GoddessMagazine.1.09

2009 Brings the Goddess Hexing the Enemies of Women and Peace Some women shirk from fighting back. Too many years have passed since the heroic age of the seventies, when everything new started. We used to have self defense classes, repair our own cars classes, women’s studies about who we are as women and what have women done in Herstory that we are not aware of. Gathering our treasures and our tears.

Still we live in a male centered society. Males rule by violence and rape, and the everlasting wars. Not by law. Too many rapists have gone free, too many murderers as well. White collar thieves live long and hardly ever fall into the hands of justice. Wall Street criminals, Enron criminals, the pardoned GOP “leakers,” and the high born idiot son Bush not even impeached.

But something has happened here in the San Francisco Bay Area that tripped the “that’s enough!” wires for me as a witch. A lesbian was viciously gang raped by four men. Then they kidnapped her, and continued their assault for another 45 minutes. She was brutally beaten to within an inch of her life for being a woman; for being a lesbian. Then, they stole her car and left her naked in the chilled winter winds and pounding rains, daring her to survive. She did.

I have not hexed anybody since the Trailside Killer (still in jail) in the 80’s, but something turned inside me when the crime came this close to my life. I’m much older now at 68 and somewhat incapacitated with artificial hips; I gathered enough courage to call to arms all those women who considered holding a hexing circle in defense of our lives a worthwhile effort.

13 women answered the call. It was a magical number. I went ahead.

As always we document all hexes, so there could be NO doubt we are not calling on the devil.

I contemplated the situation and carefully chose the Lady of Guadalupe as our Queen of all Americas to be the center. I asked a friend to get me some large banners of the Lady. She sent us two large banners, glorious in her appearance, the Lady in her full queenly glory. Thank you Karen!

Next I gathered the all important occult supplies. Yes you can cast successful spells without anything, just praying. But when you are up against a rape culture, violence of this hate crime magnitude, it’s good to have some mandrake root with you, and other secret baneful herbs, to burn in your cauldron.

I represented the lives of the rapists with red thread, and over the smoking cauldron, praying to the Queen, I cut their luck into many small pieces. The only man who came to our hex, Lez, helped to put them all into the burning cauldron of change. This was important. Men must stop rape. Men must come over to the women’s side. Fight for us. Rarely ever happens.

To the Queen who we invoked as grandmother (her old name used to be Tonatzin), we asked her to help us, bring these men, and ALL rapists down with Unluck. We cut their luck into tiny little pieces, their luck now gone.

Next I hexed them so nobody would hide them.

Hexed them that their own family would give them up. Hexed them that they would turn on each other. Hexed them that the youngest one would talk.

Video of parts of this hexing ritual are on my DU website: wicca.zbudapest.com and on my blog: blog.zbudapest.com Then we went home. I laid down on my couch and let the new year arrive. Thought it would be a little while that this spins out its necessary wheels.

By Wednesday the news was on the front pages of the SF Chronicle. Three of the men were arrested.

The younger one’s family gave him up! And then he talked as the hex had requested. They arrested two more and by Thursday the fourth criminal turned himself in. Blessed be Tonantzin!

Sisters of the Susan B. Anthony Coven Number One participated with us globally in this incredible fast Justice. In Orange County in Southern California, and elsewhere, the women gathered to support this hex; all could see the success of their labors. Enough is enough!

On the same day the arrests began here, a serial rapist was caught in Columbus, Ohio … No luck for rapists! Justicia rules!

So now I have allowed myself a little victory toe-dance. Yeahh!

What I hoped would result from this experience is a nationwide hex on ALL rapists and male violence. Annually, on the dark moon at the end of every year. That they would run out of luck at last.

But the real change would only come from a change of consciousness. A mind change that would see women differently.

Not as meat, not as holes, or whores, but as sisters and mothers and citizens with rights.

Male gods’ religion didn’t help at all. Thousands of years and the men are still not civilized. The male gods are Lords, they have holy books full of violence and trashing of women. Switching back to Goddess culture and appreciation of life is what would help see women in the loving light. After all we are the door of life. We birthed everybody.

Where is the gratitude? Why the rage against us?

In hope that women grow a pair, and learn not to be fear driven, stand up for themselves and each other. Learn SISTERHOOD again!

I wish you the best New Year ever!

Z Budapest “We all come from the Goddess, and to Her we shall return Like a drop of rain flowing to the ocean…”

Z’s Newsletter Morphs into a New Magazine called Goddess You might have noticed the changes to this issue. We have moved into a new online magazine format, making it much easier for all the sisters to read. You’ll be able to find the current issue at this URL: http://issuu.com/zbudapest/docs/goddess The Susan B. Anthony Coven Number One has been writing all of the articles and art for you over the last year, and they’ve done an awesome job. While the SBA will continue to contribute to Goddess, we wanted to offer you the opportunity to contribute as well.

Learn more about how YOU can contribute to the Goddess here.

Do you have a spiritual business you’d like to advertise in the Goddess?

Please share the Goddess with your friends.

Tell your friends … Subscribe to the Goddess magazine here.

This newsletter is sponsored by the Women’s Spirituality Forum.

Please help support our efforts to help keep the Goddess Alive!

New class in the DU ~ A class, a teacher, a message ... that will radically change your life and save this planet. Clever, humorous, feisty, breathless adventure, easy to grasp, hard-hitting, blunt feminist ... who got Z Budapest up on her feet shouting YES! YES! YES!!!

Reviewed by Z Budapest Ever since Marija Gimbutas has passed away there’s been no clear voice coming from the archeology community; which made a lot of the Goddess findings. In fact, I have not heard about a mainstream Goddess oriented book with facts, figures and a decent scientific background.

Sure there’s a constant flow of books about the Goddess, but you find they are the same books over and over again. The proverbial elementary everlasting 101 Goddess course, with a slightly new spin.

Most new books are about old books. Books about books.

We writers must mind the bottom line. We are told that is okay to talk down to the readers, because they are all languishing in an ever lastingly starting point in their evolution. I hope this has changed. But I think the time has come to name names, show us the big picture, reveal the Goddess as a social force who yields peace and civilization. Do we dare?

Well Jeri Studebaker dared. When I picked up her book I thought if she comes anywhere near of her title, I’ll be happy.

This is a revolutionary book. The writer is fearless. A good sized book, with lots of references and quotes at the end. In fact I loved the last part most, because when you read the book all the way and you come to the last 200 pages, that’s where she has put the ammunition against the existing male gods holy books and their claims.

I got myself so fired up read this book that I just jumped up and yelled, “I must call up this woman. I must tell her how much I loved this work. She is one of us! Yeah!”

And so I did.

Jeri was a little surprised. I asked if I can talk to the Goddess Jeri, she giggled and we were off to a good start.

What is her thesis? Simple and witches have been saying it for many years. The male gods must be removed. Jeri traces them to about 4,000 BC. She calls them the players in the starvation religion.

