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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #75 -- July 2006 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/mb/ 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 * Shadow New Assistant Message Board Coordinator [02] Cauldron Discussions [03] Pagan Announcements [04] Book Reviews: * A Seeker's Journey and Initiation into Wicca * Moon Tides, Soul Passages [05] Articles * How To Make A Dowsing Pendulum * Amethyst: The Stone Of The Royals [06] Flamekeeping: Belief, Faith, and Divine Love [07] Software Gadgets: The Column * FreeMind -- Free Mind Mapping Software * SVS -- Virtualize Software Installs * Poke -- Cheat In Almost Every Game Out There [08] Grimoire: Infusion Purification Spell [09] Pagan Webmaster: Search Engine Positioning and More [10] Recipe: Watergate Salad [11] Support The Cauldron [12] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ LOOKING FOR PAGAN SUPPLIES? Visit The Cauldron's Pagan Supply Store (An Affiliate of Pagan Shopping Online) http://www.ecauldron.com/esesf.php +++ Please support our sponsor +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [00] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= Welcome to the first July 2006 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. There was no seconf June issue last month. I simply got to busy in real life to put it together. I'd like to say it will not happen again, but that would be a lie. It's also why we are calling ourt two issue a month schedule "experimental." I'd like to remind everyone of a couple of painless ways to support The Cauldron if you are in the market for web hosting or pagan supplies. Buy directly from our links: Dreamhost -- Pagan Friendly Web Hosting http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php Pagan Supplies http://www.ecauldron.com/esesf.php 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 ========= ===== ===== Shadow New Assistant Message Board Coordinator ===== With The Cauldron's recent decision to stress Flash Chat less (as there is not that much interest in itamong our membership), Shadow has moved from the Chat Coordinator position to our second Assistant Message Board Coordinator position. This gives her more family time and gives our message board staff a much needed second assistant coordinator. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ PAGAN-FRIENDLY WEB HOSTING * * Now with 20 GB Web Space & 1000 GB Bandwidth * * http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php Dreamhost offers high-quality, low cost web hosting with a dedication to free speech. Pagan sites are welcome! Read why we use Dreamhost for The Cauldron's web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/web/whydreamhost.php Starter Plan Features * 20000 megs web space * 1000 gigs/month bandwidth * 3000 email boxes (POP3/IMAP) * 75 ftp/shell accounts * host unlimited domains/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!) Visit Dreamhost for Affordable, Pagan-Friendly Hosting http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php +++ Please support our sponsor +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [02] ========= ========= 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 Feedburner, 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 Feedburner's free news delivery via the form at the end of the site "News and Updates" section of The Cauldron's main web page. ===== ===== Can We Get Some Testosterone Here, Please? ===== I'm not Wiccan, but my neopagan worldview is virtually the same. As a guy, I have no problem with Wicca's strong feminist leanings; and as a gay guy, I'm probably less threatened than most men about appreciating my own feminine side. Yet, like the guy who wrote the article referenced in a recent thread (whose Wicca experiences tended towards the "You've got a penis, so you're wrong" type), I find myself wondering about the role of men in Wicca and its neopagan relatives. I'm not concerned with individuals who reject all things male; their problem, not mine. But I'm curious if others have found anywhere in Wicca or its close relatives an embrace of "hypermasculinity": the competitive drive, athleticism, unbridled promiscuous sexuality, a tendency towards directness, etc. The nearest I've found is the Wiccan concept of the God as hunter, which seems of limited value to most of us whose nearest experience to death-dealing is ordering a burger. Ancient pantheons have a wealth of hypermasculine archetypes -- Herakles, Zeus, Achilles, and a ton of other Greeks; Thor and Odin; and that's just naming the most obvious. Yet in Wicca-related neopaganism, we seem to be defined solely in relation to the female: the Consort; the rape-fighter. (My sole purpose in life is to run around preventing rape? Great.) As a gay guy I understand better than most just how damaging the hypermasculine can be when it's improperly channeled: bullying, violence, war, patriarchal domination, and yes, rape. But maybe because my own embrace of my hypermasculinity was hard won, it seems a shame that so many Wiccan types cut themselves off from it. A nature-centered religion shouldn't have so much trouble appreciating what's beautifully obvious from every fantastically plumaged male bird belting out his song at the top his lungs. And a feminist religion risks diminishing its women if they're not given the opportunity to embrace their masculine side (seen the legion of girls on suburban soccer fields lately?) just as we Wiccan-type guys get to embrace our feminine side. So shoot me down. Am I totally off base here? In Wicca and its neopagan relatives, where's the testosterone? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=1100.1 ===== ===== Developing Religious Structure? ===== I've been what I call an armchair pagan for awhile- all thought, no action- and my Gods have decided that they have had enough with the wishy-washy indecisiveness. I spent some time searching for groups that matched my beliefs, but I was constantly met with the thought that I have to do it myself. I've also come to the conclusion that I should be designing this path to be walked by more than one person. The problem is, I have no real experience with organized religion. My mother chose to raise me without religion so I could decide for myself- unfortunately, I was never really exposed to anything. I know virtually nothing about the Abrahamic religions. I'm pretty well versed with mainstream wicca, but it's so contradictory to my beliefs that tweaking would be a severe understatement. The closest thing to my beliefs is Celtic Reconstructionism, but I haven't been able to find much in the way of structure as that particular path is still in a major growth period. Darkhawk said in 332.21 "Then I thrashed around like a beached trout until I managed to find and establish actual structure that I could work with. Without structure, I was trying to carve with a spoon made out of Jell-o." It's very fitting for the place that I'm currently in. So my question (sorry this has been so long in coming!) is this: How does one develop any kind of religious structure or framework when they're in my kind of position? I feel very much adrift, and I'd try to get back to the shore if I knew what it looked like. