Buzz Coil: May 2012

A look at some posts of interest from our blogroll and sometimes beyond:

Blog 'o Gnosis: In her May 2 post,"Small Brown Seed," Anne Hill shares thoughts about this time of year and an audio of the song by the same name that she recorded a few years ago. It really sounded great on my computer speakers!

Alchemy of Clay: In her May 23 post, "weather notes," Barbara Rogers shows and discusses her sculpture of Gaia that morphed into Lucia in a lovely flowery setting.

Amused Grace:  Working up to J in her journey through the alphabet, in her May 11 post  J Is For Jasasara, Thalia Took writes about the Goddess Jasasara, who she says you probably know, even if you think you don't.

My Village Witch: Byron Ballard's "The Village Witch" blog on an Asheville NC newspaper site has morphed into her very own blog. Among her at-least-as-wonderful-as-before first posts are, beginning on May 22, 3 posts about Pagan Unity Festival 2012. May 23 post tells about My First Class at the Fest. Her May 26 post, Pagan Unity Fest–another bright day  compresses two day's events into a short but sweet story.

A Quaker Witch: Stasa Morgan-Appel reports, in 2 posts, on the Pagan Federation Scotlands Annual Conference. The first post on May 19 is about a transforming experience at a workshop: Margot Adler's "Amazing Grace," without shame. The second post on May 22, answers the question "So, how did the Conference go??"

HecateDemeter has a two-part (so far) series on aspects of magic. The first part,The Art of Magic , posted on May 19,  is mostly about art and visualization. The Art of Magic — Part the Second, posted on May 20, continues with a lovely pic, an intriguing quote, and some questions for you.

Works of Literata: Blogger Literata, in her May 26 post, exclaims, I’m ordained! and tells about her ordination as a high priestess through the Order of the White Moon. In her May 14 post, Literata explains "Why Feminists Have Better Sex," and points out how ignorance about female anatomy can lead to absurd statements in erotica and diminish pleasure in real life.

The House of Inanna: Idris has returned to his blog and this May has written a number of posts about sexuality. For example, his May 9 post, "Sex Addiction?". begins with his evaluation of a study which claims that sex can change the brain, and moves on to question whether sex addiction, gambling addiction, and food addiction are legitimate terms.  His May 15 post, "Of Inanna, Sex and Poetry," explores various religions' approaches to sex.

Feminism and Religion: Among this month's posts by many bloggers on a variety of paths are:
"Green Solutions to the Greek Economic Crisis, " posted May 28 by Carol P. Christ, who is running in the Greek national elections on the Green Party ticket. On May 21, in a post titled,
"She Who Changes," Christ shares some of insights from her book of the same name.

Prodded by the latter post, Xochitl Alvizo, on May 23, posted, "How Does Goddess Change the World?" in which she quotes  "a favorite little passage I love from a Catholic theologian, Gerard Lohfink, who wrote a book about whether God needs the church." 

"Still Practicing Her Presence,"  posted May 27 by Barbara Ardinger, gives some tips on how to increase Goddess focus. With two videos of familiar Goddess chants.

Vatican Lays a Cunning Trap for American Nuns, a May 26 post by Mary Johnson explores the issues and history surrounding the current tensions between the Vatican and women religious, especially American nuns.

The Wild Hunt: In his May 23 post, "Winnemem Wintu Tribe Plan Civil Disobedience," Jason Pitzl-Waters reports on the Wintu Tribe's actions of civil disobedience to protest their being unable to properly hold their traditional young women's coming-of-age ceremony.

Way of the Rabbit: Yeshe Rabbit's May 24 post, Blessings of Isis upon Loreon Vigne! profiles the leader of the Temple of Isis at Isis Oasis Sanctuary in Geyserville, California, who will turn 80 on June 8.

Communing With Goddess: Jennifer "Jay" Bull gives some advice to "certain" feminist writers in her May 13 post, " Dear Feminist Spiritual Writers – Start Writing Accessibly." I need to say that I don't agree with all her preferences. But it makes for interesting reading.

