DC Voices on Pagan Coming Out Day

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DC's first IPCOD at the White House

Today, Pagans all over the world are celebrating International Pagan Coming Out Day. Locally, the DC event celebrating the day will occur at 7:00pm tonight in Dupont Circle. We've asked for Pagans in our area to sound off on how they feel about coming out, whether they're out or not. Here are a few responses.

Elizabeth Gilhuly, Takoma Park
I guess I must be a renegade... I freely announced to my mother as a youth when I knew I wasn't Catholic (as she hoped) and, instead, I was Pagan. I didn't care what she, or anyone else thought. I still don't care what any naysayers think of me and my spiritual path. If someone disowns me because of it, well they were never really that invested in loving me and being a part of my life to begin with. If someone would literally disown you for this, they are and never were a friend. 

I send my support to all those who feel timid--Don't. You have just as much a right to believe in and practice the spirituality of your heart as do the Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and others have the right to believe in and practice the spiritualism they believe in. You have just as much the right to this as you do the color of your hair.

Kallan Kennedy, Abingdon
As someone who's been out since leaving Christianity, I'm totally supportive of both those who do and those who don't come out today. It's a personal choice and it's not something people should take lightly. More>>


Angela Roberts Reeder, Baltimore 
Pagan Coming Out Day and National Day of Prayer share the same date. Therefore, I offer up a prayer to the gods of my people that justice and compassion grow in the hearts of all that no one has to hide who they are and what they believe and that strength and love infuse those who are poised on the threshold of coming out. So Mote It Be. 

Erica Shadowsong, Columbia
Happy Pagan Coming Out Day! I am fortunate enough right now, somehow, to exist in a professional sphere where not only do I not have to hide it, but it's seen as an asset. And I'm glad to have done the telling to my family already, though it's always hard to know they may not quite understand. Still, to being free to be authentic!

Norma Hamlet-Zarpak, Gaithersburg
I came out of the broom closet when I was a junior in high school. Even though I lived in the Bible Belt of Kentucky it never occurred to me NOT to come out, and I never really thought of it as "coming out".  To me it was just being who I was.  This is not tooting my own horn as being brave or anything; if anything it is showing just how naive I was.  I could have endured horrible consequences like loss of friends, tauntings, bullying, etc.  More>>

Seanara Coyote, the District
Most people who know me know that I'm Pagan. It's an integral part of whom I am. However, as I'm a private person, I share that as I see fit and with whom I choose. No big splash announcements, no T-shirt with fluorescent pentagram and four-inch-tall lettering that says "Blatant Witch." Yes, I wear a pentagram in public, but you have to look closely to see what it is. My Cerridwen triskelion and Kernunnos stag's head pendants proclaim themselves -- for those who know what they are.

Introducing: Cornerstones of Magick

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By Robin Fennelly


Welcome to Cornerstones of Magick! 

Cornerstones of Magick is a monthly column I will be writing that will offer suggestions about connecting with the Sabbats/Esbats and useful information for practical application of the many resources we use for magickal practice such as astrology, qabalah, energetic anatomy, pathworking and more.  Revisiting some of the tried and true basics and opening to some of the new overlays are actions that continue to build stronger and broader foundations as we move forward along the path.  We are in an exciting time now with the technological capabilities for networking and research and a plethora of books, articles and events that are available for the taking.  On the flip side of this open smorgasbord is also the warning to carefully scrutinize what you believe and use as fact and take nothing simply at face value. Select what you need, chew on it for a while, digest it and then let it nourish in a productive and vibrant way.

With that being said, as you read through this series of articles remember that what is being offered has been filtered and organized through the lens of the writer’s experiences and base of knowledge. I invite you to question and test out the theories for yourself, even if you believe you know concretely what is true. This type of self-scrutiny keeps you open to the changes that may have occurred in your belief system and allows for deeper interface where it is needed and the release of old beliefs that are holding you back. Think of it as hitting the refresh button on a dynamic web page. The core information remains the same, but depending on what has impacted it in those few seconds between, there may be something new that was overlooked at first glance.

Revisit the enthusiasm and openness that was the first layer of foundation upon which you built your existing body of knowledge. When you look at the staples of your practice with a fresh and excited approach, it enlivens your receptivity and urges you forward in seeking out those things that later become your passions and worthy of your devotion and service.
And, I would add to the precept “Know thyself” - in all stages of being- with the naïveté of a Child, the confidence of the Adult and the deep wisdom of a lifetime’s experience of the Elder.

To begin this series and in honor of Beltane, I would like to share with you how our coven chose to celebrate Beltane. Our ritual theme was one of sacred union of humanity and the Otherworld of the Fae.  The air was fragrant and the sun warm as we stood under its canopy at a local state park. We opened the Faery Gate, made offering of sweets, flowers and birdseed and heeded the words of the Goddess Rhiannon in our journey of union.  The Horned God stood as guardian of the wildlife and our efforts were blessed by 7 hawks circling overhead, several crows and the sweet buzzing of the bees. The presence of the Fae was palpable and the message received was request for offering of greater and deeper respect to the earth and finding the place of purity of truth and magick within ourselves so that we may better serve all the worlds. We left this rite renewed and more fully connected to ourselves and the energies of all manner of beings that share this earth with us.