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=1094.1 ===== ===== Godforms and Magic? ===== It's very often held in a number of books on Magick, especially Hermetic ones, that the Gods, spirits, demons and so on are "thoughtforms" or parts of your own psyche. The argument being that "the God/demon is a part of your Archetypal make up and thus yourself but even if you can't prove any other type of existance to it that could be said about your neighbur or this computer too". This is all fine if your an Acosmic Monist or for some types of Dualism, however, there are many world views out there. I sometimes get the feeling the Magicians writing tries to explain away their own spirituality using a bit of Psychology (and a title ofcourse, another reason to be ashamed to be a Theist). I would say that most Christians (as an example) take their God literaly. I have never heard one of them refer to God as a Godform, an Arcetype or anything else than God. Magick today, despite of calling it self "revivalist" is very much built on Rationalism, outer Empirism and so on and I much ask myself, why bother with Magick at all? I don't reject that view of Magick, i just feel that it's hard to be a Theist and a Materialist simultainusly. There are worldwiews that "allows" a God (or several) to exist after all, and pounding "all in your headism" into an aspiring Magician or Pagan is just limiting them. What do you think? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=1060.1 ===== ===== Is Religion Your Life? ===== I'm just curious as to whether people's main focus in life is their religion or spiritual path? For instance, do you use your spare time for spiritual purposes or focus? If not, how do you find the balance between leading a "normal" life and between your spiritual path and whatever rituals/meditations/dedications/further study etc you may do in regards to this.? Do you feel you spend enough time and energy towards your spiritual path or would you like to put more in but possibly can't because of other obligations etc? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=1031.1 ===== ===== Spells Done: Why Shouldn't We Talk About Them? ===== I can't figure the reasons why we shouldn't talk about the magical works or rituals we have done. Some are saying that we should stay silent on the subject for at least 24 hours, while others just say "Do not talk about it at all." Why is it so? Will it change the effect? Is it to keep the energy focussed on the goal? Or to help us to concentrate on it? All of the above? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=996.1 ===== ===== So... Where Did "Harm None" Come From? ===== I was wondering exactly where the "harm none" interpretation of the Wiccan Rede began. I've read a few of the older books on Wicca (the Gardner, Valiente, and Farrar stuff), and haven't seen it there. I recently re-read Cunninghams "Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" and didn't see it there, either. So where did this "harm none" misconception get started? Anyone have an idea? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=992.1 ===== ===== Never Taken Seriously When I Say I'm Wiccan ===== I have this major pet peeve thing with the fact that wicca is very commonly just a "fad religion." So when i mention being wiccan to anyone they always look at me with this look of "oh...you're one of those." And some people who used to be wicca, but are now something "more advanced" have actually said to me that they only see wicca as an "introductory religion." When I first stepped off the path of Christ...I was lost. (I was about 13 or so at the time) I didn't really have a religion. There were some things I believed and some things that I was still sketchy about. Over about 7 years I looked into several different religions and just kept a personal relationship with nameless gods and goddesses. When I was about 20...a few celtic gods smacked me in the face one day and I suddenly had these names in my head that I had no idea who they were. I looked them up and figured it out. So I had gods and goddesses, but no religious path yet. Then a few months later I stumbled upon Wicca. Since it fit all the things I had believed over the past few years I adopted wicca as my religion. I am a pretty avid solitary, but have since been looking into a circle in Philadelphia. Anyway... I personally know that Pagan does not equal Wicca. And "witch" does not necessarily mean wiccan. I am pretty well educated about the differences between a lot of the different pagan religions. My personal problem is that everyone I meet seems to think I'm in a "phase". That I just haven't been into paganism long enough to know better. I know a lot of solitary witches that basically laugh at me when I say I'm Wiccan. That hurts! But I am 24 years old...and my mind is made up. I am very happy with my religion and I am very content with how my life is going now. I am at peace. So I suppose I'm asking what you all think of wicca. Do you feel the same way...that it is simply an introductory religion? I just kind of feel like all the young rebelious teens are ruining the name of my chosen path. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=959.1 ===== ===== Predators and Con Men in the Community ===== As has been pointed out we do have predators and con men in the community, such as the child sex abuser in Australia. As Randall pointed out, we have just as bad people here in the States. It is a fact of life, as any community grows, not all the people who become part of it are going to be good people. So I have a question, what is our responsibility to the Pagan community when we come across such people? You know the moment you say something, someone will bring up Witch Wars and not being judgmental. But at the same time not doing anything allows these people to continue to do harm to our people. New people are going to be especially vulnerable to the the predators and con men. Worse yet these people become part of justifying the attack on Paganism as a whole by those that already would like to get rid of us, or restrict our religious freedoms. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=945.1 [03] ========= ========= PAGAN ANNOUNCEMENTS ========= None this month. We'll be happy to publish yours. [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 ===== ===== A SEEKER'S JOURNEY AND INITIATION INTO WICCA ===== A Seeker's Journey and Initiation into Wicca by Janine DeMartini Published 2006 by Publish America ISBN 1424139511 196 pages Trade Paperback $16.95 (U.S.) http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1424139511 This is one person's account of her journey from an inquisitive pre-teen in the '80s through experiences and questions; doubts and self-assurance; and all the myriad events that make up the life-changing course many people go through. It is not a great book. It is, however, an excellent book. It is not a continuous story. It is told as a result of her mediations prior to her initiation and needs to be understood in that context. Since it is, in essence, autobiographical it offers insights into the perceptions and actions of its author. And since it is being written relatively close in time to the events being described, it brings a sense of immediacy which is frequently lacking from other