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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #50 -- August 2004 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/ newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ shopping: http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php http://stores.ebay.com/Doxys-Bazaar?refid=store In this Issue: [01] Editorial Notes [02] Cauldron Challenge: August [03] Cauldron News [04] Cauldron Discussions [05] Reviews [05-1] Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration [05-2] The Rebirth of Witchcraft [05-3] Paganism: A Beginner's Guide [05-4] Circle of Isis [05-5] Out of the Shadows [06] Received For Review (with Mini-Reviews) [07] Articles: [07-1] What's a Hellenic Pagan Parent To Do? [07-2] August -- The Month of Augustus [07-3] The Horse-Shoe as a Favorite Anti-Witch Charm [07-4] How To Recognize an Essential Oil? [07-5] Shamanism in a Nutshell [08] Columns [08-1] Humor: A Pagan at the Pearly Gates [08-2] Poem: Rite at the Crossroads [08-3] Cheap Web Hosting Report: August 2004 [09] Around the Planes: Notes from All Over [09-1] Helping Kids Make Smart Food Choices At School [09-2] Scientists Sing Praises of Bird Brains [09-3] Ask Your Doctor About "Pneumo" [09-4] Depression: It Happens To A Lot Of Guys [09-5] Helping Save American History [10] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [11] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++September Issue Submission Deadline: August 15, 2004+++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= Welcome to the 50th issue of Cauldron and Candle! Yes, this is issue number FIFTY. We have published at least one issue a month for almost 4 full years now. Next month, in fact, will be the last issue of our fourth year. That's a lot of regularly published issues -- more than most of the Pagan email newsletters I subscribe to. Most publications try to celebrate important "anniversary" issues by going all out with the issue in question. We really haven't done this, but you are holding a longer, more meaty issue than the past few with lots of articles and columns. As you know if you've been reading recent issues, we haven't been quite sure what will happen to this newsletter, given that the editor is now married and has a real life. We have finally decided to do our best to continue this newsletter. If this is going to be successful, however, we are going to need your help in three areas. And two of these areas do not require any writing skills nor do they require hours of effort. FIRST: If you have a web page or a blog, please include a link to the editor's new Cheap Web Hosting Report web site. The more people who link to this site, the more people will see it and visit it -- and the more people who visit this website, the more time your editor will have to work on this newsletter. The url of the Cheap Web Hosting Report is: http://www.cheapwebhostingreport.com/ Feel free to visit this site and see what it has to offer. If you like what you see and think it might be useful to those looking for affordable but reliable web hosting, please link to it and tell your friends and associates about it. SECOND: In 50 issues, we have accumulated just over 1500 subscribers. To be honest, we should probably have at least twice this number. Unfortunately, your editor is very poor at advertising (when he even remembers to do it). Therefore, he is asking your help. Please tell your Pagan friends about this free newsletter and suggest that they sign up for it at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ THIRD: Cauldron and Candle really needs more writers. With this issue, we've used up all the non-staff submissions of articles and reviews. I do have a final Hellenic article coming from Rebecca, but that's all I know of in the queue. This newsletter really needs your articles and reviews. We are even open to regular columns if you have the time, knowledge of an area, and basic writing skills. While I have lots of public domain material I can use as articles, chances are these items are not as interesting and relevant as a reader-submitted article would be. Here are a few ideas for articles to stir your creativity. Reviews of books, movies, and videos of interest are always welcome. Articles on specific Pagan religions or Wiccan Traditions (similar to the series of articles on Hellenic Paganism we have run over the past few months) would be interesting, as would articles on magick, divination, prayer, Pagan-oriented foods, finding a group or religion, etc. Reports on Pagan Festivals would be very welcome. However, don't limit yourself to these ideas, if you have an idea for an article that you think would fit our newsletter and would be interesting to Pagans, chances are good that we would at least be interested in looking at it. There are forms for submitting articles and book reviews on our web site that will help ensure that we get all the information we need to consider your work: Book Review Submission Form: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestbr.php Article Submission Form: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestart.php Thank you again for subscribing to and reading the Cauldron and Candle newsletter. With your help we will still be around to celebrate our 100th issue in a few years. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SEND A PAGAN POSTCARD You can send a Pagan Postcard from the menu of any of our web pages at http://www.ecauldron.com/. If you haven't tried our postcard site, give it a try. It has quite a few nice features. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [02] ========= ========= CAULDRON CHALLENGE: AUGUST ========= by Star ========= August's Challenge is again a little different from most of the other Challenges we've had. This time, it's rather specific: Learn something new every day, and pass it on. I think most of us are probably actually doing the first part of this anyway--whether we learn something academically, or a new skill, or something about ourselves, or even just some random trivia or someone's name, we're probably learning something each day. The object of this Challenge is to not just learn something, but also to realize that you have learned something, and share the knowledge. If you want, you can share your lessons and tidbits here, in the usual update threads. However, I also encourage you to spread your newfound knowledge among your non-Cauldron friends, family, communities, and so forth. For one thing, threads might get a little unwieldy if everyone starts posting everything they learn here. For another, some of the things you learn might of course not be relevant to us. And finally, there's no reason why we should hog all the good stuff! :) http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1249.2 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LOOKING FOR A PAGAN FRIENDLY WEB HOST? We use DreamHost because it is affordable and reliable, but mainly because its terms of service allow web sites with anything legal: our web site will not be pulled because we review a few books on sex magick or an erotic tarot deck. It's a great host for Pagan web sites. http://www.dreamhost.com/rewards.cgi?27905/shared/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [03] ========= ========= CAULDRON NEWS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== Mari and Koi Move to Cauldron Council ===== Two of our staff members have moved to Cauldron Council for a break. Mari simply wanted a break from staff duties and is still active on the board. Koi has been ill this last month and has moved to Cauldron Council until she both feels up to the board and has caught up with how far behind being ill as put her in real life. She welcomes prayers and good thoughts from all, regardless of their religion. ===== ===== Delphi to Delete Old Messages On Our Old Board ===== It looks to us like DelphiForums' April efforts to get people to pay them more money for their rebundled services did not get enough people to pay them as they recently announced "...messages more than one year old in [free] Starter Forums are subject to deletion." As we are no longer paying for our old Delphi Forum, we expect its messages to disappear. Oh well, it would be nice to keep those old messages, but not nice enough to get us to pay for a Premium Forum (let alone the expensive DelphiPlus account required to be able to get the necessary Premium Forum). ===== ===== The Cauldron Wants You to Register to Vote Today! ===== November 2004 is rapidly approaching. For those of us in the United States, that means we will soon have to decide whether we want another four years of George Bush as President and wish the House and Senate to remain in Republican hands. Regardless of your personal position on these issues, it is important that you get out and vote. Low voter turnouts generally benefit those holding extremist positions as a greater percentage of extremists vote. US Pagans tend to vote in very low numbers. This is not good. Please vote in November. In order to vote in November, however, you must be registered to vote. If you aren't registered to vote, please do so now. There are several sites on the Internet that will provide you with the needed forms for your state that you can print and mail. Here's one: http://www.rockthevote.com/ The 2000 Presidential election was decided by just a few hundred very contested votes. This shows that every vote really does count. Please register and vote in November -- and encourage everyone you know to do so. Yes, the above was a repeat of our July editorial. If you think this must mean we really do want our US readers to register to vote, you'd be right. We also want you to vote in the November! ===== ===== Doxy's Bazaar (Our Ebay Store) Grows Again ===== As mentioned a couple of months ago, LyricFox and Randall have opened an ebay store with some collectibles and lots of used Pagan books (most in like new condition and at half price). Our selection of Pagan books has grown again last month with over 20 new books added. We've sold a number of the books we started with, but there are still quite a few Pagan books in like new condition available. Stop in any take a look and see what we have to offer: http://stores.ebay.com/Doxys-Bazaar?refid=store ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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. === === Homage Frequency? === I am curious about how often and for how long we pay homage to our deities. Paying homage is whatever you do, whether that be praying, meditating, doing a spell, chatting, etc. How often do you pay homage to your deities? For how long? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1309.1 === === Do You Believe a God Created You? === I just started reading a book to learn about Wicca. I learned about the core belief that the God and Goddess are our "creators". I personally feel strongly that I was created by the forces of nature, not by another being. I was just really curious about what everyone's different beliefs were. Do most Pagans believe in Gods as creators or is that more specific to Wicca? Does anyone believe the Gods might just be other creatures that sprung up from nature the same way we did? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1267.1 === === All This Stuff? === So... We have our altars and our tools and our candles and our representations of Gods. Or, at least, many of us do, and I've seen several others talk about trying to put something together as well. We have our Stuff. Why? What I mean is, is your Stuff there (or potentially there in the future) because your God(s) want it there, because it helps you, because you just like it...? How necessary do you believe it is to have Stuff in a religious context? And if you need Stuff, does it have to be exactly the right Stuff, or is whatever is handy and seems appropriate OK? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1263.1 === === Changing Fairy Tales With Witches === Do those of you who are witches and who tell fairy tales to children alter them if they contain witches who are not placed in a good light? For instance, Hansel and Gretel's witch was into eating children. Bar using this as a very scary disciplinary method, do you stick with Grimm tellings or do you tend to alter them to politically correct them? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1189.1 === === Where Are the New Gods? === Do you think Gods and Goddesses come and go or are they eternal? Can new Gods and Goddesses come into being and if so, how do we recognize them? And if we do, how could we convey the existence of these new Gods and Goddesses without appearing like a total wacko? It seems like we haven't had any new deities show up for a few thousand years and it seems like it's time. Our culture is unique now and I think it's rather odd to worship, say, a deer god if you've never left the city. Just points to ponder... but what if??? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1150.1 === === Roman and Greek Gods The Same? === Are Venus and Aphrodite the same person (for want of a better word)? I've seen a lot of art of Aphrodite that's very similar to the birth of Venus. I believe I've read Venus was originally a Goddess of the Harvest, however, and I also heard that Aphrodite was originally of Eastern Origin and the sister of Ishtar. I think Gaia was also called Terra by the Romans, although I could be wrong. Are there other Gods that are "the same"? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1124.1 === === Birthstones === As a child my mother always told me that the birthstone for Pisces is bloodstone and she has some very beautiful pieces. As birthstones have obviously been becoming more popular jewelers in the UK now have lists in the window showing your birthstone and they say aquamarine? It gets more confusing as i have just read a really interesting book called E-Witch by Deborah Grey who says that the Pisces birth stone is amethyst. This interestingly enough feels right and have a piece of hand made jewelry made for me by a special family member with a beautiful heart cut amethyst. So here's the thing are they all right, none right or dependant on your actual astrological chart, date, time etc.? