Atlanta gets Wild!: Actor, Mark Ryan and writer, John Matthews, to host an exclusive Wildwood Tarot workshop.

In a special limited engagement, John Matthews and Mark Ryan will be hosting a four-day special event to introduce and explore the unique world that lives within the Wildwood Tarot.    In 2011, John Matthews, a multi-award-winning and New York Times best-selling author, teamed up with actor and long-time friend, Mark Ryan, (“Nasir” in Robin of Sherwood, the voice of “Bumblebee” in Transformers, and co-host of L.A.’s  popular Combat Radio) to create the Wildwood Tarot. With the help of artist, Will Worthington, the three men brought this new deck to life, which is now in its third printing.

As the deck has grown in popularity, Matthews and Ryan felt compelled to hold a private workshop to offer their personal insight into the power and beauty inherent in the Wildwood deck.   Both men are passionate about the mystical and esoteric meanings deep within nature itself, which is the premise of the Wildwood Tarot.   Ryan and Matthews chose Atlanta and Seattle as the only two host cities in the U.S. for their Wild! Event.

For Tarot fans, the Wildwood workshop will prove to be a unique opportunity to meet and explore a Tarot system with the creators themselves.  The four days include three distinct and separate events.  First, the men will host an “An Evening in the Wildwood” on Thursday, night at The Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore in Sandy Springs.  The following day, both men will be available for Private Tarot Readings.  And, finally, on Saturday and Sunday, Matthews and Ryan will lead a two-day workshop that will include hands-on exploration of the Wildwood deck with shamanic journeying and spiritual meditations.

As this is the only southeastern Wildwood workshop on the tour, prior registration is required for all portions of the four-day event.   There are a limited number of spaces available.   The Wildwood Tarot decks themselves are currently available at all on line retailers and in stores.  The decks will be available for sale at both events for both signatures and for use.   To register, contact Ginger Wages.  Or go to their website at The Wildwood Tarot.  Contact the Phoenix and Dragon directly for tickets to the Thursday night event.

More About Mark Ryan:  Mark has been combining his acting, singing, and writing talents in a successful career ranging over 30 years.  He has appeared in dozens of film, theater and television productions both in the US and UK   He is best known for his role as “Nasir” in the classic British television series Robin of Sherwood and, more recently, as the voice of “Bumble Bee” in the hit film franchise, Transformers.  Currently, he can be found co-hosting L.A. Talk Radio’s top program: Combat Radio. However, his talents do not end at the ticket office.  Ryan is also a published author.  Before creating the Wildwood deck, he authored the collector status Greenwood Tarot and has written for such publications as DC Comics.  Ryan is also an accomplished swordsman and action director.  For a detailed bio, go to http://thewildwoodtarot.com/#/mark-ryan/4554006887

More About John Matthews:  “Oxford’s expert on all things mythic” and “an icon of the Arthurian world’.  John is better known as an historian, folklorist and children’s author. He has been a full time writer since 1980 and has produced over ninety books on myth, the Arthurian Legends and Grail Studies, as well as short stories, a volume of poetry and several successful children’s books. He has devoted much of the past thirty years to the study of Arthurian Traditions and myth in general.  For a detailed bio, go to http://thewildwoodtarot.com/#/john-matthews/4554047622

Birmingham to host Eighth Annual Witches’ Ball

The ball will be held at Das Haus located at 2318 2nd Ave North, Birmingham Alabama, 35203, on October 20th, 2012, from 7:00 pm until 2:00 am.

The Witches’ Ball in Birmingham has been steadily growing in popularity. The event is held at a downtown club. Due to community fund-raising, the event has no cover charge.

Organizers estimated attendance at the 2011 Ball at 1,600.

This year, six DJs have been engaged, and a costume contest with multiple categories will highlight the evening.

The Witches’ Ball is hosted and presented by Books, Beans, and Candles in association with Euphoria Nights, Magick City Pagans, and Sexy Ink.

Auburn, Alabama Pagan Pride Day

Auburn Pagan Pride Day was held on September 23 at the Davis Arboretum on the University campus. The event, the first such in a number of years, was sponsored by the Church of the Spiral Tree of Columbus, Georgia, supported by Dogwood Local Council of the Covenant of the Goddess and the Auburn Pagan student association, Pantheon.

