[Cauldron and Candle Illo]

Cauldron and Candle
Issue #5 -- January 2001

A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
website: http://www.ecauldron.com/
mailing list/board: http://www.ecauldron.com/fregmb.php

With a little help from The Witches' Thicket
website: http://www.cros.net/soraya/
message board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start


Return to Cauldron and Candle Archive

C A U L D R O N   A N D   C A N D L E  #5 -- January 2001

           A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
                website: http://www.ecauldron.com/
     mailing list/board: http://www.ecauldron.com/fregmb.php
             newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/

           With a little help from The Witches' Thicket
               website: http://www.cros.net/soraya/
      message board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start

In this Issue:

[01] Editorial: Write President Bush Regarding Wicca
[02] Poem: Memories
[03] Important Cauldron and Thicket News
[04] Review: American Indian Myths and Legends
[05] Review: The Nigel Jackson Tarot
[06] Review: 21st Century Wicca
[07] Review: A Witches' Bible
[08] Magick: Self Perception Exploration
[09] Magick: Herb Use in Magick: Part One (A - L)
[10] Recommended Pagan Reading List
[11] Humor: Definitions for Church Goers
[12] Software: Solo
[13] New Articles on The Cauldron's Site
[14] New Web Poll
[15] Support The Cauldron When You Buy at Amazon.com
[16] Cauldron Chats: Tuesdays, 10-11pm CDT
[17] Newsletter and Forum Info
              (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe)

  +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: January 15, 2001 +++


[01]
=========
========= EDITORIAL: WRITE PRESIDENT BUSH REGARDING WICCA
========= by Ami Grimes
=========

Ever since the election has been over I have been thinking about
the best way to move forward and go about making sure that our
voices are heard. I think the greatest obstacle is that there is
this general idea that we are a small, ineffective group. We have
pagan pride days, rallies, interviews, and such, however we have
trouble coming together as one cohesive unit. I think that there
is a need at this point to make it known just how large the pagan
community really is. We need our political leaders to take notice
and realize that we will not continue to stand for the
discrimination and ridicule that is our daily lives.

I think we need to do this by starting at the top. When President
elect Bush takes office he needs to hear from the Pagan
community. We are far greater in numbers than the number of votes
it took to win him this election. I am suggesting that every
Pagan write a letter to Mr. Bush and send it to the White House
postmarked January 20th 2001. I suggest that the letter be
handwritten if possible, typed if necessary, and polite, short
and to the point. Have your children write, have pagan friends
write, spouses write individually.

I have reproduced the letter that I am sending here and if
necessary you are invited to print out or copy my letter, change
it as you wish and mail it. Too busy to write? Mail a postcard
that says "I am Pagan and my vote counts too". Even better how
about "I am a Pagan "teacher" (insert your profession here) and
my vote counts too". If you are in the closet...send it
anonymously. If you are public then use your name.

We need to reach as many people as we can with this. All Pagans
do not have email. Print this out and pass it along to your
circles, post it on bulletin boards and give it to your friends.
Are you a shop owner? Have a supply at your register for people
to take. Put it in your Pagan newsletters. Send it to your local
media.

Let's ensure our voices are heard this time. My sample letter is
below.

Ami Grimes
NC Director WARD
http://www.ward-hq.org/

  January 20, 2001

  President George W. Bush
  1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
  Washington, DC 20500

  Dear President Bush,

  I am writing to you today with the confidence that as our
  newly elected President you will hear and understand my
  concerns. I am extremely proud that our country is a place
  in which our legal system works to be sure that every
  individual may exercise their Constitutional rights. As I am
  sure you know, our country was founded so that every
  individual has the right to Freedom of Religion. Our
  founding fathers recognized the need to ensure that when
  each of us sit down to our dinner tables that we may choose
  to say whatever prayer we wish to whatever deity we saw fit.
  It was the reason that America became the melting pot that
  it is today.

  The responsibility to ensure this same basic right has now been
  passed to you.

  In your campaign speeches you continually expressed your own
  faith to be Christian. I think it admirable that you have
  such strong faith as this is a noteworthy quality in a
  leader. I was deeply concerned, however, that you made (on
  more than one occasion) a statement which implied that you
  felt that Witchcraft was not a religion and did not support
  this practice in the US Military. I wish to inform you today
  that while Witchcraft in and of itself is not a religion,
  it's practice is included in many Pagan religions which have
  been recognized by the Supreme Court since 1985.

  Your comment seems to suggest that your own personal
  feelings should dictate what others can and cannot believe
  and I find this troubling. Perhaps, like many others, you
  are simply misinformed about what it means to be Pagan. I
  can assure you, however, that our basic rights are no
  different than anyone else's that live in this country and
  we should be treated with the same respect and dignity as
  any other citizen. I am a registered voter. My family votes.
  I pay taxes and hold a respectable job. The men and women
  who serve our country do so to ensure our basic rights. It
  is only fair that we should allow them theirs as well.

  I trust, Mr. President, that, while you are in office, you
  will respect our rights to freedom of religion. It
  interested me greatly that in your acceptance speech you
  likened yourself to Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was a
  staunch supporter of religious freedom in this country. He
  recognized the fact that our country was not founded on the
  Christian religion, but instead on the right to worship
  whatever God or Goddess we choose. I offer to you this quote
  by Mr. Jefferson himself.