autobiographical writings. Ms. DeMartini is not shy about sharing her ideas and perceptions. She is a generation behind me in coming to Wicca, but still encountered many of the same problems I met with - failure of people to follow through on promises; expectations not being met; and many others. She includes a section on a group she associated with which is definitely not Wiccan (and she makes that quite clear). It was an important part of her evolution, and thus deserves to be included. Her journey, as she is well aware, is still on-going. She may be prompted to write another book further down her path. At the end of the book she includes a few rituals which she created for an Open Circle group she founded. Some of the invocations and images are quite compelling. This book will definitely not be everyone's cup of tea. It is not a how-to book. It does not contain a great deal of detail (she deliberately does not name groups, traditions, and individuals with whom she does not agree). It is, however, an excellent insight into how to follow the promptings of the Gods. And it shows the value of meditation and journaling during one's passage from Inquirer through Initiation and beyond. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ NEED PAGAN OR MAGICKAL SUPPLIES? Shop Paganshopping.Com via The Cauldron's Pagan Supplies Store http://www.ecauldron.com/esesf.php +++ Please support our sponsor +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ===== ===== Moon Tides, Soul Passages ===== reviewed by Randall ===== Moon Tides, Soul Passages by Maria Kay Simms Published 2004 by Starcrafts Publishing ISBN: 0976242206 304 pages Trade Paperback $22.95 US http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0976242206 As most readers have probably noticed, I haven't reviewed many books since my marriage to LyricFox. Marriage and the growth of The Cauldron have really cut into my time for reading and reviewing. However, when asked to review a copy of Moon Tides, Soul Passages by Maria Kay Simms, I had to say yes. Simms is a professional astrologer and one of the better eclectic Wiccan authors writing today. Unfortunately, her books are often ignored by eclectic Wiccans because they can seem at first glance to have more to do with astrology than with Wicca. Of course, I get my hands on a copy of Moon Tides, Soul Passages: Your Astrological Cycles for Personal and Spiritual Development and quickly discover that is actually does have more to do with astrology than with Wicca -- especially if you judge by page count. This book deals with the moon and its cycles in astrology. While you would never know it from reading astrology columns in the paper, your moon sign is as important as your sun sign in astrology and the moon's cycles affect us all. Of course, that's still not going to get many Wiccans to pick up this book. However, if you have read Simms' The Witches Circle, you might expect some astrological-based Wiccan rituals. They are there. In fact, Wicca and Goddess spirituality are as central to the book as astrology -- to the point where non-Pagan readers may be a bit put off by it. The book is about the moon in your astrological chart -- and comes with a CD-ROM Windows program that will generate all the information on the moon in your chart that you will need to use the book. The program is simple to install and use. It's nothing like the complex astrology programs I'm used to. The ones that scare off non-astrologers who try to use them. Once you have the one page printout from this program, you are ready to see what lunar-based astrology has to say about your life and spirituality. Simms writes clearly on this subject. While she has been a professional astrology most of her life, she has a knack for explaining astrological concepts in a way that is truly easy to understand without dumbing things down to the point where they are as useless as the astrology column in your newspaper. While the last part of this book has mediations and rituals, Wicca thought and, more generally, goddess spirituality, is a part of this book from the very beginning. Various Goddesses are used to illustrate the qualities of the moon in various signs and houses, for example. The last two chapters, however, are what make this book a must buy for eclectic Wiccans with any interest in using astrology in ritual. Simms provides rituals for spiritually experiencing the cycles of the moon. There are rituals for lunar and solar eclipses as well as rituals for each of the eight phases of the moon. These rituals would be at home in the Book of Shadows of many of eclectic Wiccans I know. I can't end this review without mentioning the full color plates of some of Simms' paintings. They are quite interesting. I'm especially fond of "Green Tara" on page 129 (which was actually done by Simms' daughter). Simms style expresses emotion and feeling quite well. I understand, however, that some of the illos will be changing in the 2nd edition. In summary, Moon Tides, Soul Passages explains the astrological influence of the moon and its cycles over our lives in a clear manner that is easy to comprehend and put to use. The book has a strong spiritual focus that will especially appeal to Wiccans and other Pagans who celebrates the cycles of the sun and the moon. While rituals are a minor part of the book by page count, those provided are quite well-written. My only strong complaints about this book are that the software only runs on Windows (not Linux or Mac OS) and the book is so focused on Wicca and Goddess spirituality that it may put off those following other religions who could benefit from the astrological information. While this book is especially recommended for Wiccans, anyone interested in understanding the astrological effect of the moon on their live will benefit from reading it. [05] ========= ========= ARTICLES ========= ===== ===== HOW TO MAKE A DOWSING PENDULUM ===== by Shen Gerald ===== A pendulum is a very useful communication tool for spiritual inquiring. When used in conjunction with a chart, it can be used for dowsing and divination. It can be used for the following: 1. Provide Yes/No responses and answers to queries. This is similar to muscle testing or applied kinesiology. 2. Provide more accurate answers to queries, such as degree, intensity or percentage. There are commercial pendulums available on the market. Usually they can be bought from shops dealing with metaphysical or new age stuffs. However these shops are quite scarce and can be quite hard to find. Alternatively, pendulums can be ordered online through websites selling them. This article is about making a do-it-yourself (D-I-Y) pendulum for dowsing. If you want to save some money or commercial pendulums are not available for you, you can opt to make one yourself. Actually, to make a pendulum is not that difficult. We can always find substitutes for the various parts of a commercially- manufactured pendulum. The parts that need to be substituted are: 1. The bob which is the weight at the lower end of a pendulum. 