Director's Message
 The theme for our 2012 seasonal rituals, which began at Spring Equinox, is Change.
As Pagans, our teachings are found in nature, the seasons, cycles, and the cosmos . . . all of which are in a constant state of flux. We have no Bible, Torah, or Bhagavad Gita . . . but in nature we find the reflection/lessons for how to grow, live consciously, and create the life we deserve. To that end we don't need to emphasize the need, or desire, for change. For Pagans that's a given. We understand the clarion call of life for change, transformation, shape-shifting . . . What we are bringing to our ritual and mythic theatre in 2012 are lessons on how change comes, how we can approach and embrace change . . . even consciously choosing what changes we want to make.
By choosing to explore outside the box, we can go beyond the metaphor of the cocoon or chrysalis, the shedding of the proverbial skin . . . all wonderful examples of the glory and promise of change . . . but also look to the ways that change can be approached, embraced, and integrated into our lives.
This is such a fertile subject and we are excited to be exploring, artistically and spiritually, this theme and the possibilities within it. We hope you join us for the remainder of our Sabbat celebrations. See below for highlights of our Spring production, dates for coming ritual theatre celebrations (NOTE: Hallows date change), and our new liturgy for the year "I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing."
Blessings, Xia
Image: Waking Up From A Dormant Cycle by Robyn Waters
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Temple of the Goddess Announcements
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! - Goddess Choir: If you'd like to be a part of the ever-growing Temple of the Goddess Choir, please contact us at choir@templeofthegoddess.org
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What You Bring
This moment hangs like unfurled,
Shuddering wings on the edge and wishes
Itself back in the safety,
The nest, the warm arms, the closed eyes and bliss of
the blank space in which to simply be and rest.
But knowing, even while turning in retreat,
 that the haven husk,emptied,
already floats
on the storm away.
Behind now nothing.
Ahead everything.
Swirling, churning,
awake, aware,
alive, messy, unknown.
Never in all time
would such a step
take place
with retreat an option.
But in that moment
is courage born.
In knowing the forward step is not your choice
But what you are, what you bring, is.
Excerpt Anna 2010, Reprinted from We'MoonDirector's Message, Image: Charles "BeautySeer" Elliott, Temple Dancer: Minni Jo Mazzola
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DONOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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
M. Goodyear
Marilyn McCarty
Haize Rosen
Realm of Fire
Realm of Water
Roger Nolan & Kathy Doughtie-Nolan
Ruth Ann Anderson
Anne Gauldin
Realm of Earth
Carolyn Potter
Kamala
J. Clark
Realm of Spirit
Ana Diaz-Ruiz
Nancy Ann Jones
Tanya Wilson
J. Tatum
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.
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Highlights of Spring Equinox Myth - Persephone: Path of Change
Our evening of ritual theatre opened with a song and meditation on the path of change and the inherent possibilities that change will bring in the coming year. In song, dance and spoken word, we explored the power of surrender that change often requires. Before the ritual enactment, we enjoyed a new and very different version of the Persephone Spring myth as she arises from the underworld of winter and the dark.
In the modern retelling of this ageless story Persephone, played by CandyJo Dahlstrom, is met by Baubo, played by Briana Murray, who guides her through the change required of her when she returns at spring and the Earth is once again fertile with fruit and grains. Persephone makes this great change each year so that humanity thrives. But does she really like it? Do any of us like the changes that are given us to make? In this excerpt from our Spring myth, we witnessed Persephone's struggle, once again, to accept change and grow.
As the lights came up, Baubo enters in a chauffeur's uniform holding a sign that says "Persephone." Baubo waits, and paces, as Persephone tentatively approaches the veil between the worlds. Slightly parting the veil, Persephone see Baubo.
Persephone: Ah, so you're here.
Baubo: Your mother sent me to pick you up.
Persephone: What, she doesn't trust me?
Baubo: She trusts you. Look, I know this isn't easy.
Persephone: You don't know anything about it. How could you? How could anyone? I'm the one who has to pick up my life every year, no twice a year, change everything I know . . . my whole life . . . what? Because it's the right thing to do? Like I'm responsible for everything and everyone?
