SPIRAL BOUND
LAMMAS

 
!! personal musings from Caprice !!

I am thrilled to be the coordinator for the official Spira newsletter and even more thrilled to be able to announce - this - our premier issue!!

With the growth of Spira within the last year - RavenDreamer, Sora and I thought this would be the best format to keep track of the news and accomplishments of our members. As well as keep our members aprised of any Spira events or happenings that they should know about.

We will also sprinkle "Spiral Bound" with crafts, recipes, poems and other related information.

If you have anything that you would like to submit to "Spiral Bound" - please send it to caprice@wickedly-lovable.com

Thank you!

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!! DATES & EVENTS !!


SPECIAL EVENTS

On September 21, 2002 , Sora Nalani will be performing in her debut concert at the Bow Valley Christian Center. Tickets are free and the concert is in the main sanctuary. The theme of the concert is the 9 Muses and it is the final step in Sora's dedication to the goddess, Selene. Please email Sora or visit http://www.geocities.com/theenchantingmuse for more information.

RITUALS and CIRCLE NIGHTS
August 1 - Lammas Ritual - Grove of Mysteries

August 10 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
August 17 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
August 18 - CCOPTeen
August 24 - Lunar Ritual - Twilight Mysteries
September 14 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
September 21 - Lunar Ritual - Twilight Mysteries
September 22 - Mabon Ritual - Grove of Mysteries

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!! MOON INFORMATION !!
contributed by RavenDreamer
All Moon dates and times are in our local Mountain Standard Time. When you get the dates and times on Calendars, they are in Grenwich mean time, so it is off by at least 7 hours. Please note that the new and full moons are considered full for three days with the date given as the fullest (or newest) time.

Last Quarter - August 1st - -3:27 AM
New Moon - August 8th - -12:14 PM
First Quarter - August 15th - -3:08 AM
Full Moon - August 22 - -3:39 PM
Last Quarter - August 30 - -7:26 PM
New Moon - Sept 6th - -8:08 PM
First Quarter - Sept 13th - -11:02 AM
Full Moon - Sept 21st - -6:58 AM
Autumn Equinox/Mabon - Sept 22 - -9:55 PM

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!! NEWS !!


NATIONAL NEWS

A new email list has been organized by RavenDreamer in response to the increasing inquiries that he has been receiving regarding Spira and it's membership guidelines. Please email RavenDreamer for more information.

Due to the demand from Spiric seekers beyond the boundaries of Alberta - the Roots of Spira have decided to create a correspondence learning schedule for Seedlings and Lianas. Although the lessons will be given via email and snail mail - - anyone wishing to be initiated will have to travel to Calgary to be initiated within an established Grove. This process will be in place until there are established Groves in other provinces. More more information, please email RavenDreamer.

PROVINCIAL NEWS
Alberta
A new email list has also been created for Spiric Seekers in Alberta.
Please email RavenDreamer for more information.

LOCAL NEWS
Calgary
T
he new CCOPTeen had their first get together - - it was a success and the girls had a lot of fun getting to know each other! We wish them all success and good grades as they go back to school in the fall!

CCOP would like to extend warm welcomes to their newest members - Leo's Rain and Lacy!

 

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!! CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES !!

Congratulations Mayda on your Liana Initiation within the Grove of Mysteries. You are a valued member of GOM.

Congratulations Sora on your initiation as a Priestess of Selene. According to all in attendence - it was a wonderous ceremony!

Congratulations Caprice and Sora on the completion of the Spiric Near Sister ritual. This is a bond like no other.

All of Spira wishes LunarVixen and her husband Fox delight and happiness as they prepare for the birth of their first child!

All of Spira wishes fun and adventure to Tim and Deena as the journey to Scotland for a year where Tim will be attending University to achieve his Masters in Linguistics.

 

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!! RECIPE !!
contributed by Mayda

 

LAMMAS OATMEAL-APPLE BREAD
This quick bread is wonderful for "tea gatherings"!

