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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #45 -- March 2004 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ message board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ shopping: http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php In this Issue: [01] Editorial Notes [02] Cauldron Challenge: March [03] Cauldron News [04] Cauldron Discussions [05] Reviews [05-1] Simplified Qabala Magic [05-2] Magick of the Gods and Goddesses [05-3] The Wicca Herbal [05-4] The Witch's Familiar [05-5] Mapping Your Birthchart [05-6] Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt [05-7] Professional Tarot [06] Received For Review (with Mini-Reviews) [07] Articles: [07-1] You and Your Library [07-2] Nature of FlameKeeping [07-3] 12 Reasons Same-Sex Marriages Will "Ruin" Society [08] Columns [08-1] TarotDeevah on the Tarot [08-2] Humor: Ignorant Pagan Intro Message [08-3] Poetry: Touch the Sun [09] Around the Planes: Notes from All Over [09-1] Diet And Exercise Get To The Heart Of The Matter [09-2] Why The Library Is Better [09-3] Here's the Skinny on Potatoes [09-4] How To Avoid The Top Five Interview Mistakes [09-5] Getting Serious About April Fool's Day [10] Newly Available Pagan Products [11] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [12] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for our May issue: April 15, 2004 +++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= Your editors (Randall and LyricFox) are moving to Waco this month and are getting married in April. This means that this may be the last full size newsletter for a month or two. I know the April 2004 issue will be shorter than usual because I've already put it together -- as I know I would not have time to do so right after the move. This is why the submission deadline listed above is for the May issue -- and that May issue will probably either be short or, in the worst case, skipped. Hopefully, things will be back to normal by the June issue. Please don't let this stop you from submitting articles, reviews, and poetry. We are very low on articles and I probably will not have time to review many books over the next two or three months. We have enough reviews done now and up on The Cauldron's web site to carry us through May, but we can always use more. We are great need of articles and poetry, however. Elspeth and the rest of our wonderful staff will do their best to keep The Cauldron's message board going strong while LyricFox and I are involved in real life offline. However, they could use your help. Please visit our message board regularly and participate in discussions and start threads on subjects that interest you. Our forum has perhaps grown a bit too dependent on LyricFox and Randall over the last couple of years and if it is to survive our marriage in good shape, our members are going to have to take a more active role in keeping our message board fresh and interesting. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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: MARCH ========= by Star ========= The March Challenge is to make some modification to your life which you've been meaning to make. For instance, you might start a diet or exercise plan. You might start a new good habit, or you might stop a bad one. The only requirement is that the change be for the better, and preferably something you've been thinking you should do or would like to do. I encourage participants to post their plans in the March 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://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12459.1 [03] ========= ========= CAULDRON NEWS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== Cauldron Delphi Message Board Top Poster -- February 2004 ===== The Cauldron's message board had 5748 posts in February. Julesmo (JULESMO3) had the most posts of any non-staff member in February and snagged our monthly "top poster" award. Our Runner Up -- by one post -- was Everfool (EVERFOOL). Pandora (LAZYLION65), Loreley (LORELEYJ), Loneash (LONEASH), and Karen (STARGLADE) gave Everfool a good race for that runner up spot. ===== ===== Cauldron Web Site Paid For 2004 ===== The Cauldron held a small donation drive in early February to allow The Cauldron to switch from paying its main expense (hosting fees for the web site) annually instead of monthly. When we started this drive, we expected in would take all month to raise enough money to pay for a year at once (it was 50% more than we had in the kitty). Instead, due to many wonderful members (including two who were far more generous than we ever expected anyone to be), we raised all the money we needed within about 48 hours and were able to close out the drive weeks early. The staff of The Cauldron would like to thank everyone who has donated to support our web site, either in our first ever donation drive or just as they were able to do so in previous years. Thanks to your donations The Cauldron's web site hosting bill is paid through the end of February 2005 (unless we get so popular that our monthly bandwidth jumps by a factor of 10 or something, which isn't very likely). This means that even if LyricFox and Randall's move puts a strain on their budget, The Cauldron's web site will not become a causality and disappear from the web. Thanks again to everyone who donated to help pay the web site bill for 2004 in advance! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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. === === Promoting Religions === This is sort of the flip side of the thread about Wicca's popularity. There are really sort of two questions here. The first is what other lesser-known religions can do to become better known and, if they so desire, more popular. Is publicity enough? If enough people join the religion will it make the religion more visible? Is there anything that can be done? The second is whether visibility and popularity is even a desirable thing. Is it something you think religions should seek out? Or should they just go about their business the same way they always have and trust that people who are supposed to wind up with them will find them? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12506.1 === === Reasons Wicca Became So Popular? === There has been an explosion in the Wiccan population over that last ten or fifteen years. I wonder what made Wicca seem so attractive to so many people? I can think of a number of possible reasons people came to Wicca from being drawn to the religious aspects (or to its magickal aspects) to its "coolness factor" or the large number of Wiccan books flooding the market. What do you think are the main reasons Wicca has become so popular Do you think these are good reasons to be drawn to a religion? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12500.1 === === Gay Marriage or Civil Unions? === Should gays be allowed to marry or should they be limited to civil unions? Would allowing actual marriages somehow undermine the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Would civil unions for same sex couples and marriages for opposite sex couples resolve the turmoil over this issues in the US or would this just be another form of "separate but equal"? A new member argues that gays should be limited to civil unions because allowing gays to marry would eventually undermine the First Amendment. What do you think? (Please remember to attack ideas and not the people holding them in this "hot button" discussion.) * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12503.1 === === Is Sex Magick More Powerful? === I read that sex magick is the most powerful type of magick. Yet none of the spells I see on the web or in books are sex magick. If sex magick is so powerful, why aren't all spells sex magick? Are we handicapping ourselves just to avoid offending prudes who might see the spell book in the store? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12463.1 === === Dealing with Unethical Leaders === What do you do -- or what do you think others should do -- about unethical folks in positions of leadership? Say there's someone who's repeatedly manipulative and/or scamming others. Or a pathetic teacher who's stated she has no intentions of improving -- Ravenwolf was good for her, it's good for her students. Or someone who fosters bigotry of one type or another. Or someone who coerces students... nothing illegal, just things you'd rather not be associated with yourself. Or someone who sleeps around & leaves a string of broken hearts & broken covens, claiming it's all part of the "Goddess-love" practices, and anyone who can't handle it isn't really pagan. But the person is a known leader, a long-term member of the community. More, s/he has many devoted students & followers -- just announcing, "OceanBreath is a scam," gets a few nodding heads saying, "yup, I knew that... lemme tell you about what she did at StarFest '89" and other people saying "no, you're just jealous because she won't let you into her Karmic Soapmaking workshops." For the answers, I'd like people to assume they are part of this community, that it matters to them -- this isn't really an issue for solitaries. I'm curious about how people react to a problem- leader in a community they care about, that they want to be involved in. That saying, "I just won't associate with them, or anyone close to them" feels like a cop-out -- like avoiding your own family because Uncle Joey is a little creepy when he hugs the young girls. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12449.1 === === The Importance of Dreams? === Something I would like to discuss is the importance of dreams and their meanings. How much should we look into their meaning and how serious do you take them? Are they as important as visualizations and meditation? What do you do when you wish to have a guiding dream? How do you prepare for visualizations? How well do dream spells work for you? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12424.1 === === Satanism Isn't Pagan?! === Why do you list Satanism as a Pagan religion on your web site? Isaac Bonewits says it is not and that Pagans should not support Satanists who try to steal what little public goodwill Pagans have by claiming to be Pagans. The public thinks Satanists sacrifice babies and kill thousands of people every year. Even if this isn't true, associating Paganism with Satanism in the public mind will hurt the Pagan religion. It only takes one bad looking apple in the apple cart. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12413.1 === === Breaking in New Rituals/Practices === As I try to become more active on my path by introducing new things, I'm finding that at first many practices feel odd or don't have much meaning to me. Mentally I can acknowledge the meaning they are supposed to have, but... the meaning hasn't settled into my heart yet. That's probably the best I can do to explain how it feels. I'm sticking with them in hopes that over time I will become more comfortable and a deeper significance will grow. I can feel something there, but it's nothing to sneeze at compared to already established practices that hold a lot of meaning for me. I'm curious about the experiences and thoughts others here have about this. Are new practices instantly natural and meaningful to you or does it take time? What determines for you whether a practice will stay or go? If things always click immediately for you... what's your secret? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12334.1 === === Past Lives Impact on Pagan Callings? === I am wondering if anyone has had a strong past life experience, whereby your service to the ancient gods impact your present practices. In my case, the Goddess has manifested her will in my life in the most bizarre and strong ways, including manifestations of Lugh at the time of the Lughanesse. All my knowledge about these deities and customs come to me through lucid meditation and now I am in complete to service to her again. Sometime, this seems all beyond me and other times, I am extremely comfortable in all this. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12315.1 === === Non Wiccans Reading Wicca Books === A few days ago Amazon mailed me my last order of books, among which there was Starhawk's Spiral Dance. A friend who went with me to pick up the package from the post office was wondering about it. She asked why would I need Wiccan books, if I am not Wiccan, and the type of witchcraft I use is not Wiccan either by a long shot. (It's very traditional local folk type of craft). My answer was that when I first read it, I was interested to learn about Wicca. Nowadays, I just want the book because it has some useful stuff about energy raising, exercises, and other things that I may use as reference points and learning tools. I really don't care much about the theology or morals part, more about the Craft part. My friend said that things cannot be really separated, and that the religious Wiccan teachings will influence my practice of witchcraft, whether I like it or not. She says it is "sad" that I "allow" local folk magic be "meshed" with Wicca. That it's bad for Wicca, and bad for folk magic. Do you think my friend is right? What can non-Wiccan witches learn from Wiccans? Can it be learned from other sources? Should it? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=12283.1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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: SIMPLIFIED QABALA MAGIC ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Simplified Qabala Magic Author: Ted Andrews Trade Paperback, 165 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: June 2003 ISBN: 073870394X US Retail Price: $9.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073870394X/thecauldron The Hermetic Qabala is a complex subject. Many books have been written on it in the last hundred years. Many of those are incomprehensible to anyone not already well-informed on the subject. With Simplified Qabala Magic, Ted Andrews is attempting to explain the Hermetic Qabala to those without any background knowledge at all. As this is quite a task, I was surprised to find that he was far more successful that I expected. This book is still not what most people will consider light reading, but it is a readable -- and more importantly -- understandable introduction to the Qabala and basic methods for working with it. This book explains the Tree of Life, using meditation to work with the Tree, basic Pathworking, the Qabalistic Cross, and the Middle Pillar exercise. The material is basic, but well explained. It will not make one an expert on the Hermetic Qabala, but it will enable one to actually understand more advanced works on the subject. A word of warning, this book teaches the Hermetic Qabala in fairly standard form for the Western Magical tradition. That is, it is Judeo-Christian in orientation, although with a very "New Age" flavor. Pagans who are unable to deal with this might want to skip this book. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bookmr03.php#sqm [05-2] ========= ========= REVIEW: MAGICK OF THE GODS AND GODDESSES ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Magick of the Gods and Goddesses: Invoking the Power of the Ancient Gods Author: D.J. Conway Trade Paperback, 448 pages Publisher: Crossing Press Publication date: October 2003 ISBN: 1580911536 US Retail Price: $19.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580911536/thecauldron In Magick of the Gods and Goddess: Invoking the Power of the Ancient Gods, Conway attempts the massive task of providing a very basic overview on the deities and religious and magickal practices of over twenty cultures or groups: Witchcraft and Paganism, Shamanism, Ceremonial Magick, the Qabala, Egypt, the Middle East, Greece, Rome, Africa, Celtic Europe, Nordic Europe, Finnish, Slavonic Europe and Russia, India, China, Japan, Tibet, Pacific islands, Native North Americans, Mayas, Aztecs, Incas, angels, and planetary spirits. The chapters on specific cultures each have basic background, information on the culture's religion, information on the culture's dress, a few example myths, and information on the culture's major gods and goddesses. Unfortunately, this book suffers -- as other similar books have before it -- from relying too much on popular press sources and not enough on academic sources. The bibliographies for most cultural sections are predominantly filled with popular press and even revisionist books. Some sections don't list any academic books at all, or only ones printed many years ago. Judging by those cultures I'm familiar with, some of the information is accurate and useful and some is just plain wrong or highly revisionist. If one is not familiar with the culture or group at hand it would be hard to tell the accurate from the questionable. For example, if one is not knowledgeable on ancient Greek religion, one would probably have no idea that the ancient Greeks did not see Hekate as described in her entry in this book: she was neither seen as a crone or thought to be part of a triple goddess. Nor were her symbols the key and the cauldron -- they were the key and torches. Many of the descriptions of other deities in the cultures I'm familiar with have similar problems. The problems with information in this book are sometimes minor, but collectively, they give an inaccurate picture. The sad thing is that the author could have avoided many of these problems simply by using better sources. While parts of Magick of the Gods and Goddess: Invoking the Power of the Ancient Gods are an interesting read, this isn't a book you want to quote as proof to a history buff or a Pagan Reconstructionist. This book might be useful for those Pagans who are not overly concerned with cultural and historical accuracy, but I really can't recommend it to anyone. It's a great idea flawed by poor research and poor sources. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkmotgag.php [05-3] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE WICCA HERBAL ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= The Wicca Herbal: Recipes, Magick, and Abundance Author: Jamie Wood Trade Paperback, 278 pages Publisher: Celestial Arts Publication date: September 2003 ISBN: 1587611694 US Retail Price: $21.