The Serpent's Voice
Volume I
Issue I
August 1, 1998

Happy Lughnasadh!
Merry Meet and Welcom!

This newsletter is the first of its kind. Actually, it's a supplement to the flyer we get graciously from SerpentStone, so no, this does not replace the flyers. As it were, I sensed it was time for this, so even people outside the Pagan Community can partake of the Wisdom that's available for healing. And yes, there may be some minor editing on occasion. If individuals wish for their pieces sent in return, do please send a SASE. I also look to make copies of originals sent in; thus contributor and newsletter are protected. As of now, Bean si and I, Obsidian, appreciate your time in this endeavor. Quite frankly, we don't know how it will do, therefore, the newsletter is being done for the Four Greater Sabbats. So, please let us know what you think...suggestions, ideas, and criticisms are all welcome. Please Enjoy the newsletter!

Praise the Ancients! Love and Light! Good Journeys!

Blessed BE
Bean si and Obsidian

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Announcements

Seeker, an initiate of Oakgrove in Knoxville, TN, is working on a Master's degree in Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Seeker is in the process of compiling a thorough outline of basic Wiccan beliefs, those ideas that are presently being taught in covens in the Southeast U.S. Any group that considers themselves to be Wiccan (be it Traditional, Eclectic, Faery, Seax, etc.). The aim of the study will be to publish an anthropological account of basic Wiccan beliefs in the Southeast U.S. What will be presented will be the very foundations of Wicca Aimed at scholars, teachers, and their students. Any group leaders (High Priestesses and High Priests) interested in speaking with Seeker, confidentially, of course, need to contact Seeker at email at sdarthue@ukux.utcc.utk.edu.

Do you have other notices of importance? Do let us know, they can be published in upcoming issues of The Serpent's Voice

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The Dream....
The Vision of
SERPENTSTONE

In 1991, SerpentStone was officially formed from a joint vision of Lord Serphant and Lady Rhiannon. It began with several basic ideals and goals. To begin with, SerpentStone was, very specifically, NOT a coven or tradition. It was a Family. It belonged, not to any of us, but to the Lord and Lady. There was to be no one person or persons in control of the group, although it was recognized that people would tend to turn toward those who had earned their respect. There was to be no hierarchy, except as chosen by each individual group for their own working. This was to avoid anyone using SerpentStone as a power base.

SerpentStone was to be of the Community, for the Community.

How, then would such a group function? The only way it would work would be to give complete freedom of choice to the affiliated groups, within the bounds of the law "And It Harm None, Do What Ye Wilt", while encouraging each to strive for their highest ideals and hold to the highest ethics. The only bonds would be those of mutual Respect, Trust, Love and a common dedication to bringing that love and trust out to help the Community to grow. There was a strong desire to provide a place where people could come together in worship and work for the Lord and Lady.

This was, and is, the ideal: the dream upon which SerpentStone was built.

The goals were seen as building blocks. These included:

1. Encouraging a high level of training which would help people truly make their own connection with Deity, but also allowing each group to train in their own way, according to their own traditions.

2. Emphasizing the importance of high ethical standards and personal responsibility, and developing ways to help each person reach their highest potential.

3. Accepting both traditional and non-traditional ways, and blending old and new ideas to create new and viable pathways.

4. Providing the opportunity for networking and sharing with others.

5. Providing the support each individual needs to reach their highest potential.

6. Reaching out with love and acceptance to others and the Community, and eschewing power over others.

These are still the ideals and goals of SerpentStone. There are many treasures that have grown from this: new groups, gatherings, friendships, innovative ideas and ways of working. Over the years, people and groups have come and gone, or come and grown. Some felt uncomfortable and did not like what they saw or felt and left. This is as it should be: there is no one path that is right for all. We need the variety and diversity.

Many came and found love and acceptance, and a strong feeling of family. Even when there were problems or disagreements, we were (and are) still a Family. Our willingness to accept each other as individuals and respect each other's views whether we agree or not, is a large part of our strength. We are all children of the Gods, and no one is more right or more important than anyone else is.

