A guide into the many sides of Spirituality. Our mission: Is to provide a voice for any and all, that hold the tenet “Harm None” close to their heart, to discuss the varied paths of spirituality. Over the years, we have offered a number of articles that have dealt with the various branches of Goddess-based religions. While we have been very proud of our work, we feel that there are many other voices that deserve to be heard. That is why we are pointing our sights not only from a polytheistic, but a monotheistic point of view. We hope you enjoy the changes. Inside this issue: THE COVEN OF SOLITARIES, OR BETTER KNOWN AS THE STAFF: MARY;EDITOR GRAEHAWKE; CO-EDITOR TIELENGRAE BLACKBIRD; CONTRIBUTING WRITER/REVIEWER AND MORE ********************************* Deadlines for submissions: May 31, 1999 PUBLICATION NOTE: All rights return to the original author upon publication in this newsletter. For permission to reprint, contact the author at the address listed. If no address is listed, contact the author c/o: CAMSG-NL PO BOX 87 Clarion PA 16214 ************************* For Immediate release from Circle Sanctuary: News release dated March 4, 1999 Lady Liberty League (LLL), one of America’s oldest networks providing support in Wiccan and Pagan religious freedom cases has added a News Update section to its home page. This News Update section carries the latest news about cases for which LLL has been providing networking support. Lady Liberty League is among the Wiccan rights organizations that has provided assistance to the Michigan Civil LIberties Union which has sued a Michigan high school in order to make it possible for a Wiccan high school student to wear her pentagram openly at school. On Tuesday, March 2, 1999 in a hearing before a federal judge, the high school conceded that the Wiccan religion is indeed a religion and agreed to remove Witch and Pagan from the school’s list of prohibited groups in their anti-gang dress code policy. However, the principal testified that no exception will be made for pentagrams, despite the student’s testimony that the pentagram is a Wiccan religious symbol and she should be entitled to wear it just as the Christians students are able to wear crosses. The judge is to issue a ruling soon. Selena Fox and others affiliated with the Lady LIberty League have been in frequent contact with Michigan Civil Liberty Union attorneys regarding this case. More information about the hearing and the latest update on the case has just been posted to the LLL website, along with links to other sites with information. Information obtained by Selena Fox directly from the MCLU senior attorney following the March 2 hearing is included in the update. For more information about this case and about LLL, visit: http://www.circlesanctuary. org/liberty Lady Liberty League Circle Sanctuary PO Box 219 Mt. Horeb Wi 53572 USA telephone: (608) 924-2216 fax; (608) 924-5961 ON THE SOAPBOX Okay folks it’s time to kick everything into full gear. By this time you should have received your free copy of ECLECTIC MUSE. What we need to know from you is whether or not you want us to keep printing the reviews in a separate newsletter. If you do, we need to hear from you. Please contact the co-editor of E.M. at: tieleblackbird@hotmail.com for further information. A couple of great things have been happening since I last got on the soapbox, and I’ll tell you about some of them in Recent Happenings. To give you an idea, we have made several new contacts that will hopefully benefit everyone. By now you all know that we are up online, with a preview of each newsletter available, as well as emailing the newsletters to any and all that wish to receive it that way. Thank you everyone for your patience, and help in figuring out exactly how to do this. And thank you Growllyn for your input. We are glad that the changes were so well liked. We weren’t sure how everyone would feel about them. We still want to hear from everyone, so please keep the ideas and suggestions coming. After all this is your newsletter too. RECENT HAPPENINGS by Mary Carter-Johnson, Editor Greetings from your Editor! As you have noticed by now the newsletter has undergone quite a few changes since I stepped off the soapbox and handed the reins over to my very capable Co- Editor Graehawke. The most noticeable change is that the newsletter is now available through e-mail in addition to the hard copy. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter in e-mail, Graehawke has created mailing list for e-mail subscribers. At this time it will be an open list where you can share with others in addition to getting the newsletter when it's published. To subscribe go to http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Spiritual-Voices. The second most noticeable change is in our name: from CAMSG-NL to Spiritual Voices. After some discussion among the staff and myself we decided that the newsletter needed a new name to better reflect what we are trying to accomplish. Thus, CAMSG-NL has been transformed into Spiritual Voices. Let us know what you think of our new name! Other changes have occurred in our publication schedule and subscription options. Our publication schedule is now Quarterly to allow the staff more time to gather material and