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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #87 -- September 2007 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/ 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 * Avatar Design Challenge #2 Results [02] Interesting Recent Cauldron Discussions * Online Magic School Experiences? * Do Magic and Some Religions Mix? * Types of Magical Practice? * Lithomancy? * God/Goddess vs. Specific Deities * Reversed Tarot Cards * Point of the Astral/What is the Astral? * Tarot not for Strong Empaths? * Wicca and Polytheism * O' Great Golden One (It's Apollo...) [03] Articles * How to Keep Your Coven from Being Destroyed: Part VII * Who Sings Now? I * Reading Tarot Cards - Reading for Another Person * The Pagan Reconstructionist's Dilemma * Review: Llewellyn's 2008 Magical Almanac * Review: Llewellyn's 2008 Witches' Datebook * Review: Llewellyn's 2008 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac * Review: Isaac Newton's Freemasonry [04] Flamekeeping: Hell-Dreams [05] Software Gadgets: The Column * Explorer XP * ImageTasks — Image Batch-Processing Freeware * Folder Guide — Fast Access to Folders in Open/Save Dialogs [06] Grimoire: Attract the Perfect Lover Spell [07] Recipe: Frog Eyes (Pickle Rolls) [08] Support The Cauldron [09] 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 September 2007 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. This issue has a wider selection of articles thanks to Moon Ivy, our new Acquisitions Editor. She prods members who write meaty posts on our message board to turn them into articles. She, and the members who submit things, are really making a difference in our content. Thank you one and all! 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 ========= ===== ===== Cauldron Message Board Info: ===== AVATAR DESIGN CHALLENGE #2 RESULTS ===== The results of our second Avatar Design Challenge (theme: books) are in and Lykaios is the winner. You can see more info here: * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2764.0 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ PAGAN-FRIENDLY WEB HOSTING http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php Dreamhost offers high-quality, low cost web hosting with a dedication to free speech. 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 * 140 gigabytes web space * 1400 gigabytes/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] ========= ========= INTERESTING RECENT 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. ===== ===== Online Magic School Experiences? ===== I find it difficult to sit down and just read a book, but at the same time I find myself doing open-ended Google searches and joining in on forum discussions on religious topics. I guess it's just more interactive, and that is why I am interested in something like an online learning program. I've checked into some of the educational sites out there and some stand out more than others, and I am trying to figure out if any of them are right for me. Anyway, the sites that I've found are College of the Sacred Mists -- Very nice website, well laid out, and upcoming video seminars with Janet Farrar + Gavin Bone (The Farrars are probably my favorite authors in the field). On the negative side, quite expensive at $20/month plus a $25 enrollment fee. WitchSchool -- seem to offer a much more diverse set of courses than the other schools and even put out stuff on YouTube regularly. They are probably the lowest costing of the bunch. The problem is that they seem quite "fluffbunny," in some of their methods. They put a seance on YouTube that made me wonder if they were serious which really made me think twice about becoming a member. I believe that they recently disabled the ability to do a trial course for non-paying members, as well. Grey School of Wizardry -- has the right people with credibility behind it (Oberon Zell), but aimed at younger people with lots of Harry Potter overtones, so I'm not really feeling it's a good match for me. Magicka School -- Offers more than the others for free, but seems to be lacking in diversity (seems limited to Wicca/Tarot/Kaballah) I was wondering if anyone was (or is) a member of any of these sites or any others I may have missed. If I do decide to try it, I am leaning towards WitchSchool or College of the Sacred Mists since these seem to offer the most variety/credibility, but definitely want to hear your thoughts good or bad on any of them. Looking forward to reading your replies! * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2598.0 ===== ===== Do Magic and Some Religions Mix? ===== I'm seriously interested in witchcraft and magic of the non- Wiccan variety, but I'm also trying to find a belief system that most fits the way I live my life and makes more sense to me than the ones I've seen so far. Really, what I've been interested in is Hellenism and the ethical codes and sensible attitude they have toward their gods and their everyday lives; plus I am intimately familiar with the gods of Hellenism and have felt a connection with them more than once. However, I've heard from some that magic and Hellenism do not mix, nope, no question about it. I'm just wondering what your opinions on it are and if these two things can be used in sync. Also, what are the differences between non-Wiccan witchcraft paths? I'd like to learn more about them so I can fairly evaluate which one is best for me. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2566.0 ===== ===== Types of Magical Practice? ===== I know most of us don't fit into one category in regards to how we choose to do our workings but I'd really like to hear about other people's 'style', if you could call it that. Do you prefer ceremonial magick with all the bells and whistles or do you go more along the lines of intrinsic or inner magick? How about the so-called kitchen witches? How would you describe your 'style'? How do those who follow nature magick go about their business? Or how about shamanism or alchemy? I'd love to have different points of view. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2500.0 ===== ===== Lithomancy? ===== I very recently stumbled upon a form of divination that I had not known about before. Lithomancy, the art divination using stones. I actually first heard about it this weekend from me new favorite book Witchcraft for Tomorrow. Sadly though I have no real information on it and the few searches I have come up with haven't given much detail on how to use it. I understand the main concept, different stones relate to different astrological plants and also different aspects of live, love, luck, news, magick, ummm, I forget the others... and you would predict depending oh how the stones would fall. I hope I am understanding it right. What I would like to know basically is if anyone has any kind of information or resources on this type of divination? have any of you used it personally and how has it worked out for you? Are there any books devoted to the subject that I might be able to get a hold of? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2442.0 ===== ===== God/Goddess vs. Specific Deities ===== In doing more research and reading, I've come across a bit of a snafu that I seemed to have overlooked "last time." Much of Pagan literature speaks of the relationship between the Goddess and the God, almost as a pantheon unto themselves. And then, on the other hand, there are tons of pantheons which people follow, either collectively or working with one or two deities. If you are drawn to or are working with a set pantheon or deities, do you still honor the Goddess and the God? At this point, I believe that both modes are equally "legitimate," and that the separate gods and goddesses are all different facets of the God or Goddess. My sometimes-straight-and-narrow Virgo mind has trouble wrapping itself around all the shades of gray that could be involved. And the more I think about it, the more muddled I get. Is there anyone out there who just follows the Goddess and the God? (Sort of the "monotheistic" way of Paganism.) Do you just follow a specific pantheon or god(s)/goddess(es)? If you worship both ways, how do they fit together in your path? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2430.0 ===== ===== Reversed Tarot Cards ===== I was going to ask how you go about allowing reversed cards in, as I am particularly fussy about ensuring things are the right way up, generally, but suddenly feel I should allow my cards to reverse, should they so wish. My original question was how do you go about introducing the possibility of reversed cards? Would you deliberately reverse say half of them? Would you twist the odd card during shuffling? Etc. However, on shuffling the cards earlier this popped in to my head and one of the cards literally jumped out of my hands and slid across the table lol! That, combined with the fact that I feel ready to read reversed cards, let me accept it, and it did make me giggle somewhat too! I glimpsed at the card on replacing it and it was reversed in the pack. I don't know which card it was though (I'm good at that, I can look at the answers to crosswords and sudoku without seeing anything I shouldn't do!) and since then I've quickly gone through the pack and there are at least 4 or 5 that are the wrong way up in the pack now (not sure how there are that many, only one jumped and I was, until today, very careful). I'm just wondering whether or not anyone else ended up doing reversed cards like this, or whether you took deliberate steps to accept reversed cards? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2423.0 ===== ===== Point of the Astral/What is the Astral? ===== I hear a lot of discussion about what people are doing on the astral. What I've never understood, and what I'd love to have explained, is what the astral /is/. How can you tell the difference between the astral and a daydream? What do you /do/ there? I mean to ask with respect, so if the question is coming across wrong, I'm sorry. I just don't understand - and I want to. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2345.0 ===== ===== Tarot not for Strong Empaths? ===== So I've gotten advice from people in my life, and I'm wanting to get a collective opinion on the subject. I was at a (real) occult shop in my hometown last week, and the shopkeep (hehe I love that word) walked over to me and gently removed the deck from my hand. I was a little peeved, to say the least. He said that tarot isn't for strong empaths. I was surprised, as not many people save for family have ever been able to tell (it runs in the family, thanks ma), but I was confused. The gentleman laughed, called me a wild empath, and tried to tell me that while I am extremely powerful, I am but wild and not accustomed to my worth. While this is true, I can't control it nor things I am able to do, I was a bit upset. Why would empathy make for a bad tarot reading? I mean, I'm not out to pretend to be something I'm not, I'm not going to read tarot for money or anything of that sort. I just wanted to get to know that sort of thing a bit better, you know? I suppose, if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated. I'm still going to purchase a deck and work with my Teacher in my Order, but I'm curious to know what you all think about what this shopkeep (man I love that word!) had said to/about me. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2329.0 ===== ===== Wicca and Polytheism ===== As a disclaimer, let me first say that by Wicca, I'm talking about is non-oathbound material - that is what is available in books, magazines etc... I understand that there has been a lot of discussion about what separates NeoWicca from Wicca from Wiccanesque from eclectic, but I'm still unsure of exactly where the lines are. That said, I'm wondering if there is anything contradictory in being a polytheistic Wiccan. Most of what I've read presents Wicca as duotheistic or even a kind of light monotheism* but I've also heard people say that they themselves are hard polytheists who have a patron and matron deity (oftentimes from ancient pantheons) which they focus on. And then I've also heard some Wiccans say that the Goddess/God of Wicca are separate deities whom you worship using Wiccan rituals. So I'm kind of confused. I know a lot of people who claim the Wiccan label have totally different ideas wrt theology and such. I just feel a strong draw to a lot of what I read about Wicca, but I'm also more of a hard polytheist and I'm looking for a little elucidation. * This, I will admit, is something more common in fluffier books, but it's still pretty common. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2249.0 ===== ===== O' Great Golden One (It's Apollo...) ===== As you all probably know there are several followers of Apollo here on TC, myself included, so I figured it's about time he got his own thread. He's already getting a cookie, it's the seventh of the month. (The cookie is almond sugar rolled in coconut...) I'd like to keep the thread UPG, various instances you've experienced, odd quirks of his(though he would never do anything odd), or even favorite myths.... I'll start, he hates my cat. To the point of a giving me a near allergy despises him, poor Barnaby never did anything wrong, spoiled, yes. Pain in the butt, I'll give him that. But nothing that should make him hate Barnaby... Besides being a cat-hater I adore him, he's pretty much perfect.... Anyone else or just me? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2240.0 [03] ========= ========= ARTICLES ========= ===== ===== HOW TO KEEP YOUR COVEN FROM BEING DESTROYED ===== Part 7 (of 7): Keeping Trolls at a Distance... ===== or Remote Con-Troll ===== by Eran ===== In this series, I've described some of the dangers trolls represent, some ways of recognizing them, some descriptions of what works and what doesn't in trying to handle them. Here are some closing thoughts - a summary of how to deal with trolls, and some descriptions of what you can expect from them after they're gone. === === Basic Troll Handling: A Summary === The theory of trollhandling is really very simple: Learn how to recognize trolls. Once you are convinced that a person is, in fact, a troll, the actions you should take are straightforward. * If you recognize trolls before they join your Coven, don't let them in. * If they fool you for a while and get in anyway, once you realize what you're dealing with, kick them out. If someone seems to be exhibiting troll-like behavior: Go over in your mind the trolls you might have met, your interactions with them, and the kinds of trollish behaviors they displayed. Review the earlier chapters on how to spot trolls. If you become convinced that a potential Coven member is a troll, tell that person, "Our Coven is not really a good fit for you. Paganism is a big place. I'm sure you'll find a group more to your liking elsewhere." For a current Coven member, use this same speech, and end it with, "Just to be clear: you are no longer a member of this Coven." Be firm and uncomplicated. There is no need to be sarcastic or cruel. The troll will probably accuse you of being cruel anyway, but you know the difference between firmness and cruelty, so don't let yourself become hesitant. Being firm, straightforward, and to the point tells the troll you are not afraid, and you have no question about this being the right decision. Trolls, like guard dogs, can smell fear and uncertainty a mile away, and will try to use your own fears and uncertainties to intimidate you. But there is no need for hesitation at this point. You know what to do, you know it's necessary, and you are fully capable of doing it. Do not bend over backwards to be understanding or gentle. Don't couch your words in polite euphemisms. Don't be subtle - trolls will ignore or misinterpret subtlety when it suits them. The troll will ask for justification or explanation. Don't get into a recitation of reasons. You'll be given excuses and misdirections, tales of misfortune or misunderstandings, victimizations and "subjective realities". Instead, just repeat: "Our Coven is not a good fit for you. I'm sure you'll find a group more to your liking elsewhere. You are no longer a member of this Coven," or, "... You are not going to become a member of this Coven." After that, insist the troll stay away. Don't try to "settle your differences" with the troll. Don't try to make him or her like you. Don't even try to explain your decision to the troll. In general, from that point on, treat expelled trolls as if they don't exist. Trying to have any sort of relationship with expelled trolls - or even allowing them to have further contact with you or with your Coveners - will be seen as vulnerability. Trolls will interpret such actions as invitations to try again, opportunities to resume or continue their manipulative and destructive behavior. On the other hand, firmly cutting off contact tells a troll that you don't play trollish games, and won't be sucked into one. It sends the message that you can't be manipulated, and can't be frightened into engaging in defensive behavior. Don't bother to answer letters from an expelled troll, or to return phone calls. It will serve no purpose. But if a troll calls you and catches you at home, don't just hang up, for this will be interpreted as fear, and will invite accusations of rudeness or something worse. It's far better to be confidant and firm - and unhurried. Learn a few simple phrases, and practice repeating them like a broken record, firmly but calmly: "Our association has ended. We really have nothing to discuss." If the troll asks whether he or she can call you back at a better time, answer, "Our association has ended. We really have nothing to discuss." If you're asked why you're being so hard and cruel, answer, "Our association has ended. We really have nothing to discuss." If you're asked some other question - How are you these days?, or Did you see the latest Kevin Costner movie? - answer, "Our association has ended. We really have nothing to discuss." Then say, "I'm very busy right now, so I'm going to hang up. Good-bye." And then hang up. You don't need to wait for the troll to say goodbye. Chances are he or she won't. The word "association" is much better than "relationship." Don't say, "Our relationship is over." You don't want to give the troll an opportunity to play upon any implied intimacy of a past "relationship." An "association" is a much more vague concept, more impersonal, less intimate. Describing your past connection as an "association" is likely to make the troll pause at least a bit. === === Online Afterwards === Do not respond to emails from a troll. Most importantly, do not allow an expelled troll to engage you in online conversation in email lists or newsgroups. A troll who has attacked you in real life is even more likely to do so online, before a potential audience of millions. It is likely that some public posts addressed to you from a troll may be polite and even interesting, or curious about some point. You may be tempted to imagine that the troll has changed, and can be trusted to engage in civil behavior in public. Don't be fooled. The troll will use a couple of polite emails to draw you into saying something which the troll can twist into an attack. Trolls are incredibly tenacious. They will come after you again if you leave an opening, and the medium of the internet is much too attractive a place for them to pass up. If an expelled troll addresses a post to you on a public email list, you really have no good option. The best response is probably to simply ignore it. Pretend the