There were vendor and informational booths, presentations and classes, crafts, hula-hoops, and horseback rides for “children of whatever age.” Donations were collected for animal rescue and for the East Alabama Food Bank.

The event ran very smoothly and was well-received by the several hundred attendees.

Into the Summerlands

John Michael “Micky” Monogue/Uncle Wookie/Lord Athanor

November 25, 1956- February 13th. 2012

It is with a sad heart that I convey that the Unicorn Tradition Magus and founder, Priest of the Grove of the Unicorn, and my spiritual guide and partner, Lord Athanor, has crossed into the Summerlands.

While it is a sad time for those who knew and loved him, is with joy, love, and light that we celebrate the wonder and magick filled life. It is with gratitude that we remember one who touched the lives of many, many people through his storytelling, kindness, humor, wisdom, and bountiful spirit.

Blessings and peace to all of his many friends and family of blood and of spirit.

Blessings and thanks to you Lord Athanor, I am honored to have walked with you for much of my life. May we meet again in the love and light of the Lord and Lady.

Blessings,
Lady Arden

A great man has passed beyond this incarnation around 2:50am February 13th, 2012 to return to the divine embrace of the universe. I am sure he is being reunited with those who have passed before him. When you read this stifle not your tears for the loss of such a luminary man, but let them flow freely so that they may carry the love you had for him from this world to the next. Let them be the conduit from your soul to his. Do not let this be how your remembrance of him ends however.
Honor and celebrate him for all of the love, light, laughter, wit, wisdom, and magick he brought into your life by whatever means you think best. And when you are done celebrating him, hold tightly in your heart the fire of those things he stirred inside of you and carry them with you always. I know I will.
On this day I will salute a man who was father, friend, teacher, husband, and priest whose walked through this life with a kind word to always share, a rapier wit which to coax forth laughter, a gentle wisdom that could help you find the path and show you the way even on the blackest night, and a loving heart that could heal all wounds.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again my beloved father: Blessed Be.

In Their Service,

Ash

Lord Athanor:
I believe that all temples are sacred.

I do not believe that wisdom, compassion, or veneration are the sole province of any faith or any nation

There are many who reach toward the infinite,
yet none who can grasp it in their hand.

So let there be peace and fellowship with all who will share it.

And if their god forbids fellowship with such as I, then let there be peace upon the path they choose

Obituary

John Michael “Micky” Monogue was born November 25^th, 1956 in Oxford England, and died February 13^th, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. John Monogue was a resident of Decatur, Georgia since 2000. He survived by his wife Elaine, his two sons Damian and Adrian, his four daughters Maryk, Kat, Marilyn, and Alex, and his grandson Corbin. John is also survived by his sisters, Maureen, Kathleen, and Connie.  He was predeceased by his first wife, Jodi Monogue on February 8^th 2006

Memorial

This is the tentative plans for John Monogue/Lord Athanor’s  public memorial service. We are still in the process of getting everything set up and organized. These plans maybe subject change. We will inform you of any change in the plans.

John Monogue Memorial Service
Sunday Feb 19th from 2-5 pm
Angora Hall
Clarkston Community Center
3701 College Avenue
Clarkston, Georgia 30021

The History of the Unicorn Tradition

In 1976 Galadriel and Athanor met Lady Rhea, a priestess and elder of a Family Tradition, and began taking classes with her in the Atlanta area. Following the end of classes, Galadriel and Athanor moved to Florida. In 1979, the two of them moved back to Atlanta and resumed their training and, under Lady Rhea’s guidance, they began teaching classes. These classes would form what would soon become the Grove of the Unicorn and would later become the basis of the Unicorn Tradition.

During a Litha ritual in 1980, Galadriel and Athanor received their Priest and Priestess initiations and the Grove of the Unicorn was officially established. This group was established as an American Eclectic grove blending influences and teachings from the Family Tradition and from the modern Witchcraft revival movement.