  "I do not believe it is for the interest of religion to
  invite the civil magistrate to direct its exercises, its
  discipline, or its doctrines; nor of the religious
  societies, that the General Government should be invested
  with the power of effecting any uniformity of time or matter
  among them. Fasting and prayer are religious exercises. The
  enjoining them, an act of discipline. Every religious
  society has a right to determine for itself the times for
  these exercises and the objects proper for them according to
  their own particular tenets; and this right can never be
  safer than in their own hands where the Constitution has
  deposited it... Everyone must act according to the dictates
  of his own reason, and mine tells me that civil powers alone
  have been given to the President of the United States, and
  no authority to direct the religious exercises of his
  constituents." --Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 1808. ME
  11:429

  There are thousand upon thousands of Pagans who live in this
  country. They too pay taxes, are consumers and vote in
  Presidential elections. I can assure you that this number of
  people is too vast for you to ignore. I urge you to consider
  this as you make decisions which may affect our lives and
  the lives of our families. I will certainly consider it the
  next time I am in the voting booth.

  Blessed Be,

  Ami Grimes
  NC Director WARD


       ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                 CAULDRON AND CANDLE WEB SITE

        The Cauldron and Candle now has its own web site
        where we store our back issues for easy reading.

                 http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/
       ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


[02]
=========
========= MEMORIES
========= A Poem by Elspeth Sapphire
=========

I remembered, today...
Such bittersweet memories.
I took them out of storage
Where they were packed
In boxes crusted with age;
All dusty and crumbled.
Carefully, slowly, I smoothed them out
And wiped them gently off.
And there, lying before me
Enshrined in their simple beauty
Was all that my life was
And all it has become.
Both the silent tears
And shared laughter.
Before me, faded with time,
I see the sad, hurt, girl
That healing time and loving friends
Helped to grow into
       A loving trusting Woman.
There are experiences here
       Both bitterly painful
       And, oh, how joyous.
Mostly I see a young girl
Truly in love for the first time
And the tall gentle giant
That taught her with tenderness.
He taught her to love
The most important person in the world --
Herself.

I'm now packing up all my memories
The books, papers, and photos.
But even when they are all locked tightly away
My memories remain
Deep inside my heart.
For they are what i have become
And what I will always be.
They are me.


[03]
=========
========= IMPORTANT CAULDRON AND THICKET NEWS
=========
=========

+++
+++ ARC POSTS 20,000TH MESSAGE IN THE WITCHES' THICKET
+++

Soraya, host of the The Witches' Thicket, announced that her
forum received its 20,000th post in late December, a bit over a
year after opening. Arc had the honor of posting the 20,000th
message. She will receive a piece of Soraya's handcrafted
beadwork in reward for making the Thicket's 20,000th post.

+++
+++ THE CAULDRON'S WEB SITE CONVERTS TO PHP
+++

With the new year, The Cauldron converted its entire web site
(including all sub-sites) from plain HTML to PHP-enhanced HTML.
PHP is a server-side scripting language which will enable The
Cauldron's web site to offer more interactive features as time
goes on.  Changing to PHP also ends the need for much of the
Javascript the site was using -- which simply did not work on all
browsers.

Most people will not notice any immediate change from the
conversion. However, if you have any links to specific pages on
The Cauldron's web site in your bookmark list or on web pages,
they will no longer work.  You'll need to change the ".html" at
the end of each such address to ".php" to make them work again.
Old style addresses will bring the viewer to a customized 404
error page that explains the changes needed.  Simple links to
http://www.ecauldron.com/ will continue to bring you to The
Cauldron's main page and need not be changed.


       ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                     SEND A PAGAN POSTCARD

       You can send a Pagan Postcard from the menu of any
       of our web pages at http://www.ecauldron.com/. If
       you haven't tried our postcard site, give it a
       try. It has quite a few nice features.
       ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


[04]
=========
========= REVIEW: AMERICAN INDIAN MYTHS AND LEGENDS
========= Reviewed by Janessa Hall (Sperran)
=========

American Indian Myths and Legends
Editor: Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz
Trade Paperback
Publisher: Pantheon Books
Publication date: September 1985
ISBN: 0394740181
US Retail Price: $18.00
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0394740181/thecauldron

If you are looking for a book that presents Native American
stories as they were, and are still being, told then this book is
for you. Unlike the dry, third-hand, reporting style of many
books this volume relates the stories in an engaging and
conversational style. This 527-page book relates 166 stories by
storytellers from 80 different tribal groups across North
America. The source of each story and the time in which the story
was collected is recorded with each story. The book provides a
glossary at the end that provides brief descriptions of all the
tribes mentioned in the text. Three basic times are covered in
the stories related in the text. These stories include classic
stories that appear to have origins from before Caucasians came
to North America, stories that happened as American Indians began
to interact with Whites (such as the story of "Elk Dogs" which
relates the introduction of horses into North America), and new
stories first told shortly before the publication of th e book.

The book is well written and relates the stories in an easy to
read, casual story telling style. It need not be read
chronologically and many stories are only a few pages long, which
makes it an easy book to read a little bit at a time. I enjoyed
the organization style. The stories are arranged by topic, rather
than tribal groups. I enjoy this organizational style, as this
makes it easier to explore the similarities and differences among
various tribes. The book appears to be well documented and
includes an extensive bibliography of original sources. I would
recommend this book for anyone looking for an introduction into
the stories of a wide variety of indigenous North American
peoples.

