The Covenant of the Goddess adopts formal position on environmental issues.

  

The Covenant of the Goddess

P.O. Box 12193, San Bernardino, CA 92423-2193

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA, GA - On Aug. 22 the Covenant of the Goddess (CoG), a 39-year-old national organization representing Witches and Wiccans, adopted a formal statement and policy regarding the environment. Approved on Friday at the yearly national business meeting, the statement reads:

We, members of the Covenant of the Goddess, honor the sacredness of Planet Earth and Mother Nature. 

We honor the powers of Air and we rejoice in breathing fresh air and in all the creatures of air. We support efforts to protect the atmosphere that shields our planet and to ensure that our air is clean and refreshing.

We honor the fire of the Sun above and the fire within our Earth -- the fires that warm us and transform us. We support efforts to provide sustainable energy to fuel our future without further damaging our ecosystem.

We honor the Waters of Life – springs, rivers, lakes and oceans – and the waters of our bodies – blood, sweat and tears --the waters that keep our bodies and our dreams fluid and ever-changing. We cherish all the creatures of water. We believe that access to clean water is a basic right, and thus we oppose privatization of water sources and efforts to deny anyone access to those sources. We support efforts to prevent and reverse pollution of our waters, to preserve groundwater, marshlands and the oceans that embrace our world.

We honor the Earth, our bodies, trees and plants, animals and rocks, and all that is manifest on this plane of existence. We support efforts to remediate damage, to conserve natural resources, to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity, and to maintain wilderness areas.

We stand at the Center, mindful of our interdependence as part of the Web of Life. We commit to support efforts to rebalance our wondrous world for future generations.

We know that climate change presents an imminent threat to humanity and other life on Earth. Since this imbalance is caused by human activity, we humans must accept responsibility for our actions and seek to reverse the damage and restore the balance.

We support local, regional, national, and global efforts to conserve natural resources, to seek clean, sustainable sources of energy, and to rebalance our world.

The CoG environmental statement was originally proposed and developed by longtime member and national CoG interfaith representative M. Macha NightMare (Aline O'Brien.) She said, "It gives me a great sense of accomplishment that we, the Witches of the Covenant of the Goddess, have crafted a statement about our beloved Mother Earth that reflects our shared values and expresses our mutual concern for our planet, as well as our responsibilities for its current state and our hope for the future. Having this official statement on behalf of the entire membership will be immensely helpful to those of us who work in interfaith arenas. I am proud to have it to share.

For more information about the environmental statement or Covenant of the Goddess, contact Heather Greene, pio@cog.org

The Covenant of the Goddess is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that has represented Witches and Wiccans for 39 years. Beginning in 1975, the Covenant of the Goddess has worked diligently to secure legal protection for Witches and Wiccans, provide ministerial credentials, offer education through interfaith outreach or collaboration, and foster community within its membership. For more information go to www.cog.org 

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Reflections on ConVocation from Midwest Regional Local Council

(submitted by Oberon, National Communications Officer

 and member of Midwest Regional Local Council)

Despite the fierce snow storm, the Detroit Pagan community participated in ConVocation held at the Double Tree Hotel from February 21-24. This marked ConVocation’s 18^th year.The event featured authors Ellen Dugan, Christopher Penczak and CoG’s own National Interfaith Representative, M. Macha Nightmare.

Each year ConVocation’s theme ascends through the Major Arcana of the Tarot.This year’s theme was based on the 19^th card, The Sun, and titled “A Little Illumination if you please.” With over 100 classes and rituals, spiritual light and warmth shone through all the proceedings.

Circle of Wondrous Stories, a member coven of MRLC (Midwest Regional Local Council), was on hand to speak about CoG. National Communications Officer, Oberon Osiris and local Public Information Officer, Valkyrie presented a panel entitled, “The History of CoG.” MRLC was thankful to Macha for participating in the discussion, answering questions, and sharing some Merry Meet lore.

The Circle of Wondrous Stories also performed its Kuan Yin Ritual, which was very well received. After the ritual, two women, a Buddhist and a Wiccan, approached Oberon and Banshee to share how the rite had given them new ways to honor Asian deities in a Wiccan manner.

As usual, there was much fun to be had at the “Con.” Besides the nightly Drum Circles, kids had their own evening masquerade dance on Saturday. Then, later that night, there was one for the adults. The best attended event is always the annual Tempest Smith Foundation raffle featuring dozens of beautiful hand crafted magickal objects, books, bath sets, statues and more. Several of the auction items belonged to the Foundation’s late founder, Denessa Smith such as a special wood-crafted Book of Shadows.

The Foundation was able to raise several hundred dollars more than the previous year. With this financial support and that obtained from the Midwest Witches’ Ball, the Tempest Smith Foundation will be able to award three secondary or college tuition scholarships for children who “are committed to the Foundation’s goal of tolerance.” 

Covenant of the Goddess (CoG) at ConVocation 2013

On February 21-24, Midwest Regional Local Council (MRLC) and long-time CoG member, M. Macha Nightmare, will be attending and presenting at ConVocation in Detroit. This year's event theme is "A Little Illlumination, if you please," inspired by the 19th Tarot card, the Sun.

(Image from the Rider-Waite Deck)

Midwest Regional Local Council (MRLC) will be hosting two events:

• Friday, February 22nd at 4pm:  Covenant of the Goddess Discussion Panel by two members of Circle of Wondrous Stories:  Kris Sanders and Oberon Osiris
• Saturday, February 23rd at 4pm:  Illumination with Kuan Yin by Circle of Wondrous Stories' member:  Oberson Osiris.

M. Macha Nightmare, currently a National Interfaith Representative for the Covenant of the Goddess will be presenting three classes:

• Friday, February 22nd at 9:30am: Stepping into the Sunlight I:  The Interfaith Movement, its Inception and Pagan Involvement.
• Friday, February 22nd at 2:00pm: Celebrate the Feast of Triple Brigit: Goddess of Smithcraft, Inspiration and Healing.
• Saturday, February 23rd at 9:30am: Growing Pagan Elders.
• Saturday, February 23rd at 2:00pm: Stepping into the Sunlight II: Sharing Pagan Values in Interfaith Activities.

For more information on the schedule, go to the ConVocation's homepage.  For more information on Covenant of the Goddess at ConVocation, contact MRLC's Public Information Officer at mrlccog@yahoo.com.