post was not there at all. Conversations on email lists generally move past quickly enough that any specific post will rapidly be forgotten. It the troll insists on repeatedly attempting to engage you, continue to ignore it. Any public response at all will play into the troll's hand. If someone asks you why you're ignoring these particular posts, you can respond in private email, with something like, "I prefer not to respond to contacts from an expelled member of my Coven." It is a very unusual list in which the participants understand the dangers and techniques of trolls, so, in most cases, any public statement of why you're declining to answer will usually be seen by others as an attack by you upon the poor troll, and the troll will have no trouble portraying you as being mean and vindictive. Until there is a general acceptance and recognition of the existence, techniques, and attitudes of trolls, you can't reliably or effectively explain what's really going on. Depending on the nature and usual tone of that particular list, you can try a short and simple public response. A fairly gentle reply might be, "We have private issues between us, and I want to insure they don't come up here." You can try much stronger responses also, but be aware that the stronger your response is, the more heat it will generate, so you have to really know your audience well, and hope they know you. In any case, keep the reply to one or two very short sentences, and end with, "That's all I care to say about it in public." Trolls will go online and say or imply nasty and false things about you and about their experiences in your Coven. Do your best to ignore that as well. The people who know you will know those things are false. Being drawn into an online argument about it will make you seem defensive and worried and weak, and will invite further attacks. Expelled trolls will use the precious things you taught them to become liked and respected by people as far as electrons can reach. Trolls will portray themselves as charming, sincere, knowledgeable, helpful, and all-around wonderful people. They tend to gather good-sized followings of people online who will think the world of them - most of whom will never meet them face- to-face. It is galling in the extreme to see trolls blithely chatting away on the internet, gaining friends and using their incredibly effective trollish charms to earn accolades and praise for themselves, when you know what they're really like. There's really very little you can do about that. This may be one of the hardest things to deal with in the aftermath of a troll's attacks. View the troll as a plague which passed through your Coven, and which may, sadly, affect others later, an impersonal force which you can't stem and for which there is no good form of protection or inoculation. View it al as potential learning opportunities for the people who are taken in by the troll's charms. === === Re-Engagement? === At some later date, an expelled troll may call you to ask for help. The kinds of help requested could be anything, from the most mundane to the most occult. The troll could need money, or could be convinced he or she is under psychic attack, or could be in the throes of another conflict with someone else. In any case, you really don't need to know about it, and you really don't want to get involved again. Helping the troll out of some tight jam is not your responsibility. It won't generate any feelings of gratitude or obligation on the part of the troll. It won't convince the toll that you're not really such a bad person. All it'll do is get you tangled up again, and make you once more vulnerable to the troll's manipulative behavior. The troll may try to guilt you into becoming involved. "I know we've had problems in the past. But I really need help now. Couldn't we put aside those petty differences?" Or, "It's been (months, years, whatever). Can't you get past what happened so long ago? Or, "You know, holding on to your anger really isn't healthy. Can't we grow beyond all that?" People can change, you might think. It has been a while. But unless you already have very, very strong evidence to the contrary, bear in mind that trolls generally do not change, not without a really radical cause and intensive therapy, which you probably would have heard about. Your proper answer, to all the troll's questions, is, "My energies are now going where I need to have them go. Our association has ended. I'm sure you can find what you need elsewhere." "But no," the troll might answer. "You are the only one I can turn to," followed by a hint at your particular skills, accomplishments, attributes, knowledge, whatever the troll thinks would make you feel flattered and respected. You answer, "My energies are now going where I need to have them go. I'm sure you can find what you need elsewhere." Then, "I'm very busy right now, so I'm going to hang up. Good-bye." Most people are reluctant to act in such a cold and harsh manner. But politeness and concern are wasted on a troll. Such things will be used against you, to prolong a conversation, in the hopes of manipulating you again. Remember, all things in Nature must be treated according to their innate properties. You do not submerge a canary under water any more than you would try to balance a goldfish on a perch. Providing concern and politeness to a troll is no more appropriate than keeping a goldfish in a birdcage. In the same way, you'd normally not invite a raccoon into your home, no matter how cute its eyes are. Raccoons have very strong teeth and very short tempers, are completely untamable, and will feel no gratitude for your hospitality. Raccoons are not that different from trolls. === === Outliving a Troll === Someone once said, "The best revenge is a life well lived." The worst thing you can do to a troll is to live a long and healthy, happy life, unaffected by the troll's best efforts. They hate that. But of course, you can't be entirely unaffected. Every experience you have in your life helps to shape you, to shape your consciousness and your ways of reacting to the world. You can't really prevent a troll's vicious and irrational attacks from affecting you in one way or another. What you can do, though, is to choose what you do with the experience. Nietzsche once said, "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger," and there's some truth to that. Even uncomfortable lessons are lessons nonetheless, and some of the most uncomfortable are the most valuable. Many Traditions in the Craft include symbols of this Great Truth. As Witches, we are asked if we're willing to suffer to learn. Nature isn't always kind. Ask any doe caught in a forest fire. Nature can't always be controlled. Ask a farmer wiped out by a draught. Some difficult truths can't be changed. Ask anyone who's lost a beloved partner. So, what is a good way to react to trolls? Use them to help build community, and to help build networks of people you can trust. Use them to strengthen Pagan organizations, making them more flexible and more able to face challenges. Use them to help cultivate in yourself more of a sense of serenity and acceptance of the world as it is. When faced with a troll, call your friends and loved ones, accept their help and support. Call on your Gods, and let yourself be enfolded in Their warmth. When a friend is being targeted by a troll, offer your ear and your love. In a way, trolls serve a valuable purpose (The Books of Raoul say, "Every ecosystem needs maggots"). They're a reminder that, even as Witches, there are some things we can't change, some aspects of the World we can't control, some facets of life which are going to be painful, some pains which must simply be borne. Trolls are an opportunity to learn and to grow despite obstacles - no, because of obstacles. They're an opportunity to accept the existence of destructive, as well as creative, aspects of the Gods. They're a reminder to lean on your friends and loved ones, and to rely on the peace and strength which the Gods provide. So there is a sense in which the existence of trolls is beneficial. But that doesn't mean you have to actually talk to them. Much more could be said about various techniques of trollhandling and trollspotting. Other Coven Leaders may have come up with their own surefire methods of recognizing trolls, or of ridding themselves of the critters, or avoiding them in the first place. This is another possible benefit from networking: the chance to draw on the experience of others. Start conversations on the topic. Next time you find yourself dealing with a troll, you'll be glad you did. === === About the Author === Copyright (c) 2002 David Petterson May be recirculated as long as this information is included ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ 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: 140 gigs web space -- 1400 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 +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ===== ===== WHO SINGS NOW? I ===== By Entwife ===== Large agile hands reach with elongated fingers to grasp the Sky, and drink the Winds. Ragged harp and violin voices Thrum to the Winds' Throb, like an orchestra tuning up... Singing... like Hawks in the distance... "In Sunlight on a branch I sit!", Songs, like Prophecies, "Lean Times Around the Corner!", like the latest headline, "Hurry! Work! Save for the Needs of Tomorrow!" I warn. They pass me by or flutter their feathers... Seeming to heed me not. While Time, Death, Lessons, Predators and Possibilities Circle... ...Sing... ...Hover like Birds in the Distance. Who Sings Now? ~~~~ I had a funny bit of inspiration last fall that started me writing this Singing series of poems. Each poem is inspired by a Creature Teacher found in Nature, and at other sites I have shared these works, everyone