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Category Archives: News
The Magic and Art of Ritual Presentation
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:
- You need to submit an application (located at the end of this notice).
- You must be a member in good standing of the ATC.
- 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.
- 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:
- Copy (highlight, control+C) the Application Form at the end of this announcement.
- Paste (control+V) the Application Form into an email addressed to: blacksun95@msn.com.
- 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.
- 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:
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.
THE RETURN FROM ELEUSIS by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis
Every ATC member and most all Pagans everywhere are familiar with the mythology that forms the crux of our Spring Mysteries Festival, now in its 27th year… BUT, it seems, THERE IS MORE ! … There is always more! This is my own most recent piece of personal mythology or mortality story, and it just took an unexpected sharp turn.
Since just before SMF XXVI in mid-April, things have been a rollercoaster ride for me. Just turned 74 in late March, I had been running at full speed ahead, wanting to get the last details of the church dining room & construction finished enough to switch focus to the SMF stuff I had next in line to do. Once the SMF stuff (including all the Auction things were sorted, grouped and packaged and ready to go, thanks mainly to Paula) it was time to load up and head out to Fort Flagler.
Little did I know that by that time, my exhaustion had already blossomed into full-blown septic pneumonia! Once unloaded at Flagler, still unaware of my illness, I pretty much just collapsed in bed there.
There were a few murmurings, Deb said, to the effect that I didn’t appreciate all the work everyone put into the event, probably because I wasn’t around and visible much, and only attended the first half of the Mysteries presentation. But I wasn’t absent for any of those reasons. Actually, I was “sick-abed” much of the time. More seriously than I knew!
I don’t think anyone can really measure how much I really do appreciate all the time and effort that you all put into Mysteries every year. I know how hard everyone works to perfect their part of the event and make it all fit together seamlessly, into the premier spiritual event in the Northwest, if not in the nation. Like the rest of you all, the majority of my work on SMF is invisible until the event actually starts. But the fruits of all the months you rehearse and rehearse burst forth in all their glory all at once, and yet again, dull gray little Fort Flagler becomes splendorous Eleusis once more time!
Almost all my time at SMF was spent in my cabin, mostly sleeping when there wasn’t some small “brush fire” requiring immediate attention. Then it was over.
Once packed up and back at the TAB in Index, the left over foodstuffs had to be brought to the food bank, the tubs put away and the unsold auction things dealt with. Still exhausted from it all and still not yet knowing I was seriously ill, I went back to my own bed for some more rest.
Some time the night of May 3rd. on one of my several nightly visits to the bathroom, my blood-pressure bottomed out and I blacked out and fell, further damaging my already seriously deteriorated left knee and breaking my right arm/ wrist as well. I managed to get myself back to my bed, but discovered the next morning that I was completely unable to get out of bed, and called several friends for help. Frighteningly, none were at home so I left messages, and one (Carrie, Paula’s daughter from down the road) came to the TAB a few minutes later, at a dead run when she found my message.
Carrie got me dressed and deciding I needed to go to the hospital, called the Index Fire Dept. Ambulance for the bumpy dash to Monroe. The rest is history.
Six days in the hospital on major antibiotics delivered directly into my heart by IV Drips got me to the point where I could be transferred to a local medical rehabilitation center for all of the month of May and continuing daily IV antibiotics.
On June 1st, down from 163# to 136 # total body weight, I was released to go “home” to the TAB. The Seminary’s “For the Love of Pete” effort on Facebook raised the funds to buy the required Stairlift (a sort of retrofit stairway elevator chair) to provide safe and stable access to & from my top floor sleeping area. My son Bob found it on eBay, got it to Index with much help from Chalice-Hart-ATC folks, and got it installed and working.
Because I have been told I shouldn’t continue to live alone, Paula has graciously agreed to be my “Nanny” and make sure I’ve eaten, and am being watched over. Paula has always been a good friend and someone I can count on.
All these rules from the doctors! Stairways, Nannies, not living alone. Seems they have all sorts of rules and controls over our lives, even in a ‘free’ country.
So now I am confined to the TAB for rehab, hobbling from bed to bath and back to bed to recover from the first trip! In time and with your prayers and energies, I will regain the lost weight and lost strength and get back to my ATC routines. While I fully intend to be around for some time to come, that will not likely be as Archpriest of the church. Now that we have found a capable administrator and spiritual leadership at the ready to take the reins from Deb Hudson and I, I plan with Deb, to step back into at least partial retirement and let Bella Donna Thompson, our recently appointed ATC Maiden, take the helm next Litha.
The church leadership succession has been established and it is working. Bella has been commuting cross-country on a regular basis for several years now, meeting affiliates, running the Seminary and learning what Deb and I do to administer the ATC soundly. She has been exceptionally well received, and we’re supporting her completely.
Please lend Bella your full support while she is “apprenticing” her future Archpriesthoood.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!
I was surprised and pleased by all those who made the pilgrimage to my hospital and rehab nursing home during my stay there, and now here at home to offer support and energy. You have kept me going at a very dark time. Thank you all.
Belssed Be, all.
Pete Pathfinder Davis
The Aquarian Tabernacle Church
Index, WA. June 2, 2011
“There is little value in re-doubling your efforts if you have lost sight of your goals and purposes.”
Posted in News Comments Off
A request of energy for Pete
For the last couple of days Pete has not been well. I have been asked to post this announcement requesting energy for Pete to use as he will.
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
Posted in News Comments Off
Official ATC Membership Launch!
Beltaine Blessings, One and All!
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
Posted in Membership, News Comments Off
ATC Youth Blessing Ritual @ Woodinville UU Church – Saturday, April 9th 2011
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):
Posted in Events, News, Open Circle Comments Off
Seeker Packets due tomorrow, February 5th!
A reminder to all who are interested in being a part of the ATC’s 2011 Postulant class that your Seeker Packets must be completed and turned in to Carolyn Poncelow no later than tomorrow, February 5th. Seeker Packets can be emailed to Carolyn or delivered to her in person up at the church in Index before ritual this Saturday.
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!
Posted in News Comments Off
Spring Mysteries Festival XXVI
The Aquarian Tabernacle Church presents the 26th Annual Spring Mysteries Festival at Fort Flagler State Park in Nordland Wa. April 21 – 24 2011
Registration for Spring Mysteries Festival XXVI Now Open
Spring Mysteries Festival XXVI – April 21st to 24th, 2011
Fort Flagler State Park – Nordland, Washington
Festival Registration is now open! Sign-up now to get your space early!
For full details - Click Here or visit this address: http://www.aquatabch.org/spring-mysteries-festival
Posted in News Comments Off
New ATC Postulancy class begins February 12!
We had our informational meeting after the Diana’s Bow public ritual at the Woodinville Unitarian Church this past Saturday and have confirmed interest in a new 2011 ATC Keepers of the Moonstone Circle Seekers Class. If you missed that meeting, it is NOT to late to get the information you need to be a part of the new Seekers (Postulancy) group. Here’s what you need to know.
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!
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