "Wicker Man;" the old celebration of the Green Man and Green energy. We already have over 20 theme camps and art projects registered, and we are just beginning our announcements. We plan to have three "Theme Towns." "Sound Town," where we can run sound all night long, like the Gaian MInd psytrance festival held at Four Quarters. "Sin City" down along the river, a cure for what ever ails you. And "Center Circle," a place for nature and spirit; held inside the amazing stone circle at Four Quarters. (Yes, there is a circle of standing stones and they are BIG!)

And then there is the Man. Planned at 35 feet high our man stands on a round Temple to the Spirit of Fire, a big enough room that you can enter and place your own art and offerings to the burn. The roof of the temple is a deck upon which stands the Man, and people can stand too.. His belly is the Upper Temple, with room for just one person at a time. Each of his arms will hold a flaming fire pot, and we hope, will move as he burns. This is a huge project and we are looking to get as many people involved in his construction as possible. Ground breaking for the Man is Friday, May 9th, and then the next two weekends until he burns.

I could go on and on, but our web site is up, with the first design drawings for the Man, pictures of art grant projects and theme camps. We have a list serve / forum too. So visit the web site at wickermanburning.org for much more info.

"Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust,
Wicker Man Burning, In Fire We Trust."

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

RITES OF SPRING XXX

Martin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:41:41 GMT

Rites of Spring is one of the oldest running Pagan events, held Memorial Day weekend in a stunningly-beautiful mountaintop retreat in Western MA.
It’s an awesome event and rather than repeat everything that’s already been put out I would encourage you to take a look at the website.

www.earthspirit.com/ros/index.html

Come celebrate with us at the 30th annual Rites of Spring!!!

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

This is serious

Odellin — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:22:53 GMT

I don't know if I am the first one to bring this up, but they are trying to get 'In God We Trust' in the schools. I want to try and get together some petitions or lists of names or something of that nature of everybody you can think of who will fight against this. We need to do something about it before they start teaching that instead of evolution, god created everybody. I'm not trying to be extreme and I know it sounds like I am, but this country has come so far because of the freedoms that we have, once they are taken away (and believe me they will be once this happens) then we will literally be screwed. So please if anyone can do anything, or start getting people to sign against this please do, we need to nip this in the nose before it spreads further than it has.

posted in Pagan - 50 replies

Beltaine In The Grove Registration Now Open!- A new NW area Festival!

Seanachai — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:23:40 GMT

Merry Meet! Anyone whom is interested in a fun, magical ritual and camping festival for Beltaine, check out our site, www.beltaineinthegrove.org.
We are a small group of family and friends whom have been working magically speaking for a number of years and have wanted to do our own Beltaine, and now we are. We would love to have others join us and meet more of our community at large. This is a traditional Beltaine with dancing the may pole, a May Queen and May King- with all the trappings and cavorting that entails! As this is a new festival we need more musicians, drummers, dancers, fire eaters, contortionists, and anyone else whom wants to join. This is also "family" oriented where children may come (with a parent/ guardian), but the celebration at the Main Fire, Bardic Circle and Tantric Temple can go on through the night! We welcome all faith/ religious backgrounds, gender assignations, sexual orientations and any other category you may identify with, so long as you are respectful of others. Questions? Interested? Check it all out at www.beltaineinthegrove.org.
Merry Part,
Seanachai of The Oak Cauldron

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Halloween Haunted House - Input wanted

Serenity — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:55:27 GMT

Greetings all!

A group has come together to create a haunted house for Halloween with a decidedly Pagan theme and purpose. Our meetings have begun already as we are taking this project very seriously, and having a blast doing so!

We have run into several questions from our first meeting, and we figured, lets ask our community.

Location is a primary concern. We are figuring (large ballpark, so to speak) between Beaverton and mid southeast Portland, possibly warehouse space, but are willing to entertain any and all ideas/suggestions we are given. We have decided that inside would be best, and are also researching the cost for rental of a facility to keep us and the visitors out of the standard Oregon rain, rain, rain that the season brings.

If anyone has previous experience either working in or setting up of a haunted house, or general fundraising of this sort, we would love to hear from you! I am new to such things myself and would love to speak with people who have greater or more specific experience than I.

We will begin actively recruiting volunteers to assist in scaring the living daylights out of people and/or joyfully playing with children soon. If you have any interest in volunteering, please let us know.

