Editress; Ginger Strivelli
In July the APA hosted the first ever "Vacation Witchcraft School." The event was held on July 15th, and listed along side several 'vacation bible schools' in the Asheville Citizen-Times' Religions Calendar. This was quite a coup for religious diversity and tolerance in our community, that our VWS was given the same respect in placing its listing along with the typical VBS's in the calendar.
About 50 people attended the VWS on July 15th, and almost everyone had a wonderful time. The Children made Goddess Soaps, magic wishing candles, learned a pagan chant, and played with other Pagan children. Each child was also given a T-shirt with the VWS logo printed on it, and a coloring book with the logo, and various other Pagan themed coloring pages.
We hope to repeat and better the event next summer.
FROM OUR BOOK OF SHADOWS:
Homer's Hymns;
To Ares;
Ares, exceeding in strength, chariot-rider, golden-helmed, doughty in heart, shield-bearer, Saviour of cities, harnessed in bronze, strong of arm, unwearying, mighty with the spear, O defense of Olympus, father of warlike Victory, ally of Themis, stern governor of the rebellious, leader of righteous men, sceptered King of manliness, who whirl your fiery sphere among the planets in their sevenfold courses through the ether wherein your blazing steeds ever bear you above the third firmament of heaven; hear me, helper of men, giver of dauntless youth! Shed down a kindly ray from above upon my life, and strength of war, that I may be able to drive away bitter cowardice from my head and crush down
the deceitful impulses of my soul. Restrain also the keen fury of my heart which provokes me to tread the ways of blood-curdling strife. Rather, O blessed one, give you me boldness to abide within the harmless laws of peace, avoiding strife and hatred and the violent fiends of death.
To The Mother Earth;
To Earth the Mother of All I will sing of well-founded Earth, mother of all, eldest of all beings. She feeds all creatures that are in the world, all that go upon the goodly land, and all that are in the paths of the seas, and all that fly: all these are fed of her store. Through you, O queen, men are blessed in their children and blessed in their harvests, and to you it belongs to give means of life to mortal men and to take it away. Happy is the man whom you delight to honor! He has all things abundantly: his fruitful land is laden with corn, his pastures are covered with cattle, and his house is filled with good things. Such men rule orderly in their cities of fair women: great riches and wealth follow them: their sons exult with ever-fresh delight, and their daughters in flower-laden bands play and skip merrily over the soft flowers of the field. Thus is it with those whom you honor O holy goddess, bountiful spirit. Hail, Mother of the gods, wife of starry Heaven; freely bestow upon me for this my song substance that cheers the heart! And now I will remember you and another song also.
To Helios;
And now, O Muse Calliope, daughter of Zeus, begin to sing of glowing Helios whom mild-eyed Euryphaessa, the far-shining one, bare to the Son of Earth and starry Heaven. For Hyperion wedded glorious Euryphaessa, his own sister, who bare him lovely children, rosy-armed Eos and rich-tressed Selene and tireless Helios who is like the deathless gods. As he rides in his chariot, he shines upon men and deathless gods, and piercingly he gazes with his eyes from his golden helmet. Bright rays beam dazzlingly from him, and his bright locks streaming from the temples of his head gracefully enclose his far-seen face: a rich, fine-spun garment glows upon his body and flutters in the wind: and stallions carry him. Then, when he has stayed his golden-yoked chariot and horses, he rests there upon the highest point of heaven, until he marvelously drives them down again through heaven to Ocean. Hail to you, lord! Freely bestow on me substance that cheers the heart. And now that I have begun with you, I will celebrate the race of mortal men half-divine whose deeds the Muses have showed to mankind.
Merry Meet the Gods-G
Gaia; The Greek Earth Mother
Ganesha; Hindu God of good luck and wisdom
Garuda; The Solar-bird that the God Vishnu rides
Geb; Egyptian Earth God
Gita; Buddhist Mother Goddess
Gobniu; Celtic God of Smiths, brewers, and other crafters
Gwydion; Welsh God of War
Gula; Mesopotamium Goddess of healing
Gonaqade't; American Indian Sea God (northwest coast tribes)
Goraknath; Hindu guardian God, an avatar of Shiva
Gibini; African God of illness
Gefjon; Nordic Goddess of agriculture
Ganaskidi; Navaho American Indian God of harvests
Gabija; Lithuanian Fire Goddess
