APA newsletter- June 2003
APPALACHAIAN PAGAN ALLAINCE NEWSLETTER -- June 2003
Editress: Ginger Strivelli
The APA would like to take this chance to say we
hope everyone had a magical Summer Solstice!
We Have live several lively discussions and debates
this summer in the yahoogroups daily chit chat networking
group, as usual….Anyone who hasn't joined the the APA Chat
list at yahoogroups.com Please do check it out, of course
if you don't like tons of email you might want to set the
group to send you only daily digest messages. As, there are
days when the message count reaches well into the 40, 50,
even 60 and above number range…though there are also days
when we all clam up and there is barely 2 or 3 posts to the list
…..at such times myself or someone else in my stead will
usually start one of our infamous 'heated debates' and we
get back up to our normal frantic pace of posting. It is
nice to stay in touch though, and as we say, 'chat
about everything and nothing about the breakfast
table daily.' It keeps us in touch, and as
Martha says…'it's a good thing!"
FROM OUR BOOK OF SHADOWS:
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A prose piece by Terrikhat
The Christian
A man gets out of bed on a Sunday Morning. He showers and puts
on the suit he saves for the weekly service. He feels alive
and refreshed. He gathers his family and they get into the
car and drive to the certain location.
He walks into the sanctuary and looks at the beautiful
surroundings. The walls of the Church are strong and tall.
There are candles, flowers, stained glass windows,
a water filled baptismal tank, and beautiful hangings
on the windows. He sees the symbol of the Cross hanging
on the wall and he thinks “what a beautiful place, surely
this is the house of God.”
The service starts, the usual greetings and songs are
sung. A tray is passed; he eats the wafer and drinks
the wine. There is more singing and then a message from
the minister. They speak of the Holy Trinity, but they
know that this is just another name for the One.
Prayer requests are taken and the congregation joins
in prayer for those who are in need. They wish the best
for all those concerned and accept that whatever the
outcome, it will be for the highest good, the will of God.
A final song is sung and then a plate is passed for
those who wish to donate to the good of the church.
Announcements are made and the congregation is
dismissed in a final prayer. The group disperses and
there is a time of fellowship.
The man and his family return home with a feeling of
contentment and a warm heart.
Surely they are blessed.
The Pagan
A man gets up and takes a bath to cleanse himself and
prepare himself for the service. He puts on the special
robe he has set aside for the time of the gathering.
He feels refreshed and alive.
He collects his family and they travel to a certain
location.
He walks into a meadow, and in the center there is a
grove of Oak trees. He looks at the beautiful surroundings.
There are flowers, a stream, trees, and beautiful ivy
hanging in the branches. He sees the symbol of the
pentagram drawn on the ground and he thinks, “What a
beautiful place, surely, this is the house of the Gods.”
The ritual starts, a Circle is cast. The walls of the
circle are strong and tall. The candles are lit and songs
are sung. The scent of incense fills the air. A tray is
passed and he takes the cake and drinks the wine. The
people chant and join hands. There is more singing and
then a brief message from the high priestess. They
invoke the goddess and the God, and although they have
many Gods, they know that all paths are sacred and each
individual relates to Deity in the way that is best for
them. They believe that there are as many ways to perceive
Deity as there are people on the planet.
Spell requests are taken and the group joins in
channeling positive energy toward those in need.
They work for the best and accept that whatever the
outcome, it will be for the highest good, the will of the Gods.
A final song is sung and then a box is placed on the
altar for anyone who wishes to donate to the good of the group.
The circle is opened and members are dismissed.
A time of fellowship follows.
The man and his family return home with a sense of
happiness and a warm heart.
Surely they are blessed.
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Magical Places Section
Have you ever considered what a magical place is? Is it
somewhere that everyone expects you to have a magical
experience, or is it somewhere or someplace that is
magical only to yourself? Personally I tend to find
it is the latter. I found magic on what is considered
the longest walking trail in the United Kingdom.
You could compare it in length to walking the Appalachian
Trail that just goes on forever. Along this walking
path there isn’t much but grass and dried nettles
along side of the path. What makes it magical is
thinking of all of those people that have walked that
gravel path for hundreds of years. Seeing what their
eyes saw, thinking about some of the same things they
thought about such as, my child has gone too far
ahead is he safe? The magic I found was in watching my son
have fun running along the trail and then begging his
Dad for a ride when he got too tired to walk or
watching a butterfly land on a flower and sun itself.
The magic was in that one moment with my family where
we just stood still in time and were happy to just be
together.
(Submitted by Marcia Tillison).
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