Syleena@staff.wiccanseminary.us

ATC Yule Feast – Reserve your seat at our table!

You are invited to the ATC Yule, Saturday, December 17th. 2011 at the church in Index, WA.

This year, Yule at the “Tab” is a special “thank-you” dinner/potluck indoors, in the new dining hall for all those who can come join us. We will be honoring all who helped us build it.

There is a maximum attendance of 35 for this sit-down dinner and ceremony, so reservations are required. No one will be turned away for inability to pay, since there is no fee to attend. Please join us for this unique Yule feast. (Donations not required, but are, as always, appreciated if your budget allows.)

We will provide the main dish (spiral-cut ham and possibly more) and a side dish. We ask folks to bring side dishes and desserts to go along with the main course. This will be a real Pagan Yule celebration to end this tough economic year. We asked everyone to fund the dining hall and you did, and now we should celebrate that and actually use it!

Telephoned or emailed RSVP reservations (to the TAB at 360-793-1945 or will be required so we have enough food but don’t waste any. Emails should have YULE as the subject. Please let us know what your potluck dish will be so we can plan around it. Need driving directions? Go to .aquariantabernaclechurch.org to print out a set.

The dinner and ritual will begin promptly at 7:15 PM to allow enough time to celebrate a leisurely meal and be finished at a reasonable time for the drive home with a full tummy.

We ask everyone to wrap and bring some odd piece of ritual or altar gear, incense, whatever, to exchange with others as a Yule gift. Don’t buy anything, but wrap & bring something you no longer use; someone else will love it.

The deadline for RSVPs (reservations) is December 15th, 2011 so don’t delay. Come help us celebrate!

Your ATC Family
atcadmin at AquaTabCh.org
(360) 793-1945

We are pleased to announce auditions for the 2012 Spring Mysteries Festival XXVII!

SMF AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON

SUNDAY DECEMBER 4TH, 2011
12:00 Noon – 4:00 pm

Place: Seattle Center House
4th Floor, Room TBA (room number will be posted when you arrive).

Audition Pieces should be between 2-3 minutes in length – the 3-minute limit will be strictly enforced!

IMPORTANT: Please be aware that in order to be considered for a cast position in SMF 2012, you must have attended the Greater Mysteries at least once.

Thank you for your interest – we look forward to seeing you at auditions!

Scott Douglas
Ritual Director, SMF XXVII

We have extended our Online Registration deadline to this Friday, October 28th at 11:59pm Pacific.

THIS MAGICAL EVENT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church
presents the 22nd Annual

Hekate’s Sickle Festival

Come to Hekate’s Sickle, where you are lovingly adopted into a Celtic Clan and prepared to journey across the veil into the land of Faerie and Magic. Gather with the Lady Hekate, as she opens the gates to the enchanted paths between the Worlds. Do you have the courage to journey into the mystical forest and come face to face with the Celtic Gods? Be supported by the love of family and friends as you discover the messages delivered specifically for you from your ancestors and receive gifts from the Divine.

Registration fees include accommodations and all meals.

Please join us for this amazing, very spiritual, event.

Have you ever been to an ATC Festival? These are not your typical pagan festival. This is a themed, and focused, magical weekend, of which there is no comparison. If you’ve never been to an ATC festival, you owe it to yourself to go. If you’re Celtic, this is a MUST!!! Tell your Friends.

For more information on how to join us, please visit our event’s page:

http://www.aquatabch.org/hekates-sickle-festival

For more information and to register online, go to:

http://www.aquatabch.org/hekates-sickle-festival

Hekate Tri-Form

Registration closes for this year’s Hekate’s Sickle Festival on Monday October 24th, but if you register now and before October 3rd you can still get in at the last of the sliding scale rates. Please see the Official Web Page for Hekate’s Sickle Festival!

http://www.aquatabch.org/hekates-sickle-festival

Looking forward to seeing you at Hekate’s Sickle Festival!

To register online, please visit http://www.aquariantabernaclechurch.org/… .

You may also download the registration form and mail or hand deliver your payment into the ATC Offices. You may download the form at this address:
 http://www.aquatabch.org/pdf/HSF2011-For…

Questions about Festival registration may be sent to  festivals at aquatabch.org

The aquatabch.org domain will be migrating its email services today to new mail servers. As a result, there may be a delay in inbound message delivery to @aquatabch.org email addresses. Please pardon any delay in message delivery.

The estimated time of maintenance is two (2) hours beginning at 11am PST, with the possibility of further time needed to iron out any unforeseen issues.

Should you receive a bounced or returned message, please wait at least one hour and re-send a new copy of your message.

During this time, we will not be able to respond to Support requests via Email, but we still have our Online Support Portal available to log your support requests. You can visit the Support portal at this URL:

http://www.aquatabch.org/support/

We thank you for your patience while we work to improve our online infrastructure!

John Calderon
ATC Web and I.T. Admin

“Presenting and Performing Ritual Drama”

At Spring Mysteries Festival XXVI, our 4th annual on-site podcast recording features a chat with some of our Ritual Presenters.

Music: No selection for this episode


]]> http://www.aquariantabernaclechurch.org/news/summer-session-begins-july-12-2011/feed 0 http://www.aquariantabernaclechurch.org/news/the-magic-and-art-of-ritual-presentation http://www.aquariantabernaclechurch.org/news/the-magic-and-art-of-ritual-presentation#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:28:52 +0000 admin http://www.aquariantabernaclechurch.org/?p=1543 Last Call for Submissions!! Registration Closes this Sunday (8/21/11)!