As this is done, some may find they have grown in a different direction and no longer feel comfortable within SerpentStone. This, too, is a part of growth: the fruits ripen and the seeds disperse. The seeds must find their own fertile ground to grow in their own way. To these, follow your dream. Forge your own path and may the Light of the Lord and Lady shine ever on your way. Let there ever be peace between us. SerpentStone is not for everyone, but it is here for those who share the dream...

SerpentStone is our gift to the Lord and Lady. Let it be one worthy to be given.

" So Mote It Be, Blessed Be"

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Special Interest

Groups, Covens, Temples & Sanctuaries. Oh my!

In this issue we will be looking at "Temple Open Circle" and its members. Within this group, there is a "study group" that people may ask to attend. Then there is a Circle group that does circle work and healing circles. There are 9 people including the Priestess in the group. They all have their own path i.e. pantheon that they follow and learn from, yet everyone finds a sense of harmony in learning through different paths. Thus, the circles are conducted generically with no specific pantheon elaborated. So everyone can be themselves and not be afraid to share energies. There are five women and four men in the group. The Priestess of the group is Obsidian. She was brought into the religion by her Grandmother when she was growing up. She was quite lucky, not all Grandmother's are of the "old Path". They called it "Folk Magic" or "Root Medicine" and in 1985, they overturned the laws against the religion. First, she was ordained in the Priesthood of Melchizedek in New York giving her a certificate of ordination. Of course, she does not think about that as much as she thinks about work she needs to do. She made an inquiry of SerpentStone to bring her in the Priestesshood of Witchcraft. She perceived no problems with this request and was summarily received into the group. She has been a Witch Priestess for a little over two years now. Her attention is on what work she needs to do, that the Lady and Lord have for her to do. Currently, she is working towards her next milestone in her spiritual growth in this lifespan. For now and always she bids Love and Light. Good Journey to all.

Blessed Be

If you have a group that you would like to see a write up about in the newsletter, please drop us a line. They can be in one of the upcoming issues.

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Potpourri

"We are They" --
that walk between the worlds of the
Physical & Spiritual.

"We are They" --
that work to bring
Healing,
Balance,
Enlightenment . . .
back.

Obsidian

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"Our Lady's Faces"

August 1, 1998, Waxing Moon:
Our Lady will be in her second phase, she's waxing. She is building energy and focusing it for whatever needs arise. Her name at this time is "Diana", and many others according to culture.

August 7, 1998, Full Moon:
Our Lady will be in her third phase, totally full. This is the height of her being and fulfillment of all, as the great mother is about to give birth. Her name is "Selene", and many others according to culture.

August 14, 1998, Waning Moon:
Our Lady will be in her fourth phase, she's waning. Now is the time for breaking down, destruction, doing away with what does not work for healing, and the wisdom for seeing this appears. This is the time of the Dark Mother, Crone, Grandmother, as she does not need light to see into the depths of being. She gives us a choice to see or not to see, the question is, "Are we willing to see what is there?" Her name is "Hecate", and many others according to culture.

August 21, 1998, New Moon:
Our Lady will be in her first phase, she's beginning anew. Her name at this time is "Green Hecate", and many others according to culture.

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Lughnasadh,
Lammas,
Lughnasad

This will be the first harvest of the Wheel of the Year. The first gleanings of sustenance for the dark half of the Wheel, of which the Oak King slowly begins to give way to the Holly King until "Yule". Now is the time when we begin to take stock of what we have sewn. There are many cultures that have a connection with this holiday, some are Celtic, Norse, Scandinavian.....to name a few.

Happy Lammas!

Love and Light.
Good Journeys to the Lady and the Lord.
Blessed Be!!!!
Obsidian

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Astrological Data
via
Llewellyn's Astrological Calendar

Aspects for the Lammas gathering August 7-9, 1998

The 7th:
Moon square Saturn - disciplined work, serious thinking.
Moon sextile Pluto -enlightening discussions, intense feelings.
Moon conjunct Uranus - high hopes, unrealistic plans.
Moon square Chiron - an opportunity to change old habits.
Moon opposite Sun - hard work for little gain.
There is supposed to be a lunar eclipse. Our Lady will be full at 9:10 p.m. on Friday the 7th.