Respectfully yours,

HHHCommittee

My apologies if you have been forced to read this more than once. I am posting on multiple tribes so we receive the maximum response.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Waking Dream seeks giant puppet builders and performers

James — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:47:25 GMT

Waking Dream, the performance company that has brought giant puppets to Starwood for the last five years, is seeking artists interested in helping us build and perform new work at this year's Starwood, and at other regional gatherings this summer.

Experience not necessary, however we are looking for people who have confidence making things and performing in front of people. Must be will to challenge ones self and be willing to perform in bizarre, sometime uncomfortable costumes.

Our studio and workshop is located in Greenwich, Connecticut, about 45 minutes from New York.

www.wakingdream.org

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

money spells?

sweetmamadoe — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:56:07 GMT

anybody know any good ones?

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

My Website now has a full functioning auction site for you to use

sacredgoddess — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:56:02 GMT

Thank you to those who have supported me and have visited my swap page.
Because I realized it was not full service enough, and required me to be involved, I now have a fully functioning AUCTION page you can use. AND IT IS FREE....all you have to do is list and be sure to blog it or network it to others.
Its all yours..my gift to all of my fellow Tribers who got me off to a webstart!!
I have posted my blog but will post the url one more time
www.sacredgoddessonline.com
go to the auction link under other realms or you can also go the bellydance page and link from there. I will still have the swap page going..so dont worry..it is still up..
www.bellydancerswap.com

totally thrilled, and with your help we can network and keep this free auction site going!!
thanks again guys..
Sandy

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Gay Witchcraft and Sex Magic workshops In Wales, the spiritual home of the Craft

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:26:05 GMT

Hi folks and Merry Meet from the Celtic land of Wales; the spiritual home of the Craft and all pagans. I'm not sure whether my workshops at the HomoMoot (Copyright 2007) may be of interest. They are held once a month here in Wales. The website has more info' www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed Be.

Julian.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Pagan Memory Day

cornel — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:37:07 GMT

Check out this online petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/24feb/petition.html

I think these folks have a great idea!

Bottom Line: the proposal is to make Feb. 24 "Pagan Memory Day". This is the date on which, in the year 391, the Emperor Theodosius issued a decree that made it a crime to even LOOK AT a Pagan Temple or statue. Paganism had suffered from varying degrees of persecution since 312 - but until Theodosius' decree of 391 there was still some ambiguity in the legal status of the Old Religion.

Here is another link devoted to the idea of a "Pagan Memory Day":
http://paganmemoryday.blogspot.com/

posted in Pagan - 6 replies

Magick - By Rowan Canterbury

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:53:30 GMT

Spinning and spinning; unseen and forever sought out, magick is that which is ever present yet always elusive.

An eternal seduction that dances before some; yet hides when entrapped by rules and conditioning; magick is that which blesses the unsuspecting innocent.

Contrary to popular belief, magick is not always large and loud. Sad is the individual whom looks only to the bold and beautiful, the supposed powerful and dominant. Mislead are those that seek to control it, rather than sway like a sleeping lover in it's warm cradle.

You see, magick is one and all living things, seen and unseen. It is the reality of chaos and the denial of ignorance, all in the sound of a single drop of rain.

Magick occurs in the dreaming mind that has exfoliated consciousness, to leap naked and alive in the universe without flesh

Every action of every day of every reaction and every consequence murmured percussion is laced with the iridescence of magickal influence. The night, a reflection of silence and balance when the world sleeps and one is free to welcome time and illuminate the soul with the moon and light the way of wonder.

Like faith, it can't be written in one document, it can't be contained in one mind. Just as the cosmos is ever expanding and shifting to allow existence to grow, thus ensuring the continuing eruption of life.

Those whom study it, study eternal. Those whom seek it must learn first that in the finding, one only has to open one's unconscious eyes. See the flight of a humming bird, know the strength of a tiger, feel love, understand where hate comes from and how it will darken your center. Appreciate every breath, respect each diverse form of life, become aware of the tides of the natural world.

Understand that magick never stops, even when you choose to ignore it. It is all evil and all good and it is thus in the mind of the user. It slingshots like a winding spiral to return to it's source, either enhancing or destroying, based on the origin of it's conception, as all energy in the natural world exists in an eternal cycle.

