Director's Message
Our upcoming Hallows Eve Ritual Celebration marks the end of our fifth year of offering Temple of the Goddess' unique artistically-steeped ritual theatre. I am amazed at the generosity of the spiritual artists who gravitate to our temple community and the temple continues to grow as the vision evolves with each new gifted soul. This year, at the near mutinous urging of our ritual planning committee, we are exploring the myth of the witch. I have, admittedly, mostly avoided the subject in our past Hallows celebrations, choosing to focus on our Pagan-Goddess roots as the temple is not Wiccan identified. But the stereotype of the witch that is based so predominantly in the on-going and pervasive fear of women is a subject the temple is now going to tackle with myth, song, and dance.
I doubt anyone, let alone women, presented themselves as witches throughout the centuries. There is a lot of mystery, and misinformation, surrounding the word witch, just as there have always been special people who were thought to have insights into the esoteric world around us. In most every culture there have been references to such people: Magi, Wise Men, Shaman, Kahuna, Strega, Pythias, Sorcerer, Medicine Women (Men), Bruja, Pythoness, Baobh, Makhsheyfe.
Most notably, the word witch showed up in the King James version of the Old Testament, and has often been used to incite fear, hatred, death, and there has been much debate on the translation of the word witch in Exodus. However, there was no Wiccan religion at the time though no doubt there were many women, mid-wives, and herbalists who honored the seasons and cycles of the Earth. There have been centuries of persecution, death, the Inquisition (a holocaust of women) based on the translation of the King James version of Jewish scripture and a centuries-old fear of the life-giving power of women. To read more about my research of this time of Inquisition when heretics, jews, homosexuals, but mostly women were tortured and died because they were different, and had different beliefs than the ruling religious hierarchy, please click here for The Goddess Underground.
Beyond the controversy and horror surrounding "witches" and the Inquisition, there is much to be learned. I invite you to a special Hallows Eve celebration as we honor Hecate, Queen of Witches. Dress as your inner witch and join us for a fun evening in celebration of the sacred and divine. Blessings, Xia
|
To be a Witch. . .
To be a witch is to love and be loved.
To be a witch is to know everything and nothing at all.
To be a witch is to move amongst the stars while staying on earth.
To be a witch is to change the world around you and yourself.
To be a witch is to share and give while receiving all the while.
To be a witch is to dance and sing and hold hands with the universe.
To be a witch is to honor the gods and yourself.
To be a witch is to Be Magick not just perform it.
To be a witch is to be honorable or nothing at all.
To be a witch is to accept others who are not.
To be a witch is to know what you feel is right & good.
To be a witch is to harm none.
To be a witch is to know the ways of old.
To be a witch is to see beyond the barriers.
To be a witch is to follow the moon.
To be a witch is to be one with the gods.
To be a witch is to study and to learn.
To be a witch is to be the teacher and the student.
To be a witch is to acknowledge the truth.
To be a witch is to live with the earth and not just on it.
To be a witch is to be truly free!
-author unknown-
|
|
Temple of the Goddess Announcements
Pagan Pride Day 2009 Big thanks to the Temple of the Goddess Choir, who gave an outstanding performance at this year's Pagan Pride Day. I also offer much gratefulness to Pythia, Morfeyja, and all the Howey clan for your hard work in set-up, take-down, and graciously monitoring the temple booth. And for all of you who stopped by to say hello, many thanks. We hope to see you at Hallows Eve.
Goddess Choir Rehearsals
2009 Dates for Rehearsal are:
October 18th, 4-6:00 pm
Goddess Choir: If you'd like to be a part of the ever-growing Temple of the Goddess choir, email choir@TempleoftheGoddess.org. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
NOTE: Please send any related essays, articles, interviews, and poetry for temple newsletter to newsletter@TempleoftheGoddess.org.
Click here to find out about Community Events. If you would like to post an event with Temple of the Goddess, please let us know by submitting the date and pertinent information to: Events@TempleoftheGoddess.org. |
Hallows Eve Ritual & Celebration
October 24, 2009
7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
This Hallows Eve we are celebrating the element of Earth, our beloved ancestors, especially those who died for their beliefs during the inquisition, and Hecate, Queen of Witches. We reclaim the ancient way, a way of walking in nature with compassion and power as guardians of the Earth. We take back the power of the witch within-the healer and the artist. We call on Hecate to share her wisdom, magic, prophecy, mystery, regeneration, and knowledge of time and eternity.