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1082.1 === === What Makes a Pagan Tradition? === Pagans often distinguish between "traditional" and "eclectic". I've been wondering lately -- what makes something a tradition? My basic idea so far involved a certain group or coven that passes a coherent and mostly unchanged body of practices and lore from teacher to student. But is there more to it? Does it take a certain amount of "group generations" so that the practices are considered a pagan tradition? Does it take a certain number of years? Does it take surviving the death of the founders or them leaving? Also - if a single coven/group has a unique coherent and mostly unchanged body of lore and practices, with specific deities and solid relationships with them - can that be called a tradition? Or do they need more covens, and more generations until it becomes so? And further - if an individual has such a unique body of lore and practices that he or she keeps through many years, without eclectic jumps and adding something new every other week - can that be a tradition? What do you think? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1020.1 === === Curses, Hexes, etc... === If you do NOT follow a Wiccan type path that has the "3-fold law" and the "Harm none, do what thou wilt" caveats this question is for you: Would you ever consider attacking someone with whatever power, charms, whatever that is known in your path? NOT for self-defense, but because you had personally judged that person and felt they *deserved* it. If so, does your path have any punishments that could come onto YOU for this act, or if you would never consider such an act, does your path make any exceptions when such an act is deemed appropriate and no punishment is meted out? Does anyone follow a path where the ethics or rules EXPECT you to occasionally attack someone for whatever slight/injury/insult? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=982.1 === === What is Worship and is it Bad? === I was reading a book recently that made me stop and think... The author was talking about the difference between being Pagan and Christian was in the whole subject of worship. Unlike Christians, he did not worship his gods. He saw this as a good thing, since he thought that worship had the effect of distancing deity from the worshiper. He saw Paganism as bringing deity closer because it didn't raise any walls between the gods and mortal. I hadn't thought about it until then, but I realized that I didn't use the term worship either. 'Cause I don't. My relationship with my Lady is wildly complex, but worship it isn't. If I knelt at my Lady's head, She would probably drop kick me. Even if asked what I worship, I normally answer that I 'look' to a warrior goddess. Is this a fairly universal Pagan thing? Or is it just me? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=958.1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 or PayPal and help us pay the web site bills. Donate via PayPal http://www.ecauldron.com/donatepaypal.php Donate via Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [05] =============== ============ BOOK AND DECK REVIEWS ========= [05-1] ========= ========= REVIEW: GERALD GARDNER AND THE CAULDRON OF INSPIRATION ========= Reviewed by Brock ========= Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration: Gerald Gardner and the Modern Witchcraft Revival Author: Philip Heselton Paperback Publisher: Capall Bann Publishing Publication date: August 2003 ISBN: 1861631642 US Retail Price: Only in UK Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1861631642/thecauldron Some time ago I wrote for this site a review of Philip Heselton's book Wiccan Roots: Gerald Gardner and the Modern Witchcraft Revival. At the time, I felt that Heselton had done a great deal of extremely useful research, but that a number of his conclusions had been called into question by his evident inability to examine the evidence developed by his researches without first filtering the material through his preconceptions. I noted at the time that I hoped that he might avoid such problems in the future. I recently purchased a copy of Mr. Heselton's latest book: Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration - an Investigation into the Sources of Gardnerian Witchcraft (2003, Capall Bann Publishing, ISBN 1861631642), which book is intended as a follow-on volume to Wiccan Roots. The new book is a detailed look at Gerald B. Gardner and his contacts and interactions with various members of England's naturist, occult, and esoteric communities from the time of his retirement from the British Colonial Service in 1936 until his death. In many respects it recapitulates much of the material contained in Gerald Gardner: Witch (formally attributed to Jack Bracelin, but which seems to have actually been written by Idries Shah,) but with the addition of information which was not available in 1960 when the earlier book was published. This is not really a bad thing, given that the earlier work has been out of print and difficult to find for many years. But it is problematic in the sense that the latter three-quarters of Heselton's book do not really provide us with much information about Gerald Gardner that a knowledgeable student of the man would not already possess from having read earlier works on the subject. What real meat there is in Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration is contained within the first quarter of the book. At the end of Wiccan Roots, Mr. Heselton acknowledged that his research had left unsettled the question of the source or sources of the knowledge possessed by Edith Woodford-Grimes and her small coterie within the Crotona Fellowship that caused Gerald Gardner to accept them as being a surviving coven of Margaret Murray's "witch-cult." Heselton indicated that he intended to continue his researches into this subject, and that he hoped to be able to publish further results at some point in the future. Those results make up the contents of the first four chapters of Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration. Heselton begins by acknowledging that Dafo/Edith Woodford-Grimes, Gardner's initiator and principal magical partner in the early days of Gardner's involvement in witchcraft, was almost certainly not the High Priestess of the so-called "New Forest Coven." Heselton examines several different women then residing in the area of Highcliffe and Christchurch who might be plausible candidates for the office of High Priestess. He eventually manages to build a case for believing that the High Priestess was one Rosamund Sabine, who, it turns out, had at one time been a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and who had contributed articles to that body's journal of occult studies. He goes on to outline one possible means whereby the New Forest Coven might have coalesced around her. In the process of this examination, though, Heselton once again makes the same grave error of interpretation that he made in writing Wiccan Roots: he assumes that the presence of allusions to fairies, Classical deities, and secret societies in the writings of a well-educated Edwardian lady is prima facie evidence that the woman was a practicing pagan and witch. On this occasion, the woman in question is Mrs. Katherine Oldmeadow, a resident of Highcliffe contemporaneously with Gardner, Dorothy St Quentin-Fordham (nee Clutterbuck,) and Rosamund Sabine, and the author of more than twenty schoolgirl novels and one fairly serious work on the folklore and medicinal uses of herbs. It is precisely the same error Heselton made in Wiccan Roots when he interpreted Dorothy St Quentin-Fordham's journals as "proving" that that lady was a secret pagan. By this reasoning, an examination of C. S. Lewis' Narnia stories would require us to conclude that Lewis too was a secret pagan, adhering to the cult of some dying and resurrected God other than that of the Christ. It cannot be said that Mr. Heselton is unaware of this criticism of his reasoning. He includes in this book a lengthy excerpt from a communication from Prof. Ronald Hutton which addresses this specific issue in far more detail and far better form than I am capable of. Mr. Heselton then dismisses the criticism with a figurative wave of the hand, saying, in effect, that despite all of the rational arguments to the contrary, he is simply unable to believe that all of the paganish allusions in front of him do not mean something. Mr. Heselton is evidently unfamiliar with Sigmund Freud's admission that "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." A glaring omission in the book is its almost total lack of discussion of Gardner's relationship with the various members of the Brickett Wood coven, (the "Mother Coven" as it were, of Gardnerian Wicca), which Gardner founded in the late 1940's or early 1950's. Heselton states that this was done out of respect to those members of the group still living, and there may also be a question here of Heselton feeling obligated to preserve the secrecy of matters considered oathbound, given that Heselton acknowledges that he himself is a Wiccan initiate with a lineage acceptable to Traditional groups as disparate as the current coven descended from the Brickett Wood coven and the Wiccan Church of Canada. While one must applaud Mr. Heselton's sense of integrity, his decision to exclude this material from the book precludes any meaningful discussion of the contributions of Doreen Valiente to the Gardnerian order of ritual, which seems ludicrous in a book ostensibly concerned with "the Sources of Gardnerian Witchcraft." To Mr. Heselton's credit, in the portion of the book dealing with Gardner's relationship with Aleister Crowley he does manage to advance a plausible theory which resolves a number of the objections to the controversial "Charter," in which Crowley supposedly granted to Gardner the authority to re-establish the OTO in Britain. But even with this point and with the new information Heselton has developed about the New Forest Coven, I am simply not able to give this book an unreserved recommendation. It will really be of interest only to those persons who, like myself, have an overwhelming interest in the origins of Wicca as a modern religion, or to those who are interested in obtaining a somewhat more complete understanding of Gerald Gardner as a person than they have previously had. But it is still a book that I would far rather have borrowed than bought. Unfortunately, because of the limited number of persons likely to have an interest in reading it, it seems unlikely to show up in very many library collections. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkggatcoi.php [05-2] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE REBIRTH OF WITCHCRAFT ========= Reviewed by David ========= The Rebirth of Witchcraft Author: Doreen Valiente Trade Paperback, 239 pages Publisher: Phoenix Publication date: 1989 ISBN: 0919345395 US Retail Price: Out of Print Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0919345395/thecauldron The Rebirth Of Witchcraft is a fascinating history of Wicca as seen through the eyes of Doreen Valiente. Ms. Valiente presents a view of the early days of Wicca as only one who was there could give. The book is not a how-to, primer, or a beginner's guide to Wicca. Rather it is an examination of the personalities involved in creating Wicca as well as its historical and cultural context by someone who was actually there. Beginning with the last British witch trial in 1944 Doreen Valiente introduces us to the people at the birth of Wicca. From Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner to the more obscure characters such Rosaleen Norton and Jack Bracelin. We are shown the progression of events that led to the creation of a now well known practice. Along with the movers and shakers of the movement the British Press is shown to have played its part by exposing and inadvertently helping to spread Wicca. From the practices and philosophies Gerald Gardner established differences in opinion and personality bred the growth of new traditions. These early off-shoots of Gardner's original ideas are given thorough discussion with emphasis on the people leading the breakaways. By Valiente's personal accounts and descriptions this reader gained a good deal of insight into why and how the various Wiccan traditions came to be. Feminist Witchcraft is described from the historical view point of the 1970s and 1980s with detailed introductions of its leaders. Feminist witchcraft was a natural product of the feminist movement as Doreen Valiente clearly shows. Without giving questionable ancient history Valiente makes a reasonable case for feminist witchcraft based on the personalities and realities of the time. What I found most refreshing in The Rebirth Of Witchcraft was the honesty and directness with which Ms. Valiente deals with her subject. The descriptions of the characters showed the good, the bad and the simply human nature common to us all. The Rebirth Of Witchcraft may seem dated to some, however it presents a clear portrait of the times and lives involved in the evolution of modern Wicca. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bktrow.php [05-3] ========= ========= REVIEW: PAGANISM: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE ========= Reviewed by Vash ========= Paganism: A Beginner's Guide Author: Teresa Moorey Trade Paperback, 122 pages Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton Headway Publication date: 1996 ISBN: 0340670134 US Retail Price: $11.