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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #16 -- October 2001 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ mailing list/board: http://www.ecauldron.com/fregmb.php delphi forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ With a little help from The Witches' Thicket website: http://www.cros.net/soraya/ delphi forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start SPECIAL DEDICATION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- This issue of Cauldron and Candle is dedicated to those who were wounded or killed in the September 11th attack on the United States, their families and friends, and to all peoples and nations who oppose terrorism. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- In this Issue: [00] Publisher's Note: September 11, 2001 [01] Editorial: In Time of Horror, Prayers [02] Poem: The Mountain [03] Samhain: All Hallow's Eve [04] Review: Seasons of Magic [05] Review: Tarot for the Healing Heart [06] Review: Tarot of the Saints [07] Review: Monsters [08] Review: 2002 Goddess Calendar [09] Review: 2002 Witches' Calender [10] Samhain: Samhain Chant [11] Samhain: Halloween: The Past in the Present [12] Magick: Malice Mirror Spell [13] Humor: The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Casserole [14] New Articles on The Cauldron's Site [15] New Web Polls [16] Support The Cauldron When You Buy at Amazon.com [17] Newsletter and Forum Info (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: October 20, 2001 +++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [00] ========= ========= PUBLISHER'S NOTE: ========= SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: ANOTHER DAY OF INFAMY ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= On the morning of September 11, 2001 I watched with horror on live TV as the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Realizing when the second plane hit that I was watching a terrorist attack and not a horrible accident, I started writing a message to The Cauldron's email list about what was going on. I'm a slow typist (and having to run out to see news on the TV as it happened did not help), so by the time I finished my message, the Pentagon had been hit and the second hit tower of the World Trade Center had collapsed. Tuesday, September 11 was a horrible day that will live in the memories of all freedom-loving people everywhere. I thought about making this issue a special issue devoted to this cowardly attack and how people involved in The Cauldron's mailing list and Delphi Annex were affected by it and how they responded to it. However, I finally decided that the best way to honor the thousands of dead and their families would be to go ahead with our usual October fare: our special Samhain issue. I'd like to ask everyone reading this issue who celebrates the Wiccan holiday of Samhain to remember in their Samhain celebrations those whose lives were snuffed out so needlessly by an organization of madmen with their sad dreams of a world war between "Western" and "Muslim" nations. Also please remember their families and friends whose lives will never be the same. Finally, I'd like to thank all the members of The Cauldron and The Thicket for not going off the deep end in the aftermath of this cowardly attack. Unlike many places on the Internet, there were no cries for wiping out all Muslims or other such silliness. Everyone was angry (and some were far more expressive of that anger than others), but everyone kept their head about them. Thank you. [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL: IN TIME OF HORROR, PRAYERS ========= by Diane Verrochi ========= I wrote these two prayers a couple of days after September 11, when my head and emotions finally cleared enough to address my Gods with something other than wordless pain. I decided to share them because I have spoken with others who still feel it hard to find words, and even if these are not the words for them, perhaps they will give a helpful idea or two. So, if you like them, by all means use them. If you want to share them with others as is, please just keep my name attached someplace or other. If you get an idea based on them and want to modify them or use them as a springboard for something else, go for it. And if they don't speak to you at all, well, there is always the delete button. +++ A Prayer to Kwan Yin +++ In the wake of the horrors of September 11, 2001 +++ by Diane Verrochi Lady Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy, Bodhisattva of Compassion, She who hears the cries of the world, Hear our cries. Our people have been killed. Brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, Wives, husbands, lovers, friends, So many are lost, so many taking their journey too soon. Hear our cries for them. Our police and fire fighters are exhausted, Injured, and determined to continue doing all they can, And more. They too have lost friends, family, and still they work To save every life they can. Hear our cries for them. Our doctors, nurses, counselors, and clergy, So many are stretched to the breaking point As they struggle to heal all the hurt. But who heals their hurt? Hear our cries for them. Our home has been hurt. The ground is scorched, and ash and powder Coat the remains and reminders Of how home used to be. Hear our cries for home. We hurt. We ache for those we have lost, We ache for those others have lost, We ache at our personal tragedies, and We ache at the sight of others' tragedies. And many of us ache with guilt at feeling these aches When others have lost so much more. Hear our cries for us. +++ A Prayer to Apollo +++ In the wake of the horrors of September 11, 2001 +++ by Diane Verrochi Apollo, God of the Healing Arts, We ask for Your help Healing the wounded, Healing the grieving, Healing all who have been affected By this hideous act. Apollo, God of Music and Poetry, We ask for Your help Expressing our sorrow, Expressing our anger, Expressing our grief Over this slaughter of innocents. Apollo, God of Archery, We ask for Your help Sighting the right target for justice, Aiming carefully for only that target, Aiming with wisdom the correct bow, Whatever that may be, That we may not succumb to the hatred That slaughters innocents. Apollo, God of Forgiveness, We ask for Your help Forgiving when that is appropriate, Forgiving without excusing abominable acts, Forgiving without forgoing justice, Forgiving with wisdom. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [02] ========= ========= THE MOUNTAIN ========= A Poem by Scott Bonner ========= I sit with my nephew under an infinite sky With a flashlight and stars and ideas. We are talking of the world and the people in it. My nephew asks about the Grand Canyon and Washington, The Sahara and England and Spain. I offer Delhi and Istanbul and ancient Rome. We pull out an atlas and his schoolbooks that we brought, He and I, for just this occasion. We sacrifice star-vision to look at the pictures. Soon we see a panorama of New York City, All glass and girders and morning mist. I point out the Lady Liberty in the harbor. "She's really tall," I share, "nearly thirty stories high." He seems incredulous, but traces The skyline with his finger, following ups and downs. "It's like a mountain," he states, "the city; like people made a real mountain to live inside." This impresses me, somehow, that he sees a mountain. I trace the skyline with my finger, the ups and downs, And stop at the plateau that I know Won't be in next year's book. I think about the mountain. I ponder whether to share what makes my heart heavy. I decide no. He is young, naive. For a while still, he deserves to see that mountain. -Scott Bonner 9-19-01 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CRITICAL READING FOR PAGANS Learn to tell the wheat from the chaff when you view a web site or read a book. http://gleewood.org/writings/critical.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [03] ========= ========= ALL HALLOW'S EVE ========= by Mike Nichols ========= Halloween. Sly does it. Tiptoe catspaw. Slide and creep. But why? What for? How? Who? When! Where did it all begin? 'You don't know, do you?' asks Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud climbing out under the pile of leaves under the Halloween Tree. "You don't REALLY know!" --Ray Bradbury from "The Halloween Tree" Samhain. All Hallows. All Hallow's Eve. Hallow E'en. Halloween. The most magical night of the year. Exactly opposite Beltane on the wheel of the year, Halloween is Beltane's dark twin. A night of glowing jack-o-lanterns, bobbing for apples, tricks or treats, and dressing in costume. A night of ghost stories and seances, tarot card readings and scrying with mirrors. A night of power, when the veil that separates our world from the Otherworld is at its thinnest. A 'spirit night', as they say in Wales. All Hallow's Eve is the eve of All Hallow's Day (November 1st). And for once, even popular tradition remembers that the Eve is more important than the Day itself, the traditional celebration focusing on October 31st, beginning at sundown. And this seems only fitting for the great Celtic New Year's festival. Not that the holiday was Celtic only. In fact, it is startling how many ancient and unconnected cultures (the Egyptians and pre-Spanish Mexicans, for example) celebrated this as a festival of the dead. But the majority of our modern traditions can be traced to the British Isles. The Celts called it Samhain, which means 'summer's end', according to their ancient two-fold division of the year, when summer ran from Beltane to Samhain and winter ran from Samhain to Beltane. (Some modern Covens echo this structure by letting the High Priest 'rule' the Coven beginning on Samhain, with rulership returned to the High Priestess at Beltane.) According to the later four-fold division of the year, Samhain is seen as 'autumn's end' and the beginning of winter. Samhain is pronounced (depending on where you're from) as 'sow-in' (in Ireland), or 'sow-een' (in Wales), or 'sav-en' (in Scotland), or (inevitably) 'sam-hane' (in the U.S., where we don't speak Gaelic). Not only is Samhain the end of autumn; it is also, more importantly, the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. Celtic New Year's Eve, when the new year begins with the onset of the dark phase of the year, just as the new day begins at sundown. There are many representations of Celtic gods with two faces, and it surely must have been one of them who held sway over Samhain. Like his Greek counterpart Janus, he would straddle the threshold, one face turned toward the past in commemoration of those who died during the last year, and one face gazing hopefully toward the future, mystic eyes attempting to pierce the veil and divine what the coming year holds. These two themes, celebrating the dead and divining the future, are inexorably intertwined in Samhain, as they are likely to be in any New Year's celebration. As a feast of the dead, it was believed the dead could, if they wished, return to the land of the living for this one night, to celebrate with their family, tribe, or clan. And so the great burial mounds of Ireland (sidh mounds) were opened up, with lighted torches lining the walls, so the dead could find their way. Extra places were set at the table and food set out for any who had died that year. And there are many stories that tell of Irish heroes making raids on the Underworld while the gates of faery stood open, though all must return to their appointed places by cock-crow. As a feast of divination, this was the night par excellence for peering into the future. The reason for this has to do with the Celtic view of time. In a culture that uses a linear concept of time, like our modern one, New Year's Eve is simply a milestone on a very long road that stretches in a straight line from birth to death. Thus, the New Year's festival is a part of time. The ancient Celtic view of time, however, is cyclical. And in this framework, New Year's Eve represents a point outside of time, when the natural order of the universe dissolves back into primordial chaos, preparatory to re-establishing itself in a new order. Thus, Samhain is a night that exists outside of time and hence it may be used to view any other point in time. At no other holiday is a tarot card reading, crystal reading, or tea-leaf reading so likely to succeed. The Christian religion, with its emphasis on the 'historical' Christ and his act of redemption 2000 years ago, is forced into a linear view of time, where 'seeing the future' is an illogical proposition. In fact, from the Christian perspective, any attempt to do so is seen as inherently evil. This did not keep the medieval Church from co-opting Samhain's other motif, commemoration of the dead. To the Church, however, it could never be a feast for all the dead, but only the blessed dead, all those hallowed (made holy) by obedience to God - thus, All Hallow's, or Hallowmas, later All Saints and All Souls. There are so many types of divination that are traditional to Hallowstide, it is