Ravens’ Call
THE TASMANIAN PAGAN ALLIANCE, INC. NEWSLETTER AUTUMN/WINTER 2012
NUMBER 57
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
Contents the Team State Coordinator Jess Steers taspainc@gmail.com 3
Editorial
4
Eye of Newt
5
The Herb Obsession
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Feature Article— The Goddess Will Find You
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Lammas 2012 Reports
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Compost Heap Internet Interest
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Never To Be Lent, Swapped or Sold
Treasurer
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Jo’s Crystals
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Autumn Equinox 2012
Terri Baran thegeekwitch@gmail.com
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Profiling Tassie Pagans
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State Coordinator’s Report
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Moot Reports
18
Committee Elections
19
Pagan Business Plan Calling All Image Makers!
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Needful Things
22
Luna Journey
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What’s On
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Alternative Retail Therapies
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Pagan Parenting
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Imbolc Pagan Movie Night flyer
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Membership Invitation
Regional Coordinator Mel Dolliver melsteers76@yahoo.com
Secretary Mandhi Allen
Moot Convenors
Ravens’ Call
Hobart - Allannah Turner Launceston - Mel Ell & Greg North-West - Jo Corvinus St Helens - Debbie
Editor - Mel Dolliver Proof-reader - Heather Jensen Graphic Designer - Terri Baran Printer - Mandhi Allen
Postal Address PO Box 1127 Launceston TAS 7250 Disclaimer: The views contained within the Ravens’ Call newsletter are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or members of the Tasmanian Pagan Alliance, Inc. Likewise, the advertisements are placed in good faith and do not signify endorsement by the editor or members of the Tasmanian Pagan Alliance, Inc.
© Copyright 2012 Tasmanian Pagan Alliance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Back Page - Membership Renewal Form
The Pagan Alliance Ethic
Love & Kinship with nature. Reverence for the life force & its ever-renewing cycles of life & death. Each individual is responsible for discovering & developing his/her own true nature in harmony with the greater world, & takes full responsibility for his/her actions. Acceptance of the many-faceted nature of Divinity: Acceptance that divinity exists in many forms, & can be worshipped/respected as male, female, androgynous, or in a form beyond human definition.
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
In amongst the sound of pounding hammers, relentless power saws, plaster dust and primer fumes – I’m finding a not-so-zen moment to read through submissions, reviews and images of past pagan gatherings, only every so often building rounds of coffee and arm loads of cake/sandwiches help to keep reinforcements accommodating. I’d love a polished stone for every time I’m asked for my opinion only to have it discarded or ignored, happily carpentry isn’t my forte!
Mel Dolliver - Editor from hospital to home. Thanx to all those reporting back from our abundant Lammas event in February, also eyeball our new segment we call Jo’s Crystals for those who are unable to halt their gemstone hording/collection!
Remember - due date for the next Ravens’ Call submissions is SPOOKY FRIDAY 13th JULY!
It is interesting to realise the volume of materials used Goddess Bless, during construction, most parts – structural bracing thingys, screwing gadgets, conduit, coach bolts and lengths of insulation will never see the light again – melsteers76@yahoo.com necessary to the overall formulation of dwelling creation I’m told, eyes roll whilst I squeeze a red felt amulet pouch between pink bats and pine stud work. The Winter edition of the Ravens’ Call 2010 and 2011 were delivered (mostly on time!) with a This edition heralds the cool finger of Jack Frost upon surprise Yule gift for each of our members—from the landscape, dusk arrives swiftly and washing the Tas Pagan Alliance. collects damp – will we become subdued by brisk The 2010 gift was the black glossy raven, the night air? Staying in with a hottie (water bottle) and 2011 raven sticker was a glossy royal purple. feline companionship? HELL no! Stop scrubbing Cindy Where are these Raven Stickers now?! – we’re off to the Yule Ball, get your knickers on my Please take a photo of your own or another’s friends, its time to frock up like you mean it! In sticker, and send it in—we’d love to see where medieval or Burlesque costume (pretty sure they these stickers have flown to! wouldn’t knock Vikings or Pirates off the guest list) lets melsteers76@yahoo.com party and dance and win prizes *whoop* at The Southern Lights Hotel in Kingston – organised by the fantastic Jan, Avril and minions, ah…helpers or descend into pagan movie entertainment at Imbolc – see our flier for further info. Enjoy the vast epicness that is your favourite pagan newsletter, we are very fortunate to have enthusiastic members willing to submit awesome reviews and articles every season, look for Lisa’s heartfelt follow up article – The Goddess will find you, her journey
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LAMMAS SWEET BREAD
Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
In a large bowl, stir together
We honour the self-sacrifice of the
the flour and salt. Mix in the
God, who is the corn. He sacrifices
eggs, oil and the yeast
himself in the harvest for the good of
mixture. Mix until dough pulls
the people. Often a loaf of bread
away from the sides of the
plays an important part in the Lammas Sabbat and is
bowl. Turn dough out onto a
usually the ‘cakes’ part of the Cakes and Ale aspect of the
floured surface and continue
ritual. The word Lammas also means ‘loaf mass’. The
to knead until the dough is
corn grows out of the body of the Goddess. She is the
smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Grease a large
Earth and what grows on it. We honour the God and
bowl with 1 tablespoon of oil. Place the dough into the
Goddess and their sacrifice when we bake bread.
bowl and turn once to coat. Cover and let stand in a warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.
Ingredients:
Use remaining oil to grease a cookie sheet or 9x13
1 cup milk
inch pan. For plain rolls, punch down dough and divide
1/3 cup white sugar
into 12 equal pieces. Roll the
1/3 cup butter
pieces into balls and place
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
them into the greased pan
4 cups all-purpose flour
side by side. Let dough rise
1/2 teaspoon salt
for 20 to 25 minutes, or until
2 eggs
almost double. Preheat oven
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Method:
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the
in the preheated oven, until
milk, sugar and butter. Heat until slightly warm to
rolls are golden brown.
the touch then remove from heat and stir in the yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
Ohh – so excited! I visited a good friend on the weekend…and….she gave me a few beautiful pots of liquorice plant!! So lucky ;-) I’ll yack about liquorice next issue. Because I’ve been inundated with Mother Wort seedlings and have been desperately trying to give them new homes, thought I’d better get the info down on paper. Please let me know if you’d like a few Mother Wort plants and I’ll pot you up some ;-) melsteers76@yahoo.com.au
healthy birthing experience, it is also very beneficial for stomach cramps and is one of the best tonic herbs effective as a bitter-tea. For a more palatable way of ingesting Mother Wort take as a syrup. Magical – This plentiful herb has made a very small impression amongst the magical written word, used though history often as only a medical herb – especially for females. Mother Wort has a very feminine energy (lucky – be a bit strange if it were masculine) its leaves are soft and its scent sharp. Use this herb during healing ceremonies or a woman’s first blood rite of passage ritual, ruling over all women’s magic. Gift Mothers Wort to those expecting a child to use as a good luck amulet, Mother Wort is associated with birthing, new beginnings and the water element. This herb has protective qualities and can be used as a charm against aggressive spirits, hang the dried leaves in pouches above doorways or beds to guard against ill at Samhain.