produce a newsletter richer in content. The subscription fee is still $6/year, but there are now a few different ways in which you can subscribe to the newsletter. You can now subscribe too the hard copy or through e-mail. If you choose to go with e-mail your subscription is Free of Charge. However, if you choose to continue getting the hard copy you still have to pay the annual subscription fee. You can also choose to get the newsletter both in hard copy and e-mail. If you take this option, you will have to pay for a subscription since you are getting a hard copy along with the e-mail copy. Sample copies are still $1.50 for a hard copy and free if requested via e-mail. We have also gotten the first issue of Eclectic Muse out, and my thanks to Tielengrae for all his hard work on getting the inaugural issue out into the hands of you folks. I hope you enjoyed reading and learning about the many study tools out there. Please let us know what you thought, so we know whether it's worthwhile to continue on with this newest venture. This also leads to another change in the format of the newsletter, as all reviews will now be found in Eclectic Muse rather than Spiritual Voices. This will open up more space for more material of interest to the readers. We hope that you are enjoying the changes and have had a chance to stop by the newsletter website maintained by Graehawke. If you haven't stopped in, we invite you to do so today! The address is: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Atlantis/7397 And so the winds of change have come upon the newsletter, leaving none of us, especially yours truly unaffected. I have enjoyed being a part of the process, from creating this newsletter, to watching it grow and finally letting go of my tight hold on the reins. I feel as though it has undergone a re-birth into a new being, and I with it. I have learned to let go and let others have a chance at creating and publishing the newsletter. I hope that Graehawke is enjoying his time at the helm as much as I have in the past. It certainly has been a real learning and eye- opening experience for me as I'm sure it has been for him! I have begun to stretch my wings a bit and have created my very first web page. It is a new web-based publication of Literary Spirituality, entitled "Collective Conscious" and I invite you all to stop and take a look. The address is: http://members.xoom.com/CollectiveCo/ I'm currently in the market for submissions so be sure to check out the submissions page for more information on how to get your work(s) posted on Collective Conscious Having a "new baby" to look after and nurture has eased the slightly painful transition from having complete control over the form and content of Spiritual Voices to allowing someone else to shape it to their unique style and vision. Yes, I will admit, I am a control freak! But this has a good learning experience for me. My heartfelt thanks to Graehawke for putting up with me during this time! I enjoy working with Graehawke and Tielengrae, and will continue to do so as long as they will allow me, in whatever capacity that might be, Editor for now and hopefully as a staff member when I finally do relinquish my Editorship of this newsletter. I do feel that time is close at hand for me to let go completely, but not quite yet. My "firstborn" still needs me but not for much longer! There will be more changes to come, and we invite you to stay tuned to this column to find out what's been happening around these parts! Brightest Blessings to you all, Mary Seeking Enlightenment The spot where your questions can be read by all our readers. if you have a question that you think one of our readers can answer or a problem that you need help with this is the spot. Send in your question to the PO Box and we’ll make sure it gets put in. If you are answering to a question or problem, again send the response to the PO Box and we’ll be more than glad to forward it on for you. The question this time around comes from Gwendolyn: “How would one find a hypnotist experienced in past-life regression? Are there any readers who can recommend someone in the Clarion/Franklin area?” The Deity corner. The Deities Work in Mysterious Ways - Or- Hey, You’re not who you appeared to be. For years now I have lived with the knowledge that I have guardian spirits that converse with me rather frequently. The majority of them appear to me in the guise of animals. Two of them show up as mythological beings while one of them shows up as a human. Each time they appear to me, they do so in the shape to which I have become accustomed. This has made working with them much easier in the long run. However, a few weeks ago, I received a very interesting surprise. This surprise lends credence to the belief that guardian spirits tend to appear in shapes that are more easily acceptable to our own perceptions. However, if they feel that you can handle their true forms, they won’t hesitate to let you know it. That’s precisely what happened to me on the Wednesday before Christmas. I was at work doing the same old routine; buffing the floors at a local retail store. The monotony of the job lends to the ability to ‘daydream’, an activity I find myself engaged in frequently. Most of the time I think about future