WHO WE ARE

Years ago our founder, Sandra Bradley-Smith was considering having Circle of Mother Earth host a Witches Ball. Being a huge undertaking, there was much to work out! Sadly, Sandy crossed over before she could get things running. A year later Circle of Mother Earth decided to give it a go in her honor.

Circle of Mother Earth, Inc is an eclectic pagan temple dedicated to creating change and building community. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has taken up the reins to provide the community with a fun and friendly night of, celebration, music and good ole AWESOMENESS! The proceeds from Mother Earth’s Magickal Masquerade go to benefit The James Saul’s homeless shelter and Circle of Mother Earth’s Share the Warmth.

Mother Earth's Magickal Masquerade

Mother Earth's Magickal Masquerade is an annual fundraising event that provides monetary assistance to the James Sauls Homeless Shelter of Clermont County and Circle of Mother Earth's Share The Warmth. To learn more about this event go to http://circleofmotherearth.org/

THE MEMORY BOX PROJECT

The project is an all volunteer effort to provide memory boxes to families of infants that pass away in the hospital so that the families do not leave the hospital without any representation of that child’s life. The purpose of the project is to affirm that life for the family. As crafters and artist, each box is created with great love and a sincere wish to reach out in support and understanding. We know each infant is special and very, very loved, regardless of how long the child lived. We are providing these special infant boxes free of charge.

As Pagans, our understanding of death as part of the cycle of life and our ability to convey healing energy through our work, is also wonderfully suited to this project.

Project participants create memory boxes for those who are dealing with the sudden loss of an infant. The boxes are donated to various hospitals on an as needed basis.

For many people the loss of a child is an uncomfortable subject. It is often more convenient and comfortable to wipe from our minds any thoughts of tragedy and proceed merrily on our way. However, for many people this loss is not just an uncomfortable thought but a painful reality. It is our responsibility to challenge ourselves to empathize and care for others despite being confronted with emotionally difficult subject matter and this project not only allows us to help others but also grows our own hearts larger.

This will be an ongoing project developed by Circle of Mother Earth.

 

THE PROS AND CONS OF PREMARITAL COUNSELING

The Pros of Premarital Counseling
1. You Can Talk Out Problems... Before It's Too Late
Premarital counseling is a chance for couples to dig up any potential pitfalls that could hinder their marriage from lasting a lifetime. It causes people to consider and discuss things that will increase the likelihood of a successful marriage.
Money issues, anger problems, jealous tendencies; premarital counseling can help you and your partner get any potential issues out in the open now so that you're not shocked by them nine months into your marriage.
2. You Get an Outside Opinion
So, you're about to get married and you're pretty sure you and your mate have the best possible relationship you've ever come across -- minus the passionately heated shouting match you had this morning over who was the last person to take out the trash. Going to premarital counseling can give you an outside perspective on your relationship, and how to make it last.
3. It Can Strengthen Your Bond
New flash: many of us were not born with stellar communication skills. Do you ever get mad at your partner and then refrain from telling them you're angry -- let alone explaining why you're angry? Healthy relationships are based on open and honest communication, and premarital counseling can help you learn those skills.
People are not born with good communication skills and most people never learn such skills. Since most marriages fail due to communication issues, I would say that this is an excellent reason to participate in premarital counseling.

 
The Cons of Premarital Counseling
1. It Can Create Bigger Problems
What if your premarital counseling actually creates more problems between you and your mate than you had before you even stepped into your therapist's office?
Premarital counseling has the potential of creating problems, in that it causes people to think about and discuss issues they may never have considered. While this can be viewed as a con, I would propose that it is also a pro because it forces the discussion before marriage, as opposed to after marriage. Why not be preventative and not reactive?
2. The Counseling May Not Be That Good
As with anything, some marriage counselors are better than others. If a couple goes to a marriage counselor, who is not particularly skilled at conflict resolution, what happens if the couple argue over an issue raised in the counseling?
Just like buying a car requires you to take a few different vehicles for a test drive, you have to do your research when it comes to finding a therapist, or you may wind up working with someone who hinders your relationship more than they help it! A skilled marriage counselor should be well aware of the issues that tend to cause divorce and should also be skilled at properly addressing those issues!
3. You May Wind Up Calling Off Your Wedding
If seeing a therapist brings up major issues for you and your partner, it could turn into an argument that ends with you calling off your engagement. While this is not ideal, it can also save you from marrying someone who is not right for you and it can also save you from the heartbreak of divorce.
While there are a few potential cons to premarital counseling, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Couples therapy is a great way for engaged couples to discuss major issues in their relationship before saying "I do" for a lifetime. Nothing can guarantee a successful marriage, but premarital counseling can help you figure out what it takes to ensure your marriage will thrive!

Our Non-profit status

Circle of Mother Earth was incorporated in Ohio in 2009. We have been granted 501(c) (3) status with the IRS.

Handfasting History: An Old Tradition Made New

Many Pagan and Wiccan couples choose to have a handfasting ritual instead of a traditional wedding ceremony. In some cases, it may be simply ceremonial -- a couple declaring their love for one another without the benefit of a state license. For other couples, it can be tied in with a state marriage certification issued by a legally authorized party such as a clergyperson or justice of the peace. Either way, it's becoming more and more popular, as Pagan and Wiccan couples are seeing that there is indeed an alternative for non-Christians who want more than just a courthouse wedding.
Read more:http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/handfastings/a/HandfastingHxy.htm?nl=1

Green men cut in church stonework

The curious carving below, of vegetation growing from a man's face, is fixed to the roof at Norwich cathedral. The cathedral has 1,016 roof bosses, the carvings on the underside of heavy keystones in the roof vaults.

Read the entire article here:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherhowse/5258164/Green-men-cut-in-church-stonework.html