Summer Issue, 2004 EarthTides Pagan Network News

Over 200 Maine Pagans met at Popham Beach State Park to celebrate Beltane on May 1, 2004. Except for one year when we met inland, this is the 22nd year in a row in which a Bel-tane celebration has been held at the state park.

In a perfect mixture of sun, cloud and fog, the overflow crowd was too much for the two Maypoles, forcing many to double up on ribbons, or to take turns dancing one of the two Maypoles.

All of the picnic tables and grills in the area in which we gathered, were in use as pot luck food was spread out for a large feast. Kelt drew out a labyrinth in the wet sand so that attendees could walk the path to the center and back.

As a special treat, Julie Lane (of Castle Bay fame), and her husband Fred en-tertained us with wonderful Celtic mu-sic on harp and fiddle.. (see more pic-tures on page 7).

Inside this issue:

See Us At Common Ground Fair!

2

About the EarthTides Pagan Network

2

Aesir to Zeus : Book Reviews

by Harper Meader

3

About the EarthTides Pagan Network News

3

The Green Witch: Making Red Oil

4

Midsummer Knot Magic 5

New T-Shirt Design De-buts at the Fair!

6

Passing Notice 6

More Images from Beltane, 2004

7

The Green Witch: Blackberries

8

Festival of Lug 9

Calendar of Events 10

Networking 11

Beltane, 2004: A HUGE Success!

Newsletter Staff:

Editor: Anu Dudley

Contributors to this issue:

Marigold,

Harper Meader,

Arwen Evenstar,

Fred Griffith,

Leigh Griffith

Assistance:

EarthTides Pagan Network News

Summer Issue, 2004

Living in Maine, Celebrating the Earth

Publication Delayed by Illness For those of you who have been wondering where your Litha and Lughnasadh issues of the EarthTides Pagan Network News have been, please accept our apologies. One of the two editors who works on the paper, (the one who does the formatting for publication) has been very ill and unable to work on the news-letter. Thank you for your patience waiting for this issue. (Subscriptions will be extended one more issue). I want to thank everyone who supplied articles, graphics, ads and assistance to pull this issue together. Fred Griffith—President

About the EarthTides Pagan Network

The Maine Pagan community is diverse, independent and geographically distant. We worship in groups or alone, but sometimes need contact and a shared fo-rum to express our ideas and concerns for this com-munity.

The Earthtides Pagan Network was established in 1989 as a support resource for Maine Pagans. All solitaries and groups are welcome to join.

A subscription to this newsletter is available for a sug-

gested donation of $11.00 per year. Single copies may be obtained by sending a $1.50 donation and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: EPN, P.O. Box 161, E. Winthrop, ME 04343. E-mail: [email protected]

The deadline for submissions to the Ma-bon newsletter (Common Ground Fair Is-sue!) is Sept. 7, 2004.

Page 2 EarthTides Pagan Network News

See Us at Common Ground Country

Fair! The EarthTides Pagan Network will again have a booth at Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, Maine (about 30 miles east of Waterville). Since 1991, EarthTides has had a booth each year in the Social/Political Ac-tion area of the fairgrounds. Some years, more people have asked for directions to our booth than any other booth at the fair-grounds!

At the Common Ground Country Fair, the EarthTides Pagan Network has a great op-portunity to pursue its mission of helping Maine Pagans network with others, and to share the truth about Wicca and other forms of Paganism with the public. Apple Valley Books has graciously provided hundreds of books, buttons, bumper stickers, calendars, mugs and music which are sold at the booth. The income from these sales help to cover EPN’s costs for the booth, and many other expenses throughout the year.

None of this happens by itself, however. EPN still needs volunteers to help staff the booth and to participate in public talks at the fair. If you would be interested and avail-able, please call Fred Griffith, at 532-2455. Thanks!

Page 3 Summer Issue, 2004

Aesir to Zeus : Book Reviews by Harper Meader "Self-Initiation for the Solitary Witch", by Shand-daramon, presents a five-degree system of initiation which is distinct from the major traditions. After the first three degrees, there is a fourth degree, the path of the physical, and the fifth degree, the path of the mysterious.

A course of study is outlined, along with goals of at-tainment, such as to direct a community service pro-ject or to mentor a priest or priestess. Since the es-sence of the fourth degree is to be "a respected spiri-tual guide for all the members of your group", I have to say that the book is not necessarily for solitaries, despite its title. Cover price $14.99.

