COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Last updated: 10/15/ 2018 at 12:00 p.m.
hint: click on the organization name to go to their home page for more information. October 19, 2018 - Buffalo Trace Society - Dream Interpretation Workshop - Come and explore the meaning of dreams and how they affect your life. Join Carol Fireheart as she talks about the different kinds of dreams, the meaning of different animals and symbols, and tips on remembering your dreams. Remember to bring note taking materials and RSVP, limited seating. COST: $50 for non BTS members, $45 for BTS members. Location & Time: 6:00 pm 2210 N. Long Rd, Greenacres, WA October 24, 20118 - Spairfiterea - October General Gathering Location & Time: 6:00 pm 6447 Kootenia St Bonners Ferry, Idaho October 26, 2018 - Buffalo Trace Society - Ducks Fly Full Moon - You are invited to join us inside, warm and comfy. We recognize the cycles of Grandmother Moon in the old ways, come add your Spirit and voices. Please bring any drums/rattles you are moved to, well behaved children and visditors are welcome Location & Time: 6:00 pm 2210 N. Long Rd, Greenacres, WA October 27, 2018 - Squirrelly Productions -Pagan Pizza - Pizza, salad and conversation with other Pagans! Look for the Squirrel! Location & Time: 6:00 p.m. Round Table Pizza, 1908 West Francis, Spokane. November 3, 2018 - Squirrelly Productions - Talking Pagan - Discussing of matters of interest to Pagans over some great coffee (or tea, or mimosas). Location & Time: 12:00 p.m. Forza Coffee Co. 1028 N. Hamilton November 8, 2018 - Spokane Stitch and Witch - Monthly Social -If you sew, knit, crochet, spin, or some other craft you are welcome to join us! Mostly we are sewing, knitting, and crochet, however. Children welcome! Location & Time: 6:00 p.m. Spokane Valley Mall, 14700 E. Indiana · Spokane Valley acroos from Jamba Juice November 11, 2018 - Squirrelly Productions - Dream Dabbling- If you wish, write down your dreams and emotions they caused and the group will help interpret them.. Location & Time: 2:30 p.m. Forza Coffee Co. 1028 N. Hamilton 
Sacred Space at Greyhaven
2018 Pagan Gathering at Fall Equinox
Guild Litha Campout
Squirrelly Productions Second Annual Witches Ball
Burning Man - Beltane 2012
compliments Greyhaven Gardens
Squirrelly Productions Burning Man Celebration
Squirrelly Productions Testival of Tailtiu Ritual - The Cinquefoil, a symbol of abundance.
Sacred Space at Magick Garden, Coeur d'Alene
|
Participation Poll
At one of the local gatherings, the discussion turned to public pagan events and who attends them. There are a number of public pagan social and religious events throughout the year, as listed in the Community Calendar here. The same 30 - 50 people turn up at them. Village Commons estimates the Pagan population in the Spokane area at about 5000 people. This estimate is based on the number of people who are members of local Facebook and Meetup groups.
The local pagan groups are curious as to why the other 99% of our community do not attend events. So we asked and got 39 responses. As soon as we can compile them and digest the comments, we'll post results here! Thanks to all who participated. 
Community Sigil
In our recent sigil workshop with Laura Tempest Zarkoff, members of some of the local groups and a fair number of solitaries worked with Laura to create a sigil representing our community. The object of the sigil is to help create a sense of community among the groups and solitaries of Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Since that time, we have presented the sigil to many of the groups that were not present, and everyone seems to love it!
Our next step is to have a banner made that can be displayed at community events such as Community Beltane and Pagan Pride Day. The hope is to unveil the banner at Pagan Pride Day, which is in mid-September. Eventually, we would like to include emblems of all the local groups along the bottom of the banner - someday. Below is the sigil and the meanings of the components. Hope you like it too! 
Children of the Crossroads
Children of the Crossroads is a local Wiccan coven dedicated to Hecate and Pan. They have started a neat project on YouTube called Witches and Wine. You can follow their discussions on YouTube or link through their Facebook page.
What Makes A Ritual Great
Reposted from Kylara's Musings, July 20, 2016, used with permission.