Our Hallows celebration opens with a song honoring the Greek Goddess, Hecate, and Her Celtic counterpart, Cerridwen. We will remember those who died in the inquisition and bring to light this holocaust of mostly women whose lives were sacrificed on the altar of destruction, greed, and death. We offer songs and dance in celebration of the Ancient Witch, the Mother Goddess, in all of her many guises. We stand at the crossroads of past, present, and future and magically create our lives with love and compassionate power. We sunder, forever, the myth of witch as evil and ugly and reclaim witch as artist, healer, and lover of the blessed Earth.
Please bring a candle for our yearly ancestor altar along with a photo or sacred of an ancestor you wish to honor and ask for guidance and wisdom. You will be able to use the Witch's Broom to sweep away anything negative from your life, and write down your own WORD OF POWER and place it in the Cauldron of Community on our archetypal Witch's Hearth. Visit Hecate in her ancient cave and receive a special token to carry with you as you take your power, Defying Gravity. So come dressed as your inner witch, whether as Isis, Robin Hood, Diana, or Ganeesh. Come in kilt, business suit, belly dance or yes, even pointed hat if that's your inner witch.
Temple of the Goddess, and The Mythic Players invite you to join us for an evening of art and ritual theater in celebration of a very special Hallows Eve. NOTE: TEMPLE SERPENTS IN ATTENDANCE.
Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91103
Click here for printable flyer. Samhain Witch by Dawn Wolf.
|
Soothsayings: October - November 2009
by Rosemary Clark
 Lifting the Veil
In Scorpio, life enters the cavern of hibernation, a place where the darkness insulates us in a cocoon of transformation. This is not a place of fear and avoidance, but an occasion for repose and renewal. In the season of Scorpio, we may lift the veil that separates light from dark and mortality from eternity.
The theme of entering the realm of dead for a season is enacted in the Orphic Mysteries, a Hellenistic tradition based on the descent and return of Orpheus and Persephone from the underworld. Persephone, daughter of mother-goddess Demeter, is abducted by Hades, lord of the underworld. Though separated from nature, she becomes queen of all souls as her mother mourns and the Earth grows fallow. And in another legend, Orpheus enters the realm of the dead to retrieve his wife Eurydice, and is empowered as lord of oracles and "caster of spells."
We recapitulate these themes when the light of the growing season becomes dim and the night of winter begins. At this time the maiden transforms into the crone, the giver of life becomes the harbinger of death. These images are distinguished in many cultures - on October 30th with the South American celebration of El Dia de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead"), on October 31st with the Wiccan cross-quarter of Samhain ("sa-win"), and November 1st with the Celtic Hallowmas. More. . .
* Persephone by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
(*) All phenomena are cited for the Tropical (Western) Zodiac
© Copyright 2008 by Rosemary Clark
Rosemary Clark is author of The Sacred Tradition in Ancient Egypt: The Esoteric Wisdom Revealed and The Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt: The Spiritual Practice Restored. She has also written The Everything Meditation Book and her work is included in Menopause: A One-Stop Resource for Feeling Good and The Complete Dream Dictionary. When not writing and organizing spiritual expeditions to Egypt, she is saying sooth to an international cadre of students and associates. |
DONOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Temple of the Goddess wishes to acknowledge, honor, and welcome those who have joined, tithed, or donated to the temple this month. You keep the temple doors open for all of us.
 Realm of Air
Realm of Water
J. Clark
Realm of Spirit
Dawn Bodnar Sutton
J. Tatum
eScrip Shoppers = $3.93
Click here for information on becoming a member of TOG. Temple of the Goddess has a variety of ways that you can participate fiscally in our vision. To learn more about making a tax-deductible donation to the temple, go to Gifting Opportunities.
|
|
SAVE THE DATE
"The seasons and all their changes are in me." -Henry David Thoreau
Our multi-cultural Earth celebrations are held at the Neighborhood Unitarian Church in Pasadena and are open to families and community. Our Sabbats are multi-media ritual theater combining mythology, music, visual art, dance, liturgy, spoken word, and participatory theater which fuses drum and dance with personal enactment to re-connect us to the seasons and the Earth. 
- October 24, 2009 All Hallow's Eve
Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church
301 N. Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
818-771-5778
Website: www.TempleoftheGoddess.org/Events
We hope you will join the temple, in community, to honor the seasons, the Earth, and our own personal growth for our 2009 Ritual Sabbats. |
 HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
by Jeanne Leiter
It was dangerous, being a witch in past times. It was dangerous to even look like a witch. Or be accused of being a witch. Or even voicing beliefs different than the ruling religion of the time. In those past, superstitious, fearful times, a witch might appear as a widow or single woman living on the edge of town, gathering herbs to heal her neighbors, feeding stray cats, ravens, and wolves. She was one with Nature.
