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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #37 -- July 2003 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ message board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ In this Issue: [01] Editorial Notes [02] Cauldron News [03] Cauldron Discussions [04] Review: Devoted to You [05] Review: Around the Roman Table [06] Review: Liber Null and Psychonaut [07] Review: Lilly Dale [08] Review: Astral Projection: Plain & Simple [09] Review: Meditation [10] Received For Review (with Mini-Reviews) [11] Article: Khaos -- The First of Them All [12] Article: Paganism in Portugal [13] Opinion: Negativity [14] Column: TarotDeevah on the Tarot [15] Humor: Admission Test at the Pearly Gates [16] Around the Planes: Notes from All Over [16-1] Warm Weather Tips For Pregnant Women [16-2] Tips On How To Control Mosquitos Around The Garden [16-3] National WWII Memorial Dedication Plans Take Shape [16-4] Top Cities For Pet Health [16-5] Green Computing [17] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [18] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: July 25, 2003 +++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= Just a couple of quick notes this month. First, we are working on adding a cookbook section to The Cauldron web site with our member's favorite recipes. Sperran is in charge of collecting recipes. There's a thread for posting your favorites on our message board. Please be sure to read the first message on the format before post your recipes. http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages/?msg=9664.1 Future issues of this newsletter will probably feature a recipe or two from this project as well. Second, Amber Laine Fisher, author of Philosophy of Wicca from ECW Press and a member our forum (FAERIEBEE2), is looking for input for her upcoming book: "I am looking for folks who would like to submit personal myths and sacred stories for my upcoming book, _Waking the Gods: Pagan Mythology and the Changing World_, due for a Fall 2004 release from ECW Press. If you are interested in sharing a personal mythos, or an encounter with a personal god, please drop me an email (philosophyofwicca AT yahoo.com). Visit http://www.breathlessnoon.com/waking.html for more information." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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] ========= ========= CAULDRON NEWS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== Cauldron Delphi Message Board Top Poster -- June 2003 ===== The Cauldron's message board had 6676 posts in June. EverFool (EVERFOOL) had the most posts of any non-staff member in June and snagged our monthly "top poster" award. Our Runner Up was Carnalsoul (CARNALSOUL). Neal (GRAUTR), Li Ferelwing (LIFERELWING), Sperran (SPERRAN), and Mary (MARY926) gave Carnalsoul a race for that runner up spot. ===== ===== Receive Web Site News Updates by Email/News Aggregator ===== Thanks to Bloglet, you can now receive an email every night on days we post new site news items to the main page of The Cauldron's web site. These emails contain a link to the new item and the first couple of lines of the news text. This makes it easy to stay up to date with Cauldron site news. You can sign up for Bloglet's free news delivery via the form at the end of the site "News and Updates" section of The Cauldron's main page. Bloglet is a free third party provider. It is not under the management or control of the staff of The Cauldron. The Cauldron also has an XML (RSS version 0.91) news feed you can use in news aggregator programs, like the free NewsMonster for Mozilla. You'll find the link for this feed at the end of the site "News and Updates" section of The Cauldron's main page, next to the Bloglet sign up. http://www.ecauldron.com/ ===== ===== New Take Action! Page ===== US Political Activism Made Point and Click Easy ===== Are you annoyed at the things your elected officials are doing? Many Pagans in the United States seem to be, but few know how easy it has become to contact their elected officials on issues they consider important. On most major issues, some advocacy group or another has set up a web site where one can email or fax the appropriate officials by filling in a form with one's name and address and clicking a couple of buttons. The Cauldron has added a new page entitled "Take Action" that lists a few of these Action Alerts, just a small handful that the Hosts feel will likely be of interest to many Pagans. If you want to take action on a particular issue, you can follow the link, fill out a form, press a button and send the appropriate officials a pre-written email or a fax (you can usually change the text, but you don't have to). This is a quick, easy, and free way to make your voice heard on important political issues. It's important that we all do so. After all, with far right groups mobilizing tens of thousands to tell elected official to vote for their agenda, it's important that "silent majority" that most Pagans are a small part speak up too. The Take Action! page also provides a way to browse Congress.org for many more action alerts from groups from all over the political spectrum. (You can even see the action alerts of many far right groups.) You'll also find links to the home pages of various 2004 Presidential candidates. We plan to add more to this page in the future. Finally, we have also added a new right side box on the main page listing links to the five latest action alerts posted to the Take Action! page. http://www.ecauldron.com/takeaction.php ===== ===== New Special Topic Chat Logs Available ===== The Cauldron's "Special Topic Chats" (Tuesdays 8-10 pm US Eastern Time) have been very popular thanks to all the effort Koi, Shadow, and other staff members have put into them. We are trying to log these chats and make those logs available on our web site for those who cannot attend. Logs of the following June "Special Topic Chats" are available in the Chat Logs section of our web site: === The Afterlife and You The chat log for our June 10th chat "The Afterlife and You" is now available on The Cauldron's web site. This chat discussed different views of the Pagan afterlife(s) and what we expect for ourselves and our loved ones on the other side. http://www.ecauldron.com/chatlog20030610.php === Summer Solstice The chat log for our June 17th chat on the Summer Solstice (and other summer holidays) is now available on The Cauldron's web site. This chat discussed summer holidays, our plans for them, and how such holidays may have gotten started. http://www.ecauldron.com/chatlog20030617.php === Gardening Pagans The chat log for our June 24th chat on Pagans and their gardens is now available on The Cauldron's web site. This chat discussed members' tips on gardening and their experiences in the garden. http://www.ecauldron.com/chatlog20030624.php ===== ===== Web Site Menu Organization Changes ===== The menu on each page of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's web site has been reorganized. We've added two new menu sections. The first, "News and Politics" currently has links to our news feeds (including our expanded BBC news feed) and to our new "Take Action!" page. The second new section, "Special Services," collects links to (generally third party) services like our free ZZN webmail, our free email postcards (via 123 Greetings), and our Subportal area. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CAULDRON AND CANDLE WEB SITE The Cauldron and Candle has its own web site where we store our back issues for easy reading. http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [03] ========= ========= CAULDRON DISCUSSIONS ========= Recent Discussion Topics on our Message Board ========= In an average month, over 150 new discussion topics are started on The Cauldron's message board. Here are a few of the more interesting discussions from the last month. It's not too late to join in. === === Staves and Wands === Do you have a staff or a wand? (Or both? Or multiples of either?) How do you use it? Ritual work? Walking stick? Use it sometimes, and not other times? What's it made of? If it's made of wood, did you make it? How did you prepare it? [As background: I have a wand which could use more decoration, and I'm contemplating a staff, but I'm not sure what I want to do to decorate it when I get it.] * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9452.1 === === Are Pagans Really More Tolerant? === Many, if not most, Pagans like to claim that Pagans and Pagan religions are more tolerant than Christians, Muslims, and other non-Pagans. In fact, you generally see the tolerance of Paganism stressed in most 101 books and introductory web sites. Is there, however, really any truth to this blanket statement? Sure, Pagans are more tolerant of other religions that the average Fundamentalist monotheist, but so are most non- Fundamentalist monotheists. But how tolerant are Pagans of differences between Pagan religions and beliefs? For example, I regularly hear some Pagans call anyone who does not follow their favored set of religious ethics (usually the short form of the Wiccan Rede) dangerous or even evil. What do you think? Is there any truth to the much touted statement that Pagans and Pagan religions are more tolerant? If you think there is truth in the statement, why to you think there is so much intolerance apparent? If you think there is little or no truth in the statement, how do you think the belief that Pagans are more tolerant got started? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9481.1 === === Deities & Untraditional Representations === I'm sure we've all occasionally run into the situation where the statues of a certain god/dess simply don't do anything for us or are just too expensive (I have that problem with Hekate). If you have decided to use something to represent a deity instead of a statue, which deity is it and what did you settle on using as a representation? How did you decide what to use and where have you put it? (This is one of those threads that I'm hoping to get some detail on since I know we've got members here who've run up against this problem.) * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9582.1 === === A Culture of Victimhood? === Do Pagans (and other people) enjoy being the victim in our society? Do people act in ways to try and encourage being seen as the underling, and attempt to be discriminated against, not because of their religion, but their attitudes? What does this attitude do for Pagans, and Paganism? Is it something that only happens in some Pagan religions, or is it a problem across the board? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9606.1 === === Do You Believe In Curses? === Do you believe in curses? Personally, I think that no one has the power to curse you unless you let them make you afraid that they cursed you. A curse can be a great way for someone to get rid of the anger they have toward someone, but I think the only a curse could work is if you persuade someone that you have throw a curse on them and they would start believing it -- and destroy their life themselves. I also been told I've been cursed in the past and I just laughed and guess what, nothing bad happened. What are your views on curses? Do they work and if they do, how do they work? Have you ever actually seen one work? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9649.1 === === Can Interfaith Marriages Work? === Since I am in an interfaith marriage, I was wondering what you all thought about them. Being a heathen married to a Catholic isn't easy sometimes, but we're doing our best to make it work. 1)What are your personal thoughts on interfaith marriages? 2) Are you in an interfaith marriage? Or do you know someone who is? If so, what faiths are involved? And how do both parties make it work? 3) Do you think interfaith marriages have a chance at survival? Why or why not? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9716.1 === === How Do You Select the Right Religion? === I've been a witch for years but never got into a "religion". A friend at work is a Wiccan and has tried to explain his specific Celtic Wiccan beliefs to me. With some further research, I've found all sorts of groups (various Wiccan and other Pagan religions) but here's my question... How do you know which one is right for you? Is it possible to not select to any specific group and simply have your own "religion"? This is what I feel I've been doing minus deity worship. I'm very lost and confused and would love some thoughts on this. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9753.1 === === Does Religious Belief Excuse Prejudice? === Should someone whose prejudice is motivated by sincere religious convictions be considered a bigot or does the religious origin of their prejudice excuse them? What do you think? If a person acts upon prejudices, but these prejudices are caused by sincere religious belief, is he or she still deserving of the title "bigot"? Why or why not? If a person's prejudice is based on sincere religious belief, should he or she be exempt from laws prohibiting acting on that prejudice (in housing, in hiring, etc.) to allow him or her to freely practice his or her religion? Why or why not? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9764.1 === === What About Ouija Boards? === Are Ouija boards a harmless game or do they actually contact the spirit realm? Are they dangerous to the unprepared? To everyone? Have you had any unusual experiences with Ouija boards? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=9779.1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [04] ========= ========= REVIEW: DEVOTED TO YOU ========= Reviewed by SashaPablo ========= Devoted to You: Honoring Deity in Wiccan Practice Author: Judy Harrow, et al Trade Paperback, 304 pages Publisher: Citadel Press Publication date: February 2003 ISBN: 0806523921 US Retail Price: $12.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0806523921/thecauldron Personal relationship with Deity is a subject that has not been explored much in current Pagan literature. Devoted to you: Honoring Deity in Wiccan Practice, by Judy Harrow, addresses this need and gives the reader information and advice on how to seek relationships with the gods. Although the book's title implies a Wiccan perspective, the contributors include two Wiccans and two Reconstructionists. This was an unexpected delight, since Reconstructionist religions are rarely mentioned in Wiccan literature. Four deities are the focus of the four chapters: Anubis and Gaia (Wiccan), and Brigit and Aphrodite (Reconstructionist). Each chapter begins with a summary of the various myths surrounding the deity. The chapter then goes on to list correspondences associated with that deity and ways to become more attuned to that deity's presence or energy. A sampling of rituals to attract that deity's presence end each chapter. I like this book because it is well referenced and provides interesting perspectives. Being a Reconstructionist, I was especially drawn to the chapter on Aphrodite. However, someone who views deity from more of an ecological perspective rather than an historical perspective should be equally pleased with the chapter on Gaia. This is the first book I have read that focused solely on one's relationship to the gods. You will find no magic spells in this book. I only have one complaint; in the introduction and first chapter, there is mention made of Paganism as a single religion. I found this odd, since the authors certainly are aware of the various religions that exist within Paganism. However, this complaint is mitigated by the introduction, which does a good job of recognizing the significant differences of viewpoint regarding Deity. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to seek a personal relationship with the gods. Also, anyone who already has such a relationship is bound to find new inspiration in the wealth of information provided by this book. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkdtyhdiwp.php [05] ========= ========= REVIEW: AROUND THE ROMAN TABLE ========= Reviewed by LyricFox ========= Around the Roman Table: Food and Feasting in Ancient Rome Author: Patrick Faas Translator: Shaun Whiteside Hardcover, 304 pages Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Publication date: November 2002 ISBN: 0312239580 US Retail Price: $29.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312239580/thecauldron Around the Roman Table: Food and Feasting in Ancient Rome, written by Dutch food historian and chef, Patrick Faas and translated into English by Shaun Whiteside, is a fascinating look at the food history and customs of Ancient Rome. Off the bat, let me state that my area of interest is Ancient Greece rather than Ancient Rome, so my qualifications to review a book on Ancient Rome are not what I would like. However, I got this book not for its historical accuracy so much as for its broad view of Roman food traditions and recipes. Because of this, Around the Roman Table was both a difficult review and an enlightening read. From the author's perspective, this book is not intended as an historical treatise and he is upfront about this. His area of knowledge is as a food historian/chef, not as a classicist or anthropologist. Sadly, this does show in the first section of the book, which is devoted to history and is unaccompanied by footnotes. So while there are some downright fascinating details within the pages, it's difficult to check their accuracy. This problem is compounded by his bibliography (at least for English-only readers). The bibliography is rather short and contains mainly Italian and French references. Of the English works, only two deal with topics other than cooking. You'll want to keep these issues in mind when looking at the historical section because there are words that show up where they shouldn't. For instance, Faas uses the word "pumpkin" rather liberally which is, I understand, a mistranslation of Vehling's "Apicius, Cooking and Dining in Imperial Rome", which is referenced in his bibliography. Another odd one crops up when the term "plastic" is used to describe a goblet from Caesar's time. I'm sure readers conversant in Roman history will find other problem areas, but if one keeps the scope and slant of the work (and the author's background) in mind, I think he or she will find the book enjoyable. To redeem the lack of footnotes and limited bibliography, however, the author has made liberal use of primary source works throughout the book. I can't vouch for the translations of the works, but they add a great deal to the book and will give a reader who wants to delve more in-depth in this area places to look. The book is divided into two parts, History and Recipes and I'll review them separately here. The History portion of the book is divided into four sections: "Culinary History," "The Meal," "Wine and Other Drinks" and "The Cook and His Condiments." Each section is further divided which makes for a fairly easy read. The first section, "Culinary History" covers from 753 BCE to 476 CE and is rather sketchy, but as the author points out, Roman cuisine spans more than 1000 years, so a book could be written on that alone. This is a broad overview that includes information on the Etruscan, Greek and African influences on Roman food. Some information is given on the role of religion and the sumptuary laws. Of this section, the Empire Period (listed as 2 BCE to 476 CE) is given the most time and includes a look at early Christian dietary practices. Of the four sections in the first part of the book, I found "The Meal" to be the most interesting since it covered not just what might be served at each meal, but also how (physically) the diners ate, how the meals were served and what the diners wore. Table manners and etiquette-related information is also a welcome addition. Faas has given quite a bit of detail and thought to this section and has come up with information that leaves me wanting to do more research. While this