Gathering at Ft Snelling Honors the Fallen

For the third year in a row Pagans in the Twin Cities area gathered to honor all fallen Service Members and hold a special ritual for fallen Pagan Service Members.   There are now two headstones in the Ft. Snelling Cemetery that bear pentacles – one for Sgt. Jason Schumann and the other for Specialist Daniel Schrankler.

The Crego family place offerings during the Memorial Day observance

This year over 40 area Pagans attended the event, including entire families.  Tracy Jarvinen, one of the organizers for this memorial observance, said, “We honor all of the soldiers who have fought for our freedoms. We give special attention to Jason Schumann and Daniel Schrankler because as they had once fought for our freedoms, Joe and I, and many, many others helped fight for their freedom to be buried under the Pentacle. It is bringing things full circle.”

Just a few years ago, neither headstone could have legally been marked with a pentacle. The years long legal battle to force the VA to include the pentacle on its list of approved religious symbols is, as Dr Murphy Pizza describes it, “a bittersweet victory;  celebrating a hard-won right also brings with it the acknowledgment of the growing number of Pagan military folks and the sacrifices that they are making in order for this and other rights to be upheld.”

Headstone for Sgt. Jason Schumann

The Twin Cities Pagan community was active and engaged in the VA Pentacle Quest and continues to show fallen warriors honor each Memorial Day through offerings, words, and by comforting their family members in their time of grief.  That comfort can reach across long distances.  The mother of Sgt. Schumann sent this message,

Dear Tracy and Joe,

Thank you for honoring my son’s grave!  We moved last year to Indiana, and it breaks my heart I could not be there, but I am comforted knowing that he was surrounded by people to honor and remember him. 

Blessed Be )O(“

Each person in attendance left a flower or token at the headstones of Jason Schumann and Daniel Schrankler. The Honor Guard created the sacred space for all to honor. An attendee who is a Vietnam Veteran read the poem, credited to General George S Patton Jr :

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In Memoriam

This famous speech was given by the Athenian leader Pericles after the first battles of the Peloponnesian war, but he could easily be talking about the United States and our war dead. Pericles gave this speech to honor the dead of his time and to extol the virtues of his city and its people. PNC publishes it today to honor our dead and extol the virtues of our country and our people.

Hail the Honored Dead!

“Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves. Its administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if no social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what he likes, or even to indulge in those injurious looks which cannot fail to be offensive, although they inflict no positive penalty. But all this ease in our private relations does not make us lawless as citizens. Against this fear is our chief safeguard, teaching us to obey the magistrates and the laws, particularly such as regard the protection of the injured, whether they are actually on the statute book, or belong to that code which, although unwritten, yet cannot be broken without acknowledged disgrace.

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Community Notes; May 30-June5

Happy Memorial Day! Monday there is a Memorial Day observance for fallen Pagan soldiers, Monday, May 30 at 10am; http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106993312721818

Last Sunday, tornadoes tore through the twin cities leaving a path of destruction and devastation. So far there have been no reports of local Pagans injured, although one did receive some minor damage to her house and garage. Our hearts go out to people and trees affected by this.

Local artist Paul Rucker created the cover art for the latest issue of CIRCLE magazine. http://www.circlesanctuary.org/circle/

Next Friday is the one day per year when people can climb to the top of Witches Hat Tower. Many people reading this do appreciate pointy hats. It’s also the icon of the first Paganistan merchandise, which is available at all five local metaphysical shops.

The highway cleanup project for the stretch of highway adopted by local Pagans has been rescheduled to next weekend, June 4. They will be gathering at 10 am at The Central Bank, 7111 21st Avenue North, Centerville, MN 55038. http://www.umpaganalliance.com/schedule.shtml

Northern Folk Gathering is just around the corner; June 10-12. Read more about it at http://northernfolkgathering.com/

Earth House Midsummer Gather is less than a month away, June 19-26: http://www.earthhousemn.org/gather.htm

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For more detailed information (addresses, descriptions, etc.) or further updates, check out the much ballyhooed Twin Cities Pagans Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TwinCitiesPagans/

Memorial Day Event

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Once again, area Pagans gather at Ft. Snelling to honor Sgt. Jason Schumann and Specialist Daniel Schrankler as part of a Memorial Day observance.  Other fallen soldiers are also remembered and honored in a ceremony at their gravesites at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The ritual is conducted by Joe and Tracy Jarvinen and their family.
  • Monday, May 30 · 10:00am – 1:00pm
  • Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • For more information about the ritual, contact  rhavyn_moon@yahoo.com
Jarvinen requests that people arrive at Sgt. Schumann’s grave by 10 am. The ceremony includes the speaking of his name and the placing of flowers. Participants are invited to bring one or more fresh flowers to place at each soldier’s grave and Pentacle headstone.

There will be a potluck following the ceremony. Pagans of all paths are invited to take part in the ritual.

A Weekend, and interview, with T Thorn Coyle

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Popular author, musician, and speaker T Thorn Coyle is traveling the continent signing copies of her most recent book, Kissing the Limitless, giving talks and teaching workshops.  This weekend, she comes to the Twin Cities.   PNC-Minnesota caught up with this busy and dynamic mystic to talk about her Paganistan weekend.

What:  Bringing Intention into Action
When:  Friday May 27th 7-8PM
Where:  Eye of Horus
Cost:  Free talk and book signing

What:  Weekend workshop intensive, Your Divine Work
When:  Saturday May 28th – Sunday May 29th
Where:  Eye of Horus
Cost:  $150 – registration needed

T Thorn CoylePNC-Minnesota:  How did it happen that you are coming to the Twin Cities for the workshop and book signing?

T Thorn Coyle:  The Twin Cities are home to many people who have studied with me over the years, or whom I’ve worked magic with in various ways. The thriving community in the area has always been very welcoming to me and I’ve been coming here off and on since my first book “Evolutionary Witchcraft” was published. Last time I was out, I taught at Sacred Paths Center in St. Paul, and gave a talk at Eye of Horus. At the time, Jane expressed interest in having me back out to teach at Eye of Horus itself.

PNC-Minnesota:  I know you’ve been very busy traveling lately, but will you be able to sightsee while in the Twin Cities? Going to any of our Sacred Spots, visiting the Celtic temple, or the Pagan Community Center?

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