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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #41 -- November 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] Poem: Toward Thargelion [03] Cauldron News [04] Cauldron Discussions [05] Reviews [05-1] The Wicca Handbook [05-2] Philosophy of Wicca [05-3] Wicca: The Complete Craft [05-4] The Forest of Souls [05-5] Full Contact Magick [05-6] Maiden Magick [05-7] Exploring Chakras [05-8] The Elements of Ritual [06] Received For Review (with Mini-Reviews) [07] Articles: [07-1] Goddesses of the Sun [07-2] Candle Feelings [07-3] Ovro's "Malice In Underworld" [08] Columns [08-1] TarotDeevah on the Tarot [08-2] Humor: The Perfect High Priestess (A Chain Letter) [08-3] Software Watch: Messenger Plus! [09] Around the Planes: Notes from All Over [09-1] Fill'er Up with Cornstalks, Please [09-2] Chemical Safety In Your Home [09-3] Art Of Creating Sweet & Simple Spa Treatments at Home [09-4] Tips To Make Kids More Nice Than Naughty [09-5] Feeling Safe: What Girls Say, What Adults Can Do [10] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [11] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: November 25, 2003 +++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= Welcome to the November 2003 issue of Cauldron and Candle. With this issue we start our fourth year of monthly publication under the Cauldron and Candle name. It's hard to believe that we've been publishing this for three full years now -- while continuing to maintain a large web site and one of the more active Pagan discussion and debate message boards on the web. I hope you have enjoyed our previous issues and will enjoy our future issues. This is another very large issue. As promised last issue, Kensho Godchaser's "Goddesses of the Sun: Exploring the Myth of the Moon Goddess" is our feature article this month. We are also launching a new short column on free (or low cost) windows software that I discover on the net. While only some of the software highlighted will by Pagan or magick oriented, all of it will be useful. With Halloween/Samhain behind us, we are starting one of the busiest times of the secular year: the holiday season. Many important secular and religious holidays are coming up in the next two months. While it is easy to get caught up in the secular rush to buy presents, decorate, and cook huge holiday feasts, most of us have religious holidays of one type or another in November and December -- and it's important not to forget them in the rush. Enjoy the upcoming Holiday Season -- whatever holidays you celebrate! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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] ========= ========= POEM: TOWARD THARGELION ========= by Todd Jackson ========= http://www.winterscapes.com/apollopoetry/main.htm ========= Leave others to the endless womb, and to the smooth segue from womb to grave With not one crack of cold dry light. It is their avid wish, and I wish them well. May some other God hold their hands in the dark. My own years of bathos did not pass, as is proper, with the end of boyhood But they have now passed. I am ready. Teach me to see myself my own object. Show me a shape no mere man may shape, Then set me loose upon the dust. Delphian Apollo, electric, You have dazzled the horizon with virgin worlds. I bid you set them spinning in my eyes like Twin vortices. Then lead me forward into the dawn. [03] ========= ========= CAULDRON NEWS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== The Cauldron's Message Board Sets Record in October ===== 8703 messages were posted to The Cauldron's DelphiForums message board in October 2003, surpassing the old record of 7435 posts set last March by over 1200 posts. Thanks to everyone who participates in The Cauldron's DelphiForums message board for making it such a popular place. ===== ===== Cauldron Delphi Message Board Top Poster -- October 2003 ===== Daphne (MIDNIT3MAR3) had the most message board posts (but only by three) of any eligible non-staff member in October and snagged our monthly "top poster" award. Our Runner Up was Cat (XILAO). Jenett (JENETT), Celeste (CELESTE621), Gwyn (GWYNYVYR), and Dragonoake (DRAGONOAKE) gave Celeste a good race for that runner up spot. ===== ===== New "About The Cauldron" Section ===== The "About The Cauldron" section of our web site has been revised and expanded to better describe The Cauldron's many features and to make it more useful to new visitors. Find out more "About The Cauldron" http://www.ecauldron.com/cmabout.php ===== ===== Support The Cauldron As You Shop Online this Holiday Season ===== Shop Via Our Amazon.com and Cauldron Mall Links ===== It's that time of year again: the holiday shopping season. If you are planning to shop online for family and friends, you can help fund The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum as you shop by shopping at Amazon.com and other stores in our mall via the links on our web site. Each time you visit Amazon.com or one of our mall stores from a link on The Caldron's web site and make a purchase, a small percentage of your purchase price will go to The Cauldron to fund our web site and other expenses -- and it will not cost you a penny extra. Shop at Amazon.com http://www.ecauldron.com/amazon.php Shop at the Cauldron Mall http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.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 additional "Special Topic Chats" are available in the Chat Logs section of our web site: === Creation! The chat log for our September 30th "Creation!" chat is now available on The Cauldron's web site. It was a discussion of Creation: why we're here, how we got here, and where we're going from various Pagan perspectives. http://www.ecauldron.com/chatlog20030930.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [04] ========= ========= 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. 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. 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 web page. === === Walking Out Of Ritual === What would cause you to walk out of a ritual? Personally, I never have but I've heard of some rituals where I think I'd head for the door or gate. What about you? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=11206.1 === === Does Innocence Protect You? === There's a theory in some esoteric circles that innocence (whether that's being a generally law-abiding sort of person, or being ignorant of esoteric/occult stuff) provides a form of protection from esoteric or occult problems (or at least some of them). Some people believe that not believing in magic provides a form of defense against negative magic, for example. Alternately, there are people who think that moderately serious investigation of esoteric/occult concepts can open you up to new dangers in some ways (in some cases, I've heard this described as getting a 'sign' over your head that can be picked up on by those looking for that kind of thing: whether that's people or other entities) Still others believe that things like deliberately breaking agreements (i.e. cheating, going against parental rules, etc.) can open you up not just to a general karmic response (if you believe in karma), but can specifically open you up to esoteric dangers in various ways, sometimes on the theory that breaking the rules means you're willing to have others break the understood rules regarding you. Do you think any of these are true? One of them? None of them? All of them? Do you have experiences or stories you'd like to share about any of these related issues? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=11176.1 === === Do the Gods Still Mate with Mortals? === In many mythologies, the Gods mated with mortals and often produced heroic or even immortal offspring. Are the Gods still mating with mortals and producing heroes or immortal beings? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=11167.1 === === What Is Your Response To Being Prayed For? === What is your response (either internal or expressed to the person in question) when someone of a different religion says that they will pray for you? I'm imagining that it might depend on the circumstances and the person, so please allow me to be more specific. Scenario one: Something is going badly in your life. Let's say you mention it in a post here (in passing, not asking for good wishes) and get a response from someone you don't know very well, or possibly even from a lurker you don't know at all, saying that they will pray for you. Scenario two: A random door-to-door proselytizer shows up at your house. Whatever your response is, it indicates you're not interested and prompts them to tell you that they will pray for your immortal (and obviously corrupt) soul. Is your response different in scenario one than it is in scenario two? And does it make a difference if the person is someone you know and are close to instead of some random person you've never really met? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=11071.1 === === Ritual and Chronic Illness === In several books I have read that if you don't feel well or are just plain sick "Do not participate in ritual or ritual magic etc." What if you have a chronic illness such as I do? On my worst days I don't make it out of bed so that's not a biggie, but what about my everyday sickness when I feel better but am still sick? I have not been able to find any answer to that question anywhere. Does anyone else have a possible answer or suggestion? I could really use one. I have a couple of times worked ritual but have been extremely exhausted and have gotten worse after. Is this why? Because I deplete my stores of energy? Any ideas? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=11010.1 === === When Should We Celebrate Holy Days and Festivals? === As a Catholic, we celebrate festivals on the day they occur, not on the nearest Sunday. If All Saints' is on a Wednesday, we go to church on Wednesday, and so forth. There are a few minor exceptions to this rule (for example, so many holy days of obligation fall between Christmas and New Year's that if certain of those festivals are within one day of Sunday, certain Sunday obligations are forgiven.) Most Protestants, however, celebrate "All Saints' Sunday" on the Sunday closest to All Saints' Day, and so forth. This makes for many problems in Protestant churches trying to do Holy Week before Easter - many congregations don't really feel like they ought to have to attend on Good Friday. My Protestant friends, however, think it's odd that I disrupt an entire week with midweek observances that could be moved to a convenient weekend. Pagans often face the same issues - celebrate rituals on solstices and equinoxes/full moons? Or celebrate them at the nearest day off? This is magnified (for Christians and Pagans) by any nighttime or vigil rituals that involve being up half the night. What do you prefer to do? Why? Do you think that either system is clearly right or wrong? Do you feel that one is too rigid, or the other too conformist? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=11023.1 === === Why Not Get Married? === I hear a lot about people that don't want to get married, for whatever reason. They're living with the person, have for years, consider themselves married, but don't want to do the legal contract thing. What I'm wondering is: why not? Is there something about the commitment? the belief that it's none of the government's business? bad experience with divorce lawyers? What? What's the advantage of not getting married? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=10897.1 === === Where Have All The Gods Gone? === It seems like back in the olden days, the gods were always hanging around. Whether it was cavorting with mortals, making miracles, or just a good old-fashioned smiting, the older myths are full of the clear and obvious presence of the Divine. Nowadays, the deities seem more subtle, to say the least. What do you think there is such a big difference between the ancient stories and most modern religions? Is it because the things people used to attribute to Divinity have been explained by science? Is it because the Divine has withdrawn from the earth? Is it because most people just don't know how to listen any more? Is is all of these; is it something else? What do you think? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=10904.1 === === Silliest Ritual Ever? === What is the silliest ritual in which you have ever participated? This could be intentionally silly (like when an acquaintance of mine wrote a "SouthPark" ritual) or unintentionally silly, like when the HP gets the giggles. What made it silly or funny? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=10874.1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [05] =============== ============ BOOK AND DECK REVIEWS ========= [05-1] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE WICCA HANDBOOK ========= Reviewed by Seasons ========= The Wicca Handbook Author: Eileen Holland Trade Paperback, 320 pages Publisher: Weiser Publication date: May 2000 ISBN: 1578631351 US Retail Price: $16.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1578631351/thecauldron I bought my copy of Eileen Holland's The Wicca Handbook for 50 cents at the employee bookstore. It has a nice cover in shades of slate blues and greys. In the middle is a great big pentagram with a handy crescent laying on top of it. Maybe that convenient crescent is for "love" offerings. That central picture is surrounded by two neato arches, presumably to keep rain off any cash in the crescent. The arches are nicely decorated with neat leafy and chainy doodles. There's two triskele-like things in the top corners. And those are neat too. The book reminds me of a nice text printout of the major sections of a web page. Maybe the very same web page touted in the author's bio. It's very convenient to have a text printout like this so one can learn what real Wiccans do even when one's parents or little brother are using the computer and you're grounded so you can't use a friend's computer. Holland is very good about letting us know that Wiccans aren't the only kind of pagan around. Who those other pagans are is a bit vague. We are also told that Wicca is today's modern shamanism so even if it's a new religion it's an ancient one too. One can just type what she says whenever questions like that arise and presto! one will sound profound. Holland decrees that like all pagans, Wiccans are polytheistic and worship the Great Goddess. I was sad to hear no mention of the god. I guess that means I can't be Wiccan anymore. She glosses over the different traditions of Wicca, just mentioning them so solitary Wiccans like her won't go "Huh?" when they're mentioned. She mentions the holidays of the Wiccans and our tools too, even arcane tools like scourges that she informs us solitaries don't need. Ethics are given a look too. Basically Wiccans practice white magick because we follow the eight words of the Wiccan Rede which are "all we need." She informs us that black magick is a no-no, and that she won't even answer email from folks who do black magick. Green magick is okay because Celts and faeries do it, but grey magick is an illusion. But enough theory. The bulk of the book is devoted to magickal correspondences. All kinds! Numbers, letters, days of the week, gemstones, elements, Watchtowers...a vast plethora of lists and connections with nary an explanation of why any of them might be so. After all, why clutter things up with speculation? There's already so many words to memorize in order to become a powerful White Witch. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bktwh.php [05-2] ========= ========= REVIEW: PHILOSOPHY OF WICCA ========= Reviewed by Sana ========= Philosophy of Wicca Author: Amber Laine Fisher Trade Paperback, 268 pages Publisher: ECW Press Publication date: April 2002 ISBN: 1550224875 US Retail Price: $19.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1550224875/thecauldron To start, Ms Fisher makes one point in Philosophy of Wicca that all-too-many texts on Wicca do not -- Wicca and Witchcraft are not synonymous. They are related, but they are far from the same thing. Unfortunately, that is the single accurate point made in the entire book. Ms Fisher does state in her introduction "This book is my interpretation of Wicca". However, that is followed by 253 pages that state unequivocally "Wicca is" and "Wiccans believe". This would probably not be so bothersome if many of the things stated were actually in line with the principles of Wicca. Perhaps Ms Fisher should have spent more than 4 years in the religion before attempting to write this book. (She says "the Goddess made herself known" in 1995, and that she began this book in 1999.) There are certainly areas where a lack of research shows -- most obviously when she states in a footnote for Chapter 7 "The actual Rede is a long poem with questionable roots, as the author is unknown." The history of the Rede, and a significant amount of the material that influenced its authors is easily available with a simple web search. There are two areas where I have significant disagreement with the author, and these fundamental areas greatly influence the entire tone and scope of the book. The most far-reaching difference is the role of spirituality and the nature of Divinity. Ms Fisher states that "the purpose of any spiritual path is to compel the individual to ascent to Heaven" and "in truth, even in Wicca there is a chasm between the individual and the ultimate first creator". This is not a common view in Wicca -- very few Wiccans "hope and pray that the Goddess has a plan, and that all of these things somehow fit into that plan" or believe that our entire purpose for existence is "to carry out the will of the Goddess." Wicca is not about "Jehovah in skirts"! I find Ms Fisher's view of divinity quite disturbing in the context of statements full of "Wicca as a whole" and "most Wiccans believe". The second significant difference is in the role of Traditions, and in the nature of Wicca itself. Ms Fisher states "Certainly there will be tenets of Wicca that we do not accept -- throw those out!" While there is definitely room to personalize your path in Wicca, can you still be said to practice a religion if you throw out several of the basic tenets of that religion? There are many ways to approach the core tenets of Wicca, but all differences and traditions aside there are a few core concepts that make Wicca what it is. Without those core concepts, it does not matter what you label something, it does not make it Wicca. Ms Fisher calls many Traditional practices "childish tendencies" and "unabashed immaturity", and believes that "Wicca has a lot of growing to do" to be a real religion. Considering these statements, and the many misrepresentations in her book, I have come to the conclusion that Ms Fisher really does not understand "the Philosophy of Wicca". From where I stand, it appears that the one "creating an unnecessary chasm between the seeker and true knowledge" is Ms Fischer herself. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkpow2.php [05-3] ========= ========= REVIEW: WICCA: THE COMPLETE CRAFT ========= Reviewed by Sana ========= Wicca: The Complete Craft Author: D.J. Conway Trade Paperback, 460 pages Publisher: Crossing Press Publication date: September 2001 ISBN: 1580910920 US Retail Price: $22.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580910920/thecauldron I picked up a copy of Wicca: The Complete Craft because of the number of people telling me that this was so much better than Conway's other poorly done books. After reading it, I strongly disagree! Beginning in the introduction, when she incorrectly states that "the words Wicca, Witchcraft and the Craft are actually interchangeable", there is very little here that can't be found in dozens of other phony McWicca-lite introductory texts. Her history is based on the myth that there was once a peaceful matriarchy, and everyone worshipped "the Goddess" until evil patriarchy came along and spoiled everything. She would do well to actually read some of the accurate archaeological works listed in her bibliography! She proceeds to confuse the term "Paganism". In spite of the way she misuses the word, "Paganism" is actually a large group of related, but highly dissimilar religions. It is not a single path "based on a specific pantheon of deities", and there are certainly more than "a few differences between Wicca and Paganism, besides the difference in their ages". (And no religion can be dated back to the Stone Age! No one knows what beliefs existed then, what their 'religious' practices were, or even if they had any religious beliefs!) She also defines many Traditions within Wicca inaccurately, and shows little understanding of the history of Wicca, or the various practices that define it's many branches. When speaking of deities, she first states that Wicca is polytheistic, then proceeds to "explain" that all Gods are a reflection of a single God archetype, and even the Gods are subservient to the Goddess. (That's not polytheism.) She also speaks of Triple aspects of Goddess, saying that this is a universal concept, and that it has been recognized "from the beginning of religion". This is untrue. (She has quite a habit of stating historical "facts" that are contrary to the archaeological evidence, without stating where she is obtaining her "information". She also frequently states conclusions of how found items were used or what they signify that are very different from what the scholars who are trained to interpret such finds conclude. Especially when the archaeologists determine that no conclusions can be made from the evidence available.) In my opinion, Ms Conway's version of "Wicca" is a blend of New Age thought, ceremonial magic influence, and poor research. While I don't doubt that it could be used to create a viable and valid spiritual path, it bears little relation to actual Wicca. If one wishes to learn about Wicca, I would strongly suggest starting with 21st Century Wicca by Jennifer Hunter or The Heart of Wicca by Ellen Cannon Reed, then moving to books such as When, Why... If by Robin Wood, and books by Doreen Valiente, Patricia Crowther, and Gerald Gardner. No, it won't be as easy as what Conway has written... but real Wicca cannot be condensed into a 400-page how-to manual. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkwtcc.php [05-4] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE FOREST OF SOULS ========= Reviewed by Sana ========= The Forest of Souls: A Walk Through the Tarot Author: Rachel Pollack Paperback, 312 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: September 2002 ISBN: 1567185339 US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567185339/thecauldron In her new work, Rachel Pollack takes readers deeper into the Tarot than many would have thought possible. She says that "the Tarot works best as an instrument of our wisdom when we dare to ask it outrageous questions...." and she does, indeed, ask questions and explore concepts that are both complex and challenging. The Forest of Souls: A Walk Through the Tarot is written so that people who have had little exposure to Tarot can follow along (cards from many decks are reproduced right in the text), but also where people who have spent years studying can find new things - even the third and fourth times through. Rachel encourages us to let go of more traditional definitions and layouts, and to use the cards in "divine play". With tales of myth and history from different cultures and traditions, she moves from the origins of the Tarot to the origins of the universe... and through the inner workings of the human soul. Although this book is not about how to read the Tarot, it will significantly enhance your reading skills and enlarge your notion of what the Tarot can be and do. Many of the questions pondered also create transformation experiences as Rachel leads us to "explore possibilities outside our normal ways of thought." I highly recommend Forest of Souls to anyone interested in Tarot, no matter what their level of experience or skill. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bktfosawttt2.php [05-5] ========= ========= REVIEW: FULL CONTACT MAGICK ========= Reviewed by Sana ========= Full Contact Magick: A Book of Shadows for the Wiccan Warrior Author: Kerr Cuhulain Trade Paperback, 312 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: September 2002 ISBN: 0738702544 US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702544/thecauldron Kerr Cuhulain's new work, Full Contact Magic: A Book of Shadows for the Wiccan Warrior, has me quite torn -- in many areas it is much better than a great number of recent "101"-type books... but there are also a great number of contradictions, a rather dismissive attitude toward those who view a Warrior's path differently from the author, and personal views touted as Wiccan bedrock. I am quite conflicted whether to recommend it, or recommend against it! Kerr's writing is very conversational, and many points are illustrated with real-world examples that make it much easier to grasp Kerr's viewpoints. The material is well-organized, and well-footnoted for further reading. The Rede is discussed much more rationally than I have seen a majority of books, care is taken to distinguish Wicca from the many other Pagan religions, and he defers to Ronald Hutton on many matters of documentable history. There is a great deal of information about energy work that can be useful -- particularly to folks who may not perceive energy in the visual ways commonly referred to. On the other hand, Kerr also exaggerates situations and paraphrases portions of his source material to make them fit his personal ideals (something he criticizes in both of his books), a number of elements are not identified as opinions of the author but are instead inaccurately presented as general views of Wicca, and several elements that do derive from Traditional Wicca are changed, but the changed form is presented as the Traditional form without any note of how or why they have been changed. There is much here that may make this well worth purchasing... but brush up on your critical reading skills beforehand, and follow up with some of the source works noted in the footnotes and bibliography. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkdcm2.php [05-6] ========= ========= REVIEW: MAIDEN MAGICK ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Maiden Magick: A Teen's Guide to Goddess Wisdom and Ritual Author: C.C. Brondwin Trade Paperback, 221 pages Publisher: New Page Books Publication date: April 2003 ISBN: 1564146707 US Retail Price: $12.99 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564146707/thecauldron Maiden Magick: A Teen's Guide to Goddess Wisdom and Ritual is a book about Goddess spirituality for teenage girls, presented as if written by "your very own Clan Mothers, the ancient Celts of the Goddess Clan." The Goddess spirituality presented in this book is vaguely Wicca and somewhat Celtic -- and definitely aimed at teenage girls. It presents an eclectic mixture of magick, spirituality, psychology, and just plain old good advice aimed at helping a young woman grow and mature within a Pagan framework. A good amount of basic and somewhat eclectic Pagan knowledge gets passed on in the process, but I'm not sure that teaching Paganism is really a major goal of this book. This book is somewhat different than many of the "Wicca for Teens" books I've read. It's not mainly about magick or religion, it's about growing up into a capable adult woman via Goddess spirituality. Those looking for spells to attract popular boyfriends or to control their school bus driver -- or for detailed religious instruction -- will be disappointed. While I think a bit more in the religious instruction department would be nice, I think this is a book that many parents on a Goddess- oriented Pagan path will want to consider as a gift for a daughter entering her teen years. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bookmr01.php#mm [05-7] ========= ========= REVIEW: EXPLORING CHAKRAS ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Exploring Chakras: Awaken Your Untapped Energy Author: Susan G. Shumsky Trade Paperback, 284 pages Publisher: New Page Books Publication date: May 2003 ISBN: 1564146561 US Retail Price: $14.99 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564146561/thecauldron According to the introduction to Exploring Chakras: Awaken Your Untapped Energy, the author spent 21 years studying under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, part of the time in India. This gives her a unique view of Eastern systems like chakras and yoga -- a level of understanding that many in the Western world probably cannot achieve. I know that while the chakras have always interested me, I found most books on the subject I have seen to be either superficial (and generally written by Westerners) or impenetrable (and generally written by someone from the East). Therefore, I did not hold out a lot of hope for Susan Shumsky's Exploring Chakras. I expected an impenetrable book written by someone from the west who had lived and studied so long in the East that she might as well have been from the orient herself. I was wrong. Shumsky starts out explaining the basics: what the kundalini force is, what a chakra is, what prana is, what yoga is, etc. These are explained both simply and directly, in clear and understandable language -- even if the text is sprinkled with many foreign words. I was impressed and decided to give the book more attention than I had originally intended. Exploring Chakras is divided into three parts. The first third of the book deals with the very basics. It discusses prana, kundalini, your subtle bodies and their relationship to the macrocosm. You don't actually get to the details of the chakras until page 104. Shumsky managed to make all this background material interesting -- helped by numerous illustrations and charts. The second part of the book deals with understanding and awakening your chakras. A chapter is devoted to each chakra, which allows for a fairly detailed introduction. Each chapter includes basic exercises to open that chakra. The final section of the book discusses awakening and using kundalini and describes the techniques mentioned in the exercises for opening chakras in the second section. I liked this book and learned quite a bit from it. However, it has one major problem. It is obviously written as a companion book to the author's Exploring Meditation. Many of the exercises refer to this companion volume for additional information and for meditations. I probably would have got more from Exploring Chakras: Awaken Your Untapped Energy if I had read Exploring Meditation first. Also, since I am not an expert on Eastern techniques, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information in this book, but as I mentioned in the first paragraph, the author's credentials are excellent. If you are interested in learning about the Chakra system, I think this book is an excellent place to begin. You might want to purchase a copy of the companion volume as well. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkecayue.php [05-8] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE ELEMENTS OF RITUAL ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water, & Earth in the Wiccan Circle Author: Deborah Lipp Trade Paperback, 273 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: July 2003 ISBN: 073870301X US Retail Price: $16.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073870301X/thecauldron There are a large number of Wicca 101 books, most average in quality at best, that attempt to introduce the reader to the basics of various versions of the Wiccan religion. Many Wiccans buy five, ten or even more of them. Not because they are so dense that they need multiple introductory texts to learn the basics of their religion, but because advanced texts are few and far between. Therefore they buy intro book after intro book hoping to find something new in each one. Publishers seem reluctant to publish many non-introductory books on Wicca. I'm not sure why this is as the same publishers sell advanced texts on astrology, tarot, and other similar topics. Deborah Lipp's The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water, & Earth in the Wiccan Circle is one of those rare advanced books on Wicca. While those without a good basic knowledge of the religion will probably not get much from reading this book, I am happy to see this book published and hope that it will be the start of a publishing trend. Wicca doesn't need a dozen or so additional introductory books each year. The title of this book, The Elements of Ritual, has a double meaning. In her book, Lipp goes through the standard Wiccan ritual structure and discusses the meaning and ritual design options possible for each element of the ritual from preparation to closing the circle. She also discusses how the steps of ritual relate to the four elements. This book is arranged in a straightforward and logical order. A brief introduction explains what this book is about. This is followed by a short chapter on the elements and how the elements are worked into the structure of the book. The next four long chapters discuss the stages and elements of Wiccan ritual in detail from various points of view: the practical (what is done and how can it be done), the theological (why is it done), the metaphorical (what is the mythology or story behind things), and the mystical/magical. As Wicca ritual can vary, the author often mentions various choices that can be made along the way and often gives sample pieces of ritual. The final short chapter is a complete ritual script with all the choices made by the author as an example of Wiccan ritual design. Wiccan Ritual Design: that's really what this book is all about. Good Wiccan ritual doesn't just happen, it has to be created by someone who thoroughly understands the purpose and meaning behind all of the various parts that make up the standard Wiccan ritual structure. Lipp teaches this important background in this book. According to her biography, she has the experience to do so. She was initiated into a traditional Gardnerian coven in 1981, became a High Priestess in 1986, and has been teaching and leading ritual ever since. With the wide range of beliefs and practices in Wicca today, I'm sure that there will be some Wiccans who will find Lipp's ideas alien to their version of Wicca. However, I feel that most Wiccans can greatly increase their understanding of their religion's rituals by studying The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water, & Earth in the Wiccan Circle. I urge all Wiccans, especially those who lead ritual or hope to lead ritual, to read this book. Unless you come from a coven with an excellent training program, I think most of this material will be new to you. I suspect the average Wiccan will find more new and useful information here than in all the Wicca 101 books published in the last few years. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkteor.php [06] ========= ========= RECEIVED FOR REVIEW ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= The following books and decks have been received for review in late October 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. Before You Cast A Spell by Carl McColman (New Page Books) ISBN: 1564147169 First Glance Comments: This book takes a different approach to magick by discussing the theoretical and ethical underpinnings of magick. Or, at least, of magick as seen from a fairly modern (and fairly "New Generation" Wiccan) point-of-view. The author sees magick as "spiritual power," teaches Wiccan Rede/Threefold Law-based ethics, and otherwise has a point-of-view that will make sense more to Wiccans than ceremonial mages, atheists, or magick workers following non-Wicca-like Pagan religions. Even from a quick glance, I can see that this book has some excellent points and some points I disagree strongly with. While I think books like this are a good idea, I'll have to read the book fully to decide if this book is a good example of this good idea. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564147169/thecauldron Hoodoo Mysteries by Ray Malbrough (Llewellyn) ISBN: 0738703508 First Glance Comments: This book discusses Louisiana Hoodoo. According to the author, Hoodoo is a Black American variation on the magickal (but not the religious) practices of Vodoun, which makes considerable, but unorthodox, use of Catholic Saints in its rituals. This book seems to provide quite a bit of information on the practice Hoodoo, although I have no idea how accurate it is (especially as I know some do not think highly of some of the author's previous works). In some places it seems to be talking about Vodoun instead of Hoodoo. Divination methods and some rituals and magickal procedures are provided. At first glance, it looks interesting and readable. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738703508/thecauldron The Pocket Spell Creator by Kerri Connor (New Page Books) ISBN: 1564147150 First Glance Comments: This is a small book of lists. Lists of the magickal associations of things like the elements, the moon and its phases, the days of the week, colors, crystals and stones, foods, herbs and plants, and oils. There are also lists of oil, incense, and bath salts recipes and a collection of pre-written incantations (mainly doggerel as most incantations seem to be). In other words this is a small handbook written for those who construct their own spells. Like most such handbooks, it does not teach, it just provides information for those who already have the knowledge to make use of it. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564147150/thecauldron The Dark Archetype by Denise Dumars and Lori Nyx (New Page Books) ISBN: 1564146936 First Glance Comments: This book deals with the "dark" side of mythology and magick, the part that is often swept under the rug in the interest of making the universe look safe and inoffensive. This book discusses deities such as Hecate, Hel, Kali, Loki. Set, Shiva, Tezcatlipoca. I can't vouch fort the accuracy of the information, but at first glance they seem interesting and there are some academic works in the bibliography. The information on Hecate at least mentions things like she was not a crone or part of a triple Goddess in ancient Greece, always a good sign. A spell or ritual created around each deity makes up the latter half of the book. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564146936/thecauldron Tarot Tells The Tale by James Ricklef (Llewellyn) ISBN: 0738702722 First Glance Comments: I don't usually review uncorrected proofs, but occasionally a book is so good that I break my own rule. Tarot Tells the Tale is a marvelous idea. One of the best ways to learn to read cards well is to see sample readings by an expert. This book provides 22 three card readings (and one longer celtic cross reading) for the questions of famous people in history, mythology, and fiction. The result is a wonderfully enjoyable book that provides many entertaining examples of how the cards work together in a reading, the way a professional reading handles questions, and the power of the simple three card reading. If you read Tarot cards, buy this book when it comes out. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702722/thecauldron The Circle Within by Dianne Sylvan (Llewellyn) ISBN: 0738703486 First Glance Comments: There are a lot of books on the basics of Wiccan beliefs and practices, but unlike most religions, there aren't yet many books on how to be a better Wiccan. This book is a start. It is a discussion of how to live as a Wiccan and grow spiritually closer to the Wiccan God and Goddess. The first part discusses Wiccan ethics and philosophy while the second deals with creating a personal spiritual practice for daily life. I can't tell from a brief glance how well the author does, but I have to applaud the attempt. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738703486/thecauldron A Wiccan Bible by A.J. Drew (New Page Books) ISBN: 1564146669 First Glance Comments: At first glance, this book disturbs me. Its chapters are called "books" to make it seem more like a bible, I guess. It's a combination of the author's opinions which often seem counter to -- and even hostile to -- traditional Wicca mixed with all sorts of lists and tables (some examples: holidays in Rome and Greece, and a huge list of deities from around the world). It's a long book with a lot of information and I admit I've only taken a brief glance at it for these first comments, but at first glance I really don't like it because from what little I've read I think it strays too far from traditional Wicca. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564146669/thecauldron The Sacred Magick of Ancient Egypt by Rosemary Clark (Llewellyn) ISBN: 1567181309 First Glance Comments: The first thing I noticed about this book is that it is not Egypt shoved into a Wiccan framework, it is apparently an attempt to provide the ancient rituals and practices of Egypt in English for modern use. I'm not an Egyptian historian or reconstructionist, so I cannot comment on its accuracy or authenticity, but many of the references in the bibliography are to scholarly books and journals which is a good sign. The book seems dense, but interesting, on first glance. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567181309/thecauldron Witchy Tarot by Antonella Platano (Lo Scababeo/Llewellyn) ISBN: 0738704458 First Glance Comments: The theme of this Tarot deck is teen witches: mainly modern witches and mostly female. While is deck is obviously designed to be attractive to the teen market, it is a clean, usable deck with very nice art. A few minor changes have been made to the traditional Tarot. The suits are Cauldrons (cups), Boulders (pentacles), Flames (wands), and Broomsticks (swords). The court cards have been replaced completely with Celebration, Moon, Goddess, and Trial. The former works, the latter confuses me a bit. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738704458/thecauldron Tarot of the New Vision by Raul and Gianluca Cestaro (Lo Scarabeo/Llewellyn) ISBN: 073870413X First Glance Comments: This is the most interesting idea for a Tarot deck I've seen in many years. Take a card from the Rider-Waite deck, imagine yourself walking around the figure(s) on the card and looking at the scene from the opposite direction, allowing you to discover what can be seen "behind" the standard view. This makes a lot of additional symbolism available. While I'm not sure I agree with all of the new symbolism, almost every card is interesting. If you like the Rider-Waite deck or its variations, you really should take a look at this deck. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073870413X/thecauldron Karma Oracle by Laura Tuan and Silvana Alasia (Lo Scarabeo/Llewellyn) ISBN: 0738702412 First Glance Comments: This is a set of 33 divination cards and a 48 page instruction booklet. The cards are of Vedic and Hindu deities, their mounts, and attributes. The art style is reminiscent of some Hindu art that I've seen. The theme of the deck is karma. From a first glance the system presented seems workable and is explained in just enough detail to be usable. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702412/thecauldron Essential Energy Balancing II by Diane Stein (Crossing Press) ISBN: 1580911544 First Glance Comments: I've never seen the first book in this series. It reportedly deals with cleansing one's soul of negative karma suffered on Earth. This second book, like most of the author's works, seems primarily aimed at women and extends the first book's idea to past lives and, from a first glance, other planets -- including strange stories of humanity originating on other planets. (Pardon me while I roll my eyes and gag.) The exercises may be better, but the titles of some them (e.g. "Sealing the Planet") make me wonder if I'll even be able to read them without giggling. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580911544/thecauldron Aradia by Charles Leland and A.J. Drew (New Page Books) ISBN: 1564146790 First Glance Comments: While this is a nicely printed edition of Leland's 1899 book, Aradia or the Gospel of Witches with an introduction and commentary by A.J. Drew. If you need a copy of Aradia, which is certainly an important document in the history of Wicca as the Charge of the Goddess is taken from it, this is a nice copy. Unfortunately, from a first glance Drew's introduction and commentary really add little to the book, failing even to point out the many problems modern scholars have with the book. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564146790/thecauldron Angel Voices by Laura Tuan and Antonella Casttelli (Lo Scarabeo/Llewellyn) ISBN: 0738714164 First Glance Comments: This is an 80 card divination deck based on Judeo-Christian angels and astrology. The deck is made up of 72 angel cards, 7 archangel cards and one angelic palace. The cards are done in mostly muted colors and each depict an angel against a cloud or sky background. A 190 page trade paperback is included to explain the interpretation and use of the deck. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738714164/thecauldron The Complete Guide to Divination by Cassandra Eason (Crossing Press) ISBN: 1580911382 First Glance Comments: This book is a introductory survey of ten popular divination systems: tarot cards, playing cards, the I Ching, runes, crystal divination, tree divination, tea leaf reading, numerology, pendulum dowsing, and palmistry. The amount of information provided varies from system to system, but appears to be enough to get started and do useful divination with each system. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580911382/thecauldron Polarity Magic by Wendy Berg and Mike Harris (Llewellyn) ISBN: 0738703001 First Glance Comments: My first look at this book confuses me. Its subtitle, "The Secret History of Western Religion," sets off all sorts of alarm bells in my mind, especially when I look at the book's non-academic bibliography. However, the back cover describes the book as talking about the "secret history of sexuality" in the Western Magickal Tradition. I can't tell from a quick glance through the book which it really is. If Polarity Magic is about the Western Magickal Tradition, its authors look well- qualified. If it's another revisionist view of religious history, however, it probably isn't worth reading. Unfortunately, I will not know which it is until I read it. Watch for my full review. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738703001/thecauldron Incense by Carl F. Neal (Llewellyn) ISBN: 0738703362 First Glance Comments: If you have ever wanted to make your own incense but had no idea how to go about doing so, this might be a good book to start with. From a quick glance, it looks like a good introduction to incense and incense making. The book seems easy to read and gives explanations of terms and procedures instead of just recipes. There's even a chapter on troubleshooting the problems one may encounter when making incense. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738703362/thecauldron The Wicca Herbal by Jamie Wood (Celestial Arts) ISBN: 1587611694 First Glance Comments: This book is a fairly basic herbal, providing a few paragraphs of information on the magickal and medicinal uses of about 100 different herbs. What sets this book apart from other herbals is that at least one recipe or ritual is provided for each herb. The info on the herbs themselves seems skimpy, however. It appears to be more of a herbal cookbook and ritual book than what I expect when I see a book described as a "Herbal." More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1587611694/thecauldron [07] =============== ============ ARTICLES ========= [07-1] ========= ========= GODDESSES OF THE SUN: ========= Exploring the Myth of the Moon Goddess ========= by Kensho Godchaser (http://www.KenshoGodchaser.com/) ========= Wiccans and Pagans strongly emphasize the relationship between the Goddess and the moon; indeed, "drawing down the moon" is a synonym for "invoking the Goddess". Some Web sites, such as the MoonXscape site, declare flatly that "the Moon is a female object", and that "[t]he moon is the archetypal female symbol." (MoonXscape) The truth is that the "Moon Goddess" is a confluence of historical fact and modern Wiccan myth. While it is true that the moon is a possible symbol of the feminine archetype, there is no lack of historical Goddesses who embody the sun. Indeed, it was customary in the Bronze Age for the Goddess to rule the sun, and for the moon to belong to the sphere of the ever-dying, ever- resurrected God-King. A mythological inversion around the time of Hammurabi switched these assignments, leading many modern Pagans to assume them as the default. (Note that, in this essay, the word "myth" should not be taken in the lay sense of "falsehood" or "lie", but in the spiritual sense of "a story which points to a greater, underlying truth". My goal is not to "explode Wiccan myths", but to show how this myth evolved - and how it is only one of several possible myths you can integrate into your spiritual practice.) ===== ===== The Moon Goddess ===== Moon Goddesses appear throughout the mythologies of the world. In Greek mythology, this honor goes to Hekate, particularly in her aspect of Hekate Selene (often just Selene or Semele; sometimes Helen or Helena; Roman Luna). Hekate is the Triformis (Triple) Goddess: Maiden (waxing), Mother (full) and Crone (waning). [Editor's Note: This is the Romanized mythology. The ancient Greeks saw Hekate as a young woman who was not a part of a triple Goddess.] In Graves' (1955) words, "Core, Persephone and Hekate were, clearly, the Goddess in triad as Maiden, Nymph, and Crone, at a time when only women practiced the mysteries of agriculture" (p. 92). While the Triformis Goddess is native to Greek mythology, the association of the Triformis with the moon phases seems to have been spurred by Robert Graves (1948, p. 386). The death or disfiguration of the Goddess, and her subsequent transformation into the moon, is a common theme in mythology. Joseph Campbell (1962) tells of the West Ceramian myth of Rabia, whose refusal to marry Tuwale the sun-man caused her to expire and, three days later, take her place in the heavens as the moon (p. 176). The Aztecs viewed the moon as the severed head of the Goddess Coyolxauhqui, while the Cambodian moon Goddess Biman Chan was born when Her head was severed by the wind and reattached by a Buddhist monk (Husain [1999], p. 67). Due to its cyclical nature of waxing and waning, the moon is often associated with or personified as the Goddess - the guardian of the feminine mysteries, including the mystery of creation. As Starhawk (1981) says: The celestial Goddess is seen as the moon, who is linked to women's monthly cycles of bleeding and fertility. Woman is the earthly moon; the moon is the celestial egg, drifting in the sky womb, whose menstrual blood is the fertilizing rain and the cold dew; who rules the tides of the oceans, the first womb of life on earth. (p. 92) It is hard to tell which cultures explicitly made this association between the female menstrual cycle and the phases of the moon. [1] ===== ===== The Sun Goddess ===== However, there is also a long and storied tradition associating the Goddess, not with the moon, but with the sun. The most well- known example is Amaterasu, the Shinto Goddess whose origins extend back to the KOJIKI and the NIHONGI, the most ancient sacred texts of Japan. According to legend (Husain [1997]), Amaterasu was mortally offended by her brother Susan-O and hid herself in a cave in anger, depriving the world of sunlight. The world grew dark until the shaman, no-Uzume, coaxed her out with a raucous dance; upon emerging into the world, Amaterasu caught her reflection in a mirror, and decided to bring her radiance back to the world (pp. 63-66). In Egyptian mythology, the moon belonged to Thoth, a servant of Osiris. The sun was the domain of Hathor, who is often pictured as a cow with a solar disk between her horns. One of the most complex Goddesses of the Bronze Age, Inanna, was not assigned to the moon either; rather, as the daughter of the moon God Nanna and the moon Goddess Ningal, she was "First Daughter of the Moon" (Wolkstein, p. 44), as well as the "Goddess of the New Moon" (Catshaman). Inanna is, in the words of Diane Wolkstein (1983), "not only...a sky or moon goddess, but...the goddess who rules over the sky, the earth, and the underworld." (p. xvi) It is not clear that the Sumerians ever considered a "moon Goddess" per se, but rather considered her both the sun and the moon, which they saw as a symbol of order and cosmic harmony. What little Sumerian poetry we do have relating to Inanna makes more of her association with the sun and the light. One hymn (Wolkstein [1983]) calls her the "Great Torch" who "fill[s] the sky with light". The same hymn goes on to establish her identity with both vessels: Mighty, majestic and radiant, You shine brilliantly in the evening, You brighten the sky at dawn... (p. 93) ===== ===== The Moon-Bull ===== Joseph Campbell helps to put these conflicting associations into perspective. The association of the Goddess with the moon in the West is largely a post-Bronze Age, post-matriarchical development (hence its appearance in the largely patriarchical Greek culture). In ancient Egypt, the moon was represented as a sacrificial bull. As mentioned above, the Egyptian moon God was Thoth - and his master was Osiris, one of mankind's first examples of the dead and resurrected God. We can see here the mythological sense: The moon dies and is reborn both every night (with the rising and setting of the sun) and every month (as it wanes to new and then waxes to full) - a fitting parallel indeed to the dying God.[2] This parallel was carried forth into Mithraism, where the bull, identified with the moon, is slaughtered as a symbolic defeat of personal ego (Nabaraz). This argument is strengthened by the Bronze Age's tradition of religious regicide. The Sumerians, Indians, Sudan, Indonesia, and Egyptians of the Upper Nile, among others, knew this practice: when the king died - either of natural causes or ritualistically, at a time augured by the city-state's priests and usually aligned with some cosmic event - his entire court was buried with him (Campbell [1962], p. 69). The king could take on the personage of the sun or the moon, depending on the preferences of the city- state's local cult. Frequently, however, he took on the moon, enacting in life the legend of the Moon (the God) descending to the underworld, followed by the Sun or Venus (the Goddess), who retrieves him (Campbell [1959], p. 166, 409). Mythology took a turn for the monotheistic around the time of the Babylonian king Hammurabi. With the introduction of the Babylonian God Marduk, we see the tendency to elevate one God above all others - a position that this God attains through the use of warrior skill against a hateful Goddess. Marduk achieves his position through triumph over the Goddess Tiamat; hundreds of years later, in Greek myth, Zeus will reach the same stature through victory of the Titans, the children of the Earth Goddess, Gaia. Even the God of the Hebrews, Yahweh, boasts to Job of his victory over Leviathan - a serpent, the Bronze Age companion of the Goddess. As Campbell (1964) puts it: ...the celestial orb to which the monarch is now likened is no longer the silvery moon, which dies and is resurrected and is light but also dark, but the golden sun, the blaze of which is eternal and before which shadows, demons, enemies and ambiguities take flight. The new age of the Sun God has dawned, and there is to follow an extremely interesting, mythologically confusing development (known as *solarization*), where the entire symbolic system of the earlier age is to be reversed, with the moon and the lunar bull assigned to the mythic sphere of the female, and the lion, the solar principle, to the male. (p. 75) We see here the disturbing trend that would dominate Western religion for the next several thousand years: the association of the light