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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #72 -- May 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 * New Sunday Night Chat: The Gardnerian's Garden * For "Members-Only" [02] Cauldron Discussions [03] Pagan Announcements * Desert Moon Update [04] Book Reviews: * The Oestara Anthology of Poetry * Urban Santeria [05] Articles * Reflections on Old Guard Paganism * Twenty Popular Herbs and Their Uses [06] Flamekeeping: The Flame [07] Software Gadgets: The Column * Recipe Center -- Powerful Freeware Recipe Database * eSnips -- Online Storage and Social Network * Scarabay -- Portable Password Manager [08] Grimoire: Spell to Create Calmness and Aid Concentration [09] Pagan Webmaster: Website Accessibility - Proper Navigation [10] Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole [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 May 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. So far, our experiment with two issues of Candle and Candle a month seems to be working. We are always in need of articles and announcements for this newsletter -- and for our web site. Our new Article Library section is proving to be very popular. It is also very easy for us to publish articles to. After proofing, we can usually publish an article in about 5 minutes. This compares with 30 to 60 minutes under our old system. This means we would really love to have your articles both is newsletter and The Cauldron's web site. 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 ========= ===== ===== New Sunday Night Chat: The Gardnerian's Garden ===== On Walpurgisnacht (Sunday, April 30, 2006) Sine, our staff Gardnerian, began hosting a regular weekly chat (every Sunday at 10pm EDT) in our Flash Chat rooms. The chat focus will be, surprisingly, on the topic of traditional Wicca -- but conversation will not be confined to that subject. All are welcome; regular Cauldron chat rules apply. Look for a room labeled "The Gardnerian's Garden" in our Flash Chat area. To reach the Flash Chat area, log on to The Cauldron's message board and select "chat" from the top menu. Then select "Flash Chat" on the next screen. The Flash Chat area will appear in your browser. You'll need to log in with your message board user name and password. ===== ===== For "Members-Only" ===== The top menu line of The Cauldron's Message board has been reorganized slightly. When you are logged in to our message board, you'll notice that the "Games" and "Extras" menus have been replaced by a "Members-Only" menu. All the member's only features from both the old Games and Extras menus are there -- as are new features such as: Global Mosaic -- Create a Mosaic image with people from around the world with just your browser to drag and drop tiles. Gamehouse Games -- Online and downloadable Games from Gamehouse. Lots of fun games to play online. If you buy a downloadable game, TC gets a cut. Your editor has the downloadable versions of Jewel Quest, Tradewinds 2, and Big Kahuna Reef and really enjoys them. The online versions are somewhat less complex, but still fun. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ 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 +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [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 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. ===== ===== Trusting a 'gut instinct'? ===== What are you views on so called 'gut instincts'? When deep inside you just know the truth behind something, even if it leads you to be called crazy by other people. I am not so much talking about faith or religion, more the deep seated knowledge that, despite all indications to the contrary, and despite the fact that friends and family may ridicule you and/or want you to be committed, you just 'know' that your truth is THE truth... I would be interested in knowing your views on the value of 'gut instinct'. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=618.1 ===== ===== Gods: Local or Universal? ===== Some folks believe that gods are bound by geography (e.g. having dominion over a particular mountain or stream). Some folks believe that gods are universal, that is to say, they can reach and interact with followers all over the world. What do you think? Are gods local or universal? Or are some local only, and some universal? Do some universal gods hold special powers related to geography? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=615.1 ===== ===== Vengence and/or Revenge? ===== We had a thread about forgiveness and I thought we should flip the coin a bit and look at our views on vengeance... revenge... payback. Call it what you will, some folks are good at it, some people never do it. My current faith-path does not prevent me from taking revenge/vengeance on someone who has grievously injured me. Sometimes I feel it is necessary. I guess I am of a basically violent nature, but also I know that actual violence is not always necessary to exact revenge. Sometimes a well-timed phone call can do the deed. There is the question of righteous vengeance... which seems to be the mindset of most national governments when they go to war -- or the mindset of religious extremists when they strap on a bomb and wade into a crowded restaurant. What's your take on revenge/vengeance/payback? Is it prohibited by your own beliefs or your faith? Is it okay (up to a point)? How do your personal feelings/thoughts on it conflict or agree with your faith-path? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=603.1 ===== ===== Ritual Madness? ===== Does your religion have a place for madness? Do you think such a thing is required? Optional? Desirable? If you do have ritual madness, why and how? If not, why not? (By ritual madness, I mean things like Bacchanalia .. everyone getting drunk and having no rules for the day). * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=561.1 ===== ===== Religious and Ritual Use of Psychoactive Substances ===== In the last couple of years here at the Cauldron I have frequently seen negative or dismissive comments in relation to the religious or ritual use of psychoactives. Given their well documented and long-standing pre-modern use in these contexts, I was wanting to know if people here feel that the experiences facilitated by these substances are somehow less important/valid/meaningful/real than those brought on by other environmental factors, such as drumming, chanting, meditation, ritual, etc.? BTW: I realise that these substances are subject to abuse. I am talking here specifically of the use of these substances within a defined and intentional setting. Not where religion is just an excuse for getting high. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=552.1 ===== ===== Forgiveness ===== Where did the idea of forgiveness originate? My first and main exposure to the concept was within the Christian paradigm where you forgave everyone whether they asked for that forgiveness or not. How do you deal with this issue in relationship to your path? To your upbringing? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=538.1 ===== ===== Bound by Your Word? ===== How do you deal with your personal sense of honor? A personal example: you give your word to do something while in a relationship, then the relationship goes south. Do you feel obligated by your word, or do you feel that in the bounds of a relationship if the other person reneges you are allowed to renege on your word? Do you allow yourself to justify things like this? Or are you hard on yourself about it? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=536.1 ===== ===== Ritual: Memorization vs Reading ===== Sometimes rituals, worship, etc. involve just kind of saying whatever feels right, whatever comes to mind. But sometimes one wants to be sure something specific is said in a specific way, or wants to use something someone else has written. Either way, the words are written out beforehand and should be repeated more or less exactly as written when the time comes. When this happens, do you prefer to bring a copy of the words into the ceremony with you and read it, or do you prefer to memorize? Why do you prefer the method you do? If you memorize, is it important to get every word exactly right or is it enough to simply be sure you're close and retain the meaning? (And I do realize that not everyone will even ever use prewritten material. These questions are directed specifically at those who do, or might in the future if they don't already.)! * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncmain.php?m=528.1 [03] ========= ========= PAGAN ANNOUNCEMENTS ========= ===== ===== Desert Moon Update ===== [Desert Moon is a group of Pagan members of the US Military in Iraq. Regardless of whether or not you support the US War in Iraq, the military people in Iraq deserve our support. No one wants to see another Vietnam where the soldiers sent to fight that unpopular war were treated like dirt by everyone else. This is a (slightly edited to grammar and personal details) message from Eric of Desert Moon sent to one of our forum members involved in support for Pagan soldiers.] Hello everyone, our email list has grown by leaps and bounds and we have picked up 70 new sponsors and communities to support us. I'm sending out to you all our updated wish list which some of you already have. Whatever surplus this group has I will distribute out throughout Iraq to other groups and Soldiers that are in need. There's no such thing as surplus in a situation such as this. We are still fighting to get a tent and a place to set up permanently but that situation is improving daily as we gain ground in the political fight. My Bn Chaplain will be here next week from Mosul and may be able to help me in that struggle as well. We still get the occasional rainstorm but for the most part days are hot and dry and the snakes are coming out in force which is a danger to us here. One concern I want to bring to all your attention is with one of our new sponsors, her name is Gail and her store has been run out of town, it is a severe case of religious persecution and she is about to lose a lot of money and a lot of merchandise destroyed. If you all could send her energy of healing and strength I would greatly appreciate it. We are prepping for Beltane in the midst of guard duty, details, and general work load. One of our females has started writing for www.globalgoddess.org if you wish to check them out, I still write for Moon Shadows at www.mnshadows.com and also www.paganpages.org along with one of my other Soldiers SPC Grant. Thank-you all for all your support, it touches us all and I know my members of Desert Moon will walk away from this deployment deeply touched and knowing Pagan civilians love their Pagan troops. Anyone who knows people who just want email pals feel free to give them this email address ( medicyne_eagle@yahoo.com ) and I will respond and pass out email addresses of the other Soldiers. For those that also would like to check out my Stateside Grove Forest Moon the link is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/forestmoongrove/ the board there is always active for the most part as I don't have to be there physically to run it, It's self-sufficient but is slow on a local level. Its more of an international group of support and advice for those that need it. A lot of wise people on that board. We are also in the process of building a website for Desert Moon with a section for Forest Moon so if any of my stores that sponsor us wish to banner off the site let me know and will do that once its complete. Anyone getting this update on my list that doesn't know how you got on it and wishes to be removed please also let me know as I don't wish to offend or upset anyone. I will be planning on my next articles for the magazines and working on the website as well in the next few days and weeks as well. We are planning on having a 5 year reunion for all the Desert Moon Soldiers to be held at Circle Sanctuaries PSG in 2010 you can check them out at www.circlesanctuary.org Shall close for now hope this finds you all well and Bright Blessings. [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 ===== ===== THE OESTARA ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY ===== The Oestara Anthology of Poetry published 2005 by Book Surge Publishing ISBN 1419615246 132 pages Trade Paperback $12.99 (U.S.) http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1419615246 I've been interested in Pagan poetry ever since a friend and I published a small-run Pagan magazine for a few years. I've also been disappointed by the lack of Pagan poetry books being produced in this country. So, when I saw this book offered, I had to request a copy. Now, I am by no means a poet. Nor am I particularly addicted to poetry. Having made that clear I have to say that I really enjoyed this work. It is available from www.oestarapublishing.com as either a printed book or as an e- book. Since I am addicted to printed works, I have added this one to my collection. My one regret about this work is that the odds are it will be overlooked by far too many people. Perhaps this review can help that situation. There are a number of poets represented in this collection (about 20 or so). The poems range from very short to fairly long and range in topics. They were submitted to a poetry contest offered by the publishing company that brought out this collection. The judges include a Wiccan Priest who is also a trained musician; an actor who includes being an English teacher and being in the corps de ballet at the Chicago Ballet among her experiences; and a theater major and author with an extensive background in poetry They have presented a wide variety of poetic forms (linked haiku, villanelle, rondeau, sonnet and free verse) and an impressive number of poems (67). If you can't find something in this collection that speaks to your soul ask yourself these two questions: First - Are you sure you're Pagan? And second - Are you sure you have a pulse? Enjoy this collection. I did. And I hope there are more to follow ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ 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 +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ===== ===== URBAN SANTERIA ===== Urban Santeria: New World Magic for Urban and Suburban Populations by Medicine Hawk Milburn Published 2006 by Three Moons Media ISBN 0972516484 298 pages Trade Paperback $14.99 (U.S.) http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0972516484 I have to warn folks that this is a long review. It consists of two parts. The first part of the review was written before I even delved into the book. It consists of my impressions based upon the "blurb" on the back cover, since that is what a lot of people use to decide if they will buy a book. If you are not interested in those perceptions, you may skip to the plainly marked second part of the review, dealing with the book itself. PART ONE The back cover gives a capsule history of what Santeria is and where it came from. It invites you to find out "who your orisha parents are and how they can help you." That certainly is laudable, but presents me with a minor problem. I remember discovering my Orisha parents during an Asiento. I also sat in while my wife had the experience at a later Asiento. In both cases there was some question as to the identification of our parents. Considering that this determination was being made by an experienced Babalwo, I have to question such an identification being made by an inexperienced individual. The back cover then goes on to explain that the book contains sections on how Santeria applies "to modern situations and environments with high population density." No problems there. But then it continues "The spells and meditations are clearly presented for maximum success, with easily obtainable ingredients and even "trouble shooting" advice." Oops, that makes it appear that Santeria is a brand of "kitchen witchery." Where is the religious aspect, which is so important? The final paragraph, however, gives me the longest pause. In its entirety it reads "Santeria and its benefits are for everyone who approaches life with honest intent. The user of this manual need not be initiated, only sincere." That smacks, to me, of giving a loaded weapon to someone who has no familiarity with it and assuring them they will be fine as long as they are sincere. That is an accident, if not a disaster, waiting to happen. Maybe the back cover was written by an overly enthusiastic copy editor who didn't take the time to fully familiarize him- herself with the contents of the book. PART TWO Far be it from me to question anyone who follows more than one path (Dr. Wilburn acknowledges Native American medicine path, Wicca and Santeria). Being both a Witch and a member of the Santeria I undoubtedly share some of the same