While many of Galadriel and Athanor’s traditional teachings were retained, many outside influences have contributed to today’s Grove of the Unicorn and to the other groups within the Unicorn Tradition. Some of these influences include teachers from other traditions and ‘adopted’ Elders who were trained in other branches of the Craft or other Mystery traditions.

In 1982, the Unicorn Tradition began branching out into other states and even other countries. Over the years several groups have hived off of the Grove of the Unicorn, and in some cases other groups have hived off of those groups, and so on. While the Grove of the Unicorn started in Atlanta, Georgia, since that time Unicorn Tradition groups have been founded in Texas, Germany, and England.

Each group within the Unicorn Tradition maintains certain of the same key ingredients- however, each also maintains its own identity and flavor. As a Tradition, each group maintains a link to the Tradition’s roots, and yet, as a dynamic eclectic tradition, each group also continues to grow and evolve with the experiences and influences of its Priests, Priestesses, and other group members. Some predominate influences in many of the Unicorn Tradition groups include myths and traditions of Phoenician, Egyptian, Greco-Roman, and Celtic origins.

Georgia Events 1/6 through 1/13

There is always a lot going on in Georgia; here are some of the events in the next week:

Friday 1/6

• “A Year of Full Moons” workshop at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Gwinnett, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, as a one day (12 hour) intensive. $75/person, which still covers all meals and snacks. This intensive will give you the tools, experience, and knowledge you need to work with the moon cycle for a full lunar year. Labyrinth walks to help integrate what you are learning. To register or with any questions, email paigevarner@gmail.com.

Saturday 1/7

• Public Esbat ritual Milledgeville 7:00 pm at at Walter B Williams Park at the gazebo by the recreational lake. This park is located at the corner of highways 212 and 22. earthhealerstemple@yahoo.com or call 478- 451- 0139 for directions. This is a public ritual. Visitors welcome and expected.
• Lake Claire Drum Circle This is an open drum circle held just outside L5P in the Lake Claire area of Atlanta, 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm
• Athens Area Pagans weekly meeting: 5 to 6 pm every Saturday at Trapeze, 269 West Washington Street Athens, GA (except UGA home game dates, then at Hendershot’s Coffee to avoid the traffic)

Sunday 1/8

• Grove of the Red Earth Discussion Group 1p to 3p Manuel’s Tavern
  
• Forever & a Day – House of Ravenstone free open house 2pm to 6pm For a broad overview of their beliefs, House of Ravenstone provides this monthly Open House where individuals can meet with initiates from the House and have questions answered in a relaxed and informal setting. No charge. http://foreverandaday.biz

Monday 1/9FULL MOON

• Monday Night (Border) Pagans — East Cobb/Marietta WHOLE FOODS at Merchants Walk in East Cobb [inside the cafe] 8pm to 10pm

Tuesday 1/10

• Occupy Atlanta Interfaith Prayer Hour 4 pm, Bennett Hall in the Morehouse School of Religion building on the campus of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). 700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30314-4143 Pagans are emphatically welcome.

Wednesday 1/11

.

Thursday 1/12

• PAGE: Pagan Atlanta Gay Exchange Conversation Thursday: NEW LOCATION the Pagan Atlanta Gay Exchange, a group for Metro Atlanta area GLBTs that seek like minded individuals for brother- and sisterhood surrounding our Pagan beliefs and heritages and how these truths may be impacted by our daily GLBT lives. Every Thursday night at 8pm at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta GA. 1100 South Marietta Parkway Marietta, GA 30060 at the S. Marietta Entrance, Student Center Room A214 Main Level http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pageglbtgroup/

Friday 1/13

These are just some of the events happening in Georgia. If you’re event wasn’t mentioned it’s probably because we don’t know about it yet. Please send your press releases, event announcements, Rites of Passage notices and community news to pncatlantabureau@gmail.com.

Georgia Events 12/30 through 1/6

Happiest of New Years to all! I hope this list helps you find some places to share some of the joys of the season with others in the community.