Mother Wort – leonurus cardiaca Description – Mother wort is a large sturdy square stemmed perennial, grows to waist height (60cm) in almost any types of soil – like many other herbs Mother Wort can become quite a weedy pest. It is native to England although this seems to be in dispute. Deep green highly serrated leaves, when the plant is small the leaves are soft and slightly petal shaped but with maturity these leaves become deeply divided into three or five narrow lobes. Flowering from late spring into the summer, small insignificant pink blooms show from the stem where the leaves sprout. If you’d like to gather seed during early autumn I’d recommend thick gloves, as the flowers dry they become stiff and barbed – I find it’s much easier to let nature take the high road and dig out seedlings early winter. Medicinal – A helpful remedy for nervous tension, Mother Wort can also aid with migraine, neuralgia and menstrual problems. Thought to promote a
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
FEATURE ARTICLE
The Goddess Will Find You By Lisa Bolton So now my ‘hospital journey’ has finished and a new
none-other than Goddess Mel. Curious, I opened it and
journey of being at home with two small children and a
found a cache of wonderful objects.
six year old has begun, I decided to stop for a few
collected from the beach on the full moon. Strangely
moments and think about what has meant a great deal
dried coral, driftwood, shell worn smooth by the ocean,
to me over the past 4 months. Indeed, some of the
perfectly smooth stones. They tumbled out on to the bed,
things that my friends have done for me while I’ve been
looking out of place, these pieces of nature, amongst the
in hospital have saved my life and sanity!
sterile white hospital sheets. Then, the magenta coloured
Firstly, my SoulMate and partner Chris, has been my rock throughout this tough time, taking fantastic care of my first two sons.
The long drives back and forth
between home and Hobart, to bring me books to read or clothes to wear and my mum’s decent home-cooked meals have been life savers for me. My six year old son’s
drawings
photographs
of
and my
family that brightened up my hospital room walls.
The cards and
well wishes from friends and
family
and
the
group card from the “kinder” mums.
The
beautiful and thoughtful
Earth trinkets,
pouch with the crystal bead button… I open the button and the scent of wood smoke wafts through the room, transporting me to a driftwood fire, crashing waves and the full moon close to rising out of the sea. I sit there, in the comforting gloaming, smelling salt and ocean breeze, watching the flames from the fire, the smoke twining through my hair and feeling the light of the sunset on my face. Strange silhouetted shapes walk up and down the beach, stopping occasionally to pick up small objects from the shore, drifting back into the twilight. Gradually the shapes, people now, congregate back at the fire, where hot tea is waiting.
There is seriousness and
merriment, voices murmur and voices laugh. Paper is handed out and pens write busily of adventures and experiences searching for the earth trinkets. moon rises up out of the sea….
bouquet of flowers from my Pagan friends. And then, there are friends who brought me their prized collection of Goddess magazine, friends who sent beautiful flowers, friends who sent magical ocean-found objects that became my altar while in hospital. Even while in hospital, magic and miracles managed to find their way to me. One morning I received a mysterious package from
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The full
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
FEATURE ARTICLE Then I am suddenly back in my hospital room, holding 4
“Well, I don’t think I need to make another appointment
pieces of paper and a magenta bag. I sniff the paper,
to see you again, you are healing just fine.”
hoping for a repeat experience, being transported away from stark white walls and the smell of antiseptic. But it was a once off, something to treasure, a gift from four Goddesses. So I read the notes then, and the card from Mel, part which reads “ The Goddess is waiting for you at the beach – waiting for your toes in the sand, hair in the breeze, taste of salt on your lips…”
The next miracle is my son. My beautiful Alexander, or “bugs” as we like to call him, who came into this world, three months early, weighing a tiny 1 kilo, the size of a bag of flour. It was terrifying, seeing him in a humidicrib, breathing with the help of machines. Hearing the beeps, buzzes and alarms constantly go off, signalling that he’d stopped breathing or his heart-rate had dropped.
Magic. Three
Alexander was born with a weeks
after
my
huge
amount
of
surgery, I was told to go
determination
and have a check-up with
He has the type of fighting
the doctor who did my
spirit that will see
surgery. So, when I rocked
through and be a huge asset
up at Dr. R’s office, he
in his life. I knew that from
looked quite surprised and
the second I saw him, even
said I wasn’t due to see him
with the ventilator helping
for another 3-4 weeks as I
him breathe, even with all
couldn’t
the
possibly
have
inside
him. him
IV lines and leads
healed from the surgery yet. Then he looked me up and
connecting him to machines and feeding tubes. I knew
down and said that he may as well have a look at my
he’d live and become strong, in the same way I knew
scar while I was there and we’d reschedule for another
what his name should be. Maybe it’s feminine intuition,
appointment. After he’d checked my “wound”, he had a
this deep knowing, or maybe it’s the connection that Alex
slight frown on his face. I was concerned and asked him
and I have, after all, we were in it together, fighting for
why he was frowning. He shook his head, looked up at
both of us to live.
me with his slightly Sanpaku eyes of the chronically over -worked, and said “Your scar healing that fast and the fact that you are walking around with no pain is nothing short of miraculous.” Now I realise that doctors do not say the ‘M’ word lightly. I also know that most doctors do not believe in the power of positive thinking as it can’t be measured by any sort of scientific test. But I looked him in the eye and said “I have a lot of friends sending positive thoughts and energy my way.”
It is an honour to be a parent, and it was a great gift to share Alex’s first few difficult months, just as it will be a gift and honour to be his mum and watch him grow into a strong, determined man. It is my hope that my sons find the Goddess, in nature, in people, in the everyday miracles that give meaning to life. May my Pagan friends continue to be the wonderful Gods and Goddesses they are. Thankyou, for all the positive healing energy sent our way and for the friendships I will always treasure.
Dr. R looked at me in a considering way, then nodded.