Baubo: Change is not bad Persephone.
Persephone: Ha!!
Baubo: It can be an opportunity to start over, to create something new. Even something old can be new again with a change . . . a change in attitude, a change in approach, even a change in perception.
Persephone: Yeah right!
As Persephone surrendered to change and discovered, once again, the joy of awakening, she danced a magnificent dance of spring. Like Persephone, we acknowledge that change is inevitable and not always of our own choosing. The audience then got on their feet and danced in celebration of both Persephone and the Earth's constant renewal while exploring how to accept, embrace, and integrate the changes we must make into our lives. As we witnessed Persephone's commitment to change, we were reminded of the power we have to create our lives by choosing how we integrate the inevitable changes that come our way.
Click here to see video highlights of Temple of the Goddesss' Spring production. |
Sacred Messages from the Solar Eclipse in Gemini and Venus
Remind You of Inner Longings for Change
Sandra's Celestial Compass for the week of May 14, 2012 by: Sandra Helton, PhD
 A week of power from Pluto plus the Gemini Solar Eclipse May 20 creates a whirlwind of information that is just beginning accelerate. Mercury, ruler of Gemini begins the week with a strong positive angle to Pluto that really emphasizes all manner of communication and anything surrounding it. The communication field is affected and ground work for something major can begin to be put into place. Mars will also align with Pluto midweek to lend strength from these earth sign energies that will help to put meaning to what is said and purpose behind activities. Also this week Venus in Gemini goes into retrograde motion further emphasizing the eclipse energy that last for at least two to three months. Mercury, Mars and Pluto, all in earth signs while the eclipse is in the element air are not exactly compatible but will form grist or challenge that brings out a greater truth or needed information. In your life personally you may feel restless and anxious and want to make a change from the status quo of your life and routine especially with Venus retrograding until the end of June.
Gemini always uproots everything and everyone from the present state with realization of what needs to change that then result in much thought about what to do and when and where to begin change. The God Mercury rules Gemini that is known as the messenger and anytime it is prominent for an individual, a nation and in general something is uprooted. If you have been drifting you no longer want to. If you have been dreaming of something for a long time Venus retrograde in Gemini now allow you to see more clearing your motivations and the reasoning for how you feel now. What was a desire may no longer be so or else may not be in the manner that it has been. Something in your life will either change or be adjusted.
Reprinted from www.ShirleyMaclaine.com |
You are sitting around a fire after a hard day of work. The air cools and the sun sets, the frogs and crickets begin singing as the sky darkens. Suddenly the person you have been eagerly awaiting leaps to the center of the circle. You have heard the story a hundred times, but the antics of the animals and the wisdom in the story never fail to give you pleasure. As she weaves her tale, the knowledge that every thing is alive, carrying its own power and wisdom, soothes your soul.Let us join together, in this virtual circle, and share these Animal Tales. Let us once again feel how the stories connect us to the natural world and remind us that we are all part of a vast Circle of Life. Listen now as the Shaman whispers tales of animal power and wisdom in your ear. Tonight it is a tale from the Amazon Rainforest of South America. It is a story of change and finding your own path home. Butterflies embody the need for change and greater autonomy, and at the same time they represent bravery: great courage is required to carry out the changes necessary to grow. And as the blue morpho butterfly says to Chimidyue "Now that you have been one of us, you will always have something of the forest within you". What a gift! The Wings of the Butterfly A Tale of the Amazon Rainforest Told by Aaron Shepard On the banks of the Amazon River, in a clearing in the forest, there once lived a girl named Chimidyue. She dwelt with her family and relatives in a big pavilion-house called a maloca. While the boys of the maloca fished and hunted with the men, Chimidyue and the other girls helped the women with household chores or in the farm plots nearby. Like the other girls, Chimidyue never stepped far into the forest. She knew how full it was of fierce animals and harmful spirits, and how easy it was to get lost in. Still, she would listen wide-eyed when the elders told stories about that other world. And sometimes she would go just a little way in, gazing among the giant trees and wondering what she might find farther on. One day as Chimidyue was making a basket, she looked up and saw a big morpho butterfly hovering right before her. Sunlight danced on its shimmering blue wings. "You are the most magical creature in the world," Chimidyue said dreamily. "I wish I could be like you." The butterfly dipped as if in answer, then flew toward the edge of the clearing. Chimidyue set down her basket and started after it, imitating its lazy flight. Among the trees she followed, swooping and circling and flapping her arms. She played like this for a long time, until the butterfly passed between some vines and disappeared. Suddenly Chimidyue realized she had gone too far into the forest. There was no path, and the leaves of the tall trees made a canopy that hid the sun. She could not tell which way she had come. "Mother! Father! Anyone!" she shouted. But no one came. "Oh no," she said softly. "How will I find my way back?" Cont...