was my favorite section in the History division, I will say that the layout seems to suffer. The topics discussed could have been a bit better organized for a more cohesive read. Section three, "Wine and Other Drinks" is, unfortunately, where the author's lack of scholastic sources suffers the most. Faas attempts to work in the mythos of the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians and Christians (specifically the wine deities) and does so rather poorly. However, that is a small portion of this section and once he moves on to wine (production, additives etc.) and other available beverages, it improves. Of all the sections, this is the one that gave me the most serious problems, but again, if you keep in mind the author's area of expertise and read his mythology with skepticism, the rest of this section is worth looking at. Section four was my second favorite and is entitled "The Cook and His Condiments." Faas covers the actual cooking implements and kitchen information here, as well as an interesting section on Greek and Roman medicinal theory. The most in-depth coverage is given over to flavors -- sour, salt, sweet and bitter -- as well as the herbs utilized most in Ancient Roman cooking. The author also touches on other ingredients including the all-important olive oil as well as perfumes. This section of the book is not as detailed as I would wish for, but it does provide a good introduction. The second portion of this book is devoted to actual recipes, which Faas breaks down into four sections: from the land, from the fire, from the air and from the water. For those of you who are uneasy with unusual ingredients, a word of warning, the Romans (as with other ancient cultures) included some ingredients, which we would find very objectionable (puppies) as well as very strange (stuffed womb). The reader needs to keep the culture and era in mind while sorting through this part of the book. There are also herbs included that would be warned against today (pennyroyal), but if these issues are kept in mind and care is taken, it would be possible to recreate many of the recipes given. While the recipe section is varied and fascinating, the author does warn that some of the recipes would be difficult, if not impossible, to recreate. Obviously, the lack of ingredient measurements makes for a challenge, but for an accomplished cook, experimentation should produce edible results. Other recipes include measurements and should be much easier to recreate. All in all, Around the Roman Table is a delightful look at Roman culinary history, customs and recipes. It should make for a good library addition for anyone who is interested in recreating traditional recipes, as well as a nice introduction for those who are simply wanting to learn more about ancient Roman culinary history. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkatrt.php [06] ========= ========= REVIEW: LIBER NULL AND PSYCHNAUT ========= Reviewed by EverFool ========= Liber Null and Psychonaut Author: Peter Carroll Trade Paperback, 214 pages Publisher: Weiser Publication date: April 1987 ISBN: 0877286396 US Retail Price: $16.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0877286396/thecauldron I first chanced across Liber Null and Psychonaut a year and a half ago, walking through a chain bookstore. At that time I had already (briefly) investigated Wicca, and was still searching around for my path (which remains the case to an extent). Having seen articles on Chaos Magick online, I was fascinated, and my curiosity was further piqued upon browsing through the slim book. In retrospect it was easy to see the fascination; the author is very fond of making bold and poetic assertions (on pacts with spiritual entities, Carroll says "however useful such things may be to him in the short term, the sorcerer must eventually recant"). The trouble with this is that anyone without a background in the occult or a strong BS detector will not be aware of those instances where a blatantly false statement is made (there are several statements that imply all magicians practice in relation to the Chaos world view). I have personally found that studying Ceremonial Magick and the Qabbalah actually makes parts of the book easier to understand. So then, perhaps I should discuss the basics a little closer. Carroll posits a universe which is an expression of Chaos. That which is "real" is just a small part of Chaos. There is a vast realm of possibility which doesn't exist, except in a realm of "aetherics" (or at least this appears to be the gist of what Carroll says. He is known to self-contradict on occasion). Magick involves playing with the rules of the universe, to get an end achieved. Think of it as getting away with cheating whilst playing a board game. In the chaos worldview, no paradigm is strictly true. Chaos contains all possibilities, whereas paradigms involve the denying of some qualities while embracing others (for example, one cannot be both monotheistic and polytheistic). The Chaos magician does not believe in the inherent truth of anything, but selects certain beliefs which will help him to conduct an operation. Which all sounds very interesting, and it certainly had me engrossed when reading the book for the first and second time. The first part (Liber Null) is essentially a course syllabus which also reads like a how-to guide. This is a little confusing because you find yourself reading the whole book to understand the philosophy, and simultaneously find that you are not supposed to be attempting the practices you've read about until mastered the early parts. The second part (Psychonaut) is essentially a book regarding Chaos Magick as akin to a religious practice...which I find very odd considering that Chaos Magick is not intended to embrace any paradigm as being "true" of itself. Now, I like the book in many ways, but I also have several problems with the book. One problem that has been noted by many others (just look at reviews on Amazon!) is that Carroll states certain things as fact, without any explanation of why. It makes for good poetry and reading, but it's not so useful to anyone without a good sense of critical thinking, who has other sources to compare to. Furthermore, it is rather skin-deep, which is to be expected from such a small book. It works acceptably for looking at magick on Chaos Magick's terms, but it is less helpful for addressing concepts such as changing one's personal paradigm. Furthermore, Carroll does not show where many ideas have been obtained. Reading Aleister Crowley works will furnish you with a source for many of the ideas, and Aleister Crowley discusses symbology in much greater depth. So, are there any plus points to the book? I'd answer, "yes" (which is just as well, since I spent 15 pounds on it). The book does deal with some new ideas. The idea of performing magick without believing in the ultimate reality of the system can prove very liberating. It can certainly remove issues you might have with some of the "trimmings" of ritual. (For example, the Christian/Jewish associations of Ceremonial Magick are much easier to handle once you get past thinking of them as crucial to the magick). Further, some of the practices do yield positive benefits. If you accept the premise that your "self" is illusory, and that any beliefs etc. are not a reflection of your true "self," change becomes easier. I have had occasions when, suffering from depression, I found I could negate the need for reassuring myself of my own self-worth by deciding to "throw away" the emotion until I could deal with it more appropriately. Secondly, the book suggests ways for simplifying magick. This may not mean much to those who say a quickly made rhyme while manipulating energy, but simplification may be a "god-send" to anyone who's ever tried performing a ten-page ritual. The simple alternative of sigil construction while entering a state of gnosis (which is essentially trance) is quite easy to use, if requiring some getting used to. Further, the different suggestions for entering gnosis (ranging from the experience of strong emotions to sensory deprivation) can provide the practitioner with new ways of approaching the task at hand. So, who would I recommend the book to? If price isn't a consideration (if you want to conserve your money, I'd suggest skimming the book in the store and trying to absorb some of the ideas) then I recommend it to someone who, while new to magick, already has a good grounding in at least one system of magick, with some understanding of symbology. The book works well as a way of liberating oneself from beliefs, or at least giving the individual new ideas to work with. For the newcomer to the occult, some ideas will seem too shocking (which is one of the principle forms of liberation), and the simplicity of the discussions will not advance the understanding much -- richer symbology will help the student to grasp what is done much better. Furthermore, the newcomer may uncritically accept much of what Carroll says, which may lead to some confusion, and will hinder the student in understanding other paths on their own terms (for example, the book tends towards the "all gods are aspects of One/Chaos" rather than hard polytheism). An interesting book, if a flawed one. If you can work past or ignore the flaws, than the good ideas will widen your options for magick. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bklnap.php [07] ========= ========= REVIEW: LILY DALE ========= Reviewed by Charys Tamesis ========= Lily Dale: The True Story of the Town That Talks to the Dead Author: Christine Wicker Hardcover, 288 pages Publisher: Harper San Francisco Publication date: March 2003 ISBN: 0060086661 US Retail Price: $24.