Join us for a special presentation and book signing with
Author and Women's Spirituality Scholar
Marguerite Rigoglioso.
Friday, January 29th, 7pm-9pm
Were specialized priestesses of antiquity dedicated to
DIVINE BIRTHas the highest form of spiritual practice?
“Bold, creative, and courageous.” –– Marvin Meyer, The Gospel of Judas
In this presentation, Marguerite Rigoglioso, Ph.D., will discuss material from her groundbreaking new book The Cult of Divine Birth in Ancient Greece, exploring the “rape by gods”and supernatural conception stories from Greek history and myth in a startling new way that places virgin priestesses at the core of Western civilization.
Her careful research makes the case that divine birth was something deliberately attempted by holy women –– an elevated form of spiritual practice considered the only means of bringing avatars and true leaders to incarnation.
This serious scholarly study has tremendous implications for world religions with divine birth claims, including Christianity. It also helps reframe and reclaim the Virgin Mary as a deliberate agent in the conception of Jesus.
Haven't been in to The Sacred Well in a few weeks? Well, I strongly encourage a visit!
In addition to adding to our candle selection (including scented Goddess, Moon and HooDoo candles), we have expanded our choices in incense and recently started working with a new jewelry maker! Plus, we've restocked our Tarot card collection!
New styles and new smells are all great, but what may be the most exciting is the new layout of the store! It may not look very different, but the energy flow is much improved! Wider walkways and cleaner displays make it easier to find what you are looking for, and still give us the space to display our favorite ritual items for your perusal.
Rabbit's Tea and Chanting started in December, and will continue on the 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7pm. Rabbit and Iris began hostessing Goddess Awakening services in January, and they will continue on the 1st Sundays of each month at 11am.
Look for more improvements in 2010: more classes, events and in-store concerts, the return of the Healing Share, new Sacred Well Products, and much more we can't tell you about yet! If you have suggestions for products or improvements you'd like to see at The Sacred Well, please use the contact us button you find on our home page.
one more note: We wish all of you the happiest and brightest year, blessed with prosperity, abundance, love and success!
Today, James from the Alameda County food bank came and took away an over-flowing barrel of non perishable foods from the Sacred Well. He marveled at the high quality, healthy foods that had been donated, praising our community for thinking about nutrition when it came to our donations. I was so proud we all found good food to give.
He left a new, empty barrel behind. I found myself musing about how a week from Thanksgiving, it's important to remember that everyone deserves a full table and a happy holiday.
As I do my shopping for my holiday preparations (Tofu-turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and the essential pumpkin and pecan pies) I will add a few more things to my cart knowing that they are on their way to someone else's table.
Gratitude encourages more blessings, and blessings multiply. So mote it be!
Traditional Chinese Medical Secrets of Health and Longevity
With Prajna Paramita Choudry, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M Friday, October 23 6:00-7:00pm FREE (Please RSVP at (510)444-WELL)
This 1-hour class will address how the traditional Chinese/ Taoist Understanding of the body differs formt eh modern scientific and mechanistic view of the body.
Basic TCM theories about the body and health will be covered, including living in harmony with nature, balance of yin and yang, and the body as a microcosm of universal forces. Recommendations for lifestyle and healing, such as specific suggestions regarding diet, rest, exercise, herbs, and acupuncture stem from this holistic understanding of the body and health.
We have been overwhelmed with joy to see our donation barrel for the Alameda County Food Bank filling up this season. So many great donations have come in. Thank you so very much for your support. These are troubling times for many people, and hunger is a real threat to many seniors, families and children here in Alameda County. In a land of plenty, so many go without. Your donations of food will be deeply appreciated, particularly as we approach the holiday season and so many folks are alone and hungry. Believe me- I used to go around to senior centers as part of my work, and I would see looong lines of people gathering on the days when the Alameda County Food Bank truck showed up with free grocery bags of food- for many seniors, they would not have gotten adequate nutrition without this gift. So thank you, thank you, thank you!
It's fall! It's getting colder, it's going to rain (I hope!) and the days are shorter and shorter! I must confess, I love the fall, the snuggly sweaters and the hot tea.
It's not uncommon for folks to get depressed as the days shorten and gray begins to dominate the skies. It's easy to feel down and blue without warmth and sunshine. But, this is also a great time to begin to turn inward. Introspection can be a good thing. When we spend more time indoors, we have more chance to study, to practice meditation, to heal ourselves. We need the quiet to find our inner wisdom. We can reach beyond life and commune with the past, even with those who have gone before. Our ancestors are waiting to be heard, and All Hallows is the time to find them.
There are several exciting opportunities to focus on the deeper, darker side of ourselves this month:
-The Sacred Well's monthly Healing Share will focus on "Balance" in honor of the Fall equinox. We'll look at the clear, outward signs of health and wholeness as well as the still, quiet side. (Tuesday, Oct. 12th, 8-9:30pm @ The Sacred Well, $10 donation)
-Fertile Rituals, a class by Shantell Herndon. <Sacred Well Calendar>For women looking to evoke life from the darkness of their wombs, this class will allow you to know yourself and love yourself in new and exciting ways. (7 Thursdays, beginning Oct. 15th, 7:30-9:30pm @ The Sacred Well, $250)
-CAYA Coven's Samhain ritual. <cayacoven.org> A "dumb supper" honoring our ancestors, and then a theatrical ritual that gives voice to underworld Deities from around the world. (Saturday, Oct. 31st, supper at 7, ritual at 8 @ BFUU Hall, Berkeley, $10-$20 donation)
-Reclaiming's Spiral Dance. <reclaimingspiraldance.org> Find yourself in a room full of altars and witches in a dance to remember those who have passed. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of this ritual. (Saturday, Oct. 31st, 6pm @ Kezar Pavillion, SF, $20-$100 donation, tickets avail. @ The Sacred Well)
-CAYA South Bay Samhain. <cayacoven.org/southbay> Join CAYA South Bay for our first Sabbat and a ritual to honor the passing year. (Saturday, Nov. 7th, 8pm @ First Unitarian Church of San Jose, 160 N. 3rd St., 95112, $10 donation)
-Children's Samhain. <thepaganalliance.org>A ritual for little ones to enjoy this holy time of year. Hosted by the Pagan Alliance and CAYA Sprouts. (Saturday, Nov. 7th, 11am @ Benicia Clocktower, $5 kids, $10 adults, kids under 3, free)
And there's plenty more to find. I hope that you find more about yourself as well. Happy fall, everyone, --Iris
September 26, 2009
Just to Clarify: Ile Orunmila Oshun Temple Service will be this SUNDAY, September 27th from 11am to 12pm. (We are so excited, we got confused about dates) :)