Understanding magick is hearing the symphony of creation and playing your part with all your heart and soul, adding to the mystical beauty of the never finished overture.

..:

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Pantheacon - Roommate?

juana — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:37:16 GMT

If anyone attending the SF Bay Area based annual conference needs a roommate and has already reserved an onsite room
please email me :).

The hotel is already sold out and I prefer to stay onsite if at all possible.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Brigid's Cross materials...where to find?

Arun-once-was-ZyGoat — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:27:10 GMT

Greetings!
A group of us who are organizing an all-night dance celebration for Imbolc at the Crystal Temple here in Portland are going to make Brigid's Crosses to decorate the space. I have not made them before and am curious as to where or how to acquire the reeds or bullrushes or other materials traditionally used. Any suggestions?
Anyone know where these may be harvested, or if that is not possible, purchased?
thank you and blessings.

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

Free festival in Florida

Richard — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:18:26 GMT

The 5th annual Brighid's Fire festival will be held on Feb.15-17, 2008
at All World Acres in the Tampa Bay area.

This free weekend festival will feature workshops, main ritual, drum
circles, sweat lodge, poetry reading, healing circle, vendors, and fun
for the whole family. Come spend the day or camp for the whole weekend.

Camping is also free.

More info here;
http://healingtoday.com/news.htm

All World Acres is a not for profit sanctuary supported by the
community it serves.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

throne of the incubus

john — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 12:32:37 GMT

hello all when I was small I asked a question? to me jesus just wasnt real it seemed totaly contrived I believe to reach a higher plane of
life you half to swair your oath to a greater god the life forms that some one sead were real were the incubus and the god fu you know
from china . I have not spent any time researching if it is even possible to do so . Is there any one that can shed some lite on the incubus
and the god fu thanks and much blessing
john

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

Candle Bill

CrossSidhe — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:45:34 GMT

What is your monthly candle bill?

Cross

=:)

posted in Pagan - 4 replies

Re: Pagans at war, like Druids for example

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:02:26 GMT

Re: Pagans at war, like Druids for example
Re Sienna ( Pagan Village Tribe ):
"Why would a pagan (of any flavor) choose to volunteer in the military?"

One of the key Druid precepts ( according to my recent reading in historical surveys ) is
Die For Your Country.

Volunteering in the military is what Druids do to die for country, as when the British Druids were fighting the Romans.

The Romans destroyed a whole bunch of Druid universities, all of them in fact. This pisses me off, and I'm not even a Druid.

Hindus in their homelands fought like hell against the invading Islamists, and three to four million people died, according to very rough estimates. That was total war, and religious war. It's still going on.

Now you know.

K T, mage guardian

posted in Pagan - 6 replies

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan

Nabarz — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:57:54 GMT

Hi,

Just joined the tribe! I have been working with goddess Morrigan for several years and recently published a short book 9see below) with some of the knowledge gained from working with Her.

As I am new here I have included a short intro too.

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan.

A dialectic play

New book launched, now available at:
http://www.lulu.com/content/1728442

In this short collection of dialectic plays, Payam Nabarz uses the Greek teaching method of ‘Socratic Dialogue’ or the Irish Druids ‘Colloquy’ to take a down–to-earth look at contemporary spirituality. In an easy to read and no-nonsense fashion he explores multi-faceted mystical paths with references to popular cultural icons, making this an accessible read for all seekers.

This is a divine comedy that both enlightens you and has you rolling on floor with laughter. If you enjoy the works of Terry Pratchett, The Mighty Boosh or Mulla Nasreddin, this dialectic play will be an enjoyable addition to your collection. This is the tale of the magical journeys and adventures of a neophyte called Corax, and his initiator the Goddess Morrigan. The Celtic Goddess Morrigan is the Goddess of war, death, rebirth, change and justice - this is far more than Corax expected at his initiation!

Content:
Act I: Lammas.
Act II: The Autumnal Equinox.
Act III: Samhain.
Act IV: The Winter Solstice- Alban Arthan: the birth of the sun.
Act V: A Kali Puja: a magickal workshop.
Act VI: Imbolc.
Act VII: The Dance of Death.
Act VIII: Beltane 4play.
Act IX: An eclectic pagan’s near-death experience.
Act X: Beltane.
Act XI: Justice for Rollright Stones.
Act XII: Living like the pagan ancestors.
Act XIII: The Towers of Silence.
Act XIV: The Magi’s gifts.