Another new book aimed at solitaries is "Spells for the Solitary Witch", by Eileen Holland. This is more of a spell-recipe book than an explanatory book, and it does a good job. The original material has a greater tendency to rhyme and scan than is commonly found, which I like a lot, and the ideas behind the spells seem sound.

While there is hardly a spell for everything, there are some that I wouldn't have thought of, and they are well-crafted. What makes this a "solitaries" book is that all of the spells are designed to be enacted by a lone practitioner, but that doesn't keep it from being useful to the rest of us. Cover price $16.95.

"When I See the Wild God; Encountering Urban

Celtic Witchcraft" by Ly De Angeles is an interest-ing work. Since I am neither a Celtic Witch nor Ur-ban in any way, I only feel qualified to recognize that the author is a fine outside-the-box thinker, and that he presents an attractive, fresh 'Craft that I'm guess-ing will resonate for beginners or others who want their witching to be fresh and alive wherever they are. Cover price $12.95.

"The Paganism Reader", by Chas Clifton and Graham Harvey, is simply fabulous. Do a small sec-tion each day, spend a little time pondering each one, and be a more well-read Pagan! Works excerpted, with commentary, include the Havamal, the Homeric Hymns, Gerald Gardner, Robert Heinlein, and Pliny the Elder, with many more. It's a great selection! Cover price $31.95.

Okay, here we go; even though the previous book is wonderful, I'm more excited by "Pop! Goes the Witch; the Disinformation Guide to 21st Century Witchcraft", edited by Fiona Horne. Now, I'm not through with it yet, so something terrible and objec-tionable may yet bubble up, but here's my early opin-ion. A while ago there was a discussion online about what single book on Paganism we would give to a beginner. I've long thought that "The Spiral Dance", as good as it is, is not the best introductory text. This book, goofy title, casual cover photo, and all, would be my recommendation right now. It is readable, in-teresting, sensible, balanced, wise, and broad in scope. Impressed, impressed, impressed! Cover price $19.95.

This newsletter comes out eight times a year, around the Sabbats. Literary, poetic and artistic contributions are welcome, as are opinion pieces. Please keep submissions to no more than two pages, double-spaced. Please submit on disk or e-mail to [email protected]

Subscribers' names, addresses and other personal information are kept confidential except to other network members. EPN will aid in establishing contact between individuals, but accepts no legal responsibility for the results.

All signed articles and artwork are the property of their creators, and ads are the property of our advertisers; these may not be used elsewhere without permission.

All other content is copyright 2004 EarthTides Pagan Network, all rights reserved. The EarthTides Pagan Network News and the EarthTides name and "moon-over-Maine" logo are copyright 2004 EarthTides Pagan Network, and may not be used without written permission of the EPN Council.

About the EarthTides Pagan Network News

The Green Witch: Making Red Oil

St. John’s wort begins to bloom at the Summer Solstice, and so at this bright time of year, I replen-ish my supply of red oil made from an infusion of the fresh flowers and leaves of this powerful and generous herb. I use red oil to anoint candles, people, and objects for the altar and for magi-cal practice.

St. John’s wort is a frequent roadside herb, easily recognizable for its small, star-like flowers with five yellow petals and a little bushy center of golden sta-men. It grows one to three feet high on tough slender stalks from which sprout lots of small, oblong leaves. When you break or bruise the stalk, a bright red sap oozes from the wound and stains your fingers.

On the vibrational level, St. John’s wort promotes health, protection, strength, and happiness. What more could one want! Coming at the Summer Sol-stice, this herb is ruled by the Sun, and its element is Fire. I feel that by gathering and preserving these qualities in red oil, I am saving a bit of the Sun’s highest energies for use at other times of the year. Cunningham suggests that, traditionally, if gathered at Mid-summer, or on a Friday, and worn on the body, it will keep mental illness away and cure melancholy, an interest-ing use in view of its present applica-tion as an anti-depressant. Dried over the Mid-summer fire, and hung at win-dows, it banishes and keeps the house free from negative energies.