Note: Because I am planning to have cataract surgery in about a month, I may not be recovered enough to write a Buzz Coil next month. Actually I can't see very well right now, so please excuse any typos.

Goddess Book Receives 2 Awards

My most recent book, Goddess Matters: the Mystical, Practical & Controversial, has just received finalist awards in both the "Spirituality" and "Women's Issues" categories of the International Book Awards 2012. For reviews, excerpts, and other info, see judithlaura.com/gm.html
  

Goddess Pages: Spring Issue

The Spring 2012 issue of Goddess Pages has been published. This issue's cover,  "Reaching Out" by Jill Smith, relates to her article, described below.

 Articles include: Ancient Tantric Goddess Worship - Past and Present by André Zsigmond, which begins in India  at Vasant Panchami, the Hindu festival celebrating the end of the winter; Be your own Herbal Expert: Part 1 by Susun S Weed. which gives the basics on using herbs for health purposes, including safety issues; Excerpts from Goddess in the Grass: Serpentine Mythology and the Great Goddess by Linda Foubister, material from Foubister's ebook; Goddess Destinations by Dr. Rev. Karen Tate, a discussion of sacred sites around the world;  Misogyny on Parade as told to Katara Moon (written in the persona of Baubo Biggins), a light touch with serious intent to the serious subject of growing anti-woman attitudes and actions in American politics;  My Quest for the Amazon Woman of Hirte by Jill Smith, who takes us with her as she searches an area west of Scotland.

There is also fiction, Loving Brynhild - Part 7 from Clarise Samuels' novel. Poetry includes Wake Robin by Annelinde Metzner; Burning Times by Sheila Rose Bright; and Reunion and Persephone by Judith Laura (oui, c'est moi). Reviews include BBC2's documentary series, "Divine Women", reviewed by Rachael Clyne; and The Bearded Goddess: Androgynes, Goddess and Monsters in Ancient Cyprus, by Marie-Louise Winbladh, reviewed by Geraldine Charles. 

Events Coil: May 22 - June 30

As far we know, all events we list are open functions; but some may be limited to women or to adults and some may require that you notify them that you plan to attend. Please check the websites for group policies. If no country is given, the event is in USA. All times local. Times for computer/Internet/Web events are given for the place of origin unless otherwise noted. Events lasting more than 1 day are bolded. When listing events for the same date we try to list those that occur first, taking into account time zone differences. If there is a difference between our listings and the listings on the link, assume their web page is correct as details may have changed since we listed from it. Ongoing events and events that occur on a regular day each month or week are listed after the dated events. If you have an event you want listed, please leave info as a comment. See the end of this Coil for what info we need for listings.
 
May 22, 7 p.m., New Moon Creativity Sharing Circle, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury ENGLAND

May 25, 7:30 p.m., Embodiment of Rhiannon, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury ENGLAND

May 26, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. How to Dance with the Goddess: For Men, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, The Camino, Glastonbury ENGLAND

May 25-28, Sacred Fire Circle, Circle Sanctuary, near Barneveld WI

June 2, 13:00-16:00, Cercle de Tambours de Dea, l'Ordre de Dea, Montreal, PQ, CANADA

June 2, Noon-2 p.m., Decorating for Summer Solstice, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

June 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ceremonial Healing Day, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury, ENGLAND

June 4, time tba,  Full Moon Celebration, Maetreum of Cybele, Palenville NY

June 4, time tba, Celebrate Artemis, Daughters of the Goddess, San Francisco CA

June 4, 6 p.m. meet in guest house, 8 p.m. ceremony in Temple, Full Moon Ceremony, Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

June 5, 7:30 p.m.Circle of Craft, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

June 9-10, Goddess Groove, Isis Oasis, Geyersville CA
June 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Welcome Summer Festival, Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Mt. Horeb WI

