When done the High Priest says the following:
Four Points around us and Four Spirits we have called
With Love and Light we have no fright
With Strength and Truth we bear much fruit
And as we receive Power and Blessings
So do we offer up Thanksgivings

Then the High Priestess says the statement of Intent:
We come here between the paths
And between the worlds,
To honor the Old Gods and the Old Ways.
At this Pink Spring Moon we gather
To remember that as the Wheel turns
And we move forward through Spring
That some things end but new things begin

Goddess Invocation
(this is done by the High Priest)
Hail Mother full of Magick, we call you here
Hail Mother full of Love, we honor you here
Hail Mother full of Power, we worship you here
Hail Mother full of Magick, we call you here
Join us in our Circle tonight

God Invocation
(this is done by the High Priestess)
We Call you, Lord of Earth and Sky
We Call you, King of Fire and Water
We Praise you, Oak and Sun King
We Praise you, Greenman God
Join us in our Circle tonight

Ritual Working
Either the High Priest or High Priestess can say the next part:
The Pink Moon tonight reminds us of the flowers that have begun to bloom around us with the
coming of Spring. This is a time to begin new things and to lend our energies to them.
The High Priestess holds up the chalice of water to the sky and let the silvery moonlight shine on
it. (If She has risen yet that is, if not just visualize her energy shining upon it). She says:
Blessed Mother, let your light, presence and wisdom shine down upon this chalice. Imbue the
water with the foresight to see the right path ahead. So that as we drink we know the steps to
take to bring our hopes and wishes to fruit.

The chalice is then passed around, deosil, to all participants. They may either ask aloud for the
wisdom they seek or do so quietly.

When all have drank from the chalice, then the High Priestess can ask if anyone has any other
workings or magic that they need to do this night. If so then the group can work together to raise
energy for those purposes.

Cakes & Ale
Pick up the chalice and then the plate of food and raise them one at a time to the Heavens to
receive Their blessing.
Flesh of my Flesh (lift the Plate)
Blood of my Blood (lift the Chalice)
Body of my Body
We are of Them
As They are of Us
Joined in Love and Light
Married in Strength and Truth
Showered in Power and Blessings
We Drink from Her womb
We Eat from His hand

Drink from the chalice and then eat from the plate of food feeling Their Love and Strength.
So that we always remember our Love for Them and Their Love for Us

Pour out a libation and leave some food for the Earth and for the Gods.

Bidding Farewell to the Gods
Blessed Mother, we thank you for your presence in this rite
Go if you must, stay if you will
Hail and Farewell!

Sacred Father, Horned One, we thank you for your presence in this rite
Go if you must, stay if you will
Hail and Farewell!

Quarter Dismissals
We thank you, element of earth, for your presence in this circle. We bid you hail and farewell!
We thank you, element of water, for your presence in this circle. We bid you hail and farewell!
We thank you, element of fire, for your presence in this circle. We bid you hail and farewell!
We thank you, element of air, for your presence in this circle. We bid you hail and farewell!
Circle Dismissal
Walk the circle widdershins drawing the energy of the circle back into the blade of your athame.
The circle is open, but unbroken. May the peace of the Lord and Lady be forever in our hearts!

Paganism leads to a personal journey and exploration of spirituality. This type of inner working becomes challenging to pass on unless it is shaped and molded in a way that can be given. Working with different types of families present different challenges and either way you cut it, spirituality is experiential and not a formula easily taught. Due to these characteristics of our faith, it is important to create a framework in your family coven that allows for understanding and for room to grow and experience. Having values, defining celebrations, creating traditional activities are a great way to pass down the parameters of spiritual practice in your family.

Some family covens practice full moons or “family moons” (as referred to in FWTI) along with the celebration of Sabbats. Some family covens don’t celebrate the 8 Sabbats and instead celebrate the cross quarters instead. All of these things are valuable within a family structure.

New moons or lone moons (as referred to in FWTI) have been times that are designated as times for the adults to spend in celebration. This too is flexible, according to the needs of your family. It is important for families to have celebration together and it is also important to designate time for adults (if there are children in the FC), or to designate times for more serious workings instead of just celebration. This is your choice and one that is important to evaluate as a FC.

