The Serpent's Voice
Volume III
Issue V
May 1, 2001

Happy Beltaine!
Merry Meet and Welcome!

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 Silverleaf, appreciate your time in this endeavor. After recent contemplation we have decided to extend the newsletter to all 8 Holidays in the Wheel of the Year. So, please let us know what you think... suggestions, ideas, and criticisms are all welcome. Do enjoy!!!!

Praise the Ancients! Love and Light! Good Journeys!

Lady & Lord Bless
Bean si and Obsidian Silverleaf

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Announcements

***www.serpentstone.org***
The SerpentStone domain is now up and running! The Web Team has done a complete redesign of the site, and the two sites are integrated into one.

***If you've bookmarked
http://welcome.to/serpentstone
and/or
http://go.to/gathers,
they will still redirect to the correct site.***

Questions/comments about the site should go to webteam@serpentstone.org.

***WE NEED YOUR SUBMISSIONS!***
Any material that you would like to submit to us for consideration for publication on the web site should be sent to webteam@serpentstone.org. This includes your poetry and song lyrics, essays and even artwork (please e-mail for file requirements before sending any files). Also, if you have a web site that you'd like us to consider for our Links page, let the Web Team know!

Get your own @serpentstone.org e-mail alias!
E-mail alias redirects e-mail to your current mailbox. You can give out yourname@serpentstone.org as your e-mail address and receive it at yourname@aol.com (or whatever your current address is). This service costs just $5 a month, which goes to pay for the serpentstone.org domain. For more information, e-mail winterhawk@serpentstone.org.

Do you have 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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Obsidian Mirror Reflections....

Yes, it's that time again....Beltaine being the Sacred Holiday that it is.... however, there are people in society that would contend that this Holiday is one that like the religion of Witchcraft deals with Domination, Intimidation, & Manipulation. Well, folks...... hang on to your hats...... it's not true....... yep, it's another one of those falsehoods..... With the religion being as nature oriented as it is, and living in harmony with all that is..... and healing with Wisdom as it does...... you tell me who has time to do any of those three things suggested?

Lady & Lord Bless

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Potpourri

I reach out to touch the world seeking solace in inconsequentials but in my seeking, I find myself, beside myself in another Connections, interweavings, Magick, and Music, Weaver and Web. Like a song heard in the silence, between the drumbeats, the scent of light and the taste of eternity. Everywhere and everwhen, atop the wild steed of the Sidhe, galloping madly. As above so below they say as I scatter with the dewdrops of first mornings gleaming, a plethora of paradoxes on a green field of logic, Love and Light, Shadows and Sorrow, Creation and Destruction, all held within this frail shell. Oh how can we touch the world and not be touched in turn.

Amergyn

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Calendar

April Birthdays......
9 - Whisper
16 - Midnight Phoenix
24 - Hearthkeeper
27 - Zebrine

May Birthdays......
10 - Winterhawk

May the Lady & Lord Bless your days.........

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Children's Crafting

****No submissions at this time. If you have a craft idea for this section, please submit it to Bean si or Obsidian by the submission deadline at the end of this newsletter.*****

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"Our Lady's Faces"

May 7, 2001 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.

May 15, 2001 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.

May 22, 2001 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.

May 29, 2001 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.

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Beltaine
Lady Day
May Day

Yes, folks, we have reached that parallel to Samhain when the veil is thin. This is a fertility holiday of the Lady & Lord. It is also a time when Elvenkind and the Fae are abound and nature is alive. This is also the last holiday for planting even for the plane of the Etheric realm. And yes, for some Traditions of Witchcraft this day marks the first day of Summer, for other Traditions of Witchcraft this coming Litha (midsummer) is the beginning of Summer. All cultures have their own history of the holiday of "Beltaine". Regardless of culture, this is a lovely and sacred holiday.......

Lady & Lord Bless
Blessed Be

Obsidian Silverleaf