June 9, 6 p.m. Full Moon Circle, Sisterhood of the Sacred Circle, Carson City NV

June 16, time tba, "Lady of Ten Thousand Names: Songs of the Goddesses," with Annelinde Metzner, The Light Center, near Black Mountain NC
June 16, time tba, Summer Solstice, East Bay Caya Coven, San Francisco CA

June 15-17, The Sacred Feminine Retreat with Leslene della-Madre, Jackson Wellsprings/Ashland Goddess Temple, Ashland OR

June 16-17, Summer Solstice Weekend Celebration, Maetreum of Cybele, Palenville NY  

June 17-24, Pagan Spirit Gathering and Summer Solstice Celebration, Circle Sanctuary, Stonehouse Park, near Earlville IL

June 17, time tba, Zomer Zonnewende Ceremonie, Nederlandse Godinnen Tempel, Hillegom NEDERLAND

June 17. Doors open 3:30, ritual begins 4pm. Litha, North Bay Reclaiming, Sebastopol CA

June 17, 5:30 p.m., 6th Annual Yoni Puja Festival (RSVP), Sharanya, San Francisco CA

June 18, time tba, Discovering the Divine Essence of the Goddess, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury ENGLAND

June 19, 2-4 p.m. New Moon Healing, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury ENGLAND

June 19, meet at guest house 6 p.m., Circle, 8 p.m.,Women's New Moon Circle, Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

June19, time tba, Celebrate Summer Solstice and Goddess Vesta, Daughters of the Goddess, San Francisco CA

June 20, 7 p.m., Midsummer, Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

June 20, gather 7:30, ritual 8 p.m. Litha, SF Reclaiming Ocean Beach, San Francisco CA

June 21, 7:30 p.m. Summer Solstice Ceremony, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury ENGLAND

June 22, 7 p.m. Winter Solstice Celebration, Pagaian Moon Court, Blue Mountains AUSTRALIA

June 22-24.  Summer Solstice Retreat for Women, Sisterhood of the Sacred Circle,  High Sierras NV

June 23, 3 p.m. Summer Solstice Fun, Mother Grove Goddess Temple, Asheville NC

June 23, 6:30 p.m. Summer Solstice, Circle of Aradia, Topanga CA

June 30, 7:30 p.m. Moon Lodge, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury ENGLAND

ONGOING

AUSTRALIA

Adelaide, 2nd Tuesday of month, 7:30 p.m. Goddess Devotional Service, The Goddess House.

GREAT BRITAIN

Glastonbury: Most days except Mondays, Noon-4, Temple Open for personal Prayers; Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Belly Dancing; Thursdays, 7 p.m. Temple Ritual Dance Class, Priestess/Priest of Avalon Training Program, both in Glastonbury (Avalon) and by correspondence. Glastonbury Goddess Temple.

SWEDEN

Solderhamm, weekdays, Noon-6 p.m,Godinne Templet Open; Mondays p.m. meditation, prayer, conversation.

USA

Annapolis MD, Friday of each month closest to full moon, 7 p.m. Women's Full Moon Circle, UUCA
Asheville NC, Sundays 10 a.m. drumming, 10:30 a.m. Service, Morning Devotionals, Mother Grove Goddess Temple.
Berkeley CA, last Sunday of month, 5 p.m. East Bay Goddess Rosary, University Lutheran Chapel.
Carson City, NV, Mondays 6 p.m., Women's Spirituality Studies with Mama J, Sisters of the Sacred Circle.
Concord MA, 1st Monday 7-9 p.m.Women's Circles' other ongoing groups include Demeter & Persephone's Circles for mothers and daughters, Council of Mother Dears; Menopause as Spiritual Journey; Menarche for mothers and daughters; Goddess Groove Drum Circle, at Women's Well.
Geyserville CA, Sunday Services 2-4 p.m.Temple of Isis.
Irvine CA, Sunday Services, 1st service at 9:30 a.m., inward meditation; 2nd service at 11 a.m.; see dates for Goddesses being honored, guest speakers, and other information about individual services; Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. "Spiritual Services: Goddesses and Heroes," Spiritual Life Club, . Saturdays 12-5 p.m. Temple Open for Women's Meditation, Goddess Temple of Orange County.
Palenville NY, Sundays 5 p.m.training sessions; Sundays 7 p.m. Pagan Circles, Maetreum of Cybele.
San Francisco CA, Sundays 10:30 a.m. Liturgy of the Divine Feminine; Wednesdays 7 p.m. Goddess Rosary Meditation Ebenezer/HerChurch Lutheran .
Seattle WA, 2nd Sunday, doors open 10 a.m., Goddess Service 10:30 a.m., Gaia's Temple.
Staten Island NY, closest Saturday to full moon 7 p.m. Women's Full Moon Drumming; 3rd Saturday 7 p.m. Goddess devotional service; Goddess Temple of Staten Island.