experiences that he has had. However, I must take exception to his omission of animal sacrifice. I know it is a touchy subject, and is very politically incorrect but if the orisha are expecting their "normal" offering and you don't give it to them, I really don't know what would happen. Following the author's suggestion, I read the Appendices first to acquaint myself with what they had to say. Appendix I deals with sacred animals. Most of them are ones which are logical based on my knowledge of the orisha, even if they aren't the ones which commonly come to min. Appendix II is urban blessings. I found them not only appropriate, but very beneficial. Appendix III is "Orisha Mamba Mantras," and consists of praises and "invokings" of the orisha in an urban environment. They are short and easy to remember. Appendix IV is about syncretization, which in the past was a survival tool for Santeria. It involves seeing the orisha in other forms - classically as Roman Catholic saints. Dr. Wilburn has taken this opportunity to combine his experience in Wicca (and the larger Pagan community) and connect the orisha to other mythologies. To my way of thinking, this listing (although by no means exhaustive) is invaluable. Appendix V lists "birthdays" for some of the orisha with a recommendation of where to find more information. The only problem with it is that the source for further information is one which many in the faith have difficulty agreeing with. Appendix VI is about food sacred to the orisha. Dr. Wilburn suggests adding them to you diet (assuming they don't offer a medical or dietary difficulty) to draw closer to the orisha. Appendix VII is a correlation of the orisha and the charkas. Appendix VIII is about a Santerian "Lent," or abstaining from certain foods for a specified period of time. Appendix IX correlates the orisha with U.S. coinage - mostly the state commemorative quarters. Appendix X consists of easy-to-understand pronunciations of the names of the orisha, which will be quite valuable to those unfamiliar with the orisha. Finally there are glossaries. The first is a Spanish to English glossary. Considering that the largest number of Santeria practitioners are of Hispanic descent, and most of the ingredients used in the spell work are sold in botanicas, this is a valuable item to have. Finally, there is an Urban Santeria glossary. Now it was time to move into the body of the book, and I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. I was, quite honestly, prepared to find a "fluffy" version of Santeria, but was pleasantly surprised. Topics which I was afraid were going to be white- washed were addressed fairly early in the book. The first section of this book is devoted to relating the orisha to a modern environment. There are identifications for 18 orishas. While that does not begin to exhaust the list of orisha, it certainly covers all of the more common ones, and a few fairly uncommon ones. For the general reader's information the most common omorisha (children of the orisha) are Chango, Yemaya, Obatala, and Oshun followed by Eleggua and Ogun. Dr. Wilburn does make a few rather unorthodox suggestions in the next section, but since that is the premise of the book, I wasn't shocked or surprised by that fact. It is when he gets into "Orisha Pet Dedication" that he is most likely to find objections to his work. Most Santeros I know accept the fact that, periodically, animals must be sacrificed. Dr. Wilburn offers an alternative to this practice which, to its credit, is at least better than the remark I heard one alleged Santero make about substituting fruits and flowers when animal sacrifice was indicated. On a personal level I'm not sure how Dr. Wilburn's suggestions will be met by the community of Santeria followers, but he has presented an alternative way of considering things. The patakis (stories) he relates in each of the ebbos (spells) are sure to be new to most people, since they involve the orisha in modern urban environments in place of their usual mythological surroundings. That enables the average person to relate to them in ways many would find difficult in the older rural settings of most familiar patakis. The ebbos are interesting, to say the least. I'm not sure about some of them, personally, but give them a try. If they work for you, go for it. Overall, I was impressed with this book. That is saying something considering my preconceptions. I really don't recommend it to folks who don 't have, at the very least, a passing familiarity with the culture from which it is derived. I have seen far too many attempts to "hijack" other cultures without taking the time to learn about them. The prevailing attitude seems to be that it is perfectly fine to "mix and match" pantheons and cultures. It doesn't work that way, and Dr. Wilburn makes no attempt to do so. If you are interested in this topic go to www.threemoonsmedia.com (or amazon.com) and get a copy for yourself. [05] ========= ========= ARTICLES ========= ===== ===== REFLECTIONS ON OLD GUARD PAGANISM ===== by Mike Nichols ===== 'Old Guard Paganism'. The phrase started out as a joke, but then caught on. This tells us something. It tells us there is a need for such a term. It also implies its own antithesis, 'New Guard Paganism'. And it indicates that there is some difference between the two -- a 'difference that makes a difference' -- and thus requires differentiating labels. (It should perhaps be noted that the word 'Paganism' is used in the present context -- however inaccurately -- to refer to modern Neo-Pagan Witchcraft , or Wicca. With grave misgivings, I have adopted this usage here.) The first time I heard the phrase 'Old Guard Pagan' (used as a pejorative, as I remember) was during the organizing of the first Heartland Pagan Festival. It seems that the festival was being organized mainly by 'New Guard Pagans' who felt they were not getting the anticipated support from the 'Old Guard'. Yet, even after such misunderstandings were cleared up, the phrase remained. Why? And what is the line of demarcation? I remember a discussion I had at the time with a long-time High Priestess and friend, in which we laughingly concluded that an Old Guard Pagan was any 'pre-Starhawk' Pagan. (Starhawk's important book, 'The Spiral Dance' was first published in 1979.) Thus, an Old Guard Pagan is any pre-1979 Pagan. And yet, seniority alone couldn't be the difference -- although it might account for many differences. (It is interesting to note that Starhawk's book is responsible for a massive influx of people into feminist traditions of Wicca, and this shift in focus may likewise account for key differences.) I suppose it's time for a bit of a disclaimer on my part. By the preceding definition, I myself am an Old Guard Pagan, having become a Witch in 1970. Thus, my views may be consequently biased toward the Old Guard. Still, I don't intend for this essay t o degenerate into shaking my cane at novices and using words like 'whipper-snapper' and 'scalliwag'. On the contrary, I enjoy working with novices and have taught a beginner's Witchcraft course for the past 18 years. No, my real goal here is to examine what I believe to be real and profound differences in attitudes concerning certain key issues between the two groups. Hopefully, this will lead to greater understanding and tolerance on the part of both. In the following passages, I've tried to distill the differences between Old and New Guard Paganism, presenting them as strict dichotomies. However, bear in mind the vagaries that must accompany all such generalizations and the exceptions that will inevitably be cited. === === Few Vs. Many === Even today, with a substantial Pagan community for support, a newcomer often feels insecure, frightened, and alone when rejecting the religious training of childhood in favor of Paganism. Imagine then, how much more insecure, frightened and alone an Old Guard Pagan would have felt, with literally no one to support such a decision. In fact, no one to talk to at all. When I first became a Witch, I knew of no other Witches anywhere. For all I knew, I was the first human being in centuries to make such a conscious choice. And this, I found, was typical of most Old Guard Pagans. === === Resistance Vs. Acceptance === Naturally, only those of extraordinary courage and perception would make such a choice back then. Not only because they assumed they were choosing a solitary path, but also because they were sure to encounter