has a good time trying to guess who is singing before they move on to the Totem portion of the article. When we speak of Totems, most often we think of the many Animals sharing the World with us. Yet, anything in Nature can be a Totem with a lesson or message for us... winds,shells, trees, bodies of water, stones, storms, mountains, stars. All of these can inspire or teach us more about ourselves, our people, our world and how we all interact. Thus far, this Singing series has focused on Creature Teacher, although that may change at some point in the future. The belief is that we are but one of the many People on this planet and we have something to learn from All Our Relations. We have a great deal to learn from the World around us if only we would take a moment, apply our keen minds and open our hearts. Native tradition refers to Totems, other spiritual paths often use the term Power Animals, and I prefer simply Creature Teachers when speaking about the many Wisdoms that our furred, feathered and scaled cousins hold for us. There are several different types of totems though. Birth Totems, those whose influence we are born under in this life, rather like Sun signs. Every Birth totem also has a Clan that it belongs to, according to Native tradition, which requires some studying to find and then understand the relation between one Totem and the other. Power Totems are those that we choose to study and dedicate ourselves to in this life, or in most cases, those that choose us and expect our attention! Those that consistently appear in our lives can be trying to teach us of our Mission in life or the overall Theme of what we should be striving for, and sometimes Totems appear in our lives simply to teach us a Lesson or deliver a Message for that given moment in our lives. Shadow Totems are usually those Creatures or aspects of Nature that make us uneasy or that we outright fear, especially in an unreasoning or phobic manner. Shadow Totems are there to help us bring unresolved issues in our lives, this one or even past lives, to a good resolution. They can help us heal, recognize our own destructive tendencies, and better ourselves in ways that no other Totem can! Do you fear spiders, for example? Then perhaps what you really fear is deception, either self-delusion or the lies of others. Each Creature Teacher carries their own Wisdom and each casts its own Shadow. For more on the nature of Totems I Highly recommend the works of Ted Andrews, Jamie Sams, and David Carson as well as the website: http://wolfs_moon.tripod.com/totemroles.html . For all of these Creature or Nature Teachers though, the transition from Intuition and Spirit, to Reason and Physical Life is swift, natural, harmonious and powerful. As I said, we really can learn a lot if we only listen and pay attention to the World around us. There is an old Irish saying, "We live in the shadow of each others lives.", or as Chief Seattle said, "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." I first heard Chief Seattle's words when I was about three and I've held them close to my heart all these years. He was a wise and compassionate man who truly understood that all things are sacred. " All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports." We could certainly use a leader like Chief Seattle today. He didn't just understand these concepts... he lived them... and encouraged Everyone to open themselves to the Beauty around us. The best place to begin making the World a better place for all of us is with our own selves, our awareness, our own hearts and minds. When we realize that we are all in this life together and that all of our choices affect more than just our own lives, that is when we will truly begin to change the World for the better. Can you guess which Creature Teacher is singing here? Your guesses give me great insight into each Singer, and I'll post the rest of the article after everyone who's interested has a chance to guess. Please, share with me, let me know what you think and I'll be happy to post more of the Who Sings Now? series. Enjoy! ~~~~ "Too many times we stand aside and let the waters slip away, till what we put off till tomorrow has now become today. So don't you sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide." The River ~ Garth Brooks "With audacity one can undertake anything, but not do everything." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte "Home is where we tie one end of the thread of life." ~Martin Buxbaum Have you ever watched these audacious Creature Teachers? Squirrel is willing to leap with faith and attempt any maneuver. In his twinkling eyes, nothing seems insurmountable. When you feel stuck, and ready to give up...think of Squirrel however you know him best...red, black, tan, striped, or even flying! The type of squirrel that you are drawn to, or that appears in your life could easily influence the message they are trying to give you. Squirrels belong in the rodent family, but contrary to popular belief they rarely contract rabies, although they can carry other diseases. Early spring is usually the hardest time for these creatures as their buried nuts have begun to sprout and there are no fresh ones to take their place. Most squirrels are known for their nut-gathering and storing habits. Squirrels cannot digest cellulose and rely on a high protein, high carb diet, although they are omnivores and will eat various fruits, seeds, insects, eggs and even small birds or mammals, frogs or carrion as well as the traditional nuts. Neither peanuts nor sunflower seeds are good for them though as it inhibits protein absorption and can lead to a Metabolic Bone disease. Because their teeth grow continuously, squirrels need to chew to keep them sharp and a reasonable size. This is usually what causes them to be thought of as "pests". To keep a squirrel out of your attic or from chewing on things in your yard that you'd rather he didn't' sink teeth into, try strategically placed bundles of cat or dog hair. This tells the squirrel that a potential predator patrols there and will help keep them away. Hot pepper paste is also useful. Power outages are another common problem caused by squirrels. Twice squirrels have been responsible for power outages that have shut down the NASDAQ stock market! Squirrels are quite skilled at getting into hard to reach places, getting what they need and getting back out again...sometimes just in nick of time! Squirrels have also been known to co- operate with others that have the same sense of adventure, curiosity, and willingness to bond with others that may be radically different from themselves. Anyone who has ever watched a squirrel and a crow team up against a dog guarding a potential food source knows just what I mean! They, like crows, will warn other creatures of hidden hunters or other predators too. "Learn to adjust yourself to the conditions you have to endure, but make a point of trying to alter or correct conditions so that they are most favorable to you." ~ William Frederick Book "Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe "Thrift comes too late when you find it at the bottom of your purse." ~Seneca Squirrel often appears when action and boldness are required. However he also teaches us that Adaptability and Steadfastness in equal measure are essential to survive through the harshness of Winter. Like the ever-mindful Boy Scout of Nature, "Be Prepared!", could easily be his motto. He often appears to warn us that we will need to save up for the lean times headed our way. Have you ever seen a squirrel looking for a nut he buried before the snow fell? He also reminds us to "Gather only what you need!" Fortunately, Squirrel's forgetful thrift benefits everyone when a new tree grows from his absent-mindedness! Are you hoarding unnecessary things or hanging on to memories and emotions better laid to rest? Squirrel says, "It's better to forget where that nut is buried, than it is to still be worrying about it when you need to leap from that branch to the next Tree to escape the Cat you didn't see sneaking up on you!" "Tact in audacity is knowing how far you can go without going too far." ~ Jean Cocteau Bushy-tailed Squirrel can help you find your balance between daring and prudence, or how to balance your needs and desires to reach a happy compromise. Practical and bold, Squirrels and Squirrel people tend to be homebodies too. They seek secure places in which to build their homes as they will depend upon it, as Squirrel does, to survive the metaphorical harsh weather and the many clever predators encountered in life. Thus, Squirrel often appears when there is something in your home that needs attention. It could be something as simple as needing to spend more time at home, it could be that you need to find a new home altogether, or perhaps it is something in between. Home is our refuge, our place to relax and re-energize and we should treat it with respect putting only the best of efforts into the atmosphere. After a hard day there is nothing quite so comforting as closing the door behind me, taking a deep breath and saying, "It's ok...I'm home now." If something or someone is distrupting this atmosphere of safety and well-being, it is time to take action! Remember though, it isn't the building that makes a home. "A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams." ~ Unknown "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." ~ John Howard Payne "A penny saved is a penny earned." "A place for everything, everything in its place." ~ Benjamin Franklin He's not all warnings, cautions, and practical advice though. Where there is one squirrel, there is bound to be two and it's only a matter of time before they begin to play. Anyone who has ever watched in delight as two squirrels chase each other must know in their hearts that