This year as you celebrate Beltane, open yourself to the deeper enlivening of the natural world and the magick of all those seen and unseen that grace your rite. Become a conscious participant in awakening all parts of your being clear of intent and pure of heart in your devotion. Celebrate your Gods and Goddesses. Celebrate your physical nature and connection to that which makes you most human. Celebrate the life that flows within you and the potential of being creator and co-creator of all that you Will to be so. Part the veils and see the enchantment that weaves its magick through all aspects of our lives.

Blessings upon your Path…. Robin

Next Month:  Refining Your Personal Practice 

Spring Magick 2013 with The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel

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By Robin Fennelly, HPs., ASW
[Disclosure note: The author is affiliated with the organization that sponsors this event]

The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition, a legally recognized Wiccan non-profit religious organization based in the Mid-Atlantic region has a longstanding history of offering events that are both educational and inspirational. On Saturday, March 30.2013 the Tradition’s annual Spring Magick event offered up its expected quality of educational opportunities covering a diverse spectrum of magickal theory and practice.

Spring Magick is a day-long event providing six time slots of workshops and concludes with The Ritual for the Stag God Cernunnos.  The first Spring Magick was hosted by Keepers of the Holly Chalice, the founding coven of ASW, nearly a decade ago in May of 1993 and was held in Delaware.  In the years following, the event has gained in attendees, with some travelling to PA as far south as D.C. and north from New York. In recent years the proceeds from the event go towards the completion of The New Alexandrian Library project.

The NAL project is about preserving the past and building the future of the magickal community. It will be primarily a research and reference library and with the donation of the property, the purchase and construction of the geodesic dome kit, the New Alexandrian Library is taking shape in the manifest world. The fundraising efforts of events such as these, are helping to move the reality of this project forward.

Spring Magick is one of the few events where all three of the Tradition’s Elders present workshops.  Ivo Dominguez, Jr. Elder and Founder of the Tradition offered a workshop entitled The Three Gates of the Moon.  As intriguing as the name was, even more interesting was the information and keys given towards working with this energy.  The connection of the Moon Gates to the Lower, Middle and Upper worlds and practical application to deepen the understanding of their use and potency in magickal working came to life as thoughtful questions were posed and answered. One of the highlights of the class was the experiential of running the energies of the Middle Gate of the Moon, using the astrological components of the Nodes of the Moon; forming a chain of hands and passing the energy from the North to the South Node in cyclical loop.

Attendee J.B. had this to say about Elder Helena Domenic’s class, Celtic Seership.

“Helena discussed facets of Celtic society as we know them today in relation to Seership and Lore.  She delved into the history of the culture and the multiple waves which progress from the mythos of the ancient past into modern historical times of the Vikings. As we wandered into the depths of these time periods she provided tantalizing hints and keys to the deeper understanding of their beliefs.”

Elder Michael Smith, presented on The Evolution of the Self.  Attendee L.E. said

“Michael elaborated on the concept that identifying and aligning ourselves with our true purpose serves to enliven our work and lead us into a lifetime of self-evaluation and worthwhile growth.   He talked about the immense benefits of analyzing our experiences and discerning their effect on our whole selves - mind, body and spirit - and identifying ways to both question and challenge our psychological manifestations and naturally ego-driven self.  His workshop provided highly valuable tools and insights as we reach towards the ultimate goal of transforming ourselves, expanding our wisdom and becoming more impactful in assisting our greater spiritual community and those we interact with.”

The remaining workshops were presented by Janice Chalas, Carm DiLullo and Robin Fennelly; all High Priestesses and Third Degree Initiates within the ASW.  Although not planned, these workshops echoed those of the Elders presented earlier in the deepening of magickal practice, self-care and assessment and the reaching out through the Great Work of the Self and healing.

The day concluded with the Ritual for the Stag God, Cernunnos.  In June of 1996, this ritual was hosted for the first time in a public venue by Keepers of the Holly Chalice (the founding coven of the ASW).  Since that time, this ritual has been presented in several festival and event settings and has become one of the Tradition’s most beloved of public rituals.  Participants enter sacred space and witness the calling of Cernunnos by three priestesses as Maiden, Mother and Crone.  Elder Michael Smith aspected* the God Cernunnos and words of insight, warning and hope were brought forth asking each to live in accord with their spiritual path and deepen their connection to the natural world and each one’s place within it.  The messages vary from year to year, but the joy and energy of communing with this Deity of the natural world remains a consistently anticipated component. We danced, and chanted, raised our voices and made our mark on this physical world with the blessings of the God and the support of sacred space.

The sharing of community and the knowledge brought by each participant heralded in the affirmation of Spring and the joy of new beginnings, new teachings and new friends. We all left feeling renewed, sated in our quest for deeper understanding and blessed by the circle of new friends we made.