The Magic and Art of Ritual Presentation

a learning series for the serious ritualist

by Blacksun

(This offer restricted to ATC membership only.)

Do you dream of being the person in the center of the circle who makes a ritual come alive?  Do you want to learn how to shape the energies of the people on circle into a cone of power that can change the universe? Do you yearn to make yourself into the person who inspires and creates Spirit in the hearts of the people?  Are you willing to work hard to become a master of ritual magic?

Then your time is at hand!

Blacksun, author of The Spell of Making, the only book that tells how to write a powerful and complete ritual, is now forming the first Magic of Ritual class and you could be one of his first graduates.  Here’s what is needed:

1. You need to submit an application (located at the end of this notice).
2. You must be a member in good standing of the ATC.
3. You must commit to attending 15 meetings (between Sept., 2011 and Jan., 2012) and be willing to put in 5 to 15 hours of work between each class.  These meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday evenings.
4. If accepted, the total cost of the series will be $40, to be paid up front and non-refundable.

Still interested?  Great!  Here’s how to begin:

1. Copy (highlight, control+C) the Application Form at the end of this announcement.
2. Paste (control+V) the Application Form into an email addressed to: blacksun95@msn.com.
3. Fill in the proper information and answer all of the questions to the best of your ability.  We don’t ask anything really very personal but we do ask that you be as candid and honest as possible.
4. Save a copy of your email to Blacksun in case there are questions later.

The first series of classes will begin in early September, 2011 and end in January, 2012.  Ten people, five men and five women, will be chosen for this series.  If you aren’t picked this time, your application will be shredded and you’ll have to apply again if you are still interested at a future time.  Once the first series has begun, Blacksun intends to form a second series on another night, so keep watch for the announcement.

Magic of Ritual – Application Form

Please copy this entire application form and paste it into an email addressed to:

blacksun95@msn.com

Full legal name:

Name you would wish to go by if accepted to this series of classes:

Email address:

Age:

Roughly, how long have you been a Pagan?

Are you a member of the ATC postulancy class or the Woolston-Steen Seminary?

Why do you wish to be a member of this class?

Describe your experiences attending and presenting rituals.

Are you currently a member of a coven or group that meets on Sundays?

Would you be able to attend this series with permission for more than half a year?

We are looking for people who would be willing to use the skills they acquire in this series to help the hard-working people who already are ritual presenters for the ATC.  If accepted to this series, will you commit to helping the ATC to present rituals and other spiritual services to the best of your ability?

Tell us whatever else is on your mind you think is important for us to know about you and why you are interested in being a part of this learning series.

==========================================

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.  Your answers will be read only by those ATC clergy directly responsible for choosing the members for the upcoming series.  We expect that many will be interested and apply, so if you are not chosen the first time, do not be disheartened.  Unfortunately, our choices can’t be anything but subjective and if we do not choose you it might be because of our own inexperience or ignorance.  We expect to send letters (email) to those who make the first cut sometime in early August to schedule a personal interview.  After that, we will make our final decisions and let you know if you are accepted.  If you have not heard from us by September 1, 2011, you will need to re-apply when the next series opens up.

Thank you for your sincere interest.

— Blacksun & the ATC clergy.

I am certain Pete will give us all an update on his health as soon as he feels up to it. And so I ask that we all remember to be discrete and patient while we think our good thoughts for him.

I thank you for your patience and understanding and of course your energy!

John Calderon
ATC Web Admin
Herald, Keepers of the Moonstone Circle

I am very excited to announce the long awaited launch of the Official ATC Membership Program!

In case you hadn’t heard, this has been in the works for months. It started as part of our launching the new Online Festival Registration process last fall with Hecate’s Sickle, and then again this spring with Spring Mysteries.

The Church is changing its membership renewal cycle to every February to align with Imbolc’s energy of New Beginnings. The team tried very hard to launch this program back in February. Unfortunately, there were some technical difficulties with the tools we were using, so we chose to delay the launch until we were satisfied that things were working correctly.

So, what does it mean to be an Official Member of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. As a Church, our doors are open to all honest Seekers. This makes up our greater Community that we are all members of.

Church membership goes deeper than attending events. Members desire to help support Church and the greater Pagan/Wiccan Community, by becoming in integral part of its foundation of stability. We discovered that our Patroness, Diana hits the bull’s eye when she speaks about the relationship of giving and receiving. Both are equally required for success!

The goals of this Official Membership Program, are:

• To bring Church (and ourselves) into 21st century using the technological tools available to us
• Create a lasting Membership Program and process
• Bring the Church’s official records up to date
• Provide for the needs of our Community
• Improve the Stability of the Church
• Grow our Congregation for generations to come.

Using the lessons learned from our Online Registration, we can now (finally) offer you the same convenience and benefits of Online Membership! To see how to sign up online, please visit http://members.aquatabch.org and click on “Becoming a Member”.

So we can bring our records up to date, and provide additional services to you, we are asking that ALL adults (age 18 and up) that want to be Official Members of the ATC to please apply or renew their membership by completing a Member Application for 2011. Think of this as an opportunity to recommit your path through your support to the Church!

A Church (and her programs) cannot survive without a member congregation supporting it. Member dues, or tithes are affordable at $10 per month, per adult. These contributions can be made manually to the church, or you can tithe on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis online, via PayPal. We can also offer automatic reoccurring payments for peace of mind and convenience.