possible to mention only a few. Girls were told to place hazel nuts along the front of the firegrate, each one to symbolize one of her suitors. She could then divine her future husband by chanting, 'If you love me, pop and fly; if you hate me, burn and die.' Several methods used the apple, that most popular of Halloween fruits. You should slice an apple through the equator (to reveal the five-pointed star within) and then eat it by candlelight before a mirror. Your future spouse will then appear over your shoulder. Or, peel an apple, making sure the peeling comes off in one long strand, reciting, 'I pare this apple round and round again; / My sweetheart's name to flourish on the plain: / I fling the unbroken paring o'er my head, / My sweetheart's letter on the ground to read.' Or, you might set a snail to crawl through the ashes of your hearth. The considerate little creature will then spell out the initial letter as it moves. Perhaps the most famous icon of the holiday is the jack-o-lantern. Various authorities attribute it to either Scottish or Irish origin. However, it seems clear that it was used as a lantern by people who traveled the road this night, the scary face to frighten away spirits or faeries who might otherwise lead one astray. Set on porches and in windows, they cast the same spell of protection over the household. (The American pumpkin seems to have forever superseded the European gourd as the jack-o-lantern of choice.) Bobbing for apples may well represent the remnants of a Pagan 'baptism' rite called a 'seining', according to some writers. The water-filled tub is a latter-day Cauldron of Regeneration, into which the novice's head is immersed. The fact that the participant in this folk game was usually blindfolded with hands tied behind the back also puts one in mind of a traditional Craft initiation ceremony. The custom of dressing in costume and 'trick-or-treating' is of Celtic origin with survivals particularly strong in Scotland. However, there are some important differences from the modern version. In the first place, the custom was not relegated to children, but was actively indulged in by adults as well. Also, the 'treat' which was required was often one of spirits (the liquid variety). This has recently been revived by college students who go 'trick-or-drinking'. And in ancient times, the roving bands would sing seasonal carols from house to house, making the tradition very similar to Yuletide wassailing. In fact, the custom known as 'caroling', now connected exclusively with mid-winter, was once practiced at all the major holidays. Finally, in Scotland at least, the tradition of dressing in costume consisted almost exclusively of cross-dressing (i.e., men dressing as women, and women as men). It seems as though ancient societies provided an opportunity for people to 'try on' the role of the opposite gender for one night of the year. (Although in Scotland, this is admittedly less dramatic - but more confusing - since men were in the habit of wearing skirt-like kilts anyway. Oh well...) To Witches, Halloween is one of the four High Holidays, or Greater Sabbats, or cross-quarter days. Because it is the most important holiday of the year, it is sometimes called 'THE Great Sabbat.' It is an ironic fact that the newer, self-created Covens tend to use the older name of the holiday, Samhain, which they have discovered through modern research. While the older hereditary and traditional Covens often use the newer name, Halloween, which has been handed down through oral tradition within their Coven. (This is often holds true for the names of the other holidays, as well. One may often get an indication of a Coven's antiquity by noting what names it uses for the holidays.) With such an important holiday, Witches often hold two distinct celebrations. First, a large Halloween party for non-Craft friends, often held on the previous weekend. And second, a Coven ritual held on Halloween night itself, late enough so as not to be interrupted by trick-or-treaters. If the rituals are performed properly, there is often the feeling of invisible friends taking part in the rites. Another date which may be utilized in planning celebrations is the actual cross-quarter day, or Old Halloween, or Halloween O.S. (Old Style). This occurs when the sun has reached 15 degrees Scorpio, an astrological 'power point' symbolized by the Eagle. This year (1988), the date is November 6th at 10:55 pm CST, with the celebration beginning at sunset. Interestingly, this date (Old Halloween) was also appropriated by the Church as the holiday of Martinmas. Of all the Witchcraft holidays, Halloween is the only one that still boasts anything near to popular celebration. Even though it is typically relegated to children (and the young-at-heart) and observed as an evening affair only, many of its traditions are firmly rooted in Paganism. Interestingly, some schools have recently attempted to abolish Halloween parties on the grounds that it violates the separation of state and religion. Speaking as a Pagan, I would be saddened by the success of this move, but as a supporter of the concept of religion-free public education, I fear I must concede the point. Nonetheless, it seems only right that there SHOULD be one night of the year when our minds are turned toward thoughts of the supernatural. A night when both Pagans and non-Pagans may ponder the mysteries of the Otherworld and its inhabitants. And if you are one of them, may all your jack-o'lanterns burn bright on this All Hallow's Eve. (This file contains eight seasonal articles by Mike Nichols. They may be freely distributed provided that the following conditions are met: (1) No fee is charged for their use and distribution and no commercial use is made of them; (2) These files are not changed or edited in any way without the author's permission; (3) This notice is not removed. An article may be distributed as a separate file, provided that this notice is repeated at the beginning of each such file. These articles are periodically updated by the author; this version is current as of 9/28/88.) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [04] ========= ========= SEASONS OF MAGIC ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Seasons of Magic: A Girl's Journey Author: Laurel Ann Reinhardt Illustrator: Jan Stamm Trade Paperback, 192 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: May 2001 ISBN: 1567185649 US Retail Price: $9.