2. The chain which connects the hand to the pendulum bob. For the pendulum bob, we can use any reasonably weighted object. I personally, use arrow shaped pendants. In fact, the smaller- sized fishing weights can also be used. Although, I much prefer some pendants over fishing weights as they are more visually attractive than the latter. Pendants can be bought from fashion accessory stores. As for fishing weights, they can be found in large departmental stores as well as shops selling fishing equipments. For the chain, they can be acquired from fashion accessory shops that sell necklaces and chains. Metal ones are preferred. The length of the chain should not be more than a foot. In my opinion, 1/2 to 3/4 of a foot is quite ideal. Once we have the parts, all we need is to assemble them. At the tip of the pendant or fishing weight is usually a loop or ring. We need to hook one end of the chain through the ring (or loop) at the tip of the pendulum bob (which is either a pendant or fishing weight). Normally, most chains are made up of many little metallic rings. To assemble the pendulum, we may need to pry open one of the metallic rings (at one end of the chain) and insert the loop/ring of the pendulum bob through it. After that, we will need to re- adjust the metallic ring (on the chain) back to its original closed-looped position. A long-nose plier is most suitable for doing these fine handiworks. That's all to making a pendulum for dowsing. Quite simple, isn't it! I hope this article is useful. Happy pendulum making. === === About the Author === The author runs a Self Growth site with pendulum dowsing and divination resources: http://www.dreamdatum.com/pendulum.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ PAGAN FRIENDLY WEB HOSTING AT DREAMHOST http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php Dreamhost offers high-quality, low cost web hosting with a dedication to free speech. Pagan sites are welcome! Read why we use Dreamhost for The Cauldron's web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/web/whydreamhost.php $9.95/Month Plan Features: 20000 megs web space -- 1000 gigs/month bandwidth -- 3000 email boxes (POP3/IMAP) -- 75 ftp/shell accounts -- host unlimited domains/subdomains -- php4, php5, cgi, fastcgi, ssi, zend optimizer, ruby on rails -- unlimited MySQL databases -- announcement lists -- discussion lists -- Jabber server -- Crontab and Shell access -- Web-based Control Panel -- One-Click installs of the Wordpress, PhpBB, and many more -- One FREE domain name -- 1 free domain name -- helpful tech support -- much more! Visit Dreamhost for Affordable, Pagan-Friendly Hosting http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php +++ Please support our sponsor +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ===== ===== AMETHYST: THE STONE OF THE ROYALS ===== by Richard Aubin ===== === History Amethyst gets its name from the Greek word amethustos, meaning "not drunken". The origin of amethyst name and its healing properties come from a Greek legend telling the story of how Dionysus, god of wine and intoxication was angry from one mortal that he swore revenge on all mortals who did not get drunk and celebrate. A young maiden called Amethyst was on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana, when she was captured by the furious Dionysus. Being so innocent she was not familiar with drinking and intoxication. Dionysus brought two tigers to eat her and sat back with his wine to watch. Amethyst called upon Diana for help, who turned Amethyst into a crystalline quartz statue to protect her. Seeing Amethyst like that, Dionysus wept tears of wine, which stained the quartz purple creating the gemstone amethyst. Owing to its name and mythological origin, it was believed that the wearer of amethyst jewelry is immune to becoming intoxicated. Moreover, amethyst used to be carved into cups with the belief that drinking from it helps to cure and avoid positioning. Purple color has long been associated with royalty. Because of its purple color and beauty, amethyst was favored by the royals for centuries. Amethyst necklaces and jewelry were found buried in the tombs of Ancient Egyptians, and was a personal favorite of Queen Catherine the Great. It is still being used today, with the rare ones decorating the British Crown Jewels. Amethyst is mentioned in the Old Testament and the Bible, and is thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize holiness. Cardinals and Bishops in the Catholic Church wear rings with a large amethyst as a part of their office. In Tibet, amethyst is a sacred gem to Buddha. === Geological Information Amethyst is a high-quality form of quartz crystal, naturally found as clusters in a nodular stone. They are found sometimes in volcanic vugs or small cavities in rocks. The chemical name for Amethyst is Silicon Dioxide. Amethyst obtains its color through a combination of manganese impurities and iron. The purple color comes from the presence of manganese, while the existence of iron in certain quantities controls the intensity of the color. Artificial heating treatments have been used on Amethyst to produce popular gems known as Citrine and Ametrine (400 and 500 degrees Celsius). Amethyst measures 7 on Mohs' hardness scale. One of the largest cut amethysts in the world is 343 carats and is being displayed at the National History Museum in London. Very dark stones are sometimes heated to enhance color. === Geographical Information Amethyst is found globally, at very affordable prices, in countries like Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, United States, Zambia, Namibia and other African countries. Amethyst has been named the state gemstone of South Carolina. Amethyst deposits can also be found in other countries such as: Germany, Italy, Bolivia, Madagascar, India and Sri Lanka. However, the quality of amethyst differs by region and source. Amethyst coming from South America is likely larger than the African amethyst. However, Amethyst from Africa is known for better and deeper color. Dark amethyst in small sizes is also found in Australia. === Physical and Optical Properties Amethyst is available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Large stones could be sold in free sizes but usually amethyst is cut in certain dimensions. This semi-precious stone is unique in color. With colors range from pale lilac to deep purple, including a reddish shades sometimes, amethyst is the most valuable form of quartz. In jewelry, the deepest shades of Amethyst, which maintain their transparency, are considered the most precious. A unique Brazilian amethyst in pastel shade of lilac with pinkish tones is known as Rose de France Amethyst. It is a very clean gemstone and was very popular during the Victorian age. Though it is frequently found in antique jewelry, Rose de France Amethyst is becoming popular again nowadays. === Amethyst in Jewelry Amethyst is the traditional gem for the 4th, 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries. It is used as faceted stones and is carved in various shapes. Amethyst gemstones are used in necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, brooches, and pendants. This highly praised stone is also shaped and used other items such as hair accessories, key rings and watches. === Metaphysical and Healing Properties New Age supporters believe that crystal and gem healing is an art. Objects such as gems and crystals have absorbed and inherited the vital healing powers of Mother Earth. They believe that crystals and gems have physical