Think about the ways your family currently comes together and enjoys the energy of being a family. Take those things that your family currently does and use that as activities that are solidified in your tradition of spiritual connection. There is no wrong answer here, only your answer for your family.

Enjoy the process!!

       To say that Witch Wars are petty and senseless would seem a bit obvious.  At first glance.  But to tell someone their opinion is senseless and petty is a pretty good way to pick a fight with that soul and I suspect it is how these so-called “wars” get/got started in the first place.  So that leads me to the conclusion that opinions are not the real culprit, but rather the nature of how they escalate and the ensuing consequence.  Observe below:

Newsflash: New Moore Island: What India and Bangladesh Failed to Do, Global Warming did it

By Kabir_Bedi – Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 3:05 pm

A dispute regarding the control over small rock named New Moore Island had been going on between India and Bangladesh for 30 years. It has been resolved by the nature through increasing Global Warming that could not be resolved by the two countries through talk.

OK fine that’s not a “Witch War” per se, but it demonstrates how disagreements have a way of resolving themselves to no one’s benefit, save Mother Nature’s (Go Mom!!), and remember, your Mother always has the RIGHT answer.  You might not like it, but it is seldom disputable, as is the case above.

One of the hardest things I’ve had to admit to myself as a newly inducted First Degree is I’m filled with the same sort of pettiness as everyone else.  The same fears (of the unfamiliar) same prejudices (whether I care to admit them or not), but what I’m also willing to be is a stand-up kind of girl and admit:

THEY ARE JUST AN EXCUSE!!!

This is all a part of personal growth but even those who are higher on the totem pole than me—I still see it in them as well.  And of course it’s there.  We’re all human, and all of the above still applies.

So I propose this…a rather simple set of solutions.

If only with yourself, rationalize WHY you feel the way you do.

What has this person done to aggrieve me?

Did they intend offense?

Did I bother to speak with this person and let them know how I feel?

If so, did I give them a chance to explain their side or give them the chance to apologize and did I accept that explanation as their personally held AND valid belief and/or accept their apology?

Can we agree or at least agree to disagree and settle this dispute?

This  not the PENULTIMATE solution, but isn’t it at least a good start?

In a lot of ways, I feel like an enormous hypocrite, because I am-without fail-as guilty as anyone of not at least giving the above a shot.  It’s much easier to go behind someone’s back and snicker and make fun of them, which I’ve actually done quite recently.  And that was wrong on my part.  And as a First Degree it is incumbent on me to set the example.  Which I fully intend to do.

Witch Wars are not solely and inter-coven phenomenon.  They occur WITHIN individual covens as well.  I’ve seen their destructive powers and that can turn an otherwise good thing into a burden overnight.  That’s something I’d hate to see in any Wiccan community, regardless of it’s size.

Now all of the above is usually part and parcel of joining FWTI and any coven therein. 

But realistically do we always practice it?  Like we should?

Let’s all resolve to do better.

Redhawk – LunaFyre FC

Working within a family coven adds even a different energy than that of other covens.  Although magical family ties are created within a well working coven, a family coven adds to the blood, family or support energetic cords that are already in place.  When working with a spouse, sister, brother, lover, son, daughter or any other chosen family member you are benefiting from the already existing support system that is in place and that adds to the connection within your relationships and your relationship with Deity.  

Do the members in your family coven have to be blood relatives?  No!  Family is who you choose it to be.  There are many of us who have stronger connections with extended or chosen family members than with those we share blood with.  Family is how you define it; it is more about your connections as family than about the logistics of DNA.

Working within a family coven also gives you the opportunity to create your legacy for the generations to come within the line you have identified.  You can choose how the function of your family will integrate with living in a magical unit.  You can make choices around practice, holidays, activities and concepts that add to the spiritual foundation of your family.  This is not always the case within another type of coven structure.

Does a family coven replace the need for another coven?  It can but does not have to.  You can choose to be in several different covens and that is strictly your choice.  Although a family coven could fill the need that you seek from outside coven support, it also depends on what your needs are and what you are looking for.  It is important to note that an outside coven will not necessarily fill the needs of your family spiritual unit though.  One does not replace the other.  

