BB,
- COTES is moving forward with initiations and education at a rate that is wonderful and invigorating. We have many members that have achieved initiation into varying degrees, as well as several working towards advanced degrees.
- The result of all this spiritual growth is a need for regular magickal ritual. COTES has been celebrating the turn of the wheel at each of the eight holidays. These celebrations will continue with socializing and food (always LOTS of food!) as well as an open ritual. Dates will be posted on the website calendar.
- "Last Saturday" will become more structured. Last Saturday will always start at 5pm at the latest (regardless of the season) and consistently include developing divination skills for all levels (bring your cards, runes, etc) and drumming circle (come make noise and dance, dance, dance!). As always, the weather dictates if we are by the fire circle (bring a folding chair) or in the Magick House (bring a fat cushion). Additional events on Last Saturday, such as Round Table Discussion, will happen prior to 5pm and be posted on the COTES calendar. Please bring a bag of sand for the fire circle ($2.50 at Home depot). Remember your drinks and snacks if you want some. More details are on the website regarding the regular COTES gatherings. Please be aware of that information before you join us!
- We will be making an effort to keep our pagan community informed of all our dates by sharing the information for their calendars. In the spirit of helping everyone be aware of all the events in the area, COTES will post the dates of other area pagan groups on our calendar as well.
- Plans for COTES Beltaine 2009 and Witches' Ball 2009 are already underway!
- Items that have been "stored" at The Magick House are being returned at each gathering. The Magick House is full! Please retrieve your cushions, chairs, etc when you depart for the evening. If you have items here now, please take them home the next time you come to a gathering. We are exploring a means to build a storage shed or obtain an empty stock trailer for future use. If you have one of these items and wish to donate it to COTES for the purpose of storing items for gatherings and collections for pagan members in need, please let us know!
- There are a few changes happening during 2009:
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- - Esbats will be added at either the New Moon or Full moon of each month.
- - These rituals will be announced by a very short e-mail and will be posted on the COTES calendar.
- - The sole purpose of the Esbat will be magickal ritual. These are not teaching events or a place for anyone "pagan curious".
- - A purpose (the intent) will be established prior to the evening.
- - The ritual will be formal. Street clothes are not appropriate. Ritual attire is appropriate. Skyclad is optional.
- - The ritual will be scripted ahead of time and the participants with an active role will be placed in the "inner circle" of the ritual. Participants without an active role in the ritual will be placed in the "outer circle" . Rituals will be ecclectic (friendly to all the nature based paths).
- - The Esbats are open to anyone who arrives at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start. If you arrive late you will find that the property is not accessible in order to preserve the work being done.
- - There is no celebration associated with the Esbats. These are being designed for magickal rites.
- - Any member of COTES physical or e-coven is welcome to participate. The only submissions for the rite that will be considered are magickal works submitted at least two weeks prior to the Esbat. Babes in arms are welcome as well as Teens 16 yrs and older if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Content will not be edited. If children attend it is up to their parents to assure they are prepared for this rite. All other children should look towards the Youth Group on Last Saturday to attend ritual appropriate for their age and experience.
- - Requests for Magick on behalf of someone else will be limited to "healing" requests. These must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the ritual.
- - Any person arriving late (more than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled casting) or who is deemed to be in a state disruptive to the ritual will be excluded. This is at the sole discression of COTES clergy.
- The degree of effort and magick being worked into these nights requires that a high standard of pagan ettiquette be observed. Cell phones, cameras, and all other mechanical devices MUST be left in vehicles. No exceptions. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a note and I will be happy to reply.
- If you have been looking for a place to participate in a magickal circle on a regular basis, please feel free to join us on these evenings. Most circles will be cast about 90 minutes after the sun sets and finish within an hour to 90 minutes. Check the schedule on the website for details.
Thank you for sharing with us in 2008, and we wish all of you a new year full of love and magick!
~Lady Mithriel*
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