with the Good and the dark with the Evil. In Persia, Zoroastrianism would make this distinction explicit, depicting the Universe as a battle-ground for Ahura Mazda and the forces of light against Angra Mainyu, the spirit of death and decay. It is but a short leap from here to Christianity. ===== ===== Wicca and the Moon Injunction ===== This makes it hard to argue that Wicca's use of the lunar principle to represent the feminine is a return to a pre- patriarchical religion. Such associations cannot be traced very far back into the history of mythology. The Wiccan injunction to meet once a month by the full moon (to take one example) comes from Doreen Valiente's Charge of the Goddess. But the Charge, in turn, is based on an entry in Gerald Gardner's original "book of shadows", "Ye Bok of ye Arts Magical". As Dearnaley (1999) makes clear, Gardner lifted this injunction straight from Charles Leland (1890): When I shall have departed from this world, Whenever ye have need of anything, Once in the month, and when the moon is full, Ye shall assemble in some desert place, Or in a forest all together...And ye shall all be freed from slavery, And so ye shall be free in everything; And as the sign that ye are truly free, Ye shall be naked in your rites, both men And women also... In other words, the Charge comes from the mouth of Leland's Aradia - and Aradia, a vengeful Goddess who taught the art of poisoning against her "oppressors", takes as her inheritance the "solarization" of the great Bronze Age myths. ===== ===== Conclusion ===== The purpose of this essay is not to destroy anyone's cherished beliefs, but rather to awaken people to creative alternatives. Contrary to popular belief, the moon is not an "archetypal" Goddess symbol. As C.G. Jung himself made clear, all symbols are local; archetypes precede symbols, so there can be no such thing as an "archetypal symbol". Wiccans and other Witches who worship the Dark Goddess do so to "take back the dark", assimilating into a single Deity both good and evil, hope and fear, restoring the Goddess and God to the ethical positions they possessed prior to Marduk and Ahura Mazda. This is a noble, valid endeavor, and the moon serves as a powerful symbol for this restoration. But Pagans should be aware that there is power in the Goddess of the Sun as well, and that their tradition may benefit from worshiping the Goddess in this form, and exploring the God's role as the dying and resurrected Moon. Still others may wish to forego such associations altogether, and use the Moon as a symbol for the gateway to the mysteries of the Universe. The cult of Mithra used the moon for this purpose. Occult Qabalah accomplishes the same thing by assigning the Moon to the Yetziratic sphere of Yesod, the sphere directly above the physical plane of Malkuth (Reed [1985], p. 63). [2] Once these possibilities are embraced, a whole new world of spiritual exploration bursts wide open. ===== ===== Footnotes ===== [1] Wolkstein (1983) insinuates that 50 lost lines in the Hymn to Inanna may have made this link explicit. Barring a new archeological find, it appears these lines are lost forever. [2] Frazer (1922) would take exception to this; he identified Osiris as "the corn-god", as Osiris was sacrificed only once yearly, and this better corresponds to the rise and fall of the yearly crops. But the link between the kings of the hieratic city-states and the moon is too strong and plentiful to be ignored - even though these kings were sacrificed, not yearly, but anywhere from seven to 12 years into their reign, depending on the astrological phenomenon the priests used for auguring. Frazer, of course, argues that Osiris is the corn God, because his death occurred yearly - which parallels the rise and fall of the year's corn yield. But most hieratic city-states did not extinguish their kings after a single year, so arguing for such a strict correspondence misses the point. [3] Reed identifies Hathor as a Moon Goddess, and assigns her to Yesod. While there may be lore associating Hathor with the Moon, I have been unable to find it. Reed also classifies Osiris in Tifareth, which she associates with the Sun. According to Frazer (1922), only two ancient texts of any quality associate Osiris with the Sun. Frazer goes so far as to declare that the evidence for this linkage to be "minute in quantity and dubious, where it is not absolutely worthless, in quality" (Chapter 42, para. 1). Most mythologies describe the sun's setting as a form of rest or hiding rather than a death. ===== ===== References ===== Campbell, Joseph (1959). The Masks Of God: Primitive Mythology. New York: Penguin Books. Campbell, Joseph (1962). The Masks Of God: Oriental Mythology. New York: Penguin Books. Campbell, Joseph (1964). The Masks Of God: Occidental Mythology. New York: Penguin Books. Catshaman. Inanna New Moon Goddess. Online at http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~catshaman/0inanna/06hersui t1.htm. Dearnaley, Roger (1999). The Influence of Aleister Crowley upon "Ye Bok of ye Art Magical". Online at http://www.cyprian.org/Articles/CrowleyBAM0.html. Frazer, Sir James George (1922). The Golden Bough. Online at http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/frazer/index.htm. Graves, Robert (1948). The White Goddess. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Graves, Robert (1955). The Greek Myths, Vol. 1. England: Penguin Books Ltd. Husain, Sharukh (1997). The Goddess: An Illustrated Guide To The Divine Feminine. London: Duncan Baird Publishers/One Spirit. (Also available in the US from Little, Brown & Company.) Leland, Charles (1890). Aradia: Gospel Of The Witches. Online at http://www.paganportal.com/paganportal/aradia.asp. MoonXscape. The Goddess and the Moon. Online at http://www.moonxscape.com/MoonGoddess.shtml. Nabaraz, Payam. Mithras and Mithraism. Online at http://www.taivaansusi.net/historia/mithraism.html. Reed, Ellen Cannon (1985). The Witches' Qabalah. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications. Starhawk (1989). The Spiral Dance. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. Wolkstein, Diane & Samuel Noah Kramer (1983). Inanna, Queen Of Heaven And Earth: Her Stories And Myths From Sumer. New York: Harper and Row, Publishers, Inc. [07-2] ========= ========= CANDLE FEELINGS ========= by Kelli LaVoy ========= Most of us are aware of candle magic, and a good many of us practice it. We've read about the correspondences of colors, astrological signs, essential oils, etc. However, I think there s more than just symbolism to consider. I always light a candle at dusk, to usher in the night. On my late grandmother's birthday, I let a candle burn all day in honor of her. Whenever I miss a traveling loved one, I light a candle for their safe return. We all have our own personal ceremonies. Candles are included in many of mine. I try to make sure I always have many colors on hand, for whatever situation or mood might take precedence, and I don't usually follow what the candle magic books tell me. Yellow symbolizes remembrance for me. I light a brown candle to feel grounded and centered. I use green and blue candles to lift my spirits and clear my mind. I think the colors of candles, along with the scents of essential oils and incenses, should be guided by your intuition. Most of the books on this subject are good to use for guidelines, but I think you should also consult your inner self, as your intuition knows best. [07-3] ========= ========= OVRO'S "MALICE IN UNDERWORLD" ========= An Announcement ========= Artist: Ovro Title: Malice in Underland Label: Some Place Else Release date: October 2003 Catalogue number: SPECDR03030 Long-time The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum member (and author of numerous articles for this newsletter) Faerie K. has ventured into the world of making music. Her debut album, "Malice in Underland" is now out, under the name Ovro. Ovro employs microphones and computers to create her personal, eerie microsoundscapes. Various source sounds, especially her voice, are torn apart, bent, looped and transformed, and put together again to form these magickal Ovrian soundscapes. Ovro's sound is reminiscent of the so-called lowercase sound or microwave in that it is minimal and subdued. She digs deep into the waveforms and takes microscopic pieces for further investigation, operation and amplification. The importance of things usually passed unnoticed are magnified in great detail. A crack in a wallpaper suddenly gets your complete attention in a room otherwise familiar and cosy to you. It is mangled and twisted and looped and looped and looped to have an altogether new pattern decorating your walls. Then you find it's actually the ceiling you're standing on, and all the furniture's missing except for the sofa that is now the size of a matchbox. That in itself is cool, but then there's the voice. Ovro calls it Malice in Underland, another alter ego I suppose (layer upon layer upon layer...). A slightly treated voice of a little girl appears and tells me disturbing things. "I wish to die inside of you." I find myself in the middle of a surrealist scene that I cannot really make sense of but one thing I know. It gives me the damned creeps. In a good way. Besides Malice, other different personalities are introduced, and they all seem to share a similar surrealist vocabulary. Ovro also employs her "normal" voice as distant humming and wailing in order to create a more ethereal, melancholic atmospheres wherever found useful. "Making music is a magickal process", says Faerie K. "First of all, it involves invoking a whole new persona/self, one expressing herself through sound. Second, the process of transforming a source sound into something else, something new is definitely alchemical in the traditional Solve & Coagula manner." There is a definite magickal element present in the album, but what it is - that's left for the listener to decipher. More information on the album and how to order can be found at http://www.someplaceelse.net/ [08] =============== ============ COLUMNS ========= [08-1] ========= ========= TAROTDEEVAH ON THE TAROT ========= by TarotDeevah ========= === === Power of Flowers === by Isha Lerner Illustrated by Karen Forkish Published by US Games Systems, Inc. Copyright 1999 by US Games Systems, Inc. ISBN 157281196X See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/pfpics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/157281196X/thecauldron Power of Flowers is not a tarot deck, rather "an archetypal journey through nature" according to the cover. The deck consists of 32 cards, each assigned a flower. The art is lovely, and the little white book is very good. The booklet gives lots of information about each flower. Although I don't use my deck, I have used the little white booklet as a reference many times. Cards measure 3.5 by 5 inches, which is rather large for me. Card stock is very good, although it could be just a tiny bit stiffer. The cards are durable and hold up very well. I recommend this deck for anyone who loves flowers, and especially for those who use flowers for healing and magickal purposes. Collectors may also want a copy, depending upon whether they also collect non-tarot divination decks. === === Quick & Easy Tarot === Published by US Games