The book is divided into ten sections that relate stories falling
under ten general themes as discussed below. Each section is
prefaced by a brief introduction that discusses the topic being
covered as well as similarities and differences between the tales
of different tribal groups. Many of the individual stories are
accompanied by explanations of how these stories relate to the
ceremony, history, and everyday lives of the tribes discussed.

The first section discusses stories of human creation and
creation of items that were very important to different tribes.
This includes stories of the creation of the buffalo, tobacco,
and important rituals such as healing ceremonies and vision
quests. The second section discusses creation of the earth and
includes stories such as the Yuma's tales of the good twin and
the evil twin and the Modoc's story of the turtle. The third
section discusses the creation of heavenly objects: the sun, moon
and stars. The fourth section is primarily hero legends that
discuss the outwitting and destruction of monsters. The fifth
section discusses war and the warrior codes. This section focuses
primarily on the Plains Indians, and includes tales of counting
coup, battlefield bravery and warrior women. The sixth section
discusses stories of love. This includes beautiful stories of
devotion as well as bawdy sexual tales. The seventh section
presents tales of tricksters, including the mischievous coyote.
The eighth section discusses stories of animals and includes
stories discussing unions between people and animals, and the
sacrifices that animals made for humans during the hunt. The
ninth section provides stories of ghosts and the spirit world.
The tenth and final section recounts stories of the end of the
world. This includes a heartbreakingly poignant tale recounted by
a witness of the Wounded Knee massacre.

           This review is available on our web site at
              http://www.ecauldron.com/bkaimal.php


[05]
=========
========= REVIEW: THE NIGEL JACKSON TAROT
========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire
=========

The Nigel Jackson Tarot
Author: Nigel Jackson
Book and Cards Set
Publisher: Llewellyn
Publication date: September 2000
ISBN: 1567183654
US Retail Price: $24.95
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567183654/thecauldron

If you are a fan of watercolors and like a medieval/Renaissance
style of art, you will probably love this deck. Nigel Jackson has
painted a truly gorgeous deck. The deck is a bit larger than
normal (just slightly smaller than 3 by 5 inches), which provides
more area for the pictures. The cards are still surprisingly easy
to shuffle and handle, however.

The names on some of the cards (The Juggler, The Popess, The
Pope, and Fortitude) may be a bit unfamiliar to those who have
only used more modern decks, but the meanings of the cards come
across clearly in their images.  Each of the minor arcana is
illustrated, unlike some medieval/Renaissance style decks which
only have pips. This illustrations on some of the minor arcana
cards seem far more evocative of their meanings that the standard
Rider-Waite illustrations.  I particularly like the Seven of
Coins, with its lazy fisherman resting on the bank, hat over his
eyes, pipe in his mouth and jug at hand while his pole is braced
on a forked stick unattended.

Many of the deck's minor arcana have a martial theme, however.
Even the staves are really depicted as arrows. If this bothers
you, you may want to pass on this deck.

The Nigel Jackson Tarot comes with a small 3x5 inch, 140+ page,
perfect bound manual. This is much nicer that the small
staple-bound booklet that accompanies many Tarot decks. This
small book briefly covers the history of the Tarot, the author's
theory of its origins, the divinatory meaning of the cards, five
non-standard layouts (the Key of Hermes, the Pythagorean Method,
the Method of the Seventh Card, the Royal Road, and the Eastern
Cross), and information on using the Tarot in meditation. While
the information is necessarily brief, it is enough for a beginner
to start to use the deck. Only the part devoted to the author's
theory of the Pythagorean origins of the Tarot seems rushed by
space limits.

There are lots of decks out there, but this deck is definitely
worthy of consideration. I'm not sure I'd recommend it as a first
deck, but if you are looking for a first deck and it speaks to
you when you examine it, don't let that stand in your way. The
symbol set it uses is not that different from the Rider-Waite set
described in many "Tarot 101" books.  You will not be completely
lost.

           This review is available on our web site at
              http://www.ecauldron.com/trtnigel.php


[06]
=========
========= REVIEW: 21ST CENTURY WICCA
========= Reviewed by Tony M.
=========

21st Century Wicca:
   A Young Witch's Guide to Living the Magical Life
Author: Jennifer Hunter
Trade Paperback, 219 pages
Publisher: Citadel Press
Publication date: July 1997
ISBN: 0806518871
US Retail Price: $12.95
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0806518871/thecauldron

I will admit to a big bias about this book. I went to college
with Jen. I am even in the book, although not mentioned by name.
The part where she talks about the Jehovah's Witnesses who came
knocking on the door as we were preparing for out Samhain Circle
happened in my apartment. I also co-wrote one of the rituals she
mentions.

I can tell you three things based on my familiarity with Jen to
recommend this book.

One, she is a good writer. Even back in college she was getting
published in several Pagan publications. When you read her stuff
it is like having a conversation. Some authors, when you read
them, come across like you are getting a lecture, but not Jen.

Two, she is very serious about the subject. I don't mean stuffy.
I mean she really cares about Paganism in general and Wicca in
specific. She is not a fluff bunny, and has many years of
experience. Her knowledge is based on many years of very hard
work. She has practiced both solitarily and as a member of a
Gardnarian Coven, and has gathered many insights from a multitude
of perspectives.

Three, she is good. I mean really good. I have not just attended
rituals with her, but have co-led and written rituals with her.
She is not an armchair Witch. She can back up her talk with
actions. She has a real flair for ritual, and a deep
understanding of what she is doing and why she is doing it. I
think this comes across in her book as well.

