Brigid, Our Patron Goddess

Beloved Brigid, Celtic Fire Goddess

-A testimony

Brigid is the powerful Celtic Goddess of fire I will tell you how it is I came to know her by fire, twice!

It was Imbolc and our coven was meeting on Saturday evening to honor the chosen Goddess Frigga since the following day we were holding a separate Goddess Temple service to honor Brigid and the Sabbat. 

Since it was February and close to Valentines Day we chose Frigga instead of the first thought of Aphrodite or Venus as our symbol of Love.

We adorned the altar with red white and pink candles, cloth and figurines’.

We placed a picture of Frigga on the altar and then went into the other room to get our coven together.

While we were “checking in” with each other the smell of smoke was wafting through the rooms to us. We ran into the other room to find flames and smoke so thick you could not tell the ceiling form the floor.

We all pulled together and ran in and out of the room extinguishing the fire and trying to get the smoke outside

The fire was contained to just the altar table and the carpet under it. Everything was burned or melted on the table, everything but the piece of paper we had printed out the picture of Frigga on and set in the middle of the table! Yes, a plain piece of paper sat in the middle of the altar engulfed in flames and did not have a single mark on it.

After everyone was calm and the room was smoke free we sat and determined that Brigid did not like us honoring another Goddess on her day and she left the picture unharmed as her note to us. The room was cleansed by fire and the day will forever be known as Brigid’s day and none others.

The next day at our Sabbat service we had a fire roaring in the fireplace and many pictures were taken. When I was putting the pictures from the day online I noticed in the pictures of the hearth and fire there was an image! There is an unmistakable image of Brigid in the flames wearing a crown/veil and all!

She had come to be there with us that Imbolc day as we honored her properly. I had never felt so moved in my whole life and so sure that the Gods/Goddess’ are here with us everyday and that they are always with us when we call upon them.

I still have and will forever hold dear to my heart the photo of Frigga with a small splatter of candle wax as the only mark of the fire and the picture of Brigid in her Imbolc flames. Brigid holds a very special place in my heart now and forever.

Goddess Temple Chili Cook Off and Bake Sale! 10/6/12

Our 3rd annual Chili Cook off will be held on October 6th at 1pm, at Goddess Blessed. Goddess Blessed is located at 15729 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107

We will have at least 6 different Chilis to taste.

Admission is $10, which will include a tasting of all chilis, and a bottle of water. Sour cream and cheese will also be available to top off your chili.

Our cooks will be Temple members: Sheila, Paul, Diana, Mike, Rhonda, and Melissa. A vegan chili will be available. As in past years, those attending will vote for people’s choice winner and 1st place winner will be chosen by a panel of 3 judges.

Bake Sale:

There will be a table of baked goods of different varieties for sale that day, also to help support our temple. Denise is heading up the Bake Sale committie. We are asking for donations of INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED fresh baked goods. Please dkmetz@live.com for details on how you can help. Traditionally the bake sale makes up a large part of this fundraiser so whatever you can do would be helpful.

Cooks:

Each cook needs to be at the store by 12:00pm with your Chili that is ready to go in a crock pot or self contained warming unit. Also, you need to provide a list of all ingredients, so we have no allergic reactions. You do not need to provide a recipe if you do not wish to.You can bring extra spices if you would like people to be able to spice up your chili even more.

Setup/Cleanup:

Once again, Goddess Blessed is graciously donating the space for this Temple fundraiser. It is imperative that we have volunteers to help set up at 10am the day of the cookoff and clean up after it’s over.

Faire Cakes — Linda Kean

Ingredients:

Milk, Sugar, Salt, Butter, Dry yeast, Water, Eggs, Flour, & Honey

 

Bring a ½ cup of milk to a boil, remove from heat and dissolve ½ cup of sugar, 1½ teaspoons of salt, and ¼ cup of butter in it. Let cool off to the side for a few minutes. Proof a packet of dry yeast in ½ cup of warm water. Add the milk mixture to it and combine well. Beat two eggs and add them to this. Then add five cups of sifted cake flour and mix thoroughly, then knead until nice and smooth and elastic. Cover, put in a warm place, and let it rise until at least doubled in volume. Punch down, divide into a dozen equal balls of dough that you put into individual greased or buttered ramekins. Cover and let rise again until they’ve filled the ramekins and are sticking out the top. Brush with a mixture of equal parts butter, honey, and sugar that you’ve brought to a boil, and then sprinkle with chopped almonds, then brush with more of the syrup. Bake in a 350°F oven for about 30-35 minutes until browned. When ready to serve, pour more syrup, and if you want, some lightly toasted almonds, over the top.