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
Being a relatively new member to the Tas Pagan Alliance, I love having the chance to build my networks within the pagan community, and no better time to do so then during a very community focused festival such as Lammas. Besides the AWC2011 this was my first time attending an overnight TPA event and I must say I had a blast! The trivia contest was a great way to start of the weekend. Not only did I get to learn new things but it gave a good friendly forum for some debates and discussions to occur. The Veg-Head tie breaker mini-game was a great way for people like me who aren’t very vegetable-literate to talk about some more obscure veggies. Saturday morning as spent learning to bake and plait the Lammas bread for the first time ever with the lovely Mel and it was oh so yummy when it was baked. Sandra's Soul Card workshop got me thinking deeply about the symbols my mind associates to different meanings, experiences, and feelings. Learning to trust my unconscious intuition in building my soul card was both an enlightening and confronting experience at the same time. I feel this method of creation would be a great thing to utilise when doing meditation, and to build a personalised divination set. Cindy and Willow's Wand Making workshop re-sparked my passion for creating personalised ritual tools. After Cindy and Willow's experienced advice and tutelage I was able to create my own divine wand which I am extremely proud of. I want to thank Sandra, Cindy, and Willow for their time and the materials provided. I had a wonderful time! The Saturday evening ritual was amazing. I must say that the dynamic sister duo never ever disappoint when it comes to their ritual plans. Not only was it interactive and all members were able to take part and have their own personal moments with the elements, but the mood was kept joyful, and celebratory which was perfect for Lammas. I felt the corn dollies were a great way for people to have mementos from the ritual, and the "harvest abundance" kept my household fed for a week afterwards! Thank you so much Mel and Jess. The feast following the ritual was so massive, I think with over 30 people we barely managed to eat 50% of the food available! Sunday morning trade table gave everyone a great opportunity to either trim down or build their personal collections. I know I ended up receiving more than I managed to trade away, but I'm glad that all that I brought will be appreciated and loved by their new owners, as much as I love my new things! After a positive Tasmanian Pagan Alliance meeting the weekend was closed. I had an amazingly fun time, got to spend the weekend in an area of Tasmania I haven’t been to before, and got to meet and learn from new magickal people and build my pagan network! I can't wait until the next event! ~ Mel Ell
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
Meandering amongst the majestic towering gums we arrived in the tranquil beauty of Fulton Park. Greeted by the refreshing, cleansing waters of the burst pipe and a rather wet Mel we receive the perfect welcome after a long dusty journey. Mel's Lammas Harvest Altar was already set with it's glorious abundance, to which I added my proud contribution, my bestest stripy zucchini. New friendships forged and old rekindled, much laughter and love is shared. The dragonflies are amazing, buzzing blessing as they circled our space, with butterfly kisses and scorpion visits, a reminder for me of this time of transition. For me, this weekend was about stepping out of the routine frame of mind, no time, no demands, just bliss. The light is notably changing and the wheel is turning again moving us forward into another phase of our experiences. I can't remember who wrote it but I always remember "our actions and our deeds are the magic by which we cast the circle of our lives, we give and we receive so we are able to give again." This Lammas I give thanks for my many blessings, abundance and lessons learned. I weave my gratitude into the Lammas Sigils we create for ritual, our personal reflections on our own reaping and releasing . . . and my sacrifice is my heart felt release of the dark journey that was my past 12 months, this goes to the collective compost heap so that I may be nourished from the experiences and continue to grow. Upon leaving this wonderful weekend I go with a bag full of Abundant Bounty and Blessings a hundredfold. Having stepped out of time into the natural flow releasing the tightly wound coils into the deepest of relaxation, gratitude and love for all the wonderful people involved. - Kell
LAMMAS Harvest Fest 2013 The TAS Pagan Alliance crew of fab organisers are excited to announce this Lammas event as an annual PA festival, which will continue to be held in the Northwest at the beautiful Forth valley – Fulton Park Scout hall. The 2013 Lammas harvest celebration will be held on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of February, a full weekend of entertaining community activities. More details will forthcoming closer to the event.
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
The Compost Heap suggests a venture out into the garden. Something earthy, seasonal and full of worms… One of my most treasured memories of my younger child hood is spending time with my sister in summer, walking along the winding country roads near our quaint home, filling up buckets with big, sweet blackberries from the side of the road. We would fill the buckets, then fill our bellies until our hands and lips were purple. We had our favourite patches, usually near a creek, where the berries were triple the size of what you see in the supermarkets. It’s probably moments like these which inspired the creation of Urban Food Maps. The website describes itself as “An open collaborative project that documents where food is grown that is accessible to the public. By mapping where food is grown in urban areas and encouraging the simple act of sharing (meaning taking some and giving some) an alternative food system will be supported. It is anticipated that these maps be used to find, nurture and share food and human relationships.” The idea is simple – that apple tree on the side of the road that always has tasty apples? Neighbour has a plum tree that hangs over the fence and never picks the fruit? Go to the website, mark the location of the tree on a map, and make a small note to help other foragers (for example, “on side of road, watch out for the ditch!”). Food is also marked with what months the fruit is ripe, so you know what months are best to visit. There are already plenty of plants marked in Tasmania – kiwi fruit, chestnuts, figs, apples and rosemary all in Hobart, apples, plums, and even tomatoes in the Launceston area. I’m sure that many of our readers could benefit, and help add, to this fantastic idea. If you’re a fruit lover like me, there’s few things better than free, freshly picked, ripe lovely local fruit! www.urbanfoodmaps.com
Internet Interest
By Terri
AWC 2012 - WICCA IN THE MODERN WORLD http://2012.wiccanconference.org
With plans and preparations well underway for this year’s AWC, I wanted to bring to your attention the official website for the AWC 2012. The site is really well laid-out, with easy navigation to registration for the event, the flyer, presenters, workshops and sponsors. It really reflects well on the theme for this year, being ‘Wicca in the Modern World’. I, for one, am really looking forward to this year’s event, as the theme is right down my alley as a self-confessed GeekWitch! (I’m also looking forward to not having to do anything except put my feet up!). I encourage you to check out the site, even if you don’t have the means to attend the actual event—there’s heaps of information for everyone’s enjoyment.
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
The Master Book of Herbalism Paul Beyerl Phoenix Publishing Inc ISBN 0-919345-53-0
- The herbalist as a magical practitioner; herb gathering, potions and lotions, incense, oil, balm, magical use of herbs - Herbs and astrology; the sun, the moon, planets, transits, prognostics
Although I have a many and varied collection of glossy full colour, ancient and dog eared, both popular and obscure herbal books, my eyes brush over this much loved library only to settle again and again upon this very worthy edition - The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl.
- Herbs and tarot; - Amulets and the approach of the traditional herbalist; the container, the pentacle, consecration, ritual sweeping, the ritual, the circle etc - Herbs and gemstones - The ritual use of herbs – extensive
Why? I think it’s because this book covers a lot of ground with very little bullcrap in-between. If a pagan-herbal interested-gardener-mum needs pronto details about herb properties…well lets not bugger around people!
Blessings, Mel
Scruff hold of a copy [about $60 in 2004 for me] and be as impressed as I was and still am. Contents page – includes: - The working book of the traditional herbalist; the nature of herbs, sensory perceptions, a brief history, the herbalist today, the traditional herbalist, how to use this book - Introduction to the remedial herbal; the remedial herbalist, herb storage, the morter and pestle, infuser, measure, preparations etc - A guide to remedial herbal; a listing of symptoms and herbal applications ***Please send me a snippet about a favourite pagan book - Dosage guide for the remedial herbal; infusion, currently gracing your personal library, this can also include decoction, poultice, ointment, wash etc tarot cards and oracle cards too! Thanx, Ed
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
On a physical level I have worked with Amethyst to clear headaches and to help me sleep. I have a favourite Amethyst point that fits beautifully into my hand for meditating or for sitting on my third eye to alleviate a headache. I also have an Amethyst wand that lies perfectly on my sternum when I am in need of sleep. The chips that it has in it are signs of being accidentally dropped on the floor in the morning but somehow it has never dug into me during the night and cost me any sleep. I have specific Amethyst jewellery that I wear when I just want to immerse myself in the colour of violet. However, if I am truly honest these days are when I am in need of physical or emotional healing and cannot bring myself to face whatever it is full on. At other times I am in need of spiritual guidance and the Amethyst crystals subconsciously work to heal my wounded soul and help me to trust in my intuition once again.