Squirrel plays just as diligently as he works. As wise as the fabled King Solomon, little Squirrel will sit on his sunlit branch in quiet meditation, content in knowing ... "TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up, A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away, A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak, A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. ( Ecc.3)" It is difficult to know "when" is the right time for "what", so now is always good time to think about this wise, adventurous, agile and bold Creature Teacher. When you are having trouble finding your balance or hesitating between the many choices that Life offers us, think about all that Squirrel can teach us and how it applies to your life. Balance, Trust, Confidence, Preparedness, Adaptability, Faithfulness are all Squirrel Lessons. When working in harmony, amazing feats of daredevil acrobatics can be achieved. Disharmony might bring rash words or impulsive behavior that might make that leap of faith through the air your last! Beware being too chatty, impulsive words and actions, procrastination, nervous or unfocused energy, clinging to things, thoughts, or emotions. Have you lost sight of your goals? Are you moving in too many directions at once? Maybe you just plain aren't spending enough time at home! Squirrels are infamous homebodies. Now is always a great time to clean house, either physically or spiritually. Throw away the trash, give away the useful that you no longer use and make room for something new in your life. Make a plan, set goals, and finish what you start. Each day, be grateful for all that you have achieved as well as all the gifts in Life, and try to help someone else along their way who may be struggling. Take the time to reflect upon the past year of your life. Celebrate the good and try to bless the not-so-good and lay it to rest as best you can. It is so much easier to move on in a good and healthy way if we aren't weighing ourselves down unnecessarily. I certainly don't like to repeat Squirrel's more painful lessons, although I'll admit I've felt that "splat!" on more than one occasion in my own life! This is usually when I realize that I've been traveling too fast to keep up with myself and make good judgments. Sometimes it is a real effort to slow myself down too, take the time to sit in the Sun, still my own chatter, and simply contemplate all of my choices. How does Squirrel appear in your life? "Home ought to be our clearinghouse, the place from which we go forth lessoned and disciplined, and ready for life." ~ Kathleen Norris "Feel my squirrely wrath!" ~ Foamy the squirrel from the neurotically yours videos === === About the Author === Entwife has posted a number of these Animal Teacher poems on our message board. Members try to guess who the teacher is from the poem. When someone successfully guesses, Entwife adds the commentary. Entwife hopes to publish the entire collection in an exopanded form in a book in the future. ===== ===== READING TAROT CARDS - READING FOR ANOTHER PERSON ===== by Marilyn ===== === === General steps in reading cards for another person === 1. Choose which layout to use. 2. Have the querent shuffle the cards. For distance readings, shuffle them while concentrating on the querent, their request, and anything else you know of them, including birth date, location, picture or avatar. 3. Lay out cards in the chosen order. 4. First Look: Look at the spread as a whole. Take general notice of relationships between the cards: ratio of major to minor arcana, upright to reversed cards, number and distribution of Court cards and suits. This is a very quick look, just getting a general impression of how the spread appears on the surface. 5. Second Look: Each Tarot spread contains relationships of cards that are not directly next to each other that can be helpful in understanding the overall meaning. For example, in the Celtic Cross spread, there is a spiral pattern that is not obvious on the surface, running from the base card through the crown, foundation, and goal positions. If these cards are related in meaning, it can indicate that the client has a good understanding of their own desires. If not, it can be an indication that the client is being unrealistic, or is not / has not put the necessary work into accomplishing their goals. Other spreads contain other patterns which are often a matter of instinct to discern. This look is also very quick, and serves as a guide when interpreting doubtful cards in their assigned positions. 6. Third Look This is generally when I start talking. This look is done in the reading order of the cards, which is not always the same as the laying out order. I find it best to define each position for the client as I go, and define each card as it relates to both the question and the position. Often the cards’ meanings and their positions will each lead naturally into the next, especially if the question is strongly represented in the reading. Sometimes they will seem disconnected or even in opposition to each other. This can indicate a failure of concentration, a difference in the expressed desire and the actual desire, or a situation in which the lay-out chosen is inadequate for the complexity of the issue being read. 7. Review: Once I've gone over the reading aloud for the first time, I will often go over it again, stressing the lines of connection between the cards or pointing out where they don't connect. I will ask clarifying questions and use the answers I get to narrow down and refine the information coming up. Ideally, I will be able to identify a strong line of connected meanings within the spread, but if I can't, I can't. One spread is often insufficient to fully analyze a situation. 8. Comments and Questions: At this point I will invite the client to comment on what I've said so far. Questions usually come up. If they are to do with specific cards and positions a satellite spread can often help. This is usually one or more cards placed on top of the confusing card or position and read in relation to the original card. If this doesn't help I make a (mental) note and go on with discussing the rest of the reading. Sometimes a discussion of a later card will clarify what was confusing about an earlier one. Once we have extracted as much of the meaning as possible from the spread I gather up the cards, shuffle them, and hand them back to the querent. 9. Clarification: We repeat the process using anything about the first reading which still needs clarification as the new question. If the first reading is clear we can go on to reading specific things that came up in it, or go on to a completely new question. === === Distance Readings === In a distance reading, the back-and-forth between the reader and the client is impossible. This means I must make more intuitive leaps, and give correspondingly more complex explanations in order to cover as much detail as I can, in the hopes that there will be enough information revealed to be helpful to the client. For distance readings, I will include in the reading price of the more complicated spreads the option to ask up to three questions after the client receives their reading. This is as much for my own benefit as the client's, since I don't feel 'right' if the reading feels too vague or unhelpful to me. Of course, that decision is up to the client. Most of the time I don't know the relative importance of the things I see in the cards, but the client does. === === About the Author === Marilyn is a professional Tarot Reader and a member of the Message Board staff at The Cauldron. ===== ===== THE PAGAN RECONSTRUCTIONIST'S DILEMMA ===== by Caelum Rainieri ===== This essay is about the inherent challenges that face Pagan Reconstructionists of every stripe, albeit to greater or lesser degrees depending upon the ancient civilization that they're studying. Whether they are Kemeticists, Hellenics, Asatruar, Celtic Recons, Neo-Druidic Recons, Sumerian, Finnish-Slavic, or Aztec Recons, each must consider (at some point) how they can best know what the available evidence says about an ancient culture's religious beliefs. Their answers will inform you about how they define the word, which can and does vary from Reconstructionist to Reconstructionist. For more information on the different Reconstructionist movements, see The Cauldron's Reconstructionist index here (http://www.ecauldron.com/reconindex.php). One thing that all Reconstructionists can agree on is that any effort to reconstruct an ancient religion must begin with primary source material (i.e., original records written in the native language of the culture being studied). If there are gaps in the primary record (and there almost always are), we then move to secondary sources, which typically are the published works of highly regarded researchers including archaeologists, anthropologists, art historians, etc. The next stop may be an examination of neighboring cultures, and then on to similar but non-neighboring cultures. As one moves further and further away from primary source evidence, the gap between what we "know" and what we "speculate" becomes greater and greater. === === The First Challenge - Lack of Primary Source Material === Speaking as an Aztec Reconstructionist, one of our greatest problems is a lack of primary source material thanks to the colonialization of Mexico by the Spanish in the 16th century. The Spanish invaders destroyed most of the native manuscripts for containing content that they deemed was heretical, obscene or immoral. Today, there are only about a dozen manuscripts in existence that are thought to pre-date the conquest, and they're all written in pictographs (Boone, 2000). As far as primary source material goes - that's it. The Neo-Druids and the Asatruar have similar problems. In the case of the Druids, they were an oral tradition so there never was any primary source material having to do with the tenets of the Druidic religion. As far as the Asatruar and their study of the old Germanic tribes, there is nothing that was written before the 13th century, long after the conversion of that region to Christianity. If there is little or no extant primary source material, then how reliable can one's attempt at reconstructing an ancient religion truly be? === === The Second Challenge - Issues of Translation === Unlike the Aztec and Asatru Reconstructionists, the Hellenic recons, for example, have a wonderful supply of classical Greek material to draw from. The next issue, regardless of how ample the primary sources are, is one of translation. The British historian and Greek scholar Brinley Roderick Rees wrote an essay entitled "Some Thoughts on Translation" (Greece & Rome, 2nd Ser., Vol. 21, No. 2 (Oct., 1974), pp. 111-127) which should be read in its entirety, but since it is 17 pages long, here are a few of the relevant bits: "The history of classical scholarship bears the traces of many a violent battle over the theory and practice of translation. What is a good translation? For that matter, what is meant by "translation" anyway? ...