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From Garden To Hearth
By Adele Shakal
Spring in Southern California is a remarkable time of transition, of transformation... winter-grown and spring-blossoming plants are in their joyous peak, native plants enjoy abundance following cool weather and replenishing rains, and we prepare our gardens toward summer harvests of warm-weather crops.
Whether or not you have a garden of your own to tend, or just take a moment to appreciate public and private gardens, public parks, wild spaces or even wildflowers beside the freeways or sidewalks... find space during this busy time of the year to pause for a moment to savor this season, and all it represents.
Take time to smell the flowers, enjoy a quiet walk among the growing things in the cool of a morning, get a bit of soil under your fingernails by planting seeds or seedlings into your garden, grow herbs in containers in your kitchen window, wander a local farmers market and prepare something fresh and green to savor at your table... make your favorite salad to share with those you love, and celebrate this season's nourishment of body, mind and spirit.
 | | Dew on Pelargonium by naturedance |
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I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing
Temple of the Goddess
Spoken Word Liturgy by Rev. Xia
Call and Response
Celebrant: Priestess or Priest
People: I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing.
I am changing, evolving, ever-renewing.
Nature and the Earth are always turning.
I embrace their differences,
for the seasons abide in me.
I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing.
I am changing, evolving, ever-renewing.
I surrender to change, let go of the old.
I shed, release and continue to grow.
I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing.
I am changing, evolving, ever-renewing.
A seed planted at spring
In the nurturing dark of the soil
Reaching for the light, I become a new form.
I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing.
I am changing, evolving, ever-renewing.
In the stark heat of summer,
Toiling with growth, reaching for the sun.
I am maturing, ripening, joyously becoming.
I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing.
I am changing, evolving, ever-renewing.
Come Autumn I thrill to the colors of change
Adapting, slowing with the first breath of fall
I look within and honor all that I am.
I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing.
I am changing, evolving, ever-renewing.
In the embracing dark of Winter I pause. I wait
Trusting in the stillness of a new creative space.
I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing.
I am changing, evolving, ever-renewing.
Holding to courage and the alchemy of change
Awaiting rebirth in the passage of time
The Wheel of Life brings me back
To all that I am.
I Am Changing, Evolving, Ever-Renewing.
© Xia.Judy Tatum, 2012
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Half Say View of Obama Not Affected by Gay Marriage Decision Independents Mostly Unmoved
Released: May 14, 2012
Roughly half of Americans (52%) say Barack Obama's expression of support for gay marriage did not affect their opinion of the president. A quarter (25%) say they feel less favorably toward Obama because of this while 19% feel more favorably.
There are wide partisan and age differences in reactions to Obama's expression of support for gay marriage, according to the latest weekly survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted May 10-13 among 1,003 adults.
 About half of Republicans (53%) say they feel less favorably toward Obama because of his support for gay marriage. By contrast, 60% of independents and 52% of Democrats say their view of Obama has not changed. Among independents, as many say they feel less favorably as more favorably toward Obama as a result of his gay marriage decision (19% each). Far more Democrats say they feel more favorably than less favorably toward Obama (32% vs. 13%).