There is always a lot going on in Georgia; here are some of the events in the next week:

Friday 12/30

Saturday 12/31

• New Year’s Eve Ritual near Milledgeville– 10 pm at Councilwoman Christine’s home circle email earthhealerstemple@yahoo.com or call 478- 451- 0139 for directions. Finger foods served, please bring something to share. Visitors welcome and expected. RSVP if possible.
• Lake Claire Drum Circle This is an open drum circle held just outside L5P in the Lake Claire area of Atlanta, 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm
• Athens Area Pagans weekly meeting: 5 to 6 pm every Saturday at Trapeze, 269 West Washington Street Athens, GA (except UGA home game dates, then at Hendershot’s Coffee to avoid the traffic)
• Psychic Fair-Readings for the New Year: Come in to get your reading for the new year, and get going in the right direction! All readings are $1 per minute. At Forever and a Day

Sunday 1/1 Moon at First Quarter

• HAPPY NEW YEARS!
• Wicca 101: Lady Kyairthwen shares the basics of Wicca – what it is, and what it isn’t. Learn about Circles, Sabbaths, Es bats, Rituals, and the Deities involved in the religion of Wicca. $15 per class. Class will be held every other Sunday and is setup where you can miss a class and not fall behind! http://trilogybookstore.com for details.

Monday 1/2

• Monday Night (Border) Pagans — East Cobb/Marietta WHOLE FOODS at Merchants Walk in East Cobb [inside the cafe] 8pm to 10pm

Tuesday 1/3

• Occupy Atlanta Interfaith Prayer Hour 4 pm, Bennett Hall in the Morehouse School of Religion building on the campus of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). 700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30314-4143 Pagans are emphatically welcome.

Wednesday 1/4

Thursday 1/5

• PAGE: Pagan Atlanta Gay Exchange Conversation Thursday: NEW LOCATION the Pagan Atlanta Gay Exchange, a group for Metro Atlanta area GLBTs that seek like minded individuals for brother- and sisterhood surrounding our Pagan beliefs and heritages and how these truths may be impacted by our daily GLBT lives. Every Thursday night at 8pm at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta GA. 1100 South Marietta Parkway Marietta, GA 30060 at the S. Marietta Entrance, Student Center Room A214 Main Level http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pageglbtgroup/

Friday 1/6

These are just some of the events happening in Georgia. If you’re event wasn’t mentioned it’s probably because we don’t know about it yet. Please send your press releases, event announcements, Rites of Passage notices and community news to pncatlantabureau@gmail.com.

Local Pagan Leaders to be Live on Radio 12-19-2011

Rev. Cathy Rankin, President of Church of the Spiral Tree and Rev. Charissa Iskiwitch, HPs, Lead Chaplain for the CST Pagan Prison Ministry and Member-at-large for CST, organizer of North Georgia Solitaries and the Pagan Assistance Fund are doing a radio interview tomorrow at 8:30 AM EST on the Community Voice in Carrollton, GA. Newstalk AM 1330 WLBB.

Hopefully there will be discussion of recent events they have been involved with, namely the Turner family discrimination issue with the Bowdon Elementary School and the efforts of the Pagan Assistance Fund to aid members of our community in need. Those of us who live outside of the station’s broadcast area can listen live online at http://tunein.com/radio/News-Talk-AM-1330-s30554/

Pagan Assistance Fund issues call to Aid Expectant Mother

The Pagan Assistance Fund has issued a call for assistance for a soon-to-be mother of a baby boy. She isn’t due right away but needs to get together things she can’t afford. She is in need of pretty much everything in the way of items to care for a newborn. Items that have been mentioned include a crib, changing table, car seat, blankets, clothing, bottles and basically anything else you need for a newborn. If you have any of these items that you don’t need anymore and are willing to pass them to a member of our community that is in need may contact Lady Charissa at ladycharissa@ngsolitaries.com.

Final Thoughts on the Turner Discrimination Case

With the positive results from this situation still fresh the Task Force has issued these final thoughts:

“A Week in Bowdon, Georgia: Our Final Thoughts

In the wake of frustration, unity often rises. Out of the hands of chaos, humanity can shine. We found both to be true this week. The power of solidarity and the compassion of humanity broke free from a very unfortunate situation in the small, rural town of Bowdon, Georgia; where a Pagan child allegedly experienced religious discrimination.

