 Light is returning
Even though this is the
darkest hour
No one can hold back
the dawn
Let's keep it burning
Let's keep the light of
hope alive
Make safe our journey
through the storm
One planet is turning
Circles on her path
around the Sun
Earth Mother is calling
her children home
-from Light Is Returning by Charlie Murphy
Drawing from the series, "The Journey Through the Sacred Elements", 2008 by Ruth Ann Anderson |
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Temple of the Goddess Announcements
2009 Dates for Rehearsal are:
Sunday, February 1st - 4-6:00 pm
Sunday, February 15th - 4-6:00pm
Sunday, March 1st - 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!
Upcoming Meeting Dates: Ritual Planning Committee meeting on Saturday, January 31st at 11:00 a.m. at Sutton Studios. First 2009 Board of Directors meeting held on Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Sutton Studios.
Temple Staff & Board Officers: RA will continue to serve as our Ritual Theatre Art Director, Ananda as Music and Choir Director with Mori and Anwyn assisting with scheduling and communications. Mori will continue to create our sacred give-aways for ritual enactment with Jeaninne's artistic help. RA and Caitlin still serve as Altar Artists with Kathryn stepping up to help them. Pat Lentz continues as our Myth & Story Director. Inanna has agreed to serve as our Dance & Movement Director, coordinating the dancers and choreographers for our ritual theatre pieces. Pythia still remains faithful as Board Treasurer and Archivist. Morifreyja will continue to serve as Board Secretary. Additionally, Mori is offering her services as Assistant Temple Director. Thank you, each and every one of you. As the temple continues to grow, these people are the gardeners who do so much to bring life to our garden.
Coming Soon!: Power of the Feminine Film Festival. Monthly series of powerful cinema. More info to come.
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 2009 Ritual Sabbats.
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!!
- March 14, 2009 Spring Equinox
- June 20, 2009 Summer Solstice
- September 19, 2009 Autumn Equinox
- October 31, 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
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. |
Soothsayings: January - February 2009
 by Rosemary Clark
A Bit of History
At the second inauguration of George Washington as U.S. president in 1793, the ceremony for taking office was established for March 4, when the Sun is in Pisces. But in 1937 the 20th amendment to the U.S. Constitution changed the start date of the presidential term to January 20, the day the Sun enters Aquarius. Appropriately, that new date ushered in the second administration of Aquarian Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The swearing-in ceremony begins at noon at the Capitol Building, with the statue of Freedom at its summit pointing toward the Sun at the Midheaven. Looking at these factors, with the Sun culminating overhead in a new astrological season, it's obvious some cosmic considerations went into the formation of this American ritual. Whether by design or "coincidence," the nation will follow in the cosmic rhythm of this inauguration for the next four years and possibly for more to come.
Many will watch this event with some expectation, subjectively and with a degree of patriotic sentiment. But it is also an opportunity to renew our commitment to the collective good, by taking our own spiritual oath of allegiance to the vision of those who founded and sacrificed for the continuance of the American endeavor.
Insights at the Inception of 2009
This year, the Sun enters the Sign of the Water Bearer on January 19 at 2:41 pm PST, followed the next morning by the inauguration of President Barack Obama. A stellium (grouping) of planets in Aquarius marks this period, with six planets and the Sun contained in a 60-degree span of the upper sky. We view such a pattern as a genesis of sorts, the inception of a new rhythm that unfolds as the planets disperse through the Zodiac in time.
The planets in the stellium disclose the influences that bring about this genesis, and convey our most "pressing matters." Mars in his exaltation of Capricorn speaks of a restrained military force, one that is cognizant of law and order, tradition and honor. Mercury exalted in Aquarius reflects the ideal of equality and agreement of principles among human groups. But his apparent retrograde motion suggests resistance and delays that must first be overcome. Venus in her exaltation of Pisces brings a unity of values; she conjoins the futuristic Uranus to promote innovative approaches that will solve the most urgent problems of the disadvantaged. Access to water, health, and new technologies are indicated. More. . . Photo: The U.S. Capitol Building with the Statue of Freedom at its summit
(*) 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
Nathan Walker
Realm of Fire
Kamala
Morifreyja
Realm of Water
Miriam & Greg Dexter
Kathy Doughtie
Realm of Earth
Realm of Spirit
Dawn Bodnar Sutton
Ana Diaz-Ruiz
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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Kid's Realm ~~Childhood is a journey, not a race.~~
 "Yes We Can" Can By: Amanda Formaro Difficulty: Easy Age: 7 and up (parental supervison is recommended)
Yes we can. . .change the world, find cures for diseases, or feed the hungry. This craft is inspired by Barack Obama's famous 2008 presidential campaign phrase, "Yes we can." Kids can add coins to this can to save money for their favorite cause or charity to make Earth a better place. More |
 Herb of the Month
by: Fee, Certified Master Herbalist from the Global College of Natural Medicine, Keeper of the Gardens
"Flowers always make people feel better,
happier and more helpful;
they are sunshine, food
and medicine to the soul." -- Luther Burbank
 Hello and a glorious Happy New Year to everyone! If you blessed us in January, you have the carnation and the snowdrop. The carnation bestows energy and healing. They come in a multitude of colors and have the most amazing scent. If you love this scent, then you are a nurturer, caregiver and have lots of energy! Being readily available year round, they are an excellent bloom to have in your home on a regular basis. The snowdrop, the flower of late winter and early spring, symbolizes new beginnings. Very fitting for the first month of the year!
