When it comes to the Wiccan degree system, we acknowledge these as "benchmarks" with respect to spiritual training for those seeking priesthood instruction only. This means that we also acknowledge that such training may not be the calling for all members within the Inner Court, and for those whose desire is not to be trained as such, we respect their decision. Spiritual evolution is, after all, an individual process and within the Temple of the Dark Moon we welcome input from all members equally.

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WHAT'S IN THE NAME?

The dark phase of the Moon is traditionally the last three days of the lunar cycle, immediately preceding the New Moon, and the time when the night sky is notably absent the presence of the Moon.

Demetra George, in her ground breaking book Mysteries of the Dark Moon, The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess (Harper San Francisco, 1992) noted that in the earliest mythologies and traditions, night was given precedence over day, and the Moon was revered over the lesser Sun. George further noted that: “The earliest peoples understood that the power of life lay in the darkness of the moon. The purpose of the dark phase of any cycle is that of transition between the death of the old and the birth of the new. The dark time is a time of retreat, of healing, and of dreaming of the future. That is, the fallow times preceding outbursts of creativity and growth.”

Further, in occult thought, the dark phase of the Moon often represented the subconscious level of our being, and it is at this level that the hidden or forgotten knowledge that has been passed down through the ages, can be found.

It is for these reasons that the Temple decided on the name "Temple of the Dark Moon", to act as a guide for those seeking the forgotten knowledge of ages past.

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THE TEMPLE'S FOUNDER AND HIGH PRIESTESS

The Temple of the Dark Moon's founder and High Priestess is Frances Billinghurst, who has been interested in and has studied various aspects of Paganism, metaphysics and the occult for most of her life.

Frances has been initiated as a 3rd Degree Wytch and High Priestess, and holds an honourary 6th Temple Adeptus degree and Charter with the Ordrine Scatere Stellae (teaching the later magickal workings of Alex Sanders, from the 1980s prior to his death in 1988). She is also trained in Hermetic (ceremonial) magick and has an interest in traditional Wytchcraft (ie, non-Gardnerian) as well as Goddess spiritual practices. In 2007 she received a Green Tara empowerment from Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Rinpoche.

For over a decade, Frances's involvement in Paganism and the Craft has been a full one, taking up much of her personal time, and often placing her in the public arena. The following are some of her achievements to date:

• In 2002 Frances commenced writing articles for Australia's No.1 spiritual lifestyle magazine, "Insight" and is its longest contributor. Her articles have also appeared in various other publications around the world since 1998, including the 2008 "Llewellyn's Witches Calendar", and more recently, the Goddess pages within "Spellcraft" magazine, as well as "Magickal Light", the ezine for the Magicka online school.

• In addition to her writing, Frances has appeared in the local Adelaide newspaper, "The Sunday Mail", "The Age" and also "The Messenger".

• Frances held the position of Secretary for the Pagan Alliance Inc (South Australia) from 2000 until 2006. Her position involved activity campaigning for Pagan rights with respect to the use of knives that are used within various Pagan traditions, as well as discrimination on the grounds of religion.

• In 2003 Frances presented lectures at the New Zealand Pagan Festival where she also led the opening ritual with Chief Druid, Philip Carr-Gomm. In 2009 she presented a lecture on the Dark Goddess at the Australian Wiccan Conference and in 2010, Frances returned to the New Zealand Pagan Festival where she led the opening ritual with occult philosopher, Ramsey Dukes.

• Frances will be presenting a workshop on the Dark Goddess at the 2010 Australian Goddess Conference being held on the Gold Coast.

• Frances has also presented lectures at various events sponsored by the Pagan Alliance Inc (SA) as well as having contributed articles to that organisation's newsletter.

When she is not presenting workshops and lectures within the Pagan community, or writing articles, Frances enjoys painting, learning how to garden in the harsh Adelaide climate, and focusing on completing her long overdue first book (anticipated release early 2011).

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