Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Summer Newsletter 2013

As we approach the Summer Solstice, we wanted to give you all an update on the events of  the past few months as well as an overview of things to come!

About the Summer Solstice

The celebration of Midsummer's Eve (St. John's Eve among Christians) was from ancient times a festival of the summer solstice. Some people believed that golden-flowered mid-summer plants, especially Calendula, and St. John's Wort, had miraculous healing powers and they therefore picked them on this night. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southwards again. In later years, witches were also thought to be on their way to meetings with other powerful beings. The solstice itself has remained a special moment of the annual cycle of the year since Neolithic times. The concentration of the observance is not on the day as we reckon it, commencing at midnight or at dawn, as it is customary for cultures following lunar calendars to place the beginning of the day on the previous eve at dusk at the moment when the Sun has set. - Wikipedia

Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Sunstave - Saturday, June 22nd

Mercury Retrograde in Cancer

The upcoming Mercury Retrograde, since it is in the watery sign of Cancer, will have us focusing on our emotions, and it may be quite the roller coaster! During the time of the retrograde, and most specifically, the days during which Mercury appears to travel backward, our moods may run the gamut from simple reminiscences of our childhood to a highly emotional inventory of our past, present and future. Depending on the placement of Mercury and the emphasis on your Fourth House, this could be a time of soul searching and reflection. Some people may experience an intense emotional connection to their mothers at this time, for good or for bad, and could either resolve past feelings about them or rekindle a relationship that has gone flat. For most everyone, these next few weeks could have our emotional states in some sort of turmoil, so remember to breathe and take some time out if you start feeling overwhelmed. Since this is the second of three retrogrades in the Water signs of Pisces (February), Cancer (June) and Scorpio (October), our  emotional coping skills will get a big workout for much of 2013.  You can also click here for more tips on how to survive a Mercury Retrograde.

Mercury is Retrograde from June 26 to July 20, 2013 in the sign of Cancer.
Details:
09 Jun 2013 08:54 pm 13CA22' MERCURY Enters Rx Zone
26 Jun 2013 09:03 am 23CA07'Rx MERCURY Stationary Retrograde
20 Jul 2013 02:17 pm 13CA22' MERCURY Stationary Direct
03 Aug 2013 07:49 pm 23CA07' MERCURY Leaves Rx Zone




Church News & Milestones

Temple Improvements - We have purchased two Lifetime convertible benches for the front of the Temple and have planted several new varieties of herbs and flowers around the firepit area. These herbs will be used in our rituals and spells, so we look forward to having them growing all summer!


Feb. 10, 2013 -  Rev. Emeralde was ordained as a permanent clergy member of the Church of the Sacred Circle, having successfully completed both her year and a day and her year long project.
Sacred Circle Ordinations

March 10, 2013 - Sacred Circle South, the very first official extension of the Church held their first ritual, led by Lady Rev. Avalon Starr.


May 4, 2013 - Jonas Quinn was blessed at the Temple by Rev. Heron and his proud parents, April and Andrew.
Baby Blessing

Summer Events

June
Friday, June 14th - Pagan Movie Night, Sacred Circle South
Friday, June 21st -  Divination & Intuitive Oracles Meetup
Sunday, June 23rd - MoonCraft - Sacred Circle Central
Sunday, June 30th - Teen Grove Geocaching Event

July
Sunday, July 7th - Open Circle - Sacred Circle Central
July 12 - 14th - Annual Family Campout
Friday, July 19th - Divination & Intuitive Oracles Meetup
Sunday, July 21st - MoonCraft - Sacred Circle Central

August
Sunday, August 4th - Annual Meeting & Potluck Picnic
Friday, August 16th - Divination & Intuitive Oracles Meetup
Sunday, August 18th - MoonCraft - Sacred Circle South
Sunday, August 18th  - MoonCraft - Sacred Circle Central