Category: News

NEWS FLASH: Sacred Paths Center to Close in May

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Sacred Paths Center’s Executive Director Teisha Magee issued a statement by email today:

“After much heartache, soul-searching and tears, it has become clear that Sacred Paths Center cannot continue. Our expenses are too high in this location and we are just not getting enough money coming through the door. All of our resources are tapped, and our volunteers are worn out.”

Teisha states the center  will be closing its doors by the end of May 2012.  A  public announcement will follow later.

 

PNC Minnesota will provide follow up information as it is publicly released.

Nels Linde

Christians and Pagans Collaborate on social issues

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Last Wednesday, Rev. Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary and George Hinger Coordinator of the Madison Interfaith Dialogue group participated in  the first of two scheduled dialogues between Christian and Pagan religions.   The first dialogue explored common ground and looked at American religious pluralism and Christo-Paganism.  The second dialogue, scheduled for tomorrow evening, covers experiences with  interfaith organizations and projects.

Moderator Penny Eiler, member of Prairie Unitarian Universalists; Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary; George Hinger, Catholic.

Last weeks dialogue, hosted by the Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society, attracted  about two dozen attendees from diverse religious backgrounds.   The evening began with both Fox and Hinger reminiscing  about when they first met one another.  “George and I described our first meeting at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1993 at the Palmer House in Chicago,” said Fox.  “We were among several hundred people awaiting for the elevators.  We both shared the memory with those attending and celebrated the start of our long, deep, and enduring interfaith work with each other over the past 19 years,” she continued.

During the hour and a half session they went on to explore the common ground the religions share and why they were involved in interfaith work.  Hinger said the changes made in Catholicism during Vatican II was what called him to interfaith work.  The evening ended with questions from the audience about rituals, convergence of Christianity and Paganism, and how people of different faiths can work together in harmony.

left to right: Rebecca Malke, Director of Religious Education Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society & Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister, Circle Sanctuary

Rebecca Malke, Director of Religious Education for Prairie UU Society and organizer for the series, said the dialogue was more than she expected and she hope[s], “through more of these dialogues people from all faith traditions can gain not only a better understanding of Paganism but a better understanding of their own faith to see how we’re all connected. No matter what you believe in we’re all searching for the same thing in life: love, happiness and peace.”

The next dialogue is scheduled for tomorrow evening and is titled “Collaboration.”   In addition to relating their experiences with local and global interfaith organizations, Fox and Hinger will look at how the interfaith movement is working towards peace, social justice, and environmental protection.  There is no charge to attend and everyone is welcome.


Wednesday, April 25: Christian-Pagan Dialogue: Collaboration
Selena & George discuss their experiences with local and global interfaith organizations, conferences, and projects and the contributions that the interfaith movement is making toward world peace, social justice, and environmental protection.

7-8:30 pm
Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society
2010 Whenona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin
Free & open to the public.
For more Information, contact Rebecca Malke, Director of Religious Education, dre@uuprairie.org, (608) 271-8218
Details: www.circlesanctuary.org/ministries/interfaith/april_2012_dialogue


NorDCOG Town Hall Meeting Offers Hope For A Future

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A Town Hall meeting took place to discuss the possible closure of Northern Dawn local of the Covenant of the Goddess ( NorDCOG), Saturday at Walker Church.  The  NorDCOG First Officer said the meeting helped the long established group determine what it needs to do to survive and remain viable.

Northern Dawn Local Council of the Covenant of the Goddess  was founded in 1982 by three covens; Minnesota Church of Wicca (MnCoW), Prodea, and Rowan Tree. NorDCOG has been continually hosting public sabbats since Samhain of 1982, and has hosted the COG national gathering (Merry Meet) twice.

In the call for this town hall meeting the problem was stated as, “As a foundational and networking center we can be proud of our contribution to the success of Paganistan. But the success of the community has not been the success of Northern Dawn. With so many options for community involvement, and what may be seen as some barriers to entrance, participation in Northern Dawn’s leadership has dwindled over the years to the point that today its future is uncertain. “

The immediate cause for the meeting was the lack of participation that has become a crisis in functioning as an organization. Several board positions are unfilled, including a ritual officer, so no public rituals have been planned. Meetings have been unable to meet quorum standards, and this has prevented NorDCOG to conduct business or consider active solutions to be considered and enacted, including possible changes to the bylaws. As a local of the national organization, mandates of operation are also in place that may pose a conflict in some considered changes within the organization. Continue reading →

Local Pagans offer Podcasts

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Several area Pagans are producing podcasts. These are sometimes live with call in options, and sometimes prerecorded. The subject matter is wide, and may be of interest to Pagan listeners. Your best bet is to look these up and bookmark upcoming shows that may be of interest to you!  There are doubtless others out there, but I was able to briefly talk with the host of most of these.