Crystals are an easily accessible and non intrusive way of bringing energies for personal growth and healing into our lives. Over the next few issues I will be writing about the different energies of crystals and sharing how they have brought wisdom, growth and healing into my life. Crystals are one way of tuning into different energies to trigger and promote physical and emotional healing as well as personal growth. Each crystal is unique in their appearance and vibrational energy and can be utilised to heal different aliments or to access intuitive wisdom. We as humans consist of energy so the crystals that we feel drawn to are usually the ones that will help us with the energy or lessons that we are working with at that time. How often have you heard or said ‘I was just drawn to this crystal’ or ‘I like the look of this one best.’ This is our energy subconsciously aligning with the energy of the crystal that is the best one for us to learn or heal from at that time in our lives.
Amethyst crystals have become part of my everyday life as they are either carried with me or sit around me at different points in my home. A small Amethyst cluster sits on my computer and all the large electrical appliances in my home to cleanse negative ions and a large Amethyst cluster sits on my dressing table to cleanse all my crystal jewellery after I have worn it. A beautiful Amethyst cave came to live with me a few years ago and now sits in pride of place on my mantle piece for all to admire and benefit from (this was where it wanted to be, not in the cabinet with all the other crystals!). Then there are the tumbled stones that I seem to buy whenever I am in a shop that sells crystals. Some of these pieces live together in the crystal cabinet and others have found places in pot plants, on my dressing table, in my jewellery box and some handbags. They seem to go where they are needed and if I miss place one it either finds its way back to me or happily goes off to a new home.
So my journey with crystals began with first being attracted to a human guide who gifted me with my first crystal and was my first companion on this road of discovery. I was 16 and a stressed out student at the time so the crystal that was gifted to me was an Amethyst pendant, which I was told would help me to ‘calm down.’ I wore that pendant for a long time and I am sure it helped me to work through the challenges of those teenage years. I still have that Amethyst pendent but I have found over the years that I have been drawn to Amethyst for more than its peaceful effect on my emotions. As I started to delve into different religious beliefs and spiritual practices I worked with Amethyst to help me to make sense of the information I was receiving and to open and trust in my intuition. The peacefulness that Amethyst encourages made it a great stone to meditate with to cleanse my aura and the space around me. It also helped me to open and work with my third eye and crown chakras, which are the two energy centres that allow us to access our intuition and psychic abilities and to communicate clearly with the divine.
It has been fascinating to look back at my journey with Amethyst crystals and how they have integrated themselves into my existence. I find it interesting that this important stone was given to me at a very early time in my life and not only had a significant impact at that time but continues to do so in the present. I am sure we could all think of a chance gift or meeting that has impacted greatly on our lives, which just goes to show that you can never know how much your words or actions may mean to somebody else.
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
Autumn Equinox 2012
Perfect Balance an Autumn Equinox report
Don’t forget the drum Don’t forget my rum Mum I forgot sandshoes ipods gone flat already People are staring at our portaloo again! elephant sized pancakes – rhubarb and apple $2 paper back rubbish romance wind drops after the tent is up recon mission gathering branches sun sets hot against massive beach rock wildlife absconds with teaspoons egg and bacon fry book beckons shell fossick mmm…strong cuppa create a dangling shell thing cold salt sea, swimming daughters mmm…strong rum sand sculptures beach side gather and feast bush damper on a stick beef stew, guacamole, zucchini slice wood pile decreases wildlife visits – hide spoons dreaming lapping waves sandy tent pegs sunburnt nose smokey clothes
The Autumn Equinox for the Pagan Alliance Tassie – is an annual weekend long camping event, always held on the East coast either at Mayfield Bay Swansea or Bay of Fires St Helens. During the 2012 Spring/Summer issue of Ravens’ Call we will announce the 2013 Autumn Equinox camping spot venue – so stay tuned for further details!
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What spiritual path do you follow? I’m not very experienced so I’m still reading widely and, to be honest, I am interested in aspects of so many paths, so let’s say Eclectic for now ;-) Favourite Sabbat? Why? Oh gee, erm, Samhain and Yule, please don’t make me decide which one! ;-) I love the chance to celebrate my ancestors at Samhain and see in the New Year and Yule... don’t get me started ;-) I like making little pressies for people, and I’m a fan of Oak (woo, go the Oak King hehe), and this year should be a big one at the Yule Ball... June 23rd... shameless plug hehe. Which moot do you most regularly attend? Hobart, although I’d like to visit the others at some time this year. We always have wonderful discussions and we’re from a range of backgrounds with a range of beliefs so it can be really interesting, especially when you’re somewhat new to the community. Everyone’s always happy to give helpful advice :-) Shout out to my Southern Moot friends! :-) Favourite ritual tool? Why? My drum, although I only use it when I’m going solo. It gets me into a nice space. Mead or Mulled wine? I’m offended that you think I would touch alcohol... oh ok, mead but I am partial to mulled wine too, especially the ritual batch at the AWC '11. The most used crystal/herb in your collection/garden is…and why? At present, Mugwort because, in conjunction with my drum followed by a Tarot reading, well, it’s handy and I get more out of my reading, not to mention making tea from it really helps at this time of year *cough, wheeze*. And Citrine because I’m a little too judgemental at times and I find wearing it stops me from having negative
Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
thought tangents. Do you have a recent pagan interest/activity? Or an event or workshop attended? Samhain. It was awesome. And it was lovely to chat to so many people, some I've known for a while, some new friends, and to participate in my first group Samhain ritual. Favourite movie? The Princess Bride. I wouldn't be a fencer if I didn't love that film. If you could meet a famous Pagan person (author, singer or other) who would it be? Why? There are quite a few, but I'll go with Starhawk, she's so interesting and comes across as very strong in her publications. I’d really like to pick her brains, figuratively speaking... Favourite Ravens’ Call article? I love finding the RC in my letterbox, especially at this time of year - it means 'hot chocolate and dog snuggle with a good newsletter' time. It differs between issues, and generally I like all of them, but the book reviews are great for finding out about interesting texts and seeing what others are into. Skyclad, robed or casual? What happens at Samhain, stays at... no I’m kidding, robed for now, although I’ve tried skyclad... I think I like wearing my lucky red ritual knickers too much though :-P How would you liked to be remembered? I try to make sure people are having fun, because there are no guarantees of what comes next, so I think you need to first and foremost live life to the fullest and enjoy the adventure, so maybe remember me as the hyperactive party animal with a fetish for crazy beanies, stripey socks and arm-warmers who may or m a y n o t h a v e l i k e d h e r me a d ? : - ) Thanx heaps Av for answering the 13 Pagan Profile Questions xx ED
