 Honoring The Divine Feminine
In the month of May, we set aside one day
when women, Goddess, all Mothers are honored.
We honor and celebrate you today and all days
for all the love, creativity and compassion,
for all the nurturing you give to so many
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Temple of the Goddess Announcements
2009 Dates for Rehearsal are:
May 24th, 4-6:00 pm
June 7th, 4-6:00 pm
June 14th, 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! NOTE: Please send any related essays, articles, interviews, and poetry for temple newsletter to newsletter@TempleoftheGoddess.org.
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. |
Fluid Release by The Word
Pimpstress
I
am the flowing ripples of water
Softly
swishing into existence
I
am the calmness of the sea
Easing
myself into the readiness of the flow.
I
am the dolphin ~ gliding underwater
Gently
reassured of my willingness to breathe
Accepting
the ride for this is my flight towards letting go
 I
am the waterfall
Courageously
gushing over the rocks
To
get to my destination
I
am the thunderous voice
Cascading
its roaring rapids down below
Where
the fluidity of pure love
Can
open and release its manifestation
I
am the liquid yumminess
Transcending
into orgasmic bliss
I
am the sensual sweat of remembrance
The
origin of this creation
I am the teardrops of ecstasy
The explosion of oxytocin glow
I immerse myself in this gooey vision
Fully ready to let go
Click to View Spoken Word Piece
As
I birth myself into anew
I
am woman, I am Goddess, I am now Mother to you
Mmm. . .I
am woman, I am Goddess, I am now Mother to you. . .
. . .eight days later, Andrik Darius Pueblos was born.
Fluid Release Written and Performed
by The Word Pimpstress, (a.k.a. Lady Lava) www.volcanoflux.com
Percussion by Dalmacio Pueblos, (a.k.a. Dr. Magma) www.volcanoflux.com
Videography by John Vitale
Music produced by DJ Oscure
Photo Courtesy: Richard G. Lowe Jr., www.renaissancefaire.net
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 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."
Temple of the Goddess is proud, and happy, to announce in this magical month of Motherly May the imminent birth of its first "granddaughter," Isla Autumn Heiner. Isla is the daughter of Dionne Heiner, daughter of RA, our temple art director. Along with dad, Mitch Heiner, we are thrilled and waiting, with great anticipation, for the arrival of Isla, who will be welcomed as the embodiment of the divine feminine that she is. We look forward to meeting you, Isla. |
Soothsayings: May - June 2009
by Rosemary Clark
From Earth to Air As the gentle climate of May hastens our gardens to bloom, the sanctified Earth welcomes the winds of change and motion brought by elemental Air. The season of Taurus now transitions to Gemini, while the mistress Hathor gives way to the matron Juno, Roman goddess who presides over marriage and the essential union of family and state. But while she oversees these affairs in one's culture, she also opens the door to individual wisdom as the "bringer of light," a power in the sky who gives vision to newborns and insight to her followers.
How often do we bypass our own insights, allowing instead our desire for acceptance or fear of criticism to subdue our better instincts? An understanding of what Goddess truly provides the inner sense of what is true around us is what this season awakens. As the plants in our gardens sprout, let our natural gifts of knowing the ways of the spiritual wind unfold.
Goddess TimesIn the ancient world, some were dedicated for life to know the ways of the inner senses, fulfilling this duty to both gods and men. In Rome it was the Vestals, a celibate priestesshood of custodians who safeguarded legal and historical documents and the genealogies of the aristocracy. But in addition to these civic duties, their task was the keeping of the sacred fire from which all hearths in Rome were alighted. This, in reflecting the character of their patroness Vesta, "the living flame."
In Greece, Hestia also embodied the powers of the hearth to bless those who were nourished by its fires. In this role the goddess lives among mortals, to protect orphans and children and ensure they always returned to the altar of sustenance. She is honored by the charity we extend to others by sharing the food we prepare from our kitchens.
Between June 914 the Romans celebrated the Vestalia, both in public and private. The hearth flame was renewed from the sanctuary of the Vestals, and special cakes of salt and freshly-ground grain were prepared and offered at the family altars.