Members in good standing have the following privileges available to them:

• Access to online member-only content as it is developed.
• Becomes eligible to participate in presenting public ritual.
• Can take advantage of Member Only site fees at ATC sponsored workshops, seminars, etc.
• Earns 1 (one) automatic entry into fundraising drawings that occur throughout the year
• Earns 1 (one) automatic entry into a drawing for 1 free Festival in 2012! (This drawing will take place at the end of membership year)
• First notice to special offers, as they are developed.

And last, but not least, an earning of the famous Beads & Cords!!

As our membership base grows, so will the types of programs and offerings that will be available to you. It is through membership that we can live Diana’s message of “giving and receiving”.

Again, to sign up online, just visit http://members.aquatabch.org and click on “Becoming a Member”.

If you have any questions regarding ATC Membership, please talk to Shelby, our Membership Manager, or send her an email at membership@aquatabch.org.

We look forward to seeing you, and thank you for your support!

Membership Team
Aquarian Tabernacle Church
World Headquarters, USA

Right-Click the image above and Print for a flyer you can post!

We are pleased to present this very special ritual for the youth (and youthful) of our community!

The location and schedule of events is as follows:

Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church
19020 Woodinville-Duvall Road
Woodinville, WA 98072

The suggested contribution of $10 per Adult (18+) at this event goes towards the use of the Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church facilities and to the continuing outreach efforts of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church of Wicca.

Doors open at 5:45pm
Social / Ritual Orientation begins at 6:00pm
Ritual begins at 7:00pm

Our time at the Woodinville UU Church comes to a close at 8:30pm.

Google Map (Click to see Place page):

View Larger Map

Other important dates to remember include:

February 12th – Our first new Seeker class will be held from 4:30PM until 6PM at the Bellevue Regional library. This library is on several convenient bus routes.

February 26th – Postulancy ritual in Index. This meeting is mandatory.

We are very much looking forward to gathering with our newest family members!

Fort Flagler State Park – Nordland, Washington

The first thing you will need to do is to download and complete a Seeker Packet. Seeker packets are available on the ATC Website here:
http://www.aquatabch.org/pdf/SeekerPacket2008.pdf

Completed Seeker Packets must be to Carolyn Poncelow by February 5th. They can be delivered to Carolyn in person, by email (preferred) or by mail. Please do not mail them to the church in Index. Contact Carolyn at Carolyn@thoughtsbecoming.com to email a completed packet or if you need alternate delivery instructions.

The next thing you will need to do is to mark a few dates on your calendar:

February 5th – Seeker packets are due to Carolyn Poncelow
February 12th – Our first new Seeker class will be held from 4:30PM until 6PM at the Bellevue Regional library. This library is on several convenient bus routes.
February 12th – Imbolc Ritual at Woodinville Unitarian. If you need transportation from the Bellevue library to Woodinville Unitarian, a carpool can likely be arranged.
February 26th – Postulancy ritual in Index. This meeting is mandatory.

If you were not at the informational meeting this past weekend, please contact Carolyn (Carolyn@thoughtsbecoming.com ) for some additional information about schedule and other requirements.
The schedule and elevation requirements will also be reviewed and distributed at the first class on February 12.

We’re really looking forward to welcoming our newest group of Seekers into the ATC family!

Volunteer unskilled labor needed to help shuffle stuff at the Tabernacle in Index, so that the final stages of construction can be finished and we can actually USE our new Dining Room (or “Refectory,” as such things are called in churches).

Mostly unskilled jobs, not much heavy stuff, but moving books and things around so that we can cut the dining room-library door through the wall, cut-in the edges of paint at wall/ceiling junctures, etc. and other small details. More fun than hard work.

We can use this help whenever you are available: weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, whatever, but SOON. Please call Pete ahead of time @ 360-793-1945 and make us aware of when to plan for your help.

Rewards are unbelievably great:

Being a part of an extended family;
Our deepest gratitude;
The good feelings you get from supporting the things you believe in;
Being able to sit down at an indoor table and eat your potluck after ritual;

and best of all:

The community recognition that comes with a few cheap glass pony beads to string on your cord at Samh’ain’s “beads-and-cords” ceremony!

Devote a couple hours work at the TAB to benefit your spiritual community. Call Pete SOON at 360-793-1945 and let’s make a date! Then we can sit down at an indoor table and eat our potluck!

Pete Pathfinder Davis
ATC Archpriest & construction laborer

KBCS: Voices of Diversity “Alternative Holiday Traditions“

That same night, Kathi joined Arch High Priestess Deborah Hudson on stage at Soul Food Books for their monthly Speaking of Wicca . . . discussion. That session is embedded in the blog post for this entry.

Big thanks to both Kathi and Deborah for the time and effort for these discussions!

As of this evening, that announcement has been removed from our website and usual online outlets.  I would like to extend  apologies on behalf of the Ritual Coordinators and Staff for the scheduling confusion.

This event  information was based on our yet-to-be released calendar for the coming year.  Efforts had been under way to staff and coordinate this presentation.  However, due to our own internal mix-up, we do not have the space at the Woodinville UU Church reserved for this coming weekend.

There _will_ be another gathering for a Full Moon ritual at the Moonstone Circle in Index next Saturday, November 20th.  We are currently working on the official post for that and should have it up by tonight.

Once again our humble apologies for the mix-up.  All references to the event announcement for Saturday the 13th should be removed by now to avoid any further confusion.