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0340670134/thecauldron Paganism: A Beginner's Guide is part of a series published by Hodder and Stoughton on their Headway educational imprint. Others in the series include Chakras: A Beginner's Guide, I Ching: A Beginner's Guide, Qabalah: A Beginner's Guide, and Tarot: A Beginner's Guide. This book is intended as a very basic guide for Paganism to spark the interest of those considering alternative paths. The book is divided up into 13 chapters, covering subjects such as "What is a Pagan?" "The Sacred Earth" and "Cycles and Celebrations" as well as chapters on paths like Shamanism and Druidry. The chapter on Cycles and Celebrations is very well illustrated and there are a few other illustrations scattered through the book. On a more political level, there are chapters on feminism, the men's movement, and eco-pagans. The author takes the position, as stated on the blurb, that "Paganism is Nature worship." The "What is a Pagan" chapter was written from that point of view, so we are told variously that Paganism is "nature-worship" "a fertility cult" "Goddess worship" and "doing what feels right for you." She also reckons that people may be pagan without having considered themselves such. Pagans have no "dogmas, shoulds or thou shalt nots" according to the blurb, and Moorey adds to this that many "do not follow any specific tradition." I found these statements to contradict what many Pagans have told me about their paths, and also to be rather vague. So, then, what is a Pagan, apart from someone who likes nature a lot? This book suffers from the great difficulty of having only 122 pages with which to explain Paganism. All of the "A Beginner's Guide" series are very thin books and are probably kept to strict word limits. (I suspect that "What is a Pagan" could fill the 122 pages all by itself, never mind the other twelve chapters.) This means that the book is woolly and generalized in places. There's never a clear distinction made between Wicca and witchcraft -- the two are seen as meaning the same thing, and though Ms Mooney subdivides "witchcraft" into Traditional Witches practicing old family traditions, Hedge Witches who are solo, Open Style Craft who are new-agey and feminist, and Wiccans, she seems to regard them all as practicing mostly either Wicca or a form of eclectic Wicca. No Satanic witches here! The reader is informed that the universal Pagan rule is "Harm None", that all witches follow the Rede, and that all Pagans worship the Goddess. The figure of nine million dead in the Burning Times is used, as is the assumption that all witches were burnt. Moorey does admit that these claims are contested, but she endorses them because Margaret Murray was a "lucid and scholarly lady". What's more "The literal truth is not important, especially to Pagans...." It appears that some of her information would need to be unlearnt by anyone who used this book as a starting point. Moorey isn't saying that "Pagan = Wiccan" (there are chapters on Shamanism, Druidry, and Asatru) but she does make the assumption that all pagan paths are nature-worship based and that they are all...nice. Reluctant to embrace the darker aspects of history, she claims "A druid standing by [at a human sacrifice], possibly trying to advise, console and modify, may have been interpreted as officiating." Yes, and it's just as likely he actually WAS officiating. Modern Druids do not use human sacrifice and there's surely no need to cover up the past. After all, we know many things nowadays that our ancestors did not, and ancient practices have not generally survived intact and unchanged. There was also a smack at the JCI religions which struck me as unnecessary "...the old pagan ways have been far less blameworthy than many other religions." The chapters on feminism, the men's movement and eco-paganism, while interesting, weren't hugely relevant, and probably could have been combined into one chapter. In similar vein, the chapter on sci-fi and psychology was intriguing but didn't seem to have much to do with the topic in hand. I found this book to be rather fluffy and its insistence that "the truth doesn't matter" to be disconcerting, but I think most of its problems were due to the sheer impossibility of explaining Paganism in 122 pages! When you have only four pages to say what a Pagan is, and there seem to be more flavors of Pagan than of ice cream, it's very difficult to be anything other than vague and general. It does provide an overview of some non-Wiccan traditions, and the chapter on Cycles and Celebrations was fascinating. I would have liked to see a whole book by the same author on the topic as it is evidently something she has spent a lot of time contemplating. Her style is accessible and lyrical, and I especially liked the fact that she defined Paganism not against either Christianity or Satanism, but on its own terms -- though I quibble with her definitions. Having said that, there are far too many problems with the book to recommend it to another non-Pagan. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkpabg.php [05-4] ========= ========= REVIEW: CIRCLE OF ISIS ========= Reviewed by Sphinxmuse ========= Circle of Isis: Ancient Egyptian Magic for Modern Witches Author: Ellen Cannon Reed Trade Paperback, 312 pages Publisher: New Page Books Publication date: 2002 ISBN: 1564145689 US Retail Price: $14.99 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564145689/thecauldron Despite the implications of the book's subtitle, Reed's overall emphasis is not on ancient Egyptian-based spellwork, but on dedication to the Gods of Egypt's pantheon in Circle of Isis: Ancient Egyptian Magic for Modern Witches. Then again, Reed is known to me as an author for whom magic and religion are deeply tied (just read her book The Heart of Wicca). She makes that view quite clear within the first chapter: "The magic you will find here is more than ways to cast spells. It is the magic of growing closer to the Gods, the magic of learning the Mysteries of the Universe". While Reed shows definite consideration to revering Egyptian Deities in ways conducive to how the ancient Egyptians viewed Them, she freely acknowledges that she and her coven have no intentions of reconstructing ancient Egyptian religion; ancient knowledge is set in the context of modern Wiccan practice, and she makes no apologies for that. Most of this book is dedicated to introducing various ancient Egyptian Deities to the reader. These introductions are fairly comprehensive in regards to more well-known Deities, e.g. Osiris, Isis, Horus the Younger, Ra, Anubis, Amen, etc. and they include both historical information on how They were perceived and worshiped in ancient times as well as how these Gods have personally interacted with Their modern followers. What originally caused me to purchase this book was the segment on Nephthys/Nebt-Het. Although Her name is well-known, most books say little of Her other than listing Her relationships to other Gods. I was particularly impressed with the quality and quantity of Reed's writings about Her. The thing that especially caught my attention was a song/poem for Her, which, in my opinion, beautifully captured Her essence. Many of the other Gods she introduces also have song/poems to illuminate Their natures. Also included are the names (in English transliterations a nd in hieroglyphs) of and very brief statements about lesser known Deities. In order to make sure that such knowledge of the Gods does not remain vicarious, Reed makes sure to have a chapter which gives information and techniques on establishing a connection with a specific Deity. This section covers such tried and true methods as meditation, rituals, songs, as well as recipes for both food and incenses, all of which come in handy when invoking a God's presence. Reed also discusses the rudiments of ancient Egyptian language and includes a chart of alphabetics (i.e. phonetic hieroglyphs that represent one sound, also called monoliterals) as well as a list of common determinatives (signs that are tacked onto Egyptian words to indicate a word's meaning). Other topics the book covers includes common Egyptian symbols and their potential for use in magic; a few Egyptian-inspired divinatory methods; a list of Egyptian names one may choose to adopt upon dedication to Egyptian Gods; a calendar based on the Egyptian's own; and instructions for making a wand, sistrum, nemes headcloth, scarab, and kilt. I did not discover a great deal of flaws with this book either in regards to its faithfulness in depicting Egyptian religion and culture fairly accurately, or with its presentation of Neo-Pagan religion. The things I did notice were relatively minor. For instance, she seems to rely on the work of E.A. Wallis Budge, a rather prolific writer and museum curator, especially in the section on hieroglyphs. The only problem with this is that Budge's work is no longer entirely accurate and up-to-date and so the information she based on his work is also rather outdated. Early in the book she made a point about not claiming to be reconstructing ancient Egyptian religion and that the Gods were viewed through an admittedly modern lens, but I think in some cases adapting ancient Egyptian knowledge too much can be detrimental. One particular case of this is Reed's addition of a fourth season (which she labels "Spring" and is symbolized by a contrived heiroglyph of what appears to be a bloated butterfly) to Egypt's traditional year consisting of only three seasons. I think she does this in order to make the seasonal theme work on a square divination cloth, but she could have addressed that issue differently by using hieroglyphs that refer to months and days of the Egyptian calendar that correspond to the duration of our seasons. In spite of these issues, I would still recommend this book as a good beginning resource for Pagans seeking to incorporate ancient Egyptian culture and religion into their practice. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkcoi.php [05-5] ========= ========= REVIEW: OUT OF THE SHADOWS ========= Reviewed by Sphinxmuse ========= Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick Author: John J. Coughlin Trade Paperback, 262 pages Publisher: Authorhouse Publication date: May 2001 ISBN: 158820801X US Retail Price: $18.67 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158820801X/thecauldron Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick is almost two separate books within one cover, one on Darkness and the other on the theory and structure of magic. I will approach the fist half of the book and then consider the second half for some clarity. The section on Darkness opens with brief introductions to various "darkside" subcultures including the Gothic scene, forms of vampires, BDSM, and others. Although I do not feel they necessarily relate to Paganism (of the Dark or Light variety) it is an interesting segment nonetheless especially since it seems quite difficult to find fair and objective overviews of them. In addition, later on in the segment, he also introduces some other paths that could be considered Dark aside from Paganism, including Taoism and modern religious Satanism, and he provides enlightening information in regard to both. He goes on to discuss various Dark archetypes, the "Darker" aspects of many Pagan Deities, the Shadow (i.e. the part of the individual or of society that one represses and typically denies, in its personal and collective senses) ethics, blood, pain, and sacrifice. He also tackles the concept of "evil" in a Pagan context and how it has the potential to be present within both Light and Darkness. This is perhaps the first book which really investigates the notion of Darkness from the viewpoint of polarity. It is certainly a wonderful examination of the concept of Darkness within a non-dualistic worldview, yet I had hoped for more information on its place specifically within Paganism. At this point in time, there are very few books addressing Dark spirituality or Dark Paganism directly, although this is slowly changing. A more widely available book on a very similar topic is published by Llewellyn: Nocturnal Witchcraft, which I have read as well, but I believe that putting in the extra effort to obtain Out of the Shadows is well worth it. I personally feel that Out of the Shadows, discusses the concept and meaning of Darkness in a much more in depth and thoughtful way than Nocturnal Witchcraft which seems more obviously interested in discussing superficial aspects or symbols associated with it. I do not think it gives the uninformed reader as much of a necessary philosophical background on the nature of Darkness as does Out of the Shadows. The section on magic could in fact have been published as a separate book in and of itself (the author realizes this as well), but it is still a nice compliment to the first section. It provides a sound, down-to-earth introduction to the theories behind magic, yet it is not dry or overly academic in its presentation, it does not "demystify' magic at all. It is wonderful to find a resource that truly emphasizes the importance of personal knowledge and symbolism in magic and as such he provides guidelines for how a magical ritual or spell is structured, yet he refuses to supply pre-fabricated spells or correspondence tables. Instead he addresses various means of raising energy and directing it. He has some very lucid things to say about mind-altering substances in magic and ritual. In fact, he makes a really remarkable comment that I wish more Pagan authors would make clear (especially in introductory books!): "The only use I have for the spell books I collect is in artistic appreciation. Sometimes these spells give me ideas for my own spells and rituals, but typically I read them merely for the pleasure of reading a type of poetry. A spell is a poem in that it should reach inward to the individual with its symbolism and touch one's heart and soul. When a spell has personal meaning in this manner, if it gives you goosebumps or makes you pause in silent reflection of its words, that spell has the potential of being effective in magic working." He also briefly delves into Chaos Magic and sex magic. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who is seeking to deepen their awareness of Darkness or to flesh out their particular flavor of Paganism with a greater knowledge of Darkness. Even if one decides that a Darker Pagan path isn't really for them, they should have a better grasp and understanding of those who do after reading this book. It should also help those Pagans (much like their Christian counterparts) who still think that modern Satanists are evil people who actually eat babies, etc. The section on magic should be of great use someone who wants an intelligent, non-fluffy introduction to magic. It is much more suited to the novice than is the first section of the book. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkoots.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SHOP ONLINE AT THE CAULDRON MALL Shop Amazon, Catalog City, Abebooks, and other stores at The Cauldron Shopping Mall. Every purchase from our one of our mall links helps support The Cauldron and this newsletter. http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [06] ========= ========= RECEIVED FOR REVIEW ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= Due to my move to Waco and marriage, I've received no new books for review this month. [07] =============== ============ ARTICLES ========= [07-1] ========= ========= WHAT'S A HELLENIC PAGAN PARENT TO DO?: ========= GREAT BOOKS FOR PAGAN KIDS ========= by Rebecca Salek ========= Any good library or bookstore will carry a host of excellent academic texts on the ancient world, on myth, religion, ritual, art, and archaeology. Excellent resources for children are a little harder to come by. Some are poorly written, others poorly researched, and still others treat the Gods and Hellenism like an historical curiosity, not a viable, beautiful faith. The following, than, are a few of the really good books for kids and the adults in their lives, roughly broken down by appropriate age group. Some are picture books, others full prose texts. Some are fiction, others nonfiction. Some focus on the myth and religion of ancient Greece, others on the scientists and philosophers and Everyman/woman of the ancient world. Just remember: a responsible adult should look over any book before handing it to a child. === === Ages Three to Seven === Aliki. "The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus." A classic of children's literature, Aliki begins at the beginning with Chaos and Gaea, tells the story of the great war between the Gods and Titans, Kore's kidnapping by Hades, Aphrodite's many affairs, and finally ends with Zeus and the Olympians ruling peacefully. Beautiful, full-page illustrations accompany short biographies of all the major Deities, such as Apollo and Demeter and even Eros. Aliki's text is notable in that it doesn't gloss over some of the uglier aspects of the myths, such as Cronus swallowing his children or Zeus hanging Hera from the sky. Leonard Everett Fisher. "Cyclops" and "Jason and the Golden Fleece" and "The Olympians: Great Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece." Unfortunately out of print, these are great books for little kids. Brilliant chalk-like illustrations accompany spare, but exciting text. "The Olympians" offers brief biographical sketches alongside full-page illustrations.  [Note: the same illustrator has also produced picture books about the Deities of the Chinese, Egyptians, Maya, and Norse, as well as books about the Aztecs, Anansazi, and Judaism, slavery, world calendars, the Revolution, whaling and anything else you can think of.] Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca. "Hour of the Olympics." Part of the immensely popular "Magic Tree House" series, this adventure follows Jack and Annie has they travel back in time to ancient Greece to retrieve a lost book. Lots of action combined with lots of learning (like, what girls could *not* do that boys could). A companion, nonfiction volume contains all of Osborne's research along with lots of interesting little trivia facts and a good bibliography. Rosemary Wells. "Max and Ruby in Pandora's Box." Max and Ruby are the two adorable bunny stars of Wells' popular, award-winning series. When little Max tries to open his older sister's jewelry box, she tells him a cautionary tale about curiosity. Fun, slightly skewed, with soft, brightly colored illustrations. === === Ages Seven to Ten === Margaret Anderson and Karen Stephenson. "Scientists of the Ancient World." Arranged chronologically, Anderson and Stephenson's text highlights the lives and lasting contributions of ten great minds. Among the profiled scientists: Archimedes, Hypatia, Pliny and Pythagoras. This book is a good place to begin; hopefully, it will inspire curious little ones to do more research on their own. M. Charlotte Craft and K. Y. Craft. "Cupid and Psyche." While this version makes use of the Roman names of Deities rather than Greek, I still strongly recommend it -- if only for K. Y. Craft's glorious illustrations. Need some religious artwork for you walls or altar? Look no further. Eros, Aphrodite, Persephone (a personal favorite) and all the Olympians together in celebration; any are perfect for photocopying and hanging on the wall or adding to a devotional journal. [Note: the same creators also collaborated on a retelling of "King Midas and the Golden Touch."] Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Auliare. "D'Auliare's Book of Greek Myths." Lavishly illustrated, this is a classic of children's literature. The d'Auliares chronicle all the major Deities and myths, as well as plenty of "lesser" Deities and all the great heroes. A helpful family tree and a map of the constellations also accompany the text. Highly recommended. Doris Gates. "Fair Wind for Troy" (with Charles Mikolaycak) and "The Golden God: Apollo" (with Ted CoConis) and "Lord of the Sky: Zeus" (with Robert Handville) and "Two Queens of Heaven: Demeter and Aphrodite" (with Trina Schart Hyman) and "The Warrior Goddess: Athena" (with Don Bolognese). Each volume retells the primary myths associated with each Deity, accompanied by beautiful, intense line drawings. Sadly, these are now all out of print. :( I've had to haunt used bookstores and websites in my search -- but they are worth it. Kathlyn Gay. "Science in Ancient Greece." The ancient Greeks had a lasting impact on the fields of mathematics, astronomy, biology, geography, philosophy and science in general. Gay's book profiles such philosopher-scientists as Pliny, Pythagoras, Aristotle, Ptolemy and Hippocrates. Avery Hart. "Ancient Greece: 40 Hands-on Activities to Experience This Wonderous Age." Hart's book offers lots of cool activities for kids ranging in age from about seven to about eighteen. :) Kids can act out the Trojan War, write their own odyssey, make a Greek yo-yo, build a labyrinth or a temple, and visit Crete and Mt Olympus. Susie Hodge. "Ancient Greek Art." Mosaics, painting, pottery, sculpture and architecture are all discussed, with plenty of examples provided for each. A glossary defines keywords and captions scattered throughout provide interesting tidbits of information. There's even a handy timeline. :) Kate McMullan and David LaFleur. The "Myth-O-Mania" books are an extremely silly, twisted, fractured fairy tales-type series. Hey, we have to have a sense of humor about our Gods and faith, right? ;) It turns out that Zeus' versions of the myths are all wrong. Time to set the record straight. Titles include "Have a Hot Time, Hades!" and "Keep the Lid on It, Pandora!" and "Say Cheese, Medusa!" and "Phone Home, Persephone!" Brightly illustrated trading cards of the major characters accompany each book. [Note: names do a get a little mixed up. Two of the books feature Hercules and Cupid.] Claire Martin and Leo and Diane Dillon. "The Race of the Golden Apples." Martin's sensitive and lyrical text is accompanied by the Dillons' beautiful, tapestry-like illustrations. The image of Diana (not Artemis) in her flowing robes and feathered headdress is one of my favorite. Atalanta is a fully fleshed out character, and Hippomenes sympathetic, not an ambitious jerk. Marianna Mayer and K. Y. Craft. "Pegasus." Need a wondrous image of Athena for your altar or wall? What about the Graces? Look no further. Mayer's poetic text captures Bellerophon's courage and fear and determination, while Craft's illustrations make the chimera a true creature of nightmare. Highly recommended. Burleigh Muten and Rebecca Guay. "Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic." Brief biographical paragraphs are accompanied by Guay's amazing paintings. Some are are small, other full-page. Among the Greek Goddesses profiled are Aphrodite, Artemis (that one's on my wall), Athena, Britiomartis, Gaea, the Graces, Hera, and Hestia. Mary Pope Osborne and Troy Howell. "Tales from the Odyssey." In between penning more "Magic Tree House" adventures, Osborne has somehow also found the time to retell the Odyssey. :) Broken down into smaller, easily digestible chunks, Osborne takes young readers from the walls of Troy, past the Sirens and Charybdis and finally home to Ithaca. Titles in the series include "The One-Eyed Giant" and "The Land of the Dead." Stewart Ross. "Greek Theatre" and "The Original Olympics." Full color maps, charts and photographs accompany well-organized text about two of the most important elements of ancient Greek life. "Olympics" profiles athletes and traditions, while "Theatre" presents a hypothetical performance of Oedipus the King at the City Dionysia -- and all the excitement that accompanies both. Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. "It's All Greek to Me." Part of the rising-in-popularity "Time Warp Trio" series, this edition follows Joe, Fred and Sam as their Greek play suddenly becomes Greece -- for real! Even the Gods are real! And the ugly monsters! Tongue-in-cheek humor, puns and witty dialogue make a fun read. Philip Steele. "Clothes and Crafts in Ancient Greece." Beginning in Minoan Crete and traveling through time all the way to Alexander the Great, Steele profiles the crafts, art, pottery, metalwork, clothing and festivals which filled the lives of ordinary Greeks throughout the Mediterranean. Color photographs accompany the well-researched text. Jane Yolen and Robert Harris. "Atalanta and the Arcadian Beast" and "Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons" and "Jason and the Gorgon's Blood" and "Odysseus and the Serpent's Maze." Yolen and Harris' young adult novels are imaginative "what-if" stories set during the childhoods of famous Greek heroes. Teenage Hippolyta has to save her mother and sister Amazons from an ancient curse, assisted by the God Ares. Atalanta joins the hunter Orion to slay the monster that killed her father. Odysseus, Penelope and spoiled Helen must outwit pirates and navigate the treacherous labyrinth. Finally, Jason and five of Chiron's other apprentices must save the kingdom of Iolcus from a terrible fate. === === Ages Ten to Thirteen: Lloyd Alexander. "The Arkadians." On the run from two corrupt soothsayers and a very angry king, Lucian meets up with a pythoness (also on the run), marvelous horsemen, Goat Folk, a poet who has been turned into a jackass, the Daughters of Morning and a Goddess. Alexander takes a number of familiar mythological and historical elements and gives them a twist, creating a wonderfully exciting, sometimes scary adventure yarn. I first read "The Arkadians" as a youngster and I still enjoy it as an adult. :) Padraic Colum and Willy Pogany. "The Children's Homer" and "The Golden Fleece and The Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles." Colum's lyrical, full-length retellings of the major Greek epic cycles are accompanied by Pogany's gorgeous line illustrations. Originally published in 1921, the fact that all of Colum and Pogany's books are still in print is a testament to their enduring popularity. Jason, Perseus, Atalanta, Theseus, Odysseus, Hector; they're all here. (Note: the duo also created "The Children of Odin" for any Asatru out there.) Caroline Cooney. "Goddess of Yesterday." Kidnapped by pirates at age six, Anaxandra is raised as a foster daughter by her kidnappers. When they in turn are killed, she assumes the identity of Callisto, her murdered foster sister. Taken in by Menelaus and Helen, Anaxandra/Callisto is witness to the beginning of the Trojan War, the greed and heartbreak of men and the mysteries of the Gods -- particularly her own Goddess, Medusa. Great characterization, solid historical research. Highly recommended. Bernard Evslin. "The Adventures of Ulysses" and "The Greek Gods" and "Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths." Yeah, okay, he uses the Roman name in that first one. ;) The point here is that these are some of the best retellings of the ancient myths and sagas. Used by schools across the country. Adele Geras. "Troy." Told from the point of view of the women of Troy, this bleak, humorous, bloody take explores the effects of war and love and loss. The men are sick of fighting, the women are sick watching their men die and the Goddess Aphrodite is just bored. She sends Eros to ... enliven ... the last weeks of the war. Nathaniel Hawthorne. "The Wonder Book: Heroes and Monsters of Greek Mythology." One of the United States' great contributions to world literature was the author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Here, he retells six famous myths in flowing nineteenth century prose. The Gorgons, Midas, the Hesperides, and Pandora, among others, are all featured. Highly recommended. Donna Jo Napoli. "Sirena." A mermaid and a mortal fall in love in this tragic tale set in the days before the Trojan War. When Sirena saves Philoctetes' life, they fall in love. But when his shipmates return and insist that he accompany them to Troy, how will he choose? And can Sirena let him go -- the man who is not only her love, but the key to her immortality? Rosemary Sutcliff and Alan Lee. "Black Ships Before Troy" and "The Wanderings of Odysseus." Sutcliff's elegant and haunting prose is accompanied by exquisitely detailed illustrations by Lee (who has also illustrated Tolkein's work and inspired the look of the films).  