*A technique of Divine Embodiment developed by Ivo Dominguez, Jr.

For More Information About The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel and Upcoming Events:
The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel
For more information about the New Alexandrian Library:
The New Alexandrian Library

Welcome Robin Fennelly to the PNC-DC Team!

Please share this post We're so excited to welcome author and High Priestess Robin Fennelly to the DC bureau as a new volunteer writer! Robin hails from the Philadelphia area and will be sharing news from that area of the Mid-Atlantic, an area filled to the brim with Pagan news that I'm sure readers will enjoy hearing about. Please join us in welcoming Robin to the team!

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Robin Fennelly is a Third degree Initiate of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition and High Priestess of Oak and Willow Coven.  She has been on the path of the spiritual seeker since her early teens and growing up in a spiritually accepting home was able to explore a variety of philosophies and traditions.  She formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994 and worked as a solitary practitioner for two years. She dedicated to Oak and Willow Coven of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in 1996, received her three degrees of initiation within the Tradition and has served as High Priestess of Oak and Willow since Samhain of 2001.

Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.  Her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and seminars of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers. Her current focus is the synthesis of energy practice, astrology and qabalistic application.  She currently offers a bimonthly online esoteric newsletter and monthly online courses which focus on studies of the Qabalah Within the Western Mystery Tradition: A Year Within the Tree of Life and Wiccan Studies: A Year and A Day on the Wiccan Path. These can found on the Oak and Willow coven website.

As a teacher of esoteric studies, she has used Tarot, Numerology and Astrology as the foundation of her diverse selection of workshops for more than 20 years. She has taught extensively throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region and Delaware Valley area facilitating workshops for the ASW events, Spring and Autumn Magick; Bryn Mawr College and Haverford Township Adult Education classes.  She has presented at Sacred Space Conferences 2011 and 2012 in Maryland, as well as in Wilmington, Delaware for the Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference held in December of 2012. She is currently offering Tuesday Evening and Half-Day Intensive studies in magickal application and energetic anatomy and protocol.

Robin completed her first three books, The Inner Chamber Series: Volumes One and Two and A Weekly Reflection in November of 2012. Her most recent books were published in February of 2013; The Enchanted Gate and The Elemental Year.  She uses poetry, pathworkings and magickal theory and experiential practice as the basis of her writing.  Her writings have been featured on WitchVox and select pieces of her esoteric poetry were featured and read on the Green Singers Radio Show live stream from Goddard College in 2012.  Her blogs include The Magickal Pen, which features esoteric writings and The Sacred Vessel Mysteries focused on the practical application of energetic anatomy and protocol. She is also a contributing blogger to The Pagan Blog Project 2013.

Robin is the owner of Holistic Embrace services for mind, body and spirit and provides services such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Serenity Nights, Spiritual Guidance and other related offerings. Her mundane life is blessed by five children, a 36-year marriage, and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.

Robin's pathworkings and esoteric writings can be found on her blogs or website:
For more information: www.robinfennelly.com
Blogs:
www.themagickalpen.com
www.thesacredvesselmysteries.com
Coven: www.oakandwillow.com
Tradition: www.sacredwheel.org

Community Recap: Sacred Space and SCOTUS

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Photo credit: Irene Jericho

The end of March was a busy time here in the capital. Events and activities had the Pagan community racing around to keep up, despite the sporadic weather and annual influx of early-spring tourists. Here are some highlights from the past couple of weeks.

2013 Sacred Space Conference
Sacred Space Conference was once again held in Maryland. This annual tradition seems to build with excitement each year it occurs with a variety of speakers, classes, and forms of entertainment. More than 150 people attended this year's highly-anticipated conference. Notable featured teachers this year included Paul Beyerl, Diana Paxson, Christopher Penczak, and Luisah Teish. Conference organizer Gwendolyn Reece also notes:

"We were also blessed to have stellar programs offered by numerous regional teachers and ritual leaders. Sacred Space uses a peer review process modeled on that used in academic scholarly communication practices. Our acceptance rate last year was 39%. "

Next year's conference is now open for teacher applications. Reviews of the conference from participants include articles by Caroline Kenner, Colleen Beaty, Irene Jericho, and Literata Hurley.

Pagans Fight for Marriage Equality
Many people are aware of the two historic cases that were recently heard by the Supreme Court of the United States centered around same-sex marriage. The first trial regarding California's Proposition 8 was held last Tuesday while the trial for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was held the next day. Pagans from the District and abroad were out in full force at events meant to support the growing movement for marriage equality. I encourage you to read many of the reports on these historic events via the links below:

• Recap of the pre-rally ritual and interfaith services by The Wild Hunt. 
• A brief clip of the rousing interfaith service.
• Circle Craft Podcast: Pagans for Marriage Equality.
• Media coverage by My San Antonio (who just happened to be at the Monday night ritual).
• A recap of the interfaith service by organizer Eric Eldritch. 

Additional photos of the pre-rally ritual by Michael Cabrera:

[NOTE: We're looking for volunteer writers! Contact us at capitalwitch@gmail.com to inquire.]