As you are moving forward in your own development around the need for spiritual foundation within your family, consider what you have already and how that could be cultivated into a rewarding and fulfilling experience for everyone involved.  No matter what type of coven you work in you can get the benefit of spiritual connection and support.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-42203-Columbus-Paganism-Examiner~y2010m4d7-Pagan-families-celebrate-celebrate-together?cid=sharing_facebook:42203

–Family Coven updates and announcements
–How do you define family?
–Pagan couples
–Pagan parenting (including kids of all ages, special needs kids, Pagan
homeschooling, etc)
–kitchen witchery/recipes
–stones
–herbs
–correspondences
–Pagan family finances
–family dynamics
–being a Pagan in the larger non-Pagan world
–Sages and Crones
–rites of passage
–ethics

Or, if you have an idea that’s not listed here that you think would fit in with
FWTI’s scope, contact us and let’s talk.

You can submit a single article, or suggest a series of articles on a topic.

Accepted submissions will be posted on our blog, which will be archived on
our site, familywiccantradition.org, with full credits given to you. We’ll be
scheduling posts to appear throughout the month, and may have themes for various
months in the future.

Submissions can be emailed to me directly for now, janet@lakotacreations.com -
just make sure to put FWTI blog in the subject.

Thanks!

Janet Callahan

Introducing Kids to Pagan Concepts – Children in Spring Time

What a great time of year to get our children involved in the beauty of the world and the physical manifestations of the Lord and Lady all around us. The blooming flowers, spring showers, crisp air and sunny weather are all great combinations for a great time of year.

We are focusing right now on the many different ways to keep our kids engaged in spiritual activities. Spring time is a perfect time. With Ostara behind us and Beltane coming fast, we have time to prepare some fun and engaging activities.

With the continuing growing of the spring and a time of fertility, it is a perfect time to get our kids involved in projects that will grow over the season. Planting flowers or a garden is just one excellent example of something to do with your child. Kids love to get their hands dirty with their parents and what better way to do that than digging in a pile of dirt! It is also an excellent way to show our children that things grow from hard work and continued attention.

A great experiment I plan on trying with my son is the coloring of white flowers. Take some white carnations, roses or any other white flower, put in a bowl of warm water and about 20 drops of food coloring. Within the hour you will begin to see the color coming into the leaves. As the flower absorbs the water, the food coloring will appear in the petals. This makes for a great spring time display of colored flowers. And I can just imagine the kids getting a kick out of creating a colorful bouquet of flowers.

There are tons of ways of making paper flowers. Find a good one online or in a magazine, make paper flowers with the children and give to their teacher, neighbors or friends. This can be a great example of sharing the beauty of the season with those who are close to us.

Spring time can be great for picnics, play dates at the park, hikes, a nice walk, fairs or going to the zoo.

By now you might be wondering, “What does this have to do with introducing our children to pagan concepts?” Can’t you tell? All the mentioned ideas of activities celebrate the season and the turning of the wheel. And as simple as it may seem, you have just introduced your child to another aspect of the pagan lifestyle.

It can be so easy to get stuck trying to figure out where to start in exposing our children to our spiritual path and forget that our path is in our everyday life activities. Paganism is not like book religions where our children will learn from a text. Our “text” is nature, energy, the wheel of the year and connection with deity. What better way to teach some of those concepts than to get our children directly involved in activities that help them connect to those things on their own.

Kids will continue to associate activities and concepts based on how they are presented. If every spring you plant a new garden with your child they will begin to associate spring with planting and growth. If you decorate the house with beautiful colors and festive spring pictures then your child will begin to associate those visuals with the time of year.

This is easy to grasp. Think of something you have conditioned your kid to associate with. I will give some quick examples.

• Bedtime stories or prayer before bed
• Blessings or prayer at meal time
• Eating all their vegetables before desert
• Finishing chores to get allowance
• Birthday and presents
• Turkey and Thanksgiving holidays with family
• Winter holiday or Christmas and presents

Think about these examples. We all have them with our children and they are a simple A and B equation. One activity leads to another and the associations are made where our children knows what comes next. My son knows that when he sees Halloween decorations go out, it is time for candy and costumes. My son has no real concept of what month is which but he knows the colors orange and black mean Halloween!!