To make red oil, you need several glass jars with lids, a large funnel or medium wire mesh strainer, a sharp knife, cut-ting board, cheese cloth, olive oil or other vegetable oil, and the fresh herb. Making herbal oils of any type requires an absolutely clean preparation technique to prevent the mixture from growing mold or becoming rancid. I speak from experience! First, collect your glass jars and covers and thoroughly wash and dry them. The oil is so

beautiful when finished that I like to display it in tall, thin glass bottles. But for making the oil, use wide-mouth

jars so you can get the chopped herbs in and out easily.

Harvest the St. John’s wort at mid-day or early afternoon on a sunny, dry day. This is important, as much to capture the full power of the Sun as it is to obtain mate-rial free from mold-causing dampness. You do not want to collect wet herbs. You are after the flowers and the top-most stems and leaves, so you do not need to harvest the whole plant. I use a special pair of gar-den scissors consecrated to harvesting herbs for ceremony, and I snip off three to four inches from the flowering tops and lay them in my ceremonial herb collection basket. When I harvest herbs for ceremony (or for any reason), I leave a pinch of dried tobacco

or rose petals (also from my garden) as a thank offering. I used to walk along the road and snip St. John’s wort, but now I grow it in my herb garden, and it spreads like mad!

Now you are ready to make the red oil. First, wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Set your clean jar(s) to the side, take your clean knife and cutting board, and coarsely chop the St. John’s wort. Fill the jar(s) no more

than 3/4 full with the chopped herb. Next, slowly pour the olive oil over the herbs until they are completely immersed. Take a clean knife and gently move the herbs away from the sides of the jar to allow the oil to fill in all the spaces. You want to get all the air bubbles out. This will settle the herbs and let you pour in enough additional oil to almost fill the jar. You need to completely cover the herbs so none are exposed to the air, which could allow mold to grow, but you also need to leave some space at the top, above the oil, so you can shake the jar

to further mix the contents.

Tightly cover the jar and place it in a warm, sunny win-dow for at least two warm, sunny window for at least two weeks, shaking every few days, until it is a nice red color. To decant, take a large, clean funnel or strainer,

(Continued on page 6)

“I feel that by

gathering and

preserving these

qualities in red oil,

I am saving a bit of

the Sun’s highest

energies for use at

other times of the

year. “

St. Johns Wort Flowers are yellow when seen in

color.


Midsummer Knot Magic At Midsummer, I find myself contemplating knots. I revel in the seemingly endless light of this season and wish I could capture some of it tie it up with a magical knot, and release it at darker times. I also strive to re-lease the emotional knots that bind me to routines and responsibilities so I can be more spontaneous and playful in this bright, relaxed time of year, and discover new meanings.

Knots are more than just devices for keeping your sneakers on, and they have served societies for at least 4,000 years. Our first written evidence for knots comes from Near Eastern cuniform tablets that in-structed people on the magical uses of knots. But stone carvings and sculptures from Sumerian, Greek, and Egyptian periods also show evidence that knots were func-tional, ornamental, and magical in use.

On the symbolic level, knots have a num-ber of traditional meanings, all related to the central idea of a closed link, similar to the Ouroboros, the dragon or snake bit-ing its own tail, representing the continu-ity and oneness of life. The Ouroboros knot also signifies the union between the chthonian, or underworld, principle (the serpent) and the celestial principle (the bird), whose synthesis is represented by the dragon. This principle is best exemplified in the oldest, most sacred knot, the Hercules knot, or what we call the square knot, which binds these two princi-ples together in a stable square with four corners for the four directions. Representations of the Hercules knot can be found carefully and precisely depicted in Greek and Egyptian carvings and paintings, indicating the importance of this specific knot form. Other knot symbols of ancient importance are the sign for infinity, the horizontal figure 8, as well as the number 8 itself. The “endless knot” of Buddhist and Celtic tradition both represent integration of the physical and spiritual planes, bringing order to chaos, and signifying oneness and continuity with the Divine.

Magically, knots are used both for binding and loosen-ing energy. Some traditions proscribe the braiding of hair or the use of knots to fasten clothing during spiri-tual practice because of energy flow considerations.

Thus, hair worn loose and clothing secured with pins might be called for during creative, expansive work, while braids and knotted sashes might be worn during protective or banishing work. Knitting, crocheting, and macrame are all considered knot crafts, so one may want to add or avoid these fabrics depending on the work to be accomplished. In this vane, netting is considered extremely protective because it is tradition-ally made with hundreds of knots.