activities like bills to pay, housework to be completed, articles to write. Stuff like that. On this particular morning, however, I was engaged in a wonderful conversation with my guardians. As the holidays brought along their usual levels of stress, I asked for a little extra strength to get through them with my sanity only slightly threadbare. My request formulated, I set about sending it into the universe where I knew at least one of my guardians would hear it and respond. As Fate would have it, several of them heard my plea and responded by “appearing” in the store. They intimated that they were “in the neighborhood and thought they’d drop by” a little sooner than I had mentioned in my message. This was fine by me, because the morning had been a bad one for me mentally. Bolstered by the affection from my otherworldly friends, I shrugged off the days unpleasantness and focused on my work. With my brain focused on the meniality of my job, my mind was free to wander with “the gang”. It was during this wandering that I received a most welcome surprise. One of my birds, (let’s call him “Hal”) decided that my spiritual progression was to the point where the revealing of his true identity would not send me into fits of hysterical disbelief. Thus, having appeared to me as his “bird of choice”, he then transformed into none other than the god Odin. I’ve been feeling a particular “pull” toward the Norse pantheon for a few months now; ever since I set up an altar to honor my ancestors. I’m 75% German descent, the other 25% being made up of the majority of Northern Europe. (My ancestors were Vikings, who’s motto was “Rape, Pillage, and Plunder”. This is said with no disrespect, but rather a calm acceptance of the times in which my ancestors lived). When I set up the altar I felt a “click” in my psyche that indicated I was finally on the right track, so to speak. Even though my spiritual studies had started leaning toward the Norse, I wasn’t really prepared for a meeting with Odin, himself. Slightly flabbergasted, all I could do when he changed from his usual bird form into his” true” form was stand open-mouthed and stare. Once I regained my composure I felt another “click” in my psyche as the proverbial lightbulb came on in my head. The bird form in which he had always appeared to me before wan a raven. After his transformation, I finally saw the connection. (I’m a Virgo, folks. Subtlety tends to get lost on me) However, Odin’s transformation was not the only one I was to receive this day. My guardians still had a surprise for me. Keep in mind that all of this occurred while I was pushing heavy machinery through aisles tightly packed with Christmas merchandise. How I managed not to damage anything is beyond me. Suffice it to say I’m glad my “autopilot” mode was functioning. Especially after the next revelation. Still slightly woozy form digesting the fact that Odin appeared to me, I asked if any of the other guardians were “more” than they appeared to be. I really need to learn to be more careful what I wish for, because the next thing I know, my usually quiet bobcat suddenly transforms herself into none other than the Goddess Freya. Two Nordic deities in one day! If I had any doubts as to which pantheon I should work with, they were all laid to rest right then and there. I didn’t really get the opportunity to chat with Freya that morning. My supervisor interrupted my reveries to let me know our work was finished for the day and it was time to go home. But the groundwork had been laid for some serious studying into the Nordic pantheon. Which has become a daily focus in the weeks that have followed. (To Be Continued in the Summer issue.) Studying the Web by Arachne All right, so I screwed up! It doesn’t pay to advertise one’ hubris. As long as I’m here though, and as long as I have a slight advantage in this area, I think I’ll perform a little community service and help some of you find some lovely things to study on the web (whew!). Recently past is the Celtic celebration of Imbolg. It honors the triple-aspected Goddess, Brigid. Now, the holiday is spelled differently; for example, Imbolc, or Oemelc. Candlemas is also a popular term for this important day. In my research, dear reader, I found many interesting tidbits to share. Just let me wrap them up for you. Links to the currently accepted goddess figure reach into many cultures, with similarities to Egyptian, Greek, Norse and Christian figures. Resonating throughout accounts of Brigid is arts, house-holding, healing, weaving and smithing. Prophecy is also a gift of Brigid, so disciples beware! Brigid’s day is significant in that many important cultural events are closely related to it. American Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2. Traditionally, lambing begins within two weeks of this day in the British Isles; the original term translates as ewe’s milk! Some randy little love-stags and does connect Imbolg and Valentine’s Day. I think there is a strand of truth to that because it is 9 months after Belatine...nudge, nudge. The time of year in which the holiday occurs is the “dark half” in which we are called to venture inward. Any type of introspective activity is appropriate during this time. Call upon Brigid’s Crone aspect to assist