_______________________________________________________________________
It is not our purpose to become each other; it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is. -- Herman Hesse
This issue is dedicated to the Green Men in the world. Honoring our brothers, fathers, sons, mates . . . honoring all the men in our lives.
Green Man Stained Glass Image by Dan Beal_______________________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
Director's Message On May 18th 3 women and two men were ordained into Temple of the Goddess, and six young people formally dedicated themselves in a magnificent urban ceremony in Los Angeles. It was a momentous evening as these were our first priests to be ordained and the first dedicants to declare their spiritual purpose. For more on the ceremonies, see the articles below. I welcome these amazing people into the temple and am deeply honored to journey with them. Xia
_________________________________________________
TEMPLE OF THE GODDESS 2008
Clergy & Dedicants
Temple of the Goddess Clergy |
 Greenman poem
(author unknown)
Like antlers, like veins of the brain the birches
Mark patterns of mind on the red winter sky;
"I am thought of all plants," says the Green Man,
"I am thought of all plants," says he.
The Hungry birds harry the last berries of rowan
But white is her bark in the darkness of rain;
"I rise with the sap," says the Green Man,
"I rise with the sap," says he.
The ashes are clashing their boughs like sword-dancers,
Their black buds are tracing wild faces in the clouds;
"I come with the wind," says the Green Man,
"I come with the wind," says he.
The Alders are rattling as though ready for battle
Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;
"I burn with desire," says the Green Man,
"I burn with desire," says he.
Green Man becomes grown man in flames of the oak
As its crown forms his mask and its leafage his features;
'I speak through the oak, 'says the Green Man
'I speak though the oak, 'say he.
The holly is flowering as hayfields are rolling
Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea;
"I shine with the sun," says the Green Man,
"I shine with the sun," says he.
The bark of the elder makes whistles for children
To call to the deer as they rove over the snow;
"I am born in the dark," says the Green Man,
"I am born in the dark," says he.
Image: Treeman by Cemre Ozkurt |
|
 Celebrating the Seasons: Summer Solstice
Saturday June 28, 2008, 7:30 PM, Doors Open 7:00
Come join us as we remember, re-claim, and celebrate our deep connection with the cycles of life and the seasons of Mother Earth. The theme of all our 2008 Sabbat rituals is remembering the Names of the Ancient Ones and through them, our legacy, our heritage of divinity. "Forgotten, she does not die, but sleeps, whispering in her dreams (Dreams that are the lives of men) until these words, remembered, wake her." (Names by Clay Gilbert) As children of the divine, we celebrate the sweet gifts of Summer as we remember Her: we whisper Her many names, we awaken Her, and we call Her, once again, into the world.
Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is the time for nurturing the seeds we planted in the spring, the time for weeding and pruning that which would limit our harvests. The sun is hot in the bright, azure sky, ready to pour its energy into our projects, but we must have open arms and an open heart, ready to accept its abundance.
 Our evening of myth and ritual theater begins with a processional honoring the power of the Sun, the power of growth, and the power of life. We welcome the Sun Goddess and joyously dance and honor the lessons she offers during this cycle of the season. The Summer myth and enactment unfolds with a modern retelling of the myth of Amaterasu, the Japanese Sun Goddess, and her brother, Susono'o, the great storm God who learns a lesson in power. Journey with us as we remember: There is still power in the ancient names. Every breeze whispers Her name.Every moonbeam holds Her spirit. These words, remembered, wake Her.
Newcomer's Meeting in Lobby at 6:45pm, before the ritual. If this is your first Temple of the Goddess Ritual or you just have questions, meet with Kamala in the lobby before the ritual. Bring your questions, fears, hopes, and desires.
Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church
301 N. Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
818-771-5778
|
|
Temple of the Goddess Announcements
Choir Rehearsals have resumed and will be held on the first and third Sundays at 4-6.
June 15th, 4-6pm
July 6th, 4-6pm
July 20th, 4-6pm
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!
THANK YOU to everyone who shopped using eScrip this quarter! Temple of the Goddess received $70.04 from you. Many blessings.
NEEDED: Temple of the Goddess is in need of a Digital Projector for both ritual theatre and other program expansion. Please contact the director at director@templeofthegoddess.org if you can help fulfill this need or know of a company who might donate one to the temple.
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. |
SAVE THE DATE
"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 2008 Ritual Sabbats. This year's theme is "Remembering the Ancient Names" of the divine. 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 DATE!!