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Autumn is by far one of my favourite seasons. My Mum has always said that the best sunrises are in Autumn, and as an Autumn baby I feel a special affection to the time when the leaves turn, the harvests are celebrated, and the last warm days are precious treasures. I think its no coincidence that this is a time of reflection in so many ways. We reflect back on an amazing summer, and on ANZAC Day we reflect on those who have fought under the Australian flag, lost lives, and forged much of what it means to be Australian today. At the Autumn Equinox we reflect on balance, and tipping into the dark half of the year, and at Lammas we reflect on both successful and failed harvests. Samhain also a time of reflection, of remembering loved ones who have passed, and also reflecting upon our inner selves. It is with this in mind, that I reflect upon the past few months in the Tasmanian Pagan Alliance and feel deep appreciation and love for our community. I feel such blessings to be surrounded by so many amazing pagans, and to not only journey our pagan paths together, but also share in the continual changes and growth of the Tasmanian Pagan Alliance. Attending events and moots around the State is such a pleasure, not only to catch up with everyone, but also to see the results of hard work put in– not only those who put on the events, but those who volunteer to have a roll – be it to host a workshop or talk, be involved in a ritual, or even just wield a tea towel in the kitchen, or help lug boxes from the car. And when the hard work is done, to sit and share good food, fine drinks and great tales of our experiences as pagans and as everyday people, this is what we are all about. This is what I love about being pagan, and about being a member of our community. You are all amazing people who I feel so grateful to know. The great news is that the amazing work is continuing throughout the rest of the year. In April we farewelled Rose as Launceston Moot Convener. After 4 years of dedicated work, Rose has stepped down, and Mel and Greg have teamed up to look after the moots for the three months between now and the committee elections. Thank you Rose for all your work, and we hope you enjoy simply sitting back and enjoying the moots without the worry of organising them! In June we are hosting our first Yule Ball! Avril and her team have put together a wonderful night of food, drink and pagan music, so be sure to frock up and join us! Jo and Zahira are hosting Tricia Szirom in July, for a full weekend of workshops and ritual, which is promising to be a great opportunity to work closely with an experienced author, co-owner of Gaia’s Garden and goddess worker for over 25 years. In August we will be celebrating Imbolc with a twist, at our Pagan Movie Night! All the classics, with games, food, drinks and more! The Sunday will be our Annual General Meeting, as well as the committee elections. The meeting is a short formality, and we’ll be providing morning tea! And just because we’re on a roll, we’ve also booked in a date and location for the Silver Broomstick Awards in December! How organised are we? We held a members meeting at Lammas, and a follow up committee meeting in April, and we’re really excited to announce the results of those meetings! We now have a TPA Friendly Businesses (Business Sponsorship) plan. This is designed to expand our networking, support local business and also ensure you get more from your membership. Have a read of the plan on page 19. We have also purchased a badge making machine! We plan on having seasonal badges for sale, badges for events, and more, and we plan on having the machine pay for itself in under 12 months. This edition we have given you our first badge design! Hope you like it! It’s also been made official that at all events that have a charge, we will be offering a discounted rate for members compared to non-members. Once again, we’re trying to provide members with as much money’s worth as we can! By far the most exciting thing we’re doing is producing our own calendar! Read more about it on page 19. The final thing to mention before I get back to my apple muffins and autumn blend tea, is membership renewals. Due at the end of June, we are happy to announce the price will remain the same this year, and I hope you will continue your support for the Tasmanian Pagan Alliance for another 12 months. Hope to see you through the winter – keep warm! Jess taspainc@gmail.com
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Moot Reports North-West Moots When: 2nd Thursday of every month Where: Burnie RSL, 36 Alexander St Start Time: 6:00pm Contact: Jo on 0437 366 711 or jo.corvinus@yahoo.com.au February This month we had a very informative and intense discussion on the growing area of Eclecticism. It was discussed that this could be called/become a religion in itself. As more and more people are utilising this term to describe the collection of religious beliefs that they identify most strongly with. In the information age that we live in different religious beliefs and practices are more widely available to the general public. This combined with the choice and freedom to direct our own religious paths has made it harder to categorise individual belief systems into one word. Hence the now widely used term Eclectic Pagan. We also learnt that the term used to study and compare different religions is called Phenomenology. March Music and its uses in ritual and everyday life was the discussion topic this month. It was interesting to hear everybody’s opinions and uses of music for ritual and relaxation. We discussed modern day artists like Wendy Rule and Spiral Dance and how their songs are moving; not only because of the words they have written, but because of the way they are sung and accompanied. Then there were the Bards of old who sort to not just invoke the emotions with their tales, and carefully crafted tunes, but to move past them into a pure state of bliss beyond the ego.
was lovely to see two new faces, as well as our much loved regulars. We were very excited to welcome Lisa and her mum back to the moot, and even more excited to finally get our first peek and new baby Alexander. No doubt you read about Lisa’s incredible and not-so-smooth pregnancy journey with Alexander, and she was happy to show him off and let us all know he’s doing wonderfully. So great to see you back, Lisa! The raffle had not 1, not 2 but FOUR prizes! Thanks to Terri, Heather and Kynan and Lisa for bringing the prizes along. Narelle, Cindy and Claire were our winners this month, Narelle keeping in tradition where a person wins a prize at their first moot! After talking about the upcoming Autumn Equinox camping event, and Samhain at Jeanette’s in the South, Zahira handed out flyers for the next Living Goddess Workshop (green and silver, which Goddess could it be…?), and Terri handed out flyers for the Mineral and Gem Fest that’s happening at the end of March, we discussed a topic which is dominating the international Pagan community at the moment, especially in the US. When Z. Budapest decided to host a ritual for “genetic women only” at one of the largest Pagan Conventions in the US, it caused quite a stir from both sides of the fence. We chatted about when a woman is a woman, and if it’s right to exclude or include based on genetics, especially in relation to ritual. We all left with some lovely coloured origami stars Kaitie made throughout the moot – so cute! Alchemy’s menu continues to evolve and be much improved (the lamb salad was great!), and the paper table cloths provided scribbling entertainment throughout the night (definitely bringing coloured pencils next time!). We wish Rose a quick recovery, and look forward to hopefully meeting Team Strigois next month. ~Jess
April A very animated discussion was had on defining the terms Pagan, Wicca & Witch this month. A number of definitions were given from widely acknowledged published sources and pulled apart and elaborated on by the assemble group. We found that a lot of terms and their meanings have been revised over the years. A couple of interesting ones referred to a Witch as being female and a Wiccan was the term used to identify a male witch. The term Pagan originated from the Latin pagus which meant city ward. So a paganus was the inhabitant of a local place as opposed to and alienus who came from another place such as the invading Romans.