Knot magic is generally done with cords of natural fi-ber such as wool, cotton, silk, or linen. Since I am a spinner, I like to take wool yarn I have spun especially for spell work and use it for knot magic, or braid it for

various magical uses. I also use grapevine and other plant materials such as split spruce root, grasses, and herb stalks to twist and braid cord for ceremonial pur-poses. As with all magic, the intention concentrated into these materials as you harvest or form then into cords increases their potency.

To perform a simple knot spell, take a cord of an appropriate color for your

purpose and, holding it across open palms, visualize your need or intention. When your intention is at its strongest, tie a firm knot in the cord. Pull the ends taut, which releases the power to fulfill your intention. The knotted cord remains as a representation of your need. Keep the knot in a safe place until your inten-tion is fulfilled. Then, burn or bury it, or it in a safe box where it will not be untied. If you ever wish to reverse the spell, then untie the knot.

To make a wishing ladder, use a long appropriately col-ored cord. Collect nine small objects, seeds, etc. that are magically related to your wish. Begin at one end by tying the first item onto cord, pulling the knot taut as you visualize how this object exemplifies your wish. Repeat this process till all nine items are knotted to the cord. Consecrate the wishing ladder at your altar or outdoors under moon or sun, then hang it in your home in a prominent place, or drape it around your altar. Dispose of it as above when your intention is fulfilled.

(Continued on page 6)



The Green Witch: Making Red Oil (Continued)

line it with cheese cloth, place the funnel over another clean jar, and dump the oil-herb mixture into the cheese cloth. Allow the oil to drain through until it stops dripping. Then, with clean fingers, help express the last drops by squeezing the cheese cloth. At this point, you can either pour the oil into its final bottle, or you can use the oil to make a second infusion, thus increasing its herbal power and deepening its red color. Fortunately, St. John’s wort stays in bloom for many, many weeks, so there is usually time for a sec-ond harvest.

To make a second infusion, simply repeat the steps, but add the first infusion to the herbs instead of olive oil. You may need to top off with some additional olive oil. It is more important than ever, in this sec-ond infusion, to exercise cleanliness to keep the mix-ture free from contamination. I have found that one small jar easily lasts me for a whole year, so, even though I enjoy making it, I need to not get carried away!

Be well; Marigold

(Continued from page 4)

Shortly after the EarthTides Pagan Network first organized in 1989, Craft artisan Leigh Griffith created the original Logo for EPN; a cres-cent moon viewed against the side of the earth as seen from space, all con-tained within a grape vine wreath.

While this logo has been on our ban-ner for years, it has never made it

onto a T-shirt until now! Plans are in the works to have full color printed shirts available for mem-bers and friends to purchase at the EarthTides booth at Common Ground Country Fair.

Be sure to stop by the EarthTides booth and get your shirt while the supply lasts!

New T-Shirt Design Debuts at the Fair!

At this time of year, I like to gather grasses and vines that are full of the bursting energy of the waxing sun and braid them into a log fat cord. Then I tie the ends with a colored ribbon to form it into a circle. Taking two long straight pieces of stalk, I make a cross tied at the center with a Hercules knot. Then I place the cross inside the wreath and tie each of the four ends to the wreath, creating a sun circle to honor the Sum-

mer King. I also like to gather the long stalks of St. Johns Wort and, visualizing bright light and warmth and infusing these images into the plants, make braided wreaths. These I hang to dry, and when I need “enlightenment” or cheer, I’ll take one and slowly untie and unbraid it, receiving back the wealth of summer.

Bright Blessings, Marigold.

(Continued from page 5)

Midsummer Knot Magic (Continued)


Ribbons of all colors billowed from the top of the Maypoles before we started our dance.

More Images from Beltane at Popham Beach, May 1, 2004

Passing Notice: Shannon Franke ,craft name Maia Moondancer, died Au-gust 3 of apparent heart failure at her home in Waterville, Maine. She was fifty-four. She was one of Earthtides' founding members. A mostly self-taught Witch originally from California, ini-tiated by Frank Dufner, she led or co-led a coven in sev-eral forms both in Maine and New York over the last

twenty-plus years, and had numerous students during that time. Helena, a longtime student of Shannon's, led a memorial service at Circle Trianon's beautiful ritual space in North Waterford. Shannon's ashes were scattered at the women's circle there, where a memorial marker will be placed. Shannon leaves behind children Kenneth, Michael, Mi-chelle, and Branwen, and two grandchildren, Leah and Taliesin.

