Ostara 1998 Newsletter Editorial

Welcome again to another edition of the newsletter for the NSW area of the Pagan Alliance. I would like to extend a big welcome to all our new members who have joined us in the cold winter months. If there is anything you would like to see covered in the newsletter, please drop me a line, or give me a ring. If you would like to contribute something, (an article, picture, poem etc.) please send it in. At the end of each newsletter, the theme for the next edition is listed, however, if there is something else you would like to contribute or see covered, please let me know.

We are getting more and more enquiries each month from people all over the state, and in August alone we had over 30 requests for information! Thank you to all members who have referred people to me for more information about the Alliance. If you know of any shops or organisations that should be getting information about Paganism or the Alliance, either let me know and I will approach them, or as them to get in touch with me.

Winter is starting to give in, and show signs that Spring is on it’s way. One sure sign is that our Cuckoo is back! The day before he arrived home, my partner had a dream about him, and told me about it when we were out walking. Imbolc day, we heard his distinctive ‘song’. It’s good to have him back, for the time being, and I look forward to his haunting calls from 4am each morning. Even though by the end of his time here with us, we will be sick and tired of his incessant calling, we would miss him if he didn’t come home. It was only recently that we found out that Cuckoos don’t normally come this far down south to mate, and that it is only in the last few years that numbers in Sydney have been increasing. This may become a problem later on for the native birds of the Sydney area, as the cuckoo doesn’t have the most ‘honest’ of chick raising attitudes. For those of you who aren’t aware, the mother cuckoo lays an egg in another birds nest, leaving them to rear their offspring. It is strange that these birds don’t notice, as the cuckoo chick is quite large, and it pushes the other baby chicks out of the nest. This way it doesn’t have to compete for room, food or warmth in the nest, which helps ensure its survival. Just another example of the wonders of nature at work! Our jasmine is starting to flower, and soon the bees will be buzzing around the wattles out the front of our house. I am looking forward to the Spring wysteria blooms.

I hope that everyone who was flooded during the August rains have been able to recover and that the clean up process wasn’t too daunting. Perhaps if you have time, you could write and let us know what it was like, or how you view this kind of event in context with your beliefs? One positive to come out of all the rain, for those that live in Sydney, is that Warragamba Dam is now at capacity for the first time in many years (we won’t mention the fact that we haven’t been able to drink this water though).

The football grand final is the weekend after the Equinox, a true sign that Winter’s reign has ended. Cricket training has started again and the competition takes off the weekend after the Equinox, a sure fire sign that Summer is only a few short months away. I am thankful that the wheel turns anew.

Late in August I was lucky enough to have Oberon Zell, one of the founders of the Church of All Worlds stay with me while he was travelling around NSW. Oberon was a presenter at this year’s Pagan ’98 festival, which by all accounts I have heard went well. Congratulations to Quenten and all the organisers. Oberon is a colourful character who lives with his family in America, and is currently taking a back seat role in relation to the running of the Church after many years at the helm. He is focussing his energy into the production of the most wonderful God and Goddess statues I have seen. Oberon is a keen sculpter and collector of God and Goddess figurines, and has travelled the world over to see rare art works first hand. I was also able to hear the infamous tales of unicorns and mermaids! A very interesting evening was spent with Oberon discussing many aspects of Paganism in America and in Australia.

Sorry for such a long editorial, but there’s been a lot happening, and a lot to look forward to. What’s happening in your backyard, or on your balcony this season?

Blessed Be
Adrianne Harris
NSW Co-ordinator