and spiritual powers that can be used as a therapy for pain, stress and depression. Amethyst has come to be known to possess prolific purifying healing powers. It acts as a healer at all levels of mind, body and soul, and is commonly associated with peace. It has a tremendous ability of reducing negativity and anxiety. Placing it under the pillow is said to calm the mid, encourage sleep and dispel nightmares. Amethyst is also known to enhance mental strength and stability. It is considered an ideal stone for those who are struggling with addiction or recovering from alcoholism. Beside its mental therapeutic benefits, amethyst is used as a remedy for many physical afflictions. When used as a medical solution, amethyst is used to treat toothaches, skeletal discomforts, and other bone and joint-related sicknesses. Amethyst also cures stomach problems, blood disease as well as heart and hearing disorders. Amethyst as crystal is used to heal nervous system problems such as neuralgia. === === About the Author === Richard Aubin makes it easy for you to find amethyst rings quickly and easily. Visit the amethyst earring section on his website (http://jewelryalliance.com/amethyst) to view a vast array of amethyst earrings, amethyst pendants and amethyst bracelets. [06] ========= ========= FLAMEKEEPING ========= Belief, Faith, and Divine Love ========= by HeartShadow ========= HeartShadow is following her own religious path. She calls it FlameKeeping. This regular column will present articles on FlameKeeping, many taken from HeartShadow's FlameKeeping blog at: http://flamekeeping.blogspot.com/ ===== ===== Belief, Faith, and Divine Love ===== Belief and Faith are irrelevant, Love is not. Faith is a very delicate issue. We believe, but we are never quite sure how to explain that belief, how to share that belief. It's incredibly important to us, and yet faith is by nature private. We face the reality of our isolation in our faith, for even when we celebrate together, the experience with the Divine is forever personal. Because of the vastly overwhelming experience, we find doubt when not directly interacting with the Divine. The overwhelming reality of the Divine, of the Gods, seems impossible when not directly interacting. That doubt we feel is good, a blessing and not a curse. As long as we allow ourselves to doubt, we can continue to grow, and our understanding can continue to deepen. Only when we fear doubt, fear not having answers, do we being to obsess about rules, about security. We cannot have security in this world, and perhaps not in any. When we fear doubt and seek that impossible security, we give up an uncomfortable reality for a harmful illusion, an illusion that leads us to attempt to regulate the doubt out of our lives, to deny that doubt wherever it might be, and to try and force other people to believe the same as we do to hide that doubt from ourselves. When we experience the Divine, the Gods, and feel Their love for us, there is no room for faith or doubt. However, we cannot stay in that safe place where we live in the Love of the Divine. Daily life interferes, with bills and duties and problems, drags us out of communion with the Divine and makes it hard for us to remember what that feeling was. It takes work to bring that feeling with us throughout our lives, to keep it even in situations which try our patience. At times, we even feel betrayed, because we cannot keep that feeling with us and cannot understand why. However, the Divine can only act in our lives as we allow. The more we try to control and regiment the Divine, the more we lose the Divine. Love cannot be contained in a box only opened when it is convenient. Either we welcome the Divine into our lives, and allow ourselves to be swept away by the changes or we do not; but we can't live halfway. The Divine will love us the same, but we pull ourselves away and block the Divine off and refuse to be changed. And that love the Divine has for us will keep the Divine from forcing the issue, as well. After all, sooner or later we all return to the Divine. The hurry is only one-sided. This is not to say we should surrender our lives to the Divine and take no control of what we do or what happens around us. We are the hands of the Divine, but we are also responsible for our own actions. We are called, not to inaction and passivity, but action, thought, and work. We need to accept our callings as active, and do our best to take the love of the Divine and share it with others not through proselytization, but through having large hearts and being loving ourselves. When we can do that, we can become better people and make the world a better place. When we accept the love of the Divine and don't take that love back into the world, we betray the Divine by not fulfilling our end of the bargain. Belief is, in most cases, irrelevant. For when we have faith and belief, there is no room for doubt, for our hearts are filled with love. And when we do have doubt, clinging to belief while fearing to question robs us of a chance to learn, and grow, and understand that love and faith better. Questions: * What does faith mean to you? * How do you handle doubt? * How can we embrace love of the Divine even when we doubt? [07] ========= ========= SOFTWARE GADGETS: THE COLUMN ========= Interesting Items From The Software Gadgets Blog ========= http://softwaregadgets.gridspace.net/ ========= The Software Gadgets Blog aims to present a different "software gadget" every weekday. A software gadget is a program or addon that is both interesting and useful -- and often free. This column highlights three of the programs listed recently. Many more were listed and you'll find more gadgets like these added every week at the Software Gadgets Blog at: http://softwaregadgets.gridspace.net/ ===== ===== FREEMIND -- FREE MIND MAPPING SOFTWARE ===== Software Gadgets must be more popular than I thought as I've received several emails asking -- no demanding (in one case) -- that I add FreeMind to the Software Gadgets list. FreeMind is a powerful and popular open source Mind Mapping program. I've be the first to admit that I just don't get mind mapping software. I've tried several mind mapping programs, and mind mapping does not help me organize my thoughts nor does it make me more productive. However, I must be weird as a lot of people swear by mind mapping software and some commercial mind mapping applications are sold to large corporations for hefty chunks of change. According to Wikipedia: A mind map (or mind-map) is a diagram used to represent words and ideas linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, and decision making. If that flies over your head as high as it did over mine, these examples from the FreeMind web site of what people are using FreeMind for may be more helpful: * Keeping track of projects, including subtasks, state of subtasks and time recording * Project workplace, including links to necessary files, executables, source of information and of course information * Workplace for internet research using Google and other sources * Keeping a collection of small or middle sized notes with links on some area which expands as needed. Such a collection of notes is sometimes called knowledge base. * Essay writing and brainstorming, using colors to show which