This is an ideal time to share the duties of cooking with a gathering of friends and family. On the 15th of June, homes are cleaned by ceremonial sweeping, the burning of incense, and baking of newly-leavened bread.
 Astrologically, the asteroid Vesta governs the transformation of plant life to food, the alchemy of cooking and the culinary art. Her glyph represents the flame rising from the hearth and the creative power of fire, the action that makes ordinary tasks sacred. We should recognize this miracle in every meal we prepare and offer to others and ourselves. More. . .
Goddess Vestal Image: The Vestal by Frederick Lord Leighton (1830-1896)
(*) 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. |
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SAVE THE DATE
"The seasons and all their changes are in me." -Henry David Thoreau
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.
 June 20, 2009 Summer Solstice
- September 19, 2009 Autumn Equinox
- October 24, 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
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. |
 MOTHER'S DAY by Jeanne Leiter
The Earth is our mother, we must take care of her.
Most indigenous cultures treat the Earth as feminine, the Great Earth Mother which feeds us and takes us into Her bosom at death in order to transform us back into our essential parts in order to raise up the next generation of plants and animals. In this month of May when we celebrate Mother's Day, we must think of how we can honor the mother of us all. Earth. If we do not shift our thinking, our Mother will die. She is ill now, but She can recover. We are the healers. It must be an "I can, I will" attitude--I cannot wait for the other fellow to do something first.
Western society has treated the Earth like a concubine, something to be used until it's used up or we get tired of it. It cannot continue. Margaret Mead once said, "We won't have a society if we destroy the environment." And the Bible, that book considered by the masses to be at least sacred, if not scientifically or historically correct, states in Genesis, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." [1:28]
A favorite adage of Yankee homemakers was, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." I've heard present times described as, 'Nouveau Depression'. This sounds too 'nice' to me. It's just downright Hard Economic Times. Too many of my friends have lost their jobs. We need to recycle not just for ourselves but to help Mother Earth be healthy for all the generations to come. We're out of school, but should still be thinking of 4 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink. That famous movie detective Charlie Chan once said, "Too late to dig well when honorable house is on fire." More
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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 Earth
Realm of Spirit
Dawn Bodnar Sutton
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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Tarot Card Review by Jeanne Leiter
 Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess
Artist and Author: Pamela Wells
Artmagic Publishing
Have you always wanted to have a collector's edition? These first edition, twenty-one Tarot cards (major arcana only) are sturdy and large (3.75" x 5.5"). They come in a box that looks beautifully indestructible. The size is not the only thing that is large. They're large in scope. Gold-framed artistic pictures of modern day Goddesses, showing the beauty of Asian, Black, and Caucasian women wearing the most gorgeous gowns this side of a Parisian runway. Wells feels the cards ". . . portray women as powerful, self-confident and strong everyday goddesses. The models are mothers, teachers, artists, therapists, students, lawyers, businesswomen and friends." They walk through forests or flowers, swim through water, and fly with angel wings. They walk beside tigers, snakes, and wolves, all are one with the Universe. One holds the Earth gently in her hand. Wells is equally adept at painting humans, animals, and landscape. Even the backs are beautiful, showing a leopard calmly peering through a forest of large, green leaves. The deck is worth the price for the art alone. More.
More Pamela Wells art can be seen at: www.artmagic.net. For information about her illustrative/website/graphics business, go to: www.IntegrativeGraphics.com
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Kid's Realm ~~Childhood is a journey, not a race.~~
Coffee Filter Butterfly
By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Easy
Age: 3 and up
These beautifully vibrant butterflies are a great way to welcome spring! Suspend them from the ceiling with fishing line, or make several and attach to a paper plate mobile. More
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Herb of the Month
by: Fee, Certified Master Herbalist from the Global College of Natural Medicine, Keeper of the Gardens
"In Eastern lands they talk in flowers,
And they tell in a garland their love and cares;
Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowers,
On its leaves a mystic language bears." -- James G. Percival
 Merry Meet and welcome!! Spring is in full swing and well on her way to summer! May has the Lily of the Valley and the hawthorn. Once again, both of these are attractive to the faeries. The lily of the valley has been cultivated for over four hundred years and is a popular bridal flower due to its fragrance. While lily of the valley is magickally used to perk you up and life your spirits, all parts of the plant are mildly toxic and should not be ingested. The blooms of the hawthorn are used in spells for fertility, happiness and good luck in fishing! (a happy thought, indeed!!)