Ritual comes in all shapes and sizes. We can do ritual by ourselves, with our family, with our social group, with the larger community or (with the many digital options) with people across the globe! And yet I think there are some qualities that make rituals great that are often overlooked. It is lovely to attend a ritual where everything goes smoothly, where everyone who has a part plays it perfectly, and where the group meshes together towards the common focus seamlessly. And yet, I absolutely don't feel that is necessary to have a great ritual. I've been to quite a few rituals where a lot has gone 'wrong', but I walked away deeply moved and had a great time. So what is the purpose of ritual? I think that rituals can have many different goals, but ultimately they all help renew us. They touch a part of us deep inside, that connects to the sacredness of life, and help us to keep that spark nourished and healthy! Even when the ritual is exploring our darker aspects or perhaps it is a light and humorous ritual that encourages silly play, both can replenish our inner resources that get drained through the stresses and activities of life. I think one of the very basic 'rules' of ritual is that it is a safe place. Everyone at the ritual should feel that they are safe, not only on a purely physical level, but also on an emotional one. This isn't to say that deep and serious topics can not be touched, but simply that the other people at the ritual are there to support you and not to tear you down. It can not be a great ritual if people are mocking or judging others, especially when sharing personal details. Ritual is often a place where we push our own boundaries, and sometimes we need other people to help us, but ultimately, we should feel like we can say no to the things we are truly not ready for. We should never feel pressured at ritual to do something we are not comfortable with, no matter how simple that act may be. continued Magickal Names
by Wytcher, July 11, 2016
Sometimes we forget the things we say. Sometimes we forget how we say them. Sometimes we say whatever we want because we have the right. But when was the last time you reflected on the words you say? When was the last time you thought about how your words affect those around you? As witches, everything we say has impact. As people, everything we say has an impact.Words have Power. Real tangible power. Look at the news. Listen to the radio. Watch videos online. All of these sources have words flying out into the universe waiting to be empowered by the reactions and emotions of the ones who hear them. I say a word and feeling is attached to it. Slanderous words, created to be harmful, have power. Affirmations are designed to combat, and strike down, negativity with personal power and fulfillment. All of these words have an impact.
I could say I perform Hexes on a regular basis and you, the reader, are already forming an opinion. I haven’t told you how I hexed my wallet to never be empty. I haven’t told you I hexed the grounds outside of my home against intruders. But that word has an emotional tie to each of us in a different format. Words carry our thoughts, and emotions, giving them voice; and we direct that through prayers, fights, wooing in acts of love, and in acts of hate. read more .Note: Village Commons is always looking for content. If you would like to contribute, contact us.
Volcanoes and DreamsThe subject of volcanoes came up in a recent Squirrelly Dream Dabbling session. A volcanic eruption figured prominently in a dream one of the participants had.
So what does a volcano in a dream mean? It is usually associated with a conflict scenario. Dreams about earth-based dangers like volcanoes (or tsunamis, earthquakes, etc.) generally point to inner turmoil or emotional conflict in the dreamer's world. It is a warning from your subconscious that there is something going on in your waking life that needs your attention: a conflict that must be resolved. The volcano represents strong emotions held in check but bubbling just beneath the surface, ready to erupt. The usual emotion being held in check is anger: usually it is the anger the dreamer is bottling up, but it could be fear of someone else’s anger. Click here to go to blog. GargoylesGargoyles: a subject that feeds the intellect and fires the imagination. The word Gargoyle conjures images of fantastic creatures, cast in stone, perched atop European cathedrals and spouting water or a Saturday morning cartoon show or even a Hollywood TV show or horror movie.
Gothic-era Gargoyles generally resemble a demon, devil, dragon, half-human=half-animal creatures, or a caricature of real people or classes of people. Their original purpose was as a device used to shed rainwater from buildings primarily cathedrals and castles in Europe. Another purpose was to frighten off evil and protect those that it guards, such as a church’s parishioners. Unlike grotesques, gargoyles are usually part of the drainage system of a building. learn more The Spokane Area Pagan Business Directory
The Village Commons has assembled a list of pagan-owned and pagan-friendly businesses. Check it out! If you have a pagan-owned or pagan-friendly business, or service, contact us to be included!
|