That is exactly it. Simple, isn’t it?

So take a moment to begin building spiritual associations for your children. Sit with a notepad and write out some ideas. You will be surprised at what you come up with.

And don’t forget that spring time is all about new project and fun!! Enjoy your children!!

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.

Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

The Wiccan Rede

Television is a very popular pastime, it is also America’s babysitter.  Television is America’s prime source of entertainment and news.  I believe the news media (an official sounding name for entertainment) has desensitized us to the horrors of the world.  I can always meditate more effectively when I have not been watching much or any television.   You’re right I don’t like television very much, but I do watch it albeit selectively.

When a fiend of mine lost a family member recently, it hurt me at a very deep level. On the other hand when thousands of people lost their lives in the Haitian earthquake, It touched me at a far lesser level, after all I didn’t know these people or even know anyone else that knew them.  Think about this, one person vs. thousands.  I sent a check to “Feed the Hungry” to help the people of Haiti and moved on with my life.  I should have been more concerned.  The only reason I knew of the Haitian situation was the news media that plays up every tragedy, ad nauseam.

So why am I telling you something that most of you already know?  Because of something that happened the other day when I was watching a news broadcast about the earthquake in Chile. They showed a video of a Roman Catholic church that had been destroyed by the quake and I experienced a deep sadness.  At first I couldn’t explain this.  I asked myself, isn’t this a symbol of the same Roman Catholics that lead the Crusades, held the Inquisition and held the belief for many hundreds of years that only men had souls.  Isn’t this the symbol of the invaders that came from Europe to conquer, spread disease and outright killed native peoples of other lands and forcefully converted them to a male dominant monotheistic religion (theirs).  The same Roman Catholics that – oh I could go on (ad nauseam), but I won’t.

Then I got to thinking about why I it touched my heart to see this symbol of Catholicism destroyed.  After giving it much thought and meditating on the question, I came to the following conclusion.

First and foremost, this was the meeting place of the local people who would congregate there to worship their god.  It was not the palace or temple of the wrongdoers of hundreds of years ago. It was a special place in the hearts and minds of the people that had lost so much in the aftermath of the quake.  The people of today should not be held accountable for the misdeeds of their ancestors.  Secondly it was a beautiful piece of architecture.  The stained glass windows were awesome and had probably been in that church for many, many years.  It was a piece of art and we should all mourn the loss of great art.  In a way it was also symbolic of the tragedy that befell these people.  It was also a statement about the lack of respect Gaea shows to mankind and their symbols. Of course, it is a two way street, as the human race has chosen to disrespect Gaea in favor of selfish gain.

My point is, however, that we should  remember to show respect to our fellow human beings, their beliefs and to our mother Earth.  It is easy to fall into the trap of showing less compassion and even disrespect to the peoples of other religions and beliefs.  We as Wiccans want to be accepted and allowed to have our rituals and ceremonies unmolested by others.  However, we cannot expect that to happen if we do not go the extra mile to show that we are above that.  It should not take a tragic event to open our eyes to the need for mutual compassion and tolerance.  As Rodney King said “why can’t we all just get along”.

I challenge you, therefore, to feel the pain and suffering of our Earth mother and of our brothers and sisters irrespective of their beliefs.  We should do this even when they are unable to do the same fore us.  After all, are we not all one people walking our path as we have been taught or as we feel led?  It is time for all of us to take a fresh look at how we feel and respond to all living things.  May you find and create many blessings, much compassion and tolerance on you path.

For this ritual have each participant write down any new things in their life that they are thankful for. And any new things that they would like to either start or lend energy to their starting.

Creating Sacred Space (Drawing out the circle)

Stand in the south and feel the candle that has been lit there. Know that it represents light  and warmth and let the energy of the fire cleanse you and make you pure of heart body  and mind.

In South we Begin
See the Flame
Know the Love

Stand in the west and wash your arms and face and neck with the water. Pour some from  your hand onto the ground as a libation for the gods and spirits of the place that you are  having ritual. Know that you have been blessed in fire and washed clean in water.