Starvation gods are the war gods, war gods are evil. They are created by men, but then they live on, scaring people with hell and suffering after death. They have a wanton record of slaying thousands of people who they see as enemies; even attaching pregnant women ripping them open. They institutionalized rage against the woman.

Enemies are big business. We know that, each war has their profits. Fear is the basis of this war the Lord controls, and they are almost everywhere on the earth. With exception, like the little Himalayan Moso tribes, where they worship a Guiding Goddess, and do not have marriage as we know it.

Jeri tells you about a couple of other Goddess cultures and goes into deep detail with pictures.

She said, before 4,000 BC, no wars and no hierarchy existed anywhere. Peace rained. People modeled themselves after their Guiding Goddess who was behaving like a healthy Mother to her children. Jeri comes out and says, “You’ll be like the mothers model, or you'll all go down with the planet.”

For those of us who like to think that tolerance towards all faiths is the best way to go, Jeri busts that bubble. When it spreads and endorses war, it should not be tolerated. If it does not enhance society, create peace amongst the folks, it should not be tolerated.

But of course she doesn’t think we should go out and smite them with pestilence and slay them all; and their cattle. This is the big difference.

But we can all switch to the Goddess. Right now.

What Jeri isn’t saying, is that we as women we are the culture. As women we can give our energy or withhold it. We are the world. What women endorse will live. We create our own Goddesses, and model ourselves naturally after Mother model. Women who are not biological mothers still have the tendency and bond reaction when stressed.

Instead of kill and kill what we don’t understand.

So if women switch to Goddess, which is what the Goddess Movement has done for 30 years now, they will have found the way to improving life on earth.

But don’t take it from me. She has the facts and the hair raising direct quotes from the so called sacred books of male war gods, which I never knew about. She gives us directions. She actually is an activist about knowledge, preps us with responses to the most often posed challenges.

Ok. I asked her next to teach in the D.U. She said yes. I want you to have groundbreaking teachers like Jeri, women who are Switching to Goddess. So, now we have a very powerful and interesting new class in the D.U. for you. Join Jeri there and she will turn you into Action Heras. Jeri knows how to switch to the Goddess.

Get your own copy of Switching to Goddess, Humanities Ticket to the Future by J. Lyn Studebaker.

Z Budapest After more than thirty years in circulation, The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries is still a ground-breaking book in the forefront of women’s spirituality.

I have survived all of these years almost 30 years since I read your first book, Holy Women’s Mysteries. I was a practicing Buddhist in 1972, and then came your book and my whole life changed.

I carry with me the inside knowledge that I am Goddess and so are my sisters--in secret we have always gathered.

A deep thank you Z for writing that first book as I awoke the Goddess in me and I have been on the path ever since. I love you and respect you and I am deeply grateful for you for spawning the Women’s Spiritually Movement. Blessed Be - KRS

This newsletter is sponsored by the Women’s Spirituality Forum.

Please help support our efforts to help keep the Goddess Alive!

Witch Trial Wicked busy and loving every minute of it. The Susan B. Anthony Coven Number One has launched a new website to honor Z Budapest and the Herstory behind the Last Great American Witch Trial. www.WitchTrial.net.

It’s time that the world knew the truth and whole story behind Z’s Witch Trial back in the seventies.

Z’s autobiography will give a lot more detail to the Witch Trial, but we wanted a website that the public could access to learn more about this trial and the senseless trials of the others that had come before.

If you have articles like the one to the right, email us a copy. We’re trying to change the world’s paradigm about witches. With your help and support, we can make a dent in humanity.

The Witch Trial website will be growing over time.

If you have a website or blog, please link to the WitchTrial.net website. Tell other women you know about it, and help us bring our Herstory into public awareness.

LINK TO OUR WEBSITES & WE’LL LINK TO YOU: Women’s Spirituality www.Women-Spirituality.com The Goddess www.The-Goddess.net Goddess Belief www.GoddessBelief.com

Dianic Wicca www.Dianic-Wicca.com Hex Spells www.HexSpells.com Marija Gimbutas www.MarijaGimbutas.com Witch Trial www.WitchTrial.net

Do you have a website or blog? We’d like to exchange links with you! Email us for more information: zbudapest AT gmail.com Subject title: Please consider cross-linking with me

Pantheacon ‘09 The Susan B. Anthony Coven Number One is growing. Wow! And, our next in-person meet-up is at Pantheacon ’09! Plan on joining us if you’re in the area, Z’s planning some awesome rituals for us there. Here’s a preview:

Prayer to Pax (Light a silver candle in a circle of wild flower petals) Say: Silver One! You who are honored three times a year with humble marches Maidens honored walks When even the powerful wears none of the insignia of their office as we pray at your public altars for continued peace.

We are back again.

Put your mighty silver force your mighty ray of the soul (if you please) against the warlovers selfish blindness.

Let war be passe.

Only you can do this.

Then It is done.

(Light a golden candle in the circle of rose petals) Say: Golden One! Yellow sunflowers, heralds of wealth Milliards of honeybees laden with golden drops celebrate your holy presence.

Come back to us!

Teach us the ancient arts of tolerance and fair trade Pour your wisdom in the drops of honey So that even the most mean spirited Will finally be able to feel you.

Make your woman especially strong (if you please) so that we can endure the torrents of abuse still our bitter lot of war at home.

As we shall slay the mind’s monsters that harmed us amoungst our own kin.

Bring us back the love we deserve.

This you can do.

Then It is done.

(Light a black candle in a circle of dried bones) Say: Black One! You are the peace of death precious jewel reward after a life well spent: Peace unutterable.

We celebrate you with all the ancestors who have gone before us.

We remember that our time too is but brief.

You need not our kind to help you hurry death.

You shall surely come and call our names one by one.

Absorb our fears of each other make our hate darkness be absorbed by your holy death.

Let your peace not be the only one we know.

This you can do.

(If you please) Then It is done.

Silver One Golden One Black One make it so

In addition to memorizing the Prayer for Pax, you should also memorize the words to the song we sing for the Self-blessing:

Bless me Mother, for I am your child.

Bless my eyes to see your ways.

Bless my nose to smell your essence.

Bless my lips to speak your name.

Bless my breasts for strength and beauty.

Bless my belly for pleasure and life.

Bless my legs to walk your path.

Bless me Mother, for I am your child.

The Women’s Spirituality Forum has launched a new website to honor one of our beloved sheros …

Marija Gimbutas (www.marijagimbutas.com). We’ve published a little of the information about Marija’s life here, but there is more on the website, and it will be growing over time. If you have a website or blog, please link to the MarijaGimbutas.com website. Tell other women you know about it, and help us keep Marija’s memory alive.

Have Z write up something about her relationship with Marija.

Marija Alseikaite Gimbutas was born in 1921, in Vilnius, Lithuania. The Lithuanian spelling of her surname was Gimbutienė.

Gimbutas fled her homeland, Lithuania, during World War II, which at that time was occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union.

In 1946, she earned a PhD in archaeology at Tübingen University in Germany. Her background was interdisciplinary and included a thorough grounding in linguistics, ethnology, and the history of religions, which was unusual for an archaeologist.

In 1949, she moved to the United States, where she would remain until her death four decades later.

With her extensive knowledge of European languages, Marija Gimbutas was employed by Harvard University in 1950. She was assigned the task of conducting research and writing texts regarding European prehistory. Gimbutas was able to read and translate the archaeological reports from Eastern Europe, which opened the American to new ideas on archeology. She remained at Harvard for thirteen years where she also became a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology. In 1955 Marija Gimbutas was made a Fellow of Harvard’s Peabody Museum.

1956 brought an International conference at Philadelphia, and it was here that Marija Gimbutas introduced her “Kurgan Hypothesis,” which combined archaeological study of the distinctive “Kurgan” burial mounds with linguistics to unravel some problems in the study of the Proto-Indo-Europeans; namely, to account for their origin and to trace their migrations into Europe. The word “Kurgan” is a Russian word from Turkic describing the kind of graves and grave-barrows built by the people of this culture.

In 1963, Marija Gimbutas was invited to teach at the University of California in Los Angeles, where she remained a professor until her retirement in 1989.

In Southern California, she taught Baltic and Slavic studies. Gimbutas was appointed Chair of European Archaeology. She established the Institute of Archaeology and stimulated the development of Indo-European studies. She was the Curator of Old World Archaeology at the Cultural History Museum. She edited scholarly archeology related publications, and as well as her own published works while traveling and lecturing extensively throughout the world.

Gimbutas was co-founder of The Journal of Indo-European Studies. She contributed to Lithuanian journals and encyclopedias. Gimbutas was always an important figure in Baltic studies. Gimbutas earned a reputation as a world-class specialist on the Indo-European Bronze Age as well as on Lithuanian folk art, and the prehistory of the Balts and Slavs, partly summed up in the definitive Bronze Age Cultures of Central and Eastern Europe (1965).

Gimbutas’ archaeomythology scientifically analyzes the material database for Old Europe, it draws possible and probable inferences from these analyses to reconstruct the symbolic, religious ideology of Old Europe. Her work resulted in the publication ofThe Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe, written while she wasin residence in Holland as a Fellow of the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences (1973-74) .

After years of solitary research, the main themes of Old European art and religion were presented in The Language of the Goddess (1989).

Her final book The Civilization of the Goddess (1991), presented an overview of her theories about Neolithic cultures across Europe: housing patterns, social structure, art, religion and the nature of literacy. The book advanced what she saw as the differences between the Old European system, which she considered goddess-centered and matriarchal, and the Bronze Age IndoEuropean patriarchal cultural elements. According to her speculation, both systems fused to form the classical European societies.

In June of 1993, Marija Gimbutas received an honorary doctorate at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania.

The enormous appreciation she received from the scholars, students and countless Lithuanian citizens was also repeated in America, the following year, when Marija Gimbutas died in Los Angeles, on February 2, 1994.

Thousands of people came to express their love and respect for this great woman and Lithuanian scholar.

This month’s cover art

Portrait of the Artist, Rosmarinus Stehlik Aspecting the Goddess Medusa Photoshop version by Bobbie Grennier, 2008.

The Medusa Mask was made for Z Budapest, conceived and made by ROSMARINUS STEHLIK (Velvet 13 TM in association with WYRDMAGICK.com) the Dianic Cyber Temple of Goddess Art unveiling the Work of R. Stehlik in February of 2009.

Copyright July, 2008. Photographed by Divine David Fabbri, all rights reserved.

ARADIA CHANT - To be performed at Pantheacon The ARADIA CHANT, click to listen, (Buy your own MP3 download) was channeled in HONOUR of exalting the WARRIORESS ASPECTS of WOMANKIND as called forth by those that are NOT afraid to INVOKE the RIGHTEOUS RAGE of WIMMIN, and for whom the preservation of human Sanctity is paramount! Dedicated to Witches, everywhere who stand up for Wimmin's AUTONOMY in the Great Cosmick Scheme of things....

Aradia's name comes to the fore as the title as She is the AVATAR of WITCHES EVERYWHERE in Witchdom's purpose to overthrow OPPRESSORS. Bless-ed Be. Chant, words and sound by R. Stehlik.... all copyrights acknowledged.... All voice tracks, Whispers, ululations, drums, sistrum, doumbek, bells, bodhran and hand claps-- performed by and composed by R.Stehlik. Recorded by D. Fabbri c/o Djehuti Productions.

The Medusa Myth I volunteered to write about Medusa for this magazine. I thought it would be an easy enough task to do.

Everyone has heard of Medusa. She’s the snake-headed Gorgon in the movie “Clash of the Titans” We’ve seen her face on the Sicilian flag. But I really didn’t know much about her except she was a classical character from Greek mythology.

When I was in grad school, the professor’s assigned us topics we knew nothing about so we would really have to work hard at achieving an in depth understanding of a topic and then would assign us a presentation on the topic, so we would teach ourselves first and our classmates secondly.

Being the well-trained professional student I am, I began researching the Medusa Gorgon myth. I came up with a multitude of myths, many of which were conflicting. I Googled, I searched Wikipedia, and I checked my personal library as well. After a week of research, I was even more confused. Who was Medusa and what did she represent to women? Finally, I opened up my Goddess Companion Daily Meditations on the Feminine Spirit by Patricia Monaghan.

Entry for October 30 (page 318): “The hero put Medusa’s head down for a moment, remembering not to scratch it on sharp rocks.

There was a small patch of seaweed and of fern, and Medusa having been a daughter of the ocean was welcomed by the plants there as a sister.

And her power transformed them: each stem, Each leaf, each tendril hardened into stone.

Sea nymphs, excited, brought more seaweed to Medusa’s head, to watch the magic happen as fading green turned into semiprecious stones and filigrees with dainty lace. This how coral came to be: from those weeds petrified by Medusa’s gaze.” ~ Ovid, Metamorphoses

Medusa is one of those ancient Goddesses who was converted into a monster by later cultures.

The familiar myth shows her as a terrifying figure, a snake haired woman who turns to stone anyone who looks upon her. Yet this winged, angelic figure was once a solar divinity, a great goddess whose very name means “ruler of humanity”.

Hers was the magic of transformation, which comes through centuries after her demonization, in the words of the Roman poet Ovid. Patricia Monoghan goes on to say, “We demonize those whose power we fear. There would be no reason to call her monstrous if Medusa did not represent a kind of power which makes some feel uncomfortable. She is like an inkblot test: we see in her the very thing we fear. That is Medusa’s true mirror. Look into her face and you will be frozen in your own inner terrors. And from that moment, you can move toward transformation, because you will know what you fear.”