Julia Lane (of Castle Bay fame) and her husband Fred entertain at the 22nd annual Beltane Celebration at

Popham Beach, Maine, May 1, 2004.

Here is one end of three bar-be-que areas that we filled for the pot-luck.

Around 200 Pa-gans from around the state joined us for all or part of the day.

The Green Witch Blackberries Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s blackberry season at Lugh-nasadh, so if I can’t beat ‘em, I might as well write about them! Obviously, I have a love/hate relation-ship with blackberries, also known as black raspber-ries. They are such strong, invasive plants in my for-est clearing that I have trouble controlling their tough canes and vicious thorns, and since I try to eliminate the new growth every summer, I never get to enjoy the actual berries which appear on two-year-old canes. Too bad, because blackberry pie is traditional at Lughnasadh, and the plant has its uses - culinary, medicinal, and magical - so per-haps I should exercise a little forbearance! It is easy to recog-nized blackberries. Their canes are taller and thicker than the raspberries that spring up in clearings in the woods, and rather than the bristle-like thorns on raspberries, blackberry thorns are big and nasty, like rose thorns. (Blackberries are, in fact, in the rose fam-ily, along with raspberries and apples). By Lughnasadh, the berries, which started as pale green, hard nuggets, are plump and purple, each berry consisting of dozens of tiny balls of sweet juice (and annoying seeds that get caught in your teeth, but I digress). The berries hang in bunches from the ends of the canes, weighting them down as they ma-ture. Because of this habit, I’ve recently decided that blackberries remind me of images of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of abundance, as golden coins pour from the fingers of one of her four hands. This is an apt comparison since one of the magical powers of blackberries is wealth. Blackberries, and their leaves, are used in money and prosperity spells.

Under the protection of Brigid, blackberry is of the water element, and is also used for healing and for protection. For protection, blackberry canes were traditionally hung above the doors and windows of the house to snare negativity. For healing, herb lore teaches us to make an arch of living blackberry canes and to crawl backwards and forwards under the arch to cure illness, especially joint and skin ailments. (Sounds like this treatment would cause joint or skin

problems, but there I go again!) I’d be more inclined to sit under a blackberry arch and meditate on wellness, visualizing the sharp thorns snagging ill health as it hovered above my head. An invocation to Bri-gid using blackberry leaves is also used to heal burns. Dip nine blackberry leaves in spring water and gen-tly lay them on the wound, and chant three times to each leaf as you lay it on (27 times in all):

“Three Ladies came from the East, One with Fire, and two the Frost. Out with Fire, in with Frost.”

I’m going outside to make peace with the blackber-ries. Be Well, Marigold



The Festival of Lug Lughnasadh is a deeply lyrical sabbat whose mystical meaning has long since been overtaken by its more secular function as a harvest festival, Christianized as Lamas or Loaf Mass. That is not to belittle the im-portance of celebrating the harvest, which feeds life, but in focusing all our attention on the fruits of the soil, we forget the shadow meaning of Lughnasadh, that life feeds death and thus completes the Wheel. At Lughnasadh, dreams and endeavors come to frui-tion at the same time as the power of the sun is wan-ing. This paradox of life in death and death in life is the central meaning of the sabbat.

Lughnasadh is the festival of Lug, the Celtic grain god and sun god, the “Lord of Light,” and it cele-brates life, death, and resurrection. In one version of his myth cycle, he was born of Arianrod, the Silver Wheel, she who is “Life in Death.” Called Llew Llaw, he was a golden-haired boy remarkable for his rapid growth, which linked him to the sun and to grain. At the apex of his splendor, he was destroyed by the duality of Arianrod, Bloden-wedd, the Flower Faced, she who is “Death in Life.” This story de-picts the natural imperative toward growth and individuation and the natural falling away as maturity fulfills its purpose of creating the next cycle’s seeds. This natural cycle of birth, death, and renewal, the cycle essential for the perpetuation of life, is what is fundamentally cele-brated at Lughnasadh.

