The Eclectic Coven of Red Mountain

Annals

2004

Spring Magick City Gathering - The Eclectic Coven of Red Mountain held its annual Spring Gathering on Sunday, May 16th at West Homewood Park. 

A raffle was held to benefit the Friends of Cats & Dogs Foundation. Other donations of pet food, litter, toys, blankets and even coupons were gratefully accepted.  For more information on the Friends of Cats & Dogs Foundation, including information on how you can help, see the website at http://www.fcdf.org.

Wicca 101 - Introduction to Wicca  In April The ECRM began another offering of Wicca 101.  Included in the course were:

Eclectic Circle 2004 Winter Film Series - Joseph Campbell's Mythos 2: The Shaping of the Eastern Tradition.
Since long before history was recorded, people have passed life's lessons from generation to generation through their society's theology and folklore, or mythologies. In volume 2 of the acclaimed Mythos series, we examined spirituality through the mythic images of Hinduism and Buddhism.

2003

Magick City Fall Gathering - Harvest Food Drive

On September 14th, ECRM hosted our annual fall potluck gathering, and for the first time sponsored a drive for material donations for The Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation.  We enjoyed great food, a raffle and an awesome drumming circle, and were able to donate the proceeds of the raffle to FCDF.

Thanks to all who attended for the fun and fellowship, and for the truckload of donations you provided for our furry friends.  For more information on the Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation, including information on how you can help, go to http://www/fcdf.org

Eclectic Circle Summer Film Series 2003: History, Myth and Religion: Legacies of the Ancient World

For Summer 2003 ECRM hosted a series exploring the mysteries and legacies of lost civilizations.      We examined the ancient western world through episodes of Time-Life’s acclaimed Lost Civilizations series.  Narrated by Sam Waterston, this Emmy-winning documentary series delves into the distant past, its cultures, practices, and people, and brings history to life with archeological excavations and historically accurate recreations.  Films in this series included Mesopatamia:Return to Eden, Ancient Egypt: Quest for Immortality and Aegean, Legacy of Atlantis.   

Interest in the topic of Ancient Egypt was so high that ECRM expanded the Summer 2003 Film Series to include a Saturday afternoon Brown Bag Series at Cerridwyn's Needful Things.  The films offered were from The History Channel's 2001 production of Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids which examines recent discoveries that have altered our understanding of the Kingdom of the Nile.  The four part series includes Mansions of the Spirits, The Great Pharaoh and His Lost Children, The Daily Life of Ancient Egyptians and Death and the Journey to Immortality.

The Magick City Gathering
On May 10th, ECRM hosted our annual potluck get-together in the park. We feasted with old friends and new, enjoyed a beautiful day, and even managed a drumming circle. Thanks to Pan for manning the grill, and to all who participated for their good company, good wishes and good cooking.

Eclectic Circle Winter Film Series 2003: Mythos
From Jan. 4th to Feb. 1st, 2003, ECRM kicked off the new year by hosting a special presentation of Joseph Campbell’s Mythos series on Saturday afternoons at the Homewood Public Library. This five-part series, introduced by Susan Sarandon, explores Campbell's vision of humankind's "One Great Story" and examines how myths evolve to reflect changing beliefs about nature, divinity, and life itself. Screenings of the episodes Psyche & Symbol, The Spirit Land, On Being Human, From Goddesses to God, and The Mystical Life were followed by discussion circles. The opening session was featured in the “Weekly Picks” section of the Jan. 2nd edition of the Birmingham Weekly.
 

2002

Magick City Gathering ~ Harvest Food Drive
ECRM sponsored our second harvest-season gathering and food drive Oct. 5th, 2002. We had surprisingly good weather, a drumming circle, delicious food, and an inflatable cauldron -- Who can ask for more?  Thanks to the weather deities for their cooperation, and thanks to all who attended for your company and for your contributions to the Birmingham area United Way Community Food Bank.