This is so powerful to women in general and women witches in particular. We are constantly transforming. We bend and shape energy, we transform ourselves; we change our external and internal environments. Magic is the ultimate task of transformation.

Transformation and changes are not to be feared but to be considered great blessings. They aren’t triggered from external factors but from within.

The world is our mirror and as we change, everything reflected within the world begins to change to reflect the Goddess power within each of us.

Art by Ally Fell

Transformation of how we view ourselves. The Medusa archetype means for women to not fear their anger or their power. Patriarchy would have us believe that power and anger is ugly, but Medusa tells us it is not. We are beautiful, strong, and powerful. We need not be afraid to embrace these “ugly” emotions as they are truly our power and our ability to transform. Medusa affirmations could be speak your truth and release anger and transform it to joy.

The esoteric attributes associated with Medusa are: focus, communication, and creative expression.

The gemstones affiliated with Medusa: lapis lazuli, aquamarine, turquoise, and other light blue stones.

The Dianic University Online is adding new classes!

If you're not studying with us, you should be.

Make yourself a FREE account at the Dianic University if you haven't already done so ... do it now!

Now's the time to come study with Z and her dedicated group of teachers!

Introducing WITCHY TAROT … the class that women have been waiting for for years! From Z Budapest, the woman who legalized the right to prophecy in California setting the tone for the nation’s divination laws. Z chronicals the last witch trial in the United States, her trial, on video available only in this class. And with the camera continuing to roll, she shows her students how she does her tarot readings. Z has a history of accuracy with her tarot readings and now you can too if you follow her lessons and practice her advice. It is indeed one of the most asked for classes from Z and now, it is available for you in the Dianic Wicca University Online.

Get your own copy of Z’s out of print books and DVDs at the Women’s Spirituality Forum online store.

Goddess Pax -Reborn Inspired by our beloved Z's Prayer to Pax Ritual, I devote this month's column to the Roman Goddess of Peace, Pax. I hope the words from wise women and the blessings of Pax help you on your path!

I light a silver candle and breathe in the earthy smoke of Goddess Dreams incense. I invoke the Roman Goddess of Peace- Oh Silver One! Oh Pax, Sacred Mother of Peace be with me now. The candle flickers and I am between the ages; in a large procession of people marching toward the center of the city. Am I in the United States, or Ancient Rome; the Statehouse, or the Field of Mars? Our intentions are timeless.

We chant, “Peace now! Peace now!” We grow quiet as we approach the Ara Pacis, Altar of Peace. The altar portrays peaceful abundance, fertility and youth. It was dedicated by Augustus Caesar on January 30th in the year 9 B.C.E, in honor of the Pax Romanas, a period of peaceful Roman history, celebrated after hundreds of years of war.

“When I returned to Rome from Gaul and from Spain,...having brought a satisfactory finish to my works in these provinces, the Senate decreed that there should be consecrated in the Field of Mars an altar to the Augustan Peace and ordered that the officials, priests and vestal virgins should celebrate a sacrifice at it every year.” Augustus Caesar 13 B.C.E. From his Res Gestae What reverence She is afforded. Her pristine marble temple is built on a field once used for infantry maneuvers. Oh glorious day! Pax is seated holding twins on her lap; she is surrounded by animals and plants; for food is bountiful during peace times. Slowly we proceed to Her altar. All of us the same, unified in our devotion to Her. The government officials are unadorned, wearing no regal garb to distinguish themselves. Today, only Pax is venerated! Romans have known so much war and violence.

During this peace-time they honor and celebrate our precious Goddess of Peace three times each year. I lay a picture of our future leader, Barack Obama, at Her feet. In prayer, I ask that She bless him with the wisdom to wage peace, not war. To honor and celebrate peace seems foreign to me. I humbly come back to the present with many questions.

In my research of Pax I have discovered that there is very little information written about Her. The Greeks called Her, Eirene, the personification of Peace. Eirene was born of Themis and Zeus and was one of three sisters. The Horae, or Seasons were, Eunomia (Order), Dike (Justice), and Eirene. In Homeric hymns, the Horae were present when Aphrodite was born of sea-foam. They welcomed Her joyously. They clothed Her with heavenly garments...adorned her with golden necklaces over Her soft

neck and snow-white breasts, jewels the goldfilleted Horae wear themselves.**Eirene was even known to have nursed the Goddess Demeter. The Horae were known as minor Goddesses in the Greek tradition. In Rome, during the reign of Augustus, Pax was worshiped publicly by everyone. Her image was pictured on coins. She held ears of corn or olive branches; sat atop piles of burning weapons. The imperial slogan, Pax et Securitas, Peace and Security, was found on currency, statues, and buildings all over Rome.

Pax Romanas was a time of great prosperity for Rome. Eighty temples were built.

Improvements were made to infrastructure, and public spaces. Wealth was shared with the poor, and creativity was cherished. This was the time of the great authors, Virgil and Ovid. We could use a prosperous period of peace in this country soon. I wonder how we have lost touch with Pax, when essentially everyone prays for Her favor.

People throughout the ages have always prayed for peace. Even today, especially at holiday times we wish each other a peaceful year. A common prayer to a Christian God, a Muslim prophet, the Buddha, Jesus, the Prince of Peace and the even older deity, the Goddess Pax; whispered to the heavens by millions of people daily. I contemplate, why don't we have peace?

“I'm not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my own ship.” Louisa May Alcott Humans are so afraid. Can there be peace when there is so much fear? We are afraid, even of ourselves, our shadows and dark sides. To heal our inner pain can be terrifying when we're disconnected from the Mother. We are afraid of our own blood, our own aging, our own connection with the moon. We are afraid of natural birth and death, the changes that always come. We try to control everything! And with very little wisdom, we plow through life, scared of what is next. As strong, peaceful Goddess Women, we must help others to remember the Feminine Divine, in all Her peaceful aspects. Blessed Goddess of Peace, we bring offerings to your altar of peace once more! Oh, Pax,Queen of Serenity, daughter of The Sky God, Jupiter, ,and Lustitia, the Goddess of Justice- help us remember!

“I have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Mother Teresa The visage of Pax I am most familiar with comes to mind. I look up from the foot of the monument, embraced by Her wings, and protected beneath Her shield. “I've been waiting for you”, Her voice echoes through the darkness; Her bronze face serene and wise, She seems to know all the pain I have suffered as a woman.

My friend, and I, make our memorial to the women and children who have been killed in Iraq, during the early days of war. The thought of the military strategy, “Shock and Awe” sickens me to the core. I sob openly, the visions of women and their children, who have no place to hide from the approaching bombers, haunts me. We knew our efforts that night were small, but important.