 

 

Midsummer – Heather

Litha, Midsummer, or Summer Solstice is the Sabbat that celebrates the longest day of the year. It is said that the veil of the world becomes thin again and we can spend time in laughter and play with the fairies. It is the time we honor the sun and signifies the longest day and the shortest night. Juno, Hera, Rhiannon, Ishtar, Bast, Vesta, Aine, and Freya are just a few of the Goddess aspects that are honored today. Many bonfires are lit to honor the Goddess and to help us play with the fairies. Also, place honey cakes and teas out for the fairies on Summer Solstice Eve as offerings to gain favor in the fairy realm. Magic runs high at this time of year; It is the best season to spend time with the fairies, gnomes, and earth sprites. It brings the perfect opportunity to make a walking stick or any magical tools. It is also the time to bless your pets by making a special talisman to help protect them. Make sure to spend time on magic on this special day of the Summer Solstice.

 

A Letter from the President—Kathy Curran

Recently, we decided to eliminate the Sabbat service bulletins. This change is a more conscious effort on our part to honor Mother Earth by conserving paper!  The bulletin format, the list of current advertisers and all of the songs & prayers used in our service are available at the yahoo group site. However, one needs to be a member of the Temple to access that group.

 To become a member please check out our website http://www.goddesstempleinc.org

 

In addition, there are Temple Sabbat books available at the low cost of $10 cash.  You can purchase these books at the Sabbat services or at Goddess Blessed. These are in a limited supply; so if you are interested get yours soon!

 

Thanks for your continued support of our Goddess Temple!

THE TEMPLE OF DIANA – Ginny

 

In the holy land, where I was having a great time on archeological digs, some friends and I spent a weekend at the Great Temple of Diana in ancient Jerash, Jordan. What an experience it was to have a picnic beside the Golden River there and to explore the fantastic archeological ruins of the Temple of Diana!  Amazingly, eleven of the twelve Corinthian columns and the foundation of her temple are still standing! Today, Jerash is the most provincial Roman town in the world. At the time of my trip to Diana’s Temple, I was teaching in a program called “Oasis of Peace”. This program was through a Baldwin-Wallace College holy land fellowship, which included archeological expeditions and digs as well as teaching music, world religions, art, and English.   

To arrive at the Temple of Diana, we drove from Ramallah in the lush green hills of Judeah across the Jordan Valley to Amman (ancient Philadelphia). After a fabulous day staying with the Kawar family and sightseeing in the seven hills of Amman, we left the next morning in the Kawar family’s large Mercedes Benz with: Turki, six siblings and his parents. Over desert, hill and dale, we leisurely drove the 40 minutes from Amman north to ancient Jerash.   As we approached the town, which dates to prehistoric times, we suddenly had a wonderful view of the ruins of the Triumphal Arch in the foreground. The setting of the the Great Temple of  Diana is spectacular! There is such peace there as well as great charm and beauty.  The ancient town and temple are set in a valley running north and south with the lovely Golden River flowing through it. All over are the abundant walnut and popular trees which were magnificent in their spring foliage.  The remoteness of the Temple of Diana and the town of Jerash have kept it remarkably preserved from being used as a stone quarry for building new towns. History stood still.     

    The Jerash Temple of Diana, also known as Artemis, is a Roman temple. It dominates the entire city on the highest point. Triple goddess Diana was the patron goddess of Jerash.   She was highly esteemed by the Hellenistic population here, whereas the Semitic population preferred the god Zeus. This great Temple of Diana was completed around CE 150 during the reign of Emperor Antonius Pius. There were twelve columns and it had a hexastyle portico. The eleven columns still standing have decorative Corinthian capitals as if just completed. The Temple of Diana had three entrances that were decorated with three Corinthian pilasters. This temple was the most beautiful and important temple in ancient Jerash.  It contained fine marble paneling and had richly decorated statues.

