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June 23, 2013
News from the Grove
Volume 11, issue 2
A Myth about Who?
Ever look for a story about a goddess and a lot of them pop up…it can be overwhelming. There are so many
stories of goddesses that a lot of stories go unnoticed. I was listening to a song about a story between Athena and
Arachne. I had never heard of this myth and was intrigued…I wanted to know more.
TheLyonesse
Story of Arachne
By: Lady Arawyn
The myth goes that there once lived a beautiful maiden name Arachne. Arachne was famous in town
for being a very skillful weaver and spinner and every day many girls and nymphs would stop by to
see her weavings. Arachne was in fact very vain and boasted that her talent was all her and that she
was ever better than Athena, the goddess of skill.
Hearing these words, Athena was disappointed and decided to disguise herself as an old lady and
appear in front of Arachne. "My dear", she told Arachne, "I am old and have much experience, so
let me give you some advice: don’t ever anger a goddess! No mortal can compete against Athena.
Take back your words and kindly ask for forgiveness." Arachne got furious and threw the thread
against the old woman, telling her: "I don’t need your advice; I know what I can do! If Athena wants
to challenge me, then she should come here and compete against me!"
At that moment, the old woman transformed herself into the radiant goddess Athena. At the very
sight of her everybody in the room kneeled down in awe except for Arachne, who couldn't wait to
compete against her.
Soon the competition started and both contestants were doing really well. Athena was weaving the
Parthenon and her contest with god Poseidon. Arachne, on the other hand, was making fun of the
gods by weaving scenes of the god’s sins, and misdeeds.
Arachne’s work had perfect technique, yet it was not beautiful because it was showing the disgrace
of the gods. When she saw this, Athena became very offended and told Arachne: "You may be
foolish and stubborn, but you seem to love your work. So why don’t you go ahead and spin
forever!"
Immediately, Athena cast a spell over Arachne transforming her into a small animal known today as
the spider.
The myth goes that the spider is cursed to be trapped inside her own web, weaving constantly and
endlessly... but having finally all her works destroyed by man. In other words do not anger a
Goddess, or it will not end well! http://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/athena/stories/athena-arachne/
The song that started this curiosity into this story is:
“The Goddess and the Weaver”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqQV_GvvfJQ
Looking up this story may me more curious about other stories about goddesses and gods. What am
I missing out on? So I am starting a “Goddess/God Storytime”. If you know of a story of a Goddess/God
please email it to [email protected] and we can share it with everyone. Let’s shine light on these
stories so they do not die in the mounds of information that is out there.
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By: Arawyn Lyonesse
Although it has a cool name it has nothing to do with dragons. Dragon’s Blood is a bright red
resin that is obtained from the Dracaena Draco tree located in Africa, Asia and Central America. When
the bark or branches were cut from the tree the bright red substance secreting was thought to look like
a dragon bleeding, hence the name. These trees are said to be around 700 years old. When buying
dragon’s blood resin in store be careful! Nowadays, what is sold in stores is not the true Dragon’s Blood
that our ancestors used in healing and magickal practices. There are a few trees: Croton,
Daemonorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocarpus that product a similar resin but do not have the same
magickal/healing properties as the original Dragon’s Blood. I.e.…true Dragon's Blood is a coagulant
(helps to stop bleeding) and the other resins that look similar are actually anti-coagulants. When
buying Dragon’s Blood, I have found that the true one will cost more than the others.
Ancient usage: Dragon’s Blood is still used in some of these ways today
 varnish
 medicine
 incense
 dye
Magickal Properties:
 Made into red ink to write spells, charms, draw runes, talismans and inscribe magickal seals. This is the
perfect ink to use to write a protection spell on a book, like a book of shadows, or in fire spells that require
you to write something down (wish, prayer) and then burn it.
 Add to incense to make it more potent as well as to any spell to give it more power (just a little).
 Used for protection, and banishing negative energies.
 (If you have pets or children don't do this) You can sprinkle Dragon's Blood under rugs, carpets, in doorways,
on windowsills, basements and anywhere in your house to increase protection from negative people or
intruders.
Dracaena Draco
*Herb Cabinet is just for entertainment
use only. Please do not use any herb
without talking with your doctor.
Thank you!
Reference:
http://voices.yahoo.com/a-guide-using-dragons-blood-magick-644329.html?cat=32
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By: Gwydion Lyonesse
Cottage Cheese
A nice light lunch or snack that is easy to make.
