Winter 2010-2011
Goat Tracks
Northeast Wisconsin Pagan Network, PO Box 5601, De Pere, WI 54115
http://www.newpan.net newpagan@gmail.com 920-562-2583
From The Board
By NEWPaN Board of Directors
Here we go again. Introducing the rebirth of our quar-
terly NEWPaN newsletter. Our newsletter is here
to give you information on upcoming events, past
events, and even some information in the form of a
few articles. We had initially started this newsletter
back in 2010, but due to personal duties and emer-
gencies that had happened to those of us working on
the articles, we were unable to complete them, until
now. We will once again be offering you a selection of
informative articles submitted by our members. Some
columns will be returning from the previous newslet-
ter, some will be completely new.
The newsletter will come our quarterly and the dead-
line for submissions is the end of the month prior to
the quarter. So for the Yule edition, we’d need sub-
missions by the end of November. For Ostara’s edi-
Totem/Spirit Animals
By Angela Cherny
Have you ever felt drawn to one animal or another
without being able to explain why? This could be any
animal, including birds and insects. Does a certain
kind of animal consistently appear in your life? This
doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical appearance,
it could be represented in other ways such as receiv-
ing card and letters with the same animal pictured over
and over, unexplainable dreams of a particular animal,
watching television and seeing the same animal fea-
tured time and time again, or, actually having the ani-
mal show up. That animal could be your totem animal,
or spirit guardian. Since the earliest of times people
have felt that affinity toward animals and still do.
Webster’s Dictionary defines a totem as: “A natural
object, usually an animal that serves as a distinctive,
often venerated emblem or symbol – usually a means
of personal or spiritual identity.” Most Native American
tribes have several totems that have meaning for their
people. Though people may identify with different ani-
mal guides throughout their lifetimes, there tends to
Volume 2, Issue 1
In This Issue
From The Board 1
Totem/Spirit Animals 1-2
Meet A Member 2
NEWPaN Community Yule 3
Viking Bread 3
Upcoming Events 4
Submission Guidelines 4
tion, we’d like submissions by the end of February.
For Litha, the end of May. For Mabon, the end of Au-
gust. If there’s ever any question, information can be
found on our website or in our submission guidelines
section, always found on page 4 of the newsletter.
As always, we would appreciate any feedback, both
positive and negative. If you have a suggestion,
article submission, or just want to give a general
opinion of the newsletter, feel free to contact us at
newpagan@gmail.com
be one totem animal that acts as the main guardian
spirit.
With this one animal a connection is shared, either
through interest in the animal, characteristics, dreams,
or other interaction. This Animal Guide offers power
and wisdom to the individual when they “communicate”
with it, conveying their respect and trust. This does not
necessarily mean that you actually pet or spend time
with this animal, more that you are open to learning its
lessons.
So how do you determine your totem animal, if you
haven’t already? Ask yourself these questions…
When you go to the zoo, a park, wildlife area, or for-
est, what are you most interested in seeing? Are there
any animals that you find to be extremely frightening
or intriguing? Is there a particular animal that you see
frequently when you’re out in nature? Have you ever
been bitten or attacked by an animal? Have you ever
had a recurring dream about a certain animal, or a
dream from childhood that you have never been able
to forget? Are you drawn to figurines or paintings of a
specific animal?
Goat Tracks Page 2

Meet Member
(Spirit Animals Count...)
Once you have determined what your totem animal
is you are ready for research. Find out the different
a
habits, culture and interactions of your animal. How
do these relate to you? Do you find yourself very pro-
tective of your young? Do you find certain seasons
affect you in certain ways? For myself I find I prefer
to be indoors in winter and be at home, much like a
hibernating bear, but once the sunshine is bright and
flowers are starting to edge out of the earth, I love to
be out and about.
Learn about all aspects of your totem animal. All ani-
mals have balance, both good and bad traits. Dol-
phins can be calm and beautiful swimmers, but they
are skilled predators. Doves may bring peace and
community, but they will attack a member of the flock
if it is weak or different in some way. How do those
characteristics also reflect on you? Is this a quality
you must guard against or just be aware that those
mannerisms may pop up? Like the bear, I tend to put
on weight in the fall, I get extremely hungry some- My name is Angela Cherny; I prefer to be called
times and have to be on guard for overeating, and Angie or Ang. I’m a Native American of Oneida
sweets are my downfall. I have to not beat myself up Tribe descent. Upon meeting me you may think I
for it, but learn to work those patterns into my diet. am very quiet and unassuming, but once I am com-
This was a recent revelation for me, so it is something fortable I can be boisterous and loud.
I am working on.
I follow a unique path of my own creation that
Working with your totem animals can be rewarding would be considered Pagan. My patron Goddess is
and amazing experience. I can honestly say, even Hecate, which she made known to me by appearing
though I have known the in the middle of the dark highway one early morn-
bear was my totem animal ing. My patron God is actually a Hindu god, Shiva,
most of my life, I never which he made known to me by calling to my spirit. I
realized how much in my try to follow what I know of the Oneida legends and
life resembles theirs, and beliefs, but I am not a member of the Longhouse
how close my connection religion. I practiced as a solitary for a lot of years
to bear really is. Don’t with no real path, but I have read a lot of books and
forget to honor your totem am devoted to life-long learning.
during ceremony in some
way and give back in any I revere the natural world and try to be conscious of
way that is available. Do- what I do to Mother Earth. I have a special fond-
nate time or money to ness for stones and rocks, they speak a quiet lan-
conservation or rescue guage all their own. I was raised as a member of
group, support conser- the Bear clan, so I am very cognizant of those as-
vation legislation, or just pects of myself. Winter is my time for introspection
create a backyard habi- and reflection, summer my time of fun and playful-
tat. Anything you do will ness. Dreams have special meanings to me; I love
deepen your relationship trying new things and have an adventurous spirit.
with your totem animal Say Hi to me at a coffee night. I love to expand my
and will be appreciated. circle of friends.
Goat Tracks Page 3
NEWPaN Community Yule
By Caitlin Tackmier