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060086661/thecauldron Lily Dale: The True Story of the Town That Talks to the Dead caught my eye because for a time prior to becoming Pagan, I was flirting with becoming a Spiritualist, and Lily Dale is one of the largest Spiritualist communities in the country. (Others exist in Indiana, and near my home in Brady Lake, Ohio.) I had visited Lily Dale, as well as other communities. Though I did not spend much time there, it had always intrigued me, and I always wanted to go back for a more in-depth excursion. In my life, I have always been able to do what most spiritualists do -- i.e., talk to departed spirits, and channel � and the religion appealed to me for that reason alone. Without going into my own personal odyssey, let it be said that Paganism, with all its delicious ambiguity and amorphous beginnings ultimately caught me more permanently and gave me a home. But Spiritualism was never far out of my mind, even so. I am please to say that this is not merely a dry, documentary account of a place. This is more an account of the people who make up the heart and soul of this little community, and it is much more than that as well: it is also, and this pleases me even more, a personal account of an awakening into a whole world of spirituality for the author. It is for that reason alone, a very gratifying read that will absorb you and entertain you, and inform you as well. If you agree or disagree with the Spiritualist philosophies, you will not be disappointed in the stories that are presented here. The author is a somewhat non-linear writer, and makes her subjects fascinating, as well as tying them all together into a woven tapestry of character and events that will leave you with a desire to see it all for yourself. The good news about that, is that you can, if you plan to attend the Pagan festival Starwood this (or any other) year. Lily Dale is only a few miles from Sherman NY, and the Brushwood campground (where Starwood is held,) nestled inside the town of Pomfret, NY. It�s accessible, and open to the public, and inexpensive. I urge you to read Lily Dale. It�s a great book, and a wonderful story. And it�s worth many second looks. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkld.php [08] ========= ========= REVIEW: ASTRAL PROJECTION PLAIN & SIMPLE ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Astral Projection Plain & Simple: The Out-Of-Body Experience Author: Osborne Phillips Trade Paperback, 157 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: February 2003 ISBN: 073870279X US Retail Price: $12.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073870279X/thecauldron Out of body experiences fascinate most people whether or not they believe in them. The astral plane and astral projection are an important part of the Western Magickal Tradition and some of the many Neo-Pagan religions. A number of books have been written on the subject of astral projection over the years. In Astral Projection Plain & Simple, Osborne Phillips, a noted ceremonial magician, has attempted to make astral projection techniques available to everyone. This book takes things step by step in short, focused chapters. These chapters cover theory and practice. The author provides a number of projection techniques. They are clearly written and easy to follow. Phillips' background as a ceremonial magician clearly shows, however. The methods he gives for separating the astral body from the physical body are very ritualistic and will probably not be all that suitable for many readers. The last third of the book is concerned with what can be done on the astral plane. Some of these suggestions seem strange in a book aimed at beginners; attempting to travel into the past or future, for example. An entire chapter is devoted to astral sex when it really could have been covered in a page or two. The problems not withstanding, there are some good chapters in the last part of the book. I found "Assisted Projection" (where one person helps another to project) and "Animals and the Astral" particularly interesting. Astral Projection Plain & Simple isn't a bad book, but there are better ones on the market. However, it is well-written and easy for the beginner to understand. Those who like ritual will probably be able to make better use of the astral projection methods described in this book than those who aren't fans of ritual. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkappas.php [09] ========= ========= REVIEW: MEDITATION ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Meditation: Practice & Application Author: Jose Lorenzo-Fuentes Trade Paperback, 168 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: January 2003 ISBN: 0738702560 US Retail Price: $12.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702560/thecauldron While meditation is either a part of or a practice favored by many Neo-Pagan religions, it is a practice independent of any one religion. Jose Lorenzo-Fuentes, a Miami journalist, demonstrates this in his introductory guide to meditation by exploring many different types of meditation from different cultures and religions, although it does seem to focus on Buddhist practices. Meditation: Practice & Application was originally written in Spanish and was translated by Antonio Palomo. The book opens with a discussion of some of the benefits of meditation and then begins practical instruction intermixed with more discussion of history and benefits. While that may seem frustrating to those who prefer to bypass the background and get right to practical stuff, it does prevent the boredom many readers feel when they have to go through chapter after chapter of background before reaching the practical applications. There is a lot of practical material in this book: breathing exercises, basic meditation techniques, using meditation to help achieve goals or overcome fear or other inhibiting emotions, meditation to help relax and relieve stress, meditating for health and healing, and more. A number of guided meditations are included in this thin volume, including seven for healing. Meditation: Practice & Application isn't a bad introduction to meditation, but it is a bit of a whirlwind tour. The author covers a great deal of territory in a relatively few pages. While this provides the reader with a large number of different meditation techniques, many of these are barely touched on before the author moves on to the next. Unfortunately, this often means a lack of depth and a lack of help if the reader has problems with any of the techniques presented. I noticed some questionable background material on psychic powers and the like: material that is scientifically questionable was presented without any caveats. However, the book is a readable survey of meditation with a lot of practical techniques and exercises. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkmpaa.php [10] ========= ========= RECEIVED FOR REVIEW ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= The following books and decks have been received for review in June 2003 and may be reviewed more fully in future issues. "First Glance Comments" included with these listings are exactly what they seem to be: my first impression of the item from a quick glance through the book or deck. Be aware that these views could change drastically after a more complete examination. If you are waiting for a particular review, remember that reviews appear on our web site as they are finished -- often a good while before they are published in the newsletter. As I was on vacation the first two weeks in May and playing catch up with real life the rest of the month, I did not actually review any of the many books in my review pile in May. I should get back to writing full reviews this month, so watch the web site for new reviews. The Elements of Ritual by Deborah Lipp (Llewellyn) ISBN: 073870301X First Glance Comments: This book discusses the principles of Wiccan ritual and its relationship to the four elements. Each part of a typical ritual in discussed in great detail. While there are examples of ritual, this book appears to focus on theory than on cookbook techniques. From a first glance, this looks like a useful book for experienced Wiccans looking for something besides another 101 book. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073870301X/thecauldron [11] ========= ========= ARTICLE: KHAOS -- THE FIRST OF THEM ALL ========= by Faerie K. ========= Originally published in Finnish in Vox Paganorum 1/02 ========= translated from the Finnish by Faerie K. ========= The general public is usually familiar mostly with the so-called Olympian gods and goddesses along with a few others, but the Greek pantheon includes also other lesser-known deities. Some of them were "lesser-known" for even the ancient Greeks, as there wasn't proper cult or organized worship connected to these deities. One of these is Khaos (Chaos). There's very little information available in our time about Khaos, considering her part in the birth of the world and other deities in the Greek mythology. The earliest written references on Khaos can be found in the book "Theogony" by Hesiod, who lived in the 700s before the Common Era. In Theogony, Hesiod describes the birth of the world and the Gods, as well as Greek mythology. The word "Khaos" means space, gap, darkness and void, referring to Khaos as that which is between heaven and earth. Khaos was also called - albeit rarely - as Poros ('passage, contriver, intriguer') and Aeros ('air'). When the world begun, Khaos was there. She is the goddess who predates everything else - gods and even the world. After Khaos arose Gaia (earth), Eros (love) and Tartaros. Without a mate, Khaos gave birth to Erebos (darkness) and Nyx (night). From the love between these two, were born Aether (light) and Hemera (day; according to Bacchylides, Hemera's father is Khronos). Nyx also bore other children - Moros, Ker, Thanatos, Hypnos, the Oneiroi, Momos, Oizys, the Hesperides, the Keres, the Moirai, Nemesis, Apate, Philots, Geras and Eris1, who are all spirits affecting human lives (daimones). Hyginus, who wrote in Latin in the 100s, relates a slightly different story in his listing of gods Mythographi Fabularum Liber. He wrote: "Ex Caligine Chaos" - Khaos was born out of moisture, fog. Hyginus continues to tell how