News from Temple of the Goddess
Masthead
A Publication of Temple of the Goddess )
HAPPY SPRING! April-May 2007
In This Issue
  • Save the Dates!
  • Announcements
  • GAIA Festival 2007
  • Kid's Realm
  • Director's Pick for Mother's Day
  • One of Our Own
  • Donor Acknowledgments
  • One Priestess Makes A Difference
  • Wiccan Symbol OK for Soldiers' Graves
  • Irish Village Gets Its Harlot Back
  • Standing Women
  • Riane Eisler New Book Release
  • NOTICES
  • Spring

    Drawing: Spring by Isabella D'Agnenica, Age 7

    Save the Dates!
    Lakeland by John Banks

    "The seasons and all their changes are in me." -Henry David Thoreau

    We hope you will join the temple, in community, to honor the seasons, the Earth, and our own personal growth for our 2007 Ritual Sabbats. This year's theme is "Reclaiming the Earth."

    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.

    SAVE THE DATES!!
    March 24, 2007 Spring Equinox
    June 23, 2007 Summer Solstice
    September 15, 2007 Autumn Equinox
    November 3, 2007 Hallow's Eve/Day of the Dead

    Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church
    301 N. Orange Grove Blvd.
    Pasadena, CA 91103
    818-771-5778
    Website: www.TempleoftheGoddess.org/Events

    Artwork from Ritual Path DVD by artist John Banks and music by Fritz Heede. Soon to be released by Artek Images.

    Announcements

    Goddess Choir Rehearsals
    May 12, 10-12 am, Sutton Studio, Pasadena
    June 10, 10-12 am, Sutton Studio, Pasadena
    Jun 16, 10-11 am, Sutton Studio in Pasadena
    Jun 23, 5-6 pm, Neighborhood Church--followed by Summer Solstice Ritual

    Tentative Future Dates
    Sept 8, 10-11 am, Sutton Studio in Pasadena
    Sept 15, 5-6 pm, Neighborhood Church--followed by Autumn Equinox Ritual
    Oct 27, 10-11 am, Sutton Studio in Pasadena
    Nov 3, 5-6 pm, Neighborhood Church--followed by Hallows Ritual

    1000 Symbols Living In Peace
    Help establish National Spiritual Diversity Month. Go to www.1000symbols.com and sign the petition to assist in making June designated as "Celebration of Religious Diversity" month.

    STANDING WOMEN
    Please join the millions of women and men who are "standing for the children" for five minutes of silence at 1 p.m. your local time on Mother's Day, May 13, 2007. This beautiful movement is based on the bestselling book, The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering, Sharon Mehdi's inspirational story of two grandmothers standing silently in the local park as their way to help "save the world." For more information see article below and go to www.standingwomen.org to pledge to stand.

    Pagan Pride 2007
    Pagan Pride Los Angeles, Inc. announces Pagan Pride Day 2007, to be held at "The Meadows" of Whittier Narrows in El Monte on Sunday, September 9, 2007, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. For more information go to www.paganpridela.org. Save the date!!

    GAIA Festival 2007
    GAIAFest2007

    Work with the Energies of the Sacred Feminine

    Gaia Festival is an annual event that welcomes women and men of all faiths to work with Her energy through workshops, drumming, dance, yoga, meditation and ritual.

    Saturday & Sunday, May 26-27, 2007
    Temescal Gateway Park
    15601 W. Sunset Blvd.
    Pacific Palisades, CA
    More Info: 805.624.4361, www.gaiafestival.com

    Kid's Realm
    moms card

    ~~ Childhood is a journey, not a race. ~~

    Fingerprint Cards for Mother's Day
    by Amanda Formaro

    There's nothing more unique than a fingerprint and nothing more special than preserving a child's tiny fingers and hands for posterity. Mom will love and cherish these adorable cards made by little hands. This project is rated AVERAGE to do. Ages: 3 and up. Click here for card instructions.