April We had a great moot this month while sharing a lovely meal everyone got to have a chance to catch up with each other as well as talk about the photos we took at the previous month's ghost walk with Team Strigoi. The peak of the night was when we celebrated the hard work and dedication Rose has given over the past years in developing and running the Launceston branch of pagan alliance moots. We shared a lovely cake and everyone took part in writing the card for Rose. We want to give a massive thank you for all her efforts and wish her all the best in her future and hope she has a well deserved rest. While we wait for the August elections, we (Mel and Greg) will be coordinating the next 3 Launceston moots. ~Mel Ell
~*~ Launceston Moots When: Last Tuesday of every month (except Dec) Where: Alchemy Bar, 90 George St Launceston Time: 7:00pm onwards Contact: Mel & Greg - northmoots@gmail.com February Unfortunately Rose was unwell this month, and we postponed the much anticipated talk from Tasmania’s ghost investigators Team Strigois, hopefully now to occur in March. This didn’t stop almost 20 people joining us for the evening. It
~*~
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Moot Reports Southern Moots When: First Thursday of every month Where: New Sydney Hotel - 87 Bathurst St Time: 6:30pm onwards Contact: Allannah - taspalliance@hotmail.com
March We had a packed March Moot with twenty-six attendees. Fredrick gave his presentation on Pēodisc Celéafa, or Theodish Belief, which is ‘The Belief of the Tribe’. Now this presentation was fascinating, but I believe Fredrick is writing an article about it for the Ravens’ Call, so I’ll just give a quick summary... Firstly, the name comes from the word for ‘tribe’, ‘Theod’ and followers are called Theodsmen and Theodswomen. Appealing especially to those with Pre-Christian Germanic Ancestors, they, according to Fredrick, “...seek to revive not only the religion, but the folkways of the Germanic peoples of Europe – and to do so within a tribal context.” So Theodish Belief is a revival, specifically, of Germanic ways, including Saxon, Celtic and Slavic. Theodsmen and women are not eclectic; they revive a specific historical culture that they feel they belong to due to their Ancestry. Their spiritual beliefs include Gods and Goddesses, Spirits of the Land and Spirits of Ancestors. They literally believe in Gods and Goddesses, as separate characters. Reconstruction emphasises polytheism, worship, study and culture. Theodish tribes are like a Clan, and members are bonded by blood or oath. For a lot more information on the Theodish Belief, keep an eye out for Fredrick’s article due to appear amongst the Raves’ Call content Winter/Spring issue! ~Avril
April We had a lovely room full of twenty Pagans at the April Moot, with Doug chairing in absence of Allannah. Pete was going to play a CD of a trance medium, channelling a young Welsh boy named Richard, a musician who committed suicide. Aparrently Richard talks through the trance medium and explains what happens to some, post death. The CD was not loud enough, so Pete explained that the Welsh chap’s explanation of the afterlife was that, whereas here there’s kind of a delayed effect, for example, we think of something we need/want, then we work magic to put it out there, then we may receive it, on the astral plane, if you think of it, you receive it, so it takes some getting used to. Also, rather than a “hell” per se, nasty buggers are placed with nasty buggers. We had a lot of discussion on the theme of the After Life, including: What do you believe happens after death? “Are we born with a form of Alzeimers, and does life push it out of us through conditioning, so we usually can’t remember what happened before birth? For example, children, in early childhood, talking about experiences/memories they supposedly haven’t had, for example, using technical terminology related to farming. What happens if spirits are still attached to this world, having trouble moving on fully due to grieving family not letting go of the departed. OR, the departed remaining with the family and
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prolonging their grief with their presence? Do funeral arrangements stop the letting go of the people who should be moving on after death, for example, no open casket etc, so no opportunity to say “Goodbye”. It was mentioned that death and dying was normal when there were higher mortality rates. There were parlours for dead loved ones to remain in for several days allowing family friends to visit and say their good-byes, kids running around taking it with a grain of salt and not afraid of the deceased. In modern times, not so many younger people are involved with death by being around a dying family member or friend. It is often hidden away from them by having family in Seniors’ Homes instead of having the elderly at home with the family, and often people avoid having children at funerals, or they choose not to have an open casket. We discussed how comon it is for people to experience (through visions of the loved-one etc) a loved one’s death before they are told of it. Preparation for death: Tibetan monks, Ancient Egyptians and so on, preparing for death with rituals and and ensuring they knew the ‘correct’ way to proceed after death, for example, answering questions correctly at gates. It was suggested that people with beliefs concerning linear time are more afraid of death, whereas people who see time as cyclical (Pagans, yay) are generally less afraid of death. One attendee raised the idea of a ‘death midwife’ they knew of – an HP who had set rituals for preparing his pagans for death and helping them move on once they had died. We talked about what happens when spirits don’t realise they’re dead. As pagans, some felt that we should talk to them (friends) even when they’re dead, especially when their family doesn’t share their beliefs. One suggestion for preparation for death was visualising passing over as preparation, so that we have a clear idea of what we expect, as an individual, when we die. Honouring the dead helps US and THEM. Respecting the dying person and honouring them, letting them have their experience rather than denying it by not acknowledging that they are dying.
Books/articles and the like that came up in discussion: Dolores Ashcroft – Her aids for people who are dying. Philip Eyres – The history of Death and Dying. Dion Fortune – Psychic Self Defence. Everyone appeared to enjoy the discussions and we covered some very interesting topics. ~*~ St Helens Moot When: First Sunday of every month Where: ‘Something Fabulous’, Shop 1/7 Pendrigh Place Start Time: 3:00pm onwards Contact: Debbie - greb2@bigpond.com
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Once every two years, we hold elections for the Tasmanian Pagan Alliance Inc committee positions – that’s the positions in the admin team, and the moot conveners. This year is an election year, so we are putting out the call! Any member can nominate themselves to fill a position. As we are a volunteer organisation, we are always keen to hear from someone who is willing to make the time to bring their experience, ideas and enthusiasm to the TPA – it’s one of the main things that keep us going. Interested parties need to forward their nomination to us in writing (either email (taspainc@gmail.com) or by post to PO Box 1127, Launceston TAS 7250). If we receive only one nomination for a position, that nominee will get that position by default. If we receive more than one nomination for the one position, we will ask the members to vote. We will announce nominees in the next Raven’s Call, and votes will be taken in writing, or in person at our 2012 Annual General Meeting (scheduled to be held at Imbolc, early August). Nominees will need to attend the AGM, where the results will be announced. If you have any questions about the elections, please let Jess know (email: taspainc@gmail.com or call 0408 486 809). Annual General Meeting The AGM will be held on Sunday 12th August, at 10.00am, in conjunction with our Imbolc Pagan Movie Night, 25 minutes North of Launceston. The meeting will go for about an hour, and all members are welcome! POSITION DESCRIPTIONS State Coordinator/President Tasks include, but are not limited to: 1. Oversee the production of a statewide newsletter distributed seasonally 2. Oversee the TPA website and appoint an assistant if required 3. Hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) yearly 4. Have regular contact with the wider pagan community both local and interstate in response to enquiries and to provide adequate information 5. To ensure a minimum of four state events occur annually 6. Provide administrational support, advice and guidance to moot conveners and team 7. Oversee financials Regional Coordinator/Vice President Tasks include, but are not limited to: 1. Support the State Coordinator 2. Stand in when the State Coordinator is unavailable 3. Ensure state-wide distribution of informative Pagan Alliance posters are available to moot conveners 4. Have contact with the state-wide pagan community 5. Support events held state-wide.
