For those of you who do not know who Kyrja Withers is, she is a Pagan Author who has been the subject of multiple attacks against her home.  We have previously discussed the situation and how you can help.

She recently started an IndieGoGo campaign to raise the funds to install a security system at her home – in part to dissuade future attacks, but in case they occur, to document them.  We are so happy to report that she has not only met, but SURPASSED the goal she set! Way to go, good guys!  She has asked that people stop contributing to the fund, as she had a goal and met it.

Kyrja was also interviewed by ABCActionNews in Tampa with regards to the attacks on her. There is a $200 reward currently posted for information leading to identifying who is responsible for these attacks.

For those concerned that local police may not have been taking this situation seriously, Detective Greg Williams hopes to put those fears to rest, saying, “They are really good people and they don’t deserve to be treated like this. We are going to do whatever we can to prevent anything further from happening.”

You can watch the interview with Kyrja from ABCAction News here:

As you might remember from our posting last week, there’s been a series of attacks on the home of Kyrja Withers, a Pagan Author who lives in New Port Richey, FL.  We provided a few ways that you could help.  Recently, a new way to help has been added and we believe you’d like to know about it!

Kyrja has started an IndieGoGo campaign to raise money to help purchase and install a security system for her home.  This will not only give the family confidence and security, but should help deter future attacks (or, if ones occur, document the people who commit these crimes).  If you’re unfamiliar with IndieGoGo, they are very similar to KickStarter, which is a crowdfunding site. Instead of one person giving a lot of money, a lot of people contributing a little money can help make things happen.  For as little as $1.00, you can help make Kyrja’s home just a little more secure.  Click the button below to head over to IndieGoGo and help out!

I’d like to share with you a craft to make your own personal Maypole.  This is great to make with small children as you describe what Beltane is to them.  You can also make this with your coven if you cannot dance the Maypole for some reason. All the materials I used for this project I was able to purchase at my local craft store. 

To make this project, you will need:
 

• A short wooden dowel, about 8″-12″
• A wooden disc, about 12″ in diameter
• Paints
• Hot glue and a Hot Glue Gun
• Ribbons
• Optional Decorations, such as small people, flower garlands, etc.

To make your Maypole:

1. The wooden disc will be the base of your Maypole and the dowel will represent the Maypole itself.  Paint these however you want.  I painted my wooden disc a light green to represent grass.  My Maypole is red with a golden spiral going from top to bottom.
2. Once the paint dries, hot glue the dowel to the center of your wooden disc.
3. Affix ribbons to the top of your Maypole with hot glue (BE CAREFUL!! I burned myself a few times holding down the ribbons – use the lower setting on your hot glue gun).  You can pick festive colors, colors representing what you’d like to grow in the fertile spring-time soils, etc.
4. Now you can decorate! I wove a few flowers together into a circlet that is about the same size as the base of my Maypole. Luckily, it’s about the same size around as my head  I was able to wear this to a Mayday celebration and then bring that energy back to my personal Maypole.  You can also hot glue little people dancing your Maypole to the base and give them the ribbons.

Tah-Dah!  You’re done!  Below are some pictures, for those who prefer picture step-by-steps:

Welcome to the Beltane episode of EMLC’s pagan podcast, Reaching for the Moon! We’ve got so many exciting things to share with you this go-round. The contributions from many members of our amazing Local Council continue to come in, and we continue to share them with you! In this episode you’ll find:

Lord Orion Foxwood, author of Candle at the Crossroads, the Tree of Enchantment, and The Faery Teachings

• An Introduction by Sirona
• A Heart-Felt Interview with Lord Orion Foxwood on his Conjure teachings and his new book, Candle at the Crossroads
• A quick Beltane Haiku
• A peek at what went on at the annual EMLC retreat, with a Beltane-appropriate Song in Progress *wink*
• Sharing Our Traditions – Kasha, of Circle of the Moonlit Sea, shares a Beltane story from her tradition.
• It’ll Grow On You – our herb segment by Lord Riekin. He discusses Vitex – which you might known as Chaste Tree or Monk’s Pepper – and how its uses may apply to the season of Beltane.
• In the News – Sirona discusses the recent series of attacks on Pagan Author Kirja Withers
• A Crafty Sabbat project by Alpandia – making your own Maypole.
• Closing by Sirona
• Music: Jump the Fire, by Lady Bridget

We hope you enjoy this podcast as much as we liked putting it together. We were definitely wow’ed by how in-depth Lord Orion Foxwood went with regards to both his Conjure and Faery traditions, and how they grew. This is definitely information you won’t find in the typical interviews he does!

We also hope that you are as inspired as we have been to help resolve the horrible situation that surrounds Kyrja Withers at this time.  If you are looking for more information about it, we recently spoke with Kyrja and representatives of Lady Liberty League about what you can do to help.  You can find that in our article about Kyrja by clicking here.

