 Our beloved, late founding High Priestess, Lady Morgana was born on this day in 1941.
All Inner Circle Witches and Witchlings owe Lady Morgana a huge debt of gratitude for this rich, amazing and effective Tradition she created for us from her own Coven lineage (both Lady Raven Brightwing's and Lady Virginia's), her vast knowledge of Magick in general, her Candle Shop Tradition teachings, and even her Buddhist training and incredible business experience. Her beloved husband, Lord Mordred, often described her as a vortex; you could not help but want to be around her. She was a force of nature, she was all but fearless, and she was also kind, generous, and gracious. She was also the epitome of a Witch. Anyone who met her knows what I mean. Her two stores, Cat 'N Cauldron and later Bell, Book, & Candle were the most incredible and resolute Witchcraft shops. If you had a question, she had an answer. If you had a problem, she had a solution. So while we remember her daily on our Altars, in our classes, and at our Sabbats, etc., on Morganamas more than any other day, we share memories of her, stories she told us, and love her that much more strongly. She made us who we are as Witches always trying to be better human beings. I know I am eternally grateful for all she did for me, and I am so looking forward to meeting her again in our next incarnations. Blessed Be Lady Morgana! Lord Tanys Thanksgiving 2023Happy Thanksgiving from Inner Circle Sanctuary! Any Coven (and in our case Temple till 2014) is like a family; a family of your choosing, a family with its own dynamics, a family devoted to the Art Magical. Even when we are not in Circle, in class, or one of our events, our Coven does have a social aspect that is invaluable. These are life long relationships, starting in the 90s for some of us. Beyond Magical practices, Covens are shoulders to cry on, hands to help out, and ears that listen. We grow together, go through good times and not so good together, and share experiences other people can't imagine.  We are very thankful for the people that make up our Coven. We are extremely thankful for the founders of our Tradition, Lady Morgana and Lord Mordred. Every class, every Sabbat, everything we do is a living testament to their brilliance and generosity. We hope you are thankful for the blessings you have in your life, and we hope they are many. Lord Tanys Read some other Thanksgiving Posts
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If you are interested in learning more about us, please don't hesitate to Contact Us. If you are interested in joining our classes, please start with our questionnaire here. Want to see how we do things? Try out a sample test: Follow this link to a Google Doc: https://forms.gle/7oaQ5GF3d8k4CsA37  Interested in attending our 2022 Apotheosis Day Celebration? See our invite here: https://www.facebook.com/events/383979890543121 Apotheosis noun, uh-poth-ee-oh-sis, ap-uh-thee-uh-sis 1. the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god 2. the ideal example; epitome; quintessence: This poem is the apotheosis of lyric expression. From dictionary.com Sounds nice doesn’t it? Like Imhotep, Amenhotep son of Hapu, and Antinous, who were once commoners, but were so well loved by Kings and an Emperor, were elevated to Godhood.
(Imhotep - "the one who comes in peace" - was an Egyptian chancellor to the pharaoh Djoser, probable architect of the Djoser's step pyramid, and high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis. Very little is known of Imhotep as a historical figure, but in the 3000 years following his death, he was gradually glorified and deified. wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imhotep)
The Apotheosis of Washington in the eye of the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol by Constantino Brumidi in 1865. Architect of the Capitol. https://www.flickr.com/photos/uscapitol/6082318543 Or as in the painting “The Apotheosis of George Washington” which graces the inside of the dome of the United States Capital building. I first read about this in a Dan Brown novel - you know, the one about the Freemasons. Anyway, it’s a good thing, Apotheosis. And from our mortal, commoner point of view, it’s a very respectful thing. We here at ICS have been celebrating our Founders’ birthdays every year, even after their departure for the Summerlands. We continue to do so, but we also looked around and acknowledged that we ain’t getting any younger either, and someday, there may be just too many Founders and Elders rockin’ the Underworld to celebrate all their first days of this incarnation.
But why “Apotheosis Day” you ask? Why not just “Dead Elders Day?” (I like it - sounds like a Punk Band!)