Sincerely,

John Calderon, Herald – Keepers of the Moonstone Circle Coven and ATC Webmaster

Please see the details at http://www.aquatabch.org/hekates-sickle-festival

Click here to download Issue #112!

Featured articles include:

Bring Me the Head of Apollo by Jamie Freeman

The Magic of Guanajuato by Rev. Jacqueline Zaleski Mackenzie

Need-Fire: Winter by Naomi M.

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis

We are all very excited to be bringing you this unique, spiritual experience and community gathering. See you soon at Eleusis!!

Click here to download Issue #110!

Featured articles include:

Spring is Just Around the corner!

Exploring Southern Africa by Janice Van Cleve

Need-Fire: Winter by Naomi M.

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis

With the current slow economy, merchanting your wares to the relatively “captive audience” of people attending the 25th Spring Mysteries Festival can be a way of boosting your sales. In spite of the downturn in the national economy, we Pagans always have a few dollars for something new to us. A shiny silver medallion, a new tarot deck, a piece of ritual wear, a sword or athame’ – you name it.

We are inviting you to merchant your stuff, be it your hand-made craft-work or whatever. This is a unique opportunity to reach a large number of customers assembled in one place.

We are also asking you to help by passing this opportunity on to others you know who want to offer their merchandise to a new market – the attendees at SMF. This year, the merchanting attendance fee is the same as a normal attendee’s fee would be, and includes one table – there’s no premium cost to attend as a merchant.

The time for merchant registrations is coming to a close soon, but has been extended to March 20th., the actual registration closing date for everyone. Give us a call at the ATC right away to reserve your merchanting space now, before all the good spots are taken! You can even register by phone right now, by calling (360)793-1945, or by email to: atcadmin @ AquaTabCh.org Don’t miss out on this chance to boost your sales in a slow economy!

The ATC-SMF Team

I am in serious need of donations for the SMF Auction. If you have any items you would like to donate please email or call me and we can work out a time I can get the item or items from you.

Thanks,

Kathy Stagner

kathy dot stagner at yahoo dot com
(425) 359 – 7969

Remember that thing that your forgetful Priest could not remember to announce? Well, we recalled what is was hours later on the road home and it is this!

If you signed up for a staff position and need to be added to the ATC_SMF Yahoo Group for staff related festival announcements, please contact John Calderon via email @ (johnc at aquatabch dot org) to be invited to join the email list. Please include your Full Name and your email address (even if its the one you are sending from; you have the option to give a different address if you choose for enrollment) along with the position you are signed up for. I’ll get you added ASAP.

If you know someone who signed up for a position, but might not see this announcement, if you could be so kind to forward this on to them that would also be a big help!

Sorry for any inconvenience! Thank you for your commitment to this very special event!

John Calderon
ATC Web & Groups Moderator

http://www.aquatabch.org/spring-mysteries-festival

More updates are to come, so watch the page for details.

Please remember that the form requires Adobe Reader to view and print. Download links are provided for Adobe Reader as well.

**Please read the entire message if you are wishing to audition**

Hello Everyone,

I would like to fill you all in with a few details about this coming Spring Mysteries, the audition, and some thoughts and ideas we are looking at which would bring some amazing changes to the festival, challenge all the participants, and encourage huge growth from the cast and crew.

2010 marks the 25th Anniversary of Spring Mysteries!! This is a monumental event, which deserves all of our fullest commitment, focus and energies to create a spectacular ritual for all participants. It is a significant moment where we have an opportunity to take the festival to new heights, develop new dimensions and aspects, and allow each participant to explore and experience the festival like never before.

The first important decision I would like to address is a casting idea I had ever since the end of SMF 2009. I approached the ATC with the thought of holding over some of the cast from ’09 to be able to take the work and energy we built over the festival and increase the potential for even greater success. My thoughts were to hold over the four major roles and actors (Karin/Demeter, Scott/Hades, Gwynedh/Kore, Anthony/Zagreus). With the focus and work that these people went through during the rehearsal time, and festival, my feeling is if we could start with that foundation of work then we would have the opportunity to build the energies, characters, and internal connections, which could blow the roof sky high. This is not a “normal” tactic with casting for SMF, and does come with its own set of risks. That said; this proposition IS NOT driven by politics, personal agenda, or a thought of “cool-kid’ism”. And, for fairness to everyone interested in auditioning for SMF, it has also been decided that these four actors must re-audition along with everyone so I can make the best choice in casting. My only intent is for the greater good of the festival, the community and the ATC. All roles are open, and nothing is 100% guarantied for anyone. And, I wish to highlight the fact that this choice will not, I repeat will not set a standard for casting in the future.

Another choice which is being looked at for the festival is changing the structured timing of the ritual. It is being played about to possibly begin the ritual on Friday, running through the completion of Lessers II, and then on Saturday we would perform the Greaters ritual. Again, this idea comes with some risk, and is not set in stone as of yet.

Choices in the changing of format with the whole festival are only here to recognize the grandeur of this most important year. These are choices focused on giving the participant of Spring Mysteries the greatest ability to find, learn and relearn the gifts of our goddess Demeter. And, I would like to reiterate to all that these choices are not motivated by anything other than a commitment to the greater community, to the ritual, and to acknowledging the work of the ATC through these many years.

I am honored and humbled to be able to direct such an event. And, I am excited to see you all at auditions bringing your best to the table. If any one of you has a question, comment or concern with any of these issues, please know that I am open and willing to discuss them with you. Please contact me off list at:  bubbalove31 at hotmail.com.