Systems, Inc. ISBN 1572812443 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/qepics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572812443/thecauldron This deck is identical to Rider-Waite in naming, order and illustrations (although it has been recolored). On each card, a paragraph of meanings are written, both on the upright and the reversal. The idea is that beginners will not have to keep looking up meanings in a book or booklet, since they are printed on the cards. I've heard arguments for and against this practice, but haven't an opinion one way or the other. This is not how I learned, so I can't say whether it is beneficial or detrimental. The cards are about 2.75 by 4.75 inches and handle well. The stock is durable and will stand up to repeated use. I can't really recommend or not recommend this deck for beginners. Some say it makes for a lazy reader. I can't say for sure. I don't recommend the deck for more advanced readers, simply because the printed meanings will be distracting. Collectors may want to add it to their collection, as I have done. === === Renaissance Tarot === by Brian Williams Published by US Games Systems, Inc. Copyright 1987 by US Games Systems, Inc. ISBN 0880793074 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/renpics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0880793074/thecauldron Renaissance Tarot is a beautiful deck ... very rich with lots of guilding, which I like. The colors are rather muted and very calm. Symbolism is adequate, although not plentiful. Titles are in both Italian (I think that's Italian) and English. The deck follows Marseilles style more than Rider-Waite, although the pips are slightly illustrated ... only slightly. La Giustizia (Justice) is VIII and la Forza (Strength) is XI. The Wheel of Fortune is Chance and Judgment is the Angel. Suits are staves, cups, swords and coins. Court cards are king, queen, knight and page. The cards measure about 2.75 by 5 inches and are of durable stock. I find them a bit large for me, but that's a matter of taste. The deck is of a very good quality, and none of the guilding should come off, even with heavy use. I recommend this deck for intermediate and above readers, for collectors and those who prefer the Tarot de Marseilles style. I would recommend the deck for beginners, except that the illustrations (what illustrations there are) in the pips reveal little of the meaning of the card. === === The Rider Tarot (Rider-Waite Tarot) === by Pamela Coleman Smith under Arthur Edward Waite Published by US Games Systems, Inc. Copyright 1971 by US Games Systems, Inc. ISBN 091386613X See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/rwspics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/091386613X/thecauldron How does one critique the American standard? I really don't know how. This deck obviously follows the Rider-Waite style ... in fact, it invented it. All cards, including the pips, are illustrated. This is the first deck to do so. Strength, which was always 11 until this point, has been changed/corrected to 8; and Justice, which had always been 8 until this point, has been changed/corrected to 11. Waite believed that Strength corresponds with Leo (the lion), thus #8, and Justice corresponds with Libra (the scales), thus #11. It annoys me that this deck is called the Rider Tarot or the Rider-Waite Tarot, and not the Rider-Waite- Smith Tarot, as Smith deserves just as much credit, in my opinion. Symbolism is abundant and on multiple levels/layers throughout this deck. I do find the illustrations rather cartoonish, though. The cards measure about 2.75 by 4.75 inches, which is slighlty large for my taste. They handle rather well, nonetheless. The card stock is very durable, but easily managed as well. Many a Rider Deck has held up over countless shuffles. I recommend this deck to anyone and everyone. In fact, I think everyone should own this deck (as well as a Tarot de Marseilles deck). Of course, I own over 100 decks, so ... Beginners would do very well to start off with this deck. The majority of American tarot books use this deck as their pattern. Collectors must have this deck due to its historical significance, in my opinion. ===== ===== 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 [08-2] ========= ========= THE PERFECT HIGH PRIESTESS (A CHAIN LETTER) ========= Humor by Author Unknown ========= The Perfect High Priestess' circles are always on time, and run exactly 20 minutes. She is deeply devoted to her tutelary goddess and god, but never belittles other people's gods, not even the Sacred Sky Bunny. She works from 6 a.m. until midnight, and is also sweeps up after circle and carries out the garbage. The Perfect High Priestess excels in a demanding professional career, and donates all her time to community concerns. She came from humble origins and is always happy for a crust of bread, rind of cheese, or a place on your sofa while she is on lavish book tours for her publisher, Harper Collins. She has a big comfortable home which she always makes available to the community, and spends most of her time in study and personal work. She is quiet and unpretentious, she blends into the background, and her experience and power are apparent to anyone who meets her. She cares nothing for appearances, wears good clothes, drives a good car, buys and loans out good books, and donates candles, altar cloths and incense to the coven. She is 29 years old and has many years of experience in several previous lives as a High Priestess in Ancient Egypt, Ireland, and Northern Italy. Above all, she is beautiful and of course she is female. The Perfect High Priestess has a burning desire to work with novices, and she spends most of her time with an authentic traditional coven. Her coven, which upholds the old customs of secrecy, is known and respected on several continents. She can be trusted with any private confidence, and is a generous font of knowledge, on procedures, people and the gossip of the Craft dating back to when Gerald was just back from Burma. She smiles all the time with a straight face because she has a sense of humor that keeps her seriously dedicated to her craft. She always attends local coffee cauldrons, festivals and workshops, and is always by the phone to be handy when needed. Unfortunately, the Perfect High Priestess is always in another city! If your High Priestess does not measure up, simply send this notice to six other cities that are tired of their High Priestess, too. Then bundle up your High Priestess and send her to the city at the top of your list. If everyone cooperates, in one week you will receive 1,643 High Priestesses. One of them should be perfect. Have faith in this letter. Don't break the chain! One Pagan community broke the chain and got its old High Priestess back in less than three months, along with Lance Spearshaft, a new lover she picked up in Vegas. Lance proceeded to beguile several women in community before running off with their BoS's, $827 in IOU's, and the coven Maiden. Don't let it happen to you! [08-3] ========= ========= SOFTWARE WATCH: MESSENGER PLUS! ========= By Randall Sapphire ========= Polls on The Cauldron's message board show that MSN Messenger is the most popular instant messenger client among Cauldron members. So we'll launch this column with a free add-on to MSN Messenger (hereafter referred to as MSNM) versions 5 and 6 that greatly expands it base program's features: Messenger Plus! Messenger Plus integrates into MSNM adding a new "Plus" menu and new items to regular MSNM menus with many new features. Here are just some of the features of Messenger Plus! adds: * Various MSN Messenger Tweaks (e.g. Hide the ad) * Automatic Chat Logging (Logs can be encrypted) * Personalized and Custom Statuses * Rename Contacts on contact list * IRC-style commands available in chat * Multi-color and formatted text * Quick Emotions Panel * Individual Sign-in/Sign-Out Sounds for contacts * Sound "Emoticons" * Lock MSNM while you are away from your computer * Full Contact Manager * Event Logging * Quick text macros * Pop Email Checking * Text recall in chat * Use special tags to send variable info in messages * Scheduler As I write this, the current version of Messenger Plus is 2.51. The installer is about a 2.6 meg download. There is one thing to watch for when you install this program. The author makes money to support the Messenger Plus! web site and development by installing OPTIONAL (but annoying) adware with the program. The adware is completely optional, however, and you can opt out of installing it by unchecking a box when the installer tells you about the adware. If you leave the box checked, the adware is installed. However, if you forget to uncheck the box, you can remove the adware completely by uninstalling Messenger Plus! from Add/Remove Software. You can then reinstall it, remembering to check the box. If you use MSNM, you will love Messenger Plus! -- if for no other reason than it lets you remove the MSNM ad! You can read more about it and download it at: http://www.msgplus.net/ [09] =============== ============ 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. [09-1] ========= ========= Fill'er Up with Cornstalks, Please ========= The next time you drive past a cornfield or wheat field, think 50 billion gallons per year of ethanol. That's the fuel potential locked within the nation's agriculture and municipal wastes such as stalks and husks (corn stover), wheat straw, rice hulls, leaves, grass, and paper according to Burrill & Co., a San Francisco-based life sciences merchant bank. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 10 to 15 billion gallons of ethanol could be produced using only corn stover and wheat straw. The general term for these vast agricultural resources is biomass. There's an economic incentive for unlocking this fuel source. Using just 30 percent of the available corn stover as feedstock for "biorefineries" adds $3 billion to the farmer's annual net income! More work needs to be done before farmers can profit from harvesting two crops in every field-a food crop and a biomass crop for energy production. The Energy Future Coalition, a Washington-based non-governmental organization, urges the Defense Department to fund a competition of biorefinery technologies that will put biomass from all sources into the nation's gas tank. Brent Erickson, who chairs the Coalition's Bioenergy and Agriculture Working Group, says the goal of researchers in biotech companies is to find and develop new biotech enzymes that break up the cellulose-the tough cell-wall substance that gives plants their rigidity-and convert it to sugars. Sugar is the raw materials for making ethanol and a host of other biobased products. "This is research based on a new technology called industrial biotechnology," he says. "Cracking cellulose would be the Permian Basin oil strike of the 21st century," Erickson says. "The environmental, political, and economic benefits of this technology are incredible: cleaner- burning fuel and bio-degradable materials, replacement of a limited resource (petroleum) with renewable biomass resources, less reliance on foreign suppliers of petroleum, and a new outlet for agricultural production." Since almost any plant material can serve as a raw material for biorefining, the