Eclectic Circle Summer Film Series 2002:
Craft of the Wise: A New Beginning for Witchcraft
From June to August, ECRM hosted monthly screenings of videos exploring the archetype of the witch, across time and across cultures, from history and folklore to the modern religion of Wicca. Viewings of Dispelling Witches (from the A&E network's Time Machine series), Witches: An Intimate Portrait (from the Lifetime documentary series) and Discovering Witchcraft: A Journey through the Elements (featuring authors Janet and Stewart Farrar and Gavin Bone) were followed by lively discussion circles.

Magick City Gathering
On May 11th, ECRM hosted our annual pagan potluck get-together.  We enjoyed the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.  Thanks to all who participated for their good company, good wishes and good cooking.

Eclectic Circle Winter Film Series:  The Power of Myth
From Dec. 30^th, 2001, to Feb. 3^rd, 2002, ECRM hosted weekly screenings of the 6-part Power of Myth video series at Homewood Public Library, followed by roundtable discussion sessions.  The January 6^th session featured a presentation by Elaine Hughes, professor of English at the University of Montevallo, on “The Message of the Myth.”  Dr. Hughes also presented a special wrap-up session following the February 3^rd viewing of Masks of Eternity.  A feature article on The Power of Myth, referencing the Eclectic Circle Film series, appeared in the Dec. 27^th (2001) edition of Birmingham Weekly.

2001 

Matters of Faith: The Witches of Red Mountain 
ECRM was featured in a Matters of Faith special report "The Witches of Red Mountain" on ABC 33/40 News. The segment included interviews with Morganna, Spirithawk and Lycia, and video of coven activities. The report, which aired November 7th, 2001, focused on correcting misconceptions about Wicca and addressed the issue of religious freedom in America. Matters of Faith is an ongoing series of special reports on religious topics hosted by Dave Baird on ABC 33/40 News, which airs every Wednesday (during the 10 p.m. newscast) and Sunday (during the 5 p.m. newscast).

Fall Harvest Gathering & Food Drive 
ECRM kicked off the 2001 harvest season with a putluck gathering and food drive. Thanks to all who attended for your company and for your contributions of more than 50 pounds of food for the Birmingham area United Way Community Food Bank. 

Merry Meet 2001 
Acting as ECRM's representative, Lycia attended the Covenant of the Goddess Merry Meet 2001 festival in Dallas, Texas on August 24-26th. Over the extended weekend, Lycia attended several interesting workshops, did a short storytelling at the Saturday night dance and talent showcase, and spent most of Sunday stuck in the Houston airport. ECRM also contributed a basket of handcrafted and blessed Samhain Soaps for the silent auction fundraiser.

Eclectic Circle Summer Film Series 2001:
Exploring the Celtic Legacy
From May to August, ECRM hosted monthly screenings of videos on a Celtic theme, followed by round-table discussion sessions. Through the selected videos, we explored the legacy of the Celts from ancient monuments (The Enduring Mystery of Stonehenge) and legends of the British Isles (Legends of the Isles: Merlin the Wizard & Fairies and Leprechauns) to the celebration of Celtic holidays in modern paganisms (Pagans: Wheel of the Sacred Year and The Magick City) and the continuing and thriving traditions of Celtic music (Celtic Tides).

Wise Word Arts Fair
On June 24th, ECRM participated in the first annual Wise Word Arts Fair. This festival, held in Avondale Park, is an intercultural storytelling festival designed to provide a venue for diverse groups to share stories and experiences while highlighting the ethnic and cultural diversity of the Birmingham community. ECRM members presented a collection of creation myths from various cultures and a selection of Celtic stories.

St. Clair County Board of Education presentation
At the invitation of the St. Clair County Board of Education, ECRM presented an Introduction to Wicca session for an audience of teachers and administrators from the St. Clair County School system at their 2001 Professional Development Day. Lycia presented an overview of Wiccan religion, and a panel of ECRM members fielded questions from the audience and distributed handouts and resource guides. The presentation on Wicca was part of a day-long series of workshops on various topics aimed at assisting the schools in dealing more effectively with issues affecting students.