“I have worked on many religious freedom cases with Lady Liberty League since its founding in 1985. Never before have I seen a Task Force come together so quickly with so many different organizations involved. It was truly historic for our community,” notes Reverend Selena Fox, founder of the Lady Liberty League.

The Bowdon situation attracted the attention of both local and national Pagan organizations; all of whom simultaneously came together to assess and manage the problem as a single Task Force. Locally, these groups included Dogwood Local Council, North Georgia Solitaries, Pagan Assistance Fund, and The Church of the Spiral Tree. Nationally, the organizations involved were Covenant of the Goddess (National), Lady Liberty League and Circle Sanctuary.

“Many of us had known of each other but had never worked together. We are not only representatives of different organizations, we are also from different Pagan traditions, or denominations, as it were. And we managed to work together to affect change,” added Lady Arsinoe, First Officer of Dogwood Local Council, local affiliate of Covenant of the Goddess.

And the work did pay off. On December 12, Carroll County School System officials and concerned School personnel met with the Turner Family, accompanied by members of the Task Force. The meeting lasted over 3 hours with much discussion and collaboration; after which, all parties felt satisfied with the results. In a statement issued on Dec 13th, the School Administration offered their apologies for the actions or lack of actions that led to this unfortunate point. And, within the privacy of the meeting, various school personnel expressed similar apologies directly to the family.

Moreover, the School Administration demonstrated a sincere willingness to work with the Turners going
forward and to put systems in place to alleviate many of their concerns. Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to disclose the details of these actions because of the involvement of minors. Such private information is normally reserved for approved school personnel and primary caregivers, in this case, Ms. Turner.

However, we can say with confidence that, as a Pagan community, we have made significant steps forward in the education of our educators.

“In all my Civil Rights work within school systems, I have never seen an administration willingly to work toward a peaceful solution and then, collaborate on a joint statement. As Pagans, we need to fully understand and appreciate the magnitude of this aspect of the Bowdon case,” adds Selena Fox.

While these steps alone will not prevent future cases of religious discrimination, they are small steps on our path to freedom and full acceptance. And a small step forward is the beginning of the journey to understanding.

As the Turner children return to school, resume classes and reunite with friends, our thriving Georgia Pagan community will continue to offer them needed support. Both North Georgia Solitaries and The Church of the Spiral Tree have extended their hands of friendship and spiritual strength during this Yule season and beyond.

“I’ve found in my work through NGS…that there are many really good organizations in Georgia. I think the general public would be surprised to know how many of us are in this area,” remarked Lady Charissa of NGS, on the Turner Family Support fan page.

Dogwood Local Council, local affiliate of the Covenant of the Goddess, is making plans to provide their services to the Carroll County School System as an educational resource for future questions concerning Pagan students. And, Lady Liberty League and Circle Sanctuary will continue to monitor the Bowdon
situation as the transitions are made into the New Year.

Over the past week, we, the Task Force, have been absolutely amazed at the coming together of the local, national and international Pagan community through the Turner Family Support fan page. At this time of peace and unity, we thank each and every one of you for showing your support in whatever way was possible. The demonstration of solidarity and cooperation was historic and will not be forgotten. In addition, on last night’s Pagan Warrior Radio, Stephanie Turner, the child’s mother, personally thanked the entire Pagan community as well as the Task Force for all of our efforts.

Over the next few months, please continue to send your energy to the Turners and to all those victims of religious discrimination within our schools. In addition, send your positive energy toward the effective change in religious discrimination cases, so that we may all grow together.

While the strides we made this week will not universally end the problem, the demonstration of solidarity across traditions, geographical boundaries and organizations may have just begun a new chapter in our history. And, furthermore, this unification resulted in one of the most positive of gifts that we could give to ourselves – an open door to educate those people who educate the next generation. Not only is this is a gift for our community today but, more importantly, it is a gift for the community of tomorrow.

Blessed Be and Yuletide Blessings!

