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April 2010
The Triple Crescent
RCGI Newsletter, Vol 3, Issue 2
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RCGI Priestess Gathering
Gather with other Goddess women to celebrate by
creating ritual, singing, drumming and sharing. Join women from around
the world for a weekend of stimulating discussion, workshops,
self-discovery and sacred celebration. Help manifest the magic.
Classes, discussions and activities will be held on divination,
drumming, goddesses, magic, community, crafts and other topics of
interest.
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Join the Discussion!
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Why Do We Call It "RCGI?"
Twenty-six years ago, Lynnie Levy and I searched for a name for the new Congregation we wanted to start. We decided the "Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess" reflected the multifaceted purpose of the emerging congregation. The paragraphs below were drafted to express this choice...
Our name was chosen to reflect the matrifocal origins of women's religion. Women's religion and culture are not new. They were once prevalent throughout the world, and within them women's religion provided a structure for women's spiritual beliefs that validated women's experience. In the course of the past 2000 years, as belief in the great Goddesses was replaced with patriarchal religious choices, the options for women to express their spirituality in a woman-centered way was lost.
Our name acknowledges this is not the first time women have recognized the need to express their intuitive and spiritual selves in a supportive structure with other women. We are not beginning to find each other for the first time, but are re-membering and re-forming the ancient congregations of the Goddess.
With this in mind, I was excited to see what is reportedly the oldest temple complex ever discovered. It is estimated that this temple in Turkey was built approximately 11,500 years ago. Not only is the site itself amazing, so is the reevaluation of history accompanying its discovery. The archeologist who is unearthing this site says it was the urge to worship that created the first urban centers.
We have been gathering together to celebrate and serve the Goddess for centuries. We are still re-membering and re-forming her Congregations. What drew us together long ago, what created Goddess culture, still draws us together today.
In Spirit,
Jade River
Consistery Executive
Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess
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Daily Celebrations
April 1-Veneralia-Festival of Venus; Festival of Fortuna.
Celebrate your sexuality in a beautiful and enchanting setting.
April 2-French Battle of Flowers. Cover your altar in
beautiful Spring flowers today.
April 3-Day of the Maiden. Honor your favorite Maiden
deity with offerings appropriate to Her.
April 4-Greek festival of the Great Mother. Do as
above with your favorite Mother deity.
April 5-Festival of Kwan Yin, China. Demonstrate
compassion and work for peace in some way
April 6-Chinese All Souls Day. Honor your ancestors at
your altar today.
April 7-Blajini, Rumanian Feast of the Kindly Spirits.
Invite them in to your home today to help protect it/keep it safe.
Leave them food.
April 8-Kambutse, Japanese Flower festival. Give a
flower to a friend.
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Affirmation of Women's Spirituality
The Congregation's philosophy of positive spiritual exploration is expressed
by the Affirmation of Women's Spirituality. Considering the Affirmation challenges you to
define your spiritual beliefs. The Affirmation is not a test of faith. It is a statement
of belief which many of the women in the Congregation find reflects their spiritual
experience. We do not ask that you totally agree with the Affirmation. We do ask you think
about your beliefs and define them for yourself. The Congregation encourages the
independent investigation of truth. If you find, after considering the Affirmation, you
are primarily in agreement with it or are willing to explore your areas of uncertainty, we
welcome you into the Congregation.
Have you made the Affirmation? Go here
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