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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #48 -- June 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: June [03] Cauldron News [04] Cauldron Discussions [05] Reviews [05-1] A Wiccan Bible [05-2] Spirit of the Witch [05-3] Alice and Greta [05-4] The Training and Work of an Initiate [05-5] The Book of Thoth [06] Received For Review (with Mini-Reviews) [07] Articles: [07-1] Let the Ancients Speak [08] Columns [08-1] Humor: The Charge of Chocolate [08-2] Poetry: It's A Fire [09] Around the Planes: Notes from All Over [09-1] Recycling Nuclear Warheads Into Electricity [09-2] Depression and Anxiety Disorders [09-3] Safety Around Lawnmowers [09-4] Mortgage Servicing: Making Your Payments Count [09-5] Marfan Syndrome [10] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [11] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for our July issue: June 15, 2004 +++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= The changes and transitions just keep on coming around here. I'm now running Linux instead of Windows XP on my system. LyricFox will probably switch the next time she reformats her system. We have both looked at Microsoft's future plans for Windows and do not like what we see. Longhorn is a complete rewrite of Windows that will probably break a lot of expensive to upgrade programs and will reportedly introduce all sorts of external control by large corporations over what one can and cannot do with one's computer. We simply are not interested in the Microsoft vision any more. Amazingly, my transition to Linux has been very easy. The newer versions of Linux install easily and come with lots of software that is easy enough to learn to use. For those interested in such things, I'm using Mandrake 10. Even this newsletter, which has to be done in an ascii text editor with a couple of very specific weird features has been easy to do. Linux seems more than ready for the desktop to me.I don't play many computer games, however -- if I did my opinion of Linux would probably not be as high as most games are designed for Windows. This issue of the newsletter is about the same size as our May issue. Unfortunately, the long term outlook for this newsletter is less certain than ever. It takes a lot of time to do in its current format -- more time than I really have any more -- especially once I find full-time employment. I'm neglecting other things like book reviews and web site improvements to do this newsletter now. I have not reviewed a single book since I moved and married, for example. Something is going to have to give. At this time, I don't know if this will mean changing the format of the newsletter in some major way that greatly reduces the amount of time it takes to put together or simply ceasing to produce it. We've had 48 great issues and I would almost rather cease to publish than change to newsletter to some less useful form. A final decision will be made shortly (if not in the next few weeks, by the end of the summer). Your input is welcome on our message board or via email (although I probably will not have time to reply to emails). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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: MAY ========= by Star ========= June's Challenge is to go someplace new. I'm thinking that for most of us this will probably be somewhere in our area where we just haven't been before. Maybe a new route to work, a detour on the way to the store, something like that. Maybe a picnic in a park we've never been to. And yes, venturing into that room where you shove all the junk you don't want to look at -- you know which one I mean -- can count! This Challenge is a little different from the ones we've had in the past because it doesn't necessarily lend itself to a continuous activity throughout the month. Therefore, I suggest that people either try to go multiple new places, or go to the same one multiple times. (For instance, I'm considering a new route to work, so I might take it once or twice a week.) So... Where are you going? I encourage participants to post their plans in the June Challenge topic -- I find it's easier to hold myself to something like this (rather than wandering off to something else) if I've told someone I'm going to do it. Also, as the month goes by, you can use this topic to report your progress. http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=588.1 [03] ========= ========= CAULDRON NEWS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== Doxy's Bazzar (Our Ebay Store) ===== 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). Merging two households leaves us lots of duplicates and items we just don't have space for. Stop in any take a look and see what we have to offer: http://stores.ebay.com/Doxys-Bazaar?refid=store ===== ===== New Cauldron Message Board Reminder ===== For those who may have forgotten, we've moved off of Delphi to a new message board of our own using some very Delphi-like board software. Again, the address of our new free, full-featured forum is: http://www.ecauldron.net/ The move has been very successful, we've only been opened since April 15th and we already have over 400 members and have over 12,000 messages posted in over 500 threads. And no DelphiForums weirdness or ads. ===== ===== Main Web Page News Now Handled by Blogger ===== Goggle has really improved Blogger, so we have moved our news system (the posts on the main page of our web site) from an ancient, no longer maintained piece of software to Blogger. The only noticeable aspects to this are the (temporary) loss of the old news archive pages and the fact that our news feed is now atom-based. If you subscribe to our news via Bloglet, you are also getting full articles now -- instead of partial ones. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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. === === Silence === As a culture we have become unfamiliar with and uncomfortable with silence. But I have found much value in periods of silence. Do you feel the need for silence on occasion? What does silence teach you? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=655.1 === === Frazer's The Golden Bough === A friend and I were discussing possible relevance of James Frazer's The Golden Bough to Paganism. A few questions: 1) Have you read The Golden Bough? If so, what are your impressions or opinions about the book (or books if you've read the entire 13 volume set!)? 2) What place (if any) would you say Frazer's book has in Pagan studies? 3) Under what circumstances might you recommend The Golden Bough to a student, friend, or fellow seeker? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=612.1 === === All Religions the Same? === I hear a lot that "All religions are basically the same". Do you think that's true? Why or why not? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=617.1 === === Pagan Magazines === Lately, I've been thinking of subscribing to a pagan or magic magazine or journal. But I'm not really sure what's out there (other than the really famous ones, like SageWoman), or which would be of interest, because I've never subscribed or even flipped through any (no big bookstores here). So, I'm curious. What's your favorite pagan/magical interest magazine or journal, and what sort of articles/interests does it generally have? As far as suggestions for ME go, I'm interested more in scholarly articles about pagan religions (in general, I'm not picky) or magic than interpretive articles or craft sort of things. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=542.1 === === Pagan Standard Time === Have any of you had to deal with this? In our community it is an epidemic, we tell people that a ritual starts at 12 and there is no way we will be able to start before 1215 because people are still showing up. I have even had people show up as late at 1230-1245 for a 12 o'clock ritual. If questioned they always pull the "well with pagan standard time I figured it would start on time anyway". I personally consider this behavior rude and try my hardest to start my rituals on time, but when I attend a ritual lead by someone else it always starts late. I have a personal pet peeve against lateness, I consider it rude and arrogant (My time is more valuable than yours, so you can just wait for me to get there). Why does the pagan community not only make lateness an acceptable habit, but even has a "cute" little name for it? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=496.1 === === Mission from God === What would you do if your God (or Gods) told you to go out and change the world on some particular issue? Would your answer differ depending on what is expected of you -- for example: a) if your God asked you to publicly advocate for your God's position on the issue. b) if your God asked you try to get his/her position imposed by law, but to do so only by getting a majority to truly support it. c) if your God asked you to try to get his/her position imposed by law and to use whatever means necessary to do it , even if you could not get a majority to really support it. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=416.1 === === Pagan Parent Hassles? === Have you, or someone you know, run into problems from anyone in regards to raising your children (as a pagan parent)? Was this from strangers? Family? Friends? Ex partner (ie the other parent)? Ex partner's subsequent partner? Children's school? If so, how did you, or they, handle it? What was the outcome? Do you feel the authorities (police, legal system etc) take pagan parents seriously or see us as crackpots from whom our children need protection? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=405.1 === === Authorial Responsibility === When you pick up a book, what do you feel the author's responsibilities are? What do you hope/expect from them? I'm thinking about things like 'accurate factual information/citations/distinction between fact/analysis/opinion' but also things like tone, approach, stuff like that. I know my expectations vary a bit depending on the kind of book I'm looking at, so feel free to talk generally, or get more specific. Beyond that, what do you think about an author's behavior outside of their books? For example, I've started picking up Steven Brust's books simply because I like listening him talk on panels at the local SF convention I go to (and I like what I've read of his, I just haven't made it a priority before this.) But when it comes to Pagan authors - do some things make you more favorably inclined towards an author based on how they interact with others? Do you have horror stories that really turned you off? Does an author's website sway you in any particular way? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=391.1 === === The Oogey Boogey Stuff === I'm talking about the stuff that gets lumped as 'black/dark/insert negative archetype here/we're fluffy and that stuff doesn't ever happen because $RW says so' So, where do you stand? Will you defend yourself in any 'magical' way? Would you cause deliberate harm to someone? Where would you draw the line? Would you be worried about repercussions (psychic aftershock, spells rebounding, rule of return etc)? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=388.1 === === Jesus and Paganism === Apparently there are those who consider themselves Pagan or Wiccan who worship the Christian Jesus as a god. So..... doesn't this make them Christians? With Pagan/Wiccan leanings? Or does it make them Pagan/Wiccan with Christian leanings? Or does it simply make them rather confused? Which one trumps the other? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=383.1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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: A WICCAN BIBLE ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= A Wiccan Bible: Exploring the Mysteries of the Craft From Birth to Summerland Author: A.J. Drew Trade Paperback, 430 pages Publisher: New Page Books Publication date: August 2003 ISBN: 1564146669 US Retail Price: $ Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564146669/thecauldron Several years ago I ate at a very pretentious Italian restaurant. Unfortunately the food was awful and the service even worse, but that did not stop the staff from having their noses high in the air. Unfortunately, A.J. Drew's A Wiccan Bible: Exploring the Mysteries of the Craft From Birth to Summerland reminds me of this bad dining experience. Not only does the book call itself a "bible," its chapters are called books and given Latinish titles (Liber ab Nomen, Liber ab Genesis, Liber ab Tres I, etc.). The pretension level would not be so annoying if the writing and information were excellent. Unfortunately, they are not. While the book claims to be about Wicca, I doubt any of the more traditional Wiccans and many of the eclectic Wiccans I know would recognize all that much of their religion in this book -- at least beyond the more vague generalities. The author has his own unique and different version of Wicca. There's nothing wrong with that, but it is not fair to foist it off on the world as standard Wicca in a book. Worse, the book is poorly organized and includes lots of material that has nothing to do with Wicca -- like Hellenic, Roman and Hindu holiday schedules and the author's political views. Over 100 pages are devoted to a list of deities from around the world with some (very general and sometimes inaccurate) information on most of them. While there is some interesting and even useful material in this book, it is hard to find because it is buried in a morass of less useful and questionable detail. If you are a fan of A.J. Drew's version of Wicca, you will probably find this book a welcome addition to your library. But if you are looking for a good book on general Wicca, A Wiccan Bible is not the book you are looking for. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bookmr06.php#awb [05-2] ========= ========= REVIEW: SPIRIT OF THE WITCH ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft Author: Raven Grimassi Trade Paperback, 288 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: October 2003 ISBN: 0738703389 US Retail Price: $ Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738703389/thecauldron Raven Grimassi's books often annoy me greatly. While Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft does not impress me greatly, it does not annoy me nearly as much of some of Grimassi's other books have as there isn't as much revisionist history. There is some, but it is not the main thrust of the book. In this book, Grimassi discusses the spiritual side of religious witchcraft (which is not quite the same thing as Wicca). This book attempts to get the reader to think about some of the "whys" behind the practices of witchcraft. I believe it succeeds in doing so to some extent, but a lot of space is wasted on reexplaining the "how-tos" of things like dedication rituals, consecrating tools, and even Sabbat rituals. I really can't figure out what these things are doing in what many seem to consider a more advanced book. It may come as a shock to many authors and publishers, but it really is not necessary to provide the basics in every book. Had these not been included, Grimassi would have had more space to develop the spiritual aspects this book is about. While I have to issue my standard warning to check all historical "facts" this author provides against current scholarship before accepting them, I found the parts of this book which were not rehashed Wicca 101 to be a more interesting read than I expected. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bookmr06.php#sotw [05-3] ========= ========= REVIEW: ALICE AND GRETA ========= Reviewed by Jia Starsong ========= Alice and Greta: A Tale of Two Witches Author: Steven J Simmons Hardcover, 32 pages Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing Publication date: September 1997 ISBN: 0881069744 US Retail Price: $ Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0881069744/thecauldron As a Wiccan I tend to look for children's books which shy away from the usual perceptions, portrayals, and stereotypes usually associated with witches. This is not an easy task. Either I find a typical "wicked witch", or I might find a green-faced wart-nosed witch with a good heart. Alternately, I might find "regular people" portrayed as having supernatural powers. I have yet to find a children's book which portrays a Witch outside of all of these stereotypes, so I settle for books which are enjoyable reads, convey an overall positive message, and along the way seem flavored with something of the true heart of the religion I call home. "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" -- Wizard of Oz At first glance Alice and Greta, subtitled "A Tale of Two Witches", by Steven J. Simmons seemed to be no more than the usual good witch vs. bad witch story. I could just hear Glinda in her unnaturally-lilting voice. But, upon reading the text, I immediately purchased it. And (gasp!) even paid full price of 6.95. Do you use white magic or black magic? I've been asked this question more times than I can count over the years. And while my response is not always understood I give the same answer - magic is neither black nor white, the energy tapped into is the same whatever the purpose, it is the intent behind the magic which makes the difference. This book actually illustrates this point. Alice and Greta are two witches, each attending Miss Mildred Mildew's School of Magic and growing up learning the same magic, the same spells, the same chants. However, they used that magic differently. For example, Alice uses hers to call a wave to lift a stranded sailboat off a sandbar while Greta calls a wave to ruin a sand castle. Do you believe in Karma? It is a premise often stated by teachers of Wicca and in related texts that that which you send out will return to you three-fold. This truism too is relayed in this slim volume. Often misbehaving, and rarely paying attention Greta missed the most important lesson that Miss Mildew taught her students, the Broomerang Principle. "Whatever you chant, whatever you brew, sooner or later comes back to you." What a great way to simplify the lesson for children, that in life you may find that you get what you give. So for it's attempt to illustrate two truths which I hold too, magic being a neutral force/energy/power ... and the concept of Karma .... I gave it a big ole thumbs ... maybe for the sake of humor I should say broomstick ... up. Add to that brilliantly colored illustrations by Cyd Moore rich with little details and an awful lot of humor and an attention-keeping story line and I would recommend this title to any Pagan family for whom these truths are also shared. However, the book does still fall victim to some stereotyping. Bad witches are ugly, nice witches are pretty. Again, "The Wizard of Oz" comes to mind. Dorothy meets a bad tempered green faced hag and then when confronted with the bubble-traveling pretty Glinda cannot accept, at first, that she too is a witch. She is told that "only bad witches are ugly". This is not an uncommon theme and it plays out here as well. Alice, the "good witch", is cute and bubbly. Her hair is neat, her clothes are pretty, her pet (familiar?) is an adorable white kitty. Greta, the "bad witch", is portrayed as ugly and scary-looking. Her hair is in ratty, bone-trimmed braids, her clothes are ragged and putrid-green, her pet (familiar?) is a nasty looking cat. I would have been happier if these two witches were portrayed without good vs. bad turning into pretty vs. ugly. They could have illustrated the point without resorting to a long pointed nose and a wart-covered face. Witches are girls, Wizards (or worse yet Warlocks) are boys. Within Wicca, and many other modern Witchcraft practices both males and females are called Witch. Wizard is a term more associated with Ceremonial Magic and Warlock is an older term, often translated as oath-breaker. While we only briefly see the other students as Miss Mildew's school they are all portrayed as girls. Call me picky, but in a perfect world we would have seen a few boys in the class as well. Real Magic is supernatural ... wave a wand, boil a brew and Poof! there you go. Real Magic, is more akin to prayer than anything portrayed on TV, movies, books, or in this slim volume. It is the focus of mind, will, and emotion toward a desired goal. While wands and brews may play a part they are considered to be more tools to focus concentration that items that hold any real power by themselves. Spells too are mere tools of focus, the words themselves do not hold the power, the witch herself, or himself, does. Here we see that with the wave of a wand, and the reciting of a few choice words, the desired result occurring instantly. But this is not an instruction book on Wicca. It is not meant as a child's primer on Witchcraft. And the fictional portrayal of Witches have been with us for so long, any change will only be gradual. While I may wish that the book portrayed my path in a more accurate light, it would probably not make as entertaining or humorous a book. This is a light and funny story whose goal is to convey that we should treat one another kindly. That when you are a good person, that good things come to you --- such as friendship, acceptance, and love. Told in just over 30 pages, ranging from 1 to 8 lines of text each, the story is told in simple language and would be great as a read-aloud book to older preschool children and those in kindergarten and would engage those in first and second grades as a read-alone text. The illustrations are vivid! Lots of different and bright hues catch the eye and hold the attention. Look for the details: * a book titled "The Joy of Conjuring" held over a cauldron * a girl whose hair turns into snakes, each wearing a different expression * a "vision" reflected in a cauldron's brew * the school girls meditating It held my daughter's attention, had her laughing out loud, so all in all, I can't really find fault with it. What I hope my children, and other Pagan children as well, take from it: * That what you put into life, be it in word, deed, or magic will return to you .... at a time you may not expect in a way that might surprise you. * That outlook is oh so important. While Alice and Greta lived on the same mountain, one was only inspired to be mean and the other found joy. * That magic is neither good or bad -- like the wind which in one form is a soft summer breeze delighting those who are touched by it which in another is a tornado inspiring fear and often bringing destruction * The wind itself is neither good or bad, like magic, it just is. What I hope other children take from it: * First and foremost I hope they giggle and laugh. * I hope that they learn to look at life through the