We feel close to our Lady and Lord, even though they are operating on other planes of existence, much like Gods. The ties that bind us to them are strong, and strengthen us, our rituals, and our magick. We hear their voices (sometimes laughing, sometimes chewing us out) and feel their presence. As the saying goes (quoting Starhawk, I believe) “What is remembered, lives” and we know this is true. It’s a lot of laughs, food, and fond memories on Apotheosis Day. At Samhain, at least the way we observe Samhain, it’s quite different. May we all achieve Apotheosis, if not in or at the end of this incarnation, then hopefully the next. And may those we leave behind celebrate our existence on this Earth after we have left Her. Lord Tanys High Priest, Inner Circle Sanctuary Originally posted 07/01/2021  Follow Inner Circle Sanctuary on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.
If you are interested in learning more about us, please don't hesitate to Contact Us. If you are interested in Joining our classes, please start with our questionnaire here. Originally posted 03/25/2020  Tarostar has crossed the veil. March 25, 1942 - April 27, 2022 - May 30, 2022 This weekend marked the 30 day Ceremony commemorating one of the last OG Vegas Witches from the late 60s/early 70s Tarostar. People from all over North America attended. The following day was a live memorial in his adopted Canada, and was a beautiful event. This is the piece I sent to be read: TAROSTAR The Magical community of Las Vegas is built on the foundations laid by Tarostar and his magical companions, who are larger than life to those Witches here who know a bit of local history. History is a rare thing in Las Vegas, a town that is constantly reinventing itself. Stability as well is hard to find. Tarostar thankfully gives us a sense of both. My late High Priestess Lady Morgana spoke fondly about him, and I particularly recall her tales of the rented halls he would use for the Hallowmas Dumb Supper. I was of course duly impressed! His website rounded out my own Vegas Magical History education, and there is a special feeling knowing I have been to several of the places he mentioned, and met some of the people he wrote about. But alas, I never met Tarostar in person. I am eternally grateful for my dear friend Kate Russell, who put me in contact with him. I tried, to no avail, to not fan boy out in our conversations. Fortunately for me he was very gracious, informative, and even agreed to be interviewed. I know him mostly from his books, which are so unique and awesome! As Kate told me originally, the many spells that fill his books were written for clients with a specific need. Knowing Las Vegas people, it was so obvious once she pointed it out! I can easily imagine Tarostar reaching for the oils and herbs to dress the candles and give the directions to the would-be spell worker. His books on the religion of the Craft are the most dear to me. What an incredible body of wisdom and practice he gave to us. The books for the Solo Witch, the three person Chamber of Hecate, and the Sacred Pentagraph Tradition are the clearest, most complete out there. What an amazing body of work! Through these I came in contact with Thorn Nightwind, who is so inspirational, such a good leader, and is such a perfect person for keeping the Sacred Pentagraph Tradition alive and thriving. He gives me hope for the future. Tarostar was rather surprised when I told him that my late High Priestess Lady Morgana had used the corporate documents for his All Saints Church of Mystic Science for her own Witchcraft church, Temple of the Inner Circle, in 1991. That Temple became our Coven, Inner Circle Sanctuary, in 2014. The original documents from 1976 are a tangible link to the Man and what he started here, are a connection to him, and we cherish them. Our Coven still works material Tarostar wrote, including spells and some ritual lines such as the Invocation to Hecate from A Book Of Shadows. My memories of Bell Book & Candle (where I got my magical start) and Psychic Eye shops are charged with his presence. The power of place is evident to me whenever I am near the places in which he Worked. I am very thankful for you, our Siblings to the North, who made Tarostar so welcome and supported him for so many years. Thankful and a little bit envious to be honest! Our Magical Community in Las Vegas and indeed, our Coven Tradition would not be the same without Tarostar. He looms large in our collective spirit. He inspires us to more. And his spirit lives on. We love you and thank you Tarostar. Blessed Be. Tanys https://witchworld109.com/main_page.html Interview with Tarostar | Inner Circle Sanctuary https://www.innercirclesanctuary.com/updates-and-info/interview-with-tarostar-occult-author Interview with Kate (Lady Iris) Aug 2019 (Audio Only) - Inner Circle Sanctuary https://www.innercirclesanctuary.com/updates-and-info/interview-with-kate-lady-iris Happy