After the obituary, a post-mortem on Sacred Paths Center

31 Comments

“At 6:25 pm (April 25th) the Executive Director dissolved the board of directors,” reads the last entry in the minutes of the final board meeting of Sacred Paths Center, a Pagan community center in Minnesota. A few days later, on Beltane, Executive Director Teisha Magee sent out an email saying the center closes May 31st.

“Why is Sacred Paths Center closing?” is a question asked by Twin Cities Pagans after reading the announcement.  That question is quickly followed by, “What can we learn from their experience?” by Pagan organizations such as Solar Cross Temple in San Francisco and the Open Hearth Foundation community center in Washington DC.  PNC-Minnesota spoke with past and present Sacred Paths Center (SPC) board members, volunteers, and their last financial auditor, looked over financial records and minutes of board meetings, and interviewed Teisha Magee to answer those questions.

Sacred Paths Center cc wikipedia

In short, most everyone interviewed says the center’s Director and Board were not functional, the finances were in disarray, the building was too expensive, and the resulting drop in income after  two years of  road construction right outside their door didn’t help matters.

Despite that, they are united in saying the center almost made it due to the efforts of the Director, Board, volunteers and the most importantly, the community support.  According to the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics only 66% of new businesses make it past two years and only 44% celebrate their fourth anniversary.  Sacred Paths Center made it three years and three months.

What Happened?

The public perception of Sacred Paths Center is that it is a non-profit community center with a board.  And normally with something like that the director would report to the board and the board would have something to do with the operation of the center and would have fiduciary responsibilities.  That’s not the case.  – Ciaran Benson, former SPC board member and current volunteer

What happened, the successes and the failures, are of prime concern to Sean Bennett, Vice Chair of the Open Hearth Foundation.  Four months ago they opened a community center and he says his board has been following news of Sacred Paths Center closely. “Even though the center in Minnesota has a different environment and a different dynamic there are lessons we could learn.”  He says they were concerned and disappointed to hear of SPC’s closing, “We wanted to see it succeed.  We want to know more about what happened and we will gather together as a board and see what lessons we can learn.”

Continue reading →

Sacred Paths Center to Close: An Obituary for our Community Center

24 Comments

On May 2, 2012, Teisha Magee, Executive Director and founder of the Sacred Paths Center announced, “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. By the end of May 2012, we will be closing the doors. We don’t know the exact date yet.”

The SPC has been significant to many in the community. It provided a convenient entry place for those new to the community who wanted to learn about community resources, it provided meeting space for many groups, it had a shrine for departed loved ones, it had a lending library, and it provided the focus that our community had something truly special and rare.

SPC Board Member Mary Oczak said, “I believe it filled a need and performed a valuable function by hosting spiritual and secular events and public rituals and providing informative classes on a variety of subjects. The library, retail shop and ancestor shrine were positive assets to the community.”

SPC Board Member Lola said, “The significance of having the SPC has been huge for me, giving me a social space that also carried the joyous yet solemness of a spiritual space. I hope that there will continue to be a level of SPC to continue, perhaps online.”

In an official statement released by the entire board of directors, it says, “There is a need for a nature-based community center in the Twin Cities.  We believe it can be a sustainable endeavor with the right planning, the right space, and the right people. Community members did come forward in epic ways over the last three years to support the center by giving their money, time, input, and spiritual resources.  SPC operated solely on hundreds of volunteer hours put in by the Executive Director, the Board, and many dedicated volunteers.   We are eternally grateful for this community’s passion.”

Continue reading →

Follow the Moon: Astrology of intention and mindfulness

1 Comment

Teri’s interest with astrology lies with helping people see how following a practice of intention and self-awareness leads to a fuller relationship with Mystery. Astrology is a wonderful tool for this. Her weekly column orients readers to the seasonal energy of each month’s Sun sign in order to set magical/mindful intention for the lunar month beginning at the New Moon.

Each week Teri writes about the unfolding energies that support and challenge our intentions. The ebb and flow of the lunar cycle resides deep in our souls. Through following the phases of the Moon, we remember the natural cycles that guide us.