eyes of kindness always, to treat people in love and friendship. * And I also hope they learn that not all witches are "bad". This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkaag.php [05-4] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE TRAINING AND WORK OF AN INITIATE ========= Reviewed by Loreley ========= The Training and Work of an Initiate Author: Dion Fortune Trade Paperback, 128 pages Publisher: Weiser Publication date: November 2000 ISBN: 1578631831 US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1578631831/thecauldron Last night I finished reading The Training and Work of an Initiate by Dion Fortune. I was deeply moved and very impressed by it. The book is supposed to be an outline of how Fortune sees the work seekers, neophytes and candidates to initiation should do in her own mystical lodge (The Society of the Inner Light). But it has so much more than that. It's actually a great book about the theories of magic, occultism, religious illumination and initiation. The book is very abstract, highly theoretical and sometimes I had to read a paragraph more than once to understand what exactly Fortune is trying to say. But it was food for the soul. Finally, an advanced book about the meaning of walking in the path of magic! It deals with what it takes to become an initiate, what is initiation, what the road of the initiate entails, how to live life as an adept in magic, the importance of mental and physical training, and many other relevant issues. All from an explanatory and theoretical point of view. It's not a "how to" book. Fortune's faith is Christian, and I suppose some pagans would find it hard to swallow when she sometimes speaks of Christ as the ultimate initiator. But for those students of magic who can get past that, I recommend this book from the bottom of my heart. In Fortune's defense, she does not reject other faiths, including pantheist ideas, but seeks to see them all as part of an entire whole of Divinity. I enjoyed every bit of The Training and Work of an Initiate, and was very disappointed that it's such a thin volume. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkttawoai.php [05-5] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE BOOK OF THOTH ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= The Book of Thoth Designer: Etteilla Card Set Publisher: Llewellyn (Lo Scarabeo) Publication date: 2003 ISBN: 0738704105 US Retail Price: $ View Sample Cards: http://www.ecauldron.com/images/samtrttbot.jpg Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738704105/thecauldron In the late 1700s, a card reader who went by the name of Etteilla designed a Tarot deck which he claimed was a return to the figures in the original (and legendary) Egyptian "Book of Thoth" -- which he said was the true origin of the Tarot. This deck was printed in a number of versions in the early 1800s. The Book of Thoth is a reprint of the Grand Etteilla III deck which first appeared in France under the title of "Great Game Oracle of the Ladies" in the 1870s. While this deck loosely follows the Tarot pattern of a 22 card major arcana (here called "Superior Lames"), 16 court cards (called "Median Lames") and 40 pip cards ("Inferior Lames"), the major arcana are very different from a normal Tarot deck. The "Superior Lames" are Folly, Chaos, Light, Plants and Birds, Heavens, Person, Stars, Birds and Fish, Rest, Justice, Temperance, Strength, Prudence, Marriage, Force Majeure, Magician, Judgement, Death, Hermit, Temple, Wheel, and Carriage. The multi-lingual booklet that comes with this set provides the history of the deck, a traditional method of reading it, and two one sentence meanings (one for upright and one for reversed) for each card. If one is interested in the history of the Tarot, The Book of Thoth deck is probably a must have. I believe that this deck is the origin of the "Tarot comes from the Book of Thoth" idea. However, the cards themselves are nothing all that special. The superior and median Lames are illustrated, although without a lot of symbolism. The pip cards only have a standard fancy border and the appropriate number of suit symbols. As I prefer a symbol rich deck, I had trouble reading with this one. That trouble was somewhat compounded by the strange cards in the major arcana. Nevertheless, I am happy to have this deck in my collection for its historical value. Those who regularly read with Marseilles style Tarot decks will probably have less trouble reading with this deck than I do. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/trttbot.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. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CHEAP WEB HOSTING REPORT Looking for affordable web hosting with lots of features from popular hosting companies? Check the Cheap Web Hosting Report! http://www.ecauldron.com/cheapwebhosting/index.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [07] =============== ============ ARTICLES ========= [07-1] ========= ========= Let the Ancients Speak: ========= Classical Resources for Modern Hellenic Pagans ========= by Rebecca Salek ========= So, you've decided that you're an Hellenic Pagan of some sort (maybe Athena has been dropping hints). Or, you're just curious. Either way, you have a problem -- where to go for more information. Of the untold thousands of plays, poems, histories and meditations on science and philosophy and government produced by the ancient Greeks only a fraction of a fraction of a percent have survived. Some have been lost to time: while the Greeks were certainly composing great works before Homer, the Iliad and Odyssey of the 8th century BCE are the oldest surviving. Others were lost to misogyny: Sappho's poetry was actively hunted down and destroyed by disapproving Christians. Still others were lost to arrogance: Christians and some Muslims in positions of authority, who believed that they knew the word of the One True God, felt no need to preserve or study the works of unenlightened pagans. Finally, some works were lost to sheer ignorance: in modern industrialized nations, literacy approaches one hundred percent. Not so in the ancient world. An Athenian grocer couldn't run down to the corner bookstore and buy a copy of Aristotle's latest bestseller, or download a copy onto his Palm Pilot. And the literacy rate was even more abysmal among women and slaves. It's tragic that so much has been lost. And miraculous that any has survived at all. Here, than, are a few authors whose poems and plays and histories have survived, in pieces or intact. They offer us some -- fragmentary -- insight into how the ancient Greeks lived, what they ate, how they loved and hated and shaped the world around them. These texts offer us some insight into what the Greeks thought about the Gods, how they worshiped them and honored them -- and how we might, too. Oh, before we get started: a warning about translations. Some are better than others. Try to find a text which translates the ancient Greek directly into your native language, rather than through a third language (English-speakers, don't pick up the English translation of the French translation of the original Greek). If possible, compare multiple translations. And also try to find books from your native country: the same word can mean one thing in British English, something else in American English and something else entirely in Australian English. Firstly, a few works of general reference. Apollodorus (c.180-c.120 BCE) produced at least three texts: the historical and philosophical Chronicle, the rationalization of religion known as On the Gods, and the Homeric commentary Catalogue