Payam Nabarz is author of ‘The Mysteries of Mithras: The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World’ (Inner Traditions, 2005), and ‘The Persian Mar Nameh: The Zoroastrian Book of the Snake Omens & Calendar’ (Twin Serpents, 2006). He is the editor of the ‘Mithras Reader: an academic and religious journal of Greek, Roman and Persian Studies’ (Twin Serpents, 2006). FFI http://www.myspace.com/nabarz

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan is available from:
http://www.lulu.com/content/1728442

Paperback book Price: £8.88.
or Download Price : £6.66.

Printed: 53 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream interior paper (60# weight), black and white interior ink, white exterior paper (100# weight), full-colour exterior ink.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Convocation

Velvetsky — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:29:58 GMT

Convocation is an awesome Pagan Convention that happens in Michigan. It is a four day convention from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon. This year it is February 21-24. Registration is $60 which is a bargain; hotel rooms are $89. I've gone to this convention the past three years and had an excellent time. The website is www.convocation.org. The schedule is up so you can see what kind of classes they are offering this year. Friday and Saturday night they hold the biggest drum circle I've ever taken part in (Drumming to Spiritual Ecstasy). There is a Masquerade Ball on Saturday night that everyone dresses up for; they have DJ spinning dance music. Mateyo Empie is an excellent teacher; she does the Pervuian Fire Ceremony and the Cone of Power both of which are very powerful rituals. I've always heard the Gnostic Mass is well done but never had a chance to go. They hold a men's and women's ritual at the same time. I've attended the women's ritual the past two years and have had very moving experiences. They choose a different theme each year by pulling a random card out of a tarot deck. This year's theme is the Temperance card.

posted in Pagan - 2 replies

Drikung Kagyu Global Resources / Tantric Buddhism and Mahamudra Book References / Vajrasattva Retreat in North Carolina

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:04:45 GMT

Title: Drikung Kagyu Global Resources / Tantric Buddhism and Mahamudra Book References /
Vajrasattva Retreat in North Carolina -- Repost from "Tribe : Teaching Yoga"

Keywords: Deity Yoga, global resources for Kagyu lineage Tantric Buddhism and Mahamudra practice, book: "Pearl Rosary The Path of Purification", inner healing yoga, interfaith retreat center, North Carolina, Southern Dharma Retreat Center, Drikung Kagyu lineage, Vajrasattva empowerment and retreat January 2008.

NAMO GURU SRI HASYAVAJRAYE

Homage to Mila Joyous Vajra, King of the Mountain Yogis. For the ordeals you endured, for the sweetness of this profound transmission, and for "a few cotton threads" we thank you from our innermost hearts.

"Knots of the right and left channels [ of the human energy body ] are loosened to their natural state
By Vajrasattva mantra which draws currents in and out of the central channel.
Don't rely on any mental support other than Vajrasattva mantra repetition."
Milarepa to Rechungpa,
quoted in "Drinking the Mountain Stream: New Stories and Songs by Milarepa"

A vast amount of effective Buddhist / yogic teaching is available through the web site for Vajra Publications, specifically for Kagyu lineage tantric Buddhism and Mahamudra practice. See the web site at
http://www.vajrapub.org/

The Drikung lineage is not yet well known in the West( and that WILL change, I promise you ), but it is powerful and available in different parts of the world. See
http://www.dkinstitute.org/
This lineage offers a serious and direct path to inner yogic discipline and primordial awareness yoga ( i.e. Mahamudra ). The Drikung lineage descends from great yogic masters such as Tilopa and Naropa of India, and Marpa and Milarepa of Tibet.

The Drikung lineage is, I will state from personal and professional experience as a yogi and vajrayana guru, entirely authentic, classical, and effective: I personally received two major rounds of empowerment from His Holiness Chetsang Tulku Rinbochay, once in Seattle and again in Hawaii ( Big Island ).

During one of these, a Heruka Vajrasattva in 1987, I experienced energy pouring down through my crown center as though a gallon of milk was literally being poured through the top of my head. How many yoga teachers do you know that can do that? ( I was outwardly and inwardly sick and exhausted at the time from several years of severe difficulty, so that was very much a necessary healing for my magnetic field. Reason enough to receive Vajrasattva empowerment and do the 100,000 recitations, although of course your mileage may vary. )

Understand therefore that HH Chetsang Tulku is a New School guru and a Kagyu guru of the first rank, someone to be respected as much as Vajradhara Kalu Rinbochay and Kyabgon Khentin Tai Situpa ( these being some of my other Kagyu teachers ). He is a very gentle, quiet, generous man, very warm and approachable. I would certainly trust anyone he names vajrayana guru.