    Director's Pick for Mother's Day
    Goddess Timeline

    The Goddess Timeline
    by Constance Tippett

    The very first art made by humans were little statues of women. What did they represent? Early archeologists called them "Venus" figures after the Greek Goddess of love. These little figures appear at the beginning of nearly every civilization. Were they really Goddesses, how many where there, and what did they look like?

    The Goddess Time Line displays many of these figures together for the first time. It enables us to see the evolution of the image of the Goddess, and may lead to a better understanding as to the meaning of these figures, and the concept of the divine feminine.

    Full Color Posters 18" x 38" - Main Page
    12" x 12" - Egypt
    12" x 12" - Old Europe
    12" x 12" - Canaan & Mesopotamia

    For more information and ordering go to www.goddesstimeline.com

    One of Our Own
    Lora Cain

    This interview with One of Our Own focuses on Lora Cain (aka Anonna), a recently ordained priestess with Temple of the Goddess. Lora is a multi-talented woman who graciously shares all her amazing talents with the community of Temple of the Goddess. Whether it's singing, dancing, drumming or storytelling, she brings great passion and humility to the temple's Sabbat Celebrations. Lora's recent battle to bring down billboards across Los Angeles and New York showing gratuitous violence towards women was incredibly inspiring and proved, once again, one person can make a difference. See the full L.A. Times article below of Lora's battle to remove the offensive billboards. This Temple of the Goddess priestess is a living example of walking the talk.

    What type of spirituality surrounded you as a child?
    By the time my parents had me, their eldest, they'd been so burned by religion that they decided their children wouldn't need it. But they didn't count on the church across the street from my Florida elementary school that had such a cool choir that kids talked about it in my 3rd grade class. Seven years old, I was supposed to walk straight home to the neighbor's, but every Wednesday I arrived later and later. Busted, I admitted to running away and was restricted for two weeks - for going to church. Mom gave in and thus began my musical career - and dance obsession. At Sunday service, I found my first life's dream - to perform interpretive dance with the other girls at the altar at church. Continued. . .

    Donor Acknowledgments
    ritual path image

    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 Fire
    Kamala

    Realm of Earth
    J. Tatum
    J. Clark

    Realm of Spirit
    Lora Cain
    Dawn Bodnar Sutton
    Ana Diaz-Ruiz

    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.

    Artwork from Ritual Path DVD by artist John Banks and music by Fritz Heede. Soon to be released by Artek Images.

    One Priestess Makes A Difference

    Billboard's 'Captivity' Audience Disgusted
    by Steve Lopez
    Los Angeles Times Metro Section, March 18, 2007

    Shanise Laurent and her friends left Palms Middle School one afternoon last week and stopped for a soda at Jack in the Box.

    Shanise, a seventh-grader, didn't need me to point out the billboard across the street. She said she had noticed it the day before.

    "What a graphic, nasty billboard," said the 13-year- old. More . . .

    Wiccan Symbol OK for Soldiers' Graves
    1000symbols

    Posted CNN, April 25, 2007, Courtesy Associated Press, MADISON, Wisconsin.

    The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on government-issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement announced Monday.

    A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief" allowed on VA grave markers.

    Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wisconsin, a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

    The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA. More. . .

    Irish Village Gets Its Harlot Back
    Irish Village

    ABC News Online April 16, 2007

    A village in south-west Ireland has won a fresh round in a battle to change its name in the Irish language back to Fort of the Harlot.

    For centuries, the village known as Doon in English had been known in Irish as Dun Bleisce, or Fort of the Harlot, but the name was changed in 2003 when the Government ordered a simpler An Dun, or The Fort.

    The unpopular move led to 1,000 locals signing a petition to have 'harlot' added back to the name. They were backed by local politicians and a Limerick County Council motion of support.

    Under pressure, Eamon O Cuiv, the Irish Government Minister responsible for the Irish language, asked the official commission that rules on Gaelic names to give a ruling. Continued . . .

    Standing Women
    grandmotherbook

    Please join the millions of women and men who are "standing for the children" for five minutes of silence at 1 p.m. your local time on Mother's Day, May 13, 2007. This beautiful movement is based on the bestselling book, The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering, Sharon Mehdi's inspirational story of two grandmothers standing silently in the local park as their way to help "save the world."