Dramatic, frightening, highly recommended. === === Books Specifically for Parents === Antoinette Brazouski. "Children's Books on Ancient Greek and Roman Mythology." The well-researched, well-organized bibliography lists and discusses children's mythical books written between the early 1800s and the early 1990s. A brief history of children's books in the United States precedes the annotated bibliography. Pricey and out of print, but worth tracking down; if you can find a copy at the library, even better. :) Better yet, *donate* one to your local library for all the other parents out there. Amber K. "Pagan Kids' Activity Book." Written for kids and adults this is definitely a Wicca-focused text. But, it's also general enough for parents in other Pagan traditions to adapt the puzzles, games and activities -- it might even inspire the kids to invent activities of their own. Ashleen O'Gaea. "Raising Witches: Teaching the Wiccan Faith to Children." Okay, this is another specifically-Wiccan text. However, it might give Hellenic Pagan parents out there a few ideas on how to raise their children in their own tradition. Check your local library for a copy before making an investment. William Russell. "Classic Myths to Read Aloud: The Great Stories of Greek and Roman Mythology, Specially Arranged for Children Five and up by an Educational Expert." Exactly what it sounds like. Great for kids between ages five and twelve. Perfect for bedtime or a lazy afternoon. Use one of the activity books to accompany the myth of your choice! Starhawk. "Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions." While focused on Goddess Spirituality, the text offers plenty of songs, chants, crafts, cooking projects and stories which can be adapted for the Hellenic Pagan household. *phew* And that's not even a complete list! :) Check out some of my recommendations, give them to the kids and let me know what you think. And definitely let me know if you find any other great books for Hellenic Pagan kids -- I'm always looking for new titles. Next month: the last article in our series: great works of fiction for Hellenic Pagans. [07-2] ========= ========= AUGUST -- THE MONTH OF AUGUSTUS ========= (Chapter VIII of The Stories of the Months and Days ========= by Reginald C. Couzens [1923]) ========= This month is also named after a great Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar, but was first called Sextilis, the sixth month. Augustus, whose full name was Caius Julius Caesar Octavianus--Augustus (the Majestic) being a title given him after he became emperor--was a young man at the time of Caesar's murder. Julius, who had no son of his own, adopted Augustus as his son and heir, in order that when he died Augustus should become emperor in his place. The nobles who had killed Julius, however, did not wish Augustus to become emperor, and it was not until he had fought and won many battles that he became the head of the Roman Empire. As soon as he had conquered all his enemies, he returned to Rome, and, closing the temple of Janus, proclaimed peace throughout the Empired. During his reign there lived the greatest poets and writers that Rome ever had, of whom the best known are Virgil, Horace, Ovid, and Livy; just as in the rein of our Queen Elizabeth there lived some of England's greatest poets and writers--in fact the time from Spenser and Sidney in Elizabeth's reign, passing beyond Shakespeare to Milton in Charles II's reign, is spoken of as the "Augustan Age" of English Literature. The month known as Sextilis was chosen as the one to be named after Augustus, because it was during that month that the most fortunate events of his life had happened. In that month he had first become consul, the most important man in Rome; he had three times entered the city in triumph after his great victories; he had conquered Egypt and had ended the civil wars. As the month had only thirty days, and the one named after Julius Caesar had thirty-one, a day was taken from February in order to make them equal. We have more than once mentioned the poet Virgil's most famous work, the in which he describes the wanderings of Aeneas, who gathered together all that was left of the Trojan army and escaped from the fallen city, carrying his father Anchises on his back, since he was old and weak and unable to walk. The fugitives reached the shore in safety and sailed away from their ruined country. But the goddess Juno, not satisfied by the death of Paris and the disaster which had fallen on the Trojans, pursued Aeneas and his followers with her hatred, and again and again brought them into misfortune. They wandered from country to country for many years, seeking a spot where they might settle down in peace and safety, but Juno gave them no rest. She brought sickness upon them so that many died, and sent fierce storms which scattered their fleet and destroyed many of their ships. At last they reached a harbor on the coast of Africa, and made their way to a city which they found to be Carthage. Aeneas was welcomed by Dido, the queen of the city, who listened eagerly to the story of his adventures. Now, Aeneas had been destined by the gods to found a new kingdom, when his wanderings finally came to an end, but the time was not yet. The goddess Venus caused Dido to fall in love with Aeneas, and the hero, happy in her love and the pleasant life of her court, lingered on. A year passed, and the gods at length sent Mercury to remind Aeneas of his destiny. Aeneas' heart sank at the thought of leaving the beautiful Dido, and afraid of her anger, he secretly set sail one dark night while the queen was sleeping. When Dido discovered her loss she was filled with grief. She ordered her servants to make a funeral pyre on which was placed an effigy of her lover, and then setting fire to the pyre with her own hand, she sprang into the flames and perished. Aeneas and his companions sailed on till they reached the Island of Sicily, where they took refuge from a storm. During a festival which the men then held in honor of Anchises, Aeneas' father, who had died just a year before, Juno stirred up the women to revolt against their hard life. Tired of their perilous wanderings, they gathered on the shore and set fire to the ships. Aeneas, when he heard of this new disaster, rushed down to the shore, and cried to Jupiter for help. In answer to the prayer, the King of the Gods sent a storm of rain, which put out the destroying flames. The Trojans then left Sicily, and, coming to Italy, to the mouth of the River Tiber, they followed the river until they reached the country of Latium. Here they were well received by the king, Latinus, who offered to Aeneas the hand of his daughter Lavinia. Lavinia, however, had many suitors, the chief of whom was Turnus, the prince of a neighboring country, and Juno once again interfered by stirring up the people of Latium against Aeneas, with the result that Latinus made war on his former friend. Turnus led the army against the Trojans, and performed great deeds of valor, which were only matched by those of Aeneas. While Juno was assisting Turnus in every possible way, Venus was not forgetful of her son Aeneas, and she obtained from Vulcan, the God of Fire, a wonderful suit of armour, which enabled Aeneas to do even mightier deeds. Turnus and Aeneas at length met in single combat, and, after a fierce encounter, Turnus was killed. Peace was made with Latinus, and Aeneas married Lavinia. He founded a city, which he called Lavinia, and his descendants reigned in Latium for many years. It was one of his race, the Vestal Ilia, who marred Mars and became the mother of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. One of the famous passages in the Aeneid is the description of the shield given to Aeneas by the goddess Venus. On this shield Vulcan, knowing the future, had depicted the history of the descendants of Aeneas, and had foretold the glory of Rome. He showed the wolf nursing the two sons of Mars and Ilia, the wars which followed the founding of Rome, and the brave Horatius, who defended the bridge over the Tiber against the army of Tarquin. With wonderful skill he pictured the sacred geese giving warning to the Romans of the approach of the Gauls in the dead of night. "Manlius stood before the temple and kept the lofty Capitol; a silver goose flitting through arches of gold gave warning with its cries that the Gauls were on the threshold; the Gauls were drawing near through the bushes, and were grasping the Citadel, protected by the darkness and the favor of a gloomy night. Their hair is golden and their dress of gold, their cloaks are striped, their milk-white necks are encircled with bands of gold; each brandishes in his hand two Alpine javelins, and their bodies are protected by their long shields." In the middle of the shield Vulcan had depicted the famous sea-battle of Actium, in which the Emperor Augustus overthrew his enemies, and finally he showed the emperor seated at the entrance to the Temple of Apollo, and receiving the offerings of the conquered nations of the great Roman Empire. The Old-English name for August was Hlaf-maesse, that is, Loaf Mass, or Loaf Feast, because during the month was held a feast of thanksgiving for the first fruits of the corn, August being the time when harvesting begins. The first day is sometimes called Lammas Day, lammas being a slightly altered form of the word hlaf-maesse. [07-3] ========= ========= THE HORSE-SHOE AS A FAVORITE ANTI-WITCH CHARM ========= (Chapter XIII of The Magic of the Horse-Shoe) ========= by Robert Means Lawrence [1898]) ========= The universality of the use of the horse-shoe as a safeguard against evil spirits is indeed noteworthy. It is the anti-witch charm par excellence, as well as the approved symbol of good luck, and, used for these purposes, it is to be seen throughout a large portion of the world. The horse-shoe is most commonly placed over the entrance-doors of dwellings; but stables likewise are thought to be effectually protected by it, for "witches were dreadful harriers of horse-flesh." In William Henderson's "Folk-Lore of the Northern Countries of England" we read of a Durham farmer who was convinced that one of his horses had been ridden by hags, as he had found it bathed in sweat of a morning. But after he took the precaution to nail a horse-shoe over the stable-door, and also to hang some broom above the manger, the witches had not been able to indulge in clandestine rides on his horses. While many an honest fellow in England and elsewhere is a firm believer in witches and magical horse-shoes, very few of them can give plausible reasons therefore. The Lancashire farmer thinks that mischievous fairies not only ride horses by night, but drive cows out of the barn, steal the butter, and eat up the children's porridge; so he, too, affixes horse-shoes to his buildings. Any one visiting the hamlets of Oxfordshire can hardly fail to notice the numerous horse-shoes affixed to the picturesque thatched-roofed cottages; and the countryfolk in this neighborhood are not always content with one of these popular safeguards, for two or three of them are often to be seen on the walls of a dwelling, invariably placed with the prongs downward. In Brand's "Popular Antiquities" (vol. iii. p. 19, 1888) may be found a clipping from the Cambridge (Eng.) "Advertiser," which relates that one Bartingale, a carpenter and resident of Ely, suspected a woman named Gotobed of having bewitched him, and of being the cause of an illness which he had recently had. Thereupon, at a consultation of matrons of the neighborhood held in his chamber, it was decided that the most efficient means of protecting him from the evil influence of the suspected sorceress was to have three horse-shoes fastened to the door. A blacksmith was accordingly summoned, and "an operation to this effect was performed, much to the anger of the supposed witch, who at first complained to the Dean, but was laughed at by his reverence. She then rushed in wrath to the sick man's room, and, miraculous to tell, passed the Rubicon in spite of the horse-shoes. But this wonder ceased when it was discovered that Vulcan had substituted donkeys' shoes." Miss Georgiana F. Jackson says, in "Shropshire Folk-Lore," that, in the home of her childhood at Edgmond, the stable-door was decorated with three rows of horseshoes arranged in the form of a triangle; and the grooms used to say that they were placed there to exclude witches. In this region, too, an old horse-shoe placed above the door of a bedroom is a preventive of the nightmare. In Shrewsbury, the ancient county town of Shropshire, horse-shoe talismans are to be seen not only above the house-doors, but also on the barges which navigate the river Severn. In quite recent times a case has been reported of a poor girl of Whatfield, in Suffolk, who had experienced a long illness, during which she was visited daily by an old woman who appeared to be very solicitous as to her welfare. At length the girl's family began to suspect that this old woman was none other than a witch; they therefore caused a horse-shoe to be fastened to the sill of the outer door. The precaution was successful, so runs the tale, for the reputed witch could never thereafter cross the threshold, and the girl speedily recovered her health. Aubrey, in his "Remains of Gentilisme," describes the horse-shoe as a preservative against the mischief or power of witches, attributing its magical properties to the astrological principle that Mars, the God of War and the War Horse, was an enemy of Saturn, who according to a medieval idea was the liege lord of witches. During the witchcraft excitement in Scotland, one Elizabeth Bathcat was