The Street Project:  The Magick City
ECRM provided background and key interviews for The Magick City, a short documentary film produced for The Street Project, a partnership between the UAB Center for Urban Affairs and McWane Center. The project films, products of a joint Anthropology and Art class at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, premiered June 7th at the McWane Center. The Magick City focused on the Pagan community in and around Birmingham and explored how Birmingham Pagans see their spirituality reflected in the neighborhood of Southside. The Magick City was created by filmmakers Melinda Mock and Catherine Stevens.

The Magick City Gathering
On May 19th, ECRM hosted the Magick City Gathering. Our second annual potluck get-together went off without a hitch. We feasted, chanted, and even managed the spiral dance. Thanks to Emerald Storm for manning the grill, and to all who participated for their good company, good wishes and good cooking.

Eclectic Circle Winter Film Series 
The World of Joseph Campbell: Transformations of Myth through Time
With the support of the Alabama Humanities Foundation and the cooperation of the Southside Public Library, ECRM hosted screenings of the entire 13-part Transformations of Myth Through Time video series, followed by roundtable discussion sessions. The winter series met weekly from January 5th until March 30th, with attendance ranging from 20 to 30+ people per night. The program culminated in a final session featuring humanities scholar Elaine Hughes, Professor of English and Director of Academic Program Initiatives at the University of Montevallo. Dr. Hughes, who researched the work of Joseph Campbell for her doctorial dissertation and subsequently brought Campbell to Montevallo for an extended lecture appearance, was an enthusiastic and entertaining speaker able to apply the archetypes of the Hero's Journey to everything from the Old Testament to baseball movies. The series proved to be a successful and thoroughly rewarding experience.

2000

Cool Yule 2000 Coverage
ECRM was spotlighted in a featured article in the Dec. 21st Birmingham Weekly titled "Celebrating the solstice: Cool Yule for Magic City Wiccans." For the article, Glenny Brock drew on ECRM's press materials, website and Statement of Practice, interviews and emails with Lycia and Morganna, Lady Bast's Yule ritual, and Ms. Brock's own research. The half-page article discussed the significance of the winter solstice, described Wiccan ritual and pagan midwinter traditions, and explained Wiccan holidays and the symbolism of the pentacle.

Eclectic Circle Summer Film Series: Spiritual Visions of the World
Each month through the summer of 2000, ECRM hosted a screening of a video or videos spotlighting the spiritual world view of various cultures. Each viewing was followed by an open discussion session. The event was held at Homewood Public Library, and all sessions were offered free to the public. Films were provided by the Alabama Humanities Resource Center. Attendance was encouraging, leading ECRM to announce a follow-up Winter Film Series. The summer schedule ran as follows:

June 29th - Voices in the Wind (Dramatization of a Cherokee myth)
July 13th - Origins of Hindu Civilization
August 10th - Pharaoh's Rule: Egypt, the Exodus, and the Myth of Osiris

Merry Meet 2000
In August, ECRM attended Covenant of the Goddess' Merry Meet 2000 in Virginia Beach. We attended a lively chanting workshop, made some wonderful new friends, and danced the night away at the 25th Anniversary Witches' Ball.

WERC 960 Radio Appearance
Representing ECRM in a radio show on Wicca in Alabama, Morganna and Lycia appeared on Kevin Miller's "Big Show" on WERC 960 with several other area pagans, including our friends Aradian and Emerald Storm from Seven Oaks Coven. The live show aired August 23rd.

Library Mail-out Project
In order to improve public awareness and provide greater access to information for reference, ECRM mailed out information packets to 135 public libraries in Alabama. The packet featured a bibliography of recommended resources on alternative spirituality, prepared by the Pagan Leaders membership and supported by the Pagan Education Network, which was supplied to Lycia courtesy of Ellen Evert Hopman. In addition, we included a list of Web-based resources to provide reference librarians with reliable information on Wicca and related topics and organizations. (A copy of this information is available free of charge upon request. Contact us at eclecticcoven@hotmail.com.)