out of Khaos and fog were born also Nox (Nyx), Dies (day, Hemera), Erebus (Erebos) and Aether. That is, Khaos is the mother of not only night and darkness, but also day and light. Khaos with her offspring form the more "etheric" side of the world in the Greek mythology, consisting of deities of seasons, personifications of states of consciousness (from dreams to deaths) and spirits of feelings and states of mind. Some sources do say, that Khaos was originally an ancient goddess of ear, mist and fog. There are few mentions of Khaos in addition to her role in the birth of the world. In his account of Zeus' fiery fight with the titans, Hesiod describes how an astonishing heat took over Khaos and how it seemed as though Gaia and Ouranos had rushed towards each others and met. This gives an impression of Khaos moving away from her usual place between earth and heaven. Later on Hesiod tells that titans who lost the battle are now residing behind the gloomy Khaos, far away from all the gods. In his Birds, Aristophanes offers a glimpse of Khaos as something other than "the first one of all, who merely exists". He gives and account of the beginning of time, when the only ones existing were Khaos, Nyx, the dark Erebos and the deep Tartaros. There was no earth, air or sky yet existing. The dark-winged Nyx laid an egg in the bosom of Erebos' endless depths and after time had passed, gold-winged Eros hatched from this egg. Eros made love with Khaos in Tartaros and Khaos has wings as golden as those of Eros. This union gave birth to the birds - the first ones to see the light. Birds tells about birds and at this point, relates the story from birds' point of view, so describing the gods as having bird-like wings makes sense. However, many Greek deities, especially those who descended from Khaos, were often depicted having wings, so Aristophanes' story can give you a clue of what Khaos might look like. Khaos is also present in the story of Alkmene, the woman who got seduced by Zeus who took the form of her husband and who then bore Zeus' son Heracles. Zeus had just won the battle with the titans: the highest among the gods were now the Olympians and on the top-most spot was Zeus himself. However, he was well aware that those closest to Gaia's (the source calls them "relatives") Okeanos (sea), Nyx and Khaos still existed, hiding and lurking at the far corners of the universe and that some day, the gods would be defeated like the titans were. Later sources often describe Khaos as nothing but a chaotic mixture of the elements - lifeless and formless, nothing-yet. Khaos is described as merely a state before the world and order, not as a goddess or even a deity. Paraphrasing Ovid (from his book Metamorphosis): before there sea, earth or the heavens arrived, there was only the uniformly desolate Khaos, primitive and undeveloped. Khaos didn't achieve anything other than heaviness and just being a tangled mass of all the elements. These later accounts may be the result of the increasing importance of the Olympic gods in the expense of other, earlier gods. "Khaos as an impersonal nothingness, the beginning of it all but lifeless" is the description you are quite likely to run into in books dealing with Greek mythology (if there actually is any mention of her), as well as in general books on mythology. What about Khaos today? Can Khaos be worshipped, honored? Is it possible to include Khaos in one's own personal religiosity? I don't see any reason why not. Khaos may be "a goddess without myths", but this doesn't make her "a non-existing goddess". Neither does lack of historical cults worshipping her. Personal gnosis - one's own personal revelation and information derived from interacting with a deity - may get more importance in addition to historical information with Khaos and other deities like her, especially when compared to those gods where there is a large amount of information available in this day and age. Khaos may seem primordial and maybe even distant, but even the ancient Greek didn't declare her dead. Why should we? === === Notes === 1) Moros - doom; Keres - death-spirits, personifications of violent death; Thanatos - death, personification of non-violent death; Hypnos - Thanatos' twin brother sleep; the Oneiroi - dreams, the most skilful and important out of thousand Oneiroi were Morpheus, Ikelos / Phobetor and Phantasos; Momos - mockery, blame, criticism (he was expelled from heaven for mocking the gods...); Oizys - pain, woe; the Hesperides - the three daughters if evening; the Moirai - the fates; Nemesis - anger and retribution; Apate - deceit; Philotes - affection, friendship; Geras - old age; Eris - discord. Eris, who is nowadays best known for being the "Goddess of Chaos" of especially Discordianists, is the granddaughter of Khaos. === === Sources === - Aristophanes: Birds - Hesiod: Theogony - Hyginus: Mythographi fabularum liber - Ovid: Metamorphoses - Bellingham, David: En Introduktion till Grekisk Mytologi - Leeming: Encyclopedia of Creation Myths - McLeigh, Kenneth: Myths and Legends of the World, the Complete Companion to all Traditions - online: Theoi Project: http://www.theoi.com/ [12] ========= ========= ARTICLE: PAGANISM IN PORTUGAL ========= by H�lio ========= [Editor's Note: This article was originally a reply to my question about the number of Pagans in Portugal to a new member of our message board from Portugal. I'd like to thank H�lio (aka SUNDISC) for allowing me to use his message as this article. Due to the lack of any official statistic on the subject, any answer to your question comes mainly from a general perception rather than a scientific source. The most common Pagan religion in Portugal is Wicca - I assume, like in many other western countries - having the most visible manifestations in society (though naturally small compared with that of other religions): Wiccans books are more common, both in English and Portuguese, at least more than they were a couple of years ago, Internet sites, irc chat rooms and public discussions go the same way and one might add several recent magazine articles, interviews and TV shows in which the subject was presented, both in private and public television stations. There's also a Pagan Federation Office in Portugal. But, alas, the kind of information that gets to the general public isn't always the best: one can hear things such as Wicca being a centuries old religion (or even the oldest existing one!), a unanimous "Pagan calendar" with its 8 festivals, plus the lunar festivities, and recons are mentioned under strange definitions when mentioned at all: the Roman and Greek ones, for instance, were once called "neo-classicists" and the Norse are named "runic pagans"...quite disappointing, but I do know that the magazine that published the article got a couple of protest letters, my own included ;) Pagans from other religions can be found, though they are much less visible, sometimes almost invisible when it comes to the general public awareness: as far as I know, there are several druids (some more Wiccan-like, others less), Thelema has several followers at least in the two major cities and there are Celtic, Roman-lusitan and Germanic/Norse recons too: we even have our own folkish boys. Some people are interested in several of these religions at the same time, along with a couple of highly eclectic others who, I fear, have little sense of responsibility and a low level of academical data (not to mention method). The exact numbers is, as said, impossible to know, but it should be around a couple hundred, Wicca aside. As for Heathenry, I know there are some besides me or, at least, interested in heathen religion, but so far I've met only one other from Portugal, and though it could have been interesting considering that he also had Freyr as his patron, things went all but well: turns out he had a couple of notions that were more Wiccan than anything else and refused to worship with anyone who had a different idea. I did suggest that we should focus an essential thing which is Freyr's worship, but he kept saying that "tunning with the energies" was too important to him (and that meant to celebrate Winter Nights at the 31st of October, for instance). On the bright side, I do live in a lovely small town where there are some Wiccans (or wannabes) and a Celtic recon (or interested in) and we usually get together to celebrate each other's festivities, along with several other friends of ours, though they are not pagans. [13] ========= ========= OPINION: NEGATIVITY ========= by Kelli LaVoy ========= I am a Pagan. None of my immediate family members or friends are. I'm sure there are others of you who are in this situation. I would never presume to push my beliefs onto someone else. I expect the same in return, but that never seems to be the case, does it? People assume that some day I'll "come to my senses." My aunt is a very Christian woman, and has been after me for over a year to attend her bible study class. I have patiently explained to her many times that my beliefs would differ from the other members. She informs me that her Bible study class is open to new ideas. As long as they come from the Bible. And as long as they don't offend anyone present. According to my mother, we make good worm food when we die. Period. The subject is not up for discussion. She does not believe in any religion, and anyone who does must be an idiot. My ex-husband only believed in scientific, proven facts. To suggest otherwise was a personal affront to him, and it tended to make him very angry. I kept my beliefs to myself for 10 years before we divorced. My current boyfriend assumes that all Pagan ceremonies are thinly-veiled excuses to have an orgy. Nothing I've ever said has swayed his opinion on this. We do not discuss my beliefs often. My 13-year old son just rolls his eyes at the whole thing. So does my 65-year old father. I am an open-minded person. I accept other people's beliefs without argument. Why can't others do the same? [14] ========= ========= COLUMN: TAROTDEEVAH ON THE TAROT ========= by TarotDeevah ========= === === Mandala Astrological Tarot === by A.T. Mann Published by Thorsons Copyright 1987 by A.T. Mann ISBN 0062505831 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/mandalapics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062505831/thecauldron Although this is a difficult deck to grasp, I like it very much. The majors and courts are illustrated, although more with symbols than actual illustrations. The pips are illustrated even less, but I wouldn't call them Marseille style either. This deck focuses on astrological symbols inside a mandala on each card. The naming and order of the deck follow Rider Waite style, except that the Heirophant is called High Priest and pages are called princesses. As far as I know, this deck is currently out of print, so snatch it up if you come across it. Mine came as a deck and book set, and I have found the book invaluable, possibly necessary. If you can get the book with the deck, I recommend you do so. The cards measure about 3.5 inches squared. Their squareness takes a bit of getting used to, but they handle fairly well. They are sturdy thickness, but not too stiff. I don't recommend this deck for beginners of tarot, as it will be difficult to use. The cards do not stimulate intuition, but are read according to the system. I recommend the deck for those who use astrology heavily in their readings, collectors and studiers of astrology in general. === === Masquerade Tarot === by Martin Published by US Games Systems, Inc. Copyright 1995 by US Games Systems, Inc. ISBN 0880790881 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/masqpics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0880790881/thecauldron Words cannot adequately express how much I dislike this deck. I can find no rhyme or reason for the odd and distracting coloring; the artwork is totally uninspiring; and the entire deck is utterly lacking in symbolism of almost any sort. It is quite possibly my least favorite deck of all. All cards feature people in masks, as if they were off to a masquerade ball. The deck order and naming follow Rider Waite style with a few deviations: the high priestess is the priestess, the wheel of fortune is chance, the star is stars, and judgment is the angel. Suits are staves, cups, swords and coins. Cards measure approximately 2.75 by 4.75 inches and handle well. The deck is not too stiff and not too flimsy. I imagine the deck would be durable and hold up to frequent use. I don't recommend this deck for anyone. Even collectors will be utterly disappointed in my opinion. Beginners will certainly find no help in the images, as they all look pretty much the same. === === Medicine Woman Tarot === by Carol Bridges Published by US Games Systems, Inc. Copyright 1987 and 1991 by Carol Bridges ISBN 0880795123 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/mwpics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0880795123/thecauldron My knowledge of Native American culture and symbolism is like my knowledge of Egyptian culture and symbolism, lacking to say the least. This deck appears to be heavily influenced by Native American spirituality, although many of the people pictured are not Native American. I believe this deck will appeal to non- Native Americans interested in that culture. I also find this deck has quite a feminine feel without downplaying men. I find the art lovely and inspiring. The deck sort of follows the Rider Waite pattern, but changes have been made. Keywords appear at the bottom of the majors, some of which don't quite go with how I see the cards. Suits are pipes (wands), bowls (cups), arrows (swords) and stones (pentacles). Court cards are exemplar (king), power lodge (queen), totem (knight) and apprentice (page). All cards, even the pips, are illustrated. Symbolism is abundant, and the cards do reach me (even if I'm not particularly drawn to Native American themes). The cards measure about 2.75 by 4.25 inches. They are a good thickness and handle well. I have no reason to doubt their sturdiness. I recommend this deck primarily for women (non-Native Americans) drawn to the Native American culture. I also recommend the deck for collectors, beginners through advanced, those inspired by lovely artwork, and those who prefer feminine decks. === === Medieval Scapini Tarot === by Luigi Scapini Published by US Games Systems, Inc. Copyright 1985 by US Games Systems, Inc. ISBN 0880790318 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/medipics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0880790318/thecauldron This is a very rich looking deck, full of lots and lots of gold. The deck is done in an "old style" although it's not an old deck (only 1985). The art is old style (Middle Ages and Renaissance), and the order is old style (Tarot de Marseille rather than Rider Waite style). Justice is VIII and Force (strength) is XI. The High Priestess is called the Popess, Heirophant is the Pope, Strength is Force, the Tower is the Falling Tower, and the Fool (although still zero) is positioned between Judgment and the World. All cards, including the pips, are illustrated. This is not according to any old style I'm aware of, but I like illustrated pips. The illustrations often don't assist much at all in interpreting the cards on the pips, I've found. Some of them seem more like afterthoughts of space fillers than anything else. The cards themselves measure about 2.5 by 5.5 inches. they are a little too long for me to handle easily, but not impossible to work with. They are a good thickness and are durable. I bought my deck second hand, and it's apparent that it was used frequently. The fronts of the cards stood up well, but some of the gold ink on the back of the cards has worn. I don't notice any gold ink on my fingers after handling the deck, but the pattern is quite worn in the center of the cards where the thumb would be during bridge shuffle. I recommend this deck for those who love gold and gilding! This is truly a rich looking deck. Also, for those who love old style artwork, but dislike Tarot de Marseille style decks, this deck may be a happy medium for you. I also recommend this deck for collectors and intermediate to advanced readers. Beginners may not get enough from the illustrations on the pips to get a good grasp of their meanings, or may be led off by illustrations which don't quite fit. ===== ===== About This Column ===== TarotDeevah's column will feature monthly articles or reviews selected from her web site or written for this newsletter. You can find TarotDeevah's web site at: http://www.angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/home.html [15] ========= ========= HUMOR: ADMISSION TEST AT THE PEARLY GATES ========= Author unknown ========= George W. Bush, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso have all died. Due to a glitch in the mundane/celestial time-space continuum, all three arrive at the Pearly Gates more or less simultaneously, even though their deaths have taken place decades apart. The first to present himself to Saint Peter is Einstein. Saint Peter questions him."You look like Einstein, but you have no idea the lengths certain people will go to, to sneak into Heaven under false pretenses. Can you prove who you really are?" Einstein ponders for a few seconds and asks, "Could I have a blackboard and some chalk?" Saint Peter complies with a snap of his fingers. The blackboard and chalk instantly appear. Einstein proceeds to describe with arcane mathematics and symbols his special theory of relativity. Saint Peter is suitably impressed. "You really are Einstein! Welcome to heaven!" The next to arrive is Picasso. Once again Saint Peter asks for his credentials. Picasso doesn't hesitate. "Mind if I use that blackboard and chalk?" Saint Peter says, "Go ahead." Picasso erases Einstein's scribbles and proceeds to sketch out a truly stunning mural. Bulls, satyrs, nude women: he captures their essence with but a few strokes of the chalk. Saint Peter claps. "Surely you are the great artist you claim to be! Come on in!" The last to arrive is George W. Bush. Saint Peter scratches his head. "Einstein and Picasso both managed to prove their identity. How can you prove yours?" Geogre W. looks bewildered, "Who are Einstein and Picasso?" Saint Peter sighs, "Come on in, George." [16] ========= ========= AROUND THE PLANES: NOTES FROM ALL OVER ========= Corporate America (and many large non-profits) keep a small army of publicists busy writing copyright-free articles that busy newspaper and newsletter editors can use in their publications. Many are nothing but shill worthy only of a cartoon version of used car salesman. Others contain useful information with only a subtle plug. Your editor has found a good online source for these and will be including a few that he feels may be of interest to Cauldron and Candle readers in issues of this newsletter. Remember that publication of an article in this newsletter is not an endorsement of the authors' position or any products and companies mentioned therein. [16-1] ===== ===== Warm Weather Tips For Pregnant Women ===== In addition to trips to the beach, backyard barbecues and family outings, warm weather also brings lots of questions for pregnant women. To answer them, a major healthcare non-profit has created a Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center where trained health professionals are available for calls. Here are some commonly asked questions and answers for mothers to be: How much exercise is safe? Before doing any exercise, check with your health care provider. Unless there are medical reasons to avoid it, pregnant women should try to exercise moderately for at least 30 minutes on most days. Consider brisk walking, dancing or swimming. Avoid activities that put you at high risk for injury. Always be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise to avoid dehydration. Can I use bug spray with DEET in it? Exercise caution when using insect repellents containing DEET, a common spray ingredient. DEET can