(H)ere is a rough attempt: 'a rendering of something written in one language into another which does not misinterpret the meaning or sacrifice the feeling of the original.' This is a tall order, and many would maintain that it is quite impossible to fulfill it. 'Everything suffers by translation except a bishop', wrote G. K. Chesterton; many others have made comments just as pungent on the efforts of translators. Most succinct of all is simply, 'Traduttori traditori'; in a way, the Italian catchword is irrefutable: every translation is a kind of betrayal of the original, since the meaning of a word, of a phrase, of a sentence is inseparable from the linguistic medium employed to express it. A word in one language is just not the equivalent of a word in another." Some Reconstructionists make an effort to learn the ancient language and do their own translation; however, as Rees so eloquently points out, translation is not simply replacing one word with another. Considering that today's Reconstructionist is struggling to understand the religious practices and beliefs of long-dead civilizations, how accurate can ANY translation really be? Then there is the problem of "gloss"; i.e., the influence of the translator upon that which is being translated. Take, for example, the word "Wyrd" as it's used in the Asatru religion. Many Asatruar rely upon this word to define their understanding of the Old Germanic concept of fate or destiny. However, the famous German historian G.W. Weber has demonstrated that the word should not be used to represent what the Germanic people believed fate to be. The obituary "Gerd Wolfgang Weber (1942-1998)" signed by Lars Lönnroth and appeared on alvíssmál 9 (1999), pp. 93-94 (electronic edition here: http://userpage.fuberlin.de/~alvismal/9obitgww.pdf) says: "His doctoral dissertation, Wyrd: Studien zum Schicksalsbegriff der altenglischen und altnordischen Literatur (Bad Homburg 1969), supervised by Klaus von See, also reveals to some extent the influence of Turville-Petre, but it is at the same time an independent, learned, and far- reaching study in Germanic philology, dealing with the idea of fate in early West Germanic and Old Norse texts. Weber demonstrates that the concept of wyrd is not genuinely or exclusively Germanic, but rather is influenced by classical Roman and Christian thinking, transmitted to Anglo-Saxon writers through Latin texts such as De consolatione philosophiae by Boethius. The dissertation shows that Weber, even at the earliest stage of his career, was able to deal with a variety of Germanic and Latin sources and draw critical conclusions from many kinds of philological and literary evidence." Then there's this from Rudolf Simek's "Dictionary of Northern Mythology" (1984 German edition, 1993 Eng transl) refers to G. W. Weber's "Wyrd" (Bad Homburg, 1969) when he writes: "Weber has been able to show that the expression 'wyrd' (which glosses Latin 'fortuna') is unlikely to hand down heathen-Germanic thought, but rather a medieval view of the world based on late Classical-Christian beliefs, and therefore ought not to be brought as evidence for a belief in fatalism among Germanic peoples." === === The Third Challenge: The Observer Effect === This challenge is of particular importance when the secondary or tertiary source material consists of observances by third parties to the religious or ritual behavior of the studied group. This has been referred to as "The Observer Effect", and scientific literature on this topic has established that in virtually every area of human judgment, such observer effects have a relentless and sometimes dramatic effect on the accuracy of results. A compelling argument for this phenomenon and its role in Forensic science can be read in "The Daubert/Kumho Implications of Observer Effects in Forensic Science: Hidden Problems of Expectation and Suggestion" by D. Michael Risinger, et al, California Law Review, Vol. 90, p.1, January 2002. Risinger summarized the scientific history of Observer Effects at the 2007 Forensic Bioinformatics conference http://www.bioforensics.com/conference07/Observer/index.html) as follows: "Scientists since that time have learned that observer factors can distort findings and produce misleading conclusions in myriad ways not so easily corrected for. The following are illustrations from a variety of fields. Sir Isaac Newton failed to report absorption lines in the prismatic solar spectrum, though they would have been clearly visible with the apparatus he was using. The most likely explanation for his failure to see them is that he held theoretically based expectations that such phenomena should not exist. Because he believed they did not exist, he failed to see them, or at least to note their presence. While Newton failed to see something that did exist, scientists of the early twentieth century saw something that did not exist. First reported by Rene Blondlot in 1903, "N- rays" appeared to make reflected light more intense. So long as they were believed to exist, the effects of N-rays were "observed" by many scientists. Of course, once it was determined that N-rays did not exist, their effects ceased to be observed. Observer effects also have been found in the reading of scales. That is, people do not always read dials and other readouts correctly, and their errors are nonrandom. Certain numbers or patterns are more likely to be "read" than others, resulting in systematic errors in the data read from the measuring instruments. For many years, laboratory technicians who counted blood cells visually were taught that correct counting would keep blood cell counts within a certain range of variation. In 1940, using a more accurate photographic method to count blood cells, researchers discovered that for years technicians had been reporting blood cell counts that were within an impossibly narrow band of variability. The technicians made observations consistent with the expectations they held, but inconsistent with reality. Mendel's counts of characteristics in pea plants came much closer to the theoretical predictions than is likely to have been possible. Mendel or his assistant either deliberately misreported, or were the victims of observer effects induced by expectation. One medical researcher found observer errors in the use of the stethoscope in cardiac diagnostics, leading him to suggest that physicians as well as their stethoscopes needed to be calibrated. Another medical researcher, after finding medical students observing quite inaccurately when presented with two x-rays of hands to study, concluded that "our assumptions define and limit what we see, i.e., we tend to see things in such a way that they will fit in with our assumptions even if this involves distortion or omission." A writer on marine biology, reflecting on problems of animal observation, commented that scientists may "equate what they think they see, and sometimes what they want to see, with what actually happens." These realizations and attention to them have evolved into a "science of science," a careful study of the causes of the random and systematic errors induced by observer effects and the methods for their prevention." With this in mind, it's clear that even the trained eye of the anthropologist cannot be counted on to provide an accurate and unquestioned account of the practices of contemporary descendants of ancient people, nor are ancient historians exempt from the same phenomenon. === === Conclusion === Regardless of how diligent and well-meaning Reconstructionists are in their own practice of an ancient religion, they are not exempt from the three challenges which I've laid out in this essay. That is not to say that the entire process of Pagan Reconstructionism is flawed and therefore should be tossed out in favor of unrestricted personal speculation. Quite the contrary! As an Aztec Reconstructionist myself, I still believe that the best policy in working with ancient religious beliefs and practices is to begin with the best evidence available about what the ancient people believed, and proceed from there. However, our attitude in doing this work must be one of tolerance, not intolerance; humility rather than ego; an assumption that one cannot know the complete truth, rather than the assumption that there is only one true way of practicing a reconstructed religion; and finally, that even the most skilled academician and/or the most adept priestess, priest, or shaman is not exempt from the "Observer Effect". === === About the Author === Caelum Rainieri writes The Aztec Reconstructionism blog at