On Saturday, December 18 our members gathered to

celebrate the winter solstice, or Yule. This holiday is
a time of rejoicing and celebrating, marking the end
of the dark part of the year. Traditionally there was
much feasting, and a fire was kept lit in the hearth to
celebrate the fact that the days are getting longer.
Harmony Cafe graciously hosted the evening event.
In attendance were several members of the board of (Above) Community Altar Setup from NEWPaN Yule.
directors, members at large, new faces, children, and (Below) Various pictures of members celebrating
other family. In addition to our annual, notorious White
Elephant Gift Exchange, we had our first community
Yule ritual. Our celebrants were board secretary Ter-
eesa Daul and vice chair Paul Tackmier. Feast was
choose your own selections from the wonderful cof-
fee, soup, and sandwich menu at Harmony Cafe.
Pictures can be found on our Facebook account, and
more information on Harmony Cafe can be found at
www.harmonycafe.org.

Viking Bread until a ball is formed. Start by adding a small amount

of milk and butter, and add in increments until the
By Caitlin Tackmier
ball resembles any other bread dough. Put ball on a
Although Wicca is the predominate group in the Ameri- greased cookie sheet. Form by hand until the ball re-
can Neopagan movement, not all pagans are Wiccan. sembles a large pancake or cookie. Bake until golden
Members of our group follow diverse paths such as brown, then flip and bake until other side is golden
Asatru, Native American, Druidic, Hellenic, and Pan- brown as well. Serve fresh with applesauce, butter,
theism. In the spirit of education and equality, here is or yogurt. This unleavened cake will keep at room
a little food for thought about a non-Wiccan topic. temperature for several days in an airtight container
Not all kitchen witches are Wiccan. In fact, many are even if the middle is still very moist. If reheating in
happy not claiming another tradition at all, practicing a microwave or over a campfire, butter bread before
in a solitary or family setting. Below is a recipe based reheating. I prefer to bake this cake in a toaster oven
on finds from the Jorvik settlement in York, UK. Jorvik to save on electricity.
Centre is a living history site dedicated to recreating
the life of the Scandinavians who lived there a thou-
sand years ago. It is from these northern peoples
that we get our modern Asatru belief structure.
• 2 cups rye flour or flour
• 1 cup applesauce, unsweetened is best
• Splash of milk
• Splash of melted butter
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees F. Com-
bine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Mix by hand
Goat Tracks Page 4
Upcoming Events
Friday January 21 January PEDD
Kavarna (112 South Broadway, Green Bay)

Friday February 4 NEWPaN Coffee Night

The Attic (730 Bodart St, Green Bay)

Thursday February 13 NEWPaN Book Club

(Contact Caitlin for directions)

Friday February 18 February PEDD

Harmony Cafe (1660 West Mason St, Green Bay)

Friday March 4 NEWPaN Coffee Night

The Attic (730 Bodart St, Green Bay)

Thursday March 13 NEWPaN Book Club

(Contact Caitlin for directions)

Friday March 18 February PEDD

Harmony Cafe (1660 West Mason St, Green Bay)

Northeast Wisconsin Submissions

Submission guidelines are as follows
Pagan Network, Inc 1.Keep it family friendly
2.Avoid negativity toward others through language
PO Box 5601 De Pere, WI 54115 or art.
3.Articles should be between 200 and 450 words.
Longer articles may be edited for space.
Phone:
4.Be original. No plagiarizing. If we discover pla-
920-562-4108 giarism or are alerted to it by an outside source,
you may be banned from future submissions.
Website: 5. Artwork or photographs should be high quality.
6.Include how you want yourself credited... legal
www.newpan.net name or pagan name. Whichever.
Send all submissions to newpagan@gmail.com with
Email: the subject “Newsletter Submission”

newpagan@gmail.com Submission Ideas:

The next newsletter is going to span from roughly Os-
Making tracks toward tara to Litha. Think of things that remind you of this
time of year. We will accept artwork, photographs, po-
ems, short stories, articles and calendar submissions.
tolerance since 2003. Submission deadline is March 1st.