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| Banner,6/13/09 |
Welcome to the Independent Pagans of New England website.
The
Independent Pagans of New England banner is a rallying banner for the Pagan community to rally behind. We welcome anyone
according to the Wiccan Rede, "An ye harm none, do what thou wilt." and let it be for the Higher
Good of all. Therefore we invite any one with a Pagan World-view to come and march with us when the banner is unfurled
and support the cause that we are advocating when we march. The Independent Pagans of New England is not an organization,
club or church but is open to all that take the Wiccan Rede seriously. If you are of any tradition, be it Gardnerian,
Alexandrian, Cabot, Druid, Pagan Way, eclectic, Strega, or a family tradition, or self-taught and self-initiated, &/or
a solitary, and honor all life, and the living Earth, you are welcome to join us.
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Since we are not an organization, coven, or grove we do not have
any regular meeting times. But watch The Witches' Voice, Christopher Penczak's website and emails for Lap
of the Goddess, and the Society of Elder Faiths for information when the banner is to appear. The Marshalls and many of those that now march with us are members of the newly formed
Sons of Hermes Coven, though, as well as other such groups.
So far
we have appeared only at the GLBT Pride Parade in Boston, MA, for the past 5 years, only. We do this so that the
Pagan community whether they are Gay men, Lesbians, Bisexual or Trangendered or a supporter of their right to the
same treatment as any other human being in our society, can have a way of showing that 1) we care about them, 2) so
that we can show our numbers that are willing to stand for the cause that we support.
Our banner features a large
pentacle in the center with a coiled rainbow snake emblematic of the earth and the diversity of the earth and the
words taken from the American Revolutionary War "Don't Tread On Me." as we will support the rights of
those that we support as well as our own right to worship as we please the Deity, or deities we woship.
On the right of the banner is the "Nile Goddess" with her arms uplifted to embrace the world and the words from Doreen
Valiente's "The Charge of the Goddess"- "All acts of Love and of Pleasure are Her rituals."
This is a proclamation of Love for all, in keeping with the Wiccan Rede. About the Sons of Hermes: Sons of Hermes Coven is a teaching coven of eclectic
male and transgendered Witches from a variety of backgrounds that are working to connect with the male aspect of the
Deities. A trinity of Gods from Classical times serve as our main source of guidance and understanding. The Goddess
has come now into here own and now the Horned God will be placed with veneration and equality beside the Gracious Goddess
and men will stand as willing equals of women not as masters, through the Desire, Eloquence and Strength of these male deities
that were honored in the places where men met and loved one another, honoring the divine spark that dwells inside of each
of us that is both female and male.
History:
The banner was created in June of 2004 and first appeared in the Boston GLBT
Pride Parade, that year. It was an attempt to get Pagans of all pursuasions together behind one banner.
Not being
an organization we do not have a tax-free status. Fortunately we have had friends that helped out with the expennse
of the entrance fee for the Parade. Since then we have been able to march in every parade. Each year we do an
invocation of Athena, Aphrodite, and Hermes.
2004: The first appearance of the Independent Pagans of New England
banner. We were greeted with cheers and excitement as we passed. Many times we would here those on the sidelines
calling "Blessed Be." and "It's the Pagans.".
2005: Again we were warmly received
by the crowds that lined the route of the Parade, and again received the same greetings of the crowds. We marched despite
the grueling heat of the day. This year we had Christopher Penczak join with us.
2006: This year
was the year of "the deluge". Never before had Pride Day gone on when it was raining so hard. This,
though, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds that lined the streets. This year the Society of Elder Faiths marched
as a separate group but with us just the same. We had the lowest attendence of any parade. Maureen Reddington-Wilde
joined us briefly to invoke Aphrodite, in the ancient dialect of Lesbos, Greece.
2007: Though the skies
were threatening, the rain by-passed us (with a little magickal nudge), and again we were warmly received by those on the
sidelines.
Maureen again joined us, invoking the Hellenic deities, as well as Aphrodite, on Ancient Greek, and in the
dialect of Lesbos. As the knowledge of our banner has grown, we had people that had found us from Lap of the Goddess,
and through our announcement in The Witches' Voice. We were able to participate through generosity of Christopher Penczak.
Because of this years repeated calls from the sidelines and at the Festival on City Hall Plaza, we now have a website.
2008: Was a damp year
as well, but that did not dampen our spirits as we marched the route. We were welcomed warmly along the way and the
skies, though cloudy and occasionally drizzly, did not stop any of us. 2009:
This year we had the largest turn out ever, with several covens, groves and individuals represented. We had fine warm
weather, the best all that month, for the day. It was a welcome change from the previous years. 2010: This year we will be marching in association with The Temple
of Witchcraft, who will help fund the banner's appearance.
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| I P of N E banner and its friends 2007 |
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| Invoking the Goddesses and Gods,'07 |
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| Griffen, Hermes Polyandros, Maureen |
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| Maureen making a libation to the Aphrodite and the Gods & Goddeses |
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Resources:
The Witches' Voice
Society of Elder Faiths
Christopher Penczak
Lap of the Goddess (to get on to their mailing list.)
Wiccan Educational Society
Links
below.
The Witches' Voice
Society of Elder Faiths
Christopher Penczak
Lap of the Goddess
Wiccan Educational Society (WES)
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Up coming events:
GLBT
PRIDE DAY:
GLBT Pride Parade will be on Saturday June 12th, 2010. The banner will be there.
We do not know our placement in the marching order until the Wednesday before but you can find us by going
to the Pride Committee Registration area at the corner of Tremont and Rutland Streets and the information near
the Clarendon and Tremont Streets starting point, as well as at the website www.BostonPride.org. Since we just registered today we do not know where we will be gathering but we will on that day gather by
10:30 AM EDT. We will begin with invokations to Athena, Aphrodite, Eros, Hermes and Herakles at about 11:15
AM. To make sure that they give their wisdom, protection, love, eloquence and strength to all that are there
in the spirit of brother and sisterhood regardless of the religious backgrounds, or lack thereof. At 12 Noon our
Marshalls, Hermes Polyandros and Ursus, of the Sons of Hermes, will call of a moment of silence for those that can
not march with us. The Theme of this years Parade is "Riot to Rights- Celebrating 40 Years of Progress".
In that spirit we would like some signs expressing that "We are the Old People, We are the New People, We are the Same
People Stronger Than Before". Bring comfortable walking shoes, and be aware of the weather that day and
dress accordingly. The March/Parade goes on rain or shine. If the weather allows it, dress in ritual clothing (robes,
tunics, etc.) and bring water to drink, something to make a joyous noise with, like a drums, horns, bells, sistra, rattles
and etc. All are welcome to join us. We will bring the joy of living and the connection to the Earth we reside
on and the connection of each and everyone of us to each other and the Goddesses and Gods above below and all around us.
This is the time to show our colors and spiritual paths. We hope to see you there. We have received compliments from
the Pride Committee that we are one of the best groups, colorful, jubilant and committed groups on the parade showing
the diversity of the GLBTQ community. If you are a weather worker, please help us make this a fine day for marching. The Parade will start at Clarendon
and Tremont Streets and proceed along Tremont Street making a left on Berkeley Street, along Berkeley Street, passing the
Media area on the bridge over the Mass. Pike, and then to Boyleston Street where the march will turn right and proceed along
Boyleston to Charles Street, which runs between the Public Gardens and Boston Common on to Beacon Street where we turn right
and climb Beacon Hill pass the State House and down back to Tremont ending at City Hall Plaza where the Festival is being
held. If you do join us please hang with us and enjoy the Festival. Love & Blessed Be, Hermes Polyandros
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