Samhain 2000 Media coverage
Morganna made the front page of the LifeStyle section of the Birmingham News, where she was profiled as a "Wiccan Martha Stewart" in a Halloween feature printed October 31, 2000. The article included photographs of Morganna and her witchy Samhain decorations and information on Wiccan beliefs.  Lycia appeared on NBC-13 News in a segment on Wiccans describing Wiccan practices and celebrations of Halloween. The segment aired October 31, 2000.  Morganna also appeared on Fox 6 News, where she was interviewed regarding Wicca as part of a follow-up segment on the Pell City witches. The segment aired October 31, 2000.

Pagan Leadership Conference
On October 15th, ECRM hosted a Pagan Leadership Conference as a brainstorming session to coordinate efforts toward dealing with issues of concern for Pagans in Alabama. Issues at the national, state and local level were discussed. Plans were made to continue meeting on a quarterly basis. In order to improve communication and networking, the Alabama Pagan Information Network was established.

AutumnFest
At the kind invitation of Lady Galadriel, ECRM attended AutumnFest, an annual conference for Wiccans and the yearly local council meeting for Dogwood Council of Covenant of the Goddess. We enjoyed a lively concert by Emerald Rose (and made it more lively -- we were so loud the band introduced us to the crowd). We camped out, learned stuff, met wonderful people, and performed a rain chant before leaving.

1999

Pagan Pride Day
ECRM helped to facilitate Pagan Pride Day by painting the Pagan Pride Day banners and by loaning Coven funds to the Birmingham Pagan Alliance to cover deposit costs. Coven members contributed time, testimony, service and cakes for the Cake Walk. In addition, ECRM staffed a booth selling crafts and tarot readings to raise money for Birmingham Aids Outreach.

Troy State Anthropology Student Project
ECRM was the subject of a group project for the class Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion at Troy State. The students' assignment was to observe and report on a religious groups (of which no one in the group was a member). Coven members were interviewed extensively at Pagan Pride Day and on Halloween and agreed to allow the students to observe and videotape our Samhain ritual.

Channel 42 News CBS Affiliate
ECRM declined to allow Channel 42 News to videotape the Samhain ritual, but agreed to interviews. ECRM members were the subject of a news feature on Channel 42 news on real witches and Wicca. The segment aired October 31, 1999.

Goddess 2000 Project/Goddess Variations
In December, ECRM participated in the Goddess 2000 Project, an international grassroots initiative to create and display goddess imagery to welcome the new millennium. ECRM's contribution took the form of a group art show titled GODDESS VARIATIONS: a celebration of the female archetype. Goddess Variations initially appeared December 1-31 at The Naked Art Gallery and consisted of artwork by Coven members in forms ranging from drawings, paintings and sculpture to cave paintings and papercraft.  Goddess Variations also appeared at Lodestar (in Birmingham's Southside) in the winter/spring of 2000.

Goddess Variations Press Coverage
In addition to the usual notices in the Birmingham area events calendars, the Goddess Variations show was featured in both the December issue of Creative Loafing and the Dec. 2nd edition of the Birmingham Weekly. The Creative Loafing article, "Goddess Variations" included a photograph of Lycia's "Cailleach Beara" painting. The Birmingham Weekly article, "Celebrate the Female Archetype (in a mature, respectful way, please)" was illustrated with Lycia's "7 Veils" papercutting collage. 

Annals / Articles / Ask-a-Witch / Bard's Page / Book of Shadows / Classes / Coven Travels / Eclectic Circle / Events / Fundraising / Handfastings / Kitchen Witchery / Links / Members / Mythology / Outreach Programs / Publications / Sabbats / Scriptorium / Stewardship / What Is Wicca / Yahoo! Group

Return Home