And, as always, we’re super excited to share how rich the traditions that make up EMLC are with you. If you’d like your own copy of Lady Bridget’s music, head over to Lady Bridget’s website to place your order.

You can subscribe to our podcast using this link for iTunes, using your favorite Podcast listening device from this download link, or right here from our site by clicking the grey PLAY button below!

Be sure to subscribe so that you can stay in-the-know with what’s going on here with our Florida witches!  If you have suggestions or comments, we’d love to hear them! If you’d like to contribute something to our podcast, whether it’s your music, an article, or something else, please leave us a comment below and we’ll get back to you to help make that happen!

You may have noticed that we’ve got some really nice music between our segments now. This great music was supplied by JewelBeat. Download your free music and free sound effects at www.jewelbeat.com.

Blessed be!  We are EMLC, and We are CoG!

Reaching for the Moon: Episode 3 - Beltane 2013 [ 41:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (34)

As you might have read, either on The Wild Hunt, the FL PNC, or in local FL news, New Port Richey, FL resident Kyrja Withers has been the target of multiple attacks on her home. You may recognize her name as the author of the Rupert’s Tales books, a series of books which follow a rabbit named Rupert as he experiences the Wheel of the Year.

The attacks include gunshots fired at her home and, most recently, bottles of fluid were thrown at the house and exploded.  These attacks not only impact her, but her husband and step daughter who live with her. Her step daughter was outside when the bottles were thrown at the house.  She had to be put on steroids and an inhaler following the incident.

Everglades Moon Local Council deplores and denounces all acts of violence.  Our members have been voicing their concerns for the family and asking these questions:  What is going on to find out who is behind these attacks and stop them from occuring?  and How can we help?

Our First Officer, Kasha, reached out to Kyrja to help us with these answers.  While she is a private person, she said she understands that staying quiet about these incidents will not help.  Kyrja says:

If we don’t [speak out], then why should others who find themselves in similar situations?  And how will we, collectively, ever “normalize” our faith so that each of us feels free to actively persue our own life, liberty and persuit of happiness?  While we are not happy to find ourselves in this situation, we know we have the opportunity to make a difference.  And making a difference is exactly what Rupert’s Tales has always been about.

Lady Liberty League has stepped in and is helping Kyrja and her family work with police to identify the individuals behind these attacks. Selena Fox, of Lady Liberty League/Circle Sanctuary, says that they are open to assistance in helping resolve this situation. You can connect with Lady Liberty League at their Facebook Page, where you can also find more information about their involvement with this case.

We are Witches.  So another way that we can help is through our spellcraft and energy work.  Kyrja has asked for workings related to Justice and Peace to be done on their behalf.  The first attack on her home left a large bullet hole in the window.  Being a crafty witch, she used it, and the surrounding cracked glass, as inspiration, drawing a large spider web around the window. You may use this as a focus to send your own energy into the web and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Spiderweb of Energy that surrounds the bullet hole in Kyrja’s home.

She has also asked for Peace – specifically, a boost to their Happy energy.  Kyrja says, “We want to feel good again.  To feel our normal “giggly” selves.  THAT is what we truly need, more than anything else.  A moment in time to just breathe.”  To give you an example of how happy these folks are, here’s what their house looks like:

Kyrja’s House!

So here’s an open call to all Witches, Pagans, Wiccans, and other New Age’ers: Send your energies for Happiness and Justice to Kyrja and her family! Feel free to leave a comment below about how you did this!  This will help us help each other find new ways to pitch in!

A recent posting on the Covenant of the Goddess NPIO website reaffirming CoG’s long-time support for the Global Interfaith Council for a Parliament of World Religions.  You can read the report in it’s entirety at the NPIO Blog.  It says, in part:

The Parliament is at a critical point.  The Covenant of the Goddess is happy to be able to continue its support for the organization in a time of financial need,” says Ginger Wood, First Officer of Covenant of the Goddess.

Along with other offers of support. CoG is donating $2000.00 to the Parliament to assist with their current financial crisis.  CoG has been a strong supporter of the Parliament since 1993.  This organization was one of the first to allow Pagans to be involved in active interfaith activities.

For those of us who are Pagan, or who follow any of the Earth-centered spiritual paths, the Parliament has provided a welcoming place where we could openly share our practices within the community of the world’s religions. The Parliament was the first major interfaith organization to give our community a seat at the table,” remarks Andras Corban-Arthen, a CoG member serving on the Council’s committee to choose the next Parliament site and on its Indigenous Task Force.

This Global Interfaith organization is still in need of additional assistance.  If you would like to make a personal donation of any size, you can do so through the CauseVox website.