I have many primary practice texts of the Drikung Kagyu, which are excellent, and indeed these were among the first key practice texts for Kagyu devayoga sadhana to be published. Since they keep producing more great study and practice materials, I needs must make more ( debit card ) offerings to receive the precious dharma ( although my dharma and yoga book stacks are more than overflowing ). It must be emphasized that these practice texts are generically useful for all New School tantric Buddhists, where New School refers to the Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelugpa Orders of Tibetan Buddhism.

Beyond this, be aware that the Drikung school, like the Karma Kagyu school of vajrayana, incorporates a substantial amount of Old School ( Nyingma and Great Perfection ) teaching and practice. For example, their Phowa ( Consciousness Transference At Time Of Death ) does not derive from the Kagyu lineage Six Yogas of Naropa, but rather from an Old School Treasure Teaching ( terma ).

As this letter goes out to a diverse and broad set of audiences, I will say a few words on the Kagyu lineage, on deity yoga, and Mahamudra. In short, here are some truly wonderful books for you:
Book 1) "Drinking the Mountain Stream: New Stories and Songs by Milarepa", by Lama Kunga Rimpoche and Brian Cutillo. This book is extraodinarily good as an introduction and in providing key teaching/ precept songs which are both poetic and intuitive.

Book 2) "The Garland of Mahamudra Practices", by Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen and Katherine Rogers. This is a short summary of Cakrasamvara / Vajrayogini deity yoga and Mahamudra awareness yoga translated by a Drikung abbot from the writings of Kunga Rinchen, the Fifteen Lineage Holder of the Drikung Kagyu transmission. It is remarkably clear teaching on the essentials of New School vajrayana practice.

Book 3) "Clarifying the Natural State", by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal ( translation by the priceless western scholar Eric Pema Kunsang ). This practice summary for the primordial awareness yoga of Mahamudra is held to be "preeminent" and "indispensible" by the great modern scholar-yogi Khenchen Thrangu Rinbochay. 'Nuff said.

Book 4) "Becoming Vajrasattva; the Tantric Path of Purification", by [ Lama ] Thubten Yeshe, 2nd edition. A remarkably useful retreat and teaching manual on Vajrasattva. With this and Vajrasattva empowerment one can practice the indispensible deity of Purification, Vajrasattva / Diamond Being.

Now, there is going to be, in early January, a Vajrasattva empowerment and retreat to be given by a Drikung abbot ( Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin Rinpoche ) in North Carolina ( Southern Dharma Retreat Center ). Being given by an abbot, it could possibly be a major empowerment (i.e. a "four-banger", a four level catur-abhisekha empowerment ) for Vajrasattva, although I do not know. Even a medium level "three banger" Vajrasattva empowerment is really quite good.

If you live near there, farther from the world-class vajrayana empowerment venues, this is a truly great opportunity. Vajrasattva is the ultimate swiss army knife of tantric practice.
- If you are a healer, or someone in need of deep healing, this is for you.
- If you are someone oriented towards "higher consciousness", you can take this as a primary practice.
- If you have chronic psychic or mental or environmental discord, then Vajrasattva and the included Vajrapani ( Thunderbolt Holder ) are ofgreat importance for inner cleansing.
- If you are a western witch who wants to do goddess practice, you can take this transmission and thereby fully engage all the Twenty One Taras.
- If you wish to practice any of the standard Buddhist deities, such as Manjusri, Avalokitesvara, Amitabha, Vajrapani and so forth, you can do so on the basis of this one empowerment and a compendium of deity yogas, which is

Book 5) "Pearl Rosary The Path of Purification ( Sadhanas and Commentaries )" available from Vajra Publications. See
http://shop.vajrapub.org/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=79

