It has been an interesting month. Exciting, exhausting, and amazing.
Back in July, I agreed to be a “line holder” for the Libertarian Party in a county race. Specifically, I was the only opponent to the incumbent for the county clerk and recorder’s race. The philosophy of line holding is that with lots of Libertarians on the ballot, the voter will become more used to seeing Libertarians on the ballot, and perhaps we won’t seem as Odd. For me, Libertarianism is quite compatible with my faith; both the party and my religion call for personal rights and personal responsibility, so it was an easy combination for me..
Two weeks before the election, the county commissioners published a damning report about the incumbent and requested that he resign. Suddenly, I had a very viable race to run. The two communities were incredible. Pagans and Libertarians rallied behind me, giving me support, time, word of mouth coverage, and even money. In short order I had yard signs, newspaper endorsements, buttons, stickers, and a huge trailer being driven around Arapahoe County.
One of the reporters, Frank Bell of the Aurora Sentinel, did his homework. He found an old web page of mine where I talked about being Wiccan. This intrigued him and he wrote about me, my hopes for the office, and my religion in the same issue of the Sentinel that endorsed my candidacy. The Denver Post picked up on my religion, found that a good hook, and a few days after endorsing me, on the Sunday before the election, wrote a follow up story that also focused on my being a "self-proclaimed" witch.
That article caught the attention of Channel 2, which interviewed me that same day. I had virtually no voice, but I had a tiny fit and told them not to call me self-proclaimed, which eventually led to the teaser on the news that night of, "She’s a witch who’s hoping to create some magic at the polls." This was much preferable in my estimation without the "self-proclaimed" label on there. When the reporter asked me about my religion and the office, I made the comment that I hadn’t analyzed how many of the Ten Commandments my opponent had broken, and observed that at least I followed the tenets of my religion.
While my religion was apparently a fascinating hook, the reporters all also talked about my computer background and educational qualifications. My personal opinion is that the interest in my being "some oddball that thinks she’s a witch," (courtesy Mike Rosen) improved my exposure and contributed to my success. Mike Rosen also read several letters from the Pagan community objecting to his problems with me, which he prefaced by saying, “I hope I don’t get turned into a frog before the end of my show today.”
While I didn’t win the election, I did gain about 38% of the vote. That’s a first for a third party candidate in a two-way race in Colorado. I count that as a victory. And now, for better or worse, I am a Very Public Witch. I can’t help but think that this is a good thing too. The more those of us who can afford to be public are public, the more accepted our religion will become.
Oh, and Mr. Rosen? I will not turn you into a toad. 1) It would be unethical, and 2) it would be redundant.
Blessed Be.
—Alia
November's Open Full Moon Ritual, on Friday, November 18, is brought to you by an eclectic group of witches who want more music and song in public ritual. We meet at the First Unitarian Church on 14th & Lafayette in the Capitol Hill area. The church doors open at 7:00 pm and we start at 7:30 pm.
Vella Rose compiled all the music and co-wrote the ritual with Jackie. Other members of the cast contributed improvements and changes. Soloists include Catherine, Vella Rose, Cynthia, Jackie, Richard and Wendy. The chorus additionally includes Mary, Robin, Kathy and Karen. Featuring a song for each part of the ritual (cleansing ritual space, casting circle, invoking the quarters, calling the God and Goddess, magickal working, blessing the cakes and wine, devoking the quarters/God and Goddess and the finale/opening the circle), our magickal working will also feature a spiral dance. The intention of the ritual is: "To bring song, music, dance, laughter and joy into our lives and into our hearts during the dark winter before us."
The lyrics for this month’s ritual are at the end of the newsletter.
Thanks and a Tip of the Hat to to AdAstra Encampment, OrdoTempli Orientis and friends for taking us to the Chapel of the Holy Grail at Hearthstone's October Open Full Moon. In celebration of the Hunter Moon we focused on an evocation of Artemis, calling her with ecstatic drumming, dance and chant. The evocation taught that the Gods arise from the people, and there is no part of us that is not of the Gods. Thank you, AdAstra, for both the lesson and a rousing good time.
—Arynne
**Updated March 2002**
We have determined that our break-even point is about $4 per person.
We aren’t going to start collecting at the door, and no one will be turned away for not having a donation. However, we would like to suggest a donation of 4 to 7 dollars per person. (The extra is to cover the pagans that are unable to donate.) If you can’t afford it, you are still welcome – if you can afford more, we’d be delighted to accept it.
NOTE: Hearthstone is a church and your donations to Hearthstone are tax deductible. If you would like to write a check so you can keep track of your donations, we can certainly handle that as well.
To the Community,
First I would like to say "THANK YOU" to those of you who have helped replenish the shelves of the Food Bank. They do not look so bleak right now. Once again, "THANK YOU".
There are a few things that are needed at the moment. They are:
DragonHorse
Caretaker of the Food Bank
Autumn came in with a bang this week. I realize that in Colorado it’s already snowed but here on the wet coast we’ve been dry and sunny for months. Our largest wildfire was still burning a week ago today.
It’s out now. We’ve had so much rain in the last few days that we’ve made up for the lack of the past few months. There’s even talk of ski season opening early.
I live in a warm house but just looking at that gray sky and those drooping trees makes me shiver despite the warmth. It makes me long for soups and stews and the like. For the past nine or ten months I’ve been living without beef or pork. I still eat poultry and fish but I gave up red and fatty meats in an effort to lower my cholesterol. This has limited my soup and stew repertoire. No more beefy stews or sausage and potato soups for me…unless I find poultry or vegetarian substitutes.