While perusing Facebook, someone (and forgive me, but I can’t remember who) posted a pictorial guide to making yarn eggs.  I thought to myself…

Self! You have an over-abundance of yarn! This could be a way to make snazzy Ostara/Primavera presents for all your friends AAANNNDDD make yourself feel better about all that yarn you’ve been hording!

I immediately got to work.  I’ll outline the basic-ness of the project, and even give you some step-by-step pictures.  I’ll also clue you in on some possible pitfalls I found with this project and ways I got around them. Click the “Continue Reading” link to see the entire project.

Continue reading →

Welcome to the Ostara episode of EMLC’s pagan podcast, Reaching for the Moon! You’ll find that this episode is a little longer than our last. We’re getting the hang of this whole podcast thing and have contributions from many members of our amazing Local Council. In this episode you’ll find:
 

• Music: The Goddess Song, by Lady Bridget
• An Introduction by Sirona
• It’ll Grow On You – a new segment on herbs by Lord Riekin. He discusses what the heck to do with all those Elderberries that are popping up (though, does not answer if father smelt of them)
• Pagan Parenting with Lady Bridget – how to decorate eggs with your kids and coveners
• A Crafty Sabbat project by Alpandia – making Ostara Yarn Eggs.
• Music: Call to Circle, by Lady Bridget
• Lord Riekin Returns with information on Master Tonic
• Dedication to Lady Nokomis Regina
• Music: The Song of Mari, by Lady Bridget
• Closing by Sirona
• Music: Song by the Fire, by Lady Bridget

Wow! Quite the jam-packed episode!  If you’d like to order any of the music, you can do so right at Lady Bridget’s website.

You can subscribe to our podcast using this link for iTunes, using your favorite Podcast listening device from this download link, or right here from our site by clicking the grey PLAY button below!

Be sure to subscribe so that you can stay in-the-know with what’s going on here with our Florida witches!  If you have suggestions or comments, we’d love to hear them! If you’d like to contribute something to our podcast, whether it’s your music, an article, or something else, please leave us a comment below and we’ll get back to you to help make that happen!

Blessed be!  We are EMLC, and We are CoG!

EMLC Episode 2: Ostara 2013 [ 42:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (57)

Witches and Wicca have certainly been in the news a lot during these first few months of 2013.  Will 2013 see more stories of tolerance (and, unfortunately, intolerance) of Wiccan and Pagan religions?  Only time will tell.  But if the rest of the year follows suit with the activity of 2013, this might very well be the Year of the Witch!

You could say that some of this started last year.  Back in December, the current Grand Master of the Freemasons of Florida issued his edict that Pagans, along with other groups, would not be eligible to petition for membership in their fraternal organization. This is an issue that is still being discussed in the halls of Florida Freemasonry, as well as among the brotherhood nationwide. Everglades Moon issued a Media Statement about this situation, and our site quickly become one of the places pagans visited for more information.

Also last year, the University of Missouri updated their Guide to Religions: Major Holidays and Suggested Accommodations to include Pagan holidays. While this happened in 2012, it wasn’t until Fox New on-air personalities discussed Wicca rather unfavorably that this update sparked national media coverage.  Rather, it sparked national media coverage of Fox News’ coverage of the story.  It resulted in an apology Tweet from Tucker Carlson and an on-air apology… of sorts. Covenant of the Goddess issued a statement on this situation.

In other news….California’s Department of Corrections has been taken to task for it’s “Five Faiths” policy, where it limits the hiring of paid chaplains of the  Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Native American faiths. Inmates brought a complaint to court, saying that while the Department of Corrections does have Wiccan volunteers, they are not able to come in as often as the chaplains of the other religions.  While the suit was dismissed in 2011, this latest suit asserted that the prisons may not be using neutral standards when deciding how best to spend money on the prisoners’ religious need, and may be in violation of the constitutional ban on a governmental “establishment of religion”. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling now allows for the case to proceed in court.

We return back to Missouri for the last bit of Wicca in the news.  Last week, a judgement in the case of  Hunter v. Salem Public Library Board of Trustees was reached. In this case, the Salem Public Library system was actively blocking sites it deemed “occult” which included, according to the ACLU complaint, ”prevented access to sites such as the official webpage of the Wiccan Church; the Wikipedia entry for Wicca; Astrology.com; and the Encyclopedia on Death and Dying.” A federal judge ruled against the library, saying that while the library can have filters for obvious instances of pornography, as well as anti-virus filters, they cannot block viewpoints with which they disagree.  Even Rachel Maddow covered it, saying “At least this Salem Witch Trial worked out better than the last.”

And while Wicca and Paganism have been in the news, let’s not ignore the bounty of movies featuring witches that come out in 2013.  These include Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Beautiful Creatures,  and Oz: the Great and Powerful.

With so much activity so far in 2013… could this year be the Year of the Witch?