In another version of Lug’s myth cycle, he was a no-ble warrior and magician who could play the harp, write poetry, build houses, forge iron, and win battles with his magic javelin. Ravens flew around him and served as spies and messengers. He walked with a limp and covered one eye when he wished to be anonymous. He even killed his grandfather in battle. In this guise, Lug resembles Woton or Odin, the great shaman who hung himself on the tree of the world for nine days and, shaman-like, underwent his own death and resurrection. This aspect of Lug also relates him

to Zeus, one of the oldest Indo-European sky gods. Although originally associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, eventually the gods of this patriar-chal breed became immortal in themselves and did not experience annual death and renewal. Thus they disrupted the older matriarchal mystery in which fe-male and male energy worked in harmony to keep the Wheel turning.

Incidentally, the legacy of Lug lives on in Western cul-ture in curious ways. For example, hundreds of place

names throughout Europe bear his name, including Lyon in France (and thus anybody named Lyon), London (which means Lug’s fortress), and Leyden in Holland. In the United States, we have such places as Ludlow (Lug’s gate) in Massachusetts.

In Lughnasadh, we have the op-portunity to recognize and honor our cycles of life, ending, and re-newal, from our daily cycle of waking, sleeping, and reawaken-ing, our weekly cycle of working and recreating and returning to our jobs, to our yearly cycle of outdoor summer life, indoor win-ter life, and the opening up of the windows and doors again in the

spring. Then, there is the cycle of our own lives, the expanding and contracting of our energies, relation-ships, ambitions, sorrows, and joys, and finally, our own death and rebirth.

In understanding that next year’s harvest is contained in the fruits of this year’s bounty, we are Arianrod, the Silver Wheel, “Life in Death.” In grasping that, in order to live, we must consume the harvest, we are Bloddenwedd, the Flower Faced, “Death in Life.” In contemplating “what is our harvest at this time, and what seeds have we created for our renewal,” we are Lug. Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.

Blessed Be, Marigold


Calendar of Events NOTE: If you'd like your event included in our calendar of events, please send us an e-mail, with Calendar Listings as the subject, to [email protected] before the deadline for the issue in which you'd like it listed. Each issue of the newsletter lists the next deadline on the front page.

If you would like an extra copy of this calendar to post on a public bulletin board, please feel free to photocopy it freely. If you know a business in your area which would like to post one, please send the information to the above e-mail address and we'll add it to the mailing list.

As a service to the Pagan community, we seek to list as many events as possible that would be of interest to Maine Pagans. You need not be a mem-ber of EPN, or even a subscriber to this newsletter, to list an event here. All we ask is that events be non-profit -- that is, that any fees for participat-ing not exceed the reasonable cost of putting on the event -- and submitted to us by e-mail or post by the publication deadline. (Those planning for-profit events are welcome to avail themselves of our very affordable advertising opportunities.)

We make no claim as to the value or safety of any of these events, and caution our readers to rely on their own best judgment when assessing any situation, particularly those involving strangers. That said, we also encourage you to participate in as wide a spectrum of the Pagan community as you can, both for your own enjoyment and because our community needs your positive energy and good fellowship.

SEPTEMBER

18-19 Saturday and Sunday

Roman Market Days, Nova Roma, Harbor Park, Wells. This will be a great opportunity for those working with the Ro-man pantheon to learn more about its cultural context. This historical event will feature a Roman legionary encampment, excellent combat shows by the Ludus Magnus gladiatorial troupe, educational presentations, children's activities, Ro-man siege equipment, and even a Roman chariot. For more information, the event website is: http://www.romanmarketday.com

18 Saturday

Open Mabon Ritual, Immanent Grove, Sidney, 7 p.m. This will be Grove's annual burning of the Summer King, to cele-brate the end of summer and the start of autumn. Circle will be followed by a pot luck; please bring your own plates, cups and utensils as we prefer not to use disposables. Minors are welcome if accompanied by a custodial parent. For more information, please contact:[email protected].

19 Sunday

Open Mabon, Silver Cauldron, Saco, 4:00. Mabon ritual will be followed by potluck. For details e-mail [email protected] or call 282-1491.

24-26 Friday through Sunday

Common Ground Fair, Unity. Many activities and demon-strations, with great shopping! Earthtides will have a booth for fund-raising and information about Paganism in the po-litical action tent--stop by and say hi! If you'd like to volun-teer to help in the booth, please contact Fred Griffith at [email protected]. For details about the fair itself (directions, schedule etc.) email [email protected].