Other women added to our make-shift memorial, but state officials removed our items before many could notice. We experienced the collective pain of suffering mothers that night. We knew we were not alone in our sorrow- this moment brought us peace. As Code Pink Women for Peace organizers in Columbus, Ohio, my friend Lorraine, and I, used the powerful tableau of the Pax Monument, on the Ohio Statehouse grounds, for many subsequent rallies, and vigils. The huge statue was commissioned by the American Woman's Relief Corp in 1923 in honor of the women and men who perished in the Civil War. Obsession with material possessions and maintenance of our lifestyle is practically a religion in the U.S. The technology that makes our world smaller keeps us connected, yet very distant physically. It seems people are living less and less in the moment. What if everyone spent a few minutes a day, in meditation or prayer, exploring what peace could be like? Perhaps we could see the beauty of Pax in ourselves and each other. Maybe we could focus on our Divine similarities, despite our differences. We are all Her children. Imagine the infinite possibilities if we could lift each other up towards a common goal of peace, prosperity and safety for all creatures of the earth. We are not alone! She is here with us! The cornucopia of Pax is brimming with the earth's delights, there is plenty for everyone. Can we learn to share our great bounty?

“The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.” Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit Many of us are working daily on our inner contentment, through spiritual practice, soul-searching, journaling, meditation, yoga, laughter, dancing, and sex. All acts of pleasure are Her rituals, and are good for us too. Goddess Women need to promote pleasure and joy. Many women have no time for this. Their busy lives are filled with care-taking and endless mundane tasks. Women receive little recognition for their work. Is it any wonder so many women are unhappy? The men in the world seem to find plenty of time and money to play. It's our turn, now! Pax insists that we play, celebrate each other, and connect with our sisters. In powerful community of women, we can manifest peace.

“Nothing is terrible when there is wisdom going on.” Z. Budapest Wise women can also help us reconnect with Pax. They have called to Her many times on their journeys. The older generations have so much to teach us, if we would only listen. Crones understand

peace - their wisdom is the key to peace. We can use their sage advice to help solve the world's problems. The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers first convened in 2004.

Together they do incredible work for peace, human rights, and the healing of the earth. They even visited the Vatican this summer. Although the Pope would not meet with them, they held a prayer service on the Vatican steps. The Grandmothers have asked the Pope, to lift papal edicts from the fifteenth century that call for the subjugation of “barbarous nations.” Oh, Serene Mother of Wisdom, Pax - teach us of the old ways. Grant us wisdom to do your just work!

“It isn't enough to talk about peace; one must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it; one must work at it.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Do we really believe in peace? I think we do; but our priorities are very confused, and we have grown complacent with the burden. We talk a lot about peace, but there is not much action. If women and children were really valued in society we would have peace. There would be no “just war”, no child would go to bed hungry, and no woman would be abused. Pax requires us to act! Her festivals were very participatory. We should take this as a lesson today. There is no lazy way to peace. The daily news is overwhelming, but we must be diligent in our peace-work. Women must be equally represented in government! We are the peace-makers, She has been waiting for! The men have had control long enough, Pax is not impressed! Our actions speak louder than our words. The $700 billion dollars of defense spending in the U.S. in 2008, accounted for 48% of the world's total military expenditure of $1.47 trillion dollars. Forty-three percent of our yearly budget in the U.S. goes towards defense and only three percent is allotted for social programs, science and the environment. A meager 2.9% of our

monies pay for education and job training. This is our hard-earned money at work! These staggering figures show the world, what our real values are. So, as conscious women, what do we do about this?

It's time to answer the call of Pax. We must not be afraid to stand on the temple steps, like our ancient Roman fore-mothers, and call out the names of the enemies of peace and women.* The truth must be told; this is not the time for political correctness- the stakes are too high.

Hail, Most Cherished Lady of Peace! In Your service, I am not afraid to speak the truth for the cause of peace. The violence must stop! The enemies of peace must be exposed! The time is now!

Islam is a violent religion that oppresses women! George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are war criminals!

Violence towards the Palestinians will never bring Israel peace! Hate is being preached in some Christian churches, shrouded as family values! The women have had enough! “Demonstrating courage is contagious� Z. Budapest comments on the success of our hex on rapists.

Goddess Women rise! Together we can manifest peace. We have a peaceful matriarchal herstory that needs to be reborn! Call to Her! Pax is the Spring; the beauty of new life. Her time has come again. We are Her priestesses; budding with fresh energy, and strength.

Your women hear You, Great Goddess Pax, and we know what to do. Nurture all life, is Your sacred decree! Ah, that's the way to peace? This is the specialty of women- we just have to lead the way.

DONA NOBIS PACEM, DONA NOBIS PACEM, DONA NOBIS PACEM, grant us peace.

Resources: Grandmother of Time* by Zsuzsanna Budapest, Prayer to Pax, December Z. Budapest Newsletter by Z. Budapest, Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood by Merlin Stone, The Living Goddesses by Marija Gimbutas, www.grandmotherscouncil.com , Friends Committee on National Legislation, www.theoi.com/Ouranious/Horai.html , Homeric Hymn 6 Aphrodite 2** translated by Evelyn-White, www.mariamilani.com/ancient-rome/augustus.htm ,http://en.aracapis.it/museo/storia , www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Horae , The Fabric of the Future edited by M.J. Ryan, www.Codepinkalert.org

ONE WOMYN'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AT THE PUBLIC HEX AGAINST RAPISTS....

The sun was shining and the wind whipping around me as I hiked to the plateau of stone circles where the hex was to be held. I had anticipated this moment for days now and I was ready in body, mind and spirit. I arrived a bit early and the first stone in the circle had the word "Tolerance" written on it and the second one I saw said "Courage". How very appropriate for this day! I did some quiet mediation and grounding facing toward the city this intolerable violation had occurred, and felt strong and blessed to be able to be a part of this herstorical day. Z had announced that this was her first public hex in 25 years and I was so honored to be there to stand with her. Magick was definitely going to be afoot this day!

As other's gathered, I could see Z, Bobbie and Rabbit coming up the hill and I knew we would soon begin this public hex against violence towards woman ... I was ready to rock and roll. The clear skies and swirling wind gave a most powerful surge of energy to all present.

Watching the altar being prepared, my anticipation was over, it was time. Z placed beautiful banners of the Lady of Guadalupe facing the city where this current atrocity had occurred and we donned masks of the Lady as well. Z commented that the Lady of Guadalupe was the "Goddess of the America's," and I felt the energy of the Goddess surge through me.

With the wind crisscrossing us in our circle, Z announced this would be an "air ritual" and oh, how powerful I knew this would be; the wind was willing to be our partner this day. As Rabbit so graciously acted as Priestess and smudged all of us. My body was not my own anymore, I was one with the Goddess and one in purpose with Z. As Z cut red cords and hexed the rapists her energy was contagious.

I could feel all the anger I had felt, release out to these perpetrators and all perpetrators in this world that subject womyn to violent acts. There are not many times in my life I have felt this somewhat Amazonian strength rise up in my being and with pure intent forcefully leave my human self and go wherewith I sent it. I was powerful, and at one with Z and the other participants.