be absorbed through the skin and enter your blood stream. Because DEET is considered toxic in high doses, it is recommended that pregnant women use it in very small doses, if at all. Can I use a hot tub? Elevated body temperature, especially during the first trimester, should be avoided by pregnant women. During this time, a sustained body temperature of 102.5 degrees F. or higher may increase the risk of certain birth defects of the brain and spine. Are there any foods I should be careful about eating at a barbecue? Make sure all meat, poultry and seafood are well-done to kill bacteria. Cook hot dogs until they are steaming hot. Raw or lightly cooked eggs should be avoided but hard boiled eggs are fine. Are there any special precautions I need to take while working in my garden? Wear gloves when gardening, because outdoor soil may contain a parasite that can pose a serious risk to an unborn baby if the pregnant mother is infected for the first time during her pregnancy. The Center at the March of Dimes offers a free, confidential call-in service where trained professionals are ready to answer your questions about pregnancy at 888-MODIMES Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) or by email at askus AT marchofdimes.com. [16-2] ===== ===== Tips On How To Control Mosquitos Around The Garden ===== Areas in and around a garden can be ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Aside from being a seasonal nuisance, mosquitoes may carry and transmit numerous diseases, such as West Nile virus. With over 4,000 cases of West Nile virus reported by the Centers for Disease Control in 2002, it's becoming increasingly important to protect against mosquitoes and their bites. Rebecca Kolls, Master Gardener and host of the television program "Rebecca's Garden," offers some advice for reducing mosquitoes around the garden and preventing mosquito bites. One way to help avoid mosquito bites is to limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn, when mosquito activity is highest, says Kolls. However, as most gardeners know, these are the best times to work in the garden. Therefore, when you're outdoors, remember to protect yourself: * Use a DEET-based insect repellent such as Ultrathon insect repellent from 3M. Originally developed to protect U.S. troops, Ultrathon insect repellent lotion was rated the number one insect repellent by a leading consumer magazine. * Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and a hat to minimize the areas of exposed skin. * Consider replacing your outdoor floodlights with yellow bug lights. The general rule of thumb is that if it can hold water, it can breed mosquitoes, says Kolls. Since gardening and water go hand- in-hand, gardeners should be on the lookout for the following: * Be sure to empty excess water from the saucers underneath outdoor plants every couple of days. * If left outside, gardening tools, watering cans, buckets and wheelbarrows become ideal collectors of rainwater. Therefore, bring these materials indoors after use, or turn them upside- down outside when not in use. * Cover rain barrels with a fine mesh, such as window screening, to keep mosquitoes out. * Holes in the garden hose and dripping outdoor faucets should be mended to prevent puddles of water from forming. * Empty and replace the water in birdbaths every two to four days. * Water gardens and ornamental ponds are natural places for mosquitoes to lay eggs. If you don't have fish in these ponds, consider adding them. If adding fish is not an option, change the water in the pond at least once a week, particularly when the weather is warm. Finally, keep ground cover, overhanging plants and other surrounding vegetation trimmed and away from the water surface. [16-3] ===== ===== National WWII Memorial Dedication Plans Take Shape ===== America's World War II veterans have waited 58 years for a national memorial commemorating their service and sacrifice. Their wait is nearly over. The American Battle Monuments Commission has announced that the National World War II Memorial will be dedicated in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, May 29, 2004. The Memorial Day weekend celebration on the National Mall will culminate an 11-year effort to honor America's World War II generation. The memorial was authorized by Congress in 1993. Construction began in September 2001 after several years of fund raising and public hearings on the site and design. ABMC expects construction to be completed in March 2004. Two months later, the Smithsonian Institution, the Washington National Cathedral and Armed Forces ceremonial and musical units will participate in a four-day Tribute to a Generation dedication celebration. Dedication Ceremony - The memorial will be formally dedicated on Saturday, May 29, at 2 p.m. Pre-ceremony entertainment will include live music, video images of the wartime era, and historical information about the memorial. The ceremony will acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the WWII generation, and recognize the addition of the memorial to the Mall area as an important part of the National Park System. WWII Reunion - The Smithsonian Institution will produce a National World War II Reunion on the Mall. The four-day event (May 27-30) will provide a venue for members of the WWII generation to gather together, meet former comrades, record oral histories, and enjoy 1940s music and WWII equipment displays. Veterans Salute - ABMC will present a "Salute to WWII Veterans" at the MCI Center in downtown Washington, featuring Armed Forces personnel in a musical and narrative tribute to veterans. Three free performances are planned: afternoon matinee and evening shows on Friday, May 28, and an evening performance on Saturday, May 29. Memorial Service - An interfaith memorial service is set for Saturday, May 29, at 10 a.m. at the Washington National Cathedral. The service will celebrate the dedication of the memorial and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Specific arrangements for these and other activities associated with the dedication will be available on the memorial Web site http://www.wwiimemorial.com/ and toll-free number (1-800-639-4992) as they are confirmed. [16-4] ===== ===== Top Cities For Pet Health ===== A new study reveals which U.S. cities are top dogs when it comes to pet health. The study, conducted by the Purina Pet Institute, ranked those cities that exemplify superior care, services and legislation for pets' health and well-being. It analyzed 30 different criteria ranging from veterinarian-to-pet ratios to incidence of obesity to rabies legislation. The top five Pet Healthiest Cities are: 1. Denver, Colo. 2. Oakland, Calif. 3. Portland, Ore. 4. Anaheim, Calif. 5. San Francisco, Calif. "This is the only comprehensive evaluation of factors that impact pets' health and affect their quality of life," said Dan Christian, DVM, executive director of the Purina Pet Institute. The data revealed that pet obesity/body condition and preventative care are major issues. According to veterinarians surveyed, more than half of the nation's cats and dogs are overfed, which can lead to health problems. An unprecedented 14- year Purina study proved that feeding dogs properly throughout their lifetime to maintain ideal body condition can significantly extend their healthy years. Other significant results: * Cats and dogs in San Francisco can claim clean lungs-the city has the lowest cigarette usage in the report and boasts zero annual ozone alert days. * New York City and Oakland scored highest for percentage of dogs neutered (83 percent) and New York City tied with San Jose for highest percentage of cats neutered (86 percent). * In the body condition category, New Orleans scored highest for percentage of dogs at ideal body weight (50 percent) and Nashville took top score for percentage of cats at ideal body weight (50 percent). * Columbus, Ohio leads the country in the veterinarian-to-pet ratio with one veterinarian for every 745 pets. While it is important to understand the environmental elements that affect a pet's health-such as the availability of qualified care, the prevalence of fleas or the requirements of licensing- there are many things individual pet owners can do to help improve their pet's health. "The things pet owners control - obesity, preventative care, spaying and neutering - can literally add, or detract, healthy years from a pet's life," said Christian. Pet enthusiasts can log on to http://www.purina.com/ to find out more about the report and what they can do for their own pet's health. [16-5] ===== ===== Green Computing ===== Looking for ways to be environmentally responsible when using or disposing of your computer? It is important to remember that recycling is only one of many responsible steps in the life cycle of a computer. "Greener" computing is about getting the most out of your computer while minimizing environmental effects and maximizing cost savings. Dell recognizes the importance of understanding the environmental issues associated with computers and offers the following tips to help consumers make their computer purchases, use and disposal more environmentally friendly: Purchasing a computer system: * Buy a computer that grows with you. Learning how to buy the right system for your specific needs helps ensure that your computer will grow with you for many years to come. Shop smartly and you can maximize the work (and play) you'll accomplish with your computer. * Buy refurbished products. Many computer manufacturers and resellers offer refurbished computer systems and parts. They can offer substantial savings while benefiting the environment. Dell offers refurbished computers that have undergone rigorous quality testing and are backed with a limited warranty and technical support. * Consider the environment. Most computers are being designed to reduce the negative effects of manufacturing and use. For example, Energy Star compliant computers and monitors have been designed to reduce energy use when idle. Other environmental