essays are open, completed, not yet started etc, using size of nodes to indicate size of essays. I don't have one map for one essay, I have one map for all essays. I move parts of some essays to other when it seems appropriate. * Keeping a small database of something with structure that is either very dynamic or not known in advance. The main disadvantage of such approach when compared to traditional database applications are poor query possibilities, but I use it that way anyway - contacts, recipes, medical records etc. You learn about the structure from the additional data items you enter. For example, different medical records use different structure and you do not have to analyze all the possible structures before you enter the first medical record. * Commented internet favorites or bookmarks, with colors and fonts having the meaning you want. I can do all that with an ascii text editor, but what do I know? More seriously, a lot of people find mind mapping software very useful for brainstorming and for organizing information. Other people -- like me -- try it and just scratch our heads in confusion. You will not know if it clicks for you until you try it. FreeMind considered one of the better examples of mind mapping software and the price -- free -- is certainly right. Rating: 4.0 Operating System: Any running Java 1.4 or higher License: Open Source (GPL) Price: Free Version Reviewed: 0.8.0 Web Site: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page ===== ===== SVS -- VIRTUALIZE SOFTWARE INSTALLS ===== VMWare has been in the news quite a bit since they released a freeware VMWare Player that allows one to install an operating system and its software into a virtual machine that runs as a window in your Windows or Linux system. Programs installed in the virtual machine, can't affect your main system. VMWare even has a virtual browser VM download that runs a browser VMWare Player where it cannot install spyware or viruses on your machine. While VMWare is nice for testing entire operating systems, it is overkill for testing programs. If you download, install, try, and uninstall a lot of programs, it will eventually kill your Windows operating system as something will get wiped in the registry or a dll will get overwritten with a bad copy or .... After a year of testing new software daily, I'm to the point when I will soon have to wipe my main partition and start over with a fresh install of XP. However, I've discovered a program that should make my next installation of XP last a lot longer: Altiris Software Virtualization Solution 2.0 aka SVS. SVS allows you to install a program into a virtualized "layer" that you can activate, deactivate, or even delete at will. No changes to your underlying system are made, SVS shunts all changes to the "layer" stored on your hard drive. Not just changes made by the installation, but all changes made by using the program. If you delete a layer, the program, all its registry entries, dlls, etc. are gone. Nothing is left behind. This makes it great for testing software. Install it into a layer. If you find the software troublesome or you just don't like it, you can delete it. If you suspect it is causing other problems on your machine, you can temporarily deactivate it which makes it appear as if it was never installed while it remains on your hard drive. The detailed pdf manual that comes with the program lists many other uses for SVS as well -- such as installing multiple versions of the same program without the different versions interfering with each other or making a virtualized data layer than can easily be backed up or even moved from machine to machine. The 60+ page manual is well worth reading. Altiris has made SVS free for personal use -- their paid enterprise version comes with a server that allows virtualized layers to easily be transferred from computer to computer on a network. You can even get a personal edition serial number without giving Altiris your email address, although if you do give them your email address, you get a very nice newsletter on using SVS. This program isn't perfect. For example, it would be nice if there was a way to "flatten" a layer into the OS if you decide you really like a program, but SVS has enough useful features that it really belongs on any system used to experiment with new software. Rating: 4.5 Operating System: Windows 2000+ License: Commercial Freeware Price: Free (for personal use) Version Reviewed: 2.0 Web Site: http://www.altiris.com/ Download Sites: http://juice.altiris.com/node/86 ===== ===== POKE -- CHEAT IN ALMOST EVERY GAME OUT THERE ===== I stumbled across a nifty little program today: Poke. It's a fairly simple to use universial cheat program for single player Windows games. It automatically finds values like money or experience points and lets you change them. It needs just a bit of help. Say you want to change the amount of money you have. You tell Poke how much you have. It finds possible storage locations. You spend a bit of money and give it the new value. It checks to see which of those locations match. You may have to do this a few times, but you eventually end up with the correct location (or locations in some tricky games). You can then give that location a label (like "Money") -- and change it. The web site steps you through a couple of samples. This program is fairly simple to use and works with many games -- but probably not all. But it is a free program and worth a try if you want to cheat, but can't find a cheat program for your current favorite game. Rating: 4.0 Operating System: Windows License: Freeware Price: Free Web Site: http://codefromthe70s.org/poke.asp [08] ========= ========= From the Spell Grimoire: ========= INFUSION PURIFICATION SPELL ========= Collect equal parts (about a handful each) of dried marjoram, bay and rosemary. Heat a gallon of water until it is almost boiling, remove it from the heat and toss the herbs into the water. Cover and allow to cool. Strain the herbs from the water and, using your fingers, sprinkle the infusion throughout the house. Move in a clockwise direction, visualizing evil and unwarrented influences leaving the area and say something like the following: I banish evil and negativity; This is my will, So Mote It Be! Touch the water to the doors and windows, appliances and furniture, outside around the home and on the surrounding property. Be sure to pour some down the drains as well. Visualize the water cleansing the whole area. === === About This Spell === This spell is taken from The Cauldron's Spell Grimoire, a collection of basic spells available on The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's web site. You'll find more spells at: http://www.ecauldron.com/spells/index.php [09] ========= ========= Pagan Webmaster: ========= Search Engine Positioning and More ========= by Eihdos ========= ===== ===== If you build it, will they come? ===== You've created your site. You've uploaded it to the web. Now what? You could tell your friends about it, and wait for the word to spread, but to really get attention you need to do a bit of work. There are plenty of companies, and even some free services, that offer to announce your site to the search engines and directories, but in my never very humble opinion you will often get better results