Lastly, for the auditions, I wish to remind everyone to prepare a monologue of no more than 3 minutes in length, and to bring a head/face photo.

Oh yeah, the auditions are on the 6th of December, from 1:00p – 6:00p, in the Center House of the Seattle Center campus, room “C”.

Thank you all for your interest in becoming a working member of this festival helping to take SMF 2010 to such heights I don’t think the gods have ever seen!

With perfect trust, and perfect love!

PanisBuck

Where: The Center House at the Seattle Center, studio C
When: Sunday December 6th from 1:00p – 6:00p
What: Have a monologue prepared of no more than 3 minutes in length

Please provide a head shot when auditioning. This can be either a professional photo or a copied picture of you face.

More detailed information will follow soon.

See you all there – Brian (aka PanisBuck) Hatcher

Click here to download Issue #109!

Featured articles include:

Hecatee’s Sickle Festival is ready to go – are YOU?

Beloved Dead Altar

It’s That time again, so Let’s talk about Grief. – by Jamie Freeman

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis

Location:  Bremerton Masonic Temple

Time: 11am to 7pm

878  5^th Street ( 5^th & Warren)

Bremerton, WA    98337

Plenty of Parking
Walking distance from Seattle/Bremerton Ferry

Presented by: Chalice Hart-ATC Volunteers

Join us for a magical day where you can receive a variety of services from some of the areas most talented Psychics and Healers, including tarot and aura readings, massage, and Reiki to name a few.  All at discounted, event rates.  Admission to the fair is free.

Artists and merchants from the local community will be presenting their wares and magical gifts.  Food and drink, Entertainment and Raffles add to your overall experience.

Come and enjoy this fun community event and receive the reading and healing that can help to bring the clarity and peace we all need in our lives.

This event is called “Healing Hearts” for a very specific reason.  Ours is a community that pulls together to help each other whenever there is need.  This has become an annual event helping us to solidify extra support to help the needful people of the community throughout the year.

Questions: Please contact us at healingheartsfair@yahoo.com (206)713-3700 or (360)509-4741

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

I just want to  remind everyone that seeker packets for new postulants are due this Saturday, August 22.

New students accepted into the postulancy can expect to be contacted at the end of this month.

The postulancy ritual is scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at 7PM.

Your options are to bring them up to the Diana’s Bow ritual on Saturday and give them to Debbie or to Jeff Harris, or to email them to myself, Debbie or Jeff.

Please direct any questions you might have about this deadline or the postulancy in general my way.  I’ve been out of the loop and out of town for the last little while, but I’m back, connected, and ready to address any questions or concerns you might have.

I’ve had questions from a few new postulant candidates regarding the required sponsorship.  I’d like to address those here.

Your sponsor is not the same as your mentor.  All students accepted into the postulancy will be required to have a mentor, but you will have plenty of time to find or to be assigned one.  We are more than happy to help you with this.  The sponsor is simply any tradition member who you have interacted with any knows you fairly well.

The reason for the sponsorship is two-fold.

One, it gives you a chance to ask basic questions about the postulancy before deciding whether to take the time to submit a seeker packet.

Two, it gives us a chance to know you a little bit more through the eyes of one of our tradition members.
Your sponsor is simply there for you and for us at the beginning of this process, and the sponsorship ends at the time of the postulancy ritual.

Most of you have contacted me about a sponsor and many of you have already contacted me about a mentor as well – that’s great!  But if any of you still have questions or are unclear as to what the requirement is, please don’t hesitate to contact me off-post.

Brightest Blessings,
Carolyn

There’s a new and very serious problem though.

Because we are doing this ourselves, without a licensed contractor working on it every day, our Fire and Liability  Insurance carrier, Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company, has cancelled our insurances because the project is moving “too slowly” and they feel their exposure to possible claims is greater.

Nationwide also decided that my home is “a commercial use” because it’s owned by the church and, somehow that being in a gated community is bad (we’ve had that gate here since 1956, long before they started insuring me). There are a few more “excuses even sillier than those.

So, there is now a great time pressure for us to complete the work before we will be able to get fire and liability coverage back. All the firms our broker contacted have refused to insure us because of Nationwide‘s cancellation, so we’re stuck without fire and liability insurance until we get the construction finished.

Those of you who may have insurance through Nationwide might consider their treatment of us, and switch to a more reasonable insurance carrier, to make a social statement about their behavior in our case.

I can report that:

The railroad ties HAVE BEEN moved into place and we can now have  the dirt pile in the front yard leveled, thanks to Paula, RC, Carrie, Eric and Ryan. Once that’s done, we can pour the concrete for the entry way  and the little porch above it.

The gardens have been weeded and look very pretty, thanks to Julie.

The flagstone in the Pan Shrine is almost finished, thanks to Cassie, R. and Carrie.

The finished siding is going up pretty fast, thanks to Anthony and Ray K.

Pretty soon, we can put on the window & door trim and caulk them rain-tight.

A substantial of the electrical work is finished, thanks to Touran. Once the remainder is done, we can install the wall and floor insulation. Then comes the interior wallboard, followed by spackling and painting and finished flooring. It’s like a daisy chain, one job after another, in a set sequence.

It’s ALL COMING TOGETHER, with your generous help.

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TO …YOU, our hardy friends.

Pete

- Please read all information thoroughly prior to auditioning –

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for a role in this year’s Hekate’s Sickle Festival. This sheet covers responsibilities of the different positions in the ritual, and outlines what we look for when filling those roles.