As I admit, I am biased. But I will tell you this. It is rare
that I have come across a book on Wicca that gets such a broad
range of Wiccans, of all backgrounds and traditions, who praise
it. I have heard only one or two opinions from people who really
did not like this book. But I have heard dozens and dozens of
people who just love it, and with good reason in my opinion.

           This review is available on our web site at
               http://www.ecauldron.com/bk21cw.php


[07]
=========
========= REVIEW: A WITCHES' BIBLE
========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire
=========

A Witches' Bible
Author: Janet and Stewart Farrar
Trade Paperback, 550 pages
Publisher: Phoenix Publishing
Publication date: July 1996
ISBN: 0919345921
US Retail Price: $23.95
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0919345921/thecauldron

If you are tired of "Wicca 101" books aimed at the complete
beginner (or worse, at "fluff bunnies"), the Farrar's A Witches'
Bible might be the book for you. While some of the material seems
dated and even slightly offensive in places (e.g. comments that
imply there is really no place for homosexuals in Wicca), there
is a wealth of information on the Alexandrian branch of British
Traditional Wicca and the early history of Wicca in general.

A Witches' Bible is really two books under one cover: Eight
Sabbats for Witches and The Witches' Way. This is the chief
problem with the book. There are two separate tables of contents
and indexes. The page numbers start over from one in middle of
the volume.  Some information is duplicated between the two
volumes included. This doesn't ruin the book, but it does make it
much less convenient to use. Having to look stuff up in two
separate indexes is a pain, for example.

The first half of the book, originally published as Eight Sabbats
for Witches, discusses each of the eight major Wiccan festivals
in detail.  The authors examine both the rituals in a fairly
typical Gardner-derived Book of Shadows and how they fit into a
wheel of the year cycle of myths. Like much of early Wiccan
material, there is a somewhat embarrassing reliance on
questionable source material such as Robert Graves' The White
Goddess. This doesn't really ruin any of the rituals, it just
calls into question some of the background material and theory.
This first volume also covers in detail the opening and closing
of circles, the Great Rite, and rituals for Wiccaning,
handfasting, and death.

The second half of the book, originally published as The Witches'
Way, mainly consists of sixteen chapters on Wiccan beliefs such
as reincarnation, ethics, healing, divination, magick, etc. as
seen through the eyes of the Farrars.  At times, some of these
essays seem very dogmatic. There is useful knowledge and
information in almost every one of them, even if you do not agree
with all the positions the authors take. Approximately one-third
of this second volume is ritual material, however, presented and
explained with the same detail as the sabbats were in the first
volume. You'll find initiation rituals for all three British
Traditional Wiccan degrees, information on consecration rituals
and various usual rituals. There's also an appendix by Doreen
Valiente detailing her attempts to track down Gardner's "Old
Dorothy" and the "New Forest Coven."

If you are used to 1990's style Wicca 101 books, A Witches' Bible
may come as something of a shock to you. It's not written in a
"here's how to do this, run out and try it" style. It provides
detailed information and opinion that you have to study and think
about to get much out of. As one might expect from any form of
British Tradition Wicca, its rituals are definitely aimed at
group practice. You will not find solitary versions handed to
you. With a bit of thought and effort, of course, many of the
rituals presented could be adapted to solitary use.

While all this material may sound dry and dull, the Farrars
manage to make most of it quite interesting to read. If you are
interested in the origin and history of Wicca, British
Traditional Wicca, or are just tired of Wicca books obviously
written so as to not strain the brain of the average
"fluff-bunny," I can't recommend this book highly enough. I've
had a copy of another publisher's printing for more than fifteen
years. I've read it completely several times, and refer to it at
least once month.

If you are interested in Wicca and ready to move beyond all the
"Wicca 101" books on the market, pick up a copy of A Witches'
Bible as soon as you can. It's not perfect, but it is one of the
few "Wicca 201" books on the market. Even if British Traditional
Wicca doesn't really interest you, you'll learn a lot about Wicca
by reading and studying this book.

           This review is available on our web site at
              http://www.ecauldron.com/bkwbible.php


[08]
=========
========= MAGICK: SELF PERCEPTION EXPLORATION
========= by Zephyr Lioness
=========

Goal:
  To perform an organized introspection, and design a plan to
  achieve increased self love and confidence. To become more
  aware of your perception of yourself, and its role in your
  life.

Supplies:
  You will need a notebook, journal or pieces of paper and
  colored markers thin enough to write legibly with. You may wish
  to light a candle (pink for self love or white for truth)
  and/or incense of your choice.

Location/Best Time:
  Make sure you have a couple of hours set aside for this
  exercise. Go to a place where you feel comfortable (inside or
  out) and where you will not be likely to be interrupted or
  overly distracted. A good time to perform this would be on a
  gibbous moon, as part of your winter starting a new year
  celebration or your Birthday.

Ritual/Procedure:

On the first page of you notebook, fill up the page as much as
you feel like with the "bad" things or traits you'd like to
change about yourself, or habits and traits you don't like, fears
and insecurities you would be rid of, whatever. For this page use
a red marker, or the color that feels right to you.

On the next page write the "good" things, your qualities, what
makes you unique, your strengths and values, interesting
abilities, skills, talents etc. Try to fill up the page. Feel
free to take as long as you like. Use a green pen, or whatever
feels right to you.

