CoG members perform ritual at Michigan Pagan Fest

Written by Oberon Osiris, MRLC

Circle of Wondrous Stories member, Merlin RavenSong, along with HP/S Oberon and Banshee performed the pantheistic based “Reconnecting with the God and the Goddess” ritual at the Michigan Pagan Fest on Sunday, June 15. As it was an early ritual, the gathering was small. After the ritual, there was a round-table discussion on how each of us sees the Gods, which engaged every participant. Although the spotlight was on Pantheism, the ritual used an ancient invocation of Isis and there were a number of Egyptian designs on the altar.

Oberon and Banshee were also invited to attend a panel discussion, “As Within, So Without: Serving the Greater Community, Hard and Soft Polytheism in Modern Paganism” hosted by the members of Crossroads Tabernacle Church, a chapter of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. Among the other panelists was former CoG member, Figment and also Lady Belladonna Laveau the Archpriestess of the Aquarian Tabernacle. Many topics relating to service were discussed and across the spectrum most participants held service to the community as an important part of their relationship to Wicca, Paganism and other spiritualities.

The fest, now in its 5th year, year, has featured a variety of known and locally known ritualists, teachers, presenters and other performers. One headliner was supposed to be Donald Michael Kraig, who sadly passed away earlier this year. His widow, Holly, was there and was well received for her own workshops and what she had to say about her husband.

Midwest Regional Local Council at Pagan Pride Day 2013

 

Written by Oberon, Public Information Officer 

and Elaine Coleman, Recorder of MRLC

With four states in their boundaries, the Midwest Regional Local Council (MRLC) has a number of local Pagan Pride Days (PPD) to attend. It’s fairly impossible to attend them all, let alone more than a few, but Coven members of the Midwest Regional have attended and represented the Covenant in Detroit, Chicago and Indianapolis in recent years.

Detroit’s PPD is presented each year in a nearby suburb, Hazel Park. The event was held August 10, 2013. Circle of Wondrous Stories members reported a nice day, new vendors and the theme of Pagan Unity. Proceeds from a raffle were given to community members struggling with various medical situations and no health insurance.

The Chicago Pagan Pride event was held on September 8, 2013 this year at the Historic Pleasant Home in Oak Park, IL, which two member groups, Shekinah Triad of Wicca and Wiccan Temple of the Celtic Way, of the MRLC attended.  Pleasant Home is situated on seven acres of land, known as Mills Park, and was truly magical setting for this annual event. The event was well attended; the day held beautiful weather, rituals, workshops, storytelling tree, wonderful vendors, face painting, and delicious boxed lunches were also available.

Circle Sanctuary’s Selena Fox, officiated the opening ritual. Selena held a well attended workshop on ‘Celebrating Fall Equinox & Harvest Home.’ The workshop included contemporary ways of welcoming in autumn in personal, household and community practice. Her workshop included meditations, short rituals, chanting and other experiences.

In years past, members of the MidwestRegional Local Council have also attended and participated in the IndianapolisPagan Pride Day several times. In 2009, members from Illinois and Michigan joined with the Indiana members for a very memorable event.