From that web page:
"Pearl Rosary The Path of Purification
"The content of this text is primarily meant for people who are far away and don’t have the opportunity to engage in Dharma practice in the presence of the teacher. The book itself is a representation of the teacher, and therefore is meant to help one’s Dharma practice. The text describes the methods of visualization and how to incorporate practice into our day to day life experience. .... The visualization of these deities is mainly concerned with the practices of tantrayana and mantrayana, which are the highest forms of practice. The path of visualization is very powerful and if properly engaged in, it is capable of transforming our life within a single moment.
"By engaging in this kind of practice, infinite clarity of mind is achieved, and through such power, we are able to purify our ordinary body and manifest the body of the deity. Likewise, we are able to purify ordinary speech, and manifest wisdom speech. Furthermore, we are able to purify the deluded ordinary mind, and realize the wisdom mind.
From the foreword by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche"

The point is that it is much more direct and useful to take a single encompassing empowerment, such as the Vajrasattva, than to go here and there for smaller blessing empowerments. The Vajrasattva is of crucial importance in all schools of Indo-Tibetan vajrayana, AND at all levels, up through and including Great Seal and Great Perfection practice. I have therefore placed a short basic teaching ( under tribe member "k t" photo "Hundred Syllable mantra" ) for you.

This practice is really pervasive. You can get full Vajrasattva through many differently named transmissions, such as Cakrasamvara, Hevajra, Kalacakra, Padmasambhava, Tsik Sum Ne Dek/ Hitting The Three Essential Points, Vajrakilaya and so forth. I myself have received sixty one full Vajrasattva empowerments, often through primary lineage holders, and have completed a quarter million of the long Vajrasattva mantra. . . and intend to do more, because of the great purifying and empowering effects of this mantra and sadhana.

A story: some twelve years ago I was in Vancouver taking Native American yogic teachings from a Tsalagi ( Cherokee ) teacher named Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo. In addition to being a Tsalagi teacher of family lineage, she is also a Tibetan lama of the Nyingma lineage through HH Dudjom Rinbochay, and a Drikung Kagyu lama through HH Chetsang Tulku Rinbochay. Her young son decided to run through the teaching hall, so she called out to him, "Hey, wouldn't you like to DO SOME VAJRASATTVA PRACTICE? That was her way of telling him to settle down. So parents, this is a good practice for the kids. It's really one of the best gifts one could give a child or children, for their entire life.

I thank the Drikung lineage and Vajra Publications, HH Chetsang Tulku Rinbochay, Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin Rinpoche, and so forth. With abiding gratitude I dedicate the merit of sharing this teaching on Kagyu dharma to the Drikung teachers, all the Kagyu teachers, and those who take up these quintessential liberating practices for the benefit of all our relations.

May the Mahamudra transmission remain wide open like the sky!
May the Mahamudra transmission remain pervasive like the earth!
May the Mahamudra practitioners remain unshakeable like mountains!
May awareness remain shining like a flame!
May wakefulness remain lucid like a crystal!

OM AH NAMO GURU VAJRA DHRIKA MAHAMUDRA SIDDHI PHALA HUM
OM AH NAMO GURU PRAJNABHADRA MAHAMUDRA SIDDHI PHALA HUM
OM AH NAMO GURU JNANASIDDHI MAHAMUDRA SIDDHI PHALA HUM
OM AH NAMO GURU DHARMAMATI MAHAMUDRA SIDDHI PHALA HUM
OM AH NAMO GURU VAJRA DHVAJA MAHAMUDRA SIDDHI PHALA HUM. . . . .
NAMO NAMAHA

With best wishes to all at Southern Dharma Retreat Center, and best wishes to all of you who are willing to go forward in authentic yogic bodhisattva practice, this brief note is written quite unofficially, yet in partial fulfillment of serious formal teaching responsibilities.

Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu! Samaya . . .

K T, inner medical tantrika and dagger priest

Original event notice etc. follows:

" Southern Dharma Retreat Center is an interfaith retreat center which hosts meditation retreats representing the world's various spiritual traditions. Retreat teachers are experienced and recognized in their own traditions. All retreats have meditation, contemplation, and silence as underlying threads. Between teacher-led retreats, individual private retreats may be arranged.