technology has the potential to bring economic benefits to all 50 states. Unfortunately, some corn farmers and commodity groups continue to focus advocacy efforts on older ethanol processing technologies that only use the grains, Erickson explains. "Improving our self- sufficiency in transportation energy calls for farmers, refiners, and policy makers to recognize the fuel potential locked in all forms of biomass," he says. "Only then can they make a more substantial contribution to our farm economy and energy security in the near term. "The renewable fuel mandate is a good first step but Congress and the Administration should take steps recommended by the Energy Future Coalition," Erickson says. "This will ensure that our energy policy doesn't leave farmers, refiners, and consumers with a tank that is only half full." Further information on the fuel potential of biomass is found under the Bioenergy and Agriculture icon at http://www.energyfuturecoalition.org/ or the industrial and environmental icon of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) at http://www.bio.org/. [09-2] ========= ========= Chemical Safety In Your Home ========= Household products are designed with safety in mind, but it's a smart idea to learn more about the safest ways to use and dispose of them. According to The Chemical Educational Foundation, the following safety guidelines may help people protect their families and the environment. * Love your labels - Read and follow label directions on how to use, store and dispose of a substance. * Plan your purchases - Buy the right amount of a product to prevent waste. * Store properly - Keep products in their original container and store them securely, out of reach of children and pets. * Handle properly - Never mix household chemicals together, the effects can be toxic. * Proper disposal and recycling - Never pour household chemicals on the ground or down a storm drain. Recycle what you can. Special disposal and recycling programs may exist for the following products: Automotive products, aerosol containers, paints and coatings, pesticides and fertilizers, and household batteries. Find out whether or not your community has a household hazardous waste collection program. You may need to either schedule a special pick up or take items to a designated site. Check what your community's program will accept for recycling. If you cannot find a household hazardous waste collection program, call the manufacturer for recycling or disposal recommendations. To learn more about household chemical safety or to receive a copy of Solutions-Chemicals in Your Home, call 703/527-6223 or visit http://www.chemed.org/. [09-3] ========= ========= Art Of Creating Sweet & Simple Spa Treatments at Home ========= Few can resist the inner and outer glow produced by a trip to the spa. The soothing, pure powers of honey, used in beauty treatments since the time of Cleopatra, make it easy to bypass expensive trips to the spa and indulge in economical and all- natural pre- and post-workout treats at home. The natural hydrating properties of honey make it an ideal moisturizing ingredient in skin and hair care products. Honey also contains antioxidants, which have been known to protect skin from the damage of UV rays as well as aid in skin rejuvenation. Recipes featuring honey have long been a staple of healthful diets, with recent studies suggesting that the glucose and fructose in honey can help enhance athletic performance. Following are two recipes from the "Sweet and Simple Spa Moments" brochure, created by the National Honey Board. The brochure features recipes for at-home spa treatments as well as spa- inspired cuisine. To request a free brochure, call 888-421-2977 and press 5. For more information on the many beauty and possible health benefits of honey, and other tasty, healthful menu ideas, log onto http://www.honey.com/. HONEY ALMOND SCRUB 8 whole unblanched almonds 2 Tbsp. rolled oats, uncooked 1 Tbsp. honey 2 tsp. yogurt, sour cream or lightly beaten egg white Process almonds and oats in a blender until finely ground. In a small bowl, mix ground almonds and oats, honey and yogurt until blended. Pat scrub on face and neck; leave on for up to 10 minutes for extra softening. Wet hands and massage gently to exfoliate. Rinse off. Makes enough for one scrub. STRAWBERRY-KIWI SMOOTHIE 11/2 cups frozen strawberries 1 large kiwi, peeled 1 container (8 oz.) low-fat vanilla yogurt 2 Tbsp. honey 10 ice cubes In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and process until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings (1 1/2 cups each). [09-4] ========= ========= Tips To Make Kids More Nice Than Naughty ========= It's easy for people to get caught up in the retail rush and marketing madness of the holiday season. Parking lots fill up and checkout lines wrap through department store aisles. Children make gift wish lists and their parents scramble to purchase toys before they disappear from the shelves. Considering all the yuletide lunacy, sidestepping Santa and his ringing bell on the corner or overlooking the toy drive box can become second nature. And for kids, these charitable opportunities can slip by completely unnoticed unless their parents explain the importance of philanthropy and include them in the giving process. Here are a few tips that can make holiday charity more fun than anything else on your family's "to do" list: * Spare Change Challenge: The Salvation Army Santas have been ringing bells on street corners every December since the 1890s. This year, challenge your kids to contribute a portion of their allowance to every Salvation Army Santa they see. Ask them to keep track of their donations, and at the end of the holidays, reward them with a "humanitarian" prize. * Point-and-Click Donation: Ever think huddling around the computer participating in bidding wars could be just the thing to further family bonding? Several charities are now holding online auctions to benefit their cause-offering tech-savvy families a point-and-click alternative to traditional gift giving. Embassy Suites' "Starry Nights" fund-raiser is in its second year raising money for the Starlight Children's Foundation. Celebrity-decorated ornaments by stars such as Faith Hill, Brooke Shields and Derek Fisher will be sold at http://www.ebay.com/starlight December 1-11. Best of all, 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Starlight. For more information about the Starlight Children's Foundation and "Embassy Suites' Starry Nights," visit http://www.embassysuites.com/. * Toy Debate: For more than 50 years, the U.S. Marine Corps has orchestrated the Toys for Tots program, donating millions of toys each year to needy children. As a family project this year, urge your kids to research the perfect toy(s) to purchase for the program. If you have more than one child and there is a disagreement, let them present evidence about why their selection is the best. Then let a "toy jury" decide the verdict. * Food Adventure: Contributing to a food bank is also a simple\ way to help around the holidays. Treat this effort as a scavenger hunt. Hide canned goods around the house, and give clues to help your kids find each "treasure." Then take a day trip to the food bank with the canned goods, and arrange for your kids to see how the organization operates. Most establishments will be glad to explain the process to youngsters. * Friends Field Trip: Helping a charity during the holidays (or any other time) doesn't necessarily require money. Many hospitals and nursing homes-as well as soup kitchens and shelters-are more than happy to have parent/kid volunteers. You can also recruit a few other parents and kids to make the volunteer time a group, neighborhood or community activity. So this holiday season, when you're making a list and checking it twice, add in some time to show your kids how simple it is to help a good cause. They might not fully grasp "goodwill toward men," but some kids will understand philanthropy if they think a man in a red suit knows when they've been bad or good. [09-5] ========= ========= Feeling Safe: What Girls Say, What Adults Can Do ========= What makes girls feel safe? Why does feeling safe matter? How does feeling unsafe impact the quality of girls' lives? These are the main questions explored in a new study by the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), in conjunction with Harris Interactive, Inc. According to Feeling Safe: What Girls Say, girls who feel less safe are more likely to long for attention, be sad, make poor decisions and fare worse in school. The findings of the study demonstrate that feeling emotionally safe for girls is as important as being physically safe-and threats to feelings of safety may negatively impact the overall quality of their lives. Girls who feel unsafe have trouble paying attention in school, making decisions, forming friendships, obtaining social support and do not feel as competent as girls who feel safe. In the study, girls expressed a strong need for safety and the desire to discuss real-life issues with trusted peers and adults. While adults consider safety in physical terms, many girls in the study considered it more in emotional terms-especially in their every day lives. Girls said that trusting, positive relationships are what make them feel safe and secure. Yet research also found that almost 25 percent of girls do not know three adults they can go to for support. The more adults know about how girls perceive safety, the better they will be able to help them develop effective strategies for coping with emotionally and/or physically dangerous situations. With this in mind, the report offers the following suggestions for adults working with girls: * Be proactive about asking how girls feel, even if they are reluctant to talk. Don't assume to know what they consider important, and don't expect them to automatically share their concerns with parents or other adults. * Encourage working together to establish guidelines for responsible behavior. Do not judge, threaten, lecture, issue orders, and/or try to "teach girls a lesson" by withholding help. * Realize that a safe location is not enough. Trusted relationships, in which girls feel valued and supported, are what make girls feel emotionally safe. * Take emotional harm seriously. Typical environments, such as classrooms, sports fields, or group meetings, often create situations that cause girls anxiety. Hurtful teasing, gossiping and name-calling should be addressed by adults and girls together. * Make safety a shared goal-one girls don't have to deal with alone. For example, adults in Girl Scouting, including STUDIO 2Bsm, need to partner with girls and encourage them to share their real-life concerns. [10] ========= ========= 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 over 250 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 either PayPal or the Amazon Honor System links below (we get about 85% of what you donate). Donate via PayPal http://www.ecauldron.com/donatepaypal.php Donate via Amazon.com 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/amazon.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.) [11] ========= ========= 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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