There are 2 different types of roles within the ritual production of HSF: the Clan Clergy, and the Druids and the Godforms.

The more important of the roles is that of Clan Clergy; these people serve our participants as mentors, teachers, and spiritual leaders for the duration of the festival. This role requires direct interaction with others as a functioning Priest or Priestess. Their most important responsibility is that of supporting and caring for the well-being of the individuals within their “clan.” They are expected to have some experience in ritual work, and will lead their clan in creating a ritual. Having teaching skills or the technicality of ritual skills down are good, but being able to work well with people is a must. Though the Clan Clergy will have lines and action within the script and will therefore be working with energy, the main body of their work will take place on site at the festival.

For Clan Clergy, we are looking for people with the following skills and abilities:
• Ministering to participants and each other
• Leadership
• Responsibility
• Ability to connect with others
• Interpersonal Communication, especially listening
• Organization
• Compassion
• Able to cover the necessary costs involved, such as the registration fee, and costuming

Those working with the Druids and the Godforms are more removed from direct contact with the festival participants. The bulk of the work for these people takes place before the festival. They must do research on their respective archetypes/Goddesses/Gods, and create a 20 minute shrine scene for the ritual that follows a lesson plan; they should be able to write well and learn quickly, as well as be able to speak clearly. These people will be expected to learn the safe Invocation of energy. Those carrying godforms will be responsible for creating an outside shrine for the main ritual. Despite the importance of working with the community, their prime responsibility is as Priest/ess to the archetype/deity that they are working with, and being Their earthly representative.

For those who will be carrying the energy, we are looking for people with the following skills and abilities:
• Acting
• The ability to carry energy well
• Responsibility
• Speaking and memorization
• Writing
• Able to cover the necessary costs involved, such as the registration fee, costuming, shrine props, etc.

Thank you again for your interest in this year’s Hekate’s Sickle Festival!

Related Link: Hekate’s Sickle Auditions

There are also a number of other jobs that need doing so we can start building the entry way and porch, like prep the yard so the dirt pile can be bulldozed flat, and a few other odds and ends.

Call Pete at the church at 360.793.1945 and let us know if you can help. Where are all the guys? The ladies have been showing you men up by volunteering a lot lately. So far, only one man has been here to help the ladies. The work has been stalled since the start of last winter, and good weather construction time is running short!. We REALLY need your help!

When: Sunday, August 16th
Time: 1-5pm

Where: Seattle Center House, 4th Floor
Room: Studio D
Listed under Theatre Puget Sound

THESE AUDITIONS ARE FOR THE PARTS IN THE RITUAL REQUIRING INVOCATION ONLY.

Director: Ray Snyder
Assistant Director: Bob Farrell
Spiritual Directors: Leah Gervais & Terri Jones

Parts available this year:

Hekate
Druid of the Bear
Druid of the Dog
Druid of the Horse
Brighid
Cromm Dubh
Danu
Dian Cecht
Epona
Keridwen
Manannan mac Lir
The Morrigan
Nuada

Please choose a spoken audition piece no longer than 3 minutes in length to memorize and present at this gathering.

THERE WILL BE NO AUDITIONS FOR CLAN CLERGY.
Our Clan Clergy are the true backbone of this ritual; their most important responsibility is ministering to the needs of our participants, as priest or priestess of their clan.
Clan Clergy will be required to attend 3-4 rehearsals, including the initial script read-through and dress rehearsal.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A POSITION AS CLAN CLERGY ONLY, please contact Leah at CairnFiona at yahoo dot com

Many more opportunities exist throughout the Summer to lend a hand at the Tab. Keep your eye on the calendar for Work Party gatherings. PLEASE, don’t forget to call Pete at 360-793-1945 and tell us when you can come out and help.

Thank you!

ATC Open Ritual Information Notice

Effective May 1, 2009

ATC won’t be collecting donations in Circle, starting May 2009. In the past, those donations haven’t adequately met upkeep expenses, and were disruptive of Circle sacred space. Instead, we are going to “catch up” with the rest of the area Pagan groups, and institute a “support fee” like the ones successfully used for many years by other local groups.

This support fee will be accepted when you sign-in at the Concierge Desk at events at the church and other event locations, and will also assure proper handling of your pot-luck dish immediately on your arrival.

ATC asks for sliding scale of $10 – $5 per adult in support of the church for all gatherings. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but it is important to understand that your church needs your support in order to continue our mission of returning spiritual support back to you. ATC is fortunate to own the land and buildings, and we all must support, maintain and improve them for future generations to come. We understand and share the current economic burden that affects us all, and by working together, we can survive. If cash is an issue, we can accept credit cards, PayPal, or arrange an exchange of productive volunteer labor. Of course, such arrangements are best made in advance.

Our traditional “Prosperity Blessing” of the donation cauldron containing your contributions will continue to be made in Circle, so that any support you have given will be returned to you many-fold more. Help insure that the ATC can maintain and improve this wonderful land and buildings we are so blessed to own, and support the future needs of our ever-growing community. Please contact the ATC office in Index, WA or call 360-793-1945 if you have any questions.

Wic-Nics are a combination of work party and picnic, and the food & drink is provided for the cook-out, so come on up, lend a hand, and have some fun in the mountains with your friends!

Wic-Nics for grounds maintenance and Dining Hall construction will be held at the Main Church in Index, Wa.  every Saturday (and Sunday, if people are available) in May through September.

Our building permit runs out in November, so we have to make the most of the time we have!!