Circle Sanctuary, The Church of the Spiral Tree, Covenant of the Goddess, Dogwood Local Council, Lady Liberty League, North Georgia Solitaries

Text written by Miraselena, PIO of Dogwood local Council, Covenant of the Goddess”

Georgia Events 12/16 through 12/23

Yule is almost here! I hope everyone is having a wonderful time. As we approach the longest, darkest night of the year it’s important to me to celebrate the joys of life, the lights in the night and just to have a little frivolity in the darkness. I hope this list helps you find some places to share some of the joys of the season with others in the community.

There is always a lot going on in Georgia; here are some of the events in the next week:

Friday 12/16

Saturday 12/17 Moon at Last Quarter

• Atlanta/ Sandy Springs Psychic Fair 10a to 8p try out different psychics and learn about new and different modalities from Astrology to Zen Tarot. It’s a psychic smorgasbord filled with exciting possibilities and rewarding experiences. 6800 Roswell Rd Unit 1 A in Atlanta/Sandy Springs, http://www.theinnerspace.com
• Lake Claire Drum Circle This is an open drum circle held just outside L5P in the Lake Claire area of Atlanta, 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm
• Athens Area Pagans weekly meeting: 5 to 6 pm every Saturday at Trapeze, 269 West Washington Street Athens, GA (except UGA home game dates, then at Hendershot’s Coffee to avoid the traffic)
• Wicca 101: Lady Kyairthwen shares the basics of Wicca – what it is, and what it isn’t. Learn about Circles, Sabbaths, Es bats, Rituals, and the Deities involved in the religion of Wicca. $15 per class. Class will be held every other Sunday and is setup where you can miss a class and not fall behind! http://trilogybookstore.com for details.

Sunday 12/18

• Earth Healers Temple in Milledgeville – Yule Ritual – Details to be announced. We will share a meal, please bring a dish to share with everyone. Visitors welcome and expected. RSVP to earthhealerstemple@yahoo.com if possible.
• Grove of the Red Earth Discussion Group 1p to 3p Fudruckers Marietta 3000 Windy Hill Rd

Monday 12/19

• Monday Night (Border) Pagans — East Cobb/Marietta WHOLE FOODS at Merchants Walk in East Cobb [inside the cafe] 8pm to 10pm

Tuesday 12/20

• Occupy Atlanta Interfaith Prayer Hour 4 pm, Bennett Hall in the Morehouse School of Religion building on the campus of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). 700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30314-4143 Pagans are emphatically welcome.

Wednesday 12/21

• U.U. Fellowship of Athens Journey Into Light: a Winter Solstice Service 7p to 9:30p Celebrate the longest night and the return of the sun through music, verse, contemplation, and ritual. The Chalice Choir will sing with musical guests Dave D’Angelo and Denise D’Angelo Jones and our own Brent Litch and Shane Aldredge. There will be a special collection of food and funds for the Food Bank of Northeast GA. Nursery provided.
• Winter Solstice at Atlanta Unity Church 7:30p to 9p
  Participants are encouraged to bring a comfortable pillow so they can be seated on the floor inside or outside these shimmering wings of sound of the SOS Crystal Bowl Choir. 3597 Parkway Ln, Norcross, GA 30092-2827 Love offerings to the church gratefully accepted.

Thursday 12/22

• PAGE: Pagan Atlanta Gay Exchange Conversation Thursday: NEW LOCATION the Pagan Atlanta Gay Exchange, a group for Metro Atlanta area GLBTs that seek like minded individuals for brother- and sisterhood surrounding our Pagan beliefs and heritages and how these truths may be impacted by our daily GLBT lives. Every Thursday night at 8pm at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta GA. 1100 South Marietta Parkway Marietta, GA 30060 at the S. Marietta Entrance, Student Center Room A214 Main Level http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pageglbtgroup/

Friday 12/23

• Dove and Serpent Oasis of O.T.O. End of the year party. If you’ve been curious about us but not ready to come to a performance
  of the Gnostic Mass this is a time to meet folks and talk, or if you’re
  just looking for a good party for Friday night, come on out. Anyone
  interested please contact ragnar93@comcast.net for more information.

These are just some of the events happening in Georgia. If you’re event wasn’t mentioned it’s probably because we don’t know about it yet. Please send your press releases, event announcements, Rites of Passage notices and community news to pncatlantabureau@gmail.com.