www.aztecreconstructionism.com, and is the owner of the Yahoo group Totemic Witchcraft and Live Journal community Tribal Paganism. He is also the co-author of the book and card deck "The Nahualli Animal Oracle" (Bear & Co., 2003). http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1591430178 ===== ===== REVIEW: LLEWELLYN'S 2008 MAGICAL ALMANAC ===== by Mike Gleason ===== Llewellyn's 2008 Magical Almanac by Llewellyn staff published 2007 by Llewellyn Paperback 384 pages ISBN: 0738705535 See This Book at Amazon: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0738705535 Llewellyn has once again produced their Magical Almanac, and once again the wide diversity of the articles is the main draw. As is traditional with this annual, the articles are broken into four broad categories (on for each of the traditional elements). Each of these categories is introduced by a short article explaining the season and its relationships. These introductions are then followed by an average of 14 articles by a number of different authors (there are 39 authors represented in this edition). With that many viewpoints and areas of interest there is sure to be something here of interest for everyone. Some views are very much orthodox and mainstream and some caused me to raise an eyebrow and mentally ask "Huh? Where did that come from?" I certainly don't agree with everything in this book, but then I never do. Some things contradict my personal experience; some are far too "white light and love" for my taste, and occassionally some are simply flat out wrong (from my understanding); having said that, I still have no hesitation in recommending this almanac. Regardless how I feel about a particular author' s take on a subject, I admire the determination it takes to put their thoughts before the public. It is easy to feel that you know what is true; it is another matter entirely to put it together coherently and ask others for their judgment on it. I look forward to the arrival of this book every year for two reasons. The first reason is that I know there will be information in here that I need to know (even if I don't know I need it yet). And the second reason is that know there will be things that will inspire me to do further reading and expand my own knowledge. There is no need to read this almanac straight through, or even in the order it is presented. Feel free to dip into any section at any time and read an article or two. With 57 articles (not counting the seasonal introductions) you are sure to find days, weeks, or even months of interesting reading between the covers of this book. The price is certainly bearable (little more than a couple of gallons of gasoline, or a pack of cigarettes). The reliability is a plus - you know it is going to be there year after year. The book holds up well (I have several years worth sitting on my shelves). I really feel that it is a good value. ===== ===== REVIEW: LLEWELLYN'S 2008 WITCHES' DATEBOOK ===== by Mike Gleason ===== Llewellyn's 2008 Witches' Datebook by Llewellyn staff Published 2007 by Llewellyn Spiral Bound 144 pages ISBN: 073870556X See this book at Amazon: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=073870556X Every year Llewellyn puts out a variety of calendars, datebooks, almanacs, etc. They all share a number of similarities: each daily entry will give you the moon phase and sign, a color associated with the day, and any significant astronomical/astrological events. Each of these publications will also include short bios of the contributing authors and a list of eclipses, Full Moons, and planetary retrogrades. This one also includes a table of Moon Void of Course data and a few pages for a phone book. I always look forward to the Witches' Datebook. It doesn't contain any earth-shaking revelations, nor is it filled with what we once called "mystic, trystic b.s." In all the years I have picked up copies of this book (dating back to at least 1999) the price has not increased appreciably (to be honest, it has gone up in price - from $9.95 to $9.99). There is something to be said for consistency. Each month includes an article on the moon in a sign and either a recipe or data on the Sabbat which occurs in that month. There are also stories, poetry, illustrations, etc., which occur on the odd numbered pages beginning on page 31. These add a variety of informational sources and inspirational ideas. Some of the daily entries contain historical facts ((January 8th: The birthday of MacGregor Mathers [of Golden Dawn fame] is one example), while others contain bits of arcane lore . There are also a few short articles at the beginning of the book, which this year include "Magical Clothing", "The Sacred Flame", "An Astrological Look at 2008", Faery Magic: Best Times, Places", and "Create and Use Thoughtforms". You could read through this book, or you could skim the articles and the 1/2 page informational inserts and save reading the daily entries until you actually encounter them. I have found, more than once, that some note for the day ends up being particularly appropriate when I come across it unexpectedly. There isn't a lot of room for notes, as each day only takes up about 5 square inches - and half of that is often taken up with data already. Of course, this can be an incentive to keep your notes short and to the point. One major plus for this book, as opposed to many of the other almanacs Llewellyn produces annually, is that it is spiral bound, so it is easy to lay it open and expect it to remain open. It is a bit more expensive than some of the almanacs, but I suspect that the spiral binding is responsible for that. ===== ===== REVIEW: LLEWELLYN'S 2008 WITCHES' SPELL-A-DAY ALMANAC ===== by Mike Gleason ===== Llewellyn's 2008 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac by Lewellyn staff Published 2007 by Llewellyn Paperback 264 pages ISBN 0738705594 See this book at Amazon: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0738705594 The Witches Spell-A-Day Almanac (published annually since 2003) is, in reality, my least favorite of the annuals brought out by Llewellyn. That dislike is based on a personal dislike of the format they have used since the very beginning. I like the "folksy" spells; the recipes offered; and the notation of various (sometimes obscure) observances. The monthly introductions are also enjoyable. The problem is the formatting. Each page is comprised of two columns, giving four columns per two page spread. Each column, potentially, contains one day's information plus an inch or an inch and a half space for notes. So far so good, but that doesn' t hold true on a consistent basis. Some days take a column and a half (or more) of space, leading to some days starting in the middle of a column. I would simply like to see each day start at the top of a column to make it easier to find a date. The list of astrological icons and spell icons appear at the end of the book, along with a short glossary, a list of daily influences, and an explanation of the lunar phases and the moon's influence in various signs. I personally feel that the icons should be in the front of the book, but that is personal preference. Okay, enough kvetching about the format. Each entry provides the moon phase and sign, including transition times, as well as a suggested color and incense. There are also icons to identify spell types. There isn't a huge amount of astrological data, except for the moon phases and signs, there isn 't any. But this annual is focused on spells, not astrological data. Even though I am not fond of the formatting, I always enjoy the prospect of learning something unexpected from this annual. With more than a dozen writers contributing their unique perspectives, I am never disappointed. ===== ===== REVIEW: ISAAC NEWTON'S FREEMASONRY ===== by Mike Gleason ===== Isaac Newton's Freemasonry by Alain Bauer published 2007 by Inner Traditions Paperback 146 pages ISBN: 1594771723 See this book on Amazon: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1594771723 Isaac Newton is best known to the work-a-day world as a scientist who devoted his time and efforts to bringing enlightenment to the world. He was all of this, and more. This book explored the relationship between Newton and Freemasonry. What gives it unusual authority is the fact that Monsieur Bauer was, at the time he authored this work (2003), the Grand master of the Grand Orient of France. This is a translation of his work, the original of which was produced under the authority of the Masonic Institute of France. M. Bauer draws a needed distinction between secret societies, which Freemasonry is, and occult groups as they are normally perceived. The secret rituals of Freemasonry are designed to convey information, not magickal power. One must bear in mind the difference between the scientific worlds of the 17th and 21st centuries. In the 17th century astrology and alchemy were as much a part of scientific education as string theory and quantum mechanics are in this century. The "scientific method" had not yet become a foundation of experimental science. Thus Sir Isaac Newton could write on optics, gravity, and alchemical theory without fear of losing standing in any of those fields. It was not yet a time of specialization in scientific endeavors. Newton was instrumental in the formation of speculative (or non- operative) Masonry, and saw it as a method of encouraging and promoting free thought. It is not necessary to be a Mason to appreciate the work and research which has gone into this book. In fact, in some cases it can be advantageous to be an outsider. There have been years of propaganda, both pro and con, which have affected the perceptions of Masonry. Much of this propaganda has come from anti-Masonic forces, but there has been disinformation put forth by Masons as well. The