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 an 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!!!!
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.
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 year, which goes to pay for the serpentstone.org domain.
For more information, e-mail: winterhawk@serpentstone.org
Do you have other notices of importance? Do let us know, they can be published in upcoming issues of "The Serpent's Voice".
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 on 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 of 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:
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. 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..........
As Buddy & I have been working on the current house to ready it for the market so as to get a larger place. I've been knitting to keep my sense of sanity about me. And in doing so, it reminded me of the "Web" that we all are apart of regardless of what our "Religion" is. Because, when one drops a stitch in knitting and if it's not caught ahead of time when it just happens it can really cause a very visible effect.
And it can be trying to attempt to go and get in contact with that loose stitch, to bring back harmony to the work being done.
But, should it be that it no longer wishes to be part of the work to be done then it's time for a new pattern. For that's what life is like, that stitch is for another pattern that wants to be separate.
Hopefully, though that stitch kept some of the Wisdom that it learned from the main pattern in order to continue with healing & growing. The choice is there. We merely decide.......
And just as the fibers that are used to knit & crochet with vary from Cotton, Silk, Rayon, Wool, Linen to Acrylic, and so forth, we as people also vary according to culture. But, we live & learn from each other........ thus, Heal & Grow
There is none at the present, if you would like to contribute, do let us know….. drop us a note….
*Blessed Be*
A Child's Yule Stocking...... bearing gifts of "Light".
This piece is easily made from cloth & adhesive (parental help needed & suggested).
Base materials needed:
December
12/4 Moss
12/8 Obsidian
12/15 Michael
12/16 Shaun
12/21 Starfyer Hawke
12/23 Fairie Hawk
January
1/2 Toni (Child of Fairie Hawk and Midnight Phoenix)
1/10 Owl
1/11 Solitaire
1/26 Laughing Bear
1/29 Mari (formerly Andred)
1/31 Spirit Bear
December 7, 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.
December 14, 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.
December 22, 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.
December 30, 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.
Yes, for some Pagans & Witches this is the High Point of the Winter season, and for some this is the beginning of it. As well as for both Pagans & Witches this is a Minor Holiday whereas, for Druids this is a Major Holiday. Now, the Light is given birth to again, and begins to grow in this the shortest day and longest night of the year, considering the mantle of snow the Lady pulls up around her as she goes into her slumber after giving birth to this wonderful gift of light, and while she sleeps the Holy King nurtures that gift. May that same light be sparked in all our hearts this Yule holiday….. so mote it be……
Being that there is no Family Gathering for the Holiday of Yule and the various groups: Covens, Groves, Temples and Sanctuaries are celebrating Yule with other groups in assorted areas.
The Astrological aspects are being listed for the actual holiday of Yule accordingly.........
AM on the 21st:
Moon trines Jupiter - over optimistic progress with ideas
Moon squares Pluto - make few demands on others and yourself
PM on the 21st:
Mercury sextiles Mars - good sense of humor, social ease
Moon semisextile Uranus - desire to break free of negative emotions
Mercury quincunx Saturn - laborious thinking impedes communication
*** At this Yule holiday the Waxing Moon will be in Pisces:***
This sign belongs to the planet Neptune, the ruler of altered states of reality. When the Moon slips into this sign, sleep meditation, prayer, drugs, or alcohol is what we crave -- whatever induces a trancelike state that will allow us to escape from the harness of reality. She dresses 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 and convince us that everything's alright.
Now is when we're most susceptible to emotional assaults of any kind, when we're feeling "fuzzy," 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 a spiritual group or religious gathering.
Future Family gatherings are listed at the SerpentStone Gathering page. You will note that Imbolc has no gathering date, simply because it's toooo cold. Imbolc typically is celebrated by the individual Covens, Sanctuaries, Circles, Groves & Temples... of the SerpentStone Family.
For more information or pre-registration contact
SerpentStone
P.O. Box 3274
Knoxville, TN 37927
Email serpentstn@aol.com or mortir@aol.com
At this past Samhain gathering Kitchen Witches *they stayed silent for Samhain music *I'm presuming Moonstruck & Spiral Rhythms.
Main Circle Holiday Ritual by Mau & associates
Berkana's Handfasting
Baby Shower for Wendy & Michael's new-born
Owl Ritual with P.B. Owl
All Night Fire Vigil with Circle of the Blue Moon
Women's Ritual facilitated by Kelshei
Men's Ritual facilitated by Shadowstorm
Yes, the Kitchen Witches performed their culinary magick while the musicians entertained our ears with sounds from one end of the scale to the other........
A few of the workshops presented are as follows:
Other workshops include the following.....
Berkana & Tony were Handfasted at this Samhain gathering on October 27, 2001.
Kira child of Wendy Floyde & Michael Pardue received her Baby Shower on Sat. October 27, 2001.
Kris Jones recieved her Croning at this Samhain gathering on Friday, October 26, 2001.
Knitted items,
Stained Glass,
Wire Sculpted Jewelry,
Candle crafting information & other goodies….
In Columbia, South Carolina
Contact FoxIvy@sc.rr.com
Proprietor: Obsidian Silverleaf
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
Lady Obsidian and I would like to thank you, the readers, for your time and effort. 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 Lady Obsidian. Her address is Obsidian Silverleaf, 1118 Bob Brook Ct., Columbia, SC, 29210. You may also be able to reach her by phone at 803-772-2991. If anyone needs to contact both of us they can do so by this E-mail address: SerpentsVoice@serpentstone.org. If you don't have email access, please contact Lady Obsidian and she will pass it on to me. Thanks again!!!!
Lady Obsidian Silverleaf and Lady Bean si
Blessed Be
The next issue will be out in time for the Ostara celebration. If anyone is interested in submitting articles or ads for any section of our newsletter, please direct them to either Obsidian Silverleaf or Bean Si before the New Moon in March 2002.
Return to the main Serpent's Voice page.