Located part way up one of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, isolated and forested, Southern Dharma provides a comfortable, secluded gathering place removed from everyday distractions. Retreats create an atmosphere of quiet reflection, peace, and opening to the truths within the heart. "

Contact information for SDRC:

Southern Dharma Retreat Center
1661 West Road
Hot Springs NC 28743
828-622-7112

southerndharma@earthlink.net

www.southerndharma.org

Registration Information at
http://www.southerndharma.org/RegistrationInformation.htm

-- In Drikung-Sangha@yahoogroups.com, Hun Lye <HLye@...> wrote:

Southern Dharma Retreat Center
Hot Springs, North Carolina

Presents

"Vajrasattva Retreat: Empowerment, Teachings and Practice"
January 1-4, 2008
Cost: $180 (includes meals and housing, offering to teacher is
according to one's abilities)
For registration info:
http://www.southerndharma.org/RetreatSchedule2007.htm or contact
Michael Campbell at 828-622-7112 or southerndharma@earthlink.net

*Retreat Description*
For four days of the retreat Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin Rinpoche,
co-spiritual director of the Tibetan Meditation Center in Frederick,
MD will lead us in Vajrasattva meditation, a purification practice
from the Vajrayana path of Buddhism, as practiced in Tibet. The main
meditation practice in the Vajrayana path is deity yoga. With this
technique one first visualizes a being with a perfect form of a
deity. Then one creates a perfect auditory note, for example "OM,"
then one imagines a perfectly clear luminous mind. In the practice one
is empowered to first imagine all of these as a mentally "created"
being - outside oneself, then one merges with that being and imagines
oneself to have those physical qualities of perfection. Then one chants the
appropriate mantra and acquires "perfect speech." Finally one
dissolves the visualization into emptiness, thus realizing the
"perfect mind."

In doing this practice one comes to see that one's very nature is now
and always has been the same as the Buddha's - that is,
pure,uncontaminated - uncreated emptiness and luminosity. It has just
been tarnished by one's unskillful actions in the past. The
Vajrasattva practice can help to remove the tarnish so that our true
nature comes into focus. Khenpo Rinpoche will explain this further
during the first session on the evening of the 1st. On the following
morning he will give the empowerment that allows you to do this
practice on your own. For the rest of the retreat we will alternate
between doing the Vajrasattva practice, doing silent meditation and
receiving dharma talks about the Path to Enlightenment as embodied in
the Six Perfections or Paramitas.

*Khenpo Rinpoche's Bio*
Khenpo Rinpoche was born in southeastern Tibet 1970. At the age of 14
he took his monk's vows and soon after began his Buddhist Studies at
Samye Monastery, the first monastery ever built in Tibet.
He was an outstanding student from the start and excelled in all of
his subjects. In 1987, he traveled to India to enroll in the Drikung
Kagyu Institute at Jangchub Ling in Dehra Dun.

After finishing his course work he spent three years teaching lower
classes in the monastic college. He was awarded the title "Khenpo" in
1998 and then spent another three years teaching Buddhist philosophy
at the Institute. He has completed the Ngondro, Chakrasamvara and
other deity-yoga practices in retreat. Khenpo arrived at the Tibetan
Meditation Center in April 2001 to become one of the Spiritual
Co-directors of the Center. He also began his study of English at that
time and is now
quite fluent in it. He has been teaching at the Tibetan Meditation
Center, The Garchen Institute and at other Drikung Kagyu centers in
the US since then.

*Southern Dharma Retreat Center*

Southern Dharma Retreat Center is an interfaith retreat center which
hosts meditation retreats representing the world's various spiritual
traditions. Retreat teachers are experienced and recognized in their
own traditions. All retreats have meditation, contemplation, and
silence as underlying threads. Between teacher-led retreats,
individual private retreats may be arranged.

Located part way up one of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North
Carolina, isolated and forested, Southern Dharma provides a
comfortable, secluded gathering place removed from everyday
distractions. Retreats create an atmosphere of quiet reflection,
peace, and opening to the truths within the heart.

Facilities include the meditation hall, lodge, and tent platforms.
The lodge, which can accommodate twenty-three, has a dining room,
kitchen, small library, double bedrooms on the second floor, and a
dormitory room on the uppermost floor. All retreatants are housed on
the premises. Four tent platforms are located adjacent to a small
mountain stream with many waterfalls. Tent platforms may be reserved
but we are unable to take reservations for rooms in the lodge although
any preference indicated on the registration form will be taken into
consideration. Rooms are assigned first on the basis of gender, then
for any special medical reasons, and finally in the order of
registration. Only for retreats with small enrollment is a single room
available.

There are several trails -- along the stream, affording mountain
views, and one to the top of the mountain.