 Yarrow (Achillea) is an all-purpose magickal herb, often called the witch's herb. It instills courage, strength, love and friendship and banishes evil. It is a faery plant. A lovely variety is Moonshine; a golden yellow yarrow that dries beautifully! Yarrow is great for fresh arrangements. It is available in white, yellow, and shades of red and pink.
 Harvest these blooms when they are looking their best. Band them together, cover with a brown paper bag, and hang them upside down to dry in a non-humid, well-ventilated room. Yarrow prefers full sun and likes rich,moist soil. The bloom time starts in late May to early June. The blooms last on the plants for almost six weeks. If you dead head them after they have faded, you will be rewarded with another small batch of flowers in late summer. Zones 4-8
Garden Witchery:Magick From The Ground Up, Ellen Dugan, Llewellyn Publications 2003
Lily of the Valley - victoriananursery.co.uk, Hawthorn - www.netstate.com,
May Flowering Herb, Yarrow - www.youcanlearnseries.com
For gardening or herbal questions, contact Fee at khotbc@yahoo.com |
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Power of the Feminine Film Festival
Let's gather for a fun evening as we come together to view and discuss films that illuminate and engage us in the Power of the Feminine. Join us at the movies! Dress casual, (PJ's acceptable), bring blanket, beach chair. Popcorn and other snacks will be available to purchase for the benefit of the Temple. Some films will be Family Friendly and others will be 13 years or older (parental discretion). Our next film will be:
The Secret Life of Bees
[July 18, 2009 - 7:30 pm]
Family Friendly!
Our next featured movie for the Feminine Film Festival is The Secret Life of Bees. This marvelous film is based on the historical fiction 2002 best-selling novel by American author Sue Monk Kidd. The book is a touching story that rightfully became a New York Times bestseller. It was nominated for the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction. The book was adapted to a screenplay by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson. The film was released on October 17, 2008.
Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees revolves around 14 year-old Lily Owens, whose life is shaped by her blurred memory of the afternoon of her mother's accidental death. Lily's black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three racists in town, and in order to save Rosaleen's life, they both run away. They end up in Tiburon, South Carolina.
Lily has lonely at home and feels that she is unloved by her father, T. Ray, who punishes her harshly for small, and sometimes, imaginary infractions. When she comes to live with, and work with, August Boatwright, one of three sisters, she discovers that she has many people who love and care for her.
Since Lily was not allowed to ask questions of her father, she begins again to find out who she is. She writes down her thoughts in a notebook, and finds her first love, Zachary Taylor. She finds out who she really is when she learns about her mother's past.
When she discovers her past, she begins to see where she fits in the present. When one has a past, one also has a future.
Come watch this wonderful film with the Temple family, then discuss its meanings in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
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 Earn Cash for the Temple of the Goddess!
July 1 - July 27
High School
Students from Finland, France, Germany,
Spain, and Switzerland are coming to Pasadena to improve their English and learn
about American culture!
EF Educational Homestay Program (EHP) is looking for caring volunteer families in
our community to welcome these students for only 4 weeks this summer. When you host a student, you will have the
opportunity to learn about your student's customs and traditions, as he or she
discovers the culture and lifestyle of America while improving their
conversational English. You have fun and for each student hosted,
the Temple of
the Goddess will receive $25.00 You may also have a chance to brush up on a
foreign language you are studying!
Even if you don't
live in Pasadena, EF has arranged for bus
transportation from Crescenta
Valley, North Hills area,
and Monrovia/Arcadia area.
Please contact Cyndia Z. Klein at 626-379-2414
or czklein@singular.com if you are
interested.