 One of my favorite flowering herbs is Bergamot or Bee Balm (Monarda). Its used for prosperity and success. It has an orangy, minty scent and is clean and refreshing. The flowers may be used in arrangements, either fresh or dried. Its an aromatic herb and the leaves and blooms are used both in potpourri and teas. Cultivated in sun or shade, its an aggressive perennial and is attractive to butterflies and bees. To keep under control, divide the plante at least every third year, discarding the dead center. Hardy in zones 4-9.
Garden Witchery - Magick From The Ground Up, Ellen Dugan, Llewellyn Publishing, 2003
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 INVITE THE LIGHT by Pythia
New Year's Resolutions. The main thing I've heard about them is - if they work at all, they're only good for a few weeks. Basically, they don't change your life. My belief is that the reason they don't work, regardless of the particular resolution, regardless of the good intentions, regardless of the specificity, and regardless of all the help one might receive from family and friends-is that they are by nature Negative.
One resolves: Not to smoke; Not to drink so much; Not to eat sweets/fattening foods; Not to watch tv so much; Not to come home from work and crash on the sofa for the evening; Not to give into anger . . . The trouble with "Nots" is that one immediately feels deprived, constricted, restricted, and just plain "punished". That's also what's wrong with the 10 commandments-Don't, Not, Shouldn't. But don't get me started on that one.
So . . . how do we fix the problem? What can we do to move us further down the Beauty Road? (The Beauty Road is basically being at peace and love with ourselves, others, and all of Nature.)
My suggestion is to, Invite the Light. Light is positive, healing, informative. Where there is light, things grow. Where there is light, no monsters can exist. Where there is light, any pitfalls or traps can be seen and avoided. Shine a positive light on those habits and thoughts you wish to change for the New Year. Continued . . . |
 Temple of the Goddess ~ Full Moon Celebrations
Monthly Celebrations on the night of the Full Moon.
Upcoming Dates: Monday, February 9, 7-10pm
Wednesday, March 11, 7-10 pm
Thursday, April 9, 7-10pm
Saturday, May 9, 7-10pm
Sunday, June 7, 7-10pm
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 |
Temple of the Goddess PAGAN BOOK CLUB
First Meeting ~ Tueday January 27, 2009
 Do you enjoy reading and discussing books? Then please join us for the temple's new 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 first book will be:
When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone
Description: Here, archaeologically documented,is the story of the religion of the Goddess. Under her, women's roles were far more prominent than in patriarchal Judeo-Christian cultures. Stone describes this ancient system and, with its disintegration, the decline in women's status. Index; maps and illustrations.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon and help support the temple. For more info, date, location, email: PaganBookClub@templeofthegoddess.org |
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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.
The Moon Lodge is held on Wednesdays between 7pm and 10pm.
Moon Lodge Schedule: Wednesday, January 28, 7 to 10pm
Wednesday, February 25, 7 to 10pm
Wednesday, March 25, 7 to 10pm
Wednesday, April 22, 7 to 10pm
Wednesday May 27, 7 to 10pm
Wednesday, June 24, 7 to 10pm
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.
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 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. |
 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.
One Day Encounter ~ $30.00
(no one turned away for a lack of funds)
Saturday, January 31, 3 to 6pm
Saturday, February 28, 3 to 6pm
Sunday, March 29, 3 to 6pm
Saturday, April 11, 3 to 6pm
Saturday, May 23, 3 to 6pm
Saturday, June 27, 3 to 6pm
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