As I've mentioned in my profile, I volunteer as Ordained Pagan Clergy, HPs Lady Jerusha, in AZ's Department of Correction facilities near my home.

The other night, I went to facilitate an early Beltaine Rite in a Unit I visit and the Correction Officer that "shook" me down (screened me for contraband etc) seemed miffed at my mere presence. As we were walking through the last gate opening onto the prison yard, I noticed that he had taken his Rosary out of his pocket and was carrying it in his hand. I was almost offended and wanted to laugh at the same time......what I DID do was bite my tongue when the words "that won't help you" fluttered through my mind!~

Bad Witch, Bad Witch!

 

Gracious Goddess...help these people know love instead of fear, So Mote it Be.

By SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press Writer
Mon Apr 23, 12:47 PM ET

MADISON, Wis. - The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on goverment-issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement announced Monday.

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A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief" allowed on VA grave markers.

Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.

"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for Memorial Day," Fox said.

The VA sought the settlement in the interest of the families involved and to save taxpayers the expense of further litigation, VA spokesman Matt Burns said. The agency also agreed to pay $225,000 in attorneys' fees and costs.

The pentacle has been added to 38 symbols the VA already permits on gravestones. They include commonly recognized symbols for Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckiankar and the Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie.

"This settlement has forced the Bush Administration into acknowledging that there are no second class religions in America, including among our nation's veterans," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which represented the Wiccans in the lawsuit.

The American Civil Liberties Union said the agreement also settles a similar lawsuit it filed last year against the VA. In that case, the ACLU represented two other Wiccan churches and three individuals.

VA-issued headstones, markers and plaques can be used in any cemetery, whether it is a national one such as Arlington or a private burial ground like that on Circle Sanctuary's property.

Wicca is a nature-based religion based on respect for the earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons. Variations of the pentacle not accepted by Wiccans have been used in horror movies as a sign of the devil.

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On the Net: VA approved religious emblems: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp

Circle Sanctuary: http://www.circlesanctuary.org/

We had a pleasant surprise from the landlady....she is painting the casita! WooooooHoooooo!

We had asked her if it would be ok if we painted the house and took the supplies off the rent and she said fine but Saturday morning we had a knock at the door and it was a painter asking to start pressure washing the outside. We were very suprised, now it will be one color instead of many. We will still have to choose a color and paint the trim ourselves...well only because we want to. I'd rather it have some accent to it that looking like a plain mud brown lump.

 When it's all finished I'll post another picture.

I'm sure we are being rewarded for loving the house even though we don't own it.