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567185649/thecauldron When twelve year old Erin has trouble explaining her family's winter solstice celebration at school after the holidays, she realizes that while she enjoys her family's seasonal celebrations she really doesn't understand what or why they are celebrating nearly as well as her best friend understands why her family celebrates Christmas. Erin's mother her convinces to talk with Evangeline, the now eighty year old woman who had taught her when she was younger. Evangeline agrees to teach Erin about the the holidays of the wheel of the year, but makes her promise to work with her throughout an entire year and warns her that she will have to make small sacrifices in order to learn. The rest of the book follows Erin through the year as she learns more about the wheel of the year, the world around her, and herself. This book is a well-written story aimed at pre-teens. Given its style (a concentration on relationships rather than action), it will probably be enjoyed more by young women than by young men. Seasons of Magic is careful to remember that it is a novel and not a textbook. While the reader will not be able to avoid learning about the wheel of the year common to Wicca and Wicca-like Neo-Pagan religions, this book never makes the mistake of slipping into lecture mode just to be able to squeeze more educational information in. However, the novel proper is followed by the contents of a workbook which Evangeline supposedly left for Erin which contains more organized, factual information about the holidays. The only possible negative point I see about this book that parents should be aware of is that Evangeline passes over shortly after the Fall Equinox. While most pre-teens will be able to handle this, it might be a bit much for some younger children. This book has several truly excellent minor touches. First, Erin's best friend is a Christian, from a normal Christian family. No raving "fundie" stereotypes here. Second, the workbook notes that the holidays are on different dates in the southern hemisphere and gives both northern and southern hemisphere dates for the festivals. Oddly, however, the glossary immediately following the workbook only mentions the "standard" northern hemisphere dates. Finally, Jan Stamm's soft illustrations at the beginning of each chapter set the mood nicely. In summary, Seasons of Magic is a competently written, positive, young adult novel with a strong Wiccan background. It would make a fine present. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bksomagj.php [05] ========= ========= REVIEW: TAROT FOR THE HEALING HEART ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Tarot for the Healing Heart: Using Inner Wisdom to Heal Body and Mind Author: Christine Jette Trade Paperback, 248 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: July 2001 ISBN: 0738700436 US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738700436/thecauldron Tarot for the Healing Heart is a guide to using the Tarot as a tool in a holistic healing process. The author is a registered nurse and professional tarot reader who wrote this book out of a frustration with the stress on mechanical process of healing in medicine that often ignores the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients. Jette seems to feel that while poking, prodding, and injecting patients often helps cure the physical issues of disease, it ignores the other non-physical effects of illness -- especially when the illness is treatable but chronic/incurable. While this book makes no miracle cure claims, it does teach many methods one can use with the tarot to supplement normal medical care to help with the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of illness that the harried medical profession seldom has time to deal with. Most of Jette's techniques only require a tarot deck, some time, and an open mind. The first half of Tarot for a Healing Heart contains activities and exercises for using the tarot as part of the healing process. Jette gives ten original Tarot layouts designed specifically to provide information to help the healing process. She also discusses tarot mediation, using the tarot to contact healing guides, using the tarot to help deal with chronic pain, and more. The second half of the book discusses each individual tarot card with an eye toward healing. Jette lists life lessons, life wisdom, and questions to think about for each card. "Actions to support the healing process" are also given for every card in the deck. The cards are not described nor are pictures given, so those new to the Tarot may need another Tarot book to help orient them to the cards. On the other hand, this lack of card image descriptions makes it easier to use this book with any deck of Tarot cards. If you are looking for a book that provides miracle cures for diseases beyond the help of medical science or for a book that replaces medical science, this is not the book for you. However, if you are comfortable with the Tarot and would like to learn ways to use the Tarot as part of a holistic healing process, this book certainly deserves your consideration. I think it would be particularly useful for people with chronic, stress-related illnesses. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bktfthh.php [06] ========= ========= REVIEW: TAROT OF THE SAINTS ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Tarot of the Saints Artist: Robert M. Place Author: Robert M. Place Book and Cards Set Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: September 2001 ISBN: 1567185274 US Retail Price: $34.95 View Sample Cards: http://www.ecauldron.com/images/samtrttots.jpg Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567185274/thecauldron As one might expect from the title, Robert Place's Tarot of the Saints is a deck based on Christianity and Christian symbolism. In my imagination, I can hear the complaints from some of Pagans reading this review who cannot understand why a Pagan site would review a deck so obviously based on Christianity. As there are many magicians who work with a Christian symbol set and even some Pagans who work with Saints -- and because I was intrigued by the art on the box -- this deck gets a review. Robert Place is a fairly well-known artist who has appeared on TV and whose works have been displayed in museums and even at the White House. Place's work on the Tarot of the Saints is spare but beautiful. While each card is not overflowing with symbol upon symbol as cards from many Tarot decks are, almost every card makes a very strong impression on sight, which should make the deck fairly