Witches who were killed also came in the flavor of Jews, gentle-men, and those whose sexual tastes differed from the approved. But, we are here to speak of the women. Those women who were truly witches. What does that mean? Note: male "witches" are commonly called wizards or warlocks; and "hag" seems to come from a root word meaning fence or enclosure-perhaps referring to those women living on the edge of a wooded area keeping their pigs or chickens safe by enclosing them. There is no clear historical definition of witch. Most likely it came from root words which evolved into Wicca, meaning to bend or pliable. That fits with current thoughts about witchcraft, that the practitioner can bend, alter, reality with Magick. If one changes one's thoughts by focusing on intentions in the spirit world and in everyday reality, then reality is truly changed.
What about all the accouterments of the witch-pointy hat, broom, and cauldron? Were these props created by Madison Avenue? All these signify the persona of witch. Why? Continued . . .
|
|
Kid's Realm ~~Childhood is a journey, not a race.~~
 Witches' Hats
By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Very Easy
Age: 5 and up
This bewitching witch's hat makes a great table decoration for your Halloween party. Continued . . .
|
October 12, 2009 Religions that rely on prayer to heal add twist to health care reform debate.by Letitia Stein
St. Petersburg Times
Getting lots of attention in the health care reform debate: the idea of requiring nearly all Americans to get insurance coverage.
Getting less attention: the people who don't visit doctors on religious grounds. Should they, too, be required to buy a policy they feel compelled not to use?
In the debate, the agenda of Christian Scientists, many of whom look to prayer rather than medicine for healing, is raising interesting questions about the lines between church and state.
Some of the bills advancing in the House and Senate would exempt religious objectors from mandates to obtain health coverage. More controversial is Christian Science's wish to see its prayer-based healing approach covered like conventional medical treatment. And they want spiritual options to be available to all Americans, not just those who follow their religion. More . . . |
Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame One Night Only!
Thursday, November 5th, 8pm
Whitefire Theater
13500 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423-3802
(818) 990-2324
Ernie Silva's one-man show is a serio-comic autobiographical story about a Brooklyn kid who meets the life described in Jack Kerouac's On The Road. The show is along the veins of John Leguizamo's Freak and Danny Hoch's Jails, Hospitals and Hip Hop. However, it also contains a multi-disciplinary aspect in the form of guitar playing which ranges from Jimi Hendrix to Andres Segovia! Heavy is sometimes raw, sometimes fun , but always universal and real.
WHAT THE CRITICS HAVE SAID:
"Silva is a charismatic talent! I expect we'll be seeing more of Mr. Silva and this is a good place to get acquainted" -LA Weekly
"The sheer strength of will that it took for Silva to outstrip such negative indoctrination is inspiring"-LA Times
"Silva is a dynamic performer-lean, lithe, and athletic-and he calls upon all his skills in this outing. He sketches his characters with speed and accuracy, and displays a sassy manic wit in regaling us with his adventures"- BackStage West
|
 Too Many Guitars
Thursday, October 22nd, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
CAFE 322
322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Rockin' Music with Temple Talents:
David Jacks
Van Webster
Click here for downloadable flyer for Too Many Guitars. |
|
Power of the Feminine Film Festival
Date to be announced. Please RSVP to PoweroftheFeminineFilmFestival@templeofthegoddess.org for address and official notifications.
Let's gather for a fun evening as we come together to view and discuss films that illuminate and engage us in the Power of the Feminine. Join us at the movies! Dress casual, (PJ's acceptable), bring blanket, beach chair. Popcorn and other snacks will be available to purchase for the benefit of the Temple. Some films will be Family Friendly and others will be 13 years or older (parental discretion). Our next film will be:
The Secret Life of Bees
Family Friendly!
Our next featured movie for the Feminine Film Festival is The Secret Life of Bees. This marvelous film is based on the historical fiction 2002 best-selling novel by American author Sue Monk Kidd. The book is a touching story that rightfully became a New York Times bestseller. It was nominated for the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction. The book was adapted to a screenplay by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson. The film was released on October 17, 2008.
Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees revolves around 14 year-old Lily Owens, whose life is shaped by her blurred memory of the afternoon of her mother's accidental death. Lily's black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three racists in town, and in order to save Rosaleen's life, they both run away. They end up in Tiburon, South Carolina.
Lily has lonely at home and feels that she is unloved by her father, T. Ray, who punishes her harshly for small, and sometimes, imaginary infractions. When she comes to live with, and work with, August Boatwright, one of three sisters, she discovers that she has many people who love and care for her.
Since Lily was not allowed to ask questions of her father, she begins again to find out who she is. She writes down her thoughts in a notebook, and finds her first love, Zachary Taylor. She finds out who she really is when she learns about her mother's past.
When she discovers her past, she begins to see where she fits in the present. When one has a past, one also has a future.
