More about the current Myrddin - Arkayne and Masery
Arkayne Magii, Myrddin of The Elodrym
Photo by Annie
Myrddin Arkayne Magii has led various esoteric workshops, discussion groups, and large rituals since 1998. At Southeast Missouri State University he took courses on psychology and physics. At Cabrillo College he took classes in art and web programming. Arkayne incorporates the principles of art and psychology into lessons on seeing reality from a new point of view. He has written many essays on spiritual and mystical subjects, including "Reality", "Learning to See", and along with Masery co-wrote "The Seven Principles of Magick." He is currently a student at the Grey School of Wizardry.
As an artist, I believe that true art is not just the "act of creating a representation of an object, person, or place via the utilization of various media, tools, and techniques." Instead, art is the language of the spirit itself. We are all born with a specific passion, and it is this passion that underlies all of our thoughts, words, and actions. We could define art as "our true calling." Once we discover this, and work to make it a part of our lives, our very existence becomes art. By putting our entire being into everything we do, becoming one with it, we achieve what the Buddhists call Satori.
I was born with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). While being detrimental to my ability to pay attention to things I’m not interested in, it also gives me the ability to hyper focus on a single task I enjoy. While involved in that task, I completely lose awareness of myself and my surroundings by entering an almost trancelike state.
My interest in magick has been with me my entire life, from a very young age I was very sensitive to the energies around me. I could tell a person's mood by the sound of their footsteps or how they opened a door, I found I could tell a lot about a person's life just by how they signed their name, and I could not only smell the coming rain, but I could feel it in the air as the wind flowed over my skin.
I spent a great deal of my teenage years meditating in the redwood forests and that was where I was first initiated into my magickal path. I felt the spirits of the trees and communed with them. They taught me a lot about the nature of time, as well as guiding me as I learned to feel the spiritual essence radiating from the forest around me.
Masery, Myrddin of The Elodrym
Photo by Annie
Myrddin Masery has led workshops, discussion groups, and group rituals since 1998. She has a degree in mass communication and a minor in religion from Southeast Missouri State University. Her independent study thesis was “Mysticism within Native American, Christian, and Neo-Pagan Religions”. Her knowledge of communication, social structure, religion, and the basic principles of mysticism are incorporated into the course material. She is currently training at Cherry Hill Seminary and the Grey School of Wizardry where she is a faculty member in the Mind Magicks Department.
I reaffirm my personal creed each spring by writing the date and location in the back of my tome.
“I am a lover, a wife, a sister, an aunt, a student, a teacher, and a mother to all who need a sympathetic ear. With my words I entertain, inform, and challenge. With my voice I sing, chant, scream, laugh and cry.”
I was born on the Summer Solstice in 1976. My family moved a lot when I was young so I grew up in the plains, swamps and Ozarks of Missouri. I was diagnosed with Turners Mosaic, in 2001. Some of the complications are hypo-thyroid and diabetes type two. In 2002, during a thunder storm at Trail of Tears State Park, I was initiated unexpectedly as a priestess by Gaia (our planet) and the elements. When the spirit journey was over, I woke on the shores of a lake, my body covered in mud. The rain and wind slowed and the lightening stopped. Out of the silence rose a thunderous chorus of frogs, my spirit animal. I knew that I was a wild mage.
I plan rituals for full moons and major sabbats, but my favorites happen on those days when my soul whispers, encouraging me to move my body with the magic of the moment and weave a spell.
Public Involvement (Added 7/8/06)
When we first put up the site, we didn't want to include our accomplishments. We thought it would sound too much like a resume and we believe that everyone has accomplished something in their life. But, as people living with disabilities, we wanted to show that everyone can make a difference no matter the challenges they face.
Earth Spirit Newsletter
Co-Publishers of Earth Spirit Newsletter, 1996 – 1998 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Cape Area Pagans, 1997
Michael and Tara gathered local Pagans, including Mage Revenant, in a tiny conference room at Subway in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Dorothy Morrison was kind enough to introduce us to some Wheel of the Year traditions.
May 1, 1999, Beltane
Dorothy Morrison, Michael and Tara Miller were featured in “Modern Paganism” by Andrea L.Buchanan. It was a full page article in the Southeast Missourian Newspaper which dispelled many of the misconceptions about Paganism. (p. 14 cont. p. 12)
1999 Hypatia Book Project
Elizabeth Barrette (teacher at the Grey School of Wizardry and editor of Pangaia magazine) and Tara coordinated the Hypatia Book Project. The project asked members of the Pagan Leaders e-mail list to recommend videos, magazines, and books. The list was compiled and participants signed an introductory letter. Local Pagans used the resource to assist librarians in ordering books for the religion section. It was also recommended as a resource for people new to Paganism.
Pagan Pride Day International, 1998 - 2002
Tara was the Local Coordinator for Cape Girardeau, Missouri, one of the original events held on September 19, 1998. The small gathering that day included the first public ritual in the area. An endless amount of people pitched in over the years with workshops, rituals, and massive amounts of food. The 2002 event included a workshop on psychic defense with mystery author, M. R. Sellars who attendees convinced to participate in the spiral dance.
Classes and Workshops 1998 - 2002
Tara was a guest speaker at several classes on religion at Southeast Missouri State University, presented workshops on Druidry at Ozark Avalon and SIPA (Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance), and led a workshop on dreams and visualization at a SIPA campout.
Michael co-lead open discussions on spirituality and gave talks on the conflicts between the heart and the mind, and the heart chakra.
Southeast Missouri State University Pagan student groups, 1998-2002
Michael and Tara were members, and sometimes the organizers, of the many incarnations of Pagan student groups such as Circle of the Blessed Moon and Muddy River Grove. These groups offered classes, open discussion, public festivals, and campouts.
Witches Against Religious Discrimination, 2002
Michael and Tara worked with Director Karmann MoonWitch of WARD to counter religious discrimination in Southeast Missouri.
Reiki Training, 2002
Tara received training and certificates for Usui Reiki I and II from Kimberly Miller. (No relation.)
Religious Panel on Homosexuality, October 16, 2002
Tara participated in a panel of religious community leaders in a discussion on homosexuality at Southeast Missouri State University. The Southeast Missourian Newspaper (17/10/02) quoted her as saying, “We don’t believe it’s right to not acknowledge people’s commitment to one another. Marriages, whether heterosexual or homosexual, are sacred to our goddess because they are acts of love.”
Peace and Justice Coalition of Southeast Missouri
Participated in local rallies and candlelight vigils. Tara attended a peace march in D.C. and spoke about Peaceful Warriors at an April local rally.
Moved to California
Michael and Tara moved to the Santa Cruz, California area in April 2003.
Pagan Cluster, 2003
Tara met up with the Pagan Cluster in Sacramento to rally for organic food, clean air, and clean water. The most memorable events were drumming in the middle of a spiral dance lead by Starhawk and marching with the mud people. "If the WTO won't acknowledge the earth, we'll bring the earth to them."
The Elodrym, 2006
After meeting many wonderful students and friends the formation of the Elodrym was announced in February and the website went live in March.
The Elodrym registered as a California Unincorporated Non-Profit Association, April 27, 2006
all content is copyright © 2006 The Order of the Elodrym - All rights reserved.