The 8th:
Moon quincrux Mars - direct impulsive emotions.
Moon quincrux Venus - discrimination required in romantic situations.
Moon opposite Mercury - handle routine work and details.
Moon semi-sextile Jupiter - religious, philosophical thoughts and feelings.
Moon semi-sextile Neptune - sensitivity to spiritual energies.
Mercury semi-sextile Venus - harmonious communications within self.

The 9th:
Moon sextile Saturn - easy to help those in need, good advice.
Moon square Pluto - make few demands on others and yourself.
Moon semi-sextile Uranus - desire to break free of negative emotions.
Moon trining Chiron - assisting others in creative problem-solving.

The moon is in Aquarius at the Lammas gathering on the 8th.

The moon in Aquarius brings out the rebel in all of us-for better or for worse. Dressed in electric blue, in something outrageous, eccentric, and far too futuristic, this Moon is ready to break free from the past, to Just Say No to all the rules we just set in place in Capricorn. Now is the time when we're ready to break out of our ruts, try something different, and make sure everyone sees us for the unique individuals we are, regardless of what we have to do. Now is a time of extreme, sudden and abrupt actions, when we surprise even ourselves at what we say, when we're prone to complete reversals and changing our minds at the last minute. This sign is ruled by Uranus, so personal freedom and individuality are more important that anything now. Our schedules become topsy-turvy, and our causes become fanatical, act deliberately rebellious without a reason, or break tradition just for the sake of breaking it.

The moon is in Pisces at the Lammas gathering on the 8th.

This sign belongs to the planet Neptune, the ruler of altered states of reality. When the Moon slips into this sign, sleep, meditation, prayer, or alcohol is what we crave-whatever induces a trance-like state that will allow us to escape from the harshness of reality. She is dressed in her most ethereal flowing pink gown, picks up her pink smoke machine and sparkling bucket of pink dust, and sets out to woo us, to cast a spell upon us, to convince us that everything's all right. Now is when we're most susceptible to emotional assaults of any kind, when we're feeling "fuzzy", vague, dreamy, nostalgic, wistful, or impressionable, Now, too, is when we're at our most spiritual, when our boundaries are at their lowest, when we're more compassionate, intuitive, and sensitive to those less fortunate, so now is the time to attend spiritual group or religious gatherings.

Aspects for Lammas, August 1, 1998

Moon trine Mars - harmony, cheerful, exciting.
Moon trine Jupiter - overoptimism, progress with ideas.
Moon square Mercury - restlessness, indecision, worry.

The Moon is in Scorpio on Lammas, August 1, 1998.

This moon in Scorpio is the second quarter moon. She is in the growing phase. This fixed, feminine, water sign is co-ruled by Mars and Pluto, so this Moon doesn't mess around. She' all dressed up in her formal black, looking so good she knows you can't take your eyes off her. Scorpio is the most intense sign out there, and when the Moon is here, she feels everything to the absolute nth degree. Everything. Needless to say, we do, too. Passion, joy, jealousy, betrayal, love and desire--they take center stage in our lives now, as all our emotions deepen to the point of possible obsession. Be careful of a tendency to become secretive, suspicious, or to brood or "stew" over an offense that was not intended. Now is a great time to play detective, to investigate a mystery, do research, "dig" figuratively and literally, and allow ourselves to become intimate with someone.

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SerpentStone Gatherings

Lammas
August 7-9, 1998

Mabon
September 18-20, 1998

Samhain
October 22-25, 1998

Yule
December 18-20, 1998

For more information or pre-registration contact
SerpentStone
P.O. Box 3274
Knoxville, TN 37927
Email us at serpentstn@aol.com

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Rites of Passage

There is no announcements for this section at this time. If anyone would like to place a wiccaning, degree elevation, or other Rite of Passage here, please submit them to Obsidian or Bean si.

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Ads

This section will have ads of various types when we have submissions from those who would like to place an ad in our newsletter. Please submit your ad to Obsidian or Bean si.

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Blessed Be and Farewell

Obsidian and Bean si would like to thank you, the readers, for your time and effort. This is our first attempt at such a project so please be patient with us. We would appreciate all input from those of you who have taken the time to read our work. Any comments, questions, or submissions of material for the next newsletter should be directed to Obsidian and Bean si at SerpentsVoice@serpentstone.org.