Birthday, Tarostar! Or as we often refer to him: “The Man”. Today, March 25, we honor this incredible Witch, Author, and Craft Elder, who has touched the lives of so many people. Whether you have gotten readings from him, or magical supplies, or read one of his many books, or are a Sacred Pentagraph member, or putting his Sacred Pentagraph Lodge-Style Wicca system to work for you, many thanks are owed to this dedicated, hard working man! Here in Las Vegas, Tarostar perfected his Craft at the original Bell, Book and Candle, and running his own store, Ye Olde Herb Doctor. As our mutual friend Lady Iris describes, many of the spells in Tarostar’s books come from customer requests for magical solutions to the real life issues they had. Anyone who has read his books, can see how serious some of these issues were. "A classic occult curmudgeon, Tarostar's no-nonsense practical application approach to the Craft, his written legacy and role modeling of life as lesson is cherished by those who love his wit, follow his blazed trail and find themselves more self aware and deeply engaged in the inner occult path as a result. He is a true Elder in every sense of the word." Lady Iris Love and Money, Luck and Revenge, were all aspects of life for which Tarostar crafted spells. And they got results. And whether you do the spells, or just read them, Tarostar’s rhymes, diagrams, and attitude make them so FUN! In 1976 Tarostar did the coolest thing: he incorporated the All Saints Church Of Mystic Science with the State of Nevada, putting Witchcraft and Magick on the same playing field as other religions. This would have the ripple effect not only of bringing respect to Witchcraft, but fast forwarding several years, the All Saints Church Of Mystic Science doing business as (dba) Temple of the Inner Circle, would again teach Witchcraft to the public, and was the parent organization of Inner Circle Sanctuary. Speaking of the religion of Wicca, Tarostar also created the Sacred Pentagraph Tradition. This Lodge Style tradition of Craft working is a monumental achievement. And fortunately, he has written it all down for us to use. These incredible documents can be found at http://witchworld109.com/main_page.html and in two beautiful books called The Sacred Pentagraph. So really, Tarostar has thought of it all, and written it out for us. He wrote spellbooks for people who need practical results. He wrote a book I hope to see republished soon- “Sabbat Ceremonies for Solo Witches”. For a group of three, there are the “Chamber of Hecate” rituals found in his Book of Shadows. And of course, an incredible wealth of material in the Sacred Pentagraph books awaits any group of people ready to do work seriously cool Witchcraft. “Tarostar V* is not just an Elder who has passed down tried and true occult wisdom to us through the lodge-based system we know, love and hold dearly as the Sacred Pentagraph Tradition, but is such a trusted friend and teacher. He has been the most impactful teacher I’ve had on my Wiccan & occult journey and my life has forever changed in the most magical of ways. Today, the legacy of Sacred Pentagraph has continued and is honored by many generations of practitioners stemming from our coven and his teachings. Happy Bday Tarostar!” -Matt, High Priest IV* from the Wolfa Coven of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. https://covenofthewolfa.wordpress.com/ Tarostar is still working Magick and doing readings for clients in Canada. He is active on facebook, and of course you can read more about him in his own words at his website http://witchworld109.com/main_page.html Happy Birthday Tarostar! We love you!
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If you are interested in learning more about us, please don't hesitate to Contact Us. If you are interested in Joining our classes, please start with our questionnaire here.  HAPPY MORDYMAS! Our Lord Mordred, founding High Priest of Temple of the Inner Circle, would be 60 years old today. He would give you the shirt off his tattooed back, would drive to AZ to ensure you weren't broken down on the side of the road (sans Spaghettios), would administer electric/magical bath salt foot baths to anyone in need, and bend over backwards to take care of his Temple, friends and customers, etc. Lord Mordred guided us well for many years, and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his wise guidance and tireless teaching. Many of us will be lighting a candle in his honor, dressed with Light Of The Spirit oil today. Blessed Be Lord Mordred! I will forever hear his voice in my head telling me " That came over in the Mayflower!” |
Inner Circle SanctuaryInner Circle Sanctuary is a school for traditional style Wicca and holds eight sabbat festivals every year. 
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An Eclectic Traditionalist Oath-bound, Initiatory Wiccan Coven |
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