Take some time now to ground and center.

Go back and look at the negative list. This time pretend to
belongs to your best friend. Try to look at these qualities form
this new, perspective. Are all of these things so terrible? In
light of the good things, do some of them really matter? Try to
pick out the things that are not that important, are not
necessarily negative, or that don't bother you that much. You can
release these things first. Draw a line through these in another
color, and say aloud "I accept myself ______". (I accept myself
having big thighs, I accept myself talking too much.).

Now go through it again, with another color of pen and underline
those things you have the power to change. For example if you
think you don't socialize enough, you smoke, you lose your temper
too easily, etc. Circle those things you can change (circling
them symbolizes your power to change these items), On a new sheet
of paper list these things, and a target date. Try not to
overload yourself and make all the changes immediately. Changing
patterns is hard but rewarding work.

Back to the things that are not marked out or circled. Are there
any left? If not, great, skip the remainder of this paragraph.
What are these things? Is it possible you really can change them?
Sometimes our own limiting thought patterns convince us that we
"have no choice" thus making us feel like victims. Re-examine
these items if you have any. Acknowledge the choices, even if
they are impractical, for example, if you are staying in a job
you don't like because you don't think you could make that much
money at a different job, acknowledge that you are choosing to
stay in the job, and getting paid well to put up with the crap.
Positively frame the things you are choosing not to change. It
feels empowering just to know you do have a choice, even if you
are choosing not to take any of them. Now go back again, are
there truly some things you have no choice about? Like your
short, etc. If so, can you learn to accept these things? If a
loved one was telling you about this shortcoming, how would you
counsel them? If need be, underline the items and design a ritual
to embrace/accept those things which are unchangeable.

Now go to your positive sheet. If it is not totally full, write
on it some nice things people have said about you. Read the list
aloud, saying each as an affirmation. For example if you put down
that you are a painter say aloud "I am a talented artist," You
may want to write these in the form of affirmations on a new
sheet of paper. Read them all aloud, and try to consider each.
Some of these may be hard to really believe. Add on at the end.
"I deserve to be whole and happy." Put this page, and your list
of self help goals in a place where you can review them
periodically (monthly?) Make sure to read aloud the affirmations
regularly until you can truly believe them all. This is most
effective if you can memorize a few of them and then look at
yourself in the mirror while saying them. Have patience with
yourself, we have our while lives to grow into great tree we want
to be.

Copyright (c) 1997, Zephyr Lioness

Permission is granted to reproduce this intact, for non-profit
purposes with this guideline attached.


[09]
=========
========= MAGICK: HERB USES IN MAGICK (Part One: A - L)
========= Author Unknown
=========

  [As usual, check with a reliable, trusted herbalist or
  recognized manual before ingesting herbs you aren't
  familiar with.]

ANGELICA: (sun, fire) The root carried in a blue cloth bag is a
protective talisman. Was considered to be under the guard of
angels and a preventive against plague. The whole root in a blue
or white cloth bag protects against evil.

ANISE: (Jupiter, air) Protection. A pillow stuffed with anise
seeds keeps away evil.

APPLE: (Venus, water) Love spells. The wood is fashioned into
wands and used for love spells and rituals. A large apple eaten
at All Hallows brings good luck.

ASAFOETIDA: (Saturn, fire) Called "devil's dung" for it's
disgusting odor. Used in exorcism. A small piece worn around the
neck guarded against plague.

ASH TREE: (sun, water) Protective, used to make brooms and
healing wands. Leaves placed beneath pillow induce psychic
dreams. The winged seeds are carried to prevent overlooking or
ill-wishing. Leaves are lucky, especially even ones. Leaves
should be gathered saying, "Even ash, I do thee pluck/Hoping thus
to bring good luck/If no good luck should come from thee/I shall
wish thee on the tree". or, as a love divination. Pluck the ash
leaf and say: "even ash, even ash, I do pluck thee, My true love
for to see, neither in his rick nor in his rear, but in the
clothes he does everyday wear". Speak not a word, place the leaf
under your pillow, you should see your future mate in a dream.

BALM OF GILEAD: (Saturn) The buds can be carried to mend a broken
heart. Can be added to love and protection charms.

BASIL: (Mars, fire) Wealth and prosperity. Carrying basil in
pockets attracts money to them. A wife can dust her upper body
with powdered basil to keep her husband faithful.

BAY LAUREL: (sun, fire) The leaves can be burned or chewed to
induce visions. Worn as an amulet to ward off evil. Leaves under
the pillow induce prophetic dreams. Can be used for protection
and purification. Growing near a house, it protects occupants
from infection and storms.

BENZOIN: (sun, air) Used in purification. A few drops of tincture
preserves oils and preparations.

BETONY: (Jupiter, fire) Protection, purification. Stuff a pillow
to prevent nightmares.

CHAMOMILE: (sun, water) Used in prosperity charms and rituals,
induces sleep. The tea brings peace and tranquility. Wash face
and hair with it to attract a lover.

CARAWAY: (Mercury, air) Used in love charms to attract a lover.

CARNATION: (sun, fire) Worn by witches to prevent capture and
hanging. Produces added energy in ritual when used as an incense.

CATNIP: (Venus, water) Creates psychic bond between cat and
owner. Used in love spells and incenses.

CELANDINE: (sun, fire) Helps wearer escape unfair imprisonment or
entrapment. Cures depression.