- September 20, 2008 Autumn Equinox
- November 1, 2008 All Hallow's Eve
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 of Artek Images and music by Fritz Heede. Available from Temple of the Goddess Music & Media Store. |
 As the Wheel of Life spins, the seasons bear witness to the covenant of the Goddess, Her promise of life and the never-ending cycle of birth, death, and renewal. To each of us in times of both joy and sorrow She sweetly whispers, "Be not afraid of my cycles and embrace the changing nature of all things, the permanence within the impermanence. The seasons bear witness to this promise I manifested for you. For surely, the darkness and death of winter is followed by the light and renewal of spring.
We Remember . . . Micheal Tatum, brother of Xia, Temple of the Goddess' founder and director. Micheal, age 56, of Buford, GA passed away on Monday, May 26, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 12 years: Mrs. Gail F. Perdue, Buford, GA; daughters: Melissa Tatum Rife, Ball Ground, GA, Ivy Rose Tatum, Buford, GA son-in-law: John Rife, Ball Ground, GA; stepchildren: John Richard Jordan, IV, Thailand, Frances Marie Jordan, Athens, GA; mother: Mrs. Annie Lou Duffey Tatum, Marietta, GA; brothers and sister-in-law: Richard and Cathy Tatum, Dunwoody, GA, Russell Tatum, Roswell, GA; sister: Judy Gail Tatum, Los Angeles, CA; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Micheal was born September 20, 1951 in Fulton County, GA. He was a 1968 graduate of Walker High School in Conley, GA and was also a graduate of University of Georgia where he received a degree in Computer Science. He was employed with U. S. Personnel as an I. T. Director and as a Computer Engineering Specialist. He was a Third Degree Black Belt trained in Japan and a Martial Arts Weapons Instructor. Memorial service was held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at New Prospect United Methodist Church, 2018 Buford Dam Road, Buford, GA 30518 with Mrs. Cathy Jordan officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John Hopkins University, Pancreatic Cancer Division, 401 North Broadway, Weinberg 2242, Baltimore, MD 21231-2410 in memory of Micheal R. Tatum. |
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
Kamala
Realm of Water
Realm of Spirit
Dawn Bodnar Sutton
R.A. Anderson
Ana Diaz-Ruiz
David Jacks
Joshua Glazer
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.
|
|
Kid's Realm ~~Childhood is a journey, not a race.~~
Dad Rocks Paperweight
By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Easy
Age: 4 and up
What dad could resist using this glittery paperweight on his desk to show off your love for him?
|
The Best Fathers
by Jeanne Leiter
I had a very good father. He worked hard. He played with his three children and taught them to be upstanding citizens. In his spare time he was a magician, putting on shows for orphanages at Halloween. When I was old enough, I was his assistant, thereby learning about the precious gift of family, and sharing one's time with others who need it. I also learned about the reality of the Illusion of Magic and how entertaining it can be, but I also learned about the reality of Magick, working with the unseen forces for healing myself and others.
My husband of over forty years and I chose not to have children, so after my father died, there was no thought of 'Good Fathers'. All I knew of in the past few decades was what is plastered on the tv and the newspapers about Dead Beat Dads, and Absent Fathers, and Gang Bangers enlisting their sons and daughters into their local gang. I wasn't too impressed with the fathers I saw at Target, either. I unconsciously came to the conclusion that there were no more Good Fathers out there, not like my dad. More . . . |
Urban Ordination: Creating a Goddess Dozen
by Pythia
It was afternoon in Eagle Rock, California on the 18th of May, 2008 when five people arrived in silence. Three women and two men were purified with the smoke of burning sage wafting over their entire bodies. Dressed in ceremonial garb-each one different, they remained in silence. After smudging, they laid on blankets in the back yard beneath a serene blue sky, surrounded by trees and the sounds of birds and bubbling water in the nearby pond, Aphrodite rising from the foam. Surrounded by gentle Nature, they allowed themselves to go deep in order to discover themselves.
This was the time of final preparation. They had already searched their minds for the reason they were here, today. Now, they readied their souls. Temple of the Goddess would ordain them as priestesses or priests. Such a role is not to be taken lightly. The path is not always straight or smooth, and at times might be lined with those who view the Goddess Path as an offensive thing, not to be tolerated. These women and men knew the seriousness of their choice. More . . .
