Message from the Director |
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In addition to Summer Solstice, June is also the month when father’s are honored. Following our May Mother’s Day issue, we’d like to honor the positive, life-enhancing masculine energies found in Paganism. While there are a lot of male deities from many different lands and cultures, the Green Man archetype is one that Temple of the Goddess especially honors. The myth of the Green Man is one that honors the feminine and protects the life force, both the earth and woman. He is at one with nature and, therefore, does not need to dominate, control, or exploit his world. I am especially grateful for my son, Zach, the Green Man in my life. He shows me every day the magnificent potential of male energy. I see in him the balance that can come with a different spiritual paradigm. His love and support of Temple of the Goddess, his passion for the tenets of Paganism, and his beautiful artistry are my great blessings. To all the Green Men out there who honor the Goddess, we thank you, bless you, and welcome you. Xia
“The thousand and one statements that are made
every day–‘Isn’t that just like a man . . .Women are
more sensitive than men’–have to be swept from the
mind like tattered autumn leaves from the garden-
path before it is possible to think clearly at all.”
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. Come join us as we invoke
growth for the Earth, ourselves, each other, and
community, through storytelling, dance, song, and
sacred enactment.
Our Summer Solstice Celebration will be held at:
Neighborhood Church
June 24, 2006
The acorn, from above,
In its youth, it was hanging from a lone branch, By Zachary Tatum-Nolan, Age 13
I am the fire that burns within your soul
Power of the Sun we honor you this night
I am the fire that clears away the old
>From Circle of the Seasons cd
Pele Goddess Drawing by Herb Kane
Who or what is the Green Man? It's a name that conjures myriad images; he is a leafy face peering down from a cathedral beam, a dying god on the wall of a tomb, a laughing figure of the forest and a menacing knight in legend or fairy tale–he is even a jolly green giant advertising canned vegetables! The image of the Green Man is pervasive, woven through the history of our society and the folklore of this island, but he comes in many guises, his nature can be contradictory and there are many stories of green men to be explored. The term Green Man–in Britain and Europe in particular–is most commonly used to refer to the images found in medieval churches throughout Europe. A man's face surrounded by leaves and flowers–sometimes composed entirely of greenery–is found carved on pillars or over the doorways of churches. It is even resplendent in green and gold in the roof of Westminster Abbey. The reason for this seemingly Pagan image in such a Christian place is as yet unknown, but the theories abound. Continued . . . This article was written by Amelia at Beltane 2003 Reprinted from www.avalonia.co. uk Green Man Image by Ruth Sanderson
Great Pan,
Horned and hooved leader of the dance,
Your songs descend into shaded glens, ~ Excerpt from "Rite to Invoke Pan," Reif, Jennifer. Morgan Le Fay's Book of Spells and Wiccan Rites; New York: Kensington Publishing: Citadel Press, 2001, pp.155-156. www.demeter.spiritualitea.net Drawing by Virgil Elliott, virgilelliott.com
The sun at Summer Solstice is at its highest, even if hiding behind low lying clouds. Mother Earth is heavy with Her pregnancy as we are heavy with our own pregnancies (philosophies forming, plans stewing in the backs of our minds, or different elements of a formed plan coming into fruition). As with any gestation, care must be taken that the child will be birthed having the rosy glow of health. How we think, feel, and feed our gestating babies is of prime importance at this time. Surround yourself with nature’s growing abundance, the sounds of birds, insects, and the neighborhood cats and dogs. If you’re lucky enough to have a cat or dog living with you, give them a talisman or a healing body rub. Read more . . . Casting the Circle Photo by James Abke
Temple of the Goddess wishes to acknowledge, honor, and welcome those who have joined, tithed, or donated money to the temple in May. You keep the temple doors open for all of us.
Realm of Air
Realm of Water
Realm of Spirit 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.
Temple of the Goddess is proud to offer its heart-felt
congratulations to Ruth Ann Anderson on being
chosen to create the art installation for the Montclair
Station of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension.
Ruth Ann, lovingly known at Temple of the Goddess
as RA, is a beloved temple priestess and seasoned
facilitator and we are both blessed and proud that
she’s one of us.
RA is one of fourteen talented artists who have been
chosen to conceptualize and beautify the new
stations along the Foothill Corridor. Each artist has
been chosen from a field of their contemporaries. The
winners presented new and innovative ideas with an
extra spark that drew the City Council members to
select their concepts and visions. Continued. . .
In the early 90's when the Goddess first tapped me on the shoulder and I discovered hope for this beautiful blue ball of a planet, I was surrounded by women. Females were the ones who knew that western society needed to bring back the attributes commonly associated with women. These feminine attributes have long included compassion, nurturing, caring, empathy, and to be concerned with relationships based on partnership instead of control. After my father first told me about the unseen magick that wove through the mundane world; after hearing Marija Gimbutas speak about ancient Goddess statues which revealed a hidden past of Goddess worship long before there was a male God; and after attending a Celtic Mythology class where the male instructor taught us about fairy tales and mythology concerning the Goddess, I immersed myself in Her lore. Read more. . .
You can provide greater support to Temple of the Goddess even faster with the eScrip VISA® Platinum! With the eScrip VISA Platinum, up to 2% of every purchase supports the evolving vision of the temple. And you don’t have to do anything different than you normally do. . .it’s that easy! Apply for the no annual fee eScrip VISA, right now online! Your card is automatically registered with eScrip. Up to 2% of every purchase will go to support the Temple of the Goddess, and when you use your eScrip VISA at participating eScrip merchants, the purchase gets both the merchant and VISA earnings. Click Here to Learn More! For more information, go to Gifting Opportunities at Temple of the Goddess. Or write to us at Development@TempleoftheGoddess.org. Your support keeps the vision alive.
Sacred Sensual Moving Meditation for
women INTRODUCTORY CLASSES AND SERIES OF
FIVE For Registration and
Information Call (310) 455-3876 or
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