1 C Wheat Flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons Salt
1 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 C Butter
1/2 C Nuts (if you are not a nut person these are optional *grin*)
3 Medium Apples (chopped)
1 C Raisins
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ginger
1 1/2 C Rolled Oats
1 Egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla or orange extract

Mix above ingredients together, then place in a greased 9 inch cake pan. Bake at 350 dgrees for 30 minutes, until it begins to move away from the sides of the pan. When cooled, this bread may be shaped for ritual as well. Also the fruits and nuts may be changed for different
seasons.

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!! POETRY !!
contributed by Sora

 

SUN

Sun-baked day
Cracks open
Like brown, buttery bread
With seeds of Life
Warming the soft, sweet
Inner soul.
Feed me--
The bread will
Satisfy my hunger
As I sit
On this warm, delicious
Spot
Drinking the juice
of the lemon-hot sun

-Gwen R. Harvey

 

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!! CRAFT !!
contributed by Abra


Corn Husk Dolls

A centuries old custom which is carried on today by modern witches as part of the Lammas Sabbat rite is the making of corn dollies; small figures fashioned from braided straw. The dollies are placed on the altar to represent the Mother Goddess who presides over the harvest. A new dolly is customarily made each Lammas, and the old one from the previous celebration burned for good luck.

MATERIALS:

Corn husks
Large bowl of water
Twine or string
Scissors
Old pieces of fabric
Watercolors or markers
Glue

Soak your corn husks in warm water for about an hour until they become pliable. Gather several damp husks and tie them together tightly with twine, about 1/2 inch from one end.

To make the head, hold the knotted end in one fist, then fold the husks down (as though you were peeling a banana) so that they cover the knotted end. Smooth out the husks to make a face, then secure them with a piece of twine around the doll's neck.

To make the arms, roll up a single husk and tie it off at both ends. Position the arms up between the husks, under the doll's neck. Smooth the husks over the arms to form the chest and back, then cinch in the waist with twine.

For a skirt or legs, arrange several husks, inverted (like a skirt that has blown up over the doll's head) around the waist. Secure with twine, then fold the skirt down.

For legs, divide the husks into two parts, tying each bunch at the knees and ankles

To make clothes, hair, hats or headdresses, glue on little pieces of fabric

Use markers and watercolors to give the illusion of facial features.

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!! What is LAMMAS !!
 
Element: Air

Direction: East

Deity Archetypes: Order and Inspiration

Messages:
Lammas is the first harvest festival falling on August 1st. It is a time to celebrate the bounty of the earth, to take pride in all that we have sown, and to reap the benefits of careful planning. It is not yet time to rest, as there is still much that can be accomplished and achieved. It is a time to renew our commitments to those endeavors that are worthwhile and that bear fruit. It is a time of community, to take pleasure in family and friends, to celebrate the relationships that we have carefully nourished. It is time of acknowledgement, to show with pride all that you have accomplished and to thank those that have stood by you and supported you.

from "The Essence of Spira"

 
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!! FREYJA !!
contributed by Aurora


Since Lammas is almost up on us, I thought I'd choose to educate about two main Gods that are centered around this Sabbat; Freyja and Frey.

They are the Norse Lord and Lady of Fertility. They were mainly worshiped during the Viking Era, about 700AD until 1100AD, when Christianity began to replace the days of multiple gods.

They are symbolic of fertility and vegetation, believed to be twin brother and sister. Freyja was much sought after as a lover for giants, elves and other gods. She is believed to be closely tied to Viking deaths in that she receives half of these slain in battle as a token of affection from one of her numerous suitors. She also has another personality, Frig, resembling a golden boar who can transform into a falcon and fly great distances.

Freyr, her twin brother, was married to a Gerd, a giant. Many believe this symbolizes a marriage of the sky god with the earth, this giving way to a harvest. Every year a statue of him was carted about the centerpiece to bless and ensure bountiful crop at harvest time. Freyr is also linked to the boar animal symbol, representative of their protective powers in Norse mythology.

 
 
contributers: Sora, RavenDreamer, Mayda, Abra, Aurora
have I missed something? - - please email me at caprice@wickedly-lovable.com
(c) The Pagan Church of Spira