The Path of Dianic Wicca is named for this Jerash triple goddess temple. In ancient Roman times, her name meant “heavenly and divine”. She is the Goddess of the hunt, the moon, and birthing. She is associated with wild animals and forests, along with the power to talk to and control animals. Diana is equated with Artemis, her Greek name, though Diana had an independent origin in Italy.  Diana was worshiped in the ancient Roman religion. Diana was known to be the virgin goddess and women. She was one of the trinity maiden goddesses: Diana, Minerva, and Vesta. She was born with her twin brother Apollo on the island of Delos, and the twins were the children of Jupiter and Latonia. Diana made up a triad with two other Roman deities: Egeria, the water nymph, her assistant midwife and her servant, and Virbius, the woodland god. In Italy, in the Old Religion of Stregheria, Diana was said to have created the world of her own being, having within herself the seeds of all creation yet to come. 

  The temples of Diana were indeed ecumenical and universal. People of all races and all religions were warmly welcomed. Kings, statesmen, sailors, merchants, the very poor, widows and orphans all came to Diana.

 

On going Goddess Temple Fundraisers!

 

“Go Green With The Goddess” Shopping Bag

Durable, reusable cloth bag for all of your eco-friendly shopping needs! Show your love for the Goddess and our sacred Earth. Save paper and keep plastic out of our landfills!  Only $10.00 plus tax. All proceeds directly benefit the Goddess Temple!

 

 

Samhain Greeting Cards            Specially made Samhain greeting cards are now available for purchase at Goddess Blessed 15729 Lakewood, Oh 44107. Only $4.00 plus tax. All proceeds directly benefit the Goddess Temple!

 

Beltane—Stephen Reszler

May is the time of fertility and new beginnings after a long winter. The Faeries are afoot! They dance in the hills and roll in the grass, reveling in the joy of warm May breezes. Our spirits are high with the lust and heartiness of spring. New life is stirring and appetites are keen. -Laurie Cabot, Celebrate the Earth

 

Beltane, like Samhain, is a time of “no time” when the veils between the two worlds are at their thinnest. It is a time when the two worlds intermingle and unite and the magic abounds! It is the time when the Faeries return from their winter respite, carefree and full of faery mischief and faery delight. Beltane kicks off the merry month of May, and has a long history. This fire festival is celebrated on May 1 with bonfires, Maypoles, dancing, and lots intimate energy. The Celts honored the fertility of the Goddess with gifts and offerings. Cattle were driven through the smoke of the balefires, and blessed with health and fertility for the coming year and for the same reason people and especially couples would also walk between the fires. In Ireland, the fires of Tara were the first ones lit every year at Beltane, and all other fires were lit with a flame from Tara.

The Romans, always known for celebrating holidays in a big way, spent the first day of May paying tribute to their Lares, the gods of their household. They also celebrated the Floralia, or festival of flowers, which consisted of three days of unbridled sexual activity. Participants wore flowers in their hair (much like May Day celebrants later on), and there were plays, songs, and dances. At the end of the festivities, animals were set loose inside the Circus Maximus, and beans were scattered around to ensure fertility. The fire festival of Bona Dea was also celebrated on May 2nd.

The excitement and beauty of Beltane can not be better expressed than through the gaiety and joy of children. There is not doubt “spring fever” hits at Beltane, and hits hard. Children are full of unbridled energy charged up and ready to go! Children always amplify the seasonal energies and the thrill of their change, they bring richness and merriment wherever they go. It is the child’s unrestrained expression of bliss and delight that is what Beltane is all about. It is the sheer joy of running through fields, picking flowers, rupturing in the sunlight, delighting in the fragrance of spring, dancing in the fresh dew covered grass. Children guide us through the natural abandonment of our adult sensibilities and show us how to take grand pleasure, warmth and bliss from the gift of Beltane.

 

A Poem about Brigid – Linda Kean

 

Ode To The Goddess Brigid

Warm us with your fire bright,

Bring us from darkness into light.