“Edge Mysteries & Beyond” with Joseph A. Amara   – Third Saturday of each month 3-4pm

Join Joseph A. Amara, one of the owners of Magus Books, as he discusses the Mysteries of life and spirituality that serve to bring wonder and meaning into our lives. He will highlight new and popular book titles, as well as answer listener questions and conduct interviews with luminaries in the fields of Magick and Mysticism. Joseph, “The show is pretty open ended. We explore ‘Mystery’ which is a wide field. It is a mix of lectures and will begin some interview shows. People can call, or  ‘chat’  in, during the broadcast. Upcoming topics are Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, and Alchemy”

“Sit a Spell “ with Lisa Lee – Every Wednesday night at 6PM CST

Sit a Spell is broadcast from ‘Heaven and Earth Essentials’ in Sauk Center, MN. The show includes both prerecorded and call in shows. The show appears on some FM radio stations nationally.Learn new spells, find out what the craft is really all about all while getting the latest news and reviews about topics that matter to us. The show blends an eclectic mix of conversation, interviews, and live events with recipes and rituals to empower the divine within. Lisa said the focus of the show is, “Empowering people, building them up. Making them feel strong and loved. Trying to displel all the negative stereotypes out there about ‘witches’. I am all about helping our community and what interests people, and am open to show ideas! ”

Circle Craft Study with Selena Fox – Live on Tuesday nights from 8-9 pm central time.
The show will include instruction, invocation, guided meditation, and a time for discussion & call-ins.
Call in number: (347) 308-8222. Shows also will be available for later listening on-line archives at the Pagans Tonight Radio Network site on Blog Talk Radio.

Other upcoming shows include:

Tuesday, April 10: Renewal with the Green Man
Green Man lore, magic & meditation for personal and planetary well-being.

Tuesday, April 17: Earth Day Ritual & Mother Earth Communion
Celebrate Earth Day with this guided ritual & meditation.

Tuesday, April 24: Celebrating Beltane
Old & new ways of bringing in the May. Creating personal & group Beltane rites.

Tuesday, May 1: Beltane Magic
Guided Beltane inner journey & ritual for creativity & inner growth.

The Great North Pagan Podcast  is a monthly broadcast from the Fargo-Moorehead area. Lion Lord produces episodes with an occaisional special broadcast of rituals or other events. The episodes (audio) and special events (video) are available on Youtube.   Lion Lord,  “Content is recorded and uploaded, but we have plans to offer some live podcasts in the future. We have covered the many shops in the area, covered paranormal phenomena, and Pagan rights. In a recent episode we discussed Paganism in the media and Hollywood. We also cover rituals and rites, and did a special of Pagan caroling. We broadcasted live a Ombolc ritual which is also available online.”

Bridging the Gap  – with Wildflower – First Thursdays each month at 8pm Central 

is an ‘as scheduled ‘ podcast to explore bridging the gap between metaphysics, success, and self-discovery. The show is sometimes live, sometimes recorded. Hosted by Wildflower the show both explores metaphysics and also offers tips for things to take away and apply in your personal life. Wildflower, “Listeners will gain new insights and tools to implement these. I recently interviewed Giorgio A. Tsoukalos of the show Ancient Aliens from the History channel, a very interesting discussion.”

“On the Edge…of Everything” with SchaOn & Cathy – Second Sunday of each month 11am-1pm

Join SchaOn and Cathy – as well as a Special Guest – as they talk about the latest news and updates in Holistic Health care .  SchaOn, “ It is a live show with call ins. We talk with a local guest or have an interview about what is happening in our society that affects people’s health. We make the connection between those things that may negatively impact our health and so also impact our spirituality, practice, and capabilities. Good health also involves caring for the Earth and our bodies, and so we ask the questions and seek answers for ourselves about what is best for both.”

Visit Edgetalk radio for several other offerings that Pagans might find interesting!

Nels Linde

Christopher Penczak – Interview with Paganicon Guest

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Christopher Penczak at Stonehenge

I talked to Christopher Penczak about his appearance as featured Paganicon guest March 16-18th.  He is an energetic, prolific, and well spoken author whose writing have sought to synthesize and integrate many magical concepts with the practice of the Witchcraft.  He is offering three workshops and a ritual at Paganicon, so if you don’t come away understanding his perspective, you have missed out!

Have you visited the Twin Cities area before?

I have! Many years ago, right after I signed with Llewellyn, I spoke at Magus books, and visited. It was right after “Inner Temple of Witchcraft” had come out. I came out a few years later when Llewellyn moved, and believe I again visited Magus, and the Eye of Horus, I think they had just opened.  I am excited about my Paganicon experience, and my first real teaching opportunity in the area.

Tell me about your presentations at Paganicon?

The Awen Symbol

The Three Rays of Witchcraft is from the book I am most excited about, it is from a few books back, the first one released from my own publishing house, Copper Cauldron.  It came to me from a vision, trying to reconcile my own experience differences between Wicca based Witchcraft and more folk-loric based Witchcraft, along with my more Qabalistic side, shamanistic side, and more “New Age” side.  A lot of my influence for the book ‘Ascension Magic’ came from theosophy, New Age, and light worker material which really doesn’t fit into the Witchcraft paradigm. I was experience a schism in my own spiritual practice and this is how it all came together for me. In meditation I experienced an image, a  vision of the Awen, the symbol from Druidic tradition, that was a little bit different. It brought together all these different ideas for me.  I got bolted right out of the meditation. It was a really unique experience for me because nine days later, I had the draft of the book written. It was inspired, and is my favorite book to date. For me it gets into deeper thoughts about magic and Witchcraft. What are we seeking through magic? What is the Witches version of ‘enlightenment’ ? The The Three Rays really deals with the concept of power, and your true will; Love, unconditional love; and wisdom. How do we get to be creatures that can hold love, power and wisdom at the same time?

Continue reading →