if you do it yourself. The first part of this article details some strategies for getting good placement in search engines, and assumes that the reader has some familiarity with HTML. The second part looks at other ways to attract visitors to your site, and to keep them coming back. === === Naming files === Search engines do pick up file names, and image search is dependent on it. The name of your files should reflect the content. If you, for instance, have a page about full moon rituals on your site, the file name should be full_moon_rituals.html. And if, on that page, there's a picture of a priestess casting a circle, priestess.jpg or casting_the_circle.jpg are much better names than 12.jpg. Always use the ALT tag to describe your pictures. === === The TITLE tag === Do not, and I repeat not, forget the TITLE tag. Not only is it an important place to put keywords, it should also tell people what your site is about, and if possible set it apart from other sites dealing with the same topic. Let's say that your hypothetical site describes a variety of rituals. Putting the word rituals in the TITLE tag is not enough. Wiccan rituals (or Pagan, Celtic, or whatever) is better, but it might still get lost among other sites. Aim for the narrowest definition possible. Your goal is not to attract every surfer out there, but to attract the surfers who are interested in what your site has to offer. Wiccan rituals for solitary women might be a good name. It tells the potential visitor something about what he or she can expect to find on your pages. You could narrow it down further by using the name of your specific tradition instead of Wiccan. Another reason for you to use the TITLE tag is that people might want to bookmark your web site. You don't want it to show in a bookmark menu as Untitled or New Page. === === The KEYWORDS tag === Two things should be taken into account. First, what information does your site contain, and secondly, what words do you expect that people looking for that information will use when searching? Begin with repeating the words from the TITLE tag. Then read the text on the page you're optimizing and pick out more. For the hypothetical site mentioned above, I expect that sabbat celebration, purification ritual, beltaine, litha (and the names of the other sabbats) are words that would occur, along with the elements of ritual - circle casting, calling the quarters, et cetera, and tools such as athame and cup. Only put keywords in the tag that are also used in the text on the page. Filling the tag with unrelated words in the hopes of getting more traffic is stupid and pointless. Repeating the same keyword several times in the hopes of getting better placement might be interpreted as spamming and result in your submission being denied. While you should only submit the main page to the search engines, subpages might be picked up later. You can use different keywords for different pages if you feel that it's worth the effort. === === The DESCRIPTION tag === Some search engines use this tag, some ignore it. It's still worth using, because it means that you have some control over how your site is described, some of the time. Do you know how to write a news lead? If so, use that knowledge. If not, learn how to do it. The description should be short, sweet, and to the point. Describe your site in one or two sentences, and make sure that you put the most important information in the first sentence, in case only part of your description is displayed in the search engine results. Avoid promotional language. Do Not Capitalize Every Word. === === Selecting hosting === If at all possible, avoid Geocities, Tripod, and similar types of hosting. It might be free, but it's also slow and full of annoying ads. If you offer a product or a service I recommend getting your own domain. Again, the name should reflect the subject of the site. Search engines don't care much what your url looks like, but directories are more inclined to take your submission seriously if the url is less than eleventy-seven characters long. Make sure that you get some sort of statistic reports. If your host doesn't offer them, get a free StatCounter. It will provide you with valuable information, such as where your visitors came from and how long they stayed. === === Time to submit === Do not expect results instantly. Some search engines will add your site within hours, others might take weeks. Don't forget to suggest your url to the Open Directory Project. If it's accepted you can look forward to a good placement in Google. === === The importance of links === Once upon a time, in a distant past, a properly configured keyword tag was enough to get you decent placement in the search engines. Not anymore. Now your site is mostly judged based upon how many others link to it, and the quality of those sites. I've already mentioned the Open Directory Project. Google, Yahoo, and a number of other popular search engines use the directory. Be sure to submit your site to the right category. Be patient. It might take weeks for the editors to approve your submission, but it's worth the wait. The ODP is the best way to get your site listed with search engines that won't allow you to simply add your url. Another important place is Wikipedia. You can add the link yourself. (Do find the proper dictionary entry. There's a special place reserved in Tartaros for those who spam useful resources.) Like with the OPD, many of search engines and directories use the information in Wikipedia, which means lots and lots of links to your site. Another benefit is that visitors arriving from the OPD and Wikipedia are what's called targeted traffic, that is, people who are looking for more or less exactly what your site offers. Commercial web sites depend on targeted traffic. === === Trading links === What you will want to do next is to create a page for reciprocal links. Not all Pagan directories demand them, but many do. Giving them a text link back is fine. If a directory wants you to put a huge animated banner on your main page in the return for inclusion, tell them to sod off. Here's where your stats come in. If you only get a few visitors a month in exchange for a link on your main page, it's clearly not worth it. It's called trade for a reason. Some Pagan directories and search engines that will likely bring you traffic are listed below. http://www.ukpaganlinks.co.uk/ http://www.avatarsearch.com/ http://www.universalpagan.com/ http://www.pagansearch.co.uk/ http://www.witchvox.com/ Another excellent way to get quality traffic is to ask other site owners for links. Do a Google search for your chosen keywords. Visit the web sites displayed on the first few pages. If they seem like reliable resources to you, and cover topics similar or complimentary to your own site, contact the web master and suggest a link trade. ===== ===== Use LinkPopularity to see who's linking to you. ===== Here follows part 2 of the article, with more suggestions for getting traffic to your web site. These suggestions are less technical than the search engine optimization tips, and could be used by anyone. Feel free to ask questions if anything is unclear. === === Use a signature file === In e-mail or Usenet posts your signature file should contain no more than four lines of text, separated