Astrologers divide the lunar month into eight phases. These are:
New Moon: Dreaming
Crescent Moon: Beginning
First Quarter Moon: Manifesting
Gibbous Moon: Perfecting
Full Moon: Illuminating
Disseminating Moon: Sharing
Last Quarter Moon: Evaluating
Balsamic Moon: Surrendering

Come follow the Moon as we practice intentional awareness together.

Earth rumbles and soul grumbles—we are alive as the Earth is alive. Now we can directly experience the unfolding mysteries of our co-evolution! What are you noticing? The reverberations of the powerful Full Moon on May 5 [link to last week’s blog] are still felt through the beginning of this week. The Full Moon phase of illumination and release lasts till May 9. Two weeks ago at the New Moon, a small seed was planted, consciously or unconsciously; the season of Taurus influenced our heart’s desires. I’ve been thinking of the Taurean qualities of stability, steadfastness, and grace as the unifying purpose of my New Moon intentions. What are you noticing about your own? What are the gifts you’ve received? What are the challenges you’ve experienced? It is time to make note of these things and learn from them.

Sunday May 6 begins with the Moon still in Scorpio, yet in a void-of-course status until 8:39 pm*. Void of course means that the Moon is just “hanging out” in a sign without making any major aspects to other planets until it enters the next sign. It might be harder to solidly accomplish much of anything this day or move forward in a direct way. Better to relax and let ourselves become aware of the currents around us and deep within. Even as we may be involved in projects and activities, it is good to allow for a more relaxed approach to those activities.

On May 7 and 8, while the Moon is in expansive and philosophical Sagittarius, we are more likely to be involved with exploration of values and beliefs. Have the events of the last two weeks impacted your truth?

May 9—Disseminating Moon: Sharing. As the face of the Moon empties of light, we begin to assign meaning to the lunar cycle. Part of this process is sharing what we have learned with others. This month, the disseminating phase begins with the Moon in Capricorn and ends with the Moon in Aquarius. Both of these signs belong to the universal portion of the zodiac—the signs that are concerned with humanity, culture, and collective values. We can now apply personal lessons and experiences of the lunar cycle to a larger whole.

May 9 the Moon comes into conjunction with Pluto giving the day a more intense tone. Things matter more to us. We might also feel a strong desire to act in a Capricorn way: to set boundaries or goals for the future; to put in place long-range plans; to investigate how to better establish ourselves professionally; or to confront authority in ourselves and others.

May 10 Mercury and Neptune are in an encouraging sextile aspect with each other. This transit favors inspired communication or insight. The heart awakens and we can give voice to those feelings.

May 11 finds the Moon in Aquarius. We want to share the gifts and challenges of the Taurus New Moon with community. Be open to new ideas. Broadcast the fruits of possibility.

May 12—Last Quarter Moon: Evaluating. At the First Quarter phase of this lunar cycle we felt the tension between the signs, Taurus (Fixed Earth) and Leo (Fixed Fire). Now at the waning Last Quarter phase, the tension is between Taurus and Aquarius (Fixed Air).
Fixed signs are sure of their point of view. They hold form and take a bit of convincing to change that form. Taurus really values the physical realm. Aquarius really values the realm of idea. When the world of ideas and the world of form get along, anything is possible. When they do not, we get entrenched in a one-sided viewpoint, barely achieving anything. So, the battle may be between some who value practicality over others who value possibility. Or between those who need freedom over those who expect reliability and responsibility. Aquarius shakes up Taurean complacency. Taurus gives Aquarius a foundation.

In the Last Quarter Phase we are really honing the lessons and extracting the essence of the wisdom of this lunar cycle. How can the urge for freedom and authenticity collaborate with the need for stability, steadfastness, and grace? How do you experience this tension in yourself and what do you do when you recognize it in your communities?

Pluto and Chiron. Also on May 12, Pluto, the god of transformation and the underworld, and Chiron, the shamanic teacher and wounded healer, come into the first of five sextile aspects that take between now and 2014. The number of these transits and the length of time over which they occur are significant. I think of them as an ongoing conversation between these two archetypes. Some valuable information is sure to be exchanged.

One relevant theme may be Initiation. Pluto encourages transformation through going deep into our shadow. Chiron says that even though we may feel vulnerable or isolated, such experiences can move us toward becoming wise healers ourselves. Perhaps this
ongoing aspect between these two planets will encourage you to take on an initiatory experience over the next two years.

*All times are CDT.