Z cast our circle with a chant calling the Grandmother's to be with us. We were not alone this day! The wind seemed to grow stronger and circle us as we proceeded burning various incenses which ended with a pungent acrid smell to banish evil. As our words were sent out over the plateau, our voices carried on the winds that these evil doers would be caught.

The wind whipping, the incense swirling around our circle and our chanting to abolish this evil … and the person's involved be caught. I knew deep inside me how powerful our intent was, and would come to be. As we went around the circle before we closed, we each sent blessings out to the Goddess. My blessings went to all my sister's in the Susan B. Anthony Coven #1 who were at this moment in their personal sacred spaces, all around the world, with us in spirit. I could feel them as if they were there in person standing in solidarity with Z as she led us all in this most powerful ritual. Our hands clasped with each other around the circle … clasped with those not present as well. We chanted with the declaration, "It is done, it is done, it is done, done, done!"

Three days after the public hex, the rapists were caught... BLESSED BE!

Z’s Sister Fates Books

You can get autographed copies of Z's books here!

Hekate EN EREBOS PHOS - Was the inscription above the main doorway to the interior of the temple to Hekate. This means, in Greek, IN DARKNESS, LIGHT. That, as much as anything can, succinctly encapsulates the essence of Hekate. Yet, Hekate is such a complex, deep, expansive Goddess of both Above and Below, the Sky, the Sea, the Earth and the Underworld there is no one phrase or sentence that can possibly express or label Her. But “In Darkness, Light” points the seeker in Her direction.

The worship of Hekate predates the Greek pantheon of those gods who lived on Mt. Olympus. Hekate’s worship possibly came from the Carians of Asia Minor and from Egypt. The pre-dynastic Egyptian goddess Heket, Hekat, or Heqit daily birthed the sun. In those times the wise woman and matriarch of the Egyptian tribe was the Heq. She was also the midwife of the tribe. The Greek word “ekato” means one hundred. It was considered excellent to sacrifice one hundred of something as an offering to a deity. Hekate’s origins may actually be even earlier in prehistoric hunter/gatherer cultures. Her origins are lost in the shrouded mists of the past far before recorded history.

But still there are 12 centuries of recorded worship of Her. Not only the Greeks, but the Egyptians, the Celts, and the Gauls worshiped Hekate. Her cult would have spanned as far as the cult of Isis from Africa to Asia Minor, to Scandinavia, Western Europe and the British Isles.

Although Hekate was said to be of the race of Titans, her parentage was sketchy even in mythology. Three different Titans were variously called her mother: Nyx, Persaios and Asteria. Hekate was the mother of Skylla, Medea, Aigialeus and Kirke (Circe). Although mythology gave her a husband, she was also said to have given birth by parthenogenesis. She did not live on Mt. Olympus, or with the other Titans, but in a cave. Hekate was said to be “Born of the Stars” or “Born before the Stars”, and in early Greek depictions, She is a young Goddess of Beauty and Power carrying a torch and wearing a headdress of stars. Some accounts say light emits from Her brow. She is Goddess of Sky, Earth and Sea, and of the Underworld. She is ubiquitous and omnipresent.

In the Chaldean Oracles she is described, “The Life-Producing bosom of Hekate, that Living Flame which clothes itself in Matter to manifest Existence.” She was the Ruling Goddess in every realm, Empress of the Universe. Her name means one, or all, of these:

She Who Works Her Will Most Shining One Influence from Afar Most Lovely One Magical Speech Light Bringer

Hekate appears at night accompanied by black dogs and troops of the souls of the dead. Because of that She was sometimes prayed to in cemeteries and they are sacred to Her. Is it possible to trace the black dogs with her to the jackal-headed Egyptian God, Anubis? (Anubis was the Funery God.) She carries two torches. She is the only Greek deity depicted with two torches - one to illuminate where you are and the other to shine on the way you should go. Hekate carries a key - to the Underworld, also a symbol for the Truth. She carries a knife, thought to evolve into the witch’s athame, as the Great Midwife she cuts the cord between birth and life and between life and death. In such role, she is also like the Fates. When she carries flowers, they symbolize her ability to bestow Life and Abundance, and the pomegranate she sometimes holds links her with the Underworld and Persephone.

Hekate’s worship flourished in the wilder parts of Greece, more than the big cities. Although not much mythology still survives about Her, She was always with dogs. The fact that black dogs or puppies were sacrificed to Her is evidence of Her non-Hellenic origin. No other deity had dogs sacrificed to them. Hekate had a mystery cult, with Aigona, Rhodes and Lagina as focal points of her worship. In these places She was worshipped as Supreme. An annual festival was celebrated in Her honor the principal element of which was a nocturnal parade of torches. During Her mystery rites, initiates worked with phantoms and apparitions. Hekate served as psychopomp in these mystical initiations, as She did in guiding souls to the Otherworld.

The Waning Moon, Dark Moon and Crescent New Moon are sacred to Hekate because they are each symbols of death and renewal. Hekate was early important as a Guardian against Evil. She is a guide through transitions.

Goddess of the Liminal (Thresholds). Bestower of Abundance and Eloquence of Speech. She was a Guardian against madness. As Goddess of the Underworld, She was an attendant to Persephone in later times. Governess of the Borders between the Worlds. Goddess of cyclical phases - mentruation, the moon, the turning of the Wheel. Goddess of Childbirth and Nurse to children and puppies. Goddess of Wild Animals. She has all the mystical and natural powers at Her command. She bestows Wisdom, Wealth and Victory to those who honor and worship Her! Hekate is Queen of Sorcery and Queen of mediums. It is said that Hekate first empowered witches to draw down the moon. She abhors Injustice and can be invoked to bring about Justice. She was Beloved and Honored. She is filled with Compassion and Understanding, called “Tenderhearted”, but also “The Terrible One”.

Hekate had an altar in most Greek homes just inside the front door, honoring Her as Liminal Goddess. She also had statues in front of houses and on roadsides with small altars in front of them and roofs over them. She was worshipped at the Crossroads, where three roads meet. Thresholds and crossroads of all kinds - material, psychological, emotional, spiritual - belong to Hekate. Hekate’s Underworld is not only ghosts of the dead, but the human shadow consciousness. Her love can be the “tough love” that forces us to face our fears and the things we need to face whether we like it or not. She stirs things up, acting like an expectorant. She has a Trickster persona as well.

As the centuries passed, She became depicted as tri-formed. She was three headed and three bodied to see each way equally at the Crossroads. Her tri-form depiction was Maiden/Bride & Mother/Wise-Woman. Triformis also

depicted her rule over the three realms of Sky, Earth and Sea. She could be approached from any direction and see in any direction.