appendices, which form a large portion of this book consist of a summary of the history of Freemasonry (both mythological and scientific); lists of the Grand Masters of England (Grand Lodge of England, Grand Lodge of York, Grand Lodge of Ancients, and Grand Lodge of Scotland); a timeline of events leading to the Grand Lodge of England; a timeline of the Grand Lodge of France; and a dialogue between a Town Mason and a Traveling Mason, which explains how Masons recognized one another. [04] ========= ========= FLAMEKEEPING ========= HELL-DREAMS ========= 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/ ===== ===== Hell-Dreams ===== Many humans long to believe that they are right and other people are wrong, that people will be punished for what they do that is wrong. We like to believe that those that do right will be rewarded and the rest will be punished, that the world is, in the end, a just and fair place. It bothers us, sometimes, that those we do like but believe differently may also be punished, and we try to correct them to believe as we do, but all in all, people like the idea that bad people are punished and that only other people are ever the bad people. An eternity of punishment, however, is not something that anyone deserves, nor is it just, no matter what the crimes of the person. Hanging a threat of future punishment later as the way of justifying certain behavior now only encourages people to hedge their bets and find ways to play both sides of the issue. Some people will behave out of fear, but most people will simply do as they will anyway, and rationalize their behavior in a way that allows them to do what they would see as wrong in another, but acceptable in themselves. The other problem with believing in a life of punishment, whether it's an eternal afterlife or karma giving someone bad lifetimes until they learn, is that it takes the burden of judgement away from the Divine and into the hands of mortals. It gives comfort and smugness, knowing that those we like are going to be happier and those we don't sadder. It doesn't serve any real purpose to believe in such things. It doesn't make people good or keep behaviors we don't like from happening. It just causes more justifications and pain. Hell, or bad karma, or whatever the horrid afterlife we might wish upon other people, is simply something that isn't acceptable. We have no right, nor cause, to speculate upon what will happen to other people in the afterlife. We are all of the Divine, all special and sacred to the Universe, and should be treated as such, even when we disagree with the conclusions that people come to. If we truly have faith in the Divine, we need to also have faith that the Divine will choose to reveal Itself as It sees fit, and that we cannot dictate how that will happen from one person to the next. To do otherwise is to have no faith at all. ===== ===== Questions ===== * Why do we wish bad lives or afterlives on other people? * Is there a more effective way to attempt to control people's actions? A moral way? * What advantage do we get by believing in afterlives we can control? Is it a false sense of control? What are the dangers involved? [05] ========= ========= 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/ ===== ===== EXPLORER XP ===== Ever wish that Windows Explorer — the file manager in Widows — had a bit more power? Explorer XP is a freeware replacement for Windows Explorer which adds many nice features to the familiar Windows Explorer interface: * Tabbed interface - all your windows (open folders) will appear inside a single ExplorerXP application. The tab bar provides a quick access to all open windows * Easy access to My Computer, Recycle Bin , My Documents & Desktop * Drag & Drop with Explorer, the tab bar and special folders on the main toolbar. * Multy rename tool - allows to rename multiple files in one step. * Displays folder size information and the real size of compressed files & folders. * Folder Size Cache - greatly improves the speed of the folder size calculations between sessions. * Merge/Split Tools. * Advanced copy/move. * Unicode support. * USB devices support. * Clean - recursively removes files that match given list of extentions or wildcards. * Groups - A group is a collection of folders, which users are able to access quickly or drag & drop files to them. * Configurable keyboard shortcuts. * Small download size - only 410 KB. While Explorer XP is not Total Commander or Directory Opus, it is a powerful file manager in a freeware package. Operating System: Windows 2000/XP Price: Free Web Site: http://www.explorerxp.com/ ===== ===== IMAGETASKS — IMAGE BATCH-PROCESSING FREEWARE ===== ImageTasks is a jack of all trades image application that might be especially useful for anyone making HTML image ablums as it can batch process images and then generate an ablum ready to be uploaded to your web site. From the ImageTasks web site: ImageTasks is a powerful tool for editing, adjusting, converting images. It also includes Batch Edit for processing large sets of images, HTML Album for generating albums ready to be published on the web and Desktop Extensions for customizing look and feel of your desktop. Image Adjusting features include hue, saturation, brightness, contrast, color balance settings, resize, cut, rotate, flip and watermark tools and 12 graphic filters (blur, sharpen, place in frame e t.s.). Batch Edit makes it easy to apply all this settings and filters to a large sets of images. ImageTasks supports 15+ graphics formats and can save your images as JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG and BMP. Also provides a full- featured HTML Album generation tool and templates. Operating System: Windows XP Price: Free Web Site: http://www.imagetasks.com/ ===== ===== FOLDER GUIDE — FAST ACCESS TO FOLDERS IN OPEN/SAVE DIALOGS ===== It happens to me almost every day. I want to save a file in my Data directory on my D: drive, but the program insists on starting the save dialog with the My Documents directory buried deep on my C: drive. I have to click and click and click to get to the directory I want. Folder Guide allows me to select my favorite directories for a “Folder Guide” submenu which is added to the right click menu of open and save dialogs. This way, when I need to change to one of my favorite directories, I just right click and select the directory from the Folder Guide men and the open or save dialog instantly changes to that directory. It saves a bit of time — and a lot of frustration. Key Features as listed on the Folder Guide web page: * Quick access folders in Open/Save As/Browse dialogs. * Quick access folders in Windows Explorer and the desktop and the Star button. * Easy to add folder to the list of “Folder Guide”. * Easy to edit or reorder folders in the list of “Folder Guide”. * Runs automatically as part of the context menu. * 100% Spyware FREE. This freeware program just works and is well-worth the time to download. Unless to are lucky enough to only use programs that allow you to set standard directories for their open and save dialogs, this program is almost a must-have. It even works in Word 2003 dialogs. Rating: 5.0 Operating System: Windows XP License: Freeware Price: Free Version: 1.1 Web Site: http://www.freeware365.com/desktop/folderguide.htm [06] ========= ========= From the Spell Grimoire: ========= ATTRACT THE PERFECT LOVER SPELL ========= Timing: Perform on a Friday during the waxing moon. Tools/Ingredients: * 6 rose petals * 1 teaspoon of lavender * 1 teaspoon of cinnamon * a rose quartz * 6-inch square of pink cloth * green ribbon (floss or yarn will do) * an inch of red ribbon * needle and thread * a penny Place the petals, rose quartz, lavender, cinnamon, red ribbon, and penny in the center of the cloth square. Gather the edges of the fabric together and hold the pouch close to your heart. Then say: Venus, Queen of love, divine Bring the love to me that's mine. Perfect, he (she) and perfect, me Together we are meant to be. Venus, Queen of love, so warm Bring my love to me, without harm. Let nothing keep us now apart, Bring perfect love to fill my heart. Still holding the pouch against your heart, fill it with loving energy. Secure the pouch with the green ribbon to seal the spell. Carry it on your person and sleep with it under your pillow. When the lover comes to you, bury the pouch under a tree. === === 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 [07] ========= ========= From the Cauldron Cookbook: ========= FROG EYES (PICKLE ROLLS) ========= submitted by Matrinka ========= === Ingredients Large jar of dill pickles 2-4 lbs cream cheese, softened and whipped so it's easy to spread Thin sliced ham, enough to cover all of the pickles === Directions Drain and blot dry the pickles. Spread a nice, even layer of cream cheese on slices of ham. Wrap around pickles. Slice 1/2" thick slices and arrange on a platter. For carrying, leave them whole and slice when you get to the party. To add the final "frog eye" touch, you can garnish each with a bit of pimento or a dot of cream cheese to make the eye more eye- like. === === 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 [08] ========= ========= 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/forum/ ===== ===== 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. 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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.) [09] ========= ========= 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) 2007 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 (lyricfox01@ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com) or Randall Sapphire (rssapphire01@.ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com). Typos are, as usual, courtesy of the Goddess Eris.

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