CINNAMON: (sun, fire) Used in incenses for healing, clairvoyance,
high spiritual vibration. Used as a male aphrodisiac.

CINQUEFOIL: (Jupiter, earth) Hang on house entrances for
protection. Use in spells and charms for prosperity,
purification, and protection.

CLOVER: (Mercury) Associated with the Triple Goddess. Used in
rituals for beauty and youth. Four-leafs are carried to see
faeries, heal illness, avoid military service, avoid madness, and
for good luck.

CLOVE: (sun, fire) Worn to drive away negativity and stop gossip.
Cloves strung on red thread can be worn as a protection charm.

COMFREY: (Saturn, earth) An herb of Hecate, used in rituals to
honor the Crone.

CORIANDER: (Mars, fire) Used in love spells and charms. An old
spell is to take 7 grains of coriander and grind them in a
mortar, saying, "warm seed, warm heart, let them never be apart"
three times. Drops seeds into wine and share with lover.

COWSLIP: (Venus) Brings luck. Posies of cowslips placed under the
pillow allows contact with the dead in dreams.

CYPRESS: (Saturn, earth) Connected with death in all aspects. The
smoke can be used to consecrate ritual objects.

DAISY: Used to decorate the house on Midsummer's Eve to bring
happiness and win the favor of faeries. frame of mind. General
protection.

GARDENIA: (moon, water) Wear flower to attract love.

GARLIC: (Mars, fire) Extremely protective, carry the bulb with
you on trips over water to prevent drowning. Hang in home to
protect. Used in exorcisms.

HAWTHORNE: (Mars, fire) Used in protection sachets. Associated
with happy marriage. Put into cradles to protect babies. Sitting
under the tree on Beltane, Midsummer's Day, or Samhain puts one
in danger of being abducted by faeries. Never cut the tree. Burn
Hawthorne berries for energy and meditation on change.

HAZEL: (sun, air) Makes good all-purpose wands. Can be used as
divining rods. Tie two hazel twigs together with red or gold
thread to make the Solar Cross, a good luck charm.

HENBANE: (Saturn, water) **POISON** Carried to attract the love
of a woman.

HIGH JOHN THE CONQUEROR ROOT: (Saturn, earth) Add to
candle-annointing oils, charms, and sachets to increase their
potency.

HOLLY: (Mars, fire) Plant around house for protection. Leaves and
berries can be carried to heighten masculinity.

HONEYSUCKLE: (Jupiter, earth) Use in prosperity spells and
charms.

HOPS: (Mars, water) Healing incenses and charms. Placed in a
pillow, will induce sleep. Unwise to use if depressed.

HYSSOP: (Jupiter, fire) For purification baths and protection
spells. Associated with serpents and dragons, it can be burned to
tap into dragon energy.

IVY: (Saturn, water) Protects the house it grows over.Often given
(with holly) to newlyweds.

JASMINE: (Jupiter, earth) Used in love spells and charms.

JUNIPER: (sun, fire) Protects wearer from accidents. Berries can
be dried and strung to attract a lover. Can be used in anti-theft
spells and grown at doorstep to protect from thieves.

LAVENDER: (Mercury, air) Purification baths and incenses. Thrown
onto fires at Midsummer in tribute to the Gods and to bring
visions and inspiration. Carry to attract men. Scent induces
sleep. Brings clarity and focus to workings.

LEMON BALM: Drink as an infusion to soothe away emotional pains
after a break-up. Useful in recovering from trauma and sexual
assault. Drives away low spirits, increases fertility.

LEMON VERBENA: (Venus, air) Wear as a love charm and to increase
attractiveness. Add to charms to increase their power. Hang sprig
around neck to stop dreaming.

LINDEN: (Jupiter) Conjugal love and longevity.

LOVAGE: (sun, water) For cleansing baths. Carry to attract love.


[10]
=========
========= RECOMMENDED PAGAN READING LIST
========= by Allyson Sands
=========

  [Allyson offered the following reading list in response to a
  request for a reading list on The Cauldron's mailing list.
  Allyson also edits The Merry Times, a Canada-oriented
  Neo-Pagan newsletter. You can find our more on this ezine at
  the newsletter's web site: http://www.merrytimes.org/.]


A common question we all hear is "Is there a recommended list of
books one can consider reading before getting too far into
witchcraft?"

Well, there's no formal reading list... each of us who teaches
comes up with our own. My list isn't on the computer I'm using at
the moment, but I can give you the names of the ones I use most
often with new people.

 - An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present Doreen Valiente
   1973/1985 Hale/Phoenix Publishing

This has been recently updated to include some new information on
various Traditions and such, and re-released. It's well worth
reading, even in its original, outdated form, in my opinion. It's
like a dictionary, starting at A and ending at Z, with a ton of
information. It isn't really a book to read through front to back
(unless you're like me and enjoy that sort of thing), but it's a
fantastic reference book.

 - A Witches' Bible Compleat Janet and Stewart Farrar 1981/1984
   Magickal Childe Publishing, Inc.

Written by the people who I love most and respect most in Wicca,
anything by the Farrars is worth reading, but this one takes the
cake. It's basically the interior of an Alexandrian Book of
Shadows, minus a few of the more private rituals and without all
the spellwork. It's got a zillion articles on things ranging from
how to write a ritual to how to do out of body travel to ethics
to history. I use this book almost daily, even now, umpteen years
later.