ONLINE, WORLD WIDE WEB
Course: "Celebrating Cosmogenesis," for people in both Southern and Northern Hemispheres, with Australian author Glenys Livingstone, originates in NSW, Australia. Join online at any time.
Podcasts:times tba, "Talking to Goddess," interviews, music, and more from Gaia's Garden, originates in Melbourne, Australia.
Podcasts: Wednesdays 6 p.m. PT, "Voices of the Sacred Feminine," interviews with well-known Goddessians and Pagans hosted by Karen Tate, Blog Talk Radio. Originates in California.
Podcasts: Sundays 11 a.m. PT, "Creatrix-Media-Live" roundtable discussions include guests and phone-in audience participation, co-hosted by Jayne DeMent and Anniitra Ravenmoon. Blog Talk Radio.
Podcasts: Tuesday 8 p.m. CT, Circle Craft with Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary, Blog Talk Radio

We would be happy to add your Goddess and spiritual feminist events (and those you know about that are open to the public) no matter where in the world they are. Please leave a comment giving: Name of event, sponsoring organization (if any), town, state (if in US), country (if outside of US) time (if known) , and required: url of website where person can get more info (no pdf pages, no password-protected pages). Do NOT give street addresses, phone numbers or email addresses. People should go to the website for that info. 

Memorial Services for De-Anna Alba (1952-2012)

This information is derived from an email newsletter from Circle Sanctuary, which Selena Fox asked be shared:

An interfaith memorial service for Pagan author, elder, and priestess De-Anna Alba, also known as Wendy White, will be held Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation (Episcopal), 550 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, California. Selena Fox, senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, will give the eulogy and be one of the officiants.

A Pagan Memorial Service and cremains interment will be held July 21 at Circle Sanctuary in Wisconsin.

De-Anna Alba died on January 24 of complications of breast cancer. She was one of Circle Sanctuary's first priestesses and was Circle Sanctuary's first church secretary. She assisted Selena Fox with publications, events, music, networking, and other endeavors, and was part of the Pagan Spirit Gathering during its formative years.

You can share memories. tributes, etc. on this Circle Sanctuary page.

Buzz Coil: April 2012

A look at some posts of interest from our blogroll and sometimes beyond:

The Village Witch: The evolving story of the effort to preserve separation of church and state in schools in the mountains of North Carolina is continued in Byron Ballard’s three recent posts: April 13, "Buncombe County’s Board of Education ‘s Policy 652: the end is simply the beginning, writ large" ; April 14, "Buncombe County Board of Education’s Policy 652: and so we conclude" ; and April 24, "Just when you thought it Was Safe," about discovering that though the situation in county schools, had, in a sense been fvarably resolved, a similar situation is simmering in city schools.

Feminism and Religion: In this blog of many authors and many paths, in an April 23 post, "To A Friend, On the Death of Her Daughter," Carol P. Christ, answers the question, " What would your thealogy say to that?" when asked how she would respond to the teen suicide of a friend’s daughter.
Cynthia Garrity Bond’s April 2o post "Presumed Guilty by the Sin of Silence..." examines the Roman Catholic Church’s clamping down on women religious (aka nuns) 40 years after Vatican II’s more liberating changes. She point’s out that these changes are being put "under the knife by Pope Benedict ane his desire to turn back time to a medieval paradigm of control over women religious."
In her April 18 post, "Reproductive Justice," Gina Messina-Dysert shares her thoughts following participation in a formal discussion of contraception at Loyola Marymount University. Among her thoughts, this:

"The denial of reproductive justice in the Catholic Church is a symptom of

 the larger rape culture. When I use this phrase I am referring to a culture that not only perpetrates rape, but all forms of sexualized violence against women and girls.