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Temple of the Goddess PAGAN BOOK CLUB
June 23, 2009 ~ 7:00pm
Do you enjoy reading and discussing books? Then please join us for the temple's 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 next book will be:
The Chalice and the Blade
Our History Our Future
by Raine Eisler
 Some books are like revelations, they open the spirit to unimaginable possibilities. The Chalice and the Blade is one of those magnificent key books that can transform us and...initiate fundamental changes in the world. With the most passionate eloquence, Riane Eisler proves that the dream of peace is not an impossible utopia.The phenomenal bestseller, with more than 500,000 copies sold worldwide, now with a new epilogue from the author--The Chalice and the Blade has inspired a generation of women and men to envision a truly egalitarian society by exploring the legacy of the peaceful, goddess-worshipping cultures from our prehistoric past. (courtesy of amazon.com)
This international bestseller -- now in 23 foreign editions, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, and most European languages-- tells a fascinating new story of our past, present, and the possibilities for our future. Weaving together evidence from art, archeology, religion, social science, history, and many other fields of inquiry into new patterns that more accurately fit the best available data, it shows that war and the "war of the sexes" are neither divinely nor biologically ordained. It provides verification that a better future is possible--and is in fact firmly rooted in the haunting drama of what actually happened in our past. (courtesy of raineeisler.com)
Click here to buy this book from Amazon and help support the temple. For more information regarding the PBC or carpooling contact Inanna at: PaganBookClub@templeofthegoddess.org |
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The Frame Drum "Tool of Remembrance" with Miranda Rondeau
A Special Program for Women ~ Introductory Workshop  Sunday, May 24, 2009 ~ 10:00-2:00 p.m.
Goddess Studio, Escondido (North San Diego , CA)
The frame drum is one of the oldest universal instruments in the world. It is a powerful archetype and tool of remembrance. Its circular shape symbolizes wholeness, unity, and oneness, while its drum strokes corresponds to the elements. In the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean, the frame drum was used for religious functions, rites of passage, communal bonding and celebration. The predominant players then were women, priestesses in service to the Goddess.
ABOUT THE DAY
- Miranda will Open with song offerings
- Learn to play in the upright position with our hands
- Learn to recite and play basic strokes of the drum
- Explore basic music concepts
- Explore different rhythm & stroke combinations
- Weave in the symbology and intention of the strokes.
- Develop a relationship to the drum integrating the body & mind
**Absolutely no drum experience necessary**
The fee for the day includes use of drums that Miranda will provide. Earlybird fee before by May 17: $45; or $55 after May 17 or at door. At the Goddess Studio, Escondido (North San Diego, CA) Address & Directions sent upon registration! Click here for more Info or questions contact: AmalyaGoddess@aol.com or call 760-432-6574 |
Wiccan Out Weekend:
An All-Women Camping Goddess Extravaganza
 May 29-June 1
Indian Cove Campground, Joshua Tree National Monument
Please join our tribe as we share joy, tears and compassion in Mother Nature. The weekend will explore our themes, the Crone in the tarot and the Year of the Ox in Chinese mythology. Develop community and dance around a blazing fire to rhythmic drums as together, we create global magic.
agauldin@pacbell.net. Produced by Anne Gauldin & Ruth Ann Anderson |
Temple of the Goddess Moon Lodge for Women
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.
 May 27 June 24 July 22 August 19 September 16 October 14 November 18 December 16 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. Contact Kamala@templeofthegoddess.org |
 Temple of the Goddess ~ Full Moon Celebrations
Monthly Celebrations are held on the night of the Full Moon, unless listed otherwise.
Upcoming Dates:
July 7th, 7-10:00 pm
August 5th, 7-10:00 pm
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 |
 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)
Due to scheduling conflicts the May 23rd class has been canceld. Please save the date and join us on Saturday, June 27th, 3-6:00pm.
SERIES OF FIVE CLASSES -- $150.00
Monday, July 13, 2009 thru August 10, 2009 from 7 to 10 pm
No Dance Experience Necessary. For more info click here.
Contact Kamala: kamala@terrakino.net | |