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Treasurer Tasks include, but are not limited to: 1. Maintain correct and up to date financial records 2. Provide a financial report in each edition of the newsletter, and at the Annual General Meeting 3. Communicate regularly with the State Coordinator and provide the State Coordinator with reports when requested and required 4. Pay the bills 5. Write a yearly financial report for state newsletter 6. Receive and keep copies of bank statements 7. Maintain an internet banking account 8. Receipt and bank all incoming funds 9. Issue cheques and reimbursements as required 10. Arrange and organise the yearly audit and submit required paperwork to the Government every year 11. Follow up late membership payments and communicate with Secretary when payments have not been received by the due date. Secretary Tasks include, but are not limited to: 1. Provide administration support to the committee 2. Take minutes at committee meetings, general meetings, and the Annual General Meeting 3. Copy, collate, label and post the quarterly newsletter 4. Regularly check the Post Office Box 5. Process new memberships, including receiving membership forms, adding details into the membership database, posting letters of introduction to new members, issuing membership cards, and informing the committee of new members 6. Process membership renewals 7. Maintain the membership database 8. Communicate regularly with the State Coordinator 9. Maintain official records of the Tasmanian Pagan Alliance Inc. Moot Convener (North West, North, North East & South) Tasks Include, but are not limited to: Organise venue, time and date of moots Attend all moots (if unable to attend moot, arrange for someone to host the moot in convener’s absence) Organise discussion topics, activities and guest speakers for moots if required Communicate on a regular basis with the State Coordinator Represent a public face for the Pagan Alliance and to promote a positive view of Paganism in Australia Write a report on each moot for the newsletter Provide assistance with organising events in your area Provide membership information and membership invitations to interested parties at moots and events Respond in a prompt manner and provide up to date information to enquiries Update moot attendees with the latest Tasmanian Pagan Alliance Inc information.
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We would like to introduce you to our new business sponsorship plan! We want to expand our network to local pagan and pagan friendly businesses, to not only support local businesses, but also so you get more out of your membership! It works like this! We offer a business: One free 7cm x 10cm advertisement in our quarterly newsletter “The Raven’s Call” (over 400 copies distributed annually) Free 7cm x 10cm advertisement on our website www.taspainc.com 1 page interview including images in “The Raven’s Call”, where we introduce you and your business to the membership, and talk about what you offer Free advertising of events, specials, and workshops in “The Raven’s Call” Opportunity to advertise in our annual calendar And we ask for in return: Offer a discount to our members (discount to be given on showing of current TPA membership card) Mention and link us on your business website (if the business has one) Display our information flyer and local event flyers in your shop front (if the business has one) Provide one prize or gift voucher for our annual raffle (held in December) Sounds like pretty good value! The friendship starts at the start of the financial year, and each year we will check in with businesses to make sure they are happy to continue. So if you are a business, or know of a business that might be interested, please contact Jess for more information! taspainc@gmail.com
Advertise your business for free in the Ravens’ Call in a space this big!
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We feel powerful tides ebb and flow in our emotions, our bodies, depending on the phases of the moon. We feel her push us and then tighten the pull. The energy of the moon is a personal journey...
The New Moon – A Ghealach UR In name of the Holy Spirit of Grace In name of the Father of the City of peace In name of Jesus who took death off us Oh! In name of the Three who shield us in every need If well thou hast found us to-night Seven times better mayest thou leave us without harm Thou bright white Moon of the seasons Bright white Moon of the seasons May thy laving lustre leave us Seven times still more blest O moon so fair May it be so As Seasons come And Season go Alexander Carmichael (1832 – 1912) spent 44 years transcribing Scottish Highland Hyme and Incantations into a wonderful book as he was deeply concerned that the Gaelic ways, often mixed with Christianity, would be lost to the world. The New Moon Prayer was once “recited by old men and women wherein the women curtsey gracefully and the men bow low, raising their bonnets reverently. The bow of the men in peculiar, partaking somewhat of the curtsey of the women, the left knee being bent and the right knee drawn forward towards the middle of the left leg in a curious but not inelegant manner” (pg. 85). Carmichael’s (1832-1912) travels took him throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (from Arran to Caithness, from Perth to St Kilda) Alexander, Carmichael. `Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations Vol. I & II’: 1900: Forgotten Books: Reprinted: 2007 www.forgottenbooks.org ~ Allannah
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Calling All Image Makers! For 2013 the TAS Pagan Alliance are producing a fundraising calendar! We know it’s going to be wildly successful – professionally colour printed on the most exquisite card, featuring all the most important dates – Sabbat festivals, pub moots, PA events, moon phases and more! Our Pagan Alliance calendar will be the ‘must have’ organisational tool for every pagan. Now we need your help – each month needs a picture, a photograph, print or painting….first in best dressed if you’d like to have a particular month. We are blessed with tonnes of creative members statewide so send us your favourite pic and have the opportunity to be a published artist! It would be ideal to keep the image seasonal to the date, so if you have an image of spring flowers/spring Goddess…then an appropriative month would be September or October etc.
Each image has to be at least 2400 pixels wide and/or 3150 pixels high (if you’re not sure what size your image is, just send it through anyway, but chances are if you have your camera set on the highest resolution possible, it will be fine). This is just to ensure that your images print to the best quality possible without pixelation. Please send them to Terri – thegeekwitch@gmail.com Image finalisation by 30th September. There are 12 large image spots available and several small (business card) spaces as well.
The cost per calendar will be (approx.) $30 each - $25 for TAS PA members We also need 40 pre paid calendars to cover printing costs, there will be sample calendars circulating at all moots if you’d like a sneak peek and fondle, with order forms and payment options as well as further details and delivery dates. We are so excited about this venture, and hope to extend this fundraising idea into an annual project.
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Using a wand isn’t an alien concept, it was probably the first tool of inquiry we ever used. As a child I spent a great deal of daylight hours along the banks of a swift flowing river, shaded by giant willow trees, their forked trunks rough and gnarly, wider than my insignificant arm span could surround. A sturdy, long, found piece of willow in my hand, a pocket knife stashed somewhere in my jeans and any activity became an adventure – muddy knees on the river bank, arms wet up to the shoulder, my willow wand slippery as it measures the water depth and cloudy thickness at the bottom. The most perfect rock flipper, my wand catching the gooey freshwater slime to reveal the smooth agate patterns of river stone. Surely one of the scarred knotty folds I poke at with my willow wand will reveal the opening to a fairy dimension – it’s just finding the right one… or prodding it the right amount of times? I’ve discussed the use of wands with other practitioners, and they talk about directing energy during magic work or casting a circle for ritual using the wand to focus the intent for the desired outcome – quickly assuring me that a pointed finger works just as well and the wand is really just a prop. Well, if it’s not really needed, why use one? Why make one? How I handle my wand and how I’ve seen others use theirs indicates to me exactly what a wand is for. Like a sword encounters the space directly in front of the user, commanding the body stance to be alert and focused, the wand is masculine energy to a tee – protective, dominating and fearless. Whatever the magical activity chosen, be it casting a magical circle or drawing a symbol into the evening air, your wand will be directed by your own hand and thrust into action as both mind and body follow through with the movement. Just like my ordinary childhood willow stick was poked into every unknown crevice exploring and learning, a magical wand is first on the scene, meeting energy vibrations front on and cutting a magical path for you to travel. Even the most clumsy hand crafted tool will be far superior than anything purchased elsewhere. Sourcing the medium to create a wand can be a complex and difficult journey or as simplistic as the first piece of driftwood upon the tide. There are many and varied techniques for producing a desired wand – the highly decorated and exquisitely carved or just an interestingly shaped branch with textured bark. It is important to have a comfortable relaxed bond with a chosen wand, if gluing crystal beads and tying on satin ribbon bridges the connection between tool and user then it’s a valid and necessary trim. If you choose to fit a filter onto your wand in the form of a crystal, its best to connect intuitively with a stone up close, and think about your needs – choose to amplify or restrict any personal or found energy vibration, and rely upon your intuition as it is paramount to harness magical work. Your wand may eventually become like an extension of your own magical mind, the tool that connects you to the divine power source you seek, encountering the unknown, embarking upon spiritual adventures helping us to enter other realms in safety – pointy stick first.
