Whispers of a Stone Circle Volume III, Issue 35 September 13, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ In This Issue: Editor's Note Poem: Thoughts By Mina Cool Link(s) Article: Mabon Ritual By Sheila K. Watkins Suggested Book of the week In the News: New 'moon' found around Earth: There could be another one Waxahachie Wiccan can wear pentacle: Policy protects religious symbol, Waxahachie school chief says Announcements: Mid-Missouri Pagan Pride Writer's Biographies Submission guidelines and other stuff Current Subscriber Count: 1082 ~*~*~ Hello All, I had the view on in the background as I was putting together this newsletter. On it they had an interview with John Edward from Crossing over with John Edward and I stopped working to listen to him. Now I admit as much as I am into spirit guides/ helpers/ totem animals etc, I have only watched his show maybe once or twice. In my opinion, yes he was contacting those from beyond but it bugged me I hadn't seen him telling people "you have the power to do this too." In the interview though he did. He also mentioned that he is so good at what he does because he has worked at it for 18 years and for that he gets a big nod from me. It is very much like magic, anyone has the ability to do it but you have to be open and willing to work at it to be good. Yes some people may have greater talent at it but effort counts for a lot. I spent the 9/11 listening to a lot of news programs, I admit at the beginning of the day I wasn't planning on focusing so much on the anniversary. Sometimes there were tears in my eyes and other times I wanted to shake the news people and yell. "Hey life goes on." Very human responses I know. May all those who lost love ones a year ago find peace and closure. So until next time, Sheila K. Watkins Editor: Whispers of a Stone Circle http://www.jbinc.com/Whispers/ See last page of this newsletter for submission guidelines, forwarding guidelines, where you can subscribe to Whispers and copyright information. ~*~*~*~ Thoughts By Mina Late summer breezes sweep over grass renewed by late rains The parched ground drinking greedily of the runoff from the roof Small sounds of nature's heartbeat fill your senses as you sit Lazily on the blanket spread looking up to contemplate the cerulean sky White clouds like bits of softest silky wool drift with those breezes The same that cool skin heated by the Sun reminding once again that everything connects. ~*~*~*~ Cool Link(s) of the week: (Sent to me via a list I am on.) Proteus Library http://www.draknet.com/proteus/library.htm Robin Wood's site http://www.robinwood.com/LivingtreeGrove/MainMenu.html Ellen Cannon Reed's site http://www.circleofisis.com http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/index.htm A large collection of essays, articles and rituals - some good, some not... but lots of good. ~*~*~*~ Mabon Ritual By Sheila K. Watkins (I can't remember if I have published this one or not.) Before the start of the ritual walk and gather the fruits of the season acorns, corn or maize, shafts of wheat, fall leaves, other things which are coming into season for picking at this time of year. These will be used for decoration. This can be used for either solitary or groups. If solitary modify so the person performing the ritual does all the speaking. This may be used as needed but I would appreciate feedback on how it goes from those who perform it. The setting for this ritual is outside. The candles are lit and the altar is laid out in the manner that the group or the person chooses. The altar is decorated with the items gathered. A basket containing a bit of cornbread is also on the altar. There is also a basket of either bulbs or seeds, which are to be planted in the fall. One bulb for each participant or bit of folded paper with some perennial seeds in each The priestess, using her athame, casts the circle by slowly circling starting in the east and making her way deosil chanting as she goes: "I call upon the Goddess three. Bless this circle so mote it be." If there this is used as a group ritual the priestess now cuts an opening in the circle to let in the members of the coven. Members file in from the east and circle deosil until all members are in the circle. The priestess now closes the circle once again. All face east. Caller of the East speaks the following: "Spirits of Wind hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face south. Caller of the South speaks the following: "Spirits of Fire hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face west. Caller of the West speaks the following: "Spirits of Water hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face north. Caller of the North speaks the following: "Spirits of Earth hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face inward. The Priestess speaks the following: "Gentle Goddess* hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face inward. The Priest (if present) speaks the following: "Gentle God* hear our plea, come and be welcome." Priestess takes up the cornbread. (Note: make sure it's fresh) Slowly she starts around the circle once again, dropping bits of the cornbread on the ground as she walks. She says the following: Circling giving back to thee The gifts of the harvest you have bestowed Summer's heat and rain Providing us with gifts of grain For this we thank you both Goddess and God Soon too soon it will be time for the Goddess to grieve As the God enters his tomb and winter shall come again But much like plants and grain We welcome the promise of your return The Priestess places what's left of the cornbread on the altar. She picks up the basket of bulbs or seeds and carries it around the circle. Each person takes a bulb or seed packet from the basket. The person