Rants from the Sanctuary

     
The cycle of the year

Times change with the cycle of the year, times also change as people move on through your life. I can look back at the last Eighteen years in the Army and see the people I have met and the changes through my life and not regret anything. Being a Pagan leader I also see the changes we as Pagans have made and the positive outcomes through our many fights to be recognized especially in the military. We now have the Pentacle allowed on our headstones, which is a big step, and many Druids are working on getting their symbol recognized as well. We do still need a Pagan Chaplain but I’m sure that will come in time though not soon enough. Desert Moon Grove started January of 2004 in Balad, Iraq and was followed up by another tour in 2005 in Tal Afar, Iraq. Both tours were fulfilling from a Pagan standpoint and our civilian counterparts with supplies and candles lit showed tremendous support. I look back now four years later and still see that support structure moving in a positive direction. Many organizations have stepped out and continue to send packages to our Pagan Troops thanks to the kind hearts of some of our friends that have stepped up and carried on the fight after I stepped down. This is a new phase in our evolution as a Pagan Organization and my new attitude in this column will be reflected I’m sure you shall see. I’m now in the Warrior Transition unit as I have severe PTSD from my four combat tours but it is a much-needed break and I will never deploy again. I will be retiring Nov 2009 and that is where the physical phase of the new Desert Moon will begin.

Desert Moon Sanctuary will be constructed somewhere in Northern Arizona with a self-sustained Pagan Education and Spiritual Center. We have a yahoo group and are currently a 501c3 Trust Fund group under the umbrella of Shanta Ista ULC already established in Arizona. This dream was set when were in Iraq this last time in 2006 as many of us Soldiers were sitting around drinking coffee as we always did and we laid out this dream of a self-contained community to help in the religious persecution fight against us as Pagans. Specifically against military harassment by specific units who don’t like Pagan Troops. It is also set up as an Education Center to educate those in the nearby communities who are confused as to what specifically a Pagan is or is not. We will have classes set up such as candle making, herb satchels, wand making things of that nature for new Pagans. The center will be set up for people to live permanently should they desire and we will plan on being off the grid with power from wind and solar. The original vision consisted a lake in the west, a fire pit in the south, a community lodge as the hub in the north and a stadium for Full Moon concerts in the east. The Full Moon Concerts would be named “Moon Stock” in good-natured fun. That is still the vision and will be a fun yet hard undertaking and will take a community to pull together to make this happen. I also plan on a small clinic to be set up for minor medical emergencies, a sweat lodge for our Native American friends and if they wish to teach classes many would have open ears. The group currently is still in its planning phase but is getting more and more towards the physical as time flies. Michelle and I are going to Arizona October of 2008 for the entire month just to tour the land and we will have a booth at the Phoenix Pagan Pride and will speak at some local Pagan events in Arizona and surrounding States. This column will keep you informed through these articles as I write and on the military situation as I hear of news pertaining to our Pagan Troops. Keep your eyes focused on your path and always stay positive and remember no one can get you down or in your way when the God and Goddess are walking with you. Bright Blessings.

author: Medicyne_Eagle