 - Buckland's Complete Book Of Witchcraft Raymond Buckland 1986
   Llewellyn Publications.

Fondly referred to as "Big Blue" by most pagans I know, this one
is the best beginners book I know of. It's set out like lessons,
and has quizzes, questions, and practical things for you to do
and make. It's got a little bit of everything, and for someone
who's working alone, it's the best for the money.

 - Drawing Down the Moon Margot Adler 1979 Viking (reissued by
   Beacon Press).

Another of the re-issued books, this one's got a lot of
information on the various types of paganism and Wicca out there.
It's also been updated, to include the new Trads that have formed
since its original release. Wow.. 20 years ago. Holy cow ... I
feel old! ;)  It's another book that you can't really read from
front to back, but that you find yourself referring to over and
over again. Heck, about seven years ago, my High Priest and I ran
into a group called "Georgians" and at that time, we'd never even
heard of them! We went to Margot's book and voila, there they
were, with the information we needed to understand where they
were coming from.

 - Psychic Self-Defense Dion Fortune 1930/1993 Samuel Weiser.

The best book on the subject. Period. :) Perhaps I'm biased
because I like Dion Fortune, but this is the most comprehensive,
sensible book out there, in my opinion.

 - The Witch's God Janet and Stewart Farrar 1989 Phoenix
   Publishing
 - The Witch's Goddess Janet and Stewart Farrar 1987 Phoenix
   Publishing
 - The Witches Way Janet and Stewart Farrar 1984 Hale

Like I said, anything by the Farrars. The first two are books on
various Gods and Goddesses that you can read about in mythology,
and work with inside a Wiccan ritual. The third book is actually
a part of the Witches Bible Compleat, so if you've got that,
don't bother with this one.

 - Witchcraft for Tomorrow Doreen Valiente 1978/1986 Hale/Phoenix
   Publishing

A wonderful book explaining many things about Wicca, its origins,
and some funny stories about things that have happened to Doreen
in her many years of practice. This one was updated in 86, I
think, so it's got a new foreword and such. Again, well worth
reading - chock full of information.

 - The Silver Bough F. Marian McNeill 1989 Cannongate.
 - The White Goddess Robert Graves 1948/1973 Farrar, Strauss &
   Giroux.

Both excellent books, though be careful to take the information
with a grain of salt. That's true of all books of course, but in
my opinion some of Graves' research is more hopeful/wishful
thinking than excellent historical stuff.

 - When God was a Woman Merlin Stone 1976 Dial Press.

Interesting book... use that grain of salt again, but read and
learn. Excellent!

 - The Power of Myth Joseph Campbell 1988 Doubleday.

Read it, re-read it, and read it again. Then go rent the video
series from your local library, watch it, learn, watch it again,
then go read the book again.

 - Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs Scott Cunningham
   1985 Llewellyn Publications.
 - Mastering Herbalism Paul Huson 1974 Stein & Day. (OOP)
 - The Complete Book of Incenses, Oils and Brews Scott Cunningham
   1989 Llewellyn Publications.

Three fantastic books on herbalism. They have nice pictures, good
quality information, and easy to understand recipes and
explanations. The last one, Cunningham's, is amazing, and I don't
know what I'd do without it!

 - The Mabinogion series Evangeline Walton
 - The Mists of Avalon Marion Zimmer Bradley 1981 Bantam Del Rey.

Fictional books have their place in my reading list, too. The Mab
is the myth cycle of the British Isles, and is fascinating... You
needn't get Walton's version if you don't want to, but do get
SOME version of it. Especially if you want to work with Celtic
deities! :) And Mists, we've already been discussing on here.
Don't take it as history, because it's not... but read it in the
same light that you'd read the Bible, or the Mab, or any other
mythological work. It has important things to teach you, if you
can only read between the lines.


[11]
=========
========= HUMOR: DEFINITIONS FOR CHURCH-GOERS
========= Author Unknown
=========

AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.

PARISH BULLETIN:
1 Parish information read only during the homily
2 Your receipt for attending church
3 Substitute for air conditioning on hot days

CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the
congregation to lip-sync.

HOLY WATER: A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.

HYMN: A song of praise, usually sung in a key three octaves
higher than that of the congregation's range

RECESSIONAL HYMN: The last song at church, often sung a little
more quietly, since most of the people have already left.

INCENSE: Holy Smoke!

JESUITS: An order of priests known for their ability to found
colleges with good basketball teams.

JONAH: The original "Jaws" story.

KYRIE: The only Greek word that most Catholics can recognize
besides gyros and baklava.

MAGI: The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.

MANGER:
1 Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn't covered
  by an HMO.
2 The Bible's way of showing us that holiday travel has always
  been tough

PEW: A medieval torture device still found in churches.

PROCESSION: The ceremonial formation at the beginning, consisting
of altar servers, the celebrant and late parishioners looking for
seats.

RECESSIONAL: The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of the
service led by parishioners trying to beat the crowd to the
parking lot.

RELICS: People who have been going to church for so long they
actually know when to sit, kneel and stand

TEN COMMANDMENTS: The most important Top Ten list not given by
David Letterman

USHERS: The only people in the parish who don't know the seating
capacity of a pew.


[12]
=========
========= FREE SOFTWARE: SOLO
========= by Randall Sapphire
=========

Do you find yourself killing time playing solitaire on your
computer? Do you get tired of playing the same few games all the
time? If so, Solo is for you. Solo allows you to play 60 or 70
different solitaire games "out of the box" (or zip file, in this
case). If Solo doesn't come with the game of your choice, you can
create it yourself with a drag-n-drop visual game design tool.
You can also modify the games it comes with if they don't play by
the exact rules you are used to.