"If you leave the Christian Bible outside, eventually the wind and the rain will destroy it. My bible IS the wind and the rain." Attributed to an unnamed Native American woman.
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Thank you Cindy and Willow for the most amazing Wand Creating Workshop, your expertise and guidance was sensational!
These beautiful wands were handmade during the Lammas Harvest weekend.
Twisted wood makes fabulous magical wands, either polished or natural.
Gathered from the beach one dark moon, it’s so weightless I forget I’m holding it...
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YULE BALL
WORKSHOP WITH TRICIA SZIROM from GAIA’S GARDEN hosted by Jo & Zahira
Avril and her team of helpers are hosting our very first Yule Ball! Be sure to join us to dance the night away in fancy dress this winter.
Keep July 14th and 15th free in your diary. Jo and Zahira are hosting Tricia Szirom - 'Author of Seasons of the Goddess - Perspectives from the Southern Hemisphere' for workshops near Exeter. Workshop will start finish 1pm on July 15th.
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Cost is $95 or $90 if paid by June 20th Includes overnight accommodation, lunch and dinner. Bring: Sleeping bag or sheets and blankets, toiletries, towel, pillow and your breakfast About Tricia Szirom Tricia is co owner of Gaia's Garden and the organiser of the workshops/functions at Gaia's Garden in Kew East. Her connection with the goddess has spanned over 25 years. Just to be sure that she has plenty to do, she also makes jewellery, felt and silk Goddess ritual wear and slumped and fused glass artefacts which she sells at festivals and online. She has written and published seven books on sexuality, gender, women's rights and group work. She is also the author of 'Seasons of the Goddess: Perspectives from the Southern Hemisphere' and co wrote 'Gaia Emerging - Goddess Beliefs and Practices in Australia with Dr Patricia Rose. To find out more about Tricia, visit www.gaiasgarden.com.au
When: Saturday 23rd June Where: Southern Lights Hotel, Kingston, Hobart. 7.00pm 12.00am Theme: Burlesque, Fancy Dress, your most outrageous Witchy garb! Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non members (show your membership card!) There will be finger food, lucky door prizes and prizes for the best costumes! More info will be on the way, keep an eye on the website, Facebook page and updates for more! SILVER BROOMSTICK AWARDS BBQ 2012 What: BBQ (food and drinks provided) and awards afternoon. When: December Where: Rotary Park, Deloraine Cost: Free for Members—$5 for non-members Homework: Keep your beady eyes peeled for possible award winners—they’re everywhere, holding events and workshops, putting on rituals, writing reports for the Ravens’ Call and presenting talks at moots. Nominations will be in the next Ravens’ Call.
Next Issue
For more details on the workshops in Tasmania, contact Zahira: zahira1au@yahoo.com.au / 0418 139 826
WINTER/ SPRING 2012
To submit your event, contact Mel on melsteers76@yahoo.com The above events are submitted by our readers and are placed in good faith. They do not signify endorsement by the editor or members of the Tasmanian Pagan Alliance, Inc.
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
Jan Walker Marriage Celebrant 1579 Pelvarata Rd, Hobart
Firstly, for our members who may not know you or your business, can you please tell us what you do? I am an authorised Marriage Celebrant. I perform both traditional weddings and handfastings but I do prefer to do pagan weddings because they are so much more magickal than a traditional one. What inspired you to do this type of work? I’ve always loved weddings; I’m one of those romantic Cancerians J. I’d worked for a lot of years in office administration, accounts and payroll positions in several different jobs and about 5 years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which meant I couldn’t do that anymore without a lot of pain. I was put on a disability support pension but didn’t want to just sit at home doing nothing. It was actually my husband who suggested that I might enjoy being a Celebrant and after thinking about it for a while I thought yes, that’s a great idea! The Celebrant that we used didn’t give us any help or information at all really and I knew that I could do a lot better for couples than she had done for us, and I would be doing something that would give me pleasure as well as helping couples start their life together with a great ceremony. Do you follow a particular pagan path? What lead you to following this spiritual way? I am an initiated Inclusive Wiccan. I think I’ve always been a pagan at heart but didn’t really have time for myself until my daughters left home. I had been reading pagan themed books for years and I seemed to be led more and more to Wicca through the books I found. Then, by accident, one day I found “Oak and Mistletoe” (the founding coven of Inclusive Wicca, in SA), while doing an internet search, and it just seemed to fit what I was doing anyway. At that time I didn’t know any pagans and it was hard learning on my own so I signed up and studied online with them. What do you enjoy most about your business? I enjoy creating personalised ceremonies for my clients and sharing their love and happiness on the day. Each wedding is different but the love, laughter, tears and happiness is the same in each wedding, whether it’s on a veranda with only 2 witnesses, on the beach with lots of guests, on the hill top overlooking a beautiful valley below or on a boat on the river. I get to meet the coolest people, travel to some stunning places and venues, hear some beautiful love stories and I am lucky enough to share in some of the most precious, heartfelt moments that a couple share. I love to see the expressions on the bride and groom’s faces, to see the reward they get from all their hopes and dreams for their big day coming together as planned. It’s very rewarding to know I’ve helped to bring this to fruition. Are there any upcoming events, workshops, specials or exciting things happening in your business that you would like to share with our membership? Tas Pagan Alliance members can have a 15% discount for their ceremony. I also have full moon circles, which are open to anyone who would like to join us for an afternoon of ritual, meditation, discussions and some singing and drumming. And if you would like to listen to some great pagan music I have a program – “Saphira’s Pagan Patchwork” – on a community radio station on Friday afternoons from 1pm – 4pm J. If you’re not in the transmission area (Kingborough and Huon Valley) you can listen online at www.huonfm.com. And finally, how do members get in touch with your if they want to know more? I can be contacted by phone on 0400 006 828 or email at janwalker@skymesh.com.au I am also working on a website that has more information: http:// www.wix.com/janwalker/janwalkercmc
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
Autumn Leaf Rubbings by Katie
Collect a bunch of Autumn leaves, sticks, vines or ferns. Lay out on table Spread paper on top. Rub over using crayon
For an extra ‘special’ factor, use watercolour or watered down acrylic paints to paint over the leaves. Check here for inspiration - http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/11/leaf-rubbing-and-paint-mural.html
Mind to Matter dreams to create, creates to dream Katie Lintner Check out Katie’s site or sometimes she has a market stall during the Living the Goddess workshops, she designs the sweetest woven gem pockets to hold polished stones, wear around your neck or as an amulet – made to order, choose your own colour threads, beads and gemstone to suit your Sabbat or occasion. www.etsy.com/shop/Syrenex mindtomat@gmail.com
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
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Ravens’ Call—Autumn/Winter 2012
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