Among those 65 and older, 42% say they feel less favorably toward Obama, while just 15% feel more favorably; 38% say their opinion of Obama is unchanged as a result of his expression of support for gay marriage. Among younger age groups, half or more - including 62% of those under 30 - say they opinion of Obama was unaffected by his gay marriage announcement.
The opinions of whites largely reflect the population as a whole: 49% say Obama's expression of support for gay marriage did not alter their opinion of the president. Among those who say it did, somewhat more say it made their view of him less favorable than more (29% vs. 20%). Most African Americans, on the other hand, say the announcement did not alter their opinion of Obama. About two-thirds (68%) say this, while about as many say it made them view Obama more favorably (16%) as less favorably (13%).
Obama's expression of support for gay marriage comes at a time when the public's support for allowing gays and lesbians to marry is growing. According to a recent Pew Research survey, 47% now say they favor allowing gay marriage while 43% oppose this. Click for more.
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SAVE THE DATE: 2012 Temple of the Goddess Ritual Sabbats
"The seasons and all their changes are in me." -Henry David Thoreau
Our multi-cultural Earth celebrations 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. 
- Summer Solstice June 16 (La Crescenta Park)
- Autumn Equinox September 22 *
- All Hallow's Eve October 27 *
* Rituals scheduled at the Neighborhood Church. Click here for more information and to download an event flyer. Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91103 818-771-5778 Website: www.TempleoftheGoddess.org
We hope you will join the temple, in community, to honor the seasons, the Earth, and our own personal growth for our 2012 Ritual Sabbats.
Artwork from Ritual Path DVD by artist John Banks of Artek Images and music by Fritz Heede. Available from Temple of the Goddess Music & Media Store.
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Introductory & Basic/Intermediate Frame Drum Workshops
Lapstyle Position with Miranda Rondeau
Sunday May 20, 2012 - Two Workshops
Join Temple of the Goddess' guest artist, Miranda Rondeau, as she shares her passion for one of the oldest archetypal instruments in the world. Come explore rhythm and the unique sound of the frame drum for the first time or come to get a refresher review. More information available at Miranda Rondeau's Facebook page for this event. For those more experienced, Miranda will be sharing some personal techniques as well as other stroke variations. We will pay attention to the melodic aspect of the drum and improve our listening skills.  INTRODUCTORY 1pm - 2:30pm
$20 / $15 paypal No drum experience needed Learn basic strokes Learn basic music concepts Explore & Recite rhythm combinations Embody the rhythm BASIC/INTERMEDIATE 3pm - 5:00pm
$25 / $20 paypal
(Solid Experience in the basics) Variations on Stroke techniques Tuning into the tones Roll variations Creating simple variations for rhythm combinations Remo Recreational Music Center 7308 Coldwater Canyon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 91605
Miranda Rondeau is a devotional singer, musician, frame drum artist and teacher. Her chanting is a spontaneous form of intuitive intoning that transcends literal language, bypasses the intellect, is devotional and invoking in nature. She is creative consultant and musician for LuvAmp Project which justreleased her first music video "Dragonfly", a tribute to women frame drumming past to present.
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Ariadne Institute: Goddess Tours
Goddess Pilgrimage to Crete with Carol Christ
September 29-October 13, 2012
Feel Her power in holy mountains,
sense Her mysteries in the darkness of caves,
pour out libations of milk and honey on Minoan altars.
Find a sacred energy that can change your life.
Sacred Dance Teacher Laura Shannon will be a participant on the Fall 2012 Pilgrimage and will give a special lecture on Sacred Dance and the Goddess.
Carol P. Christ (Ph.D. Yale) lives in Greece and has been leading Goddess Pilgrimages to Crete for 20 years. She is the author of Rebirth of the Goddess and She Who Changes and an expert on Goddesses, ancient and modern.
To join the Pilgrimage, please reserve your place at once:
Ariadne Institute
PO Box 5053
Eugene, OR 97405
www.goddessariadne.org
email: institute@goddessariadne.org
Tour dates in 2013: May 25-June 8 and September 28-October 12
See photos on
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