Strength and beauty your message clear,

Keep us safe throughout the year.

Sing to us maiden, mother, and crone,

Show us the truth that we must own.

 

Help us stand through thick and thin,

Show us exactly where to begin.

Guide us with your loving light.

Keep us safe even in the darkest night.

 

Thank you from the President—Kathy Curran

Wishing everyone a most blessed Yule and a healthy & happy 2012!

Thanking everyone for all their support in 2011! Our Temple is growing stronger every year!

I am anticipating even more growth and fellowship in 2012!

 

TRIPLE GODDESS QUEEN GUINEVERE – GINNY

 

The Great Celtic Goddess Guinevere of Wales  , who was born into royalty to Welsh King Lleudd– Ogrfan and his wife, about 490 C A.D.,  is a Trinity . In our  Celtic Wales, she is called “ Gwenhwyfar.”  In Cornish, she is “ Jennifer.”  Her name Gwenhwyfar means “ white waves” and “white sprite” and “ phantom.”  he is the ancient Triple Goddess of Wales .  She was and is a beautiful and desirable Goddess of the dawn and spring.   She is the “ power behind the throne” of her husband King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.  Guinevere’s royal parents gave them The round Table for a wedding present .  Trinity Queen Guinevere comes to King Arthur from The Other World.  Her royal role is that of enforcing , expanding, empowering, and enhancing

King Arthur and The Knights of The Round Table in his Kingdom .  One of their major encampments, legend has it, was next to my Welsh Gt. Gt. Gt. Grandfather Evan Davies’ home Fountain Hall in South Wales, and my exploration and visit  there years ago sparked my spiritual and historical interest in Queen Guinevere and King Arthur , The Knights of the Round Table and Merlin whose crystal cave was there .

     Queen Guinevere is of the land and the union which gives kings their “ right to rule.”  Her passion and love gave her not only her King Arthur ( a Winter God and Holly King) but also Sir Lancelot ( The Oak King).  She is recorded in legends as Arthur’s “Three Chief Queens.”  These three aspects of Guinevere show a common Triple Goddess.       Her name Gwenhwyfar of “ white waves” relates to the color white for virgin which indicates she is complete in and of herself.  Waves associate her with the great generative powers of the sea.  She is indeed the feminine eternal symbol of strength and order in a peaceful universe.  She brings energy and powers from The Other World, too. This does create some turmoil in the world.  She has a role, too, as a Flower Maid, a fairy Goddess of Love, of Growth and Fertility.   Her holiday is Beltane.  Her sacred tree is the Hawthorne.  Queen Guinevere is a Goddess of the Old Ones.”

     As Queen of the Round Table,  Triple Goddess Guinevere inspires people to rise  up to greater heights not thought of and of UNITY.  She helps the earth to bear fruit, to grow and to harvest.  She inspires King Arthur and the Round Table to greater goals and she overlooks the Court.  Her Triplicity reveals her role as a Crone in her actions over The Round Table, however.

      It might be added that King Arthur’s wizard Merlin was married to a Gwen-like Guendoloena ( made from flowers.)  Legend has it that Queen Guinevere is linked to Glastonbury, England, and is buried next to King Arthur there.  In legend also, she was abducted by King Melwas ( also Called Sir Meleagant) and was taken to his stronghold at Glastonbury.  It is said she was rescued there by King Arthur and perhaps also by Sir Lancelot ( and perhaps Gawain,too.)

     In the Tarot cards, Queen Guinevere is the Queen of May.  She is the Goddess of Love and Betrothal . It is a merry time with the month of May being a time of new growth and blossoms, as well as intrigues for lovers around you and perhaps also seduction is in the air.

     As the  Celtic Triple Goddess of Wales,  this Mother Goddess Guinevere from The Other World is linked to the Triad of The Island of Britain , where she is recorded as three in one Trinity to King Arthur : 1) Gwenhwyfar, daughter of Cywryd . 2)  Gwenhwyfar, daughter of Gwythyrap Greidin and 3) Gwenhwyfar, daughter Of King Ogrfan Gawr.

      The book on The Mists Of Avalon brings to light more fascinating details on our Triple Goddess Mother Queen Gwenhwyfar of Wales.