active resistance -- if not outright hostility. Today, of course, Witches have appeared on Phil Donahue, Oprah Winfrey, Geraldo Rivera, and other national TV and radio shows, and the general populace is becoming more educated and, if not totally accepting, at least more tolerant. === === Secrecy Vs. Openness === But before such positive media PR, most Old Guard Pagans learned quickly to 'keep themselves to themselves'. Usually, there was no one to talk with anyway, and when there was, it was someone trying to dissuade you from your choice. Thus, most Old Guard Pagans are more inclined to secrecy concerning their involvement than New Guard Pagans. === === Inaccessible Vs. Accessible Information === For Old Guard Pagans, information was hard won indeed. There were no Starhawk's or Margot Adler's back then -- no one to neatly organize and systematize the beliefs of Pagans. There were instead books by Sybil Leek, Paul Huson, Leo Martello, and Lady Sheba (at best), and books by Hans Holzer and Louise Huebner (at worst). And there were the historical tomes of Murray, Thorndike, Robbins, and others, as well as the disorganized 'linking' work of Gardner, Leland, and a few more. And there was no one to tell you which book was worthwhile and which wasn't -- so you read them all! Typically, an Old Guard Pagan has read (and owns!) a small library of books on Paganism. And, back then, if you hadn't read the classics (like Murray and Gardner) then you weren't taken very seriously by other Pagans. By contrast, many New Guard Pagans feel that reading one or two books (usually Adler and Starhawk) is quite sufficient. One unfortunate result is that Adler's or Starhawk' s version of Paganism is taken as the 'standard' by the New Guard, which is far from the case. === === Solitary Vs. Coven === Old Guard Pagans used to dream of the day they might meet another real Witch, or maybe even (ecstacy of ecstacies!) an entire Coven! Meanwhile, there was nothing to do but continue studying and practicing alone, as a 'solitary'. Th is meant that, since Old Guard Pagans studied and practised the Craft in relative isolation, they developed strong individual concepts about it, an inner sense of theology, and the ability to use ritual and magic effectively alone. By contrast, New Guard Pagans are often introduced to other Pagans before being introduced to PaganISM. Their first experiences are group-oriented (Would you like to come to a Circle?), and the group continues to define Paganism for the novice. Without going through a solitary phase, most New Guard Pagans never develop a strong personal sense of what Paganism means. Worse, when asked to perform magic or rituals on their own, they are brought to a complete standstill, since all their experience has been with groups. === === Long Vs. Short Period Of Training === Even for the Old Guard Pagan who had managed to find a Coven to join, it was only the beginning of an even longer period of intensive training -- 'a year and a day' was the standard minimum. During this time, the novice might be apprenticed to any number of members of the Coven, to learn what they had to teach. At the end of that time, the candidate may or may not be judged ready for initiation. By contrast, New Guard Pagans are often introduced to Paganism and invited to join their first rituals in the same breath (often at Pagan 'festivals'). From the Old Guard point of view, this is not only wrong but actually dangerous! A person who is untrained in handling magical power has no business inside a magic circle -- for their own sake, and the sake others attending! === === Join Vs. Create A Coven === Naturally, the Old Guard Pagan would much prefer to join a pre- existing Coven -- the older the better. Only then could there be centuries-old secrets passed down through oral tradition for the novice to learn! The New Guard Pagan seems to care nothing for this. It is enough to gather a small group of people interested in Paganism, and start your own group. From the Old Guard perspective, this makes as much sense as a novice mountain- climber being taken on his first climb by a group of rank beginners as green as he is! === === One Vs. Many Covens === You may also be sure that an Old Guard Pagan is only going to belong to a single Coven. By contrast, New Guard Pagans often join as many Covens as will have them, collecting initiations as though they were stamps. (This is also a mark of New Guard Covens, because an Old Guard Coven would never consider initiating someone who is already a member of another Coven.) === === Initiatory Vs. Non-Initiatory === And, of course, initiation was the ultimate goal of most Old Guard Witches -- the one moment of transformation that all the training led up to -- the final reward for years of difficult study, work and devotion -- both alone and in the group. Most New Guard Pagans don't believe in initiations, since they claim (and they are often right!) that there is no one in the group more advanced than themselves. === === Respect For Elders Vs. None === This may come the closest to sounding like cane-shaking, but it follows logically from the previous passage. Most Old Guard Pagans would tend to assume that someone who has been a practising Pagan for more years than they have, has more knowledge and experience to draw on, and consequently more to teach. And unless situations prove otherwise, these Elders deserve our respect. New Guard Pagans, often feeling that Elders must first 'earn' their respect, do not seek out the wisdom of the older generations of Witches. The unfortunate result is the loss of much valuable legend and lore. === === Traditional Vs. Eclectic === Granted, there is no such thing as a 'pure' uncontaminated tradition of the Craft, stretching back to the dawn of time. Nor would such a case be necessarilydesirablee, even if it could be found. Every tradition has borrowed fro m outside sources and is eclectic to some extent. Yet, while Old Guard Pagans often work to preserve their own traditions, New Guard Pagans are often deliberately eclectic, with a wonderful disregard of cultural heritage. The advantage of being eclectic is that it doesn't require much work, in the way of research. The disadvantage is that one often becomes 'jack of all trads, master of none'. === === Skeptical Vs. Uncritical === Perhaps because of the value Old Guard Pagans place on traditional forms of magic and divination, they are very often skeptical of new forms. For example, you won't find many Old Guard Pagans going in for the current fad of quartz crystals. In fact, Old Guard Pagans will likely point out that there have been no controlled experiments concerning the psychic property of crystals, that there is no historical precedent for such beliefs, that the use of crystals by Native Americans has been overstated and misrepresented, and that other precious and semi-precious gem stones are traditionally just as effective. New Guard Pagans, however, are often not far removed from New Age Pagans, and go in for everything from crystals, to channeling, toUFOss, without much hint of critical evaluation. === === Religious Vs. Social Reason For Joining === This is perhaps the single most important difference that exists between the two groups, and it could well account for many other differences. For many Old Guard Pagans, there could be no social reason for becoming a Pagan, since Pagans were so few and far between that most of us didn't know any other Pagans anywhere! New Guard Pagans, on the other hand, often become involved in Paganism for purely social reasons. One has the feeling they need the security of being in the SCA, or some other form of surrogate extended family. Not that such a need isn't valid. But if social reasons are the primary motivation for becoming a Pagan, it marks a significant break from the Old Guard, whose motivation was chiefly religious. Perhaps that is why Old Guard Pagans are often a bit isolationist, and are quite happy with a fragmented, insular Pagan community. In fact, Old Guard Pagans tend to look with grave suspicion on the 'calls to unity' -- to create a homogeneous Pagan community -- that one often hears coming from New Guard Pagans. === === Religious Vs. Political Reasons For Joining === Similar to the passage above, this again deals with one's primary motivation for becoming a Pagan. For Old Guard Pagans, being political was something that grew out of one's religious ideas. But, just as there is much variance in