2008 Temple of the Goddess Ordainees
Left to right: Jeaninne Payne, Chokae', Ananda, Night Eagle Dancer, Morfreyja |
|
Soothsayings: June - July 2008
 In honoring our fathers on June 15, we may quickly associate an unyielding, authoritarian nature with the paternal role of modern societies, overlooking that at other places and times the prototype of father is compassionate, protective, and generous.
The Native American spirit of all creation, Wakan Tonka, is the giver of life, healer of all spirits, and peacemaker in all accords. It is said that at the moment of creation, Wakan Tonka gave an instruction that every tribe was to follow:
- Take care of Mother Earth and the other colors of man.
- Respect this Mother Earth and Creation.
- Honor all life, and support that honor.
- Be grateful from the heart for all life.
- Thank the Creator at all times for all life.
- Love, and express that love.
- Be humble.
- Be kind with one's self and with others.
- Share thoughts and obligations.
- Be honest with one's self and with others.
- Be responsible for these sacred instructions and share them with other nations.
 In ancient Egypt, the roles are reversed - sky is mother, Earth is father. Geb is often depicted as a gander and called "the great cackler." Since geese are known to have but one mate in life and fiercely protective of their their young, Geb represented to the ancient people the divine father as watcher and provider, the ideal of family life. The landscape of terrestrial existence is his domain, where the cosmic rhythms of his consort Nut engender the cycles of vegetation to feed the living, the dead, and divine beings.
Let us remember in this season that these qualities of compassion, generosity, fidelity, and protection are instilled in our brothers and sons by sisters and mothers who honor and value them, who ever remind and reward them in such efforts, and inspire those principles in everyday life. Continued . . .
Illustration 1. Native American mandala.
Illustration 2. Geb is depicted in his visage as the Green God, prototype of the Green Man in Celtic Lore.
(*) 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. |
| YOUTHFUL DEDICATION
by Pythia
On May 18th, 2008 five young women and men arrived in Eagle Rock, California in silence. They remained in silence as they were smudged with sacred sage smoke. Afterwards, they were taken on a guided journey with Kamala, one of Temple of the Goddess priestesses.
While holding their sacred journey in their minds and hearts, the young people descended the steps in order to walk the Labyrinth drawn in stones on the top of the garage in this L.A. urban setting. Five ordainees stood with nine Temple of the Goddess priestesses to silently welcome five special young women and men formally committing themselves to be dedicants, committed to walking a spiritual path, promising to walk their path consciously and with wisdom, integrity, passion, creativity, and service. More . . .
2008 Temple of the Goddess Dedicants
Left to right: Zachary Tatum-Nolan, Ariel Miasnik, Anwyn, 'Lark Galeas, Kathryn Payne, Alex Endrenyi |
|
Temple of the Goddess
Moon Lodge
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.
Wednesdays: July 2, 7:00 to 10:00 pm
Dress comfortably 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 |
 Wiccan out Weekend:
An All-Women Camping Goddess Extravaganza
July 11-14, Jackson Flats Campground, near Wrightwood
Please join our tribe as we share joy, tears and compassion in Mother Nature. The weekend will explore our themes, the Justice in the tarot and the Year of the Earth Rat in Chinese mythology. Develop community and dance around a blazing fire to rhythmic drums as together, we create global magic.
Cost: $75 to $100, For more Information Email: moonlght@pacbell.net or agauldin@pacbell.net. Produced by Anne Gauldin & Ruth Ann Anderson |
 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 Class
Monday, June 23, 2008 from 7 to 10 pm
SERIES OF FIVE CLASSES
Monday, June 30 thru July 28, 2008 from 7 to 10 pm $150
No Dance Experience Necessary. For more info click here. |
|
 Sacred Landscape Sites of Peru
11-Day Travel Study Tour
August 21 - 31, 2008
A UCLA Extension study tour led by Lollie Ragana, BFA, MA, Writer, Mythologist and Educator
Click here for more information and to download flyer
OR
For further information call the Landscape
Architecture Program, Department of the Arts,
at (310) 825-9414.
Or write:
UCLA Extension
P.O. Box 24901
Los Angeles, CA90024-0901
Attn: Landscape Architecture Program
|
 Gaia Festival & Retreat
October 11-12, 2008
Featured Presenter for 2008: Margaret Starbird
This year's theme for Gaia Fest is Mother Mysteries and will focus on connecting with our inner mother through meditation, journaling, drumming and ritual. What mysteries does She have to share with you?
Temescal Gateway Park, Pacific Palisades, CA
| |