Come watch this wonderful film with the Temple family, then discuss its meanings in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
|
Temple of the Goddess PAGAN BOOK CLUB
Date to be announced. Please RSVP to PaganBookClub@templeofthegoddess.org for address and official notifications.
Do you enjoy reading and discussing books? Then please join us for the temple's Pagan Book Club. Some of our young people are hungry to read what many of us older Pagans have long ago read so this is our chance to re-read, share our wisdom, and get some fresh new perspectives from the next generation (or two). We will be reading both fiction and nonfiction. If you're interested in joining us, our next book will be:
The Chalice and the Blade
Our History Our Future
by Riane Eisler
 Some books are like revelations, they open the spirit to unimaginable possibilities. The Chalice and the Blade is one of those magnificent key books that can transform us and...initiate fundamental changes in the world. With the most passionate eloquence, Riane Eisler proves that the dream of peace is not an impossible utopia.The phenomenal bestseller, with more than 500,000 copies sold worldwide, now with a new epilogue from the author--The Chalice and the Blade has inspired a generation of women and men to envision a truly egalitarian society by exploring the legacy of the peaceful, goddess-worshipping cultures from our prehistoric past. (courtesy of amazon.com)
This international bestseller -- now in 23 foreign editions, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, and most European languages-- tells a fascinating new story of our past, present, and the possibilities for our future. Weaving together evidence from art, archeology, religion, social science, history, and many other fields of inquiry into new patterns that more accurately fit the best available data, it shows that war and the "war of the sexes" are neither divinely nor biologically ordained. It provides verification that a better future is possible--and is in fact firmly rooted in the haunting drama of what actually happened in our past. (courtesy of raineeisler.com)
Click here to buy this book from Amazon and help support the temple. For more information regarding the PBC or carpooling contact Inanna at: PaganBookClub@templeofthegoddess.org |
Temple of the Goddess Moon Lodge for Women
We gather to honor and celebrate the Moon Mother and her cycles which we embody with her sacred gift of rhythm and blood. Together we will celebrate stories of our own moon-time, from our experiences of menarche to menopause. We will share stories of Her ebb and flow, reconnecting ourselves with these divine and timeless cycles. Our repose in this dreamtime within the safety of a circle of sisters has the power to heal and reunite our deeper selves with the natural world. The Moon Lodge is held on Wednesdays between 7pm and 10pm.
November 18
December 16
Dress comfortable and bring comfy pillow and blanket to snuggle in. Bring any sacred offerings you may wish to share with the Goddess on Her Altar. And a decadent snack to share with your sisters. Contact Kamala@templeofthegoddess.org. |
 Temple of the Goddess ~ Full Moon Celebrations
Monthly Celebrations are held on the night of the Full Moon, unless listed otherwise.
Upcoming Dates:
November 3rd, 7-10:00pm
December 2nd, 7-10:00pm & December 30th, 7-10:00pm
Strong lunar energy pulls everything out of hiding and reflects it back at us. Emotions seem closer to the surface and social inhibitions melt away. While neither Waxing nor Waning, the Full Moon is a highly charged time for release and gain.
During the Full Moon Celebrations you will learn the energy flow of each monthly Full Moon, meditate to draw down the Lunar power, create magic within sacred circle and use divination tools to release the unwanted as well as bring in the desired.
Click here for more information about Temple of the Goddess Full Moon Celebration, and a pdf flyer or email FullMoonCelebration@TempleoftheGoddess.org or phone: 818-771-5778 Picture Courtesy of Isquiesque |
 In a Sacred Circle of Sisters, Come Home to Your Authentic Self
The Shamanic Tantric Dance is a meditation in motion, a sacred dance spontaneously sourced from body impulse.
Mondays, 7-10:00pm
October 26
November 23
December 21
$30.00 (no one turned away for a lack of funds)
No Dance Experience Necessary.
For more info click here.
Contact Kamala: kamala@terrakino.net
|
 Trance Journey Through Drumming
New class offered by Temple of the Goddess
This is not a "learn how to drum" class, but deep meditation instruction. In this class you will learn about Shamanism and what a Shaman does when she or he moves into a trance and enters another reality. If you've wanted a different way of meditating to "sort things out" then this might work for you. In addition to the trance work, the class will study various topics including:
- Shamanic Trance Drumming-what it is and where it has been in practice.
- Spirit Guides-how to obtain one and what a Guide does for you.
- Relevancy of Shamanic Trance Drumming in today's world.
Classes led by Pythia, Temple of the Goddess priestess and a practioner of Shamanic Trance Drumming for 18 years. Classes ongoing. For dates and times, contact Pythia@templeofthegoddess.org and put Trance Journey in the subject. Click here for more info and a downloadable pdf flyer. | |