you in this type of endeavor. Web sources for this information and more are the Circle Sanctuary website, specifically, the page on Candlemas; Paradigm Magazine’ and an interesting time can be had by going to your favorite search engine and typing in “goddess Brigid” (remember the quotation marks). The info available on Brigid had me hanging by a thread; it was a very interesting romp over the strands of the web. It made me-thirsty-to explore more. Until the next time you come into my parlor. Product Review: Cime Shadow Weaver’s Dream Pillows and Baskets. Reviewed by; Mary Carter-Johnson Recommended. The first item is dream pillow, listed price $10.00, which was quite a bit larger than I had expected, so it’s well worth the price! There is a handpainted picture of a dragon on one side of the pillow, which adds a nice touch. This particular pillow is for protection and the herb scent doesn’t see to be very strong so it would be ideal for slipping under one’s pillow at night without the worry of overwhelming the nose. The second item is a small decorated wicker basket, list price $10.00. It would add quite a festive touch to any altar, particularly around yule time due to the red/green color scheme, if you are into using red and green as your color scheme! The interior lining is a green satin cloth, and it is adorned with large red beads around the rim, and lace an the handle. There is also a green felt dragon attached to the handle, which is adorned with green glitter, so use care when small children or pets are about, as it is possible for the glitter to fall off during handling. It is obvious that Cime Shadow Weaver, the creator of these items, takes great care when creating her wares. Each pillow and basket are unique creations and I would definitely recommend these for gift giving as well as for your personal use. She has a great many pillows and baskets to choose from in her brochure and I guarantee you’ll find something for just about anyone on your gift list! For a brochure with complete pricing and ordering information contact: Shadows of the Goddess c/o Lisa Brawner PO Box 8335 Lexington, KY 40533-8335 (606)233-1497 Natures Presents Guide To Aromatherapy (Editors Note: for space allowances the following is an excerpt from Mr. Thompson’s pamphlet, for the full pamphlet, please contact the newsletter.) Introduction Aromatherapy - a complex art in which essential oils are massaged into the body or inhaled in order to produce the desired physiological, mental or emotional effect. Hello and thank you for taking the time to read my 'notes'. These have taken me years to gather, some by trial and error and others from studying. Let me start by saying that I am not an expert. I am always learning something different and new. For me, the power of smell is the strongest of the 5 senses. You may not realize it, but you are affected by aromatherapy everyday. A perfume or cologne can bring back feelings and memories, both happy and unhappy, of a time past. A smell floods your mind with memories long forgotten. A certain scent always seems to make you happy and energized. Have you ever noticed this has happened to you? Benefits of Aromatherapy Aromatherapy enhances current well-being, aids in improvement of health, creates restful sleep, improves your physical energy as well as mental alertness, reduces the effects of stress, works with emotions (for balance and well-being), and can assist in spiritual guidance and purification of environment. Common Ways to Use Aromatherapy Some of the more common ways to use aromatherapy are: direct Inhalation, steam inhalation/vaporizer, in personal-care products (such as lotions, soaps, gels, or bath bags and bath crystals), clay pot diffuser, lamp ring diffuser, electric diffuser, and massage with carrier oil. I like to use lotions, soaps, gels, bath bags and crystals for the body contact as well as the smell of them. My type of aromatherapy is not directed necessarily toward healing (though it can be), rather I like to try and see how the oil makes me 'feel', both physically and emotionally. For instance, I would not want to use a shower gel that the scent made me remember something dreadful. Many scents have a direct effect on people, and I will list these later on. Aromatherapy is a time-honored practice that we are just starting to re-discover! Aromatherapy has been around and has been practiced in one form or another since the beginning of civilization. It is the art, and science, of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health and beauty. Apart from the physical benefits, essential oils can have subtle effects on the mind and emotions. The essential oils taken from plants and used in Aromatherapy have been described as their "life force" - they are essential to the plants' biological process, as well as being the substance which gives them their scent. Synthetic oils, even if chemically similar, will lack all the natural elements, and that vital life-force, that make essential oils so valuable therapeutically and magickly. Essential Oils Essential oils are not really oils. They are more like water and will evaporate quickly. It is the aromatic substance within certain plants that give off the distinctive odors. True natural oils are crucial (which is all I use). The real thing, from living plants has natural ingredients that synthetics don't. Plus, since they come directly from living plants, I think they have a special quality that man can't make. Much of this information is personal. What works for me might not work for you. For instance, I like the smell of grapefruit. It is a soothing agent and anti-depressant. It is great to relieve stress. But if the scent of it makes your stomach churn, it is doubtful it will have the same effect on you as me. Each of us are different, so each oil will react to each person differently. I truly hope that this becomes a very valuable guide to you. None of mine are to be taken internally. Most of these can be found as an essential oil, while others can be found fresh. If no Magickal reference is made, it will be the same as the traditional one. The Aromas -Welcome to my Garden Allspice It has a spicy scent often used in potpourris. aromatherapy class: warming, cheering, sense enhancing aroma type: spicy traditional use: aphrodisiac Anise Cheering, sense enhancing, mildly euphoric. Aids relaxation and emotional balance. aromatherapy class: energizing, toning aroma type: anise traditional use: deodorant Magickal influences: protection, purification, and youth Apple The sweet scent of fresh green apples never looses its appeal. aromatherapy class: antidepressant aroma type: fruity traditional use: promote peace, feelings of love Magickal influences: love, peace, happiness, friendship Balsam Exotic aroma and imparts a rich, earthy scent. aromatherapy class: warming, relaxing aroma type: earthy traditional use: strengthening Basil Invigorates body and spirit, helps refresh the mind allowing concentration, especially when tired. Good after a stressful day. It has a sweet liquorice-like fragrance. aromatherapy class: soothing, energizing aroma type: anise traditional use: soothing agent, insect repellent, muscle relaxant. Magickal influences: conscious mind, happiness, peace, and money Bay Light, spicy, sweet aroma. Uplifting. Can be stimulating to the memory. aromatherapy class: stimulating, energizing aroma type: spicy traditional use: aphrodisiac, general aches and pains, purification Magickal influences: psychic awareness Bergamot Relaxes and refreshes and is good for confidence building. Uplifts the spirit and emotions with its delicious fresh and invigorating citrus fragrance, like orange and lemons with floral overtones. It relaxes the nervous system. It is familiar to many as the flavoring in Earl Grey Tea. aromatherapy class: calming, balancing, antidepressant aroma type: citrus traditional use: deodorant, perfume, soothing, sleep agent Magickal influences: peace, happiness, money, and prosperity Black Pepper You may be surprised to see this here. It has a pungent aroma, but it also has a sweet undertone as well. It stimulates and tones. aromatherapy class: courage, mental alertness aroma type: spicy traditional use: muscle relaxant, aphrodisiac Magickal influences: mental alertness, physical energy, and protection Carnation A nice aroma to have around when you are "down". aromatherapy class: antidepressant, calming aroma type: floral traditional use: aphrodisiac, health Magickal influences: strength, healing, love, physical & magickal energy Cedarwood Soothes and harmonizes, reminiscent of sandalwood. Recognized as a therapeutic oil from ancient times. Calms nervous tension and states of anxiety. It makes a pleasant warm and woody room fragrance. aromatherapy class: balancing, grounding, and energizing aroma type: woodsy traditional use: deodorant, insect repellent, soothing agent, aphrodisiac Magickal influences: spirituality, self-control, healing, and rejuvenation Chamomile A fruity, apple-like aroma. Well known for its strong soothing effect on mind and body. Can be used to treat nerves, headache and insomnia. Works great as a compress on the eyes. aromatherapy class: calming, soothing, sedative aroma type: fruity traditional use: muscle relaxant, soothing agent, aphrodisiac, aides sleep Magickal influences: sleep, meditation, peace Chocolate (Cocoa) Another one of those that have you asking..."what?!". Well, who can resist the smell of cocoa? It is almost legendary for its antidepressant and sensual properties. Induces feeling of well-being. aromatherapy class: soothing, energizing aroma type: earthy traditional use: calms nervous tension, aphrodisiac Cinnamon Spicy, sharp, and sweet aroma. Used as an insecticide, antispasmodic and aphrodisiac. Warms and stimulates. A lovely room fragrance. Eases colds and breathing difficulties. aromatherapy class: stimulating, energizing aroma type: spicy traditional use: aphrodisiac, deodorant, purifier Magickal influences: physical energy, psychic awareness, and prosperity Clary Sage Soothes, relaxes and warms. uplifts the spirit. Heavy, herbal, nutty fragrance. A relaxing, warming oil, eases nervous tension. Induces feeling of well-being. Can provoke dramatic and colorful dreams. Able to induce euphoria. Helps with depression, nerves along with aches & pains aromatherapy class: balancing, calming, toning aroma type: herbaceous traditional use: soothing agent, aphrodisiac, and muscle relaxant Magickal influences: euphoria, calm, dreams Clove A spicy