You will find this free Win9x program at:

   http://members.home.com/kenguru/


[13]
=========
========= Cauldron Info
========= NEW ARTICLES ON THE CAULDRON'S SITE
=========

The following new articles have been added to The Cauldron's web
site since our last issue.

 * A Poem for Yule 2000

   http://www.ecauldron.com/yulepoem.php

 * LyricFox's Signature Image Archive

   http://www.ecauldron.com/lfsigarchive.php

The following book reviews (included in this newsletter) are
new to the web site:

 * American Indian Myths and Legends

   http://www.ecauldron.com/bkaimal.php

 * The Nigel Jackson Tarot

   http://www.ecauldron.com/bktrtnigel.php

 * 21st Century Wicca

   http://www.ecauldron.com/bk21cw.php



[14]
=========
========= Cauldron Info
========= NEW WEB POLL
=========

Our new polls are working nicely and without all the problems we
had when they were hosted offsite. You'll find them on their own
web page at:

   http://www.ecauldron.com/pollindex.php

Our newest poll, opened January 1, asks:

 * Should Pagans organize mainstream-like churches with church
   buildings and trained and paid clergy?

   http://www.ecauldron.com/cldpoll13.php

Make your opinion known, take this poll today!


[15]
=========
========= Cauldron Info
========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON WHEN YOU BUY BOOKS AT AMAZON.COM
=========

If you wish to purchase books or other items at Amazon.com, you
can help fund The Cauldron's web site by using this link to
access Amazon.com when you make your purchases:

    http://www.ecauldron.com/fradambooks.php

Just use this link to go to Amazon.com via our web site and
almost every purchase you make that visit will earn The Cauldron
a small amount to help pay for our web page -- at no extra charge
to you. You can also use the Amazon link on the menu of every
Cauldron web page and not have to remember this long link.

Unlike the Amazon link listed in some prior issues of this
newsletter, you can simply visit this site and save the link in
your bookmark list.  If you then use this bookmarked link every
time you wish to visit Amazon.com, any purchases you make while
there will help fund The Cauldron's web site.


[16]
=========
========= Cauldron and Thicket Info
========= CAULDRON CHATS: TUESDAYS, 10-11PM CDT
=========

Cauldron Co-Host Randall Sapphire hosts a one hour general chat
almost every Tuesday evening from 10pm to 11pm Central (Daylight)
Time in our channel (#thecauldron) on the PaganPaths IRC server.
We usually have a pretty good turnout.  Discussions cover a wide
range of topics, depending on what the folks present want to
discuss.

You'll find all the information you need to connect to our chats
either with your own IRC client or via the Java IRC client
(including images of the various Java windows which pop up) on
our Chats web page at:

    http://www.ecauldron.com/cmchats.php

You can open a Java chat client directly to #thecauldron by
clicking on the "IRC Chat" link in the menu of any of our web
pages, but we strongly suggest you visit the above page first and
read a few paragraphs on how to use it.  This page is also
available from the "[Info]" link right next to the "IRC Chat"
link on our web page menus.  If you have your own IRC client
program, the address of the main PaganPaths server is:

    madison.wi.us.paganpaths.org  (port 6667)

If you'd like to host a chat for members of The Cauldron: A Pagan
Forum on a regular, weekly schedule, please let us know.

If "Central Time" doesn't mean anything to you, this an online
time converter at http://sandbox.xerox.com/stewart/tzconvert.cgi
might help.  I think Central Time is listed as something like "US
- Central" in the drop down box.


[17]
=========
========= NEWSLETTER AND FORUM INFO
========= (Including how to subscribe and unsubscribe)
=========

Cauldron and Candle is a free publication of The Cauldron: A
Pagan Forum with assistance from our sister form, The Witches'
Thicket.  The Cauldron and The Thicket aim to publish this
newsletter twice a month and often actually succeed in doing so.

Copyrights on individual items in this newsletter are retained by
their author, please contact the editors if you need to contact
an author for permission to reprint an article and the editors
will do their best to put you in touch with him or her. No one
involved in producing this newsletter has any money to speak of
so suing us if you don't like something we do is a waste of time
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++++
++++ HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE
++++

You are receiving a copy of this newsletter because you signed up
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++++
++++ NEWSLETTER WEB SITE AND BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE
++++

The Cauldron and Candle web site contains information on this
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++++
++++ PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE
++++

If you have Pagan friends who you believe would be interested in
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You are also welcome to forward a copies of this newsletter to
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++++
++++ LINK TO THE CAULDRON: A PAGAN FORUM
++++

If you like The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum please invite your
friends to visit. If you have a web page, we'd really appreciate
it if you put a link to The Cauldron's web site on your web
pages.  If you'd like some graphic buttons to use to link to our
web site, check the following URL:

http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php

Thanks in advance.

++++
++++ SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
++++

Don't forget that your suggestions for the forum are always
welcome, either posted on the message board or via email to
Elspeth Sapphire (elspeth.sapphire@worldnet.att.net) or Randall
Sapphire (rssapphire@ecauldron.com). Typos are, as usual,
courtesy of the Goddess Eris.

Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet again!
Return to Cauldron and Candle Archive


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