indicted for having a horse-shoe attached to the door of her house "as a devilish means of instruction from the Devil to make her goods and all her other affairs to prosper and succeed well." According to an old legend St. Dunstan, the versatile English ecclesiastic of the tenth century, who was a skilled farrier and the owner of a forge, was requested by the Devil to shoe his "single hoof." Dunstan, who recognized his customer, acceded, but during the operation he caused the Devil so much pain that the latter begged him to desist. The request was heeded on condition that the Devil should never enter a place where a horse-shoe was displayed. The popular belief is that his Satanic Majesty has always faithfully kept the contract, and quite naturally all lesser evil spirits have followed his example. In Scotland, even as late as the beginning of the nineteenth century, the peasantry believed that witches were able to draw milk from all the cattle in their neighborhood, by tugging at a hair-rope in imitation of the act of milking. Such a rope was made of hairs from the tails of several cows, whose exact number was indicated by knots in the rope. While tugging at the rope the witches repeated either the following or a similar charm:-- Cow's milk and mare's milk, And every beast that bears milk, Between St. Johnstone's and Dundee, Come a' to me, come a' to me. The only adequate protection from such mischievous pranks as these was afforded by nailing a horse-shoe to the byre-door and tying sprigs of rowan with a red thread to the cow's tail. If, however, these precautions were neglected, the guilty witch might yet be discovered by placing the "gudeman's breeks" upon the cow's horns, a leg upon either horn; and thereupon the animal, being let loose, was sure to run directly to the witch's house. In many places, certain houses continue even at the present time to have an evil reputation as harborers of witches and goblins. In these cases it seems probable that the owners or occupants of such dwellings neglected to avail themselves of the immunity afforded by horse-shoes and other safeguards. For no one, we believe, has ever seriously maintained that evil spirits, who are once firmly domiciled, can be easily expelled. Familiarity with their surroundings may breed a contempt for amulets. Certain it is, however, that an ounce or two of iron by way of prevention is worth a pound or more of cure. When a dwelling is demoniacally possessed, the devils must be driven out somehow, and for this purpose recourse is had to exorcisms, and to religious or magical ceremonies. In the words of the poet Dryden ("Wife of Bath's Tale," i. 28):-- And friars that through the wealthy regions run Resort to farmers rich, and bless their halls, And exorcise the beds and cross the walls. In "Antiquitates Vulgares," by Henry Browne (1725), the writer gives elaborate directions as to the proper mode of exorcising a haunted dwelling, and says that the house which is reported to be vexed with spirits shall be visited by a priest daily for a week, appropriate prayers and scriptural selections being read. Sometimes magical procedures supplanted religious exercises, and experts in sorcery were employed to rid a mansion of its undesirable tenants. The following advertisement from a London newspaper of 1777 may be appropriately given here:-- HAUNTED HOUSES.--Whereas there are mansions and castles in England and Wales which for many years have been uninhabited, and are now falling into decay, by their being visited and haunted by evil spirits or the spirits of those who for unknown reasons are rendered miserable, even in the grave, a gentleman who has made the tour of Europe, of a particular turn of mind, and deeply skilled in the abstruse and sacred science of exorcism, hereby offers his assistance to any owner or proprietor of such premises, and undertakes to render the same free from the visitation of such spirits, be their cause what it may, and render them tenantable and useful for the proprietors. Letters addressed to Rev. John Jones, No. 30 St. Martin's Lane, duly answered, and interview given if required. [07-4] ========= ========= HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN ESSENTIAL OIL? ========= by Nitin Jain ========= A selection of essential oils is now available from health food shops, chemists and by mail order. When you are buying them, be careful to choose essential oils, not perfumed oils. Although these may well smell delicious they are not beneficial for aromatherapy. An essential oil is: * Thin and watery rather than oily. * Swift to evaporate and it wont leave a greasemark on paper. * Overpoweringly scented when neat, which can be quite unpleasant. Perfumed oils will always smell pleasant whereas essential oils often have more of the effect of smelling salts. All essential oils fall into three basic categories: TOP NOTES: These oils evaporate very quickly. They are generally uplifting and stimulating, with a greenish, fresh aroma. MIDDLE NOTES: These are used to help with most bodily functions and the body's metabolism. BASE NOTES: These are extremely relaxing, sometimes sedative and generally have a lovely, warm aroma. You'll notice essential oils are always sold in tinted glass bottles (if not, be suspicious). This is because they are special oils that need a little care. They are damaged by light and should always be stored in a dark, cool place. Be careful to keep the lids tightly screwed on your bottles, otherwise you will be disappointed to discover your oils have evaporated into thin air. Here is a very informative chart describing the benefits of various essential oils: http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/aromatherapy/essential-oils-inf ormation.htm === About The Author Nitin Jain writes for ultimate-cosmetics.com. You can get more information on aromatherapy and essential oils here: http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/aromatherapy/index.htm [07-5] ========= ========= SHAMANISM IN A NUTSHELL ========= by Triskele ========= While the subject of Shamanism is too vast to more than touch upon in this format, I can at least map out a few basics that will hopefully clarify some things. Shamanism is believed to be the oldest spiritual practice known to humankind. Evidence of Shamanic traditions has been unearthed globally, with archaeological dating techniques placing the origins of some items as much as 25,000 years ago or more. The word Shaman itself is of Slavic origin, and it I have heard that it means "Walker between the worlds." I believe it is a Siberian word, and have also heard from a different source that the feminine derivative is Shamanka. The Shamanic tradition is indeed part of Native American culture, but at it's core, Shamanism is part of EVERY indigenous culture yet discovered. It is one of those phenomenal concepts that appears to have evolved in a unilinear fashion with human beings, leaving it's mark in every culture, and on every continent. The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, founded by Michael Harner, has distilled a great deal of information and cultural variables down into a core Shamanic practice which they teach world wide at workshops and seminars. They also have certification programs available in Shamanic counseling techniques. I received my initial training from the foundation. The concept of "core" Shamanism takes those practices which have been found as common threads through all known Shamanic traditions, and forms them into the central focus of practice. While this eliminates the essence of cultural flavor, it makes the learning of foundational Shamanic practice more accessible for today's seeker. Once the core techniques are learned and mastered, the individual practitioner is more than free and welcomed to explore more specific cultural techniques and traditions. At the center of Shamanic practice is the journey. This is a form of out of body travel, intentionally taking the consciousness into what is referred to as "non ordinary reality:" that which is present but unseen by our day to day consciousness. The journey is what I refer to as active visualization. Using a monotonous sound, such as a steady drum beat, rattle shaking, or chanting, the journeyer places him or herself into a light trance state. Within the trance state, the journeyer willingly shifts consciousness and travels into the unseen worlds, using that monotonous sound as an anchor to this world, and to the body that has been left behind. Once the journey is completed, the journeyer consciously and willingly returns to this place and time. It has been said that the difference between a Shaman and a schizophrenic is that the Shaman knows how to consciously travel back and forth between the worlds. The schizophrenic is stuck in non ordinary reality, with it's voices and images forever blotting out the world most of us live in. It's an interesting idea. In the beginning of practice, the journey is undertaken to become familiar with the traveling sensations, and with the landscapes and creatures of non ordinary reality. It is also wise to become acquainted with power animals and spirit helpers in the early stages of practice. There are certain things to watch for, and certain things to avoid, but for the most part, early practice is about exploration. Once adept at making the journey, and most importantly, making the journey BACK to the body and ordinary reality, then the real journeying begins. This is usually undertaken in order to obtain information or to do healing for someone. Power animals, missing soul fragments, and wisdom can all be brought back and incorporated. Humans have sought this kind of healing since before any other religious or spiritual practice we know of, so there must be something to it! Theoretically, any human being is capable of undertaking a Shamanic journey, but in my experience, I have come across many individuals who were completely unsuccessful in their attempts to explore Shamanism from the inside. Some traditional ideas are that one is predisposed toward Shamanic work if one has been through a near death experience, a serious illness or injury in which death was narrowly escaped, or if one has a seizure disorder. In other words, if one has been chosen and touched by the spirits, and called to do this work. In my own case, I suffered from petit mal epilepsy as a child. I would "disappear" in the middle of ordinary activities and seem to be day dreaming. My niece suffers from the same malady, so I wonder if some day, she will learn about Shamanism too! In Shamanic practice, there is also the concept of the Three Worlds. There is the middle world, where we live out our days in ordinary consciousness. Journeys to this world can be undertaken to find missing soul fragments, to do divination work, and to do certain kinds of healing. Then there is the lower world. This is the world that is perceived to be inside the earth. Most of us go to this world on our first journeys, and this is also where the majority of us meet with our power animals. Most journeys for healing and power retrieval are done in this world, while divination is also possible. The upper world is usually used more for learning, with our being able to access Spirit teachers and higher levels of esoteric knowledge while climbing the clouds. Upper world teachers usually take pity on us and appear to us in human form so that we can more easily relate to them. The upper world also seems to have an infinite series of "levels" to it. Most modern Shamanic practitioners have a place in ordinary reality that they use to visualize as their portal into other worlds. For me, this is a tree that lives in a local forest preserve. It's a burr oak with a large opening at the bottom. For others, the portal may be a spot behind a waterfall, or any other place where two worlds or elements seem to meet and meld. In Celtic terms, a "between place," or something that is but it isn't. Such as the place where earth and water meet. When beginning the journey to the lower world, for example, the practitioner closes his or her eyes, relaxes, and listens to the monotonous sound while visualizing the portal. Once inside the portal, the trick is to find the tunnel that leads down into the lower world. Usually, this tunnel alternates light and dark, and takes a couple of twists and turns before opening into the lower world. I see/feel it as sort of a tube that I slide down. I call out to my power animals to meet me when I arrive. Different practitioners come into the lower world in different places, but one thing seems to be commonly seen. The lower world looks just like our world looked when it was pure, pristine, and wild. Access to the upper world is often quite different. For me, it involves visualizing myself climbing my tree, and leaping into the sky from the topmost branches. Sometimes I call my winged power animal to help me "go up." Rather than a tunnel, the journey to the upper world often involves the sensation of passing through some kind of barrier, as if a mist or clouds. You know you have arrived in the first level of the upper world when you feel yourself pass through this barrier. My spirit teacher meets me about four levels up above the barrier, which is well above my leaping off point. Access to the middle world is yet another different experience. No portal, per se, is needed, but one can use one if it suits the purpose. I simply visualize a veil of mist through which I walk into my middle world destination, with the help of my power animals. Shamanic practice is different for everyone, and it is not FOR everyone. The spirits call certain people to do their work in the world. It's a widely held belief that once a person is called to Shamanism, the call must be answered or the person will suffer misfortune, heartbreak, and unhappiness in life. Sounds pretty much like the path I have walked, which is why I have redoubled my efforts to do what I can to include Shamanism as part of my spiritual practice, to offer help to others through Shamanic healing sessions, and to teach what I know about this fascinating and ancient tradition. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PAGAN SHOPPING Earth Spirit Emporium has a diverse selection of magickal and ritual supplies, including athames, books, candles, incense, essential oils, jewelry, spell kits, wind chimes, smudge sticks, tarot cards and boxes, wands, staffs, and a lot more. They have a large selection of Pagan-oriented merchandise. They've been in business for a number of years and have many satisfied customers. When you visit Earth Spirit Emporium from a link on our web site, a percentage any purchases you make while you are there comes back to The Cauldron to help support our web site. http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [08] =============== ============ COLUMNS ========= [08-1] ========= ========= A Pagan at the Pearly Gates ========= Humor by an unknown author ========= A Pagan died and, much to her surprise, found herself at the Pearly Gates facing St. Peter. He walked up to her and said, "Hello, and welcome." She stared at St. Peter in complete confusion. "Wait a minute," she said. "I was supposed to end up in the Summerlands." He smiled. "Ah, you must be one of our Pagan sisters. Follow me, please." Peter gestured for her to follow him down a small path, which went through the gates and down a bit to the left. They walked for a short while, then he stepped back and gestured her forward. Looking past his hand, she saw the verdant fields and forests of her desired Summerlands. She saw people feasting, dancing, and making merry, exactly as she expected. While shaking her head in wonder, the Pagan happened to glance over to one side and saw a small group of people a short way away from the edge of the Summerlands. The people in the group were watching the revelers, but not joining them. Instead, they were screaming and weeping piteously. The Pagan looked at St. Peter. "Who are those people?" she asked. St. Peter replied, "Them? They are fundamentalists. They're a bit surprised to see you all there, so they stand there and carry on like that all day." "Why? Don't they have better things to do?" Peter leaned conspiratorially toward her. "They don't really have a choice. They are actually in Hell. God doesn't like being told what He thinks!" [08-2] ========= ========= RITE AT THE CROSSROADS ========= Poetry by Starwind ========= At the crossroads we meet When the dim shadows fall Hail and Welcome we greet At dark of the Moons pall Gracious Mother Earth On your stability we call Be with us now and forever Within the circle we give all Sweet sylphs of Air On lights wings we are flown Be with us now and forever Within the circle we become known Guardians of flame In your warmth we bask Be with us now and forever Within the circle we ask Well of water so cool to drink In your depths we peer Be with us now and forever Within the circle we hold dear Hail Inanna Dark Mother we call Teach to us the ways of letting go all Shedding the ways of old like the snake Letting the Unneeded fall Hail Kali, Great Mother of Shadows Teach to us to give up all our woes Surrendering the cares and sorrows Forgiving all of our foes Hail Hekate, Great Mother of crossroads Teach us to find a path that goes To a pathway that brings life Starting with ending all strife Forward, Onward to life we call Teach to us Elder Mothers the way of all Magick and summons, the way of the Wyrd Tell to us how to make the best of life appear The roads we may take are many The choices each bring something new The pathways may bring with them plenty To one who is to themselves true True to the heart True to the soul True to the self May we ever be so bold Time to clear the heart of troubles Time to light the lamps of old Time to seek the answers In the dark of night so cold Light the light Evening bright Sweet savor on the air Hear the drum beat Feel the sand beneath our feet Mothers children are dancing here Feel the heat on summers night Bless the breeze for its favor Ease the heart of its woes and cares Heal the body of its labors Release the soul on its vision quest The Astral fight a sight to savor Free the mind for the answers you seek The quest of the mind for its stealth Open your heart for a moments breath Knowing the truth of the self Hold fast to the truth inside yourself Hard won and hard fought is the goal   Hail to the Father who gave you the mind To let the secrets of the self unfold Through the highways and by ways Down life's path we travel Holding fast to the truth of the self May the souls quest we unravel Spend a moment between life and death Face down your fears and wit wandering Take charge of the soul Take charge of the self Spend as long as you need   For your pondering Take the time in a place that is timeless In a space that is no space Hold safe in your heart the knowledge Of the Divine ones unending grace That by our will alone we stand beside them In this space that is no space Bright the light at the tunnels end The light that is ours alone The sliver cord that binds us To the world our bodies call home Return, return, to the world of Now But keep the stardust close at hand Feel the cool sliver on your brow Of Wisdom's bright band Reminder of your faith in the self And of your trust in the Mothers hand Gracious Mother Earth On your stability we call Be with us now and forever Within the circle we gave all Sweet sylphs of Air On lights wings we are flown Be with us now and forever Within the circle we are known Guardians of flame In your warmth we bask Be with us now and forever Within the circle we asked Well of water so cool to drink In your depths we peer Be with us now and forever Within the circle we held dear [08-3] ========= ========= Cheap Web Hosting Report: August 2004 ========= by Gridspace ========= With thousands of web hosts to choose from, it can be hard to find cheap web hosting with the quality and dependability you want. Many web hosting companies now advertise extremely low prices and promise more features than anyone could ever want. Unfortunately, many cheap web hosting offers turn out to be too good to be true. Either the service is poor or the fine print in the terms of service make many of the features effectively useless. Low cost web hosting with excellent service, reliability and features does exist. However, you can spend many days researching offers and user experiences of hundreds of hosting companies. Many web sites offer to help you select cheap web hosting by listing 10, 20 or even more cheap web hosting companies with offers they consider good. However, that's still a lot of cheap web hosting companies and plans to research. We are more selective in our Cheap Web Hosting Report. We check out the sites and the user comments and list what we believe are the current top five general purpose cheap web hosting plans each month. As some web sites need special features (such as "root" access, a Windows server with ASP and an Access database, or a hosting company with fewer content restrictions) also list several additional plans that provide such special features. This means less work for you. ===== ===== Top Five General Purpose Cheap Web Hosts for August 2004 ===== These are the top five general purpose cheap web hosts selected for August 2004. All of the following hosting plans include a web control panel, a cgi-bin directory, php4, perl, and at least 1 mysql database. Many offer a number of additional features. The prices listed are the monthly price based on the shortest prepayment period offered (1m = one month, 3m = three months, 6m = six months) and for annual pre-payment (1y = annual rate). The setup fees we list are for the shortest prepayment period offered and for the annual pre-payment plan. === === #1 iPowerWeb === Price: 3m: $9.95 1y: $7.95 Setup: 3m: $30.00 1y: Free Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 800 MB Mailboxes: 400 Comments: iPowerWeb is only a few years old, but it already hosts over 200,000 web sites, has won numerous awards for its service, and has successfully managed rapid growth with only a few visible customer service hiccups. The company and its offerings are not perfect, but they provide featureful, reliable, low cost web hosting -- and do so very well from the point-of-view of the average customer. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zipowerweb.php === === #2 Lunarpages === Price: 3m: $9.95 1y: $7.95 Setup: 3m: $30.00 1y: Free Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 800 MB Mailboxes: Unlimited Comments: Lunarpages has over 5 years experience in shared web hosting and hosts over 50,000 web pages. While they have not pushed for the huge growth of some of the other low cost web hosting companies, Lunarpages customers seem generally very happy with their service and appear to this reviewer to be more loyal to their hosting company than the customers of other hosting companies. This speaks well for Lunarpages. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zlunarpages.php === === #3 PowWeb === Price: 3m: $7.77 1y: $7.77 Setup: 3m: $20.00 1y: Free Bandwidth: 5 GB /day Disk Space: 1000 MB Mailboxes: 650 Comments: PowWeb has been in the low cost web hosting business since 1999. They are best known for their one-size fits all web hosting plan. They have recently raised their bandwidth limits from 45 gigs a month to a whopping 5 gigs a day (but you get an email warning at 4 gigs in a day according to their policy). We have seen a few more customer complaints over performance and customer service recently, which has caused this web host to drop a bit in our rating, but they are still a good choice for many. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zpowweb.php === === #4 midPhase === Price: 3m: $11.95 1y: $7.95 Setup: 3m: Free 1y: Free Bandwidth: 50 GB Disk Space: 1500 MB Mailboxes: 500 Comments: midPhase is a young hosting company (launched in late 2002) and is new to our list. They offer a strong hosting package with many features at a reasonable, although not super-low, price. It has grown quickly -- and, thus far, without a lot of complaints from their customers over service. If they can continue to provide good service, expect them to rise on our list in the future. They are definitely worth considering. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zmidphase.php === === #5 Dreamhost === Price: 1m: $9.95 2y: $7.95 Setup: 1m: $24.95 2y: Free Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 800 MB Mailboxes: 60 Comments: Dreamhost has long been -- and still is -- listed as the best affordable web host for unusual content (as they will host just about anything legal) in the Special Needs Hosting section of this report. Recent improvements in their plans have made them very competitive in terms of bandwidth, web space, and features offered for the price, so they have moved into our "Top Five" list. If you are looking for low cost, high quality web hosting with truly excellent tech support and very friendly people, check out Dreamhost. (This site hosts with Dreamhost.) More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zdreamhost.php === === Honorable Mention Dot5Hosting === Price: 3m: $8.00 1y: $5.00 Setup: 3m: Free 1y: Free Bandwidth: 50 GB Disk Space: 750 MB Mailboxes: unlimited Comments: In late July, one of our readers suggested we look at Dot5Hosting. We looked and are very impressed with what they offer for the price. For $60 a year, you can get a fairly powerful web site. For $120 a year, you can get 1500 megs of storage and 80 gigs of bandwidth. Although this web host has won a number of best hosting awards, we need to track it more closely for a few months before we can add it to our "Top 5" list. However, it looks like a good enough deal that we are listing Dot5Hosting as an "Honorable Mention." If you are on a very tight budget, this might be a host to strongly consider. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zdot5hosting.php ===== ===== Special Needs Cheap Web Hosting ===== If you have special hosting needs, one of the following cheap web hosting solutions may meet those needs better than one of the above plans. While the following companies generally do not offer as much bandwidth and disk space as the Top Five Cheap Web Hosts listed above, they provide more than enough of both for most sites and their special features, if you need them, will more than make up the difference. === === Fewer Content Restrictions === Dreamhost Price: 1m: $9.95 2y: $7.95 Setup: 1m: $24.95 2y: Free Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 800 MB Mailboxes: 60 Comments: In an effort to avoid arguments and complaints, most web hosting companies are fairly restrictive on questionable content -- to the point that some will terminate a site for displaying a picture of a classical (but bare breasted) statue from ancient Greece. Dreamhost not only has an excellent, cheap web hosting package but is far more liberal than most web hosts on acceptable site content. Basically, if your content is legal in the US, Dreamhost will probably have no problems hosting it. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zdreamhost.php === === Virtual Dedicated Server Hosting (Root Access) === Jumpline Price: 1y: $9.95 Setup: 1y: Free Bandwidth: 5 GB Disk Space: 250 MB Mailboxes: 75 Comments: Jumpline uses special technology to provide each account with its own virtual server. You have your own Apache web server, your own email servers, your own database server, etc. and you have root access to the virtual machine running them. These types of accounts can be more stable and provide better control, but are best used by Unix experts who understand the ins and outs of running servers. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zjumpline.php === === Windows Hosting === Easy CGI Price: 1m: $9.95 1y: $7.96 Setup: 1m: Free 1y: Free Bandwidth: 50 GB Disk Space: 3000 MB Mailboxes: 50 Comments: Easy CGI provides Windows 2000 servers instead of the standard Unix servers. Their accounts come with ASP and one Access Database. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zeasycgi.php === Notes The information in this report was checked for accuracy on July 31, 2004. Web hosting companies, however, can change their pricing and plans at any time so the information may no longer be accurate when you read this report. Gridspace is not responsible for errors nor for what use you may make of this information. Looking for even more hosting options or more information on web hosting? See the Cheap Web Hosting Report web site at http://www.cheapwebhostingreport.com/ [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] ========= ========= Helping Kids Make Smart Food Choices At School ========= Today's kids face a variety of health problems-such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure-diseases their parents probably never thought about until adulthood. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that today's kids may be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan due to rising childhood obesity rates and health problems tied to poor diets and inactive lifestyles. However, today's parents and educators have a growing opportunity to help kids reverse these disturbing trends. "Kids can't do it alone, there are just too many unhealthy temptations at their fingertips," says Dayle Hayes, a registered dietitian and president of Nutrition for the Future, a nutrition consulting firm. "In order to learn to eat right, kids need the support and involvement of their parents, teachers, and school officials." Being proactive about your child's health is easier than you may think. Here are several specific actions parents can take to help their kids make better food and drink choices when they are at school. 1. Learn what foods and beverages your kids' school offers - New programs have demonstrated that students will make good choices when healthy options are tasty and convenient. For example, many schools now provide healthier food and beverage alternatives in school vending machines. Well known food manufacturers like Nestle have quickly responded by offering schools Nestle Nesquik, a naturally nutrient-rich low fat one percent milk in flavors kids enjoy, making drinking milk and getting their daily calcium more convenient. By learning about what foods and beverages are available throughout the school day, you will be better prepared to help your child make good food choices. 2. Involve your kids in planning their lunch and snacks- Like all of us, young people like to participate in decisions that affect them. Help your kids plan their own lunches, and provide a weekly allowance for healthy snacks. Talk about specific food options they have at school and help them make healthy choices, like buying fruit instead of chips. By working together, you can ensure their food choices outside the home include healthy foods they will enjoy eating. 3. Talk about the importance of good food choices and nutrition-Kids can't make informed decisions if they're not informed. Talk to your kids about how foods deliver important nutrients our bodies need to grow strong and be healthy. For example, explain that the calcium in milk helps build strong bones and teeth. By asking your kids about what they eat at school, and discussing how those foods help (or don't help) their bodies, you'll teach them to consider the nutritional value of their food and beverages when they're on their own. 4. Model healthy choices-By preparing good-tasting, well-balanced meals and munching on nutritious snacks like apples with peanut butter or trail mix, you can show your kids how to enjoy fueling their bodies with healthy foods. Plus, by stocking the kitchen with the same foods and beverages offered at school, like flavored milks, kids will more easily reach for familiar foods when they are away from home as you instill nutritious, lifelong eating habits. Educators, health professionals, and child-nutrition advocates across the U.S. are working to create a healthier nutrition environment in schools. To learn about what's being done near you or to help plan healthy menus and vending options in your schools, meet with your local school leaders, attend a PTA meeting, contact your Action for Healthy Kids State Team (http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/), or encourage your school administrator to learn about low fat milk vending at http://vend.nesquik.com/. By taking an active role in your school's nutrition efforts, you can help pave the way for a healthier future for your kids. [09-2] ========= ========= Scientists Sing Praises of Bird Brains ========= Polly want a cracker? The fact that Polly knows how to talk and imitate your voice is providing scientists with fresh insights into how humans learn to sing and acquire language. According to a new book published by the New York Academy of Sciences, human brains and bird brains are remarkably alike when it comes to learning language. Not only do bird and human brains share similar structures and vocal pathways, they both develop their vocal skills by listening and imitating the sounds made by their parents and neighbors. Erich D. Jarvis, professor of neurobiology at Duke University, says that "Bird brains provide us with clues on how human language is learned and produced." For example, like humans, birds are sensitive to criticism. Scientists found that birds are receptive to the sound of their own singing and are affected by how their songs are received by their peers or potential mates. Birds have been found to modify their songs in response to the approval or rejection of its songs by other birds. By identifying the neural mechanisms that underline song learning and the circuitry that mediates singing behavior, researchers hope to further their understanding of brain disorders. Another study, by Fernando Nottebohm of Rockefeller University, promises hope to those interested in brain rejuvenation. He found that adult canary brains showed physiological responses to sounds and developed new neurons. His experiment suggests that the adult brain may be capable of producing new neurons throughout life. If you want to hear more about our friendly feathered friends, you can read "Behavioral Neurobiology of Birdsong" edited by H. Philip Zeigler and Peter Marler. You can also check out Annals Extra in the Science & the City webzine of the New York Academy of Sciences at http://www.nyas.org/snc/annals.asp. There you'll find excerpts from sample chapters, a book review, and audio containing actual birdsongs. You might find a lot to sing about. [09-3] ========= ========= Ask Your Doctor About "Pneumo" ========= With flu season on the way, you may be planning a doctor's visit to help you stay healthy and avoid influenza this winter. Take the opportunity to also talk to your doctor about another serious health issue-pneumococcal disease (pronounced NEW-moe-cock-ul). "Pneumococcal disease, like influenza, is very common and often underestimated. Both are more prevalent during the winter months and may cause serious health problems, particularly in older adults," according to William Schaffner, M.D., Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. === A look at the facts Pneumonia is the most frequent form of pneumococcal disease in adults. Each year in the United States, an estimated 175,000 people are hospitalized for pneumococcal pneumonia. When infection spreads to the bloodstream, it is called bacteremia, a very serious-and often deadly-complication. There are more than 50,000 cases of bacteremia each year. Pneumococcal disease also causes 13 to 19 percent of all cases of bacterial meningitis (a spinal fluid infection) in the United States. As many as 20,000 to 40,000 Americans die each year as a result of pneumococcal disease. === Causes, symptoms and treatment Many healthy people-up to 70 percent-carry the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease and don't even know it. The bacteria are spread by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Researchers don't know why some people become sick and others don't, but they do know that pneumococcal disease increases during winter months. Pneumococcal disease is usually treated with antibiotics, but that's not always effective. "Treatment of pneumococcal disease is getting harder because the bacteria are becoming more resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics," said Schaffner. So remember "pneumo" when you talk to your doctor this flu season. For more information about pneumococcal disease, visit http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/pneumonia.htm. [09-4] ========= ========= Depression: It Happens To A Lot Of Guys ========= Police sergeant Eric Weaver is what people would call a tough cop. He walked the beat and even volunteered for SWAT duty. But, what many of his fellow officers did not know is that not a day went by that Eric did not contemplate suicide. Weaver is not alone. In 2000, suicide was the third leading cause of death among young males, ages 10 to 24. Although more women live with clinical depression and attempt suicide, men are four times as likely to complete the act. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that six million men in America are affected by depression each year and many go undiagnosed. While women may be more likely to say they feel depressed or sad, men are taught from childhood that talking about feelings is a sign of weakness. As a result, men may not be as likely to get the help they need if they feel depressed. Men may not even recognize symptoms of the illness-they often experience symptoms of depression differently than women do and have different ways of coping. They may report feeling tired and irritable, loss of interest in hobbies and difficulty sleeping rather than feelings of sadness, worthlessness and excessive guilt. Men also are more likely to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol or bury themselves in work. "Men think they need to put on a false bravado when they're not feeling well," says Lydia Lewis, president of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). "They think they can overcome symptoms through willpower, but they can't, any more than a man with asthma or hypertension can overcome his symptoms through willpower." Regardless of gender, depression is a serious medical illness that interferes with a person's ability to function. It isn't merely something someone can "snap out of." Fortunately, depression is treatable-as men become more educated that depression is an illness and not a character weakness, more may become willing to ask for help. DBSA offers educational materials that are written for patients in easy-to-understand language. For more information on men and depression or to find a support group near you, call 800-826-3632 or visit http://www.DBSAlliance.org/. DBSA's men and depression campaign is supported by a grant from the American Psychiatric Foundation. [09-5] ========= ========= Helping Save American History ========= Is there room in America's future for both smaller cellphones and the country's largest ball of twine? Fortunately, the answer is yes. Americana still seems to be near and dear to many people's hearts, despite their increased interest in gadgets and technology. Yet studies show that America's national parks are receiving only two-thirds of the funding they need to stay in good shape. Even more endangered are the countless smaller landmarks-such as the unusual patriotic icons that capture America's spirit, like Route 66 or the 42-foot-tall Uncle Sam statue in Michigan. The good news is that Americans across the country have been pitching in to help save these treasures-but preservationists say more work still needs to be done. If you want to help keep America looking its best, try these tips: * Start At Home - Try teaching the importance of history and preservation to your kids by showing them not just monuments but the places and icons that hold personal memories in your life. * Read All About It - Nearby locales may be steeped in history you don't even know. Try to find out. Almost every community has a book about its history and they're usually available at local libraries. * Shop And Save - Many privately owned stores and boutiques are housed in historic buildings. By supporting these business owners, you could be saving a piece of history. * Be On The Lookout - When you see a landmark that looks like it needs to be rescued, tell someone. There are a number of organizations that recognize the importance of preserving America. For example, Hampton Hotels' Save-A-Landmark Program has helped restore everything from the "See Rock City" historic barn in Tennessee to the National Monument to the Forefathers' historic walkway in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The hotel chain encourages people to submit landmark preservation recommendations online at http://www.hamptonlandmarks.com/. Submissions can also be mailed to Save-A-Landmark, 8730 Sunset Blvd., Fifth Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90069. It's an easy way to help make a difference. * Get Involved - Try joining an organization (or two) dedicated to preservation. A good place to start is the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where you can become a member online and even find out about preservation groups and projects nearby. [10] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON BY VOLUNTEERING TO HELP ========= The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum was founded in August 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 300 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 new 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://www.ecauldron.net/ ===== ===== 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) 2004 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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