and penetrating aroma. A stimulating oil. Strengthens memory and courage aromatherapy class: stimulating, energizing, and healing aroma type: spicy traditional use: muscle relaxant, soothing agent Magickal influences: healing, memory, protection, and courage In closing, I would like to say that I have more information than listed here. If there is something specific you are looking for, I would be more than happy to help you. There is a renewed interest in aromatherapy. What were once 'folk remedies' and 'wives tales' are now starting to be validated. Draw on your own experiences with the power of natures scents. How they make you feel and memories they refresh. So, clear your nose and open yourself up to the presents of nature. Sam Thompson Proprietor of Natures Presents Escerpts from The Mystics Wheel of the Year An Eco-Egalitarian Creation Spirituality Calendar Spring Equinox to Summer Solstice 1999 3/20 to 3/21 (3/20 8:46 p.m. EST): Spring Equinox--Marks the beginning of Spring and point of equal daylight and darkness; celebrates first, annual, and perpetual creation with egg hunts and exchanges. 3/20 to 3/21: Festival of First Creation--when Goddess-God Amenet-Amen (as Goose and Gander) laid and fertilized the Cosmic Egg from which all emerged (Old Egyptian); when Goddess Eurynome (as a Dove) laid the Cosmic Egg and God Ophion (as a Serpent) broke it open (Old Greek); when Goddess-God Teteoinan-Teteoitah created all Deities and all existence (Aztec); when concentrated matter flared forth to make the universe (scientific theory) 3/20 to 3/21: Old Sumerian, Babylonian & Canaanite-Hebrew festival celebrating the return of Dumuzi/Tammuz/Baal (God of Life and Death) from the Underworld to be with Inanna/Ishtar/Astarte (Goddess of Life) for the verdant part of the year. 3/20 to 3/21: Old Anglo-Teutonic festival of Goddess Eostre/Ostara, celebrating the annual rebirth. Her Hare gave gifts of colored eggs--signifying rebirth 3/21: Beginning of Aries (the Ram/Ewe/Lamb). 3/30 to 4/1 (3/31 5:49 p.m. EST): Full Moon (White/Virgin/Water Moon). 3/31 eve to 4/8 eve: Passover/Pesach--Jewish festival recalling their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and celebrating freedom from oppression. 4/1: Day commemorating the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira (599 BCE), founder of the Jain faith. Jains avoid aggression and practice harmlessness, simplicity, and charity to attain enlightenment and unity with Deity. 4/1 to 4/2: Old Greek feast of Peace--Celebrating Aphrodite (Goddess of Peace) vanquishing Ares (God of War)--with love. 4/1 to 4/30: April dedicated to Goddess as Old Greek Aphrodite-- nurturer of peace, friendship, and love; punisher of war-mongers, hate-mongers, and false friends and lovers. 4/4 (OC 4/11): Pascha/Easter--Christian celebration of Lord Jesus' resurrection by the power of Our Mother, the Holy Spirit; eggs are blessed and distributed. 4/12 to 4/19: Old Greek & Roman festival of Goddess Demeter/Ceres--women celebrated sisterhood, mother-daughter relationships, the sacredness of female fertility, the feminine in Nature, and being feminine (strong, compassionate, and wise--not prissy or macha). 4/13 to 4/15: Dark Moon. 4/16 (12:22 a.m. EDT): New Moon 4/20: Beginning of Taurus (the Bull/Cow/Calf). 4/20 eve to 4/23 eve (4/21 peak): Lyrid Meteor Showers. 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth; birthday of Christian St. Francis of Assisi (1182), guide of environmentalists 4/29 to 5/1 (4/30 10:55 a.m. EDT): Full Moon (Flower/Corn- Planting Moon). 4/29 eve to 5/1 eve: Feast of Divine Love and Compassion--source of healing, protection, and beneficence--dedicated to Goddess as Isis (Old Egyptian), Oshun (Yoruba), Charites (Old Greek), Gratiae (Old Roman), Lakshmi (Hindu), Rahamin (Jewish Kabbalah) & Domina Gratia/Lady Grace (Christian). 4/30: Arbor Day--Day to honor the trees, to plant trees, and to meditate on Deity manifesting as trees--dedicated to Goddess as Helice/Willow (Old Greek), Yggdrasil/Ash (Old Teutonic), Yaxche/World Tree (Mayan) & Asherah/Tree of Life (Old Canaanite- Hebrew); and God as Lugh/Llew/Oak (Old Celtic) 4/30 eve to 5/6 eve: Mid-Spring/May Day/Walpurgis/Beltain-- Celebrates sacred love and the flowering vegetation by gathering flowers and dancing around a Maypole 5/6: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state throughout the world. 5/12 to 5/14: Dark Moon. 5/15 (8:05 a.m. EDT): New Moon. 5/15: Kindness Day--Day for practicing anonymous acts of kindness. 5/18 to 5/25: Old Greek & Roman festival of God Pan/Faunus--men celebrated brotherhood, father-son relationships, the sacredness of male fertility, the masculine in Nature, and being masculine (strong, compassionate, and wise--not macho). 5/21: Beginning of Gemini (the Twins/Lovers/Partners). 5/29 to 5/31 (5/30 2:40 a.m. EDT): Full Moon (Rose/Berry Moon). 5/29 eve to 5/31 eve: Feast of the Moon--dedicated to Goddess-God as Maat-Thoth (Old Egyptian) & Ningal-Sin (Old Sumerian); and Goddess as Mawu (Fon-Haitian), Selene (Old Greek), Soika Gaakwa (Iroquois), Nunda Sunna Yehi (Cherokee), Hanwi (Lakota), Yaonakka Citta (Zuni), Coatlicue (Aztec), Ixchel (Mayan), Quilla (Incan), Hina (Hawaiian), Tsukiyomi (Shinto), Manah (Old Arabic-Sufi) & Domina Lunaris (Christian). 