1 cup cottage cheese
3-4 leaves of Lettuces
1/8 cup shredded cheese
Salt and pepper
Place leaves of lettuce in a bowl, place cottage cheese on top of lettuces, salt and pepper to taste.
Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and enjoy. Try with sliced tomatoes or avocado. Yumm! You can
go even further and put the cottage cheese into a scooped out tomato or avocado.
Cottage cheese and curd are different names
for the same food. Cottage Cheese is possibly the
oldest protein enrich food derived from an animal,
that doesn’t involve an animal’s death in order to
nourish the human body. Curd can be traced back to
early nomadic tribes who roamed the Arabian Desert,
and it is said to have been enjoyed in the courts of
the ancient European kings.
Curd was made famous through the nursery rhyme
“Little Miss Muffet.”
Little Miss Muffet
Sat on her tuffet,
Eating her curds and whey;
Along came a spider
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away.
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By: Gwydion Lyonesse
AIR
Fire
By: Lady ArawynI Lyonesse
I feel the breeze caressing my skin.
see the embers flowing towards the sky,
Great Paralda in cyclones eye I seek thee in.
Mighty Djin in flames I seek thee on high.
Changing mountains with thy breath,
Surrounded in the elder flames,
Knowledge do you grant upon death.
Destructive energy is your’s to tame.
All Wise Eagle, of the east,
O’ thou lion lord of lighting
Your words of wisdom bring us peace.
Sometime your words are oh so frightening.
Singing high and swaying low.
Leaping high and springing low
Granting awareness upon us ye blow.
Mighty fire that blazes below.
Zephyrs floating in the sky.
Salamanders dancing on the wind,
Early summer breeze never passes us by.
In the flames you play in
As we sing the sacred chants,
As we waltz the sacred dance
The magic of the wind, to us, you grant.
The cleansing flames have released me at last.
Water
Earth
I hear the waves through the underwater caves,
O’ Great Nex, I seek thee in thy foaming waves.
Clashing down against the sand,
Healing energy you supply upon demand.
O’ thou serpent of old, ruler of the depth
and bitter sea,
Your words of balance deliver our destiny.
Rising high and ebbing low
With Moon’s influence you control.
Siren song beckoning all who hear,
Bringing death to that which are near.
As we dance with those from our past.
We weave our dreams together at last.
I feel the rumble beneath my feet
Gob the ruler I’ve come to seek.
Standing tall as mountain high
Grounding energy you supply.
O’ Great Bull of the North
Let us now convort.
Beating high and laughing low
Deep vibration you bestow.
Gnomes of old with knowledge few know
Dance with me and fill my soul.
As we weave the sacred path
I skip and play and start to laugh.
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In the last issue I talked about a few steps that Lady Circe taught me and a little on the suits’
correspondences. Remembering the steps I will draw three cards and see what they will tell us.
Seeing how a Knight came up in the read I thought I would talk a little about them as well.
Knights
When reading a knight it will depend on where it is placed in the layout. Knights indicate
that a situation is coming in, out or happening right now (if it is in the middle).
Knight of Swords a confusing situation (coming in or out)
Knight of Wands a situation that has a hasty departure (coming in or out)
Knight of Pentacles a situation pertaining to money (coming in or out)
Knight of Cupsa situation about love (coming in or out)
“Victory Card”
You will pick up the sword and rule
Confusion coming in or out
Struggling,
Not getting point across
You will be victorious in a situation that is happening right now.
This situation is confusing to you, and feels like you are not getting your
point across…that you are struggling. I would tell the client that you may
want to ask more on this.
Cards drawn from the Wayne White Tarot Deck
By: Arawyn Lyonesse
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G
Z
D
G
A
M
O
W
Y
B
L
B
G
D
K
Y
N
C
M
B
X
Y
I
R
R
E
W
O
M
Z
S
Q
I
O
A
R
Q
N
J
E
E
O
D
L
Z
V
U
X
V
T
B
K
E
S
A
H
D
D
J
F
BARLEY
CORNACOPIA
FRUIT
GRAIN
MABON
SICKLE
THANKSGIVING
WYRT
E
W
M
W
I
Y
O
A
M
D
W
S
E
M
G
L
N
F
M
A
G
C
N
T
Y
L
O
S
B
Y
E
L
I
U
E
R
S
G
O
D
S
N
S
E
E
A
F
A
L
I
R
L
K
L
K
I
U
L
E
L
BOLINE
FALL
GOD
LAMMAS
MEAD
SUMMER
WHEEL
Y
Y
Z
F
O
A
P
I
N
A
L
R
N
Y
K
T
Q
I
I
Q
B
T
W
R
A
A
A
W
L
C
Y
C
U
C
L
H
B
G
O
B
H
N
O
Z
I
E
G
J
E
A
W
D
A
E
M
Q
T
U
C
S
A
I
P
O
C
A
N
R
O
C
H
V
F
R
W
F
R
U
I
T
S
Y
L
I
M
A
F
C
L
E
BREAD
FAMILY
GODDESS
LITHA
SACRIFICE
SUN
WINE
J
E
O
L
L
G
L
A
M
M
A
S
Y
Z
H
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By: MeKailia Lyonesse
Facts:
Fossilized wood millions of years old,
Black and glass like.