Sacrifices to Hekate were varied. She received boughs of Yew, Cypress, Hazel, Willow and Black Poplar trees. She instructed her priestesses to adorn Her shrines with Laurel. Black dogs, lambs and bulls were sacrificed on Her altars. Offerings of Myrrh, Civet, Camphor, Aloe and Mentrual Blood were important to Her. A special offering called Hekate’s Supper was left at the crossroads on the last day of the month, at the Dark Moon and on Her festival day, Hekatesia, on August 16.

My own encounters and experiences with Hekate are in a nascent phase as I have only in recent months been called by Her. I am in Awe and Wonder of Hekate. The more I learn of Her and have communion with Her, I find myself struck wordless and in more awe.

A couple of years ago, I approached Hekate in a drum journey for advice. I met her at a crossroads at dusk. I stood in the middle of the connection of these three dirt roads and She emerged from the woods to meet me. She was robed in black with salt and pepper hair tumbling down her shoulders from under the hood of her robe. Her face was older and creased with wrinkles, but soft and gentle. Dogs were at her side. She held out her arms to me and as I approached she took my hands and assured me I had made the right decision. I felt so loved and supported after my journey ended.

When I decided to spend a year and a day with Hekate, a few months ago, I did another journey to meet her. In this journey, I was in a small boat in the Aegean Sea and landed on the beach of a Greek Island. I got out of the boat and walked to a small café near the beach. It was a brilliantly sunny day with sky and water the colors of blue that you think only exists in photographs. I sat down in the café with coffee and waited for Her, as I knew She would come. She soon came through the small door with the light of the sun behind her and She herself was clothed all in sheer gold fabrics. She was absolutely gorgeous with curls of rich brown hair flecked with gold cascading around her tanned face. She had deep brown eyes. She was wearing a heavy turquoise necklace which encircled her collarbone. She came to me as I stood to meet her and she took my hands. She looked straight into my eyes for a moment and all of time stopped. She gave me a wooden box and asked me to open it. When I did so, I smelled the warm, delicious fragrance of sandalwood. It was filled with sandalwood powder. I knew then I was to burn this for her on my altar. She smiled at me and embraced me, then turned and glided back out the door of the café.

Most recently, I decided to make an offering of Hekate’s Supper on the last day of November, 2008. The circles I am in had honored Her for Samhain and we had meant to do this as a group on that night, but clearly it was just for me to do, as I soon understood. In a small basket, I placed lamb chops; three eggs, a brick of cheese and a small loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with honey. I piled the dog in the car, as I thought it would be good for him to come with me, and took the offering out into the rainy night around 9:00 p.m. It had rained all day and was not going to let up. Hekate is also Goddess of Storms. I knew of a place in the surrounding metro park that was back near the river where three paths met and I was going to walk there from the car to leave the offering. I parked my car and turned off the lights. As I peered out into the blurry night, I saw a strange, tall, ghostly white animal cross the path I would take back into the woods. It seemed there were a couple of deer wandering there also. They moved on, as I puzzled what in the world that white animal could be. My dog and I made it back into the woods, picking our way through puddles and half-melted ice. Oddly, it should have been pitch black, but there was light enough reflected off the clouds to see the way pretty easily. (En Erebos Phos - In Darkness, Light!) I reached the crossroads and left my offering nestled in the roots of a tree just to the northeast of the paths intersection. I only asked that Hekate bless me in whatever way She chose, if She chose. Then, I turned and not looking back, the dog and I slopped our way back toward the car. I could tell once we reached the clearing that the three animals were still there between the woods and the parkway. Just standing there. After I got us back in the car, I pulled out the car so I could point the beam of the headlights toward the white animal - it was a deer! A White Stag! I was incredulous, as I had never before seen a white deer in my life. What an incredible, magical moment that was! White deer are guides at the portals to other realms. They are messengers of the Dark Mother. The Goddess Hekate had blessed me even before I asked! She obviously knew I was coming to Her that night before I ever set out.

The Power, Love, Compassion, Fierceness and Terribleness of Hekate are vast. They are deeper than the oceans and higher than the sky. She is the Bright maiden and the Dark Mother, the Wise Crone and the Trickster. She is Empress of the Universe. The Illumined One who holds Her torches high for those who seek Her. It is said that all you need to do is say Her name and She is with you. Her blessings will reach you wherever you are.

EN EREBOS PHOS

To Hex is to Heal The end of December brought the horrifying reports of the gang-rape of a womon in California. In response to this, womyn were mobilized by Z to hex these rapists and have them brought to justice. The Erinyes, the Furies, Themis, Justice, the Goddesses in all Their forms that bring down those who harm were on those rapists’ backs fast and furious and no quarter was given. Within days all those responsible for this heinous crime were either caught or had turned themselves in! How’s that for Magick! The Goddess is very much alive and She is here for womyn and She loves them all.

This hexing sparked some debate and discussion in the community of womyn about whether or not hexing is ok. After all, there are plenty who would interpret the three-fold law as expressly forbidding such actions. All the three-fold law says is that what you send out comes back to you three times over if you attack the innocent. If you are going to have problems because you called down Justice on rapists, then you have problems of your own that you need to examine and hexing is the least of your worries!

Personally, I have never given the three-fold law that much thought because I feel it was an invention of men like Gerald Gardener to keep womyn from using the magick that they were learning or that they remembered from their foremothers to give patriarchs and their violent ways a deserved comeuppance.

They used it to scare womyn from using magick to call upon the Goddess as a champion of womyn by saying that if they hexed those who caused them harm that harm would befall them. A hex is nothing more or less than calling upon the Goddesses of Justice to exact Their due from those who use violence as a means to oppress others.

Hexing has gotten a bad rap over the centuries because patriarchy chose to associate it with negative magick and put it out that those that hexed were trying to hurt their neighbors. Then again, if you are using violence to oppress others, especially womyn, and the womyn are calling upon the Goddess to give you what’s coming to you, you’d take that amiss. You’d go out of your way to misrepresent their actions as a way of keeping other womyn from also claiming that ancient power for themselves.

Now I won’t lie to you and say that a hex doesn’t have repercussions for those who cast it, but repercussions are not always a bad thing. I was not present physically with my Susan B Anthony Sisters the night of the hex, but I was there in spirit, casting my hex from here by the shores of Lake Michigan. Since then I have experienced jubilation at the news of the swift Justice that was dealt those rapists. I have also, since seeing a video of the actual gathering of the SBA Sisters in California, experienced some repercussions of the whole action. I have memories of things long shoved into the back of my psyche that this magickal act has dredged up. In casting a hex to bring ALL RAPISTS to their deserved Justice, wounds long-ignored have opened because a rapist in my own past has never experienced Justice. As I watched that video, I began to cry; not one or two little tears, but great, heaving, snotty blubbering as deep pain poured out of my soul and I started to beg the Goddess to bring that rapist to his deserved Justice. Then as the chant continued, I started to chant the words and aim my inner magick at him, asking the Goddess to deal with him as She sees fit. As the chant finished, the pain was washed out of my soul and my tears stopped of their own accord, and I felt peace.

The hex washed out a festering wound of the spirit and now healing can begin. The pain I have longhidden is out and I put it in the hands of the Goddess. It is done, it is done, it is done, done, done!

POWERS OF THE EARTH On the Sacred Wheel, the powers of Earth are linked with the North and Winter season. Since the sun doesnยนt shine in the North, it also corresponds to midnight or the North Star twinkling in the night skies, bringing an image of peaceful dreaming.

North mirrors the Winter season, when the sun is at a low peak in the northern hemisphere, therefore it mirrors the dark silence of transition between death and rebirth. On the wheel, the DARK MOON is also mirrored in the North, reflecting a time of rest, rejuvenation, peace, silence. Since it is the Season of the Dreaming Spirit... it corresponds to unseen worlds of death, transition and rebirth... leading to familiar rites and celebrations of promise, renewal, rebirth, return and rekindling the flame of life.

Powers of the Earth represent our physical level of existence. Earth is our Body. It sustains us as well as heals us, for everything we need comes from the sustenance of Mother Earth. Earth is home; our playground; the womb and tomb of the Great Mother, so Powers of North teach us about caring for ourselves, about rest and rejuvenation, about listening to the ancient wisdom that lies within us.

In January, seeds from the last harvest still lie dormant in the belly of the Earth Goddess, gestating, waiting to burst forth in the warmth of Spring. In Womenยนs Traditions, Winter mirrors the Goddess as Dreamer, a time of rest and relaxation as she prepares to resurrect life. It mirrors a time to go within, to let go of the past and nurture seeds of potential that lie deep within our being. It marks the time when darkness gives way to light, when our divine souls begin rekindling the warmth of inspiration that brings new life to the Earth. In Dianic Rites we honor the Life Force... the spark of the growing flame within... as well as Goddesses of Light, Inspiration and Creativity... and as the great wheel turns toward Candlemas ... we begin waking up to a deeper recognition of our uniqueness and embracing an unconditional love of self.

Colors associated with Earth are rich rooted colors... dark shades of green, browns, burgundy, black or grays, various colors that blend with the earth. SYMBOLS of the EARTH can range from crystals, stones, plants, bowls of salt or dirt. The Cauldron is also a symbol for the Earth... representing the womb and tomb of the Goddess and a magical place of transformation. Many mystical arts use the Pentacle to

symbolize Earth, for it not only represents the human spirit but the magical world of manifestation, where the essence of our spirits can be expressed and enjoyed fully.

Earth is our body, bones, hair, skin, nails, vital organs, muscles and tissues... so North on the great wheel also corresponds to the physical plane of existence, bodily functions; matters pertinent to living on the Earth. It mirrors ancient wisdom; the five senses; sensuality; beauty; grace; strength; stability; comforts; health; healing; sustenance; bounty; prosperity and deep genetic memories. It is the power to be still, to listen.

The Earth is home to all creatures... human, animal, mammal, insect, reptile. A few associations are trees, plants, herbs, flowers, vegetation; any and all food and medicines that sustain the body. Earth also mirrors the richness of the soil; earthยนs fertility; her seeds and roots as well as mountains, hills, meadows, valleys, deserts, beaches, canyons, caves. Let's not forget her minerals... which keep the body healthy... also crystals or precious gemstones.

Earth is home to mortal and immortal spirits alike. In the mystical sciences of Astrology, qualities of Earth are represented by the signs of Capricorn, Taurus or Virgo. In Native Traditions, Earth people belong to the TURTLE CLAN. In Tarot, Earth is represented in the suit of Pentacles, Disks or Coins.

In our covens, we acknowledge powers of the Earth in the North... honoring the strength to go within and giving thanks for quiet times of rest and rejuvenation. We also call on spirits of the Earth for ancient wisdom, beauty, grace, health, sustenance, strength, stability, purpose...for the power to be still, to acknowledge with gratitude all comforts that bless our lives in the physical realm. May we continue to be grateful for her sustenance, even as we move through the Cold Moon of January. Blessed Be. The Sacred Flame When the time of waxing light gleams our dreams in winter air snowflakes bring reflective thoughts nudging us to silent prayer...

Spiraling flames of rising heat push the pods of deep desire bringing secret longings forth with sacred vows we do aspire Candles flicker in the dark on altars draping ivory lace as rolling sheets of salty rain glide on panes protecting space...

Inspirations stir about quickening the magick spark spilling feelings from within like rivers flowing thru the heart

Trusting promptings of the soul moving toward our destiny we ride the guiding inner force trusting Nature's mysteries...

Taking steps with vision clear drawing courage as we change, For to ourselves we will be true And on this path we must remain Goddess... we belong to thee As your daughters dancing free, Hear our song of gratitude for purpose and prosperity...

We rap a rainbow 'round the Earth claiming truth and liberty as spoken promise binds us now and seals our fate with blessings be - by Mama J. Silverwitch

UPCOMING LIVE EVENTS

The Goddess Temple of Orange County Events at The Goddess Temple of Orange County are designed for women - Sunday services

The Sacred Circle ~ Recovering & Reclaiming Ancient Ways to Heal our Lives Events in The Sacred Circle are for members only, unless otherwise stated. CIRCLES WILL BE OPEN TO ALL WOMEN THIS WINTER! Call JoAnna 775-882-1599 for membership inquiries.

WINTER MOON CIRCLES: Join your Sisters in the Circle for an evening of full moon Goddess Magic! Please … RSVP by Wednesday before so Hostesses can prepare properly!

SOUT BAY AREA January 10 - at Judith’s February 14 - Join JoAnna, Z and the Susan B. Anthony Coven No.1 at Pantheacon in San Jose March 21 - Spring Equinox with JoAnna HIGH SIERRA January 10 - at Davina’s February 7 - Candlemas with JoAnna - Invitations & Dedication Ceremony March 7 - at JoAnna’s

CAYA Coven Circles – Amazon Sabbats, Grove of Artemis Visit their website at cayacoven.org for more information.

Resource Links Z Budapest Website Dianic Wicca University Online Dianic Nation Women's Events Z's Blog Z's Events Schedule Z's MySpace Calendar Z's University Calendar Z's Books Summoning the Fates Holy Book of Women's Mysteries Celestial Wisdom Grandmother of Time Grandmother Moon Goddess in the Office Goddess in the Bedroom Holy Book Herstory Have you ever wondered the who, what, where and when's of the creation of the Holy Book of Women's Mysteries? We've put together a web page that highlights the answers to these questions.

Please share the Goddess with your friends.

Have you done your self-blessing today? We do self-blessing every day. In fact, it's the first thing I do every morning when I rise as I'm preparing to get dressed.

It's good mental health. Do your self-blessings and life will be sweeter. The SelfBlessing is on page 120 of the Holy Book of Women's Mysteries.

This newsletter is sponsored by the Women’s Spirituality Forum.

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