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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #62 -- September 2005 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://www.ecauldron.com/doxysbazaar.php In this Issue: [00] Editorial Notes [01] Cauldron News [02] Cauldron Events [03] Cauldron Discussions [04] Cauldron Reviews [05] Feature Article: Self-Care in Hard Times [06] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [07] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ PAGAN-FRIENDLY WEB HOSTING http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php Dreamhost offers high-quality, low cost web hosting with a dedication to free speech. New Features: One-Click Mambo Installation web space doubled to 4800 megs Starter Plan Features * 4800 megs web space * 120 gigs/month bandwidth * 600 email boxes (POP3/IMAP) * 75 ftp/shell accounts * host 3 domains/15 subdomains * php4, php5, cgi, fastcgi, ssi * zend optimizer, ruby on rails * unlimited MySQL databases * announcement lists * discussion (aka mailing) lists * Jabber server * Crontab and Shell access * Web-based Control Panel * One-Click installs of the Wordpress blog & PhpBB forum * 1 free domain name * helpful tech support * and much more! All for $9.95 a month with a $49.95 setup fee. Pay for a year in advance and there is no setup fee. Pay two years in advance and the price drops to $7.95 a month. (And there is a 97 day money back guarantee!) Read why we use Dreamhost for The Cauldron's web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/web/whydreamhost.php Visit Dreamhost for Affordable, Pagan-Friendly Hosting http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php +++ Please support our sponsor +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [00] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= Welcome to the September issue of Cauldron and Candle. You are receiving this issue because you subscribed. To learn how to unsubscribe, see the last section of this newsletter. The members and staff of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum wish to express our sympathy to those readers who have lost friends and loved ones in the Katrina disaster and to the hundreds of thousands of people in the storm's path who have lost homes and worldly possessions. I urge those readers outside the huge area of destruction to give what they can to relief efforts. The American Red Cross is always a good choice for disaster relief. You can donate online at: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp The Network for Good lists a large number of additional organizations involved in the relief efforts (and tells what they do): http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes/ For those who would like a Pagan connection to donate towards helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Officers of Avalon (a well-respected group of Pagan law enforcement and emergency personel) is accepting donations which will be passed on to direct relief agencies: http://www.officersofavalon.com/ I hate to say this, but we all need to give as much as we can because federal government response thus far has been too little, too late. Randall Sapphire Editor and Publisher, Cauldron and Candle Co-Host, The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum [01] ========= ========= CAULDRON NEWS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== TC MESSAGE BOARD SOFTWARE UPDATE SOON ===== There is a new version of the Beehive Forums software (which runs our message board). We hope to upgrade our forum software to the latest version (0.6.1) soon. The current plan is to do so on September 5th some time in the morning -- although this is subject to change. There are a lot of changes and improvements (and bugfixes, of course). Here are some of the most noticable changes and improvements: * The biggest immediately noticable change will be to the top menu line. Our extra items (Chat, Wiki, Rules, and Extras) will disappear and the standard Beehive top menu will return. Our menu items will move to the drop down box with will be entitled somethng like "Rules and Features" (or "Rules and Extras"). * The major new feature from users point of view will probably be the addition of the TinyMCE editor as an editing option. This is a WYSIWYG editor that will work on most major browsers (not just IE as DelphiForums WYSIWYG editor did.) Here is an live example from the TinyMCE site -- a bit more full-featured that the Beehive setup -- but the Beehive version is faster loading http://tinymce.moxiecode.com/example_full.php?example=true * Another will be that thumbnails of graphic attachments should appear in messages. * Multiple forums is FINALLY working, although we probably will not use that. (Multiple forums is why the standard top menu needs to return -- I know how to write the mod so it will work with multiple forums, but I don't have time to do that right now.) * We can also require new members to use a valid email address by turning on Email comfirmation. I don't know if we'll do that yet. * Users will no longer be able to set the ADMIN account to ignore nor will they be able to ignore PMs from moderators. * Deleted messages will now say who deleted them and when. ===== ===== FREE EBOOK: CAULDRON MEMBER HANDBOOK ===== The Cauldron now has a free downloadable Member Handbook available. It includes general information copies of our rules and guidelines, our FAQs, as well as information on CauldronMUX and our Wiki. The current version is 1.6, which was released in Mid-August. This version is about a 500K download -- it's a zipped Acrobat (PDF) file. We strongly suggest all new TC members download a copy when they get a chance. http://www.ecauldron.com/record/click.php?id=1 ===== ===== NEW STAFF MEMBERS ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is pleased to announce that Osthein has accepted a staff position as a member of Cauldron Council, that Everfool has been promoted from ThreadStarter to message board staff, and that Catja, Eihdos, Pandora, and Sechi have volunteered to be ThreadStarters. ===== ===== INTERESTING THREADS ON OUR OLD MESSAGE BOARD ===== Thanks to Firefly, who found most of them, we now have links to a number of interesting threads on our old DelphiForums message board on a page on our web site. Threads that explain Cauldron in-jokes like the Atlantean Dolphin Masters and the "Wondering the Grey Mists" curse. Also threads that explain TC positions on things like PUC and the definition of Paganism and Wicca. http://www.ecauldron.com/archiveoldboard.php [02] ========= ========= CAULDRON EVENTS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== SEPTEMBER CAULDRON CHALLENGE ===== August's Challenge focused on your mind, asking you to gather knowledge. September's is going the other direction and focusing on your body. Do something good for it! That might be something relaxing, like a hot bath or a massage, or it might be something more involved, like exercise or improving your diet. Whatever you do, treat your body right this month! So -- what are you going to do that's good for your body? Thanks for this month's Challenge idea goes to Loreley! http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=6710.1 ===== ===== INTRODUCING THE YEAR OF CRAFTING! ===== === What is the Year of Crafting? An opportunity to show your creations to others, to get feedback, and exchange tips and techniques - maybe even trade pieces. Every Sunday we (Garnet and Eihdos) will create a new thread in the Crafts and Hobbies folder, describing the theme of the week - it might be something like "Blue" or "Magical creatures". Your job is to create something - be it a piece of jewelry, soaps or candles, computer graphics, something embroidered or something carved in wood, or even a recipe - associated with that theme, and share it with the rest of us. We got the idea for this project from the Creative Wire Jewelry forum at Delphi. Too see what one participant made during their Year of Jewelry, see Eni Oken's blog. http://enioken.com/jewelry/yoj1_13.html === Do I have to create a piece every week? No. The Year of Crafting is supposed to be about fun, learning, and inspiration, not about stress and performance anxiety. And while it might be possible for some of the the jewelry makers to show something new every week, others do work-intensive projects like chain-mail armor or quilts. === Where do I post pictures? In the designated threads in the Crafts and Hobbies folder. You can post pictures as attachments, but we prefer that you post links to your pictures instead, if possible. We want those on dial-up to be able to read the discussions too. If you don't have web space for your pictures, use a free image hosting service such as Photobucket or XS. http://www.photobucket.com/ http://xs.to/ I think your themes suck. Does this mean I can't join the YoC? While we're crushed and devasted to hear that you don't like our themes, we still want your participation. Choose your own themes and create away. === For more information: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=6529.1 [03] ========= ========= CAULDRON DISCUSSIONS ========= Recent Discussion Topics on our Message Board ========= In an average month, over 200 new discussion topics are started on The Cauldron's message board. Here are a few of the more interesting recent discussions. 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. ===== ===== The Ethics of Prayer? ===== We talk here often about the ethics of magic. I've been wondering, what about the ethics of prayer? Is there such a thing as an unethical or an inappropriate prayer? Are there things that we shouldn't pray for? Are there times or situations that are unsuitable for prayer? Do you think the gods (or whomever one is praying to) would ignore unethical prayers? And if so, does it mean that ethics shouldn't be a concern? (if a request is inappropriate it wouldn't be answered anyway, so no need to worry about consequences...) * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=6766.1 ===== ===== Should We Call Ourselves Wiccan? ===== Lately I've been torn. I've been Wiccan for 8 years now, but recently I have been questioning the validity of that statement. It would appear that the people who "founded" this religion were crude, power hungry drug addicts who thought they were big enough people to lay down laws and rites for Wicca. Now following what this religion has become over the years, I am still inclined to call myself Wiccan. Though I'm thinking this may be appropriate as I do not follow those guidelines set down by those men circa 1950. Do most people consider Gerald Gardner and Crowley to be the founders? I know we have evolved since then, so I suppose I'm asking if it is appropriate to call ourselves "Wiccan" if we aren't practicing the tantric sex and other such things? As I am not inclined to follow their teachings, am I allowed to be called a follower of Wicca? Personally, I believe in a good deal of the "Wiccan" way of thinking. I know all the history and practices, sects and of the like. Yet, on this I am perplexed. Is there something else to call ourselves? (Besides witches of course.) Or are the Crowley/Gardner scripts moot points? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=6709.1 ===== ===== Serving the Gods: Whether They Want You To or Not! ===== This question one was brought to my mind last week when a client [suffering from paranoid schizophrenia] told me 'you're my friend, whether you like it or not' (or something to that effect). Kinda creepy, and my gut thought was 'you can't just declare someone to be a friend. If they don't like you, you can't call them a friend, however much you want to' So later on I thought about how this might apply to Gods. I've noticed some people here talk about having started worshiping one pantehon, before being dragged away by another... So, what are people's thoughts on the idea of worshipping a pantheon that just doesn't want you to? From simple 'not caring either way' to flat out 'please go away!' - this could include the people you think were not even worshipping their own Gods properly ('shut up Hekate! You're a crone Goddess, it says so here!'). Do you think it's possible to worship a pantheon that would actively prefer you to move on? Do Gods sometimes not want a worshipper? What happens if you try to stick with them anyway? And lastly, would a God who *was* trying to get your attention give up eventually? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=6676.1 ===== ===== Teaching Magic? ===== While doing some pondering over the use of magic in a Wiccan or Wiccanesque context the following question arose: How is magic taught to the neophyte/seeker in these groups? This main question led to the formalization of some others, more specific this time. First, how do you dispel the popular definition of magic from the seeker's mind? What are the methods one is taugt to grasp the basics of this art/science. Are there some books/websites you can recommend to me for a general overview of the magician's path and tool and the different kinds of magic? Websites would be prefered as they are easier to quote for my academic essay and cheaper on the expense for both my creative and academic projects, but books are okay as well And a special question for the recons/reconish people: How do you practise magic, given the small resources we seem to have from ancient cultures, if you practice it at all? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=6680.1 ===== ===== "Guest Appearance" from a Deity? ===== Do you think a deity can make a one-off visit to someone depending on the person's need? I mean, is there a difference between being 'thwapped' (and hence a 'request') to follow a certain pantheon, and say, a visit from a 'specialist'? Certain deities are associated with certain 'talents' or areas of specialization so would be more appropriate to some needs than others. For example, many people over the ages have referred to a visit from a muse. And though they speak of it in an 'sudden inspiration' way, it could be taken as litteral. So many artists have said that they felt something 'come through them, not from them' or speak as if they were creating for this something and felt more like they were just a conduit for it. Indeed, some have said they couldn't repeat a work, because they didn't feel they had done it! Which makes it seem more like an 'outside' influence. Now I know that there are a kajillion 'mundane' explanations based on 'receptive' states of mind and such. But I was wondering if anyone thought it might be something more? It would even be interesting if they were picking it up from another person. However, from what I've read, these 'inspirations' frequently feel like something from the past (so, maybe a 'spirit' hanging about), or maybe...? If it is however something more, a 'greater spirit' shall we say, that makes me wonder. Some people have written that deity chooses a person for their needs, not the person's needs. Do people think this is always the case? Or maybe, if one is engaged in activities that are in a deities 'sphere', they are more likely to run into them? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=6607.1 [04] ========= ========= CAULDRON REVIEWS ========= Most of The Cauldron's book reviews are now written by Mike Gleason. If you would like to contact Mike with comments about his reviews (or about books you would like to have reviewed), you can email Mike at: gleason.mike@ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com ===== ===== BOOK: RECLAIMING THE COMMONS ===== Reviewed by Darkhawk ===== One of the reviewers of this book on Amazon.com describes it as "radically conservative", and I think they struck the heart of it in a weird sort of way. Reclaiming the Commons deals with the layers of history and the ways "the old days" actually worked -- and in which they worked better than the present day. Donahue portrays himself as a radical environmentalist who was, to put it bluntly, shocked into actually dealing with the needs to adapt modern life to ecological responsibility realistically, addressing the needs of modern humans and the consequences and responsibilities of modern technology. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/bkrtc.php ===== ===== BOOK: 2006 WITCHES' SPELL-A-DAY ALMANAC ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== I have to say that this is my least favorite almanac of Llewellyn's yearly offerings. I just don't like the formatting they use in it. On the other hand, the spells, charms, etc., never fail to offer me useful surprise or three. They range from prosperity to protection for the computer; from ideas for making lasting resolutions to blessings for the flying creatures who share this world with us; and from extremely simple to moderately complex. If you can't find a number of useful ideas within the covers of this book, you just aren't trying. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bk2006wsada.php ===== ===== BOOK: 2006 WITCHES DATEBOOK ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== Llewellyn relies on a group of authors to provide the bulk of articles for its annual publications. Despite seeing the same names year after year, the range of topics presented never grows stale. The articles in this year's edition range from "Walking the Path" by Raven Grimassi (on being aware of the moment) to "Forgotten Days of Power" by James Kambos (which covers some other observances besides the Sabbats). This year's edition of the Datebook includes, as usual, an assortment of anniversaries, important events, and half-paged sized articles on a wide variety of topics. There are recipes, rituals, and poetry among the offerings. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bk2006wd.php ===== ===== BOOK: 2006 WITCHES' CALENDAR ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== There isn't a whole lot that can be said about a calendar. The old stand-bys are there - Moon phases, astronomical/astrological data and colors for each day. Memorable birthdays and death days (the birthday of Dorothy Clutterbuck on January 19th, the death of Gwydion Penderwen on November 19th, for example) significant firsts, and other memorable events in Pagan history also find a place on the monthly pages (Z. Budapest's arrest for fortunetelling on February 10, 1975 for example), as do the more mundane observances (Groundhog Day, Thanksgiving, etc.) Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bk2006wc.php ===== ===== BOOK: 2006 MAGICAL ALMANAC ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== Thirty four authors contributed seventy five articles which are divided among four basic divisions - one for each season. The almanac section contains all the usual Llewellyn offerings - a color for the day (drawn from the ruling planet), an incense for the day, moon phases, moon sign and a note on observances for the day, both mundane and religious. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bk2006ma.php ===== ===== BOOK: 2006 HERBAL ALMANAC ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== As with previous editions of this annual publication the emphasis is on articles related to various aspects of herbal working, from growing and gathering them to their use in a variety of fields. The monthly data is relegated to the back of the book, covering less a couple of dozen pages. The articles are divided into broad categories: "Growing and Gathering Herbs," "Culinary Herbs," "Herbs for Health," "Herbs for Beauty," "Herb Crafts," and "Herb History, Myth, and Magic," thereby making it easy to find what you are looking for. There are 28 articles by 17 authors, so there are a good variety of viewpoints represented. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bk2006ha.php ===== ===== BOOK: THE HERMETIC TRADITION ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== This work, which is translated form the Italian for the first time, will be of limited appeal due to a couple of items. First, even though it ".is among the clearest works on alchemy ever written" it is heavily annotated, Second, the very subject of alchemy, whether seem "merely" as the precursor to modern chemistry or as an integral part of the overall hermetic tradition, is of limited appeal. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bktht.php ===== ===== BOOK: SECRET SOCIETIES OF AMERICA'S ELITE ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== [Warning: Speculative History] If you are hoping for an overview of modern "secret societies" in America, you are liable to be disappointed by this book. Although the Skull and Bones, a notorious society claiming such men as former President George H. W. Bush, William F. Buckley, Senator John F. Kerry, and President George W. Bush, flourishes on the campus of Yale, little attention is devoted to this group. The subtitle of this book ("From the Knights Templar to Skull and Bones") seems to promise a more in-depth look at current organizations. In this, it fails to deliver. It does provide an in-depth look at Masonic influences throughout American history (and travels some pathways on that journey), and it is valuable for that reason. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bkspecssoae.php ===== ===== BOOK: FORBIDDEN HISTORY ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== [Warning: Speculative History] Forbidden History certainly makes a title which will grab your attention; much more so than Unconventional History which this certainly is. This book was produced and edited by the Editor and Publisher of "Atlantis Rising" magazine, with the contributions of over a dozen other writers who have contributed to his magazine. The forty-two articles are broken down into six rather broad categories: "The Old Models Don't Work: Darwinism and Creationism Under Fire"; "Making the Case for Catastrophism: Earth Changes, Sudden and Gradual"; "Exploring the Greater Antiquity of Civilization": "Searching for the Fountainhead"; "Ancient High Tech"; and "New Models to Ponder". Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bkspecfh.php ===== ===== BOOK: JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== No sooner had I begun to read of the author's concept of the early 19th century's society of magicians than I found myself being swept along on the swell of a well-told story. A story, furthermore, which was both compelling and plausible. A society of magicians? No, a society of those knowledgeable about magicians, knowledgeable about the history of magic, but one whose members could not trouble themselves to exert the slightest bit of energy to actually perform a magical act. After all, they were gentlemen and couldn't be expected to actually do anything. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bkfictionjsamn.php ===== ===== BOOK: RED IS FOR REMEMBRANCE ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== Stacey is not a happy college student. She is going to college for the first time and has one roommate who is so perky and fluffy you almost want to gag as soon as you meet her, On to-p of that Stacey's "unusual" abilities have been causing her problems for years. Add to that the fact that her boyfriend disappeared into the ocean during summer vacation, and you get the feeling that this might not be a good year for her. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bkfictionrifr.php ===== ===== BOOK: SEA SWITCH ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== Cassie Strange really gets involved in this story - to the extent of finding herself in the body of an undersea inhabitant. And it all started out so well The Strange family was going on a family vacation to the Oregon coast and Cassie's best friend, Rosalie, was coming along as well. Of course, it was a working vacation - Cassie's dad was looking to get some footage for his cable TV show and her mom was taking part in a beach clean-up, but it was still a vacation. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bkfictionss.php ===== ===== BOOK: BOOK OF OCEANS ===== Reviewed by Mike Gleason ===== This is book eight in the "Diadem Worlds of Magic" series. Score, Pixel and Helaine have been joined by Jenna, a young healer from Helaine's home world of Ordin. This present certain difficulties, since Helaine is from the noble class and Jenna is most definitely of the peasant class. Neither one is comfortable in the presence of the other. In fact, they are so uncomfortable that Score (from Earth) and Pixel (from Colimir) have agreed to seek help from an adult regarding the intricacies of female relationships. Read the full review on our web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/mg/bkfictionboo.php [05] ========= ========= FEATURE ARTICLE: ========= Self-Care in Hard Times: ========= What We Can Do To Help Ourselves ========= by Jenett ========= Hi. The following is not meant to be the One True Answer for this stuff. It comes very much from my own experiences and my own preferred working methods. My main goal in writing this was to remind people that some different kinds of self-care in times of crisis can be a really good idea, and to suggest possibilities. Do what works for you. (For those who don't know me, I come from a Wiccan based/influenced and witchcraft sort of perspective.) Various emails reminded me of something I haven't seen talked about much right now, but which made a big difference to many people I know after 9/11. It can be hard to remember when times are hard, and you're worried, but sometimes that's when you most need to remember. Major crises are obviously hard on the people going through them. That's a given. But they can also be extremely hard on people who are psychically or emotionally sensitive, attuned to input from outside the 5 standard senses, or other stuff like that - in other words, many people who are magically or psychically aware. And that can be true even if you're way across the country, or not directly affected: there's a lot of stuff that's in our general awareness, conversations we hear, news we see, etc. So, what can help? 1) Limit exposure to news Obviously, you want to know what's going on. But you probably don't need the all-the-time running video images. Limit how much TV coverage you watch to a small amount each day to get the big headlines, and if you want more information, spend time listening to the radio, with the paper, and on reputable online news sites. There's a couple of big benefits here. One is that it's easier not to be so emotionally overwhelmed with other forms of media as it is with TV. Second, you may well get better quality news (and a wider range of perspectives.) Being aware of what you're getting from the media and making conscious choices about what you watch and don't watch is also a good thing in general - Pagan or not, witch or not, sensitive or not. 2) Practice good psychic hygiene. After any crisis, there is a *lot* of emotional stuff flying around. There's some good precautionary stuff you can do to help yourself cope better. Ground. Center. Work out shields that work for you to help filter the emotions and worries around you. (This doesn't mean 'don't feel them at all'. Just 'turn down the volume to a point you can function') For those unfamiliar with the terms, grounding and centering are basically about putting yourself back in fluid balance, able to deal with things, and able to take in or use energy as needed. There are a number of different methods to do this - if you don't have one that works for you, asking on this forum or other beginner-focused resources is good. Several books have some good ones too. I like the methods in Starhawk and Hilary Valentine's "Twelve Wild Swans" particularly, since they also talk about how you use them and how you can develop other useful skills. Many martial arts methods (especially if they have any chi or other energy or spiritual work) also talk about this to some extent. Do some form of regular psychic/energetic cleansing to help get stuff off (just like you'd scrub hard in the shower/bath after a week camping.) Again, there's a bunch of things you can do that are pretty easy. Aura scraping or other aura cleansing methods are described in a number of sources. Or you can simply imagine psychic gunk running off you (and down the drain) when you're in the shower. It may sound silly, but it can work really well. Consider throwing a handful or two of salt (I prefer sea salt, but whatever you can get works just fine) in the bathtub and soak for a bit before scrubbing thoroughly and visualising all the gunk going down