Start time is 11am each weekend. Please call Pete at the Main Church to confirm there is enough to eat on hand.  The phone number is (360) 793-1945  Regular Office Hours are Tuesday through Saturday  9am to 7pm

Please refer to this post,  the ATC Website Calendar or the ATCAnnouncements Yahoo! Group Calendar for Wic-Nic dates.

Earth Day Celebration
April 18th, 2009

Where?

A Gathering Grove
2820 Oakes St., Ste.C
Everett, WA
(425) 512-8845

There will be ,Teachings from representatives of the United Tribes of all Nations, Music and More!

Opening Ceremonies start at 2:30pm.

The first teaching starts at 3:00pm with a musical introduction by Lorraine Bayes and members of the Sacred Fire Choir.

Workshops start at 3:00pm

The Bards of the Koad perform from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

For more information, check out our website at www.bardsofthekoad.com

We will be accepting donations of food stuffs, clothing, blankets, travel sized toiletries, baby food/supplies, and/or money. There will be jars labeled with local charities such at the Ballad Food Bank, Hopelink, Northwest Harvest, etc… There will be related boxes for physical donations.

We will look forward to seeing you there!

Tami states, “Bring any clean, undamaged items to the festival and drop them off at the Cauldron table in the Merchant hall. Please be sure to have each item priced; and no item can be priced over $20.00.

Some things to consider when donating:
• Burnt or used candles will not be accepted, nor will anything that is stained, damaged, or torn
• Items MUST have a pagan theme. Yes, bath salts and candles are considered Pagan items. So is body butter…as long as it’s not used!

Items must be dropped off at the Cauldron table no later than 5pm on Thursday April 9th. Donations will be accepted on Friday April 10 until noon. If you are unable to attend the festival, but would still like to donate something, please email Tami Cushway at  tethyra at yahoo.com or by phone at (425) 971-3270.

The Snack Kitchen is also bringing in some new products this year. Missy, our Snack Kitchen Lead will have energy drinks, vitamin water, fruit, some great fruit-n-nut trail mix, and muddy buddies! The usual offerings of cookies, popcorn, candy, soda and espresso will be available. You can also pick up a commemorative “Journey to Eleusis” bumper sticker here!

So for those of you who stop at the store to pick up some of these items on your way to the festival, we’d love to have you spend your money in the Snack Kitchen! All proceeds go to benefit the Building Fund, so let your munchies be your guide!

Finally, we have just a few beds left. Although registration officially closes April 1st, if you call the church, we’ll see what we can do! Please do not send any emails at this point. We’re 8 days away from the festival, and may not see your request in time. Call the church at 360-793-1945!

See you at SMF!

      We have been told that the Washington Department of Parks and Recreation has to cut its budget 10% right now (don’t we all?) and has placed Fort Flagler on its planned closure list. Fort Flagler might not be there for us to use once again in 2010. 

     If the Retreat Center is shut down and “mothballed” it will deteriorate rapidly. The buildings date back to the early 1940s, and some to the 1900s, and are constantly in need of attention. In the last few years, the state has spent a great deal on modernization. New roofs, all new windows throughout the barracks, and fire sprinkler systems in all the major buildings must have cost a great deal of money. 

     A part of that money came from all of you who attended SMF. Each year the rental fees, which remain with the park, have gone up, and now the cost is almost four times what it was when we began. Every spring, we give the Parks Department a very nice Easter egg in the form of a very large check for rent.

• The Hon. Christine Gregoire, Office of the Governor, State of Washington, PO Box 40002, Olympia, WA  98504-0002.
• Mr. Rex Derr, Director, Wa. Parks & Recreation Comm., PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650.   
• Ms. Judy Johnson, Dep. Dir. & COO, Wa. Parks & Recreation Comm., PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650.
• Mr. Eliot Scull, Chair, Wa. Parks & Recreation Comm., PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650.
• Mr. Eric Watilo, Asst. Dir. for P&S, NW Region, Wa. Parks & Recreation Comm., 220 N. Walnut St., Burlington, WA 98233.

       To find the name of your local legislative representative, go to the roster at http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature

Be well,

Pete Pathfinder Davis

In addition, due to the economic situation, the ATC has extended the final fee increase to March 27th.  That means that the current registration fee of $190 will remain in effect until March 27th.

If you are thinking of coming in an RV, there is space at the Wagon Wheel Campground.  Registration fees for those coming in RVs is $150.  Information on camping fees can be found at the following link.

http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Fort+Flagler&pageno=2

If you have any questions, please contact the church at 360-793-1945.  Thanks!

And each year pre-registration fills up for this event very quickly!  As of this post, the list to attend this rite is Full and the remaining registrants who are requesting attendance have been put into an overflow Waiting List.  This waiting list is ordered as first come, first served based on when your festival registration arrives to the Main Church.  Being on the Waiting List affords you a “Stand By” status for the rite, in case someone else should not be able to attend.  

In order to help you prepare for attending this special rite, separate emails are being sent to those who are on the Main Attendance list as a confirmation that a spot is being held for you.  If you do not receive a confirmation email for the AAoP rite, you are most likely on the Waiting List.  Confirmations will only be sent to those who have managed to secure their place early.  If there is any doubt whether you are confirmed a place, please call the Main Church at (360) 793-1945 during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m

Due to the nature of this rite, it has a very tight time schedule.  Participants need to have arrived On-Site at Fort Flagler AND Checked In with Registration by 8:30pm Thursday night in order to be able to make this event.  The gathering begins _promptly_ at 9:30pm at the Dining Hall.  At that time, attendance will be taken from the pre-registration list.  Should a pre-registered name not answer to the Roll Call, the Waiting List will then be called in the order the list was populated until all available spots are filled.