OCTOBER

3 Sunday

Maine Pagan Pride Day, Sacred Oaks, Wells, 10 am to 4 pm. There will be workshops throughout the day, including "An Introduction to Elements", "The Spiral Scouts", "A Norse Sumble", "Tarot for Everyday Life" and more, as well as an

afternoon public ritual, vendors, and pagans from around the state. Please bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to a local food bank. For more information, check the website: http://www.maineppd.org.

30 Saturday

Open Samhain, Immanent Grove, Sidney, 7:00 p.m. For more information, please contact [email protected].

NOVEMBER

5-7 Friday through Sunday

Elements Workshop (Reclaiming Tradition), Sidney. For more information, contact [email protected].

13 Saturday

Meeting, Maine Pagan Clergy Association, Portland (place to be determined later), 4 p.m. This organization is open to all who perform the work of clergy (facilitate a group, teach, write for publication, offer open circles, etc.) within the state of Maine. For further information, contact [email protected].

DECEMBER

12 Sunday

Open Yule Ritual, Silver Cauldron, Saco, 4:00 p.m. This child-friendly Yule ritual will be followed by potluck. For details e-mail [email protected] or call 282-1491.

18 Saturday

Open Yule Ritual, Immanent Grove, Sidney, 7 p.m. For fur-ther information, please contact [email protected].

MONTHLY EVENTS

Pagan Coffee Klatch, Quilting Bee and Clothing Swap, Gar-diner. For further information, contact

Jani @ [email protected]>.

Westbrook Maine Pagans offer several regular events. For further information, please contact Christopher Willow, [email protected].


Networking The people and groups listed here are mentioned because they have done two things: They have volunteered to serve as points of contact for those seeking Pagan community, and they have signed the EPN Standards, which pledges them to follow a set of basic rules of ethical conduct. Any person or group may be listed here by subscribing to this newsletter and agreeing to those Standards; please contact EPN to arrange such a listing.

EPN has no interest in serving as the "Pagan police," and explicitly supports the autonomy of each person and group in matters of faith, belief and worship. The Maine Pagan community encompasses a wide variety of people and practices, and seekers are cautioned that any person or activity that makes you uncomfortable is probably wrong for you.

Groups and individuals who seek networking opportunities but are reluctant to sign the Standards are encouraged to take advantage of our ad-vertising columns.

> together to share their work and honor the Deities who inspire them.

AUGUSTA AREA Bill and Johanna Chellis. Pantheists working with the circle, wheel and labyrinth. 685-3860 Immanent Grove. A fellowship of practicing Pagans of all persuasions. Members pursue their own personal relation-ships with the Gods. We're interested in corresponding with experienced Pagans who would like to work with us. Harper and Arwen, Immanent Grove, Box 2328 Middle Road, Sid-ney, ME 04330 OXFORD HILLS AREA Khyrohn Ni Mara. Eclectic Wiccan focusing on healing through herbs and drumming. RR1 Box 2606, N. Waterford, ME 04267. 583-4215. PORTLAND/YORK COUNTY Temple of Brigantia. Wiccan group honoring the Goddesses and Gods of Britain and Rome. Offering open Full Moon ritu-als and accepting selected candidates for apprenticeship. Jane/Cassius, 646-6634 or [email protected] Circle of the Silver Cauldron, Atlantic. Eclectic Wiccan coven emphasizing creativity and self-development. Great Day celebrations open to the community. Thea or Harry, 282-1491 or [email protected]

SPECIAL INTERESTS Deaf Pagans. I would love to meet Deaf adults who are Pa-gan and other Pagan parents of Deaf children. Ede, 353-6202 (V/TTY) or [email protected] PanCraft. Pagan artists, musicians and others beloved of the Muses get together to share their work and honor the Deities who inspire them. Harper and Arwen, Box 2328 Middle Road, Sidney, ME 04330 ONLINE RESOURCES EPN website http://www.earthtides.org Maine Pagan Resource Page, http://www. janeraeburn.com/maine Maine Pagan Clergy Association website, http://www.mainepaganclergy.org Maine Pagan Mailing List, to join send blank e-mail to [email protected] EPN Mailing List (open to newsletter subscribers only), to j oin send blank e-mail to: [email protected] Maine Pagan Politics List, to join send blank e-mail to [email protected]

BE A PART OF EPN Stay connected with the community! Annual subscription is $11.00 for 8 issues of this newsletter.

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E. Winthrop, ME 04343 www.earthtides.org

Documents

Summer Issue, 2004 EarthTides Pagan Network News