  The denial of reproductive justice to women is indeed a form of sexualized violence."

Hail Columbia: On April 12, blogger Literata discusses the Roman Catholic Church’s latest (to me rather convoluted) plans to further limit health care to American women, in her post "Catholic ‘Fortnight for Freedom’ this Summer." Literata’s two April 18 posts, "Chicago 50 Update," and "Catholic Bishops complaints ignore legal history," describe other attempts to erase the separation of church and state in the U.S. The latter post describes an activities directed at Pagans, in particular.

　
The Wild Hunt: In his April 20 post, "Rep. Mary Franson Fights the Green Dragon," Jason Pitzl-Waters looks into Rep. Franson’s claim that Earth Day "is a celebration of a Pagan holiday," along with a documentary called "Resisting the Green Dragon," and other activities and assertions by radical right Christians who see environmentalism as "a battle between competing religions."

Hecatedemeter: In her April 20 post, "Thursday Evening Potpourri, blogger Hecate reveals that she will be a regular columnist for the magazine, Witches & Pagans. That post also contains references to a previous post in which she suggested that Earth Day be "A New Sabbat," and quotes an Earth prayer. Her April 26 post discusses "A Ceremony for the Worms."

Veleda: Max Dashu has posted a 3-part series on "Notre Dame de la Vie: Our Lady of Life." Beginning April 20, the series tells the fascinating history of a stone carving of a Goddess on the French side of the Alps at Saint-Martin de Bellevillle, estimated to have been carved "in the early centures bec." The series includes discussion of changes to the statue made by the Catholic church and others, especially in the mid 1800s, and the relationship/similarity of Notre Dame de la Vie to other goddesses. Parts 2 and 3 were posted on April 23. With many pics.

Way of the Rabbit: Yeshe Rabbit’s April 16 post, "Hometown Shrines:Ocean Goddess" takes us to visit the ocean and a shrine to the Ocean Goddess in Bolinas, CA (don’t miss the video!) This is part of Rabbit’s Hometown Shrine project, which she invites you to participate.

The Goddess House: In an April 12 post, Blogger A’st Moon writes about "Tanit of Carthage," also a Phenician goddess and at one time honored throughout the surrounding areas.
  
Broomstick Chronicles: Congratulations to Macha NightMare, aka Aline O’Brien, who shares in her April 11 post the press release announcing that she has received a Patrick McCollum Foundation grant in support of her work in interfaith relations.

Dirt Magic:  In her April 19 post, "Requiem for Isis," Starhawk memorializes her dear friend Isis, recalling how their friendship in high school, college, and up to the present.
  
This is Not an Owl: After attending a Sunday Service at the Goddess Temple of Orange County honoring the Goddess Sybele (aka Cybele),on March 25 Tracie Welser writes this "Open Letter to the Goddess Temple of Orange County," expressing her disappointment and taking issue with the Temple’s policy regarding M to F trans women. When I visited the blog, there were 85 comments to this post, including several from Ava, GTOC presiding priestess. 
 
Communing With Goddess: On April 13, blogger firefox712002 writes about women’s "Circles," including their growth, changees and sometimes dissolution. She asserts that "circles don’t really end," and describes how changes in her current group enabled changing n "archenemy" into a friend.

Blog o’ Gnosis: In her April 16 post, "On Turning Fifty," Anne Hill terms this her "year of gratitude‘ and reviews her life up to this point.