from the rest of your post with two hyphens and a line break, like this: -- The Hekate FAQ - http://www.hekate.nu Naos Hekate - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naos_hekate/ Your e-mail program will let you create one or more sig files that are automatically tagged on to the end of your message. If you're not openly Pagan, consider using a separate e-mail account for the Pagan mailing lists you participate in, and for communication with visitors to your web site. You don't want to accidently out yourself when your boss or your mother clicks on that link in your signature file. Some web based forums prefer that you use a sig like the one above, other's permit you to use grahpics. Just stay within the guidelines of the forum, and all will be fine. Using a sig should bring you a small but steady stream of traffic. === === Get a mailing list === You want visitors to return to your web site over and over again, right? One good way of reminding them that the site exists is to create a mailing list. You have two basic options. You can create an announcement list (that only you can post to). Use the list to send out a message every time you update the web site. The other option is to publish a newsletter. This requires more work, because if people are to take you seriously you should send out the newsletter regularly, and it should contain some original content. For instance, if your site offers information for Wiccans you could send it out around the time of the sabbats, with some ideas for celebrations. Don't forget to include the url for your site! === === Write articles for other web sites === Submitting articles or book reviews to other sites can get you loads of traffic, provided that the url to your web is included. Do make sure that you retain the copyright so that you can use the article on your own site too, should you feel like it. Two good places to start are The Cauldron and The Witche's Voice. http://www.ecauldron.com/ http://www.witchvox.com/ === === Stats, and how to read them === Finally, a few words about interpreting web site statistics. First of all, look at how long visitors are staying. You can have thousands of unique visitors in one day, but if you can't grab their attention you might as well not have had them. If you find out that most people only stay for a few seconds you need to figure out why. Are your pages quick to load, and the text readable? Is the site easy to navigate? Are you using anything (for instance, badly written java script) that could cause your pages to be displayed incorrectly or not at all? Also, check that no links are broken. In addition to this, look at the system stats for your visitors. If most have a screen resolution of 600x800 and you have designed your site for 1024x1280 you might want to rethink things. Next, look at the percentage of returning visitors. For the first few weeks you will probably have very few, but if you still don't have returning visitors after a month or two you need to ask yourself why. Does your site provide original content? Do you update it regularly? Have you given your site a unique name so that people can tell it apart from other sites dealing with the same topic? Third, what are your most popular pages? This is what your visitors want. Focus your attention on these pages, adding more content and making sure they're featured prominently in the navigation menu. Also, throw in some meta tags on these pages if you haven't already. === === About the Author === Eihdos is an Assistant Webmaster on The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. This article originally appeared as posts on The Cauldron's forum. [10] ========= ========= From the Cauldron Cookbook: ========= Watergate Salad ========= submitted by Star ========= (Also known as pistachio salad or "green stuff") === Ingredients 1 3.4 ounce package instant pistachio pudding mix 1 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows 1 12 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed 1/2 cup flaked coconut 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained === Directions In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and pineapple; mix well. Add marshmallows and 3/4 of the container of dessert topping (add more to get a creamier consistency). Toss in the coconut; mix well. Chill for at least an hour before serving. === === About This Recipe === This recipe is taken from the Cauldron Cookbook, a growing collection of recipes submitted by members of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. You'll find more recipes at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cookbook/index.php [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 new message board welcomes readers, we encourage members to actively participate by posting their comments and views in our discussions. One of the easiest ways to help The Cauldron is to actively participate in our message board. The staff especially appreciates members who start new topics for discussion based on their own questions, opinions, or interests. http://www.ecauldron.net/mb/ ===== ===== 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/bnbarticleform.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/bnbbkreviewform.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/zamazon.php If you are a regular user of the US version of Amazon, you can help The Cauldron by replacing the URL of your ebay bookmark in your browser with the above link so that TC gets credit every time you visit Amazon.com. To do this in Internet Explorer or Firefox, find Amazon in your bookmark list. RIGHT click on it and select Properties from the popup menu which will appear. A dialog box describing your bookmark will appear. You'll see the standard Amazon url -- probably http://www.amazon.com/ -- in an edit box (labeled "Location" in FireFox and "URL" in IE). Erase that url completely and replace with one listed above, then click on OK. If you use Amazon UK, you can use this address http://www.ecauldron.com/zamazonuk.php If you use Amazon Canada, you can use this addess: http://www.ecauldron.com/zamazonca.php ===== ===== Ebay Purchases ===== Are you an Ebay user? Ebay has a new program that pays affiliates a small percent of the winning bid if the winning bidder enters ebay from an affiliate link (some like how our Amazon.com affiliate program works). So if you visit the US version ebay via the following link, the Cauldron will get credit for your bids: http://www.ecauldron.com/zebay.php If you are a regular user of the US version of ebay, you can help The Cauldron by replacing the URL of your ebay bookmark in your browser with the above link so that TC gets credit every time you visit ebay. To do this in Internet Explorer or Firefox, find ebay in your bookmark list. RIGHT click on it and select Properties from the popup menu which will appear. A dialog box describing your bookmark will appear. You'll see the standard ebay url -- probably http://www.ebay.com/ -- in an edit box (labeled "Location" in FireFox and "URL" in IE). Erase that url completely and replace with one listed above, then click on OK. ===== ===== 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) 2005 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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