the drain. Most supermarkets and drugstores these days either have 1-2 pound boxes of coarser grained salt, or sell inexpensive bath salts. Salt is considered a strong and effective psychic purifier: it's also easy to use. Do these things regularly. Do them *more* often than you think you need. After a crisis, going through a solid ground and center routine (or something closely equivalent) every day or spending at least a few minutes a day in meditation of some kind is a really good idea. Continue until most of the strain is gone from those around you. 3) Practice good self-care Be aware of your emotions, your own state. If you feel particularly fragile or easily upset, do your best to avoid stuff that will make it harder (postpone emotionally intense conversations you don't have to have right then. etc). Carefully consider what you watch or read. Spend time with people who make you feel happier or more firmly grounded, not people who make you feel upset or tense. Spend some time with a comforting book, movie, or hobby. Spend time with people you love. These things don't need to take lots of time - often, even half an hour a day will help a lot. Eat sensibly. That includes fruits and vegetables. This may be a good time to get in the habit of taking a vitamin supplement - some people find that taking B vitamins, in particular, helps with depression or anxiety. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and fall back on junk food, but it can make a lot of the emotional stuff worse. Get enough sleep. If you're really having problems sleeping, and the rest of the stuff in this list doesn't help, consider seeing a doctor: temporary help may make a big difference in your ability to cope overall. Sleep deprivation or disturbed sleep can have a really significant and fast effect on your overall ability to cope or function. Limit as much stress as you can in other areas of your life. Spend time in religious ritual that is meaningful for you. That doesn't necessarily mean big full blown planned things - spend time with a candle in front of your altar, or out in nature, or talking to the deities you work with, or whatever else calls to you. Hug a tree, lie on the grass. 4) Keep the strains of these things in mind. After 9/11, a whole lot of groups - Pagan and not - self- destructed, sometimes very nastily. In many cases, those breakups would have happened anyway, but the emotional strain made people more likely to say things that hurt that they didn't quite mean, or take things more personally than they were meant, or all sorts of other things that made matters worse. A number of people I know pinned at least some of the nastier parts of those problems on people not being as aware of their own emotional state as they probably should have been. It's sort of like Mercury retrograde: simply being more aware that there may be communications problems, that people may be feeling fragile or take things personally can make it a lot easier to deal with. Even if you just take a deep breath before you respond to emotional statements, you can defuse a lot of problems right there. 5) Be informed Uncertainty is a huge strain for a lot of people. Finding good, reliable sources of information helps. It also helps you focus your efforts. If you want to help out, it's good to know what will actually help. Do your research. For example, after a natural disaster, money is often a lot more helpful than practical goods - if people send *stuff*, that stuff has to be shipped and sorted and processed. Money lets aid agencies buy what they need and get it to where they need it. At the same time, you want to donate or help an aid agency which is going to be able to actually get in there and help - smaller aid groups may not be able to do that well. Reliable information also saves you emotional energy in reacting to things that are not actually true. But that means having some idea where to get info before a crisis. It also probably should mean developing some ideas about what to do if a crisis hits your area, or the areas of people you care about - how would you find out what happened to them? Some of the disaster planning sites suggest picking someone in a different area you can check in with: that way, even if you can't connect directly with nearby family and friends, you can pass messages back and forth, or at least let people know you're ok. The 'Net does this for a lot of people, but it's not always rapid, especially if all the communications in a given area go down. Redundant planning is really important when there's a crisis. Once you've got this stuff down, it's also a lot easier to just plain figure out how to function yourself and help others - whether that's helping gather money for rescue plans, figure out how to take in refugees, offer support to people struggling that you know at work, through children's activities, etc, or whatever else you need. Doing the self-care things will make you better able to help others. === === About the Author === Jenett is a long-time member of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. Permission granted to redistribute this as long as you keep all of it intact: I can be reached through my website at http://limen.gleewood.org/main either by someone leaving a comment or using the contact information there. [06] ========= ========= 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. 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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.) [07] ========= ========= 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. 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Typos are, as usual, courtesy of the Goddess Eris.

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