of Ships. Oddly, he didn't even write his most famous work: The Library of Apollodorus, an extensive retelling of myths from throughout the Hellenistic world, actually dates from the first or second century CE! Hellanicus (c. 480-395 BCE) was a mythographer, ethnographer and historiographer. While he was a prolific writer (penning Atlantis, Priestesses and Atthis, among other works) only about two hundred fragments survive. To give you some idea as to his importance: it was Hellanicus' revolutionary idea to list the priestesses of Hera at Argos to give the Greeks a common chronology. Finally, the great travel writer Pausanius (mid- to late-2nd century CE), whose Description of Greece chronicles numerous monuments and sanctuaries from the Archaic and Classical periods, and examines their historical and sacred origins. If your interest lies more in the area of history, than there are three giants to consider. Herodotus (c. 485-c.425) is known as the Father of History for a reason. His mammoth The Histories chronicles the epic struggle between the cantankerous Greek city-states and the super-power Persian Empire. He is also known as the inventor of ethnography, as he often went off into tangents to explore the customs, folklore and beliefs of various peoples throughout the Mediterranean. Plutarch (45-120 CE) was the last of the great classical historians. A priest at Delphi in later life, he wrote essays on philosophy, science and literature. His most famous works are his Parallel Lives (which compares great Greeks and Romans) and the Life of Alexander the Great. And, of course, Thucydides (c. 460-400 BCE), whose History of the Peloponnesian War chronicles the bloody and ultimately self-destructive war between Athens and Sparta. Outside of archeological excavations, the surviving myths remain our primary source for what the Greeks knew and wondered about the Gods. Apollonius Rhodius (3rd century BCE) penned The Argonautica (sometimes called The Voyage of the Argo), the only major epic poem written between the time of Homer and the Pax Romana. The Argonautica is our primary source for the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, and features numerous examples of divine intervention (or interference, depending on your point of view). Callimachus (3rd century BCE) is traditionally credited with writing over eight hundred books -- but only six hymns and a few fragments of longer works survive. Of interest to modern Pagans are the Aetia, which examines the mythical and historical origins of cults, festivals and cities; the fragmentary Hecale, which relates a lost episode in the life of Theseus; and the Hymns which include odes to Zeus, Artemis, Apollon, Athena, Demeter and Delos. Hesiod (c. 700 BCE) is even today considered to be one of the greatest poets of myth; as such, a few works have been attributed to him that he probably did not write. First, and most likely his, is the Theogony, which explores the creation of the universe, the Gods and humanity; it is also one of our few sources of information on the Goddess Hekate. Next is Works and Days, which uses myths to demonstrate a moral and upright life. Finally, there are The Shield (about the demigod Heracles) and the Catalogue of Women (which might not be Hesiod's). The other giant of mythical poetry is Homer, whom many scholars argue never existed, or if he did exist he actually might have been a she, or he might have been two different people. The Iliad, from around 750 BCE, chronicles the events over four days during the ten year siege of Troy. The Odyssey, dated to about 725 BCE, follows Odysseus as he journeys home following the fall of Troy. More examples of divine intervention, not all of them flattering, as well as compelling human characters. The Homeric Hymns, from before 400 BCE and not written by Homer, offer praise to numerous Gods and Goddesses; the Hymns are also our primary source for the myth of Demeter and Persephone. Lastly there is the lyric poet Pindar (c. 518-c. 446 BCE), author of processional songs, victory odes, dirges and dance songs. Only the victory songs survive intact, each containing a fragment of myth related to the victorious athlete's triumph or his native city (for instance, the Orestes myth in Pythian 11). While a relationship with the Gods is the primary draw for many Hellenic Pagans, others are equally drawn to the different philosophical schools of the ancient Greeks. Philosophy to that ancient people incorporated what we would consider many different disciplines, including science, theology, sociology, mathematics, physics, and political science, among others. As such, you're as likely to find among the following philosophers a moving meditation on the nature of divinity as a biting critique of corruption in government as a complex mathematical equation. Aristotle (384-322 BCE), a one-time student of Plato, wrote so much that there is no way for me here to summarize it all. A few key works: The Art of Rhetoric, Metaphysics, Nichomachean Ethics, The Politics and Poetics. Diogenes the Cynic (c. 412/403-c. 324/321 BCE) advocated a "natural" life of few material possessions, physical endurance, indifference to so-called civilized mores, and philanthropy; he was one of the first philosophers to speak out against slavery and the oppression of women, believing that all people were equal. Epicurus (341-270 BCE) was a moral and natural philosopher who wrote some thirty-seven books. Fragments of On Nature were amazingly preserved in the ash of Mt Vesuvius and are now being translated, slowly. Most of what we know about the Epicurean school of philosophy actually comes to us via the later Latin poet Lucretius, in On the Nature of Things. Epicurus' basic tenet: ataraxia, e.g., a life free of disturbance. Pursue pleasure, but only where that does not bring pain; avoid competition, as that brings jealousy and distress; avoid intense emotional commitments; the soul is mortal like the body, so don't worry about an afterlife which will never come. Very Vulcan-like, no? Plato (c. 428-399 BCE), one of the giants of philosophy, authored numerous tracts on the nature of government, human relationships and the soul. Single-volume complete works are available in any fine bookstore or library, but individual volumes can also be found. A few suggestions: The Republic (his major political work, contains the Cave of Shadows analogy); Phaedo and Phaedrus (the nature of the soul and reincarnation, among other things); Symposium (erotic love and truth); and the Timaeus (the nature of the world). Plotinus (c. 205-269/270 CE), was the founder of NeoPlatonism whose Enneads brought together elements of Platonic, Aristotelian and rationalist thought. In Plotinus' vision, The One and The Good stands at the center of creation, the source of existence and all morality; our world of matter is an imperfect "reflection" or "expansion" of The One. Ecstasy, reunification of the soul with The One through meditation and discipline, is the ultimate goal.