    It is "a little story about peace for anyone who thinks she can't save the world," says Mehdi. Written as a gift to her newborn granddaughter, she never expected it to be embraced so warmly in her Oregon town. Sharing the story with friends, she discovered each one found it so powerful and moving that they, in turn, wanted to share it - with the world.

    Standing Women Pledge
    We are standing for the world's children and grandchildren and for the seven generations beyond them. We dream of a world where all our children have safe drinking water, clean air to breathe, and enough food to eat. A world where they have access to basic education to develop their minds and healthcare to nurture their growing bodies. A world where they have a warm, safe and loving place to call home. A world where they don't live in fear of violence-in their home, in their neighborhood, in their school or in their world. This is the world of which we dream. This is the cause for which we stand.

    For more information go to www.standingwomen.org to pledge to stand. Click here to purchase The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering through Temple of the Goddess at Amazon.com.

    Riane Eisler New Book Release
    riane book pic

    Dr. Riane Eisler first captured world attention with her bestselling book, The Chalice and the Blade. With her new book, The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics, she offers a new way of thinking by transforming "the dismal science of economics" into a practical plan for solving global warming, poverty, and terrorism. Hailed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu as "a template for the better world we have been so urgently seeking," by business guru Peter Senge as "desperately needed," and by Gloria Steinem as "revolutionary,' The Real Wealth of Nations proposes a "caring economics" that is more cost-effective, humane, and sustainable. Continued . . .

    The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics is now available at major booksellers everywhere. Click here to purchase through Temple of the Goddess at Amazon.com.

    NOTICES
    Durga on tiger

    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.

    INTRODUCTORY CLASSES in PASADENA
    Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 2 to 5 pm
    Monday, May 14, 2007 from 7 to 10 pm
    No Dance Experience Necessary. For more info click here.
    Contact Kamala: (310) 455-3876 or kamala@terrakino.net

    WOW

    WOW: Wiccan out Weekend
    An All-Women Goddess Extravaganza & Spiritual Retreat

    JULY 13-16, Jackson Flats Campground, near Wrightwood
    Produced by Anne Gauldin & Ruth Ann Anderson

    Please join us for a camping weekend of healing and magic, as we share joy, tears and compassion in Mother Nature. This year we will explore our themes, the Chariot and the Pig. Develop community and dance around a blazing fire to rhythmic drums as together, we create global magic.

    Cost: $75 to $100. Email: raa@ruthannandersom.com or agauldin@pacbell.net

    sphinx

    Tarot in Egypt
    with Mary K. Greer, Nicki Scully and Normandi Ellis
    November 2-17, 2007

    Take an incredible journey to Egypt where, guided by the Tarot, you will experience mystery school initiations in the temples and tombs. There has never been a trip like this before, combining Mary Greer's wisdom of Tarot with Nicki Scully's shamanic healing rituals and Normandi Ellis' readings of the hieroglyphs in the most sacred temples on the planet.

    For more information go to: http://www.shamanicjourneys.com/egypt.html or contact Mary Greer at mkgreer@pacbell.net

    The Magdalene Center Monthly Community Events:

    May 1 7:00 PM Book Signing with Elizabeth Cummings, author of the Passion of Mary Magdalen"
    May 3 7:00 PM Book Signing with Cristina Biaggi, author of "The Rule of Mars"
    May 10-13 All Women are welcome to drop by the Center for complimentary roses to honoring you and your mother and your ancestral grandmothers
    May 12 8:00 The LA Urban Folk Renaissance Showcase
    May 19 1-3 WHP Feminine Reformation Series presents Laura Amazzone, MA "Old and New Matristic Societies
    May 24, 7:30 PM Open Mic - Music and Spoken Word, hosted by Miri Hunter

    Location: 4822 Vineland Ave @ Lankershim, North Hollywood, CA 91601
    Phone: 818.760.0531
    www.themagdalenecenter.com

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    Temple of the Goddess | P.O. Box 660021 | Arcadia | CA | 91066-0021