6/1 to 6/30: June dedicated to Goddess as Old Roman Juno--partner of Jove (God of Happiness), protector of marriage and family, and punisher of abusive and adulterous spouses. 6/5: World Environment Day--Day to mourn the harm done to Mother Earth (past and present) and make reparation. 6/10 to 6/12: Dark Moon. 6/13 (3:03 p.m. EDT): New Moon. 6/13 eve: Old European feast of the Triple Goddess (Goddess of the Moon and the Seasons), marking the transformation of the Virgin into the Mother. 6/20 to 6/21 (6/21 3:49 p.m. EDT): Summer Solstice--Marks the beginning of Summer and the longest day and shortest night of the year; celebration of the light with dancing around a bonfire. -- Marija has been a priestess dedicated to service of Goddess-God since 1989. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year 1999 wall calendar can still be ordered by sending $13.50 to Page Two, Inc., P.O. Box 77167, Washington, D.C. 20013. Phone: 1-800-821-6604. (Checks, MC & Visa accepted.) Email: < WheeloftheYear@BookArts.com (Significant discounts for orders of 5 or more.) The Spiritual Voices Almanac. This is our section of special dates, that we thought might be of interest to you. If you have a special date that you would like to have included either email us or write us and we will try to get the date in. 3/20 Ostara begins 3/21 Inauguration of Isis-Urania temple of the Golden Dawn and initiation of Moina Mathers, 1888 3/23 Brithdate of Dane Rudhyar, astrologer 3/24 Florence Newton accused of witchcraft in Ireland, 1661 3/25 Pope Innocent III issues the bull to establish the Inquistion, 1199 3/26 birthday of Joseph Campbell, professor of mythology 3/27 Birthday of Rudolph Steiner, philosopher and father of bio-dynamic farming movement 3/28 Palm Sunday and the day Scott Cunningham dies,1993 3/31 Passover begins, and the last witch trial in Ireland held a Magee Island, 1711 4/1 April Fools day and the Death of Elias Ashmole healer and philosopher, 1634 4/2 Good Friday, birthday of Hans Christian Andersen. 4/4 Easter Sunday, daylight savings time begins at 2:00a.m. 4/6 Birthday of Harry Houdini 4/7 Church of All Worlds founded, 1972; First Wiccan tract published by Pete Pathfinder, 1996 4/8 Passover ends 4/14 Adoption of the Principles of Belief at the “Witch Meet” In St. Paul Minnesota, 1974 4/15 Birthday of Elizabeth Montgomery, Samantha on TV’s Bewitched 4/16 Birthday of Margot Adler author of Drawing Down the Moon. 4/22 Earth Day 4/24 Birthday of Shirley MacLaine, actress 4/25 USA Today reports that Patricia Hutchins is the first military Wiccan granted religious leave for the sabbats, 1989 4/29 Birthday of Ed Fitch, Wiccan author 4/30 Alex Sanders dies of lung cancer, 1988 5/1 Beltane; death of Arnold Crowther, stage magician and Gardnerian Witch, 1974 5/3 Birthday of D.J. Conway Wiccan author 5/6 Birthday of Sigmund Freud 5/9 Mothers Day; Joan of Arc canonized, 1920 5/10 Birthday of Karl E. Kraft, German astrologer who opposed Hitler 5/11 Massachusetts Bay Coloney Puritans ban Christmas celebrations because they are too Pagan, 1659 5/21 Birthday of Gwydion Pendderwen, Pagan Bard 5/22 Adoption of the Earth Religion Anti-Abuse act, 1988 5/25 Scott Cunningham initiated into the Traditional Gwydionic Order of the Wicca, 1981 5/30 Memorial Day 5/31 Memorial Day observed 6/1 Witchcraft Act of 1563 takes effect 6/3 Birthday of Steven Posch, Pagan Scholar; and birthday of Mary Zimmer Bradley, fantasy author and editor 6/8 Birthday of Grant Lewi, astrologer 6/9 Birthday of Grace Cook, medium and founder of White Eagle Lodge 6/11 Birthday of Ruth Montgomery, medium and author 6/13 Birthday of Gerald Gardner, founder, Gardnerian Tradition of Wicca 6/17 Birthday of Starhawk Wiccan Author 6/20 Father’s day 6/21 Summer Solstice ------------------------------------------ the above dates are from: (c)1999 Llewellyn Publications; The 1999 Witch’s Calendar PRESS RELEASE FROM CIRLCE SANCTUARY: Pagan periodicals, Wiccan covens, Druidic Groves, Shamanic Circles, Goddess centers, pagan festivals, and other resources are invited to submit contact listing for the next Circle Guide to Pagan Groups. The Circle Guide to Pagan Groups is now accepting new listing as well as updates for its forthcoming 20th anniversary edition, to be published later in 1999. The Circle Guide includes names, addresses, and descriptions of a variety of resources, including groups, periodicals, networks, stores, festivals, centers, websites, and more. Listings are Free. To get listed, request a listing form, fill it out, andsend it as soon as possible by email to Circle Guide, cirlce@mhtc.net or by postal mail to: Circle Guide Circle Publications, PO Box 219 Mt. Horeb WI 53572 USA Forms received by March 31, 1999 will be considered for inclusion in th first printing of the 11th edition which celbrates 20 years of continuous publication of this widely circulated Pagan networking directory. Forms received after March 31, 1999 will be considered for subsequent printings. Listing forms are available by email, by postal mail, and on-line: http://www.circlesanctuary.org/ publications/index.htm To receive a listing form by email or postal mail, email Theresa Jones; circle@mhtc.net or leave a message at (608)924-2216--include both your postal and email addresses