hands it to the person beside him or her (deosil.) As s/he does s/he says "This is my wish for you (and name a blessing for the person, Health, wealth, happiness etc something positive.) May it grow as this bulb (these seeds) grow" This is the promise of new life For all that winter will soon be here When our lady, under winter's blanket, dozes A reminder that when the blanket is pushed away That life returns again And the God shall once more roam Graceful proud and strong The seeds or bulbs are to be taken with the people to be planted where they may grow and thrive with their promises of spring. A simple feast is shared. (People can sit for this part.) All face inward. The Priestess speaks the following: "Gentle Goddess* We thank you for thy care. May you leave only if you must." All face inward. The Priest (if present) speaks the following: "Gentle God* We thank you for thy strength. May you leave only if you must." All face north. Caller of the North speaks the following: "Spirits of Earth we thank you for thy presence. May you leave only if you must." All face west. Caller of the West speaks the following: "Spirits of Water we thank you for thy presence. May you leave only if you must." All face south. Caller of the South speaks the following: "Spirits of Fire we thank you for thy presence. May you leave only if you must." All face east. Caller of the East speaks the following: "Spirits of Wind we thank you for thy presence. May you leave only if you must." The priestess, using her athame, casts the circle by slowly circling starting in the east and making her way Widdershins chanting as she goes: "I call upon the Goddess three. Release this circle so mote it be." * You may use the deity name of your choice may be substituted, if you use an ungentle deity you might want to substitute gentle with mighty, fearful etc ~*~*~*~ Suggested book of the week: Animal-Speak The spiritual & magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0875420281/whispeofaston-20 This is one of the best books on totem animals and their powers that I have seen out there and I would strongly suggest that you have it in your library if you are all interested in animal totems. ~*~*~*~ In the News: New 'moon' found around Earth There could be another one By Dr David Whitehouse BBC News Online science editor An amateur astronomer may have found another moon of the Earth. Experts say it may have only just arrived. Much uncertainty surrounds the mysterious object, designated J002E3. It could be a passing chunk of rock captured by the Earth's gravity, or it could be a discarded rocket casing coming back to our region of space. Rest of the story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2251386.stm Waxahachie Wiccan can wear pentacle Policy protects religious symbol, Waxahachie school chief says 09/12/2002 By SCOTT PARKS / The Dallas Morning News The Wiccans won Wednesday in Waxahachie. Waxahachie public school Superintendent Bobby Parker ruled that Rebecca Moreno, a ninth-grader, can wear her pentacle necklace in full view of her classmates. Rest of the story: http://www.dallasnews.com/localnews/stories/091202dnmetwiccan.4589.html (please copy and paste broken links.) ~*~*~*~ Announcement(s): Mid Missouri Pagan Pride Mid Missouri Pagan Pride will be held at Peace Park, in Columbia on Sunday September 22. The event will open at 12 noon and close by 7 pm. We encourage people from all over Mid-Missouri as well as the St. Louis area to attend. We have blocked Elm Street from 6th to 8th street We will have speakers, drumming, booths, vendors and ritual. It is a chance to meet other Pagans, educate non-Pagans about our practices in a public venue and generally have a good time. We ask for no admission fees but encourage you to bring a canned food donation to the Central Missouri Food bank and pet food for the Second Chance No-Kill Shelter. We are hoping for a good turn out for this important event. Nationally there are Pagan Pride events in just about every state, almost all in the month of September. There are five other events in Missouri. See the national website at www.paganpride.org for information about all these events and background on the Pagan Pride movement. And there is still time if you would like to vend or table. We ask $25 if you are taking money and only $5 to bring a literature table. Please private e-mail me and I will send you a form. Bright Blessings, Rose Wise ws@undata.com ~*~*~*~ Writer's Biographies: Melinda or Mina describes herself as "Blonde, bratty, and too cute for my own good ... was once told that I am a 'candy coated hellcat'. My weaknesses are chocolate, my husband's pout, and a good book. I enjoy chatting with friends and sharing ideas. " She's from the central part of the United States. Sheila K. Watkins founded and became editor of Whispers of a Stone Circle in October of 2000. She is past editor of The American Witch and Pagan Weekly Newsletter, A long time Wiccan/Pagan/Witch as well as being a Wife and Mother. ~*~*~*~ Submissions are always welcomed and can be made to: zeliziw@jbinc.com Submission guidelines can be received by writing zeliziw@jbinc.com Forwarding information: If you chose to forward this newsletter, Please do so in its entirety, including copyright and contact information. People may subscribe or unsubscribe by contacting: Whispers@jbinc.com Back issues may be found at: http://www.jbinc.com/Whispers/ All articles, poems, etc, except where noted are copyrighted by the writers and are used with permission. They are not to be republished without the express permission of the writers. Contact information may be obtained by contacting the editor of Whispers of A Stone Circle at: zeliziw@jbinc.com Copyright (c) 2002 Sheila K. Watkins All Rights Reserved.