easy for the inexperienced to read. Experts may miss the multiple levels of detailed symbolism that many modern Tarot decks have, however. The Major Arcana and the court cards feature saints, generally well-known saints, usually in a scene combining the traditional symbolism of the card with something from the historical/legendary actions of the saint depicted. While I'm sure that some will disagree with some of the saints selected for some of the cards, I really did not see any that made me think "Huh? Why did he pick that saint for that card?" The numbered pip cards simply depict the proper number of items of their suit, although most have a scene of some type at the bottom. These bottom scenes save the minor arcana from boredom. They are usually strongly related to both Christianity and the traditional meaning of the card. A 248-page trade paperback book, entitled A Gnostic Book of Saints comes with this set. Unlike many Tarot books written for a specific set of cards, this book includes quite a bit of material (over 60 pages) on the possible origins and history of Tarot cards and their place in the Western esoteric tradition. Each major arcana and court card is described is some detail with lengthy descriptions of the saint depicted and at least one of the legends associated with him. The non-court card minor arcana, however, generally receive only a few sentences of description and advice as to their meaning. I found this book very interesting, but it is short on material on the meanings of the cards and on how to use them in divination. A complete beginner with no other Tarot books at hand would probably be lost. My personal feelings about the Tarot of the Saints are mixed. I really like the art on most of the major arcana and the court cards. The pip cards, on the other hand, don't do much for me. I found the book an interesting and enjoyable read, but know that a beginner would not find the book nearly as helpful as it probably should be. This deck would be useful for a Christian magician and would make a fine gift to a Christian friend with esoteric interests. Although, in the latter case, you'd probably want to add a more practical book on divining with the Tarot unless your friend was already familiar with the Tarot. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/trttots.php [07] ========= ========= REVIEW: MONSTERS ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Monsters: An Investigator's Guide to Magical Beings Author: John Michael Greer Trade Paperback, 312 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: October 2001 ISBN: 0738700509 US Retail Price: $19.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738700509/thecauldron In spite of John Michael Greer's reputation for decent books on ritual magick, I shuddered when I saw this book. I was afraid it would be written to attract viewers of shows like Buffy and X-Files and be full of fiction disguised as fact in the name of "entertainment." Having done a small amount of investigation of alleged haunts, spirits, and magickal attacks in my younger days, I was also afraid that it would let loose a horde of people unprepared for the fact that (in my experience, at least) about 99% of the time a serious investigation is not only a lot of hard, boring work but ends up not with a "monster" but with some natural phenomena originally misidentified by witnesses, a hoax, or nothing at all. To be frank, I was expecting a fluffy book full of tales of monsters just like the ones in horror movies and instructions for investigation that one could get from watching the early seasons of Scooby-Doo on TV. To my relief, Monsters: An Investigator's Guide to Magical Beings is -- for the most part -- a serious and well-done guide to the various types of magickal beings reported in legends and to their investigation. Greer's book is divided into four parts: a brief but important introduction, a "field guide to monsters," a basic guide to investigation procedures, and a section on magickal defense. In many ways, the short introduction is the most important part of Monsters. It sets the tone for the book by explaining just what Greer means by "monsters" and how it would be possible for such beings to exist in our world. More importantly, it presents the theory of levels from ritual magick. The theory of levels divides reality into five levels: physical, etheric, astral, mental, and spiritual. Understanding this theory is essential for understanding the magickal explanations for many of the beings Greer covers in this book. The "field guide to monsters" is the longest portion of the book. Sections in this part of the book cover vampires, ghosts, werecreatures, faeries, mermaids, dragons, spirits, angels, and demons. Each section provides information on the creature in legend (and compares those legends to Hollywood images in some cases), provides an explanation of how such creatures might exist, how to identify such beings, creatures, phenomena and medical conditions that could easily be mistaken for the being in question, and how one might deal with the being if encountered. Much of the information will disappoint those who believe in the more modern images of these creatures from novels and film -- the sign of a reasonable book in this field, in my opinion. I can't personally agree with all of the origin and magickal explanations the author presents, but nothing seems so far-fetched as to be clearly improbable. However, some of the monsters themselves strike me as far less probable than others. The third part of this book, on actual investigations, is somewhat disappointing. The information provided is very basic and far less complete than I would have liked. Anyone planning to actually investigate "monsters" or other unexplained phenomena will find the information in this 38 page section of Monsters to be a good survey of basic investigative skills and procedures. I would advise anyone seriously interested in investigating reports of the paranormal to do some further reading in the investigative field before doing any serious work. The material here will certainly put the reader a step or two ahead of the characters in the Scooby-Doo cartoon in investigative skills, but more information would have been very helpful. The fourth major portion of Monsters talks about methods of magickal defense from hostile entities. Greer discusses both natural magick and ritual magick defenses. This portion of the book is Greer doing what he does best: teaching magick. The techniques provided are very basic, but