To West we Tread
Wash the body
Wash the light

Rest for a moment in the North and feel and smell the Earth and know that the Earth will  make you strong. From the Earth we come and to Her do we return. Let the Earth fortify  you.

To North we Come
Smell the Earth
Know the Strength

Rise and go into the East pause for a moment and still your mind. For as you cross this  gateway you enter into sacred space a space between the paths and between the worlds.  Do not enter with hate or anger in your hearts for we come here to honor the Gods and  through them ourselves.

In East we Enter
Clean and Pure
Full of Power

Have all the members of the coven join hands and as a group reach up and then down. Share a moment between yourselves know that magick will be made this night. Know that to share circle is to share a piece of yourselves. The friendships made in circle will outlast this life. Together all can say the following.

Stand in Circle Round
Father Sky – Mother Earth
Bring us your Blessings

Calling the Corners

East:

Guardians of the East, Spirits of Air. We ask that you lend your energy to his rite, and  protect us while in sacred space. So mote it be.

South:

Guardians of the South, Spirits of fire. We ask that you lend your energy to this rite, and  that you protect us while in sacred space. So mote it be.

West:

Guardians of the West, Spirits of Water. We ask that you lend your energy to this rite, and  that you protect us while in sacred space. So mote it be.

North:

Guardians of the North, Spirits of Earth. We ask that you lend your energy to this rite, and  protect us while in sacred space. So mote it be.

Five Spirits around us and Five Spirits we have called
With Love and Light we have no fright
With Strength and Truth we bear much fruit
And as we receive Power and Blessings
So do we offer up Thanksgivings

Declaration of Intent

Ostara lies across the Wheel of the Year from Mabon and like at Mabon we offer up Thanksgivings today. But unlike Mabon Ostara is a time for happiness and excitement because Spring begins today! Let us celebrate that.

Calling the Goddess and God

This is done by the High Priestess.

Hail Maiden full of Magick, we call you here
Hail Maiden full of Life, we honor you here
Hail Maiden full of Promise, we worship you here
Hail Maiden full of Magick, we call you here

Listen to the word of the Young Maiden, newly awakened from her long sleep,

I am La Primavera, the Spring Time. With my consort the Oak King we cast the magick that turns the Wheel towards Spring. Know my presence in the songs of young birds and the sound of the falling rain.

The following is done by the High Priest.

We Call you, Lord of Earth and Sky

We Call you, King of Fire and Water

We Praise you, Oak and Sun King

We Praise you, Greenman God

Listen to the words of the Greenman God, returned from his Sacred Quest,

I journeyed the labyrinth and found the key to waken the Sleeping Maiden. And now the true work begins. With my Lady I am bringing Spring back to the people of the Earth.

Ritual Content

Ostara is a good time for “Spring Cleaning” so take the time to smudge all that are present. The purpose is to clear out the old things from the year past.

Take this time to talk about what you have written down on the pieces of paper. What new things are you starting or planning on starting in this new Spring?

Burn the thanksgivings with tobacco to carry them up to the Gods.

Then burn the other paper with the intent of knowing that they will be fulfilled.

Bidding Farewell

(High Priestess) Hail to the Maiden and Farewell. Love and Blessings we return unto you.

(High Priest) Hail to the Oak King and Farewell. Strength and Light we return unto you.

Dismissing the Corners

North:

Guardians of the North: We thank you for your presence, guidance and protection. We bid  you Ha il and Farewell.

West:

Guardians of the West: We thank you for your presence, guidance and protection. We bid  you Hail and Farewell.

South:

Guardians of the South: we thank you for your presence, guidance and protection. We bid  you Hail and Farewell.

East:

Guardians of the West: We thank you for your presence, guidance and protection. We bid  you Hail and Farewell.

Releasing the Circle:

Walk the Circle Widdershins

From the South we felt the passion of life

To the East, where the air has renewed our minds.

To our Ancestors, who keep a watchful eye

And the North, who’s strength will carry us.

From the West, who’s waters have cleansed our souls

And back to the South, to completion.

Although the circle is open, it remains unbroken

And we carry these gifts throughout our journey through life.