In Memoriam: Katrina 'Foxglove' Kessler, 1989-2012

We join the Pagan community in mourning the death on April 21 of Katrina "Foxglove" Kessler in a car accident in San Diego. She was host of the TV series "Foxglove's Lost and Found." Previously with the World of Witches Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, Foxglove recently moved to California and was active with Pagan groups there. A Wake will be held at Thomas Funeral Home in Canton, Massachusetts, Sunday, 4-8 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held 10 a.m. the morning of Beltane Eve. An on-air memorial is scheduled for May 4 on Pagans Tonight Radio at 9 p.m. ET. (This information comes from a more extensive April 27 post on The Wild Hunt.)
UPDATE:: 4/27, 10:46 p.m. More information about funeral arrangements can be found at the Dockray and Thomas Funeral Home website.
May she rest in the arms of the Goddess and be renewed.

In Memoriam: Christian Feminist Scholar Jane Schaberg

We mourn the passing of Christian feminist scholar, author, and poet Jane Schaberg, who died April 17. She was professor of religious studies and women's studies at the University of Detroit Mercy, and author of The Illegitimacy of Jesus, The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene, in which she related quotes from Virginia Woolf to her research on Mary Magdalene, and Mary Magdalene Understood. A more extensive obituary has been posted by Kathy Schiffer at Patheos.

GUEST POST: Kohenet Institute's 4th Cohort Begins This Summer

by Rabbi Jill Hammer, Ph.D

I want to let the community know that the Kohenet Institute will be beginning its fourth cohort this summer at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center from July 30 to August 5.The Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute reclaims shamanic models of sacred service based on Jewish women's spiritual leadership roles throughout the centuries, from biblical prophetess-priestesses to Talmudic healers and magicians to kabbalistic dream interpreters to modern feminist ritualists.

By opening to the Goddess in Jewish sources, in the world around us, and in our own lives, we evolve an embodied, earth-based, and feminist Jewish practice. The Kohenet training program uses prayer, ritual, text study, and experiential learning to give women tools of spiritual leadership they can use in their own communities. The Kohenet Institute meets twice a year for a total of four week-long sessions over the course of two years. Our curriculum is based on priestess-archetypes such as Seeker, Shrinekeeper, Wise Woman, Mother, Prophetess, and Shamaness. For each priestess-archetype, we explore myth, history, personal experience, ceremony and spirit journey. Our initial program is four week-long retreats, with phone calls and on-line discussion and assignments in between sessions. This training program concludes with an initiatory ritual. Upon completion of the initial program, students may enroll in an advanced program that provides in-depth training in ritual leadership, and receive smicha (ordination) as a Hebrew priestess.

Our community of Kohenet sisters spans the entire country and is a rich source of support and learning. Our core faculty has extensive experience in ritual facilitation; Jewish sacred text; lifecycle ritual; prayer; and earth-based feminist theology. We are also supported by guest faculty and interns. We have yearly programs for alumnae, and our graduates maintain close contact with the Institute and the Kohenet network. We are planning a Kohenet trip to Israel for the summer of 2013.

If you are interested, please feel free to contact me through our website at http://kohenet.org/contact

Many blessings for a blossoming spring,

Jill Hammer

For Poetry Month

(In observance of National Poetry Month in the U.S. , here is one of my poems/invocations from my book, Goddess Spirituality for the 21st Century.)

Waning Moon Invocation

On the wings of the waning moon,
we see the spiral arms of our galaxy,
and you, Goddess, are there.
On the wings of the waning moon,
we sense the spiral within us,
and you, Goddess, are there.
In the smallest of particles, you shine.
In waves of light, you flow.
In the dying of the darkest hole,
you bear the spark of new life.

Slowly fading crescent,
Honored Crone of change
Ancient One of transition,
open our minds to your wisdom
and our hearts to your love.
On the wings of the waning moon,
be with us here now.

Copyright 1997 by Judith Laura. All rights reserved. Permission given for use in ritual without further inquiry. Reprinted in A Pagan's Muse (Kensington/Citadel 2003). Appeared in slightly different form in Goddess 2000 Project's "Dancing the Goddess Home" Ritual.