effective. Provided, as the author mentions, one has practiced them well enough to be able perform them almost automatically before one needs to use them under stress. The chapter on natural magick suggests a magickal emergency kit of useful items. The chapter on ritual magick describes three standard, but powerful, rituals: the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, the Rose Cross Ritual, and the Middle Pillar Ritual. A glossary and a long annotated bibliography round out this book. The annotated bibliography provides a paragraph or so of information about a great many books, but provides very little actual guidance as to which books are most likely to be useful and which are simply interesting books on monsters. Overall, Monsters is an interesting book and one of the few serious books in the "paranormal investigations" field I've seen published in the popular press recently. For those interested in magickal explanations for monsters of legend or those interested in investigating reports of monster sites, it is a useful (even if slightly flawed) book well worth buying. As Greer writes well, I'd also recommend it as a possible gift for those who enjoy monsters in horror novels and films. I know several fans of X-Files, for example, who would probably love to have a book like Monsters for their collection. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkmaigtmb.php [08] ========= ========= REVIEW: 2002 GODDESS CALENDAR ========= Reviewed by Daven ========= 2002 Goddess Calendar Wall Calendar Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: August 2001 ISBN: 0738700371 US Retail Price: $12.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738700371/thecauldron Of all the calendars that will come out that show us what a Goddess is, I think this one actually captures the spirit of a Goddess better than any other. Paul Mason, the artist, has done an outstanding job in painting the Goddesses that are used in this calendar. The life and spirit of each comes shining through clearly in each painting, almost as though he had a Celestial Camera to capture these on film. Of equal beauty are the poems by Patricia Monaghan wrote for each of the Goddesses and the paragraph describing the Goddess in the front of the calendar. Each of those paragraphs gave me information on Goddesses that I had never heard of before and enough information to get me started in finding my own information on them if I were so inclined. In opposition to The Witches' Calendar (also from Llewellyn), there is little information on the days themselves. The moon phases are marked, the holidays are also delineated, Pagan and National. At least there will be no writing in of "Imbolc" on the appropriate day. The spaces provided for the calendar are generous, so using this as a scheduling tool will be easy. THere are not horizontal lines separating the days, so there could be some bleed over of events from one Thursday to the next, but that can be a help rather than a hindrance. For the artwork alone, one should get this calendar. I have a feeling that when 2002 is over, many who pick this calendar up will be cutting it to pieces and hanging the pictures around their house, or using them as their Goddess images on their altar. This calendar is also not obviously pagan, so it can be used by those who are still in the broom closet with ease. The words of the poems are large enough that a casual observer will be able to read it while possibly missing the entry for "Mabon" on the calendar itself. I give this calendar 4 stars out of 5. This is one that I plan on taking to work and displaying with pride. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bk2002gc.php [09] ========= ========= REVIEW: 2002 WITCHES' CALENDAR ========= Reviewed by Daven ========= 2002 Witches' Calendar Wall Calendar, 36 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: August 2001 ISBN: 073870038X US Retail Price: $12.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073870038X/thecauldron This wall calendar is obviously the companion to the Witches' Datebook also from Llewellyn. Much of the same information is passed from one to the other. Some of the information is eliminated in the interest of space limitations (such as some of the magickal trivia), but that is secondary. What is present in generous measure is the excellent articles that appear next to each month's artwork. I found them to be humorous and inspiring, useful and timely. There are articles at the end of the calendar that I believe every Pagan and Witch will find useful, like one author's thoughts on those of us who have to remain in the broom closet for one reason or another. In this case, while there is less artwork, the artwork is colored, and that makes a somewhat drab drawing in the Datebook a beautiful painting in the calendar. One piece that I did not understand when I saw it in black and white in the Datebook turned into obvious and beautiful drawings in the Calendar. This is not a calendar for those who are in the broom closet. By necessity, this calendar would have to be displayed, and it would draw some questions from those who don't know about our religion. This is more likely a calendar that would find good use in the home. However, if you use a wall-calendar as your primary means of scheduling family activities, this will not be useful for you. The squares are too small to be able to put more than just bare information into, things like personal birthdays and so on. Appointments and such will not fit into a majority of the spaces provided. However, if you want a wall calendar that will tell you the moon phase at a glance, tell you when it is good to plant or harvest, show you when John Dee's birthday is and when Jacques de Molay was arrested, as well as when CAW was incorporated, when the Celtic Tree Month of Rowan begins and when Mercury is in retrograde, then you would be well advised to pick this up. I give this calendar 3 1/2 stars out of 5 for the usefulness of it, as well as the information provided. The reason that I score it lower than I do the datebook is due to it's limited usefulness in scheduling things. But for the articles and the artwork, you will want to keep this calendar long after 2002 is over with. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bk2002wc.