and mention that you want a Circle Guide to Pagan Groups form in making requests. About Spiritual Voices. Publication Info. S.V. focuses on issues of a metaphysical nature. Published Quarterly. Subscriptions are$6/4 issues or $1.50/sample issue, $2.00/back issue. Make checks/money orders payable to Mary Carter. Send to: CAMSG P.O.Box 87 Clarion PA 16214-0087 --------------------------------------- Networking: Emails: CAMSG_NL@YAHOO.COM To contact the editors: Editors: camsg_nl@hotmail.com Co-editor: eclecticwitch@hotmail.com Eclectic Muse: eclecticmuse@hotmail.com or tieleblackbird@hotmail.com. If you have access to the Internet here are some sites worth checking out and bookmarking (all sites begin with http://) -Circle Sanctuary www.circlesanctuary.org -Witches Anti Discrimination League; welcome.to/wadl -COLL MAGAZINE www.toolcity.net/~tshaw/coll/ content2.htm -www.witchvox.com/wvoxhome.html www.witches-brew.com www.amysticalgrove.com/PTM/ ********************************* PRESS RELEASE: 1999 PAGAN SPIRIT GATHERING JUNE 20-27, 1999 in Southeast Ohio at Wisteria Campground. Sponsored by Circle Sanctuary One of the oldest and largest of the Pagan festivals, the internation Pagan Spirit Gathering, also known as PSG, will be held June 20-27, 1999, at the Wisteria Campground in southeastern Ohio, near Athens. Brochures with details and registration information will be mailed out in January of 1999. Registration closes in May. Discounts are available for earlier registrations received in Winter and Spring. To Be included on the mailing list, contact: PSG 1999 Circle Sanctuary PO Box 219 Mt. Horeb WI 53572 USA (608) 924-2216 email: circle@mhtc.net The Village Green. The Classifieds Submissions are VERY welcome. Written works, reviews, artwork, etc. For guidelines and submission information please send a SASE to us ATTN: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES or email us at: eclecticwitch@hotmail.com Please include a SASE when writing for information. (* - trade publications) Publications: *EVERGREEN NEWS--Focusing on issues of importance to Witches. Subcriptions are $8/year. For more information or a sample issue send a SASE to: EVERGREEN NEWS c/o Goldie Brown PO Box 64 Monroeville PA 15146-0624 *SILVER CHALICE PO Box 196 Thorofare NJ 08086 *********************************** COLL MAGAZINE: C.O.L.L. magazine is an eclectic publication of positive paganism featuring articles, poetry, short stories, personal journeys, networking, goods and services and more. We publish four times a year, celebrating the Solstices and Equinoxes; Yule/Imbolc, Ostara/Beltane, Litha/Lammas, and Mabon/Samhain. The subscription rate is $8.00 per year or $2.00 per issue. (for now, advertising and networking is free, but please be reasonable in length.) Please Do Not make checks or money orders out to C.O.L.L., rather, make them out to Tamara Shaw or Chris Temple For Subscription and submission please write to: Rev. Christopher N. Temple 19657 Grange Center road Saegertown, PA 16433 Submissions are very welcome and we are always interested in trading publications. So if you have a pagan newsletter or publication with which you would like to trade, please write to the Editor. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Silver Strand/ Prelude to The Millennium: There are several address’ for the Silver Strand and I will give them all to you. Publisher and Editor in Chief: (for general information, volunteering and email submissions) The Silver Strand Group 10240 NE 12th Street, Suite d-307 Bellevue WA 98004 email: sabbatt@concentric.net Editor and Designer: (for submissions of artwork articles, poetry, free classifieds, and back issues.) MoonSpirit PO Box 7236 TacomaWA 98407 email: moonspirit@yahoo.com or tacomay@ix.netcom.com Advertising Manager: (for subscriptions, orders, questions for MoonRaven, advertising.) 1414 Mangrove Ave. Chico CA 95926 email: Dragonhawk@ whisperedPrayers.com For their email newsletter: www.amysticalgrove.com/PTM Goods and Services NATAL HOROSCOPES $20.00 EACH SPECIFY NAME, EXACT BIRTH TIME, PLACE AND DATE. Lisa Brawner PO Box 8335 Lexington KY 40533-8355 ------------------------------------------ DREAM PILLOWS $10.00 EACH BAST,NUIT,SEKHMET OR EARTH GODDESS DESIGNS AVAILABLE. Also specify Protection or healing herb mixtures: Lisa Brawner PO Box 8335 Lexington KY 40533-8335 ************************************ PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: While the focus of Spiritual Voices is one of a metaphysical nature, alternative view points may be presented. Spiritual Voices reserves the right to reject any submissions or ad that violates the following ideals: “Harm None”, tolerance and respect of others, their choices, and their lifestyles. Spiritual Voices does not investigate any personal or business listings, products service, et. Spiritual Voices is not responsible for the results of using any product or service listed herein. Spiritual Voices is not responsible for the results of any type of correspondence that may have resulted from listings herein. If you are aware of any factual negative results from the use of products, service, correspondences, etc. listed in Spiritual Voices or elsewhere please inform us. We will do our best to inform our readers.