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1587611694/thecauldron The Wicca Herbal: Recipes, Magick, and Abundance is a fairly basic herbal, providing a few paragraphs of information on the magickal and medicinal uses of about 100 different herbs. What sets this book apart from other herbals is that at least one recipe or ritual is provided for each herb. For example, the entry for basil includes a recipe for "Nirvana Tomato-Basil- Garlic Pasta" and a spell for banishing the winter blues as well as basic information on the uses of basil and on growing basil. The entry for Mugwort includes a recipe for banishment incense and a scrying ritual. The info on the herbs themselves seems skimpy, however. It appears to be more of a herbal cookbook and ritual book than what I expect when I see a book described as a "herbal." This book is would make an excellent complement to a formal herbal. Most herbals are long on dry data and short of practical applications, while this book is short on the data but full of practical ways to put herbs to use. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bookmr04.php#twh [05-4] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE WITCH'S FAMILIAR ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= The Witch's Familiar Author: Raven Grimassi Trade Paperback, 192 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: June 2003 ISBN: 0738703397 US Retail Price: $12.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738703397/thecauldron Occasionally I pick up a book that makes me wonder what the author and publisher were thinking. Raven Grimassi's The Witch's Familiar: Spiritual Partnerships for Successful Magic had me wondering from the minute I started to read it. As he stays away from historical weirdness and religion for the most part and sticks to magick, this book does not annoy me as much as many of his other books do. This book discusses physical, astral, and spiritual familiars and gives techniques for summoning/creating, binding, and controlling familiars. The techniques Grimassi has chosen (or created) have a very ceremonial magick flavor, complete with various sigils to be used to control and direct a non-physical familiar. While I'm sure they would work, they strike me as more suitable for a ceremonial mage than a witch. This is what makes me wonder what the author and publisher were thinking. Most of the witches who pick up this book are probably going flip through it, see that it has little to do with what they practice, and put it back on the shelf. Readers with a more ceremonial bent, who would be more likely to find the information interesting, will probably will pass over the book because of the title. If you are interested in a fairly formal handling of familiars, especially in the creation and use of non-physical familiars, you may find this book has some useful ideas on the subject. If you are the average Wiccan or witch, you may find this book disappointingly complex. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bookmr04.php#twf [05-5] ========= ========= REVIEW: MAPPING YOUR BIRTHCHART ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Mapping Your Birthchart Author: Stephanie Jean Clement Trade Paperback, 228 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: October 2003 ISBN: 0738702021 US Retail Price: $19.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702021/thecauldron Introductory astrology books flood bookstore shelves. It seems like there is a new one published every two or three months. Mapping Your Birthchart: Understanding Your Needs & Potential sets itself apart from the pack by skipping all the complex details of creating a chart that usually scares away everyone but the math lovers by including a Windows 95/98/ME/XP program on CD- ROM to create charts. This program also provides basic chart interpretations using the interpretations the author gives in the book. The program works nicely, if not always intuitively. The book itself is a fairly typical introductory volume on interpreting astrological charts. It discusses the planets, signs, houses, and aspects in basic terms. Example charts are given for a number of famous people (including George W. Bush and Tiger Woods). While the book explains the basics of astrology and chart interpretation well, I found the writing itself boring in some places. Having a fairly easy-to-use program based on the book makes this book stand out in a crowded field and more than makes up for the author's writing style. If you have a computer that uses Windows, are new to astrology, and want to get a fast start on creating and interpreting charts, this is a book you should definitely consider. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bookmr04.php#myb [05-6] ========= ========= REVIEW: CONCEPTIONS OF GOD IN ANCIENT EGYPT ========= Reviewed by Sauronsmom ========= Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many Author: Erik Hornung Translated by John Baines Trade Paperback, 295 pages Publisher: Cornell University Press Publication date: 1982 ISBN: 0801483840 US Retail Price: $19.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0801483840/thecauldron In Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many, Erik Hornung provides a general overview of how gods were viewed in Ancient Egypt. While it is an overview, it is by no means a simplistic one. Because the Egyptians viewed their gods and their religion in a way the western mind may not necessarily be familiar with, Hornung is careful to guide the reader step-by-step as he builds his explanation. The book opens with a chapter on how various Egyptologists interpreted findings through the years. He mentions how some theories were discarded because of later archaeological discoveries and how some Egyptologists misinterpreted findings because of their own beliefs. This provides a strong foundation for the rest of the book. Hornung frequently refers to other scholars, sometimes using their work to support his, sometimes using his to disprove theirs. The book is heavily footnoted but fortunately it is not necessary to read all of the other books to understand Conceptions of God. After the historical introduction, Hornung moves to Egyptian terms for god through to an explanation of the pantheon. Each of the seven chapters builds upon the previous so that the reader is introduced to the Egyptian way of thinking in a logical manner. In the back of the book, Hornung includes a small glossary of the gods, although readers looking to find out which god was responsible for what (which after you read the book you will discover is not as clear cut as you might think) would want to look elsewhere for a more expanded explanation. Hornung sums up his glossary this way: I have added a brief description after each name. These descriptions can only indicate a few salient aspects of the deity; they cannot supply an adequate characterization. I loved this book. I have seen it recommended in various places, including The Cauldron's forum and I understand why. Not a fluffy book by any means, it is, however, written in a way that can be understood by the non-scholar reader. For those interested in the Egyptian Reconstructionist path, you'll want to read other books in addition to Conceptions of God, but this is a very good place to start. I would also recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed an Egyptian exhibit at a museum or program on the History Channel. Reading Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many will enhance your view of the ancient Egyptians and the beauty that was their religion. Hornung sums it up best, I think, when he writes in his conclusion: "Any sort of contact with the world of the Egyptians silences one question, that of the existence and reality of these gods." This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkcogiae.php [05-7] ========= ========= REVIEW: PROFESSIONAL TAROT ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Professional Tarot Author: Christine Jette Trade Paperback, 240 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: July 2003 ISBN: 073870217X US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073870217X/thecauldron Most Tarot books talk about how to read the cards and perhaps give some advice on reading for others. Professional Tarot: The Business of Reading, Consulting, & Teaching is different. It talks about the nitty-gritty details involved in setting up and running a professional Tarot reading and/or teaching business. As someone who has set up and run small businesses, I'm impressed with this book. It covers the nuts and bolts of the business end well, from planning a Tarot business and legal info to ethics, business management and promotional ideas to help one get and keep clients. This book covers a lot of material that I just haven't seen in other books of Tarot reading. This book does not make any assumptions about how your business will be set up. It not only discusses traditional face to face Tarot consulting businesses, but phone, web based, and teaching businesses as well. Jette writes in a friendly tone and is not afraid to share her personal experiences, both good and bad. One of the problems with Tarot based businesses is that (thanks to some of those "psychic hotlines" who would hire people based not on their reading ability but their ability to keep people on the line for long periods of time) tarot readers are often seen as scam artists. To help counter this claim, the author encourages a strong set of business ethics. If you are thinking of becoming a professional Tarot reader, read Professional Tarot: The Business of Reading, consulting, & Teaching. You will not regret the money spent. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bookmr04.php#pt ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 ========= The following books and decks have been received for review in February 2004 and may be reviewed more fully in future issues. "First Glance Comments" included with these listings are exactly what they seem to be: my first impression of the item from a quick glance through the book or deck. Be aware that these views could change drastically after a more complete examination. If you are waiting for a particular review, remember that reviews appear on our web site as they are finished -- often a good while before they are published in the newsletter. Progressive Witchcraft by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone (New Page Books) ISBN: 1564147193 First Glance Comments: From a first glance, it looks like Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone have written a book that is a bit more radical than the books Janet and Steward produced. It is a mixture analysis of how Wicca/Witchcraft has evolved and how they believe it will evolve in the future and practical information on how things in witchcraft actually work. This is one of those books that I can't say a lot about until I can carefully read it, but from looking through it, I suspect this book will stir up some controversy in the Wiccan and Pagan community. However, I am sure it will be well worth reading. More Info from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564147193/thecauldron [07] =============== ============ ARTICLES ========= [07-1] ========= ========= YOU AND YOUR LIBRARY ========= An Introduction to What Your Library Might Do for You ========= by Jenett ========= This article is about how you can best use your local public library for Pagan related reading and research. I have some further material which will follow up in later issues on how you can help your library help other Pagans, and on search information for libraries. This article deals with things your library can probably help you with - and which many people don't know about or forget to check. While much of this information will be most useful to people in suburban or urban library systems, some of it will also be useful for rural libraries. While my own experience is in the United States, much of the general information here also applies to other countries (however, the specifics may be different there). What your library can certainly do for you: It depends a little bit on where you're located. You're going to have much better access to book resources if you live in a big city or a suburb than if you live in a small town or rural area. However, there's still plenty your library can do to help you - even if you're not willing to be out about being Pagan. 1) Your library has books. This seems sort of obvious - that's a major part of what libraries do, right? But it bears repeating. Your library has books. A decent sized library, probably has books on mythology, comparative religion, different religions, history, historical witchcraft trials, herbs, crafts (such as candle making), gardening, cooking and historical uses of food, and all sorts of other things. And that's without getting into esoteric subjects like occult history, magical theory, or 'alternative' religions such as Wicca or other forms of Paganism. All of the more 'ordinary' subjects can be of great help to you in your learning about Paganism, even if they don't give you specific information. And, of course, even if you're not 'out' about being Pagan, no one is going to look twice at you if you take out books on these general subjects. Depending on your library, you may be also able to get specific books on Wicca and Witchcraft and Paganism - it depends on your library's collection, and on whether any of these books have gone missing, but some are often available. 2) Your library has non-book resources. Your library may have magazines, a copy machine, or any number of other things you can use to help you learning. One of the local city papers runs a food section every Thursday with some great recipes and current information on seasonal foods, including locations of farmer's markets (and what to do with the neat stuff you find there). This is information that's a lot more useful in the paper than in a book. Libraries may also have videos or DVDs, particularly of things like PBS specials (such as, say, Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" series) or other media presentations that you might find helpful. Your library may also have access to online databases of articles (one of the most common of these is called Infotrac) which will include articles from academic journals. If you're doing research about a more academic topic, particularly one which is a little unusual, you might be able to find resources here. 3) Your library may be able to get you books from other libraries. This is something called "Interlibrary Loan" - your library requests books from other libraries. If your library doesn't offer it, it's probably because it's quite an expensive service, in part because many people order books and then don't pick them up (meaning that the library pays all the costs, but no one actually gets any use out of the book) Some libraries may allow this as a pay service, or under specific circumstances, so it may be worth asking (one library I knew of charged something like a dollar for each book requested via interlibrary loan - it didn't pay for all the associated costs, but it was cheaper than buying the book, and it did apparently get people to think about their requests and take them more seriously.) 4) Your library may offer classes you'd find interesting. Your library may offer (or host) lectures or classes that may be of interest to you. These can include computer classes, or classes in how to use the library computers or the Internet for finding material. They may host any number of groups to discuss books (for example, there's a group that discusses mythology and some related issues that meets at one of the local city libraries). Your library may also have information on other community groups, and other resources (mine has bus schedules, and a collection of pamphlets on community resources like music schools, volunteer opportunities, and things like where the farmers' markets are.) As you can see, your local library many have a number of resources you hadn't thought about - many of which can be helpful in Pagan studies or practice. Enjoy your searches! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [07-2] ========= ========= Nature of FlameKeeping ========= by HeartShadow ========= FlameKeeping is a religious path that celebrates the Divine Within and the Divine Without, the nature of the Universe being that of a self-aware, Divine Entity, of which we are all parts. The basic nature of the Flame is that we are all Divine, and we must seek inside ourselves to find that Divine Nature. When we see the Divine in ourselves and in each other, we find we have the potential to make the world a better place through improving ourselves. We are all individual, part of a group, and a piece of the Indivisible Divine Universe. There is no contradiction here, even though it appears to function in paradox, because our individuality is not threatened by being part of something greater as well. Our life functions as individual, but what we do radiates outward to the Universe, and then radiates back to ourselves. No action occurs in a vacuum. Being a FlameKeeper involves improvement of self, not monetarily but spiritually. We need to find ourselves: first who we are, then who we want to become. We do have the potential to change ourselves and become better than we are. The path to finding our better selves is difficult, but we can support each other and find our own centers. FlameKeeping is a path that involves self-improvement with the goal of improving both oneself and the world around one. It recognizes that we all live in embedded relationships, and cannot separate ourselves from the world around us. The goals are local, but the focus is upon the entire Universe. More information can be found at http://forums.delphiforums.com/paganacts/start or by emailing flamesib@adelphia.GETRIDOFME.net . ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [07-3] ========= ========= 12 REASONS SAME-SEX MARRIAGES WILL "RUIN" SOCIETY ========= Courtesy of Gator GSA ========= http://www.gatorgsa.org/gaymarriage.html ========= [Editor's Note: This has been floating around the Internet for a week or two that I know of. I think it makes some good points. US readers who agree might want to mail copies to their Senators and Representatives in a letter encouraging them to oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment.] 1. Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control. 2. Heterosexual marriages are valid because they produce children. Infertile couples and old people can't legally get married because the world needs more children. 3. Obviously, gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children. 4. Straight marriage will be less meaningful, since Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful. 5. Heterosexual marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are property, blacks can't marry whites, and divorce is illegal. 6. Gay marriage should be decided by people not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of the minorities. 7. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America. 8. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall. 9. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract. 10. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why single parents are forbidden to raise children. 11. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven't adapted to cars or longer life spans. 12. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a "separate but equal" institution is always constitutional. Separate marriages for gays and lesbians will work just as well as separate schools for African-Americans worked. [08] =============== ============ COLUMNS ========= [08-1] ========= ========= TAROTDEEVAH ON THE TAROT ========= by TarotDeevah ========= === === Tarot of the Cat People === by Karen Kuykendall Distributed by US Games Systems, Inc. Copyright 1985 by US Games systems, Inc. ISBN 0880790784 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/cppics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0880790784/thecauldron I love cats, and this deck is full of them. There are cats on every card, from soft cuddly cats to large predator cats. That alone makes this deck a keeper in my opinion. If that's not enough for you, the book that comes with the deck will surely make it worthwhile. Not only is the book useful with the cards, it's a real sci-fi type novel in itself. The deck follows the Marseilles style of order and naming, except for a couple of changes. The Pope/Heirophant is the High Priest, and Judgment is Rejuvenation. Unlike typical Marseilles style, the pips are fully illustrated, and generally are representative of the card meanings. The art is wonderful and slightly gothic in feel. Cards measure approximately 2.75 by 4.75 inches and handle very well. The card stock is both sturdy and flexible. I have no reason to doubt the durability of these cards. I recommend this deck for cat lovers, teens, those attracted to gothic type art, and anyone interested in futeristic/sci-fi materials. I also recommend the deck for those comfortable with Marseilles style but want more illustration, and for collectors. I believe beginners and more advanced readers alike will be able to use this deck. === === Tarot of Love === by Marcia Perry Copyright 1989 by AG Muller ISBN 3905021560 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/lovepics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/3905021560/thecauldron This is one of my least favorite decks. I guess I just don't understand the point of a "Tarot of Love." Rather than finding this deck "specialized," I find it limiting. It loosely follows the Rider Waite style, but has been modified to fit a relationship theme. Majors include: 0-the fools, 1-the magician, 2-the high priestess, 3-the mother, 4-the father, 5-the master, 6-lovers, 7-companionship, 8-balance, 9-the seeker, 10-destiny, 11-the climax, 12-reversal, 13-tranformation, 14-wholeness, 15- entanglement, 16-lightening, 17-the star, 18-the moon, 19-the sun, 20-the call, 21-the world and 22-soulmates. Suits are rods, blossoms, lightening and nuggets. Court cards are king, queen, prince and princess. While pips are illustrated to some degree, they mostly show just the number of the suit. Cards measure about 2.75 by 4.75 inches and are a little large for me. Card stock is a little thin, but I suspect they will be durable. I guess I recommend this deck for collectors and those who do many spreads focused on relationships. I really don't like them, so have a difficult time recommending them for anyone. === === Tarot of Marseilles === Copyright 1969 by J.M. Simon Published by B.P. Grimaud (France) See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/tom.JPG I face the same dilemma I did with the Rider-Waite deck. How does one critique the standard? This is not only in the Marseilles style, it originated that style. This same deck is also published as Tarot de Marseilles, although this printing is called Tarot of Marseilles. All labeling of this particular deck are in English. Major arcana cards and court cards are illustrated, but pips are not. Only the number of the suit is shown, so that the 7 of cups shows 7 cups. Colors are primarily blue, red and yellow; however, some black, white and tan can be found. I'm not particularly fond of the illustrations in this deck, but I think everyone should own one. This particular printing is on very heavy card stock, much thicker than any I've ever seen before. The deck measures over 1.5 inches tall, and I cannot get my hands around it. Since I shuffle "bridge" style, I cannot shuffle this deck at all. Other printings are available, so don't be discouraged. This is an odd printing, but it's the only one I have of Tarot of Marseilles (although I have Tarot de Marseilles as well). Cards measure 2.5 by 4.75 inches, and are too long for me to handle. I recommend seeking out a different printing than this one. I recommend this deck for everyone, even if you read with Rider- Waite style decks. I prefer fully illustrated decks with breathtaking art. This deck does not fall into that category at all, but I am pleased to own it. Beginners will find it difficult to learn on, since the illustrations (or lack thereof) offer no assistance in interpretation. === === Tarot of a Moon Garden === Published by US Games Systems, Inc. Copyright 1993 by US Games Systems, Inc. ISBN 0880797053 See Cards From This Deck: http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/moonpics.JPG Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0880797053/thecauldron I would classify this as a fantasy deck, filled with wizards and dragonflies and castles and unicorns and such. I'm not into that sort of thing, being a logical, practical Virgo, but lots of people are into them. I don't read with this deck, but as far as I can tell, it is readable. Symbolism is present, enough for even a beginner to learn on, although the wands may present a challenge. Even the art is lovely. While I don't care for this sort of deck (too fluffy for me), I can find nothing really "wrong" with the deck. The deck follows the Rider-Waite style without deviation. Cards measure about 2.75 by 4.75 inches and are a bit large for my smallish hands (but then again, most tarot decks are). Card stock is a little then, but the cards appear to be durable enough to handle regular use. The deck seems to be well made, as most published by US Games are. I recommend this deck for those who love fantasy, fairy tales, wizards and unicorns. This deck is just that. I believe it to be "meaty" enough for beginners to learn on, and may appeal to many of them. Collectors will want a copy as well. (We want them all, don't we?) ===== ===== About This Column ===== TarotDeevah's column will feature monthly articles or reviews selected from her web site or written for this newsletter. You can find TarotDeevah's web site at: http://www.angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/home.html [08-2] ========= ========= IGNORANT PAGAN INTRO MESSAGE ========= Humor by Dreamdancer ========= [Editor's Note: The typos and misspellings are intentional. Sadly, I've seen real messages almost this bad.] Mary Meat One and All, I have been lurking here for 26 minutes, and I thought that it was time to introduce myself. My name is Bastet RunningDeer MorningGlory MoonBeam SunSoar. I used to be just Bill, but during deep meditation and astral proection, I met my spirit guide, who I believe is Winston Churchill's mother while I was cooking marshmellows at my astral camp on Jupitor, and he told me this should be my new name. I'm thinking now of legally changing my name to this. What do you think? BTW, there really are giant squid that swim about in the heavy atmosphere of Jupitor. Jovian giant squid are now my totem animal. It just feels right and we should always go with what feels right. Right? Anyway, back to me. I've been officially pagan since last thursday, but it seems that I have been living my life in a pagan style since at least last monday. I just didn't know that there was a name for it. I just read "Covencraft" by Amber K and am thinking of becoming a high priest and starting my own coven or grove or church or synogague or temple. I may be new to this path, officially at least, but I feel that it is the right thing to do at this point in my spiritual developement, and we should always do what feels right. Right? It's okay, because just because I have only been pagan a little while in this lifetime, I have lived many lives in the past as a pagan, and died at least 162 times when killed by Christian witch hunters for my beliefs. It is probably more than 162 times, but those are all that I can remember since I started doing past life regressions yesterday. I was always a Celt in my past lives. Well, almost always. Usually, when I wasn't being killed by the witch hunters, I was a king or queen of Ireland. The two exceptions that I have found so far are when I was incarnated as Cleopatra and as Julius Caeser. This proves that we don't reincarnate linearly. I was both at the same point on the time line. It was a very interesting experience, to say the least. I actually experienced having sex with myself, complete intercourse, and also discovered that I always faked my orgasms and thought that the other me had way too much body hair on my back. Anyway, I think that I qualify quite well as an elder and a teacher. The so called elders and teachers in the community think that I am just being silly and a little strange, but that's just because they are