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ UPCOMING REVIEWS Here are a few of the books we'll be reviewing in future issues: ENCHANTMENTS, SISTERS OF THE DARK MOON, RUNIC PALMISTRY, MAKING TALISMANS, ASTROLOGY & RELATIONSHIPS, LAMMAS, SOLAR ARCS, THE GRIMOIRE OF LADY SHEBA, THE MAGICIAN'S WORKBOOK, WRITE YOUR OWN SPELLS. Reviews often appear on our web site first, so check there for new reviews if you can't wait for the next issue of the newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [10] ========= ========= SAMHAIN: SAMHAIN CHANT ========= Author Unknown ========= This chant can be used outdoors around a bonfire or inside around an extra large altar candle. Fire red, summer's dead, Yet shall it return. Clear and bright in the night, Burn, fire, burn! Dance the ring, luck to bring, When the year's aturning. Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime, When the fire's burning. Fire glow, vision show Of the heart's desire, When the spell's chanted well Of the witching fire. Dance the ring, luck to bring, When the year's aturning. Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime, When the fire's burning. Fire spark, when nights are dark, Makes our winter's mirth. Red leaves fall, earth takes all, Brings them to rebirth. Dance the ring, luck to bring, When the year's aturning. Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime, When the fire's burning. Fire fair, earth and air, And the heaven's rain, And blessed be, and so may we, At Hallowstide again. Dance the ring, luck to bring, When the year's aturning. Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime, When the fire's burning. [11] ========= ========= SAMHAIN: HALLOWEEN: THE PAST IN THE PRESENT ========= by Elspeth Sapphire ========= The days are shortening and dark comes early. There is a certain crispness to the air as we stroll the streets. Before long, the leaves are turning bright colors, only to slowly drift down to cover yards and streets. Yes, autumn is here. And with autumn comes a holiday enjoyed by both old and young...Halloween. What is the appeal of this night? Why do we find people ranging from infants to grandparents donning costumes and for one night forgetting the mundane? Halloween, or Samhain to the Pagans, has caught the imagination of people throughout the ages. From the ancient rituals honoring the dead to our modern custom of trick or treating, this one night is our time to put aside any fear of the dark and embrace any that walk there as welcome. The ancients chose this time of year to celebrate the dead. The harvests were done and the fields laid empty. The days of sun were at a end and the days of dark were beginning. What better time to celebrate the powers of darkness. This was not a celebration of fear; not always has darkness equaled fear. Instead for those who believed in rebirth, it was a time to reach and touch those beliefs. Just as the fields now laid bare, they would flower again in the spring. And so it was with us, dying only to be reborn. So many of our Halloween customs can be traced to the past and the habits of our ancestors. Each time I look at the jack-o- lanterns shining with devilish grins, I can picture the original lanterns. Turnips were hollowed out and candles placed inside to protect them from the wind. These lanterns were placed on window sills to guide the dead back to their kin. Since the apple harvest was celebrated at this same time, apples often played an important place in the festivals. When you bob for apples or dangle apples on strings, you are walking in the footsteps of other people and other times. What would Halloween be without costumes and masks? Yet, have many of us wondered why we so enjoying the wearing of costumes? Dressing up frees us from the ties of our everyday life. For a brief moment of time, we become a princess or an Indian or a cartoon character. This gives us a freedom of action that we normally wouldn't have. Masks have also long been associated with death and the gods. Was early man trying to understand death when he put on a mask of a dead one? Perhaps, donning a mask could put us in touch with the gods themselves. The black cat, familiar to many a storybook witch, was priced because cats could sense the dead. They could be used as a kind of early warning system. Why black cats? What better color for this time when the darkness rules? Every where I look, I come face to face with the stereotyped image of the witch. Wicked or not, they all looked alike: greenish skin, a wart, misshapened face, dressed all in black. In these days of striving for the politically correct, many are trying to remove this image from Halloween celebrations. I guess they don't see what I do. I look at the Halloween witches and remember pictures of the dark Goddess, dressed in black and with her high pointed hat. She would wait at the crossroads to guide the dead to their rest until the time of rebirth. Evil? I don't believe so, anymore than I believe death is evil. Instead it is one more symbol that has passed down through the years to spice October 31st. Just look around. We are surrounded by symbols of the past that we take for granted. The brooms the witches rode. The cauldrons that bubbled with potions vile. Even trick or treating could be traced back to Celts who went house to house collecting treats of apples. It has been truly said that there is nothing new under the sun. However, this doesn't have to hinder our enjoyment. On Halloween night, you can find me walking the night. Without fear, I will travel, listening to the laughter of the children, as I go back to another time and place. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PAGAN SHIRTS, CAPS, AND MUGS Check The Cauldron's Gift Shop for an assortment of Pagan-oriented shirts, caps, and mugs from CafePress. The Cauldron gets three dollars from each item sold which goes to pay web site costs. http://www.ecauldron.com/gsframemain.