There are decent turkey based substitutes for many sausages but Fast Chili, one of my favorite cold weather meals, generally requires real beef. I don’t care for turkey chili and I despaired of making this dish satisfactorily again. But there are frozen ground beef substitutes (I dare not mention brand names but my two favorites are one that comes in a green bag and one with a French sounding name that originates in Canada.) Last night I really wanted chili so I experimented. In experimenting I discovered a trick I wish I’d know about when I was using beef because it makes the dish every so much yummier. Here is the recipe I ended up with, tasty and warming without the beef.
Fast Chili
Vegetarian
Serves 2
Heat oil in pot. Add onion and garlic and sauté a minute or so until onion is soft and garlic is just starting to toast. Add beans and tomatoes and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, add beef substitute, corn kernels, bacon substitute, and jalapeno pepper. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Taste and add chili powder to taste. Cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes.
Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa, or whatever you normally serve chili with.
—gypsy
Lamp Light
There is a small oil-burning lamp sitting in my kitchen. It is made of glass, and I find that it looks pretty whether or not it is lit. Right now, though, it is lit. The light it is giving today is far more important than ordinary illumination and far lovelier than the lamp itself.
It is one small light for Peace. I dedicated the oil and the light it gives for that purpose.
I think we are all aware of the headlines these days. Many persons have valid concerns about foreign activity. Dangers -- large and small, near and far -- seem to abound as never before. They look deadly and loom fearsomely. But, when we think calmly and rationally, when we shine the light of Peace on those alleged dangers, many of think shrink. Some vanish entirely.
Few of the so-called "little people" may have the ears of those in power. Peace is precious, though. Enough so that we still have the obligation to do what we can to encourage it. Some things are more spiritual, such as the light from the lamp. Other actions are more physical, such as voting. (You *did* remember to vote, didn’t you?)
Please consider writing letters to the editor and so forth. That’s one way we can all become helpers of Peace.
Shalom.
—Southwynde
If you have something to say, and are willing to let Alia edit it slightly, (generally for grammar – I have the soul of an English teacher) please feel free to submit your writing. Content will not be edited. We can usually make room for more voices.
Cleanse: Song: If the People lived their lives (A Russian Folksong).
If the People lived their lives
As if it were a song
Worthsinging out of light,
Provide the music
For the stars
To go dancing circles
In the night.
Cast: Song: Witches Song (Circle ‘Round the Fire) by Selena Fox
Circle
‘round the fire to raise the cone of power to bring what we desire,
So mote it be!
Weave the magic by the moonlight dance the circle all night long
Weave the magic by the moonlight dance and sing the Witches’ song.
Call: Quarters Song: Circle Casting Song by Susan Falkenrath Wolf
Eastern
morning, First breath of the soul,
World view forming, Sacred and whole,
Wind of knowledge, Simple and wise,
Bringer of the lightning, That strikes in our minds,
Come to us -- be here now.
Southern fire, White rays of the sun,
Source of will, That always is done,
Heat of passion, Longing and need,
You who pushed the Green One, Out of the seed,
Come to us – be here now.
Western
river, Devotee of the moon,
Gentle sculptor, Of babes in the womb,
Spring of jubilation, Courage and tears,
Giver of the sweet love, That soothes all our fears,
Come to us – be here now.
Northern mountain, Body of the earth,
Finite treasure, Of infinite worth,
Cave of transformation, Childbirth and death,
Suckler of the wild ones Who curl upon your breast,
Come to us – be here now.
God & Goddess: Song: Triple Goddess Chant (Silver Shining Wheel) by Peter Soderberg
Holy Maiden Huntress, Artemis, Artemis,
Maiden, come to us.
Golden shining sunlight, radiant, radiant,
Lover, come to us.
Silver shining wheel of radiance, radiance,
Mother, come to us.
Golden shining sunlight, radiant, radiant,
Father, come to us.
Ancient Queen of Wisdom, Hecate, Hecate.
Old One, come to us.
Golden shining sunlight, radiant, radiant,
Brother, come to us.
Workings: Song: We are a Circle by Rick Hamouris
Chorus (3x each time):
We are a Circle, within a Circle
With no beginning and never ending.
You
hear us sing, you hear us sigh,
Now hear us call you, Spirits of air and sky.
Chorus three times.
Inside our hearts there lies a spark,
Love and desire, a burning fire.
Chorus three times.
Within our blood, within our tears,
There lies the alter of living water,
Chorus three times.
Take our fear, take our pain,
Take the darkness, into the Earth again,
Chorus three times
The circle closes, between the worlds,
To mark the sacred space, where we come face to face.
Cakes and Wine: Song: Cakes and Wine Chant by Betsy McMindes (Breid Foxsong)
Lady of the Harvest,
Lord of the vine,
Bring to us your blessing
On the cakes and the wine.
Closing: Song: The Circle is Cast by Robert Gass
By the Earth, this is Her body,
By the Earth, Mother of us all,
By the Earth, future and past,
The circle was (is) cast, the circle was (is) cast.
By the air, this is Her breath,
By the air, sweet wind of life.
By the air, from the first to the last,
The circle was (is) cast, the circle was (is) cast.
The circle was (is) cast, the circle was (is) cast.
By the fire, of Her bright spirit,
Shining candles in the night,
By the fire, of Her bright spirit,
Shining, shine your light on me.
By the waters, this is Her blood,
By the waters, the calm and the flood,
By the living waters, running slow running fast,
The circle was (is) cast, the circle was (is) cast.
(The circle is open, the circle is open.)
Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna.
Please note that information and opinions contained in the articles in this newsletter are the responsibility of the authors only. No endorsement by Hearthstone Community Church, Inc. is implied.
All writings are copyright to their respective authors. Please obtain permission before reprinting anything here with the exception of the Open Full Moon Dates. Those may be copied and transmitted as needed.
2002
November 15
December 13
2003
January 17
February 14
March 14
April 11
May 16
June 13
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