Sometime called Witch’s Amber or Black Amber.
One of the earliest known stone materials used for jewelry.
Magickal Alignment:
The energy is receptive and is aligned with the planet Saturn.
The element is Earth
Associated with the herbs lavender and sage.
Processes the powers of protection, anti- nightmare, luck, divination and
health.
Jet shares with Amber the property of becoming electrically charged when
rubbed.
Considered a magickal stone…Modern Witches’ will sometimes wear
necklaces of alternating Jet and Amber because of this. (In our tradition, the
High Priestess and Priest wear a necklace of Jet and Amber.)
Magickal uses include absorption of negativity, making it protective.
Magickal Usages of the Past:
Often placed in the home, worn or carried in a pocket.
Used with white candles in protective rituals
Once upon a time placed on newborn’s stomach to aid with good health.
Tiny bits of Jet can be added to magickal incense.
To guard against nightmares simply place a piece under your pillow.
It is also placed in traveler’s amulets to ward off evil.
Jet can also be added to a fire and the fumes watched as a form of divination.
Helps maintain proper energy within the body to avoid ill health.
Slivers of it can be place along with fresh drinking water in a small bottle then
placed in the sun until warm, strained and the water drank to aid with psychic
workings, as Jet also heightens psychic ability.
Reference:
For more information on stones read:
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic
http://www.ancientbead.com/Various_Ancient_Beads.html
Ancient Beading
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Solstice Drums
Patricia DeSandro 2012
The Solstice drums beat loudly…
She dances ‘round the fire
And sings out to the forest:
“Come to me, Greenman, I want pleasure.”
He comes to her and says:
“I offer you pleasure, but a child I cannot give you. ‘Tis not the season.”
She whispers:
“I do not want a child. I desire only pleasure and pleasure knows no season.”
They dance ‘round the fire.
Their passions merging.
The Solstice drums beat loudly…
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Sabbat/Event
Litha Family Night
Litha
Lammas Family Night
Lammas
Mabon Family Night
Mabon
Date
Time
June 21st
June 22nd
July 26th
July 27th
Sept. 20st
Sept. 21nd
7pm
8pm
7pm
8pm
7pm
8pm
location
~Canceled~
Big Club House
Lady Bona Dea’s House
Big Club House
Lady Bona Dea’s House
Big Club House
If you need the address, please call Lady Arawyn @ 419-913-1574 or Lady BonaDea @ 734-819-1554.

Remember: family night is for Friends of the Grove and members only, Ritual will start at 8, be there by
7:45 at the latest. Litha and Mabon will have guest circles which will start at 9pm. (A donation of any
amount for guests; Friends of the Grove –donation or bring a dish to share) Bring your own drink(s)
~Thanks!
~Brewing Updates~
Ostara was a small gathering, but you could really feel the magick of spring coming
our way. We missed those that could not be with us!
Beltane was wonderful to experience. We dance around our
maypole tree; open the Fairy portal; played with the Fey, and
had some wonderful guests join us.
Like the newsletter, want more…well to keep the newsletter
up we need submissions. Essays, stories, articles, poems
and/or events can be sent to Lady Arawyn at [email protected] ~Thank you!
Event coming up:
Six Crow Gathering is Aug. 8-11 at Six Crows Alliance in Twin Lakes, Michigan. Lady
Bona Dea, Lady Arawyn and Lord Gwydion will be presenting at this retreat. For
more information check out the website:
http://www.sixcrows.org/sixcrowsgathering.htm
Birthdays
Freyja’s is on June 27th
Bast’s is on June 29th
Ashlynn’s is on July 5th
Amber’s is on July 29th
Young Gwydion’s is on Aug. 3rd
Rowan’s is on Aug. 11th
Lady Bona Dea’s is on Aug. 19th
Lady Minerva’s is on Aug. 23rd
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~Circle of the Sacred Grove ~
Temple of the Old Religion