I have lost track, is it three or four real snows that we have had so far this season?  Regardless, the message is clear.  It is that ‘Winger is coming’ but instead, Winter is here.  For many of us, there is a pang of sadness as the warm days leave us for a period.  Others of us are energized by the season.  But either way, Yule is drawing near and will soon be upon us.

Ironically, Yule, the Winter Solstice, the official first day of winter, is a celebration of hope and renewal.  Even though winter will rage on for a few months, the Holly King begins to wane now and the Oak King rises again.  The god that was sacrificed at Samhain,  is conceived again at Yule, the spark is planted within the goddess and begins every so subtly to grow.  The rituals of Yule invoke the return of the sun.  Yes, even though the harshness of winter is just beginning, its onset is a celebration of the hope and promise of the coming spring.  The cycle of the seasons repeats itself.

Many things in our lives are cyclical too.  And like the approach of Yule, the coming of hard times only begins with the promise of hope again.  At the end of our years, when we finally journey to the Summerland, it is only with the hope and promise of rebirth.  As we are growing up and leave home and our family and the love that is there, it is with the hope and promise that we will have our own home, filled with love and family.  The end of any great adventure comes with the possibility of new adventures in the future.

Over the past year or so, WiCoM has passed through its own time of darkness.  Through this period of trial, the church has waned.  But, within this ordeal was the buried promise of renewal and rising again.

There is a difference between a Coven and a Church.  Covens are private and limited in membership. Solitaries too,  work mostly on their own.  A Church is public and open to all.  Covens serve the needs only of its members.  A Church servers the needs of the community.  The purpose of a Coven is to serve its members.  A Solitaire works for herself.  But the labor of the Church is for all of the community, all of its members.  The work of the Church is the work of all of our Wills, and the nourishing and betterment of all of its members.

And in these dark times when large sections of our society openly show hatred and unacceptance of those who are different – in race, national origin, sexual orientation and even religious belief- it is ever more important that we Wiccans and Pagans come together in the solidarity of community.  Our Wills united together provide protection and nurturing for all.

So, as we come together to celebrate Yule and the promise of Spring that it contains, let us also come together to celebrate our community.  Let us be proud that we are Wiccans, Pagans, Heathens and more and celebrate our solidarity.  Let us unite our wills and plant, once again, the seeds of hope and the promise of return.

Come join us then, in our ritual to call the return of the Sun and light.  Let us summon back this light into the cold world around us.  Let us call this light back into the Wiccan, Pagan, Heathen community in the Twin Cities.  Let us call back the light of hope to our nation as a whole.  Let us join together in solidarity knowing that though harsh times are upon us, the hope and promise of renewal are but a seed within.

Blessed Be

The Green Man

Magika Oneira

μαγικά όνειρα

The wheel turns and they cycle continues.  A new May Court has been chosen and the old one has retired.  Just like the cycle of the seasons of the year, this is at the same time a continuation of the old, as well as the beginning of something new.  We have a veteran May Queen and a brand new Green Man.  Likewise, our Summoner, Handmaiden and Fools are a mix of old and new.  A continuation of tradition and a re-invigoration of new energy.

Personally, as your Green Man, I am surprised to be here.  Even though I intended to stand, it didn’t seem a possibility that I would actually be chosen.  Nonetheless, I am honored to accept the mantle of my new role and I hope that I prove myself worthy.  WiCoM honestly means a great deal to me.  I would see our church prosper and grow and I hope that I can help with that in the coming year.  My vision is to see our rituals full of participants, old and new, and a growing strength in our community.  But everyone’s help and energy will be needed to see this to reality.

Thinking upon the season, Beltane, like Samhain, is a time when the veil between the worlds is thin and spirits crossover.  The spirits were strong and present at the WiCoM Beltane rite.  The divine energies have an interest in WiCoM and it will be interesting to see where they take us in the coming year.

Beltane is also a celebration of the rejuvenation and reinvigoration of the world.  With the stirring of the sap in the trees and the budding of fresh leaves, the world is wrapped in a ‘green fire’.  As Wiccans, let us take the time to feel these forces as they flow in nature, and even inside ourselves.  Let us take in this energy and be rejuvenated, so that we have strength in the coming year to work the Great Work.

So take this time, drink in life’s energies, and be empowered to meet the coming year.  If you are so moved, we welcome you to lend these energies to WiCoM.  If you or your Coven feels called, we would be honored if you would like to perform the ritual at one of the upcoming Sabbats. But, if not, there are other ways you can give to WiCoM as well.  Do as the Goddess moves you.

I look forward to spending the coming year with all of you  – Merry Meet!
μαγικά όνειρα

Majika Oneira