+ Pythagoras (mid 6th century BCE) was a legendary figure in his own time, and his legend only grew after death. Pythagoreanism contains what we would consider both religious aspects -- the doctrine of transmigration, degrees of initiation, dietary laws, burial rites, and so on -- but also scientific aspects. Pythagoras is credited with the discovery of that famous geometric theorem that we are still forced to learn in school, as well as the octave and basic musical harmonies. Unfortunately, it is unclear how much of Pythagoreanism can actually be traced to the man himself, and how much should actually be credited to later followers or detractors. Socrates (469-399 BCE) wrote nothing -- surprise. Despite that, his influence over the last few thousand years has been incredible. What we know of the philosopher and his thoughts and personality come to us via Plato and Xenophon, whose portraits differ notably. A few of Socrates' tenets (we think): question yourself and others in all things; the truth of the world is accessible through thought, not the senses; right and wrong exist independently of the divine; the Gods can never do harm or evil to one another or humanity. Zeno of Citium (c. 340-c. 265 BCE) was the founder of the Stoic tradition, which stressed logic, physics and ethics. Zeno taught that individuals should be free of passion and submit without complaint to that which is unavoidably necessary. Again with the Vulcan thing. Plays in ancient Greece were a major element of many religious festivals; indeed, most the complete and fragmentary plays that have come down to us were performed at religious competitions dedicated to Dionysus. Aeschylus (c. 525/4-456/5 BCE), the great Athenian tragedian, wrote beautifully of human pride and the suffering inherent to life, but also of the ultimate justice of the Gods. Among his works are the Oresteia trilogy and Prometheus. Aristophanes (c. 447-c. 385 BCE) was a comic playwright whose most biting satire was reserved for war (Lysistrata, The Acharnanians), warmongers, the Gods (The Frogs) and philosophy (The Clouds). Euripides (c.480s-c.408 BCE), whose ninety or so plays were performed at the City Dionysia in Athens, was apparently popular in his lifetime, but he rarely won. He was critical of traditional religion, often rewriting the standard myths. Among his surviving works: Alcestis, Hippolytus and Medea. Menander (c. 343-292 BCE) was idolized in his lifetime, then forgotten until the early twentieth century. His plays, such as Aspis, Heros, Orge and Samia, feature romance, slapstick and sophisticated social commentary which translate well even across two thousand years. Sophocles (c.495-406 BCE) was a master of the art of anagnorsis (recognition): his characters realize too late that they have misunderstood the nature of reality and that realization brings pain and death. Among his surviving works: Ajax, the Oedipus cycle, Philoctetes and Trachiniae. Like playwriting, poetry was a high art in ancient Greece, practiced by men and women alike, for religious and secular occasions. The birth of a child, a victory in battle, a storm at sea, first love, an old tree -- any could inspire a poem. A few notable poets whose works survive, at least in fragments: Alkman (7th century BCE) was a slave and poet so widely admired and known in the ancient world that it was said that his poems would live forever. Today, we have most of his long Hymn to Artemis, most of his long Hymn to Hera and about fifty fragments. Beautiful. Archilochos (7th century BCE) was a professional soldier and poet known for centuries after his death as The Satirist. He invented iambic verse, wrote the first (surviving) beast fable, numerous marching songs, love lyrics and elegies; about three hundred fragments survive. Bacchylides (c.520-450 BCE) was a lyric poet, a few of whose victory odes and dithyrambs remain. Sappho (c. 620-c.565 BCE) was not the only female poet of the ancient world, but she remains the most famous. Sometimes called the Tenth Muse, her poems fuse physical passion, appreciation of all things beautiful and devotion to the divine. Only some two hundred fragments survive -- and some of those in the form of mummy wrappings! Stesichorus (active c.600-550 BCE), a Greek from southern Italy, wrote twenty-six books, of which only quotations survive. Originally, his works covered the entire epic cycle of Greek myth, e.g., Helen, Cerberus, and Boar-Hunters. Finally, if you're looking for something a little outside the "mainstream" (if there was any such thing in ancient Greece): look into Orphic literature. The poet/singer Orpheus was entirely mythical; nonetheless, a corpus of hymns, poems, theogonies and commentaries attributed to him gave rise to an "alternative" mystical religious tradition centered around Dionysus and Persephone. Among the loosely-linked Orphic works are the Hymns, the Orphic Argonautica and the Lithica, along with numerous fragments and inscriptions. There you have them: a fraction of the fraction of ancient authors whose works survive. Many, many more are out there: Heraclitus, Xenophanes, Symmachus, Cleidemus, Cleanthes -- in pieces, yes -- but they survived. Don't allow them to be forgotten forever. Next month: Modern resources for modern Hellenic Pagans. + One of the most famous NeoPlatonists to follow Plotinus was Hypatia of Alexandria (c. 370-415 CE). Renowned for her intelligence and beauty, a learned mathematician and astronomer, she was attacked by a Christian mob and torn apart, alive. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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] ========= ========= The Charge of Chocolate ========= Humor by an unknown author ========= Listen to the words of the Mother of Chocolate; who was of old called: Godiva, Ethel M., Sara Lee, Nestle, Mrs. See, and by many other names: Whenever you have one of those cravings, once in a while and better it be when your checkbook is full, then shall you assemble in a great public place and bring offerings of money to the spirit of Me, who is Queen of all Goodies. In the mall shall you assemble, you who have eaten all your chocolate and are hungry for more. To you I shall bring Good Things for your tongue. And you shall be free from depression. And as a sign that you are truly free, you shall have chocolate smears on your cheeks, and you shall munch, nosh, snack, feast, and make yummy noises all in my presence. For mine is the ecstasy of phenylalanine, and mine is also the joy on earth, yea, even into high orbit, for my law is "melts in your mouth, not in your hand". Keep clean your fingers, carry Wet Ones always, let none stop you aside. For mine is the secret that opens your mouth, and mine is the taste that puts a smile on your lips and comfy padding pounds on your hips. I am the gracious Goddess who gives the gift of joy onto the tummies of men and women. Upon earth, I give knowledge of all things delicious, and beyond death,well, I can't do much there. Sorry about that. I demand only your money in sacrifice, for behold, chocolate is a business, and you have to pay for those truffles before you eat them. [08-2] ========= ========= POETRY: IT'S A FIRE ========= by Elspeth Sapphire ========= Fire's rush within my blood Burning, searing, glowing red Bringing me to a rolling boil Sacred mist within my head I grab the pen; fingers shake... Words crowd to see the open air. How can I give a spark of life? I quake, I'll fail! Still I dare. My Lady's voice sounds in my ear, Overriding my poor mortal brain. I mourn what self-control I lose But praise my lone spirit's gain. Now I am done...my pen goes down. Heart's pace slows, sanity returns. I can relax my tired mind and soul Til muse's fire in me again burns. [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] ========= ========= Recycling Nuclear Warheads Into Electricity ========= How many nuclear warheads does it take to power a light bulb? The answer is no joke. Since 1995, a joint U.S.-Russian government initiative known as Megatons to Megawatts has recycled weapons-grade uranium equivalent to 8,000 Russian nuclear warheads into fuel used by American power plants to produce electricity. That's enough fuel to power an entire city the size of Boston or Seattle for about 300 years. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the 20-year, $8 billion program, which is charged with eliminating the proliferation threat from 500 metric tons of Russian weapons-grade uranium-equivalent to 20,000 warheads. The program has been so successful that today about one in 10 American homes, businesses, schools and hospitals receives electricity from nuclear power plants fueled by recycled Russian warheads. It works like this: In Russia, the bomb-grade uranium is diluted into safe power plant fuel, which can no longer be used in weapons. Then, the fuel is purchased by USEC Inc., the U.S. government's executive agent. USEC sells the fuel to its large base of power plant customers across America. The program is completely funded by USEC, which has paid Russia more than $3 billion to date for the uranium fuel. No taxpayer funds are required. USEC, an investor-owned company, is the world's leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. Through Megatons to Megawatts, commercial nuclear power plants are proving to be the most effective means of eliminating excess nuclear warhead material and reducing the proliferation threat. To date, more than 100 American nuclear power reactors-virtually the entire U.S. fleet-has used Megatons to Megawatts fuel. Experts consider the Megatons to Megawatts program a "win-win" idea: it helps eliminate stores of weapons-grade uranium, which is actively being sought by terrorists and rogue nations. At the same time, the program converts the warhead material into a valuable resource: fuel used to light and power America from coast to coast. This is a unique example of how the private sector helps advance national and world security. For more information, visit http://www.USEC.com/ [09-2] ========= ========= Depression and Anxiety Disorders ========= Each year, millions of Americans visit their doctor with physical complaints such as headaches or fatigue, but few realize that these symptoms can be common signs of depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which can result in an improper diagnosis. In fact, a new survey has found that when people were asked to name the symptoms of these conditions, approximately 60 percent didn't recognize the potential physical symptoms of depression, and approximately 75 percent didn't associate physical symptoms with GAD. Although physical complaints can be signs of both disorders, the survey indicates that patients are not associating them with depression or anxiety disorders, and a proper diagnosis and treatment could be at risk. "Many patients come to my office with vague aches and pains, and frequently they respond to pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication," said Steven Lamm, M.D., clinical assistant professor of medicine at New York University, Bellevue. "However, if the patient also talked about emotional symptoms such as feeling sad, a loss of interest in favorite activities and in spending time with friends and family, or difficulty concentrating, I may recognize these as symptoms of depression. The good news is that when both types of symptoms are presented, and depression or generalized anxiety disorder is diagnosed, proper treatment for these conditions can be recommended and remission of symptoms, which is the goal of treatment, can be achieved." Although depression and anxiety disorders are prevalent, affecting millions of American adults each year, many people still do not know that both conditions can have two types of symptoms: emotional, which can include a lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed, and excessive or constant worry; and physical, such as fatigue, vague aches and pains, and digestive disorders. For instance, digestive problems can be physical symptoms of depression and GAD. However, only three percent of people surveyed named it as a potential symptom of depression, and only one percent identified it as a potential sign of GAD. In addition, less than three percent of those surveyed named fatigue, and less than two percent recognized headaches, both of which are considered to be common physical symptoms of GAD. Although people may know that their emotional symptoms could be associated with depression and anxiety disorders, they don't usually share both types of symptoms with their doctor. Ironically, these often are the same patients who visit their doctor seeking relief for their physical complaints. Depression and GAD have a broad range of emotional and physical symptoms, and it is important for patients to recognize and share them all with their doctor.. Symptoms of depression and GAD can last for weeks or months at a time, often interfering with daily activities. Anyone who experiences symptoms of depression for more than two weeks, or symptoms of GAD for more than six months, should consult their doctor. An accurate diagnosis that considers all emotional and physical symptoms can lead to an appropriate treatment regimen. Depression affects more than 19 million American adults annually, and more than half of these individuals also have an anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder. Furthermore, approximately three to five percent of American adults suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, while eight percent suffer from social anxiety disorder annually. The Omnibus survey was conducted in conjunction with the national depression and anxiety awareness campaign GOAL! (Go On And Live!), and was funded by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. GOAL! was created to raise awareness about the emotional and physical symptoms associated with depression and anxiety disorders, and aims to encourage those who suffer from these conditions to seek treatment that will help them achieve remission of their symptoms. To learn more about living beyond depression and anxiety disorders, visit the GOAL! Web site at http://www.GoOnAndLive.com/ [09-3] ========= ========= Shriners Hospitals Encourage Safety Around Lawnmowers ========= With the long winter over, grass everywhere is in need of attention. To ensure safe lawn- mowing, Shriners Hospitals for Children are alerting parents that safety precautions should be followed. Shriners Hospitals treat many children each year who have been seriously injured as a result of power lawnmower accidents. Many of these incidents result in the loss of fingers, toes, limbs and even eyes. Tragically, some lawnmower accidents can result in permanent brain damage or even death. Twenty-one-year-old Spence McArthur of Lovell, Wyo., knows the effects of a lawnmower accident firsthand. When Spence was 3-years-old, he lost part of his right foot when he tripped in front of a riding lawnmower. To improve his mobility, doctors at the Intermountain Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah amputated Spence's foot and fit him with a prosthesis. Many years-and prostheses-later, the athletic teen is living proof that amputees can compete with other athletes on the playing field. His high school years were spent playing basketball and football, and running track. In 2002, Spence participated in the Wyoming Shrine Bowl, making him the first Intermountain Shriners Hospital patient to compete in the game. High school seniors play in the annual event, which raises money for Shriners Hospitals for Children. "Not thinking about my prosthesis gives me an advantage," he said. "I know I'm just as strong as they are." Today, Spence is doing church missionary work in Argentina before heading off to Northwest College in Wyoming. He wants to eventually work with children. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average, each year about 20,000 people are injured on or near power mowers, most of them riding mowers. One out of every five deaths involves a child. The Commission estimates that most of the deaths occur when a child is in the path of a moving mower. Although tragic, these unfortunate situations could have been avoided, if adults had taken the proper precautions. To prevent injuries to children and adults from lawn- mowers, please follow these safety tips from Shriners Hospitals and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: * Do not allow passengers on a riding mower. * Keep children out of the yard and indoors while mowing the lawn. * It is recommended that children under the age of 14 not be allowed to operate a lawnmower. * Always prepare your lawn for mowing. Check your lawn for items such as sticks, rocks, toys, etc. Make sure nothing is hidden in the grass. * Handle fuel with care. Wipe up spills. Never fill the tank on a mower that is hot. Never smoke or use any kind of flame around gasoline. * Wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, eye protection and heavy gloves. Wear sturdy, close-toed shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles. * Check guards and shields. Be sure to read the owner's manual and know how to operate the equipment. Don't remove or disable guards or other safety devices. * Use a mower with an automatic blade cut-off. Stay behind the handle until the blade stops. Never reach under a mower while it is still operating. If you need to remove debris or check the blade, disconnect the wire from the spark plug. * Don't cut grass when it's wet. * On slopes, mow up and down rather than across the slope. For more information on lawn- mower safety, or Shriners' network of hospitals that treat children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, please write to Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or visit http://www.shrinershq.org/. If you know a child Shriners can help, call 1-800-237-5055 in the United States or 1-800-361-7256 in Canada. Shriners Hospitals provide free treatment to children under age 18 without regard to race, religion or relationship to a Shriner. [09-4] ========= ========= Mortgage Servicing: Making Your Payments Count ========= A home may be one of the most expensive purchases you will ever make. That's why it's important to know who is handling your payments and that your mortgage account is properly credited. In today's market, mortgage loans and the rights to service them often are bought and sold. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to know what a mortgage servicer does and what your rights are. A mortgage servicer is responsible for collecting your monthly loan payments and crediting your account. A servicer also handles your escrow account, if you have one. An escrow account is a fund held by your servicer. You pay money into this fund to cover charges like property taxes and homeowners insurance. The escrow payments typically are included as part of your monthly mortgage payments. The servicer pays your taxes and insurance as they become due during the year. If you do not have an escrow account, you are responsible for paying your taxes and insurance, and budgeting accordingly. Within 45 days of establishing an escrow account, the servicer must give you a statement that clearly itemizes the estimated taxes, insurance, and other anticipated charges to be paid over the next 12 months, and the expected dates and totals of those payments. The mortgage servicer also is required to give you a free annual statement that details the activity of your escrow account. If your loan has been sold, the new servicer must notify you within 15 days after the transfer has occurred. The notice must include the name and address of the new servicer, and the date the new servicer will begin accepting your mortgage payments. To help protect your investment, the FTC offers these tips: * Keep records of what you've paid; include billing statements, canceled checks, and bank account statements. * Review your billing statements. If you have a dispute, continue to make your mortgage payments, and challenge the servicing in writing. * Read all notices from your mortgage servicer carefully. If the servicer asks for proof of homeowner's insurance, send it in promptly, and keep a record that you sent it. To learn more, visit www.ftc. gov, or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP. [09-5] ========= ========= Marfan Syndrome ========= Flo Hyman was the picture of good health. But, the captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic volleyball team died tragically on a volleyball court in Japan during a tournament two years after the Olympics, the result of an aortic dissection. The cause was the Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder of connective tissue that causes the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart) to weaken, tear and even rupture. Flo did not know she had this disorder; it was diagnosed at autopsy. Today, more is known about the Marfan syndrome in athletic circles. The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) urges doctors to look for the signs of the Marfan syndrome when they conduct pre-participation screenings in young athletes. The NFHS also encourages medical questionnaires to include questions about family history of the Marfan syndrome and other early heart deaths. The hope is to reduce the number of preventable deaths on the playing fields of this country. So, what does the Marfan syndrome "look like"? Ironically, many of the physical characteristics caused by the Marfan syndrome are traits that enable people to be good in sports-increased height; long arms, legs and fingers; loose-jointedness. However, in addition to these outward signs (which, alone, are common in the general population), affected people usually have a weakened aorta. Competitive and contact sports make this condition worse-and there may be no sign of trouble until a fatal rupture. People with the Marfan syndrome, including youngsters, are often prescribed beta-blocker medications to reduce the force of the heartbeat and to lower the blood pressure. Studies have shown that this can slow down the growth of the aorta. "While it is frequently heart-breaking for a youngster to be told they can no longer play competitive sports, it can be life-saving," said Alan C. Braverman, Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine. "They can still be active, as all people must be to keep themselves in shape, but it is important that they are limited to low-intensity aerobic (moving) types of exercise performed in moderation. Exercise should be for enjoyment, rather than to win or to test speed or endurance." For more information about the Marfan syndrome, visit the National Marfan Foundation (NMF) web site, www.Marfan.org, or call the NMF toll-free at 800-8-MARFAN. The NMF is the only comprehensive source of accurate, up-to-date information about the Marfan syndrome for both the medical community and the general public. It offers free educational information, as well as support services nationwide. [10] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON BY VOLUNTEERING TO HELP ========= The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum was founded in December 1997 to provide a friendly but serious discussion area for Pagans on the Internet. We've grown a bit over the years. We now have an active message area, a large web site with around 700 pages of information (including over 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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