Merry Meet Friends

Greetings and Witchy Blessings to you all!

Welcome to latest newsletter, as we celebrate this time of fire and fertility when spring has definitely sprung and summer is just around the corner. Whilst we have been experiencing very spring like weather, it is nice to know that longer sunshine hours are on the way.

We will once again be offering our annual Calendar for 2006 in a downloadable eco friendly Pdf format for $5.00, orders can be placed by emailing calendar@witchaven.com payment via paypal or internet banking please advise how you wish to pay and we'll send you the appropriate information. The Calendar is due to be released any day now.

Magick Earth & Our Next Workshops

A big thanks to Dawn and the organisers for a great time.

Thanks to all those who attended the festival it was lovely to see everyone again and to meet some new faces, the Witchaven Stall was buzzing with friend old and new.

We were please to be asked to present two talks on Saturday afternoon of the festival. Bob and Igrewl would especially like to thank those who attended their talks on Psychic self defence and Pagan death and preparation for Pagan funerals. We look forward to moving through the Pagan Life Path with you at future talks.

For those who were interested Bob's next workshop the information is below:

"Working With the Elements"

In gaining an understanding of and by working with each of the five elements you will experience a greater sense of spiritual and magical balance.

This lecture is designed to provide greater clarity on "Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.

Date: Sunday, 12th November

Time: 11am - 3pm

Venue will be advised on booking.... however it will be in Pakuranga, Auckland

Cost: Pre-pay $10.00, On the day $15.00

Supplies needed for all Workshops and Lectures:

Bring a notebook and pen.

A plate of food for a shared lunch

Tea, Coffee & Biscuits will be supplied.

To book a place at this workshop send an email to: workshop@witchaven.com

The final workshop of the year will be:

"The Art of Raising Power"

For anyone who is interested in power raising, this workshop is designed to guide you through the processes of power raising which are essential to circle-workings.

Aspects which are covered within the workshop are:

Why? - the purpose of power raising

How? - The method to raise power

Practicalities - Practical power raising

Date: Sunday, 10th December

Time: 11am - 3pm

Venue will be advised on booking....however it will be in Pakuranga, Auckland

Cost: Pre-paid $10.00, on the day $15.00

Supplies needed for all Workshops and Lectures:

Bring a notebook and pen.

A plate of food for a shared lunch

Tea, Coffee & Biscuits will be supplied.

To book a place at this workshop send an emal to: workshop@witchaven.com

Beltane, standing opposite the Wheel from Samhain, - 31st October Southern Hemisphere

Beltane is the fire and fertility festival where we welcome summer. It is a time for escaping from our daily chores, and for enjoying all that life has to offer.

This Sabbat marks the celebration of life renewed with as much intensity as Samhain marked and honoured death and rebirth. The God is now full-grown to manhood. The Maiden, her fertility all-encompassing, stirs and rouses the God's desires. As they lay amongst creation, united as one by their eternal love, their union creates the new Sun God-to-be, the promise of rebirth to which we hold so close at Samhain.

Yet, even though we're reminded at this Sabbat that all things have an ending, it is with joy and hope and desire and passion for the fertility of the world and for ourselves that we dance laughingly around the Maypole. For fleeting moments, the world stands still in promise of what might yet be, and the urge to love and merriment overwhelms.

Associated Deities: May Queen, Stag Lord, Jack-in-the-Green, the Green Man Associated Herbs: Frankincense, Roses, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme Associated Crystals: Quartz, Sunstone, Orange Calcite, Malachite

Ways to Celebrate the Sabbat: