A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
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With a little help from The Witches' Thicket
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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #26 -- August 2002 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ delphi forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ With a little help from A Witches' Thicket website: http://www.witchesthicket.com/ delphi forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start In this Issue: [01] Editorial: That Damn P-Word [02] Cauldron and Thicket News [03] Poem: Fiery Muse [04] Article: The Tree Readers [05] Review: Charting Your Spiritual Path With Astrology [06] Review: Teen Witch Kit [07] Review: Inside A Witches' Coven [08] Review: 2003 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac [09] Review: Tarot of the Master [10] Article: Tips for Lucid Dreaming [11] Article: How to Find a Coven or Group [12] Dragon Clan Witchcraft Course: July Lesson Index [13] Humor: Southern Astrological Signs [14] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [15] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: August 25, 2002 +++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL: THAT DAMN P-WORD ========= by Sannion ========= I am a Pagan, but I really don't like that word very much. I find it difficult to define and too easily mistaken for things that I do not believe. According to the dictionary definitions, a Pagan is a member of one of the non-Abrahamic faiths, that is to say, they are not Jewish, Christian, or Muslim. The word itself comes from the Latin paganus or pagus, meaning either a "rustic" or a "civilian", someone who was not enrolled in the Army of God. When Christianity grew up in the metropolitan and urban centers, those who held to the older, rooted faith of the countryside were called "pagans". Now, this definition is not without its faults. Christianity had actually spread throughout the countryside by the time the word came into use, and it was first employed against those who believed in the city Gods or the Olympians, and who practiced Philosophy, primarily of the Neoplatonic variety. These people were almost entirely to be found in the cities, and had very little in common with the rustic or country worship of the traditional Roman pagus. Further, I am not comfortable defining myself by something that I am not. For instance, I would not go up to a stranger and say, "Hello, my name is Sannion. I'm not a rapist, murderer, or child molester. How are you?" And yet, that is essentially what we do when we accept that definition. Further, this meaning of Pagan tells us nothing about the beliefs of the person. Atheistic Jains, world-denying Buddhists, nature mystics, African tribesman, and Wiccans are all "Pagans" -- yet you could not get a more diverse group of people, with wildly different approaches to nature, tradition, ritual, theology, ethics, and hierarchy. If, as some people have suggested, Pagan only applies to the pre-Christian religions of Western Europe, and those religions that have developed from them, both in Europe and in America, Australia, and other parts of the world -- you are no closer to gaining a consensus. You still have Druidry, Asatru, Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, Celtic and Hellenic reconstructionism, Goddess-worship, Shamanism, Satanism, Theosophy, Ceremonial Magick, Thelema, New Age philosophies and perhaps the most wide-spread of the Pagan religions, Wicca. Within Wicca there are numerous traditions: Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Seax, Stregha, American Eclectic, Dianic, and traditional non-Wiccan Witchcraft. What could these groups possibly have in common -- besides their being Pagan? If we narrow the term further, we risk excluding a great number of those faiths. Some have suggested that Paganism is a nature religion, that it values a balance between the masculine and feminine, and that it's purpose is to achieve a connection with the natural rhythms of the earth. This definition applies very well to Wicca and those faiths most closely related to it. But you will not always find this approach in the ancient Pagan religions, nor in those religions that seek to reconnect with ancient tradition. Nature was as likely to be viewed with fear and hostility as with reverence and awe. Nature included such things as wild animals, violent storms, and sudden droughts. It is easy to romanticize nature form our safe, warm homes -- it's quite another thing when one is in the midst of it. This is why the Indo-European myth of the conquering of the serpent-dragon or the overthrowing of the elder Gods -- both closely associated with the uncanny aspects of Nature -- were so popular. And while female deities were unquestionably present in the pantheons of the world - and often with places of great importance -- there was never a universal belief in a single Great Mother Goddess, nor is there anything to the myth of a widespread matriarchy. The treatment of women in the ancient world is both unfortunate and undesirable, and it is certainly one aspect of their culture that can remain a thing of the past. But it benefits no one to pretend that it didn't happen, to mistake revisionist history and mythology for reality. So if this definition of Pagan is too precise, and the other is too general -- what is an acceptable definition? I haven't found one yet that I like. So why, then, do I continue using it? It is a very colorful word, full of many meanings, some of which describe my beliefs, and others I can look fondly upon, even if they do not. Pagan also suggests connection to me -- connection to the land, to the ancients, and to all of the other Pagan religions that are out there. We may not have the same beliefs, but our beliefs are related, and that makes us friends, allies, cousins if you will. My attempts at uncovering an acceptable definition for the word are like boyhood wrestling matches, some of which I won, others I did not -- but all remembered fondly in the twilight of my years. It's a word that I have invested with a lot of emotional energy, and so I continue to use it -- even if I have to modify it with a number of other words, such as Reconstructionist, Hellenic, Polytheist, Non-Wiccan, etc. But it's still, and will always be, that damn P-word! Copyright (c) 2001 by Sannion. Reprinted with permission. ===== ===== About Sannion ===== Sannion is a Hellenic Reconstructionist who writes some thought-provoking "rants" on Pagan issues. Sannion has kindly allowed us to reprint some of these rants as editorials. You can find more of Sannion's writings at Sannion's Sanctuary: http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/sannion/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SEND A PAGAN POSTCARD You can send a Pagan Postcard from the menu of any of our web pages at http://www.ecauldron.com/. If you haven't tried our postcard site, give it a try. It has quite a few nice features. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [02] ========= ========= CAULDRON AND THICKET NEWS ========= by Cauldron and Thicket Staff ========= ===== ===== A Witches' Thicket Hits 100,000 Messages ===== A Witches' Thicket's Delphi message board message counter hit 100,000 messages in July. That's a lot of messages! Congratulations to The Thicket's members and staff. ===== ===== A Witches Thicket Gets Own Domain ===== A Witches Thicket now has its own domain name for its web site: http://www.witchesthicket.com/. Soraya will be moving pages over to the new site as her schedule allows. ===== ===== The Cauldron Message Board Sets Another Record in July ===== 4735 messages were posted to The Cauldron's Delphi message board in July 2002, surpassing the record set just last month by over 150 posts. Thanks to everyone who participates in The Cauldron's Delphi message board. ===== ===== Cauldron Delphi Forum Top Poster -- July 2002 ===== The top poster on The Cauldron's Delphi Forum message board for July 2002 was Seasons (SEASONS4). The Runner Up was Star (STARCR). This looks a lot like June, but there were several members hot on their heels: Jax (LSALICYN), Iym (IYMLAD), Loki (IKOL) and HEARTSHADOW. (Cauldron staff members are ineligible for this honor and so aren't listed.) ===== ===== New Cauldron Web Polls ===== Here are our latest Cauldron Web Polls: === July 16th Poll: Question: Should the Bible be studied in US Public schools? Possible Answers: * Yes, even if religion is taught with it * Yes, but only as literature * Maybe, if it can be studied without imposing the majority religion * No, it can't be separated from religion in the US * Other * No Opinion * Not in the US and don't care Vote at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cldpoll45.php === Current (August 1st) Poll: Question: Which pantheon do the Gods you worship come from? Possible Answers: * African * Celtic * Eygptian * Greek * Mesopotamian * Native American * Roman * Slavonic * Teutonic/Norse * Western Monotheistic * Wiccan (Lord/Lady) * Other/Not Listed * None Our current polls will now appear on our main page in the narrow right column: http://www.ecauldron.com/ ===== ===== Ecauldron Mailing List To Close ===== You may have noticed that The Cauldron's mailing list is no longer listed in the masthead. Although it is currently still open, usage has dropped over 95% since problems with Yahoo Groups started in April 2002. Given the problems with Yahoo Groups and the rapid growth of our reopened message board during the last few months, The Cauldron has decided to drop support for the mailing list. The ecauldron mailing list will remain open for the time being (mainly for announcements that it will be closing). It will be shut down soon, probably in September. The Cauldron's Delphi Message Board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CAULDRON AND CANDLE WEB SITE The Cauldron and Candle now has its own web site where we store our back issues for easy reading. http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [03] ========= ========= FIERY MUSE ========= A Poem by Elspeth Sapphire ========= The dark fire pelts me Like dirty snow in the rain And tho' I don't enjoy it The fire surrounds my brain. I hear two voices calling at once Telling me opposite ways to go. I stand quiet in the middle With only my poems to show. Empty words on a filled sheet That's all of the fire that remains. Then the voices silently depart And I'm left almost sane. [04] ========= ========= ARTICLE: THE TREE READERS ========= by Bryanny FairRaven ========= There is an ancient phenomenon which has an ancient name as well. It is something we are all familiar with and most likely never knew its name. This phenomenon has a name: Simulacra. It is a word that comes from the Latin meaning, "to simulate" or "to resemble". Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines the word as an "image or representation; an insubstantial form or semblance of something". Simulacra is the object seen or appearing to resemble something else entirely. And often this resemblance or association is connected to a paranormal or divine origin. But don't confuse this with the artistic forms of "trompe d'oeil", which literally means "fool the eye" and is the deliberate attempt to confuse the mind into seeing something that may be there or not. This is an art form made popular by the French Surrealistic painters and later championed by Abstract Illusionists. Trompe d'oeil is not simulacra, although I know artists that debate this point by convincingly arguing that any form of creation, of which art is an undisputed part, is divinely inspired. I prefer to let the philosophers argue the fine points of this issue. Simulacra is found everywhere you look. It is in the shape of the clouds in a clear blue sky. It is in the gentle lapping sounds and ripples of an ocean wave. It is the jagged silhouettes mountain crags form against a backdrop of a dark red horizon. Simulacra just won't come to you. You must seek it, sincerely search for it and when your spirit is open to the experience, it will open itself to you. And once this occurs, your way of looking at the world will be forever changed. ===== ===== The Trees ===== I love trees. I enjoy sitting under them; breathing in their scents; feeling the rough texture of bark. Their language is slow and deliberate. They speak in images and colors. And if we look very closely, we will see that they speak to us with with their bodies. Extending upward, looking for the golden, life-giving sun, they propel their limbs ever higher. Deeply, they reach into the moist brown earth, as they stand rooted to the place where they first sprouted. Ever vigilant, but not silent, they reveal to us secrets, answer questions and delight in the company of their human and animal friends. The trees have never stopped talking to us. It is we who have forgotten to listen. ===== ===== The Trees and the Runes ===== Any serious student of the Runes will tell you that there is a deep connection between these and nature. Indeed, the very word "rune" means "secret". They were Odin's gift as he hung on the sacred tree, Yggdrasil. Thus, quite literally, the runes are the secret gifts of the trees. Rune were developed with the implied knowledge that they represent the natural world, of which we are a part. Look at the runic sigils and symbols. Open your mind and your spirit. What do they remind you of? ===== ===== The Tree Readers ===== I am sure that the connection between trees, runes and runic writing is obvious to many. But how and where do we go from there? How do we re-connect to the trees? How do we become Tree Readers? Let the trees themselves show you the way. It is old knowledge and you possess it still. You have simply forgotten how and where to look. The trees will point the way. Begin by selecting a clear and sunny day at any time of the year. Trees are perennial talkers. Take with you a small note pad and a pen or pencil. Step outside your home and breathe the fresh air. Look around you and note the trees nearby. It does not matter how small or large they are. Ask a question mentally. Begin small. Ask about a loved one who is far from you; inquire about their well being. Or perhaps ask a question about yourself, your work or career. Focus on your question. You can close your eyes if you wish. Now open your eyes and look around at the trees again. Let your eye come to rest on that one tree that seems to call to you; to the one you feel most drawn. Approach this tree until you are under it. Look up and notice the formations the limbs and branches make. You will see shapes and forms. Be sure to also include any other mental images you are given, colors or emotions you sense. Draw these on your notebook and continue to do so until you feel satisfied or cannot see any new forms or shapes. Give silent thanks to the tree for its response. Return indoors and compare the shapes you have been given by the tree to the 24 rune letters. Meditate on the feelings, emotions and images you were given by the tree. Compare these to the actual runic symbols and match them as best you can. Some will be a perfect match to the runes; others will be an approximation and others will be way off. Date and store these "unrecognized" shapes and forms for they may take