jealous that I am a much more powerfull witch and warlock than they are. My parents just won't understand this new path that I'm on. They think that the devil has taken over my soul and refuse to listen to reason. We don't even believe in the devil, do we? Or, have I been reading that wrong? They keep trying to hold me from my spiritual path.They won't even let me have their credit cards so that I can order all 29847 books on WiccaCraft and paganism from Llewllyn.com. I really need these books and might as well just kill myself if I can't have them. I need to learn everything I can about every single path, belief system and tradition in the world, and quickly, so that I an pick what feels right to me from all of them. We're supposed to always do what feels right. Right? While I'm here, can anyone help me with some advice or legal assistance? I am being constantly descriminated against. My local community is conspiring against me and picking on me because of my pagan beliefs. The school system is very Christian oriented, and they acted against my faith on a daily basis. They tried to forbid me from bringing my athames to school. Hey, it's my religion and I should be able to practice it as I want, right? And we witches and warlocks must always have our athames with us. It's writteb in ancient secret texts and scriptures. They even went so far as to have me arrested and removed from school when I tried to show the principle how good and nice my faith is by channeling many different spirits for her and talking in their tongues, and then putting two of my athames right up to her eyes, just so that she could see that they were religious and not dangerous weapons. It's not my fault that she got a couple little cuts. She shouldn't have screamed and jumped. She scared me and interrupted the flow of voices from the otherworld. It's not just the school though. I just had to cast a protective circle around myself and my home, so I borrowed the neighbors car while he was sleeping, which felt like the right thing to do, and we should always do what feels right, right?, and I drove three times around the block widow-shins to make my circle. When I'm practicing my religion, there should be a provision in the law that allows this, right? So the one way street laws should be set aside for me, otherwise it's just more religious discrimination. And the people on the streets that I passed were hollering obscenities at me as I drove. They must have figured out that I am a spiritual wiccawitch person. They even went so far as to call on their god to damn me to hell, which we don't believe in anyway, right? We have the Summerlands which are beautifully, and then we come back to life again. The local law enforcement community is also out to get me. They keep coming around when I play my Nirvana CDs at top volume so as to get in touch with my spirit. Nirvana is what Bhuddists strive for, right? And Bhuddists are pagans, right? I just felt that I should explore their paths since we are really all of one spirit and it just felt right. We should always do what feels right. Right? They keep taking away my sacred marijuana, that I use to alter my states of consciousness. The native americans use mind altering substances, and they are almost just like withes and warlocks, right? I think they passed the laws against marijuana just so that the church can stay in control of America. My parents are a big part of this conspiracy. They keep forcing me to go to a psychologist. I know for a fact that the psychologist is really an undercover Jesuit priest, and he is secretly striving to perform an exorcism on me. I can't resist them right now, because if I don't go to see him, they say that they will put me in the psychiatric hospital, where what they really do is drug you senseless and then brainwash you. Now, I don't normally ask for magickal help, but this time I am desperate. I need a binding spell to kill Jimmy Halloway. He is another that is attacking me just for my beliefs. I could have stayed in the broom closet, but I'm proud of my beliefs so I tried to show his girlfriend Becky how beautifully and wonderfull the Great Rite is. She was only scared because she had heard so much Christian propoganda over the years and also didn't believe that you can't get pregnant when you have intercourse during sacred religious rituals. I had to even fight her because she believved that being nude and binding for initiation into the traditions is bad. More Christian propoganda. Now, can anyone tell me a spell to make my penis 12 inches? If I am to be a high preist, I really should have a large penis, to make the Great Rite so much more special. Where can we all go to be skyclad together and perform sex magick? I've heard that this is the most potent type of magick there is, but whenever I ask the pretend pagan elders about this, all they will say is that I have much to learn, and then after a while, they ignore me. They can fool some of the people with their titles, but not me. I know what is reqired to be a real witch. It also feels right, and we shuld always do what feels right. Right? Anyway, that's my intro. Nice to meet all of you. I hope that there are real witches and warlocks here so I can teach them to grow into more powerfull beings. Is there a photo file on this list where you all have your skyclad pictures. I can't seem to find it. Or, has the government conspired with the internet server people to limit us from this most important part of our faith? Mary parting and have some more Mary Meat, Reverand Bastet RunningDear MoonBeam SunSoar High Priest and ArchDruid of the Sacred Temporal Temple of the 13 Moon Coven [08-3] ========= ========= POETRY: TOUCH THE SUN ========= by Elspeth Sapphire ========= I have walked through the shadowed Valley. It feels good to accept the Sun's kiss. I don't mind the distant dark clouds -- Sunlight isn't the only thing I miss. There are the gentle summer breezes That caress me as I slowly walk And I crave rain's cooling cleansing As I listen to Nature talk. Brilliant colors reach out to blind me, Leaves move in a constant silent dance. Stream's music is too much to bear. My heart reaches for romance. I have been lost in the darkness The muted colorless places within No soothing touch on heated brow No calming voice against the din. Now the fog has slowly lifted, And again my life has begun. It is scary to walk out exposed But worth it to touch the Sun. [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] ========= ========= Diet And Exercise Get To The Heart Of The Matter ========= Research suggests it's possible to take a bite out of three of the major risk factors for heart attack-high cholesterol, high blood pressure and excess body weight-with good nutrition. Proper diet can also reduce your risk of stroke because heart disease and high blood pressure are major risk factors. According to the American Heart Association, following these dietary guidelines can help reduce the risk of heart disease: * Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose five or more servings per day. * Eat six or more servings per day of grains, including whole grain products. * Add fat-free and low-fat milk products, fish, legumes (beans), skinless poultry and lean meats to your diet. * Use fats and oils with two grams or less saturated fat per tablespoon, such as liquid and tub margarines, canola oil and olive oil. * Balance the number of calories you eat with exercise. Try to maintain a level of physical activity that keeps you fit and matches the number of calories you eat. Walking at least 30 minutes on most days can be one way to become more active. In addition, the FDA has approved a health claim that consuming 25 grams of soy protein per day-such as NutriSoy Soy Protein-as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. To underscore this point, Archer Daniels Midland Company, makers of NutriSoy Soy Protein, has teamed up with the American Heart Association to sponsor Heart Walks around the country. Research suggests that exercise combined with functional foods- like those containing all natural soy protein-can be an important part of a healthy and disease-fighting regime. To learn more about reducing the risk of heart disease through nutrition, visit http://www.nutrisoy.com/. [09-2] ========= ========= Why The Library Is Better ========= Than Your Favorite Search Engine ========= While online search engines are an amazing way to find movie times, a local florist or directions to that new restaurant, when it comes to serious research, the best resource may be one you've known about for years -- your library. For a start, search engines are only as good as the researchers using them -- and someone without formal information research training may not be aware of the numerous and diverse research options available. Additionally, you have to remember that anyone can publish information on the Internet. When searching online, it many be difficult to discern authoritative sources from home- grown inventions. That's why librarians are so important. Their degree in information research means they have been trained to find answers, often in sources that the average person does not know exists. To access this wealth of free knowledge, tools and resources all you need is your library card. Your librarian may also be able to steer you to resources you can use at home-night or day. Many libraries subscribe