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [12] ========= ========= MAGICK: MALICE MIRROR SPELL ========= Author Unknown ========= Supplies: Hand Mirror Black Candle Incense Black string Directions: Cast your circle by whatever method you normally use. Hold the mirror so it reflects your face and say: I am immune to their hate, their malice. I will not accept their guilt or their intolerance. Their words and thoughts are no bane to me. Light the candle. Hold the mirror behind the candle and say: As this mirror reflects back the light of this candle so shall these things be reflected back to their sender(s). As the mirror neither adds nor subtracts from the reflection I shall add no malice to nor subtract any from that which I send back. As it comes to me so shall it return to them. Tie the black string in three knots. As you tie each knot say: With this string I bind this spell, As I will it, So mote it be. Let the candle and incense burn out on their own, then close your circle. As soon as possible, bury the mirror and the string somewhere off of your property in a place you will not return to. [13] ========= ========= HUMOR: THE LESSER BANISHING RITUAL OF THE CASSEROLE ========= Author Unknown ========= To prepare for this ritual, clear a space for the circle in the center of the kitchen. Then don your ceremonial apron and hold your ceremonial spatula in your right hand. Stand in the center of the circle and face east. You are ready to begin: 1) With your spatula, draw a banishing pentagram to the East. Then, thrust your spatula through the pentagram and say, "Microwave dinners, be gone!" 2) Move to the South. Again, draw a banishing pentagram and thrust your spatula through it. "TV dinners, be gone!" 3) Move to the West. Draw the banishing pentagram and thrust your spatula through it. "Ramen instant noodles, be gone!" 4) Move to the north. Draw the banishing pentagram and thrust your spatula through it, "Mystery meat in a can, be gone!" 5) Move to the center of the circle and stand still. Chant the following: Before me, Martha Stewart. Behind me, Betty Crocker. To my right side, Julia Child. To my left side, Martha Stewart, AGAIN! 6) Visualize yourself standing in a giant casserole and proclaim, "For about me bakes the casserole, and around me shines the 6-course meal." 7) Clap your hands three times and say, "It's a good thing." The rite is over. If the ritual is not effective, please order take-out ASAP. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DONATE TO HELP SUPPORT THE CAULDRON'S WEB SITE If you like The Cauldron and have a few extra dollars, please donate via the Amazon Honor System and help us pay the web site bills. http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [14] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= NEW ARTICLES ON THE CAULDRON'S SITE ========= The following new areas have been added to The Cauldron's web site since our last issue. * Pagan Children The Cauldron has another new section: Pagan Children. This new section has resources for Pagan children and Pagan parents. To start this section off well, we've added seven completely new pages, including some pagan-oriented stories for children and the first of Janessa's KidCraft articles. http://www.ecauldron.com/kidindex.php * Egyptian Reconstructionism Another page in our new Reconstructionist Paganism section, this page provides information and links on reconstructionist Egyptian religions. http://www.ecauldron.com/reconegypt.php The following book and tarot reviews (some included in this newsletter) are new to the web site: * Seasons of Magic http://www.ecauldron.com/bksomagj.php * Tarot for the Healing Heart http://www.ecauldron.com/bktfthh.php * Tarot of the Saints http://www.ecauldron.com/trttots.php * Monsters http://www.ecauldron.com/bkmaigtmb.php * 2002 Goddess Calendar http://www.ecauldron.com/bk2002gc.php * 2002 Witches' Calendar http://www.ecauldron.com/bk2002wc.php * 2002 Witches' Datebook http://www.ecauldron.com/bk2002wd.php * Lammas http://www.ecauldron.com/bklammas.php * The Grimoire of Lady Sheba http://www.ecauldron.com/bktgols.php [15] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= NEW WEB POLLS ========= Two polls have opened since the last issue of Cauldron and Candle: The first new poll, opened September 16, asks: * Does the Wiccan Rede require Wiccans to be pacifists and to seek conscientious objector status if called to military service in time of war? Possible answers include: + Yes + No + Do Not Know + No Opinion You will find this poll at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cldpoll29.php Our newest poll, opened October 1, asks: * If hostile magick is successfully cast upon you, can you remove it yourself? Possible answers include: + Yes + No (a third party must remove it) + No (only the person who cast it can remove it) + No (other reason) + Not Sure + No Opinion You will find this poll at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cldpoll30.php Make your opinion known, take one or both polls today. You'll find a list of all of our polls (over 25 now) at: http://www.ecauldron.com/pollindex.php [16] ========= ========= 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. [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 once a month and often actually succeed in doing so. We tried to publish it twice a month for a while, but real life interfered too often. 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 and money. ++++ ++++ HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ++++ You are receiving a copy of this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. You can subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter via your web browser at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cauldronandcandle/join Or you can unsubscribe via email by sending a blank message to cauldronandcandle-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Be sure to send this message from the email account actually subscribed to the newsletter. If you have trouble unsubscribing by email, please use the web browser mentioned above. If you need to change your subscription to a new email address, unsubsribe your old email address and subscribe your new email address. ++++ ++++ NEWSLETTER WEB SITE AND BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE ++++ The Cauldron and Candle web site contains information on this newsletter and an archive of back issues. http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ ++++ ++++ CONTRIBUTE TO CAULDRON AND CANDLE ++++ Cauldron and Candle is always looking for articles, reviews, and announcements of interest to the Neo-Pagan community. Submissions will normally be considered for both the newsletter and our web site. For more information, please see our submission guidelines at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php ++++ ++++ PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE ++++ If you have Pagan friends who you believe would be interested in Cauldron and Candle please invite them to subscribe. You can either drop them a note yourself or -- better yet -- send them one of The Cauldron's email postcards with the information. You are also welcome to forward a copies of this newsletter to interested friends and associates provided you forward the entire newsletter. ++++ ++++ 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!

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