Some answers to frequently asked questions:

- When will I see a confirmation email?

The confirmations are going out ASAP. You should see them in your inbox very soon!

- I know I registered early, but I did not receive a separate AAoP confirmation. What happened?

Call the Main Church during normal business hours for clarification.

- Can’t more room be made for others? Why does this ritual always fill up so early?

Without going into ritual detail, the group is intentionally kept to a manageable size for the ritual presenters.

We thank you all for your enthusiasm and we wish we could honor all requests to attend this special event each year.  We ask for your understanding and patience while the group of attendees is determined before the rite begins.

See you at Spring Mysteries 2009!!

One of the great parts of the festivals is the Merchant Hall, where vendors of all types display and sell their wares—everything from incense to cloaks, cauldrons to drums, jewelry to books. It’s a great way to make money and network with the larger Pagan community.

Have a little cottage industry in your home? Fantastic! Bring your wares to the festival and build up your business. Meet some great people and make some contacts. You’ll be glad you did! We welcome all merchants—both large and small—so don’t hesitate. Call the ATC today at 360-793-1945 or email us at atcadmin @ aquatabch.org.

The recent snowfalls in Index have interrupted Internet access for several days now. At last measure, the snow level was up to 27″ on the church grounds. Pete has to regularly clear the satellite dish of new snowfall, but this has still not allowed them reliable internet access. The snow and ice on the surrounding trees just makes establishing a connection impossible right now.

They would like to let everyone know that they are both otherwise fine and that while Internet access is down, the best way to get hold of them is to call the main office. If you have sent an email to the church and they have not yet responded, please be patient while they get caught up. They will send a reply as soon as regular internet access of any kind is established.

And remember that office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Calls outside these hours are routed to Voice Mail.

On a related note, E’bet has said she has many photos of the snowy scene up there and will post them as soon as she can get online. Stay tuned for more.

John Calderon
ATC Web & I.T. Admin

The ATC Full Moon Circle scheduled for tonight in Index has been
canceled due to hazardous road conditions. Everyone Please stay
safe and warm!

If you are inclined to do any personal Full Moon work tonight, I
would like to share the following excerpt from the Hermit’s Lantern
written by Rev. Paul Beyerl:

” This Full Moon has an excellent influence. It is a time to invoke
blessings for all manner of benefits and goodness into your
life. You are in the early stages of a Neptune transit lasting
several months. Although it typically brings some uncertainty and
even confusion about the direction of your life, it also opens you up
to new possibilities. This will most be felt in the areas of your
belief system, personal philosophy, and desire to learn and
grow. Mars Days the 16th-21st may feel challenging and something you
were hoping for may not turn out as you had hoped, but it is good to
have this over with before the Solstice.”

Many Thanks and Blessings to All -
Kathi De Anda
ATC Full Moon Ritual Coordinator

Keep watching the website and announcement lists for any further updates from Kathi, the Full Moon Coordinator and High Priestess and/or myself. But as of right now road conditions are not favorable for holding ritual this Saturday night.

John Calderon
ATC I.T. and Web Admin

My name is Brian Hatcher. This letter allows me to introduce myself, and to announce Spring Mysteries 2009 Auditions. Many of you know me. Some of you do not. I was your Priest of Hermes during this year’s SMF and Pan the year prior. I have been given the privilege to be your Ritual Director for the 24th annual Spring Mysteries Festival. We have a Brand New Script – which is looking rather awesome, I might say. I am looking forward to this year’s auditions, and to see a grand turn out. So, whether you’re a seasoned regular in cast, someone who has stepped away from cast for a year or more, or a newbie trying out for the first time, I am very excited to see you all in the full glory of your talent as Priests, Priestesses and Actors.

The auditions will be held at the Seattle Center, in the Center House, at Studio I – that’s the letter I, not the number 1. Auditions will be held from 1:00pm till 6:00pm on the 7th of December. Directions to the space can be accessed here: http://seattlecenter.com/transportation/directions.asp.   The theater studios can be found on the top floor of the Center House on the North side. Ask for directions from anyone, once you are on the Seattle Center campus.

Here’s what to expect, and what to bring. I am asking you to present a 3 minute or less monologue. This monologue should be something that resonates with you, both personally and spiritually (this can be
defined by you). It can be either a dramatic or comedic piece, classic or contemporary, known or unknown, written by Shakespeare himself or by you, a song, a poem, a children’s story, a writing on a bathroom wall. What ever it is, make it personal! If it is a song, all I ask is that you “present” it as a monologue and do not sing.  Spring Mysteries is not a musical. I am also requesting that everyone bring with them a photo of their face. This does not have to be a professional theatrical head-shot, just a simple printed photo will do. And, yes, this goes for everyone. Whether I’ve known you for years, you’re in my coven, my friend, my colleague, or my lover, the photos are to help me “place” you in the right context once the casting begins.

Remember, you are not auditioning for a specific role. Only once the Gods have shown through, will I be able to cast correctly. And, nothing is guaranteed. Even my husband – Hottie Scottie – is not guaranteed a role.

Lastly, I just have one simple statement for you all – BRING IT!!!!

Thank you so very much. I hope you all are as excited about the 2009 Spring Mysteries Festival as I am.

Blessed Be!

Brian (aka PanisBuck)