to databases which you can connect to from home through your library's Web site. If your library subscribes to booksinprint.com, you will have no trouble finding the exact book, audio book, or video you need. Books In Print is the longest-standing library resource for finding the right book by subject or author and now this database of millions of titles is easy to search electronically and has many extra features you won't find anywhere else online. Give yourself the lifelong gift of free public library membership. Ask your librarian about the rich resources in your library. Remember that your best information resource is an information research professional: the librarian! To learn more about Books In Print or Http://booksinprint.com/, ask your librarian or visit the Web site at http://www.bowkersupport.com/info. [09-3] ========= ========= Here's the Skinny on Potatoes ========= Potatoes have been taking a beating lately as a result of fad diets. In response to the food confusion sweeping the nation, the United States Potato Board conducted extensive consumer research and discovered there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the healthy benefits of potatoes. Surprisingly, only six percent of survey respondents thought that potatoes were rich in vitamin C, when, in fact, one medium (5.3 ounce) potato contains 45 percent of the recommended Daily Value for this essential nutrient. And, only 34 percent considered potatoes with skins to be rich in potassium, when they are actually an excellent source of this mineral-higher than broccoli, spinach or bananas. Why are these nutrients so valuable? Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects your body's cells. It also helps keep gums healthy and can protect the body from infection by keeping the immune system healthy. Foods that are a good source of potassium and low in sodium-such as potatoes-may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Need more proof that potatoes are a nutrition powerhouse? One medium potato only has 100 calories. Calories increase depending on your choice of topping or when fried in fat. For healthy recipes and nutrition information, visit http://www.healthypotato.com/ or send a self-addressed, business- sized, stamped envelope to Healthy Potato Recipes, 5105 East 41st Avenue, Denver, CO 80216. Try one of these new healthy, but flavorful potato preparation ideas: * Top a russet baked potato with salsa, black beans and reduced fat cheese * Mash white potatoes with nonfat milk, wasabi paste and fresh chives * Roast red potatoes in a light coating of basil pesto and garlic * Toss boiled potatoes with peas, sundried tomatoes and fresh basil * Lightly coat potato wedges with olive oil and bake on a cookie sheet to make Skinny Fries So get to know the healthy potato, it's naturally nutritious and always delicious [09-4] ========= ========= How To Avoid The Top Five Interview Mistakes ========= What's the biggest mistake you ever made during a job interview? Show up late? Insult the interviewer? How about eat a sandwich? In a recent survey, CareerBuilder.com asked over 400 hiring managers to share the most memorable blunders that caused them to pass on a particular candidate. Here's what not to do: #1-Hiring managers say they avoid candidates who exhibit poor language skills and a tendency to reveal too much or too little information. Examples: * "The candidate said he had days he could not give 100 percent." * "She kept telling me about her personal problems." Tip: Choose your words wisely and listen closely. Candidates must show they can think quickly on their feet and effectively communicate why they are best suited for the job. #2-Hiring managers say they don't consider candidates who are unprepared, distracted or unprofessional. Examples: * "He knew nothing about the job being offered." * "The woman answered her cell phone." Tip: Do your homework. Research the company, its industry and competitors. Make sure to shut off cell phones and pagers before your arrival. #3-Hiring managers say bored or cocky attitudes are a turn-off. Examples: * "He asked me to speed up the interview because he had a lunch date." * "He told me the only reason he was here was because his mother wanted him to get a job. He was 37." Tip: Keep positive. Avoid saying anything negative about a previous employer and show enthusiasm for the new opportunity. #4-Hiring managers say appearance influences the hiring decision. Examples: * "One candidate did not wear shoes." * "He showed up in jeans and a t-shirt with dirty fingernails and looked like he just woke up. He also smelled of alcohol." Tip: Leave the jeans at home. Even if the company dress is casual, you don't want to seem casual about the job opportunity. Groom properly and wear business attire. #5-Hiring managers say dishonesty calls for dismissal. Examples: * "One guy mentioned his arrest during the interview after stating on his application that he had never been arrested." * "One guy asked if we drug-tested and if we gave advance notice (we are a drug treatment facility)." Tip: Honesty is always the best policy and remember, even the most innocent question, if not worded properly, can give the wrong impression. For more job seeking tips, visit http://careerbuilder.com/ [09-5] ========= ========= Getting Serious About April Fool's Day ========= For some people, there's no fooling around when it comes to assembling practical jokes to play on April 1st. Even the most dedicated prankster, however, might be surprised to learn of the origins of this humorous holiday. In 16th century France, the start of the new year was originally observed on April 1, in much the same way New Year's is today, with parties and dancing. Then in 1582, Pope Gregory introduced the Gregorian calendar, which had the year starting on January 1. The word was slow to spread. Some did not believe (or didn't hear) the news and continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1st. These people were labeled fools and many began to play tricks on them, sending them on "fool's errands" and inviting them to non-existent parties. Hence, the "April Fool." When England officially adopted the new calendar in 1752, the tradition of prank playing on April 1 continued-eventually spreading to Scotland and "the Colonies." Today, while many come up with new ways to make mischief- and try to outdo the all-time great pranks, such as the Swiss "spaghetti harvest" of 1957-others stick to tried and true gags. A vast supply of items that can help stir things up, can be found at Spencer Gifts, including: * Whoopee Cushions. Did you know that early in Whoopi Goldberg's career, she used the name Whoopee Cushion as a stage name? * Fake Bullet Holes. "The Sopranos" is back in season, so how about a staged "whacking?" * Remote Control Fart Machine. Hide it under a seat at dinner, press the remote, listen for the sounds and watch the embarrassed flush creep up the one on the hot seat. * Other all-time favorites-available just in time for the tomfoolery-include silly string, gum that turns the tongue blue, an ice cube with a bug in it and itching powder. To find a store nearest you, visit http://www.SpencerGifts.com/. [10] ========= ========= NEWLY AVAILABLE PAGAN PRODUCTS ========= The following are some of the new or restocked products Earth Spirits Emporium has added during the month of February 2004. Remember, 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. You can find a link to Earth Spirit Emporium in our Cauldron Mall: http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php UPASLIF CD: Past Life Regression by Jason Newcomb USMOCES CD: Smoking Cessation by Salciccia/ Newcomb UJOUALP CD: Journey to Alpha by Black Note Music UJONMON CD: Jungle Monkeys by Black Note Music UCARSOU CD: Carriers of Sound by Remko Arentz UMASART CD: Mastering Astral Projection by Brad Steiger UINDMED CD: Indian Medicine Wheel by Brad Steiger UCRYMED CD: Crystal Meditations by Brad Steiger UBUDENLS CD: Buddhist Enlightenment by Mind Saturation Systems DAGETAR Deck: Ages Tarot DEGYTAR Deck: Egyptian Tarot (dk&bk) MGETRIC DVD: Get Rich Quick Spells by William Oribello UTRAMED Transformative Meditation by Gayle Clayton BADVWIT Advanced Witchcraft by Edain McCoy BCOMSEN Common Sense Tarot by Camden Benares BWITGUIP Witch's Guide Psychic Healing by Frost/Frost Witches' God by Farrar/Farrar Witches' Goddess by Farrar/Farrar RA815: Athame: Anubis W/ stand CCAN:Beeswax Candle Lighters Natural Ring: Celtic Cross Green , sterling Silver JH182: Book Mark: Triquatra, silverplated Silver's Spells for Protection by Ravenwolf, Silver CD: Overcoming Negative Thinking with Newcomb, Jason A Art of Getting Even by Brodsky, Gary A to Z Horoscope Maker & Interpreter by Clement/ Bytheriver Celebrating Wiccan Spirituality by Lady Sabrina Circle Within by Sylvan, Diannen, Dorothy Earth Magic by Weinstein, Marion Everyday Moon Magic by Morrison, Dorothy Familiar Spirits by Tyson, Donald Hindu Gods & Goddesses by Wilkins, W J In The Service of Life by O`Gaea, Ashleen Magick of Alester Crowley by Duquette Mysteria Magica by Denning/ Phillips Progressive Witchcraft by Farrar/ Bone Female Figure Male Figure Deck: Kalachakra Oracle Cards by Saltarini, Helene Deck: Karma Angels by Atanassov, Ananas Kit: Ouija Oracle Card Game Deck: Power of Flowers (bk&bk) by Lerner, Isha Kit: Tarot Guide, Celtic Cross Deck: Universal Mini Tarot by DeAngelis, Roberto