Old Guard Paganism, so too there is much variance in Old Guard politics. From my own friends, I can cite Old Guard Pagans who run the gamut from Socialist to Libertarian. This same political diversity is noticeably absent in New Guard Paganism, with most New Guard Pagans sticking to the same party line. Also, there is lesstolerancee of Pagans who diverge from that party line. More stress is placed on being 'politically correct'. === === Religious Vs. Feminist Reasons For Joining === Finally, many Old Guard Pagans have become feminists as a result of their Pagan beliefs. By contrast, many New Guard Pagans are Pagans as a result of their feminist beliefs. Once more, it's a question of which takes precedent. And although it may seem like the final result would be the same, such is not the case. Pagans who come to Paganism via feminism are often separatists, Goddess monotheists, anarchists, distrustful of both structure and authority, insisting on such ideas as consensus political forms, rotating High Priestesses (often without High Priests at all), and other non-traditional Coven structures. (Often, such groups disdain to use the word 'Coven' and simply refer to their 'Circles'.) The perennial problems that plague such groups (the lack of focus, the inability to set goals, the endless personality clashes and power plays, and the fact that nothing ever gets done) come as no surprise. Much of this would be unthinkable to Old Guard Pagans, who would no more rotate the position of High Priestess in their Coven than they would rotate the position of mother in their family. (The New Guard attitude toward authority arises, I believe, from a healthy mistrust of it as it is typically used (abused) in patriarchal society. This perception is particularly acute among feminists. What it fails to consider is how authority may be used positively in a matriarchy.) === === Non- Vs. Proselytizing === For an Old Guard Pagan, the idea of saying to someone 'Would you like to join our Coven?' or 'Would you like to become a Witch?' would have been unthinkable. Proselytizing was one of the most detested aspects of the religious tradition (usually Christian) being left behind. Those groups who actively recruit members were, to the Old Guard, groups to be shunned at all costs. Witchcraft is not the one, right, and only religion. In fact, it probably appeals only to a select few. And those few exhibit their courage and sincerity when they seek out a Coven or a tradition. When a Coven seeks them out instead (Won't you please join our Circle tonight?), there is no gauge of the novice's devotion. Perhaps that is why the 'drop-out' rate is much higher for New Guard than Old Guard. (Other mystery traditions, such as the Freemasons, strictly forbid a member to ask an outsider if they would like to join.) Lest one conclude that there are only differences between Old and New Guard Pagans, let me mention a few things they seem to have in common. First, there is magic -- both in its frequency of use, and what it is used for. Second, the use of drugs by modern Witches has always been a minority position, and seems to remain so. Third, the times of celebration and festival, appointed by the seasons and the phases of the moon, seem constant (although New Guard Pagans often employ inappropriate names for the holidays). So, while there are differences, there is common ground as well. If the remarks you overhear made by Old Guard Pagans (and the remarks made in this essay!) seem slightlypetulantt, tinged with sibling rivalry, it is not to be wondered at. The Old Guard Pagan is in the position of older brother or sister of the family. They often feel, quite justifiably, that the things which they had to fight Mom and Dad so hard for, are now being handed to the younger brother or sister on a silver platter. They feel that since their freedoms and privileges were so hard won, they value them more. They often feel that the younger siblings do not appreciate all the things the older siblings have done to make such freedoms possible. And, of course, they are right. Such will always be the way of the world -- the march of generations. Still, the thing to remember about sibling rivalry is that, underneath it all, we are siblings; we are brothers and sisters, whatever forms may divide us; we are all sons and daughters of the Great Mother. === === About the Author === This article was written by Mike Nichols for his BBS around 1988. It circulated around the Pagan BBS world at the time.[This article may be reproduced and distributed exactly as is, without further permission of the author, provided it is offered free of charge. Changes in the text, however, must be approved in advance by the author.] Origin: The MAGICK LANTERN BBS Kansas City, MO 816/531-7265 ===== ===== Twenty Popular Herbs and Their Uses ===== by Carol Miller ===== Following is a selection of herbs that can be used for making teas, culinary purposes, pot-pourris or for decorative drying purposes. LADY'S MANTLE (Alchemilla mollis) -- This beautiful plant looks absolutely lovely growing in the garden and is a hardy perennial that can be propagated by division in the spring or autumn. The flowers can be preserved with the air-drying method or the glycerine method. They are very popular in fresh or dried flower bouquets or posies. Small sprays of the flowers can be pressed for flower work. The leaves, when applied to the skin, make a great skin tonic after they have been infused and chilled in the refrigerator. Or, infuse the whole plant and drink as a medicinal tea to help relieve symptons of diarrhoea or menopausal discomforts. WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium) or SOUTHERNWOOD (Artemisia abrotanum) -- Both these hardy plants are easy to grow and can be propagated from cuttings in early autumn. The silvery foliage is very attractive in the garden and can also be used in fresh flower posies or pressed or dried flower arrangements. The leaves, when dried, can be used in pot-pourris or in anti-moth sachets. RUE (Ruta graveolens) -- A hardy evergreen shrub; propagate by division in spring or from cuttings in early autumn. For decorative purposes, dry the seed heads. The leaves can be either pressed or glycerined. Rue looks very attractive in the garden and is used for fresh tussie-mussies. It can also be used in small amounts for cooking and works very well in anti-moth sachets. COTTON LAVENDER (Santolina chamaecyparissus) -- Another hardy evergreen shrub that will give some silver color to the borders of a garden. Propagate from cuttings through the summer and early autumn. One shrub that is particularly pretty is "Lemon Queen". Rather than the normal bright yellow color of most other varieties, it has a cream-colored flower. Another variety worth mentioning is Santolina neapolitana, because of the very attractive foliage. This herb can be used fresh, dried or pressed for decorative purposes and is also used in pot-pourris and anti- moth sachets. FEVERFEW (Chrysanthemum parthenium) -- A hardy perennial that will seed itself profusely or cuttings and division can be done also. One variety in particular that will give a bright color to any garden is "Aureum". This plant has bright lime-green leaves and when the flowers are dried, they can be used in pot-pourris. The leaves may be infused for tea and may help migraine sufferers. HOP (Humulus lupulus) -- This is a hardy and beautiful climbing plant when trailing up a fence, garden arbor or any other form. The flowers and leaves are used in arrangements, garlands or swags and the female flowers for making beer. Pillows made of Hop are also considered to aid in sleeping. It is also said that tea made from the infusion of the flowers and a little honey has a calming effect and helps with hangovers. HEATHER (Calluna vulgaris) -- A hardy shrub requiring very little maintenance and is especially pretty in the garden when they flower. Heather can be dried but is much better when preserved in glycerine. Useful in dried decorative arrangements or pot- pourris. The young heather tips can be infused for a tea and may be helpful for skin or complexion problems. CLOVE PINK (Dianthus caryophyllus) -- A perennial but will be short-lived where there are fierce frosts. Propagate from stem cuttings taken in the spring. Although there are many other varieties, "Doris" has a lovely perfume. Preserve flowers in silica gel for decorations or pot-pourris or air dry for arrangements. The flowers are great for making floral vinegars, jams or wines and can be infused in wine as a nerve tonic. LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia) -- A hardy evergreen shrub that is a must for every garden and is at its best when flowering. Easily propagated from stem cuttings in spring or autumn. There are many types to choose from. "Hidcote" is a dark purple variety with "Alba" being white in contrast. Another variety, having interesting shapes, is French lavender (Lavandula stoecbas). Lavender has a great many uses. For instance, in the kitchen for lavender vinegars, oils and mustards, in pot-pourris and sachets. The oil is a very good antidote for insect bites, stings and burns. Add a few drops to your bathwater and have a relaxing experience. BORAGE (Borago officinalis) -- A hardy annual that self-seeds but may have to grow new plants each year. You may press the flowers but the leaves do not dry very well. Crystallize the flowers for cake decorating and try mixing the leaves in soft cheeses or for decoration of food dishes. MINT (Mentha) -- There are a large variety of mints, all of which are hardy perennials. They are propagated from root division or cuttings and will take over your garden. It is suggested that they be planted in pots or bags that have been sunken into the earth in order to contain their roots. Mint is most popular in the kitchen for jams and sauces as an accompaniment for roast lamb. Also used to flavor potatoes, carrots and peas. Teas made from mint have a very relaxing effect and can be used to help relieve colds. Use as a hair rinse to relax the scalp or in pilliows. Some of the more common mints are peppermint, spearmint, applemint, pennyroyal and lemon balm. All can be used in herbal posies. ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) -- A hardy evergreen perennial that likes a sunny spot and can be propagated from cuttings. Also best for culinary uses especially with lamb, pork or vegetables. Use in pot-pourris or infused in tea to help digestion or use in the bathwater for an invigorating effect. Oil of rosemary, when diluted, can be used as a final hair rinse. Rosemary turns a greyish color when glycerined. COSTMARY or ALECOST (Chrysanthemum balsamita) -- A hardy perennial that likes full sun. Divide in spring or autumn. This was once used in beer but now it has become more popular for use in flavoring vegetables, poultry or wild game. Used in pot- pourris, is an insect repellent and will add fragrance to your wash water or linens. THYME (Thymus) -- An evergreen shrub poropagated from cuttings or seed. Use in fresh posies for their aroma or for culinary purposes. Also used as a soothing tea for chest pains or as an aid for sleeping. When dried, can be used in pot-pourris, as a facial steam for clear complexions, in stocks, marinades and stuffings. ROSE (Rosa) -- Hardy shrubs bought as plants or propagated from curttings in the autumn. There are many very beautiful colors and varieties and a must for every garden. Use in fresh or dried arrangements or pot-pourris. Petals can be used in salads or crystallized for decorations. The hips are used in teas, wines, cordials and jams or a tonic called "Rosewater" which aids dry and mature skins. LEMON VERBENA (Aloysia triphylla) -- A half hardy shrub but frosts will kill it in winter if not protected in a greenhouse. Take dry cuttings in spring. Add dried leaves to pot-pourris or for adding fragrance to clothing drawers. Great in teas, hot or iced, and finger bowls. Soak pads in the teas and place on eyes to help reduce puffiness. Also helps in bronchial and nasal congestion. Mix it in your favorite apple jelly recipe for a unique flavor. FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgaree) -- A hardy perennial divided in the autumn and seeds itself. Weed out plants when necessary to prevent it from invading your garden. Do not plant near "dill" as it could cross-pollinate and ruin the flavor. Air dry flowers or preserve in glycerine. The flower of the bronze type can be chewed for a breath sweetener and the seeds and leaves can be used as a facial steam to deep clean the skin. The teas help digestion and the leaves may be chopped and sprinkled over vegetables and fish. BASIL (Ocimum basilicum) -- An annual and is not the easiest herb to grow and does not respond to overwatering. Best grown in a pot indoors or a greenhouse, although, I personally have had some good luck growing it in my herb garden on the south and sunny side of my house. The purple variety is very pretty in the garden and can be used as part of a dried herbal wreath or decoration. When made into a tea, it has antiseptic qualities for aid in relieving nausea and is very well known for its culinary uses in tomato and garlic dishes. It also makes for a very refreshing bath. CAMOMILE (Chamaemelum nobile) -- A hardy evergreen perennial propagated from cuttings or by division. The double-flowered variety "Flore-pleno", when dried, is used in decorations. The flowers and leaves are used for pot-pourris and when infused can be used as a hair lightener. Chamomile tea is a very good tonic and is said to prevent restlessness and nightmares. Place tea bags on the eyes to reduce puffiness and lighten the shadows. SCENTED GERANIUMS (Pelargonium) -- Evergreen perennials that must be moved indoors or into a greenhouse during the winter. Take cuttings and root them in sand. The different varieties and scents include lemon, orange, rose and peppermint and are all very well used in pot-pourris. They can also be used for culinary purposes such as in jellies, sorbets and syrups. Infuse the leaves and put into bath bags for an aromatic bath. === === About the Author === Article written by Carol Miller. For free information on growing and cultivating various herbs and vegetables, please visit www.bricabrackorner.com/Vegetables and Herbs.htm. [06] ========= ========= FLAMEKEEPING ========= The Flame ========= 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/ ===== ===== The Flame ===== We are all a part of the Divine. Sentient and self-aware projections of the Universe, we are part of a greater Whole, and yet individual. And we, collectively and individually, are part of the Divine, and able to change It. As we improve ourselves, we improve the Flame of all as well. However, self-improvement can only occur when basic needs are met. Therefore, to improve the Flame, we must help all have access to the basic necessities of life: food, clean water, shelter, and medical care. Those that seek to survive cannot care for more esoteric things, for they are constrained by survival needs. When survival needs are met, then we can seek improvement for ourselves and others. No one has the right to stand between another person and the fuel for their Flame, or the basic needs they must fulfill to become able to seek their Flame. Our Flame burns most brightly through proper fuel, through feeding our souls as we feed our bodies. We feed our souls through caring, through love, through creating. Through finding our passion, and then sharing the results of that passion with others. And through helping others find fuel for their flames as well, helping others learn and grow. We all benefit from each other's Flame's burning brighter. We are an interdependent species, reliant upon one another for our very survival. However, we are also separate individuals, with our own desires and needs. We must learn to nurture our own Flame while constricting others as little as possible, to let each Flame burn brightly without inhibiting another. We can, if we so choose, help everyone achieve their goals. For the first time in human history, survival to old age does not need to be in doubt through lack of basic necessities, if we choose to make it so. Like any fire, however, we must also be sure to keep it fueled only by appropriate things, and burning controlled. Simply desiring something is not enough of a reason to obtain it. We must school ourselves to feed our souls what is appropriate, what nurtures us, what helps us grow and become better people. Our Flame can be bright and warming, nurtured carefully and a joy and blessing be part of, or a raging forest fire that consumes all that it touches and brings only destruction. All which is, is Divine, part of the self-aware Universe. There is nothing in existence that is profane, no split between the body and the soul. There is nowhere and nothing but the Universe, physical and spiritual. That is not to say the physical world is the sum total of existence. The Universe is bigger than any one mind could hope to comprehend, and the layers of existence and possibilities are endless. But there is no beyond to move to, no better life elsewhere. What is here, is. Many people speak of "seeking God" and talk of places to look to find the Divine. And they define God, and place limitations and strictures upon what God can and cannot do. And people say how one can and cannot reach the Divine, and where God is and isn't, and refuse to acknowledge that God may very well choose to ignore human strictures. In many ways, the defining characteristics of the Divine is that human strictures are ignored, and that the Divine is free to all humans, irrespective of social status. We like to limit what God is, and pretend we know what is and isn't what the Divine wants of us, and more, of other people. The truth is that we can only surmise what the Divine wants of us, and work as hard as we can to be the best we can be. Any rules we try to place to comfort us, and place sections of our life as safe from Divine intervention, are doomed to failure. We all like to believe we're good people, and seek ways to prove that belief. However, we also all like to be lazy and seek the easy way out of things. We like scapegoats, villains, a bad guy that tempts us to do what we already know is wrong. We want to believe we are good; that someone else is evil and not us. And we seek to justify those things that we do and we know are wrong, and find ways to make our transgressions correct while punishing the transgressions of others. We need, to become whole individuals, to learn to accept our own faults and flaws as well as our virtues and abilities. We are human, we are divine, and we stand wholly responsible for what we do. The constant struggle to justify, to explain, to create excuses, only keeps us mired in confusion and sorrow. When we can truly accept our mistakes, learn from them, and take responsibility for them, then and only then can we grow beyond them and cease to make the same mistakes again and again. This is not an excuse to play the blame game, however. Only we know the real reasons why we do things, and no one else can decide what is someone refusing to live up to responsibility. All the blame game does is make everyone wrong, and confuse the real issues that people need to deal with on their own. There is no way to avoid misfortune in our lives. Bad things happen to everyone, including people that seem to have done nothing wrong, and our problems are always bigger to ourselves than other people's problems. However, although our problems are always biggest to ourselves, it is a falseness of context to believe that our problems should be as big to other people. The difference is how misfortune is handled, both in ourselves and other people. We need to learn to face the vicissitudes of fate with grace and poise, and to keep from getting knocked down more than we get back up. The more we glory in our own misfortune, and label ourselves by our failures, the harder it will be for us to succeed. And when we glory in the misfortune of others, we simply lessen ourselves and dim our Flame. Penance and forgiveness are unpopular concepts today. We want to believe that what we do is okay, as long as we had a good reason, and that feeling sorry for our mistakes should be enough. The truth of the matter is, good intentions only carry so far. Good acts, repairing ones mistakes, those are the acts of a good person. We will make mistakes. There is no way to live life without sometimes making horrible mistakes, either of action or inaction. Questions: * What are your flaws? What are your virtues? Which question was harder to answer and why? * What feeds your Flame? What stifles it? Which do you court in your life? * How do you nurture other people’s Flames? Allow your own to be nurtured? Do you live in a nurturing environment? [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/ ===== ===== RECIPE CENTER -- POWERFUL FREEWARE RECIPE DATABASE ===== There are an amazing number of recipe programs available. Most are fairly expensive, and all have somewhat different sets of features. None seem to have everything my wife wanted, so it was hard to justify actually paying for one. Recipe Center is a freeware recipe program I discovered today. It doesn't look like it will do everything my wife wants either, but it has the advantage of being free, so I'm going to ask her to give it a try. It has the following features: * Create New Recipes: Compile your own recipe collection. Uses IntelliSense, a tool that makes suggestion of words to use as you key in the letters in Recipe Center Version 5. It is very useful when encoding recipes because it makes your work faster and more consistent. * Import/Export recipes to and from Meal Master * Recipe Download: Recipe Center can import thousands of recipes from various compatible recipe websites * Recipe Resizing: Recalculates the quantity of ingredients needed according to your desired yield * Advanced Search Filters: Search by multiple recipe name, ingredients, keywords, etc. * Recipe Card Printing: Print out recipes, with the option to attach pictures. * Recipe Exchange: Send recipes to your friends by email (PDF format, Text format and Recipe Center format) * Shopping List: Print your shopping lists based on ingredients of selected recipes * Unit Conversion Tool: a flexible unit conversion tool to convert an extensive list of units of measurements, example: 1 cup of strawberry converted into pound, ounces, g, or kg * Advanced Recipe Encoder: Allows the user to simply cut and paste recipes into the program - no need to retype recipe ingredients * Spell Checker: Spell check your recipe ingredients, procedures, shopping list This program does have one obvious drawback. It is a Microsoft .NET 1.1 program. This means it only works in Windows 2000 or XP -- and only if you install the .NET 1.1 framwework (it's free, but it is a 20 meg download from Microsoft). Rating: 4.0 Operating System: Windows 2000 and XP Special Requirement: Microsoft .NET 1.1 Framework License: Freeware Price: Free Version Reviewed: 2005_08_29 Web Site: http://www.recipecentersoftware.com/ ===== ===== ESNIPS -- ONLINE STORAGE AND SOCIAL NETWORK ===== Web 2.0 is really just another buzzword used by pundits to refer to any fancy-looking web-based application they consider new and cool. Most so-called Web 2.0 applications do not do much for me. Every once in a while, however, one comes along with a new slant on things that looks both interesting and useful. eSnips is one such application. Register for eSnips and you get 1 gig of free storage space. You can store documents, videos, audio, pictures -- just about any file you want. You can also store web links and even snippets of web sites. So far, eSnips is like any number of other web storage space sites -- with a bit more space than some. However, eSnips lets you tag your files with keywords and share them with other users if you want. If you choose to share a files, you either the entire world or just a select group. While this combination of file storage and social networking may sound weird, it is actually quite useful in practice, both for sharing things with a small group of family and/friends and for making files available to the world at large. It's also fun to search through files by tags and just see what others have found. For example, here is a link to all the files tagged Nature Wallpapers. You'll note that you can even leave comments on tags. eSnip's Terms of Service forbid copyright-violating material -- and I haven't seen a lot of such material on the system, so what is uploaded in violation of their TOS must get deleted quickly. Porn is also forbidden and I did not come across any (although I did not spend much time looking). Rating: 4 Stars Price: Free Web Site: http://www.esnips.com/ ===== ===== SCARABAY -- PORTABLE PASSWORD MANAGER ===== It seems like every web site (and even some programs) want you to have a unique user name and password. Worse, you are expected to somehow remember all these ids and passwords -- not to mention which site or program each is associated with. Many people just write them all down on a list next to their computer. While this is horrible for security, it is far more realistic for the average person who lacks the superhuman memory for random sets of characters that computer security experts stupidly expect people to have. A somewhat better way to handle the flood of accounts and passwords is a password manager program that will store all of your passwords, user ids, pins, and the like in an encrypted file that you access with a single password. This reduces the number of number of passwords that you absolutely have to remember to one. There are a lot of programs like this available, some pay, some free. In my opinion there are two key things to look for: 1) easy of use -- the ability to drag passwords from the manager to the field on the login form is nice. 2) portability -- the ability to run the program from a CD, floppy, or USB stick (as you will not always be at the same computer). It may surprise you that great cryptographic security is not on this list. For most people, any cryptographic process is going to be better than that list taped to the monitor, so I don't list it. However, if you have the need for high security, you'll probably want to go with a commercial program who backs up their claims of security with a corporation to sue if there are problems. SCARABAY is a freeware password manager that beats both of my requirements and has many more features: Storage of any confidential information (logins, passwords, credit card number, ...). Data file encryption. Creating the password of any complexity with the help of the built-in password generator. Creating any number of users and data files. Create, copy, edit and delete data quick and easy. Backup copying and data restoration system. Multiple Windows Users. One computer -- many users, one user -- many computers. User Data (All program and all users data) on Removeable Drive: USB keychain, ZIP disk, diskette. Program Work and Start: USB keychain, ZIP disk, diskette. Change Master (User) Password. Data Password protecting. Navigate your browser to the login page. The software saves all the settings changed by the user. Rating: 4.0 Stars (rated for usage only, not cryptographic abilities) Operating System: Windows 98+ License: Freeware Price: Free Version Reviewed: 2.8 Web Site:http://www.alnichas.info/scarabay.html [08] ========= ========= From the Spell Grimoire: ========= SPELL TO CREATE CALMNESS AND AID CONCENTRATION ========= You need: White candle Jasmine or Pine incense Sprig of sage This is best performed at night, but it can be done any time of day. Light the white candle and the incense stick. Close your eyes and hold the sage close to your nose, and breathe in its calming scent. Keep holding it as say: Calming powers of sage and pine, Add order to this life of mine, (name) By the four corners, elements, God and Goddess too, If this gift seems fit to you, Then please grant calmness unto him/me. So mote it be, So mote it be. Repeat as necessary. It works within a day or two. === === 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: ========= WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY - PROPER NAVIGATION ========= [If you are running -- or thinking of running a web site (Pagan- related or not), you will find more articles, reviews, and other useful information at the following sites: The Cauldron's Pagan Webcrafting http://www.ecauldron.com/articles/archives/cat_webcrafting.php The Cheap Web Hosting Report http://www.cheapwebhostingreport.com/ ] A very important point to consider while designing a website is proper navigation. You must ensure that potential clients or customers are able to find the information they are looking for without too many clicks. As a quick rule of thumb, visitors to your site should be able to visit all your pages by using, at most, 3 clicks. This is also important when considering search engine optimization (SEO) because search engines will only spider (or index) pages that are 3 clicks deep into your site. Not only does proper navigation allow users to find information they are looking for, but it also allows search engines to spider (or index) the information they are looking for. This is essential if you want high quality search engine traffic directed to your website. Different types of websites employ different navigation styles, so it is probably best to visit websites similar to your own to see which navigation structure they have chosen. The most common locations for your navigation menu are either on the left side of the page or at the top of the page. When internet users view a website, they do so using what is termed as a "Z scan". As soon as a page loads, most people scan from the top-left, across to the top-right of the page, then down to the lower-left, and eventually across to the lower-right of the page. So, it makes the most sense to locate your navigation menu in the area where the user is going to first look. Smaller sites usually only require a static menu on either the side or top of the page. However, website that contains 10 - 15 topics on different pages may require a drop-down menu. These menus may use DHTM, _JavaScript, or some other programming language. When the user's mouse moves over a main topic category, boxes containing subcategories will drop-down, allowing the user to quickly find the information they are looking for. I f this type of menu is used, it is best to also include text-based navigation in another location on the page. Older browser versions may not support drop-down menus, and therefore a small percentage of people may not be able to navigate your website. Even more important though, is the fact that search engines will not be able to navigate and index your site if there is no text based navigation. Another concern is accessibility by assistive technologies. For example, blind Internet users literally read the code of your page. Therefore, if a navigation menu is image based or uses image maps, alternate text must be used to allow the user to properly navigate the website. To make things easy, no matter what type of navigation I choose for a client's website, I always include text-based navigation links at the bottom of every page to ensure that they are accessible to all Internet users and search engine spiders. A Few Important Tips * Plan your site navigation structure before designing your website to ensure that you are not forgetting any page links. It may be cumbersome to fix every page you have created because you a missing a link or two. * The navigation menu must be clean-cut and uniform. * Do not make the user scroll down the page to see the navigation menu. * If you have too many links, use drop-down menus or create a site map. * The navigation structure should be flexible enough to allow the inclusion of additional links at a later date. * Use short, clear and concise words in your links so your customers know exactly what type of information that page will contain. * Make sure every page has a link back to your homepage. This can be achieved by providing a "Home" link in the navigation structure, and / or linking your logo image to the homepage. * For larger sites, breadcrumb trails can be used to let the user know what section of the website they are in. For example, at the top of a certain page, the user would see: "Home / Products / Widgets / Green Widgets" === === About the Author === Paul Coulter's company, Cost Effective Web Design ( http://www.cost-effective-design.com/ )provides low cost, custom web design services for small businesses in the Windsor Ontario area. View the services that Paul's company has to offer at his web site. [10] ========= ========= From the Cauldron Cookbook: ========= Chicken Enchilada Casserole ========= submitted by TexasRed ========= Ingredients 1 Tbs oil 2 large cooked chicken breast halves-diced 1 onion-diced 1 small can chopped green chiles 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 5-6oz can ripe olives-sliced 1 10oz can green enchilada sauce 2 cans Campbell Creamy Chicken Verde soup 1 cup sour cream 12 corn tortillas 12 oz grated Cheddar-Jack mix cheese 1/2 bunch of cilantro Directions Cook onion and garlic in oil until softened, add olives, chiles, chicken and enchilada sauce, stir until hot. Mix soup with sour cream. Put 1/3 in bottom of 9X13 pan, arrange half the tortilla s over, add all of chicken mixture and half the cheese. Top with remaining tortillas and the rest of the soup mixture. Cover and cook at 350 for 1 hour. Top with rest of cheese and chopped cilantro.. Serve with refried beans and a salad. === === 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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