Temple Schedule for 2014

This is the Schedule of Sabbats and PNOs for the coming year. Anyone is welcome at a PNO, and if you are not a member, but would like to join us for a Sabbat, please call Lianna at (828)331-8688. We love to meet new people!

2014 TEMPLE SABBAT CALENDAR   

(All Sabbats occur on Saturdays)

Imbolc                Feb. 1                    4 pm

Eastre                 March 22              Sunrise   Sunrise ceremony begins the day just before civil    twilight.  Exact arrival time to be announced on the forum the week prior to Eastre.

Beltane               May 3                   Noon

Litha                   June 21                 Noon

Lughnassadh     August 9               2 pm

Mabon                September 20       4 pm

Samhain             November 8          4 pm

Yule                    December 13         4 pm (and Sunrise)   Followed by all night vigil – but it is          not required that you stay all night in order to attend the ritual and feast on the evening of the 15^th.   Sunrise ceremony of drumming up the Sun on Sunday at civil twilight followed by breakfast.

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2013 PNO SCHEDULE   (“Pagan Night Out”)

(These occur on Friday or Saturday nights beginning at 7 pm and are in Sylva)

January 24              Soul Infusion                         Friday

February 22            Tuck’s Tap & Grill              Saturday

March 7                  Soul Infusion                         Friday

April 19                   Tuck’s Tap & Grill             Saturday

May 23                    Soul Infusion                         Friday

June 7                      Tuck’s Tap & Grill              Saturday

July 11                     Soul Infusion                         Friday

August 30                Tuck’s Tap & Grill              Saturday

September 26         Soul Infusion                         Friday

October 18              Tuck’s Tap & Grill              Saturday

November 21          No Name Sports Pub             Friday

December 20           Tuck’s Tap & Grill              Saturday

TEMPLE SUMMER CAMPOUT:  JULY 18-20  (Friday-Sunday)

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:   AUGUST 6-10  (Wednesday-Sunday) - Includes Lughnassadh ritual

WICCA / WITCHCRAFT CLASSES STARTING

Sylvan Hearth Pagan Temple has a few different traditions of Wicca to offer to anyone who would like to learn and/or join a Coven.   Classes are ongoing at various levels.  They begin with an introduction to Wicca, Paganism, a history of the occult and a "Who's Who" of people and traditions as well as an introduction to those trads offered here and their facilitators and clergy.  This is a great opportunity to get questions answered.   Degree requirements, system and structure, etc. will all be explained fully.

Classes will begin with these 4 "Introductory Groves" on 4 consecutive Wednesday evenings:  January 8, 15, 22 and 29, from 6 to 9 pm.  (We may finish before 9 pm, that depends a bit on the group)

After these conclude, attendees can make an informed decision as to whether or not they would like to continue with formal study, and with whom.  There is generally a period of "outer court" formal study, often preceded by a dedicatory initiation ritual, during which many basics are learned and students have time to decide further whether or not this is something they wish to truly commit to, and teachers have a chance to evaluate students readiness, needs and abilities. 

Membership in a Coven is usually the goal, but not always, and students may choose to request membership in a Coven after their first year and a day of training, or not.   It is also good to keep in mind that requests for Coven membership are not always granted.  The reasons for that will be explained during the Introductory Groves as well. 

If you are interested in signing up, please call 828-331-8688.

Classes are free.   Donations are always appreciated to help keep the Temple doors open.

TRANSGENDER DIALOGUE AT WCU

We would like to thank everyone who participated in last Saturday's intergroup dialogue at WCU regarding transgender issues among Pagans, with a focus on transgender Pagan clergy.  

It went fantastically!  A great turnout, active participation by all, very thought-provoking and inspirational.  People were real, and the director of Intercultural Affairs at WCU, James Felton, who co-facilitated, proved to all why he is the director there.   He is a professional, very good at his job, a great dialogue facilitator and educator, and was a very gracious host.  Much was learned and food for thought went home with us.  We met for 5 hours and people were still talking when we officially closed the session for the day.

The luncheon provided by WCU and the presentation during lunch by the Pagan Student Association at WCU were also both amazing and greatly appreciated!  Thank you to Mr. Felton, WCU and the PSA at WCU for hosting us.

Kudos!  

This was such a success that we will definitely host more of these dialogues in the future.  If anyone new is interested, please call 828-331-8688 and let us know so that we can include you.    You do not have to be Pagan clergy to attend.   There will be dialogues for Pagans only, but of various traditions, because some "difference" is necessary to follow the dialogue model we are using, and others will be for anyone and everyone.  We encourage conflict, and engaging, rather than "managing" the conflict, and diverse views on all sides of any issue are also encouraged and rather necessary.

Remember that a dialogue is not a debate.  No "answers" are sought.  We are sharing our views and trying to understand those of others.   Feel free to join us!

FIRE TRANCE DANCES AT TEMPLE

We just had another lovely Fire Trance Dance at the Temple on Friday night.  We have not normally advertised these on the website but as we open up more, we will be advertising more in case people might be interested. 

The next one will be advertised here with some background as well. 

To those who attended on Friday night, thank you for a lovely evening, the food, music, our Firekeeper "S.C." (for discretions' sake) and to T., J., and Lianna, 3 of our clergy members here, thank you for the safe Travels and energy!  And thanks to all for lending your energy! 

Very cool....

Strega Nona Story Hour at Temple

In true Italian fashion, we will be offering a story in front of the Hearth one evening twice a month at Temple during the Winter months.   This will be open to "children of all ages" (including those in their 40s or 50s, lol), but special focus is on the children of the Temple.

Fresh baked ookies and fruit will be served, along with hot cocoa.  (We have sugar free too)   Any special needs should be shared before coming so all the children get a treat they enjoy that is also safe for them and ok with their parents.   :O)

If you are interested just give us a call:  828-331-8688