Kit: Yin/Yang Coins EBADU: Adult Child of Alien Invaders EBANY: And Your Crybaby Whiny-Assed EBCAT: Cats Not Kids EBIMI: I Majored in Liberal Arts. Would you Like Fries with EBMAK: Make yourself at Home EBNOI: No I Didn`t Sell My Soul... EBNOT: Nothing is Impossible... EBNOTS: Nothin` Says Lovin` Like Somethin` from the Coven EBNTH: No, That Is Not A Star Of David EBSAR: Sarcasm is Just One More Service EBWHA: Who are These Kids FC50AL: Crystal Ball 50mm Alexandrite FC60CB: Crystal Ball 60mm Colbalt Blue FCBM: Chimes: Bell & Moon FS28W: Sarong: Celtic blue/black GFSSC: Feng Shui Set: Stones & Coin GFSST: Feng Shui Set: Stones GMEM: Massager: Emerald/ Fucite GMKY: Massager: Kynite GPBA: Pendulum: Blue Aventurene Gemstone GPGA: Pendulum: Green Aventurene Gemstone GPTUR: Pendulum: Turquoise Gemstone GPYE2: Pyramid: Emerald/ Fucite 1 1/2" square GPYR2: Pyramid: Ruby/ Zoisite 1 1/2" square GSHI12: Shiva Lingam Stone from India ~8" dia. 12" long HANIS: Anise Star Whole 2oz HANISB: Bulk Herbs 1 Lb Anise Star HFEVC: Feverfew cut 2oz HFEVCB: Bulk Herbs 1 Lb Feverfew cut IBPT: Ash Catcher: Pentagram/ Triple Goddess Brass 9" ICAUP: Cast Iron Cauldron Pot Belly Incense Cone Egyptian Musk Incense Sticks Benzoin JAMDG: Amber Drop Pendant W/ Garnet JAMDP: Amber Drop W/ Peridot JASYM: Ankh: Symbol, pewter JB785: Bracelet: Fairy Slave w/Ring, pewter, adjustable Gemstone Bracelet: Elastic JBMS: Bracelet: Magnetic 2 lines Hemitite JBAC: Bacchus 24" chain, pewter JBRER: Breakthrough Rune 24" chain, pewter JCOM: Charm: Om (set of 10), pewter JCTRM: Charm: triple Moon (set of 10), pewter JDANN: Dance of the New Moon 24" chain, pewter JEAMDG: Earring: Amber Drop W/ Garnet JETGR: Earring:Triangle Knot Celtic Green JETRE: Earring:Triangle Knot Celtic Red JGOC: Gothic Cross, pewter JGODC: Goddess Chalice 24" chain, pewter JGODT: Goddess Tree 24" chain, pewter JH196: Hair Tie: Triangle Knot, pewter JHARR: Harmony Rune, pewter JHOOH: Hoof and Horn, pewter JIGOD: Bone Goddess JKTUT: King Tut, pewter JLORF: Lord of the Forest 24" chain, pewter JMWC: Mother W/ Child, pewter JNESK: Necklace: Elastic Skull (32) JNTOP: Necklace: Blue Topaz Gemstones (34" long) JOMS: Om Necklace & Earring Set, pewter JOTC: Oak Tree Cross, pewter with Chain JP139: Pin: Celtic Round, pewter JP197: Pin: Triangle Knot, pewter JPDR: Pentagram: Dragon 24" chain, pewter JPER: Pendant: Persephone, pewter (1.5") JPROW: Prosperity & Well Being Rune 24" chain, pewter JPWI: Pentagram: Wild Women 24" chain, pewter Ring: Celtic Braid Ring: Celtic Cross Ring: Celtic Knot JRSAA: Ring: Spoon Abalone JRSAT: Ring: Spoon Turquoise Ring:Triangle Knot Celtic Green Ring:Triangle Knot Celtic Red Ring: Three Triangle Ring: Weaved Band, sterling JSTAG: Star Goddess, pewter JSTRR: Strengths of Self Rune, pewter JTGR: Triangle Knot Celtic Green, sterling JTKO1: Triangle Knot Opal (synthetic), sterling 1 1/2" JTRE: Triangle Knot Celtic Red, sterling JTRUS: True Abundance Spell, pewter JVENW: Venus of Willendorf, pewter JWLP: Wishing Lamp W/ Swarouski glass crystal LP22C: Ziplock Bags 2"x2" 100/pkg 2mil RA209: Athame: Robinhood RA21A: Athame: Dragon RA314: Athame: Scottish Dress Dirk RA337: Athame: Charmed Dragon RA385: Athame: Goat Skull RA658: Athame: 9" Scottish Dirk Dagger RA74: Athame: Fancy 2 Tone 14" RA807: Athame: Skull RATHBW: Athame: Wizard RATHH: Athame: Winged Fairy Goddess RATHW: Athame: Wolf Goddess RB24J: Bedspread: Zodiac RBB13: Bath 13 Bush Bath RBJG: Bag: Goddess, blue Jute, 11" x 14 RBJP: Bag: Pentagram red Jute, 11" x 14" RBPB: Boline: Pentagram Branch RC115: Cresent Scalper RHSG: Herb Knife: Spiral Goddess pewter (6 1/2") RL691: Letter Opener: Fantasy, 2 knives w/sheath (5 1/2") RSDHA: Staff: Double Headed Axe RC21: Chalice: Pentagram RC23: Chalice: Pentagram inside RCFAS: Cologne: Fast Luck (5 fl oz) REBS: Energy Balancing Set RGA10: Gong: Ascending 10" RGC26: Gong: Chau 26" RPGS: Pyramid Grid Set RSHER: Smoke: Herbacco, 1 oz. SF036: Fairy, Flowers SMOGL: Moon Goddess CD: Astral Projection System (3 CD`s) by Mind Saturation Sys CD: Celtic Crescent by Emerald Rose CD: Divine Intervention by Ecklar, Julia CD: Lesser Ritual of Banishment by Flores, Ricardo CD: Lovers lounge by Various Artists CD: Threnody for Humanity by Gilmore, Peter Video: Witchcraft Yesterday & Today by Buckland, Raymond CD: Zero by Rule, Wendy CD: Deity by Rule, Wendy CD: Charisma & Success System (3 CD`s) by Mind Saturation Sy CD: Hand to Hand by Silver Branch CD: Homequest by Knight, Tia CD: Lucid Dreaming System (3 CD`s) by Mind Saturation Sys CD: Seven Swords of Wayland: Celtic Harp Music by Marchand CD: World Between Worlds by Rule, Wendy [11] ========= ========= 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 Delphi message board welcomes readers, we encourage members to actively participate by posting their comments and views in our discussions. One of the easiest ways to help The Cauldron is to actively participate in our message board. The staff especially appreciates members who start new topics for discussion based on their own questions, opinions, or interests. http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start ===== ===== Articles! Essays! Tutorials! ===== We are in constant need of original, well-written and accurate articles, essays, tutorials, and other written items for both our web site and for our Cauldron and Candle newsletter. There's no real limit on length for web site articles. Here are a few areas in which we always need articles: * information on the beliefs and theology of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * information on holidays and festivals of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * recipes for oils, incenses, and food for the various Pagan holidays * magick, spells, and ritual information * herbal information * positive articles on dealing with other faiths * information on historical pagan cultures * editorial/opinion pieces Non-Wiccan material is stressed not because we don't want Wiccan material but because good non-Wiccan material has been hard to find. We have a web form you can use to submit an article for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestart.php ===== ===== Book Reviews ===== While The Cauldron receives some review copies from a couple of Pagan publishers, there are many books that can only be reviewed on our web site if a member has a copy and writes a good, objective review. The Cauldron is interested in reviews on the more academic books used by reconstructionist Pagan religions as well as on the books one finds on the Pagan/New Age shelf in the bookstore. We have a web form you can use to submit a book review for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestbr.php ===== ===== Graphic Assistance ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is purposely a low graphics site as we value page download speed over flashy graphics. However, we are always willing to talk with artists who have ideas for well-designed small graphics (small in both physical dimensions and file size) that might enhance a specific article or page. ===== ===== Invite Your Friends ===== If you have friends or acquaintances who you believe would find The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum useful, please tell them about our site. If you are active in our message board and have friends who might enjoy them or have information to contribute, please invite them. ===== ===== Link To The Cauldron ===== If you have a web site where linking to The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum would be appropriate, simply providing a link to this web site is a big help. Our Link to this Site page explains how you can do this if you need help or want some simple graphic buttons to use: http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php ===== ===== Donations ===== As The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum uses as many free services as possible, our need for money to operate our site is currently lower than our need for the many items we list above. However, if you have a few dollars to spare, we would be honored to have your help in paying for our web site. You can donate by using either PayPal or the Amazon Honor System links below (we get about 85% of what you donate). Donate via PayPal http://www.ecauldron.com/donatepaypal.php Donate via Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ===== ===== Amazon Purchases ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum also receives a small percentage (usually 5%) from most items purchased from Amazon.com when you go to Amazon.com from one of the links to Amazon on our web site. If you purchase a lot of books, CDs, and other items from Amazon.com as many members do, going to Amazon.com through one of our links when you are going to make a purchase there is a painless way to help fund this web site. http://www.ecauldron.com/amazon.php ===== ===== Have Questions or Suggestions? ===== If you have specific questions, proposals or other ideas we haven't mentioned here, please email them to rssapphire00@ecauldron.GETRIDOFEME.com. (Unfortunately, Randall has to answer general "Tell me more?" type questions with a request for a more specific question. He's not trying to be rude, he just can't think of anything general and useful to say that isn't said here.) [12] ========= ========= 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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