features such as a design that will let you upgrade your computer easily, online manuals and documentation, and recyclability should be considered when choosing a computer system. * Packaging is important. Computers and their components are sophisticated and precise products requiring maximum protection from drops, vibration and temperature variations that can occur during shipping and handling. Find out what various retailers and manufacturers are doing to reduce unnecessary packaging before you spend your money with them. Getting the most out of your computer: * Turn it off. Computers are designed so that frequent shutdowns will not significantly affect them. In fact, turning off a system saves energy and may prolong the life of your computer. Remember to always turn off your monitor at night and when not in use. Even if you have power management enabled for your monitor, leaving a monitor on all night uses significant electricity. If you need to leave your computer running for the day, get into the habit of turning off your monitor when you are in meetings or at lunch. * Enable power management. Look for power management features on your desktop or notebook to minimize energy use. These features enable the computer to go into low-power mode when not in use, which can save a significant amount of energy. * Skip the screen saver. Active, moving screen savers don't save any energy. Screen savers were initially designed to save the coating inside monitors-but this type of monitor is rarely used today. * Be a smart printer. You can also reduce the environmental effects of printing with your computer. Consider editing documents on your computer and using the clean side of used paper for printing drafts. You can also purchase environmentally friendly printers, toner cartridges and paper. Extend your computer's life: * Donate it. When you are finished using your computer consider donating it to a non-profit organization. While you may have outgrown its features, an organization that cannot afford technology may be able to use it for years to come. Dell connects consumers to donation opportunities through the National Cristina Foundation at Dell Recycling (www.dell4me.com/recycling). * Reuse components. Your monitor, keyboard and mouse can be reused with a new computer. Make sure your next computer is compatible with these components or consider donating them. * Recycle it. Donate your used computer, or recycle it. Almost all of the elements in a computer can be recycled and reused in the manufacture of new machines and other products. Dell's consumer recycling program can be found at www.dell4me.com/recycling, or look for a licensed recycler in your area that follows guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency. For more information, please visit http://www.dell4me.com/recycling or http://www.dell.com/environment. [17] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON BY VOLUNTEERING TO HELP ========= The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum was founded in December 1997 to provide a friendly but serious discussion area for Pagans on the Internet. We've grown a bit over the years. We now have an active message area, a large web site with around 700 pages of information (including well over 200 book and divination deck reviews), and a monthly email newsletter. To continue to provide and expand these services, The Cauldron needs lots of volunteer help from our members and supporters. Here are some of the things members and supporters can do to help The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum thrive: ===== ===== Actively Participate In Our Message Board ===== While our Delphi message board welcomes readers, we encourage members to actively participate by posting their comments and views in our discussions. One of the easiest ways to help The Cauldron is to actively participate in our message board. The staff especially appreciates members who start new topics for discussion based on their own questions, opinions, or interests. http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start ===== ===== Articles! Essays! Tutorials! ===== We are in constant need of original, well-written and accurate articles, essays, tutorials, and other written items for both our web site and for our Cauldron and Candle newsletter. There's no real limit on length for web site articles. Here are a few areas in which we always need articles: * information on the beliefs and theology of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * information on holidays and festivals of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * recipes for oils, incenses, and food for the various Pagan holidays * magick, spells, and ritual information * herbal information * positive articles on dealing with other faiths * information on historical pagan cultures * editorial/opinion pieces Non-Wiccan material is stressed not because we don't want Wiccan material but because good non-Wiccan material has been hard to find. We have a web form you can use to submit an article for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestart.php ===== ===== Book Reviews ===== While The Cauldron receives some review copies from a couple of Pagan publishers, there are many books that can only be reviewed on our web site if a member has a copy and writes a good, objective review. The Cauldron is interested in reviews on the more academic books used by reconstructionist Pagan religions as well as on the books one finds on the Pagan/New Age shelf in the bookstore. We have a web form you can use to submit a book review for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestbr.php ===== ===== Graphic Assistance ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is purposely a low graphics site as we value page download speed over flashy graphics. However, we are always willing to talk with artists who have ideas for well-designed small graphics (small in both physical dimensions and file size) that might enhance a specific article or page. ===== ===== Invite Your Friends ===== If you have friends or acquaintances who you believe would find The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum useful, please tell them about our site. If you are active in our message board and have friends who might enjoy them or have information to contribute, please invite them. ===== ===== Link To The Cauldron ===== If you have a web site where linking to The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum would be appropriate, simply providing a link to this web site is a big help. Our Link to this Site page explains how you can do this if you need help or want some simple graphic buttons to use: http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php ===== ===== Donations ===== As The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum uses as many free services as possible, our need for money to operate our site is currently lower than our need for the many items we list above. However, if you have a few dollars to spare, we would be honored to have your help in paying for our web site. You can donate by using the Amazon Honor System button below (we get about 85% of what you donate). http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ===== ===== Amazon Purchases ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum also receives a small percentage (usually 5%) from most items purchased from Amazon.com when you go to Amazon.com from one of the links to Amazon on our web site. If you purchase a lot of books, CDs, and other items from Amazon.com as many members do, going to Amazon.com through one of our links when you are going to make a purchase there is a painless way to help fund this web site. http://www.ecauldron.com/fradambooks.php ===== ===== Have Questions or Suggestions? ===== If you have specific questions, proposals or other ideas we haven't mentioned here, please email them to rssapphire00@ecauldron.GETRIDOFEME.com. (Unfortunately, Randall has to answer general "Tell me more?" type questions with a request for a more specific question. He's not trying to be rude, he just can't think of anything general and useful to say that isn't said here.) [18] ========= ========= NEWSLETTER INFORMATION ========= (Including how to subscribe and unsubscribe) ========= Cauldron and Candle is a free publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. The Cauldron intends to publish this newsletter once a month and often actually succeeds in doing so. We tried to publish it twice a month for a while, but real life interfered too often. This issue of Cauldron and Candle as a whole is copyright (c) 2003 by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. 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. The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of newsletter, The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum, or its staff. Publication of an article in this newsletter is not an endorsement of the authors position or any products and companies mentioned therein. 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 OR CHANGE EMAIL ADDRESS ===== 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 method mentioned above. If you need to change your subscription to a new email address, unsubscribe your old email address and subscribe your new email address. Note that you have to make these changes yourself. Yahoo Groups does not allow the list owner to make them for you. ===== ===== 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/ ===== ===== 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. ===== ===== SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ===== Don't forget that your suggestions for this newsletter are always welcome, either posted on the message board or via email to LyricFox (lyricfox@ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com) or Randall Sapphire (rssapphire00@ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com). Typos are, as usual, courtesy of the Goddess Eris.

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