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 and the inevitable new beginnings, new directions that follow. For Pagans that's a given. We understand the clarion call of life for continual renewal.

What we are bringing to our ritual theatre celebrations in 2013 are mythic lessons about standing at the crossroads of new directions, and discerning through wise, contemplative choices which direction . . . which new path to take. This year we will explore the tools we need to move forward, with courage, in new directions, down paths we have not yet trod . . . consciously choosing the new directions life is offering us.    

This year our mythic guide is Vasilisa The Brave who ushers us through our seasonal rituals and myths in 2013.   

Vasilisa The Brave, from the Slavic mythic tradition, is a young heroine who journeys in search of wisdom, knowledge, and a quest for truth and assistance. Before beginning her journey, Vasilisa is given a doll from her mother that represents her intuition. It is the intuition that we each carry that will guide us on our quest throughout the year.

Vasilisa's special doll offers wisdom and encourages her to trust her own intuition, her inner wisdom. She is told to seek the Wise Woman, the Shaman in the woods whose myths and stories will guide her in the search for New Directions.

Like Vasalisa we return every season to hear the stories. We call on the Wise Shaman for support in following our own unique path and process, for she is a guide, a teacher, a teller of tales.   

Our evening of ritual theatre opens with a song of gratitude and a harvest processional to open the mythic gates for an evening of song, dance, art, and storytelling. Our evening's myth is a contemporary retelling of this ageless story of Sarasvati who brings fire to the People.  

The People worked hard in the summer, planting and growing. In the fall they harvested their labors with joy and laughter, and gave thanks to the living waters of Sarasvati. But as winter approached bringing the dark and the cold, the People despaired. Two beautiful sisters, Satori and Bodhi, lost in their children's games wandered away and became lost. Touched by their plight, the Goddess Sarasvati, manifesting as a mighty river from snow-topped peaks all the way to the roaring ocean, is moved to care for the girls.  

Seeing their cold and despair, Sarasvati allows lightning to strike a nearby tree, thus giving them the gift of Fire. The sisters miss their family and wish to bring Fire back to the People. Assisted by the powerful Water Dakinis, the girls must learn the hard lesson of "going with the flow" in order to save the lives of their loved ones.

 In Her enduring wisdom Sarasvati graciously offers to each of us the spark of creativity and the abiding fire of wisdom.   

Temple of the Goddess and The Mythic Players invite you to share an evening of art and ritual theatre at our fall celebration and ignite your own creativity, connect with your inner wisdom.