Dana is a Pali word (the language spoken in India during the time of
the Buddha about 400 BCE) meaning generosity. Teachers are
reimbursed by Southern Dharma only for their travel. At the end of a
retreat, retreatants are offered the opportunity to offer
contributions (anonymous if they prefer) to the teacher. Southern
Dharma Retreat Center also relies on financial support through
charitable contributions.

--- End forwarded message ---

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

solstice ceremony

SpiritAsJeff — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:04:26 GMT

any ideas for ceremony for solstice? this feels like a significant one for me, maybe for us collectively, and i want to recognize that with intention and ceremony. any ideas are appreciated...

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

New Tribe - JeWitchery

windreader — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:03:30 GMT

I have initiated a new tribe focusing on Earth-based Judaism, combining Pagan spirituality with Jewish ritual and tradition. Check it out!

http://tribes.tribe.net/jewitch

posted in Pagan - 1 reply

Seeking Criticism

Suacydal — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:23:52 GMT

Seeking Criticism... Constructive or Otherwise.

I have began a small site with a little document I wrote around the middle of this year, that I just recently decided to put online.
All the contents aren't on there yet, but there is a bit of it.
What I am really seeking is just general opinions on the layout of the site thus far, and the content also if you wish. If you were interested in the subject matter, would you be interested in the site? ... that sort of thing.
On the matter of subject matter... The document is called "SpellCraft: The Art of Binding".
I tried to make the site as simple and userfriendly as possible, but if it doesnt strike interest in visitors then it kind of defeats the purpose.

Anyway... the URL is...
www.geocities.com/shaytanic

I dont mind negative or positive comments, just as long as they are put in a constructive manner, so I can use it to alter my site accordingly.

Thanks.

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Merry Meet!

Lil April — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:01:54 GMT

Hello all! My name is April and I am dilgently seeking Sacramento area Pagans out here in internet land to network and connect with Sacramento Grove of The Oak, I moderate our tribe,

http://tribes.tribe.net/groveoftheoak

I am also a member of our board of directors and a Coordiator for our Midsummer Celtic Fary Festival. I am looking for contacts who wish to share infromation and best practices on running a major Pagan festival.

Even if you are no where near the Sacramento area, I'd love to have a few resposes to these questions:

How do you find out about festivals and events you attend?
How far in advance do you make plans to attend events?
What about an event makes it special?
What brings you back to annual events?

Thanks in advance for any your imput!

posted in Pagan - 10 replies

covenspace & new yahoo group

Ayido — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 04:29:19 GMT

Merry meet fellow pagans. I just wanted to let you know two things. One, if you haven't checked it out already, covenspace I guess is sort of like myspace but for pagans only and it's pretty cozy over there. I have a space here you can visit some time, we all tend to blog a lot and there are numerous groups to join like here. I also want to extend an invitation to eclectic pagans. I've formed a yahoo group called International Clan of Eclectics or I-COTE. We're a study and practice group, studying with the wheel of the year, so this month we're focused on dreams and elder passion for Elder Moon. Check it out and see if the shoe fits:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/International_clan_of_the_eclectics; members and posts are screened to keep the group safe and healthy.
Blessed Be!
Ayido

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Yule at Highland Farms

Velvetsky — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:20:09 GMT

http://highland-farm-community.org/yule07.html

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Shadow Witchcraft

chakkraa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:58:16 GMT

Would you like to know more about Shadow Witchcraft?

If so, please join my tribe

tribes.tribe.net/shadowcovenfamily

posted in Pagan - 3 replies

cool pagan name website

sweetmamadoe — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 04:04:33 GMT

i just stumbled across this, it will give you a new pagan name! (if you want one......lol)

http://www.fjordstone.com/fjo/generator.html

my new name is hermione firelight lark.......... lovely!

posted in Pagan - 0 replies

Names and DAys question

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:36:24 GMT

need a name of a god/goddess that protects from injustice, and a description and what to offer for sacrifice and what day and what way. ANyone got any ideas? im really needing this , dealin with a lot of injustice and blockheadedness from comanders that refuse to listen and only see black and white and discount any reasons that dont fit their viewpoint. I need a mothers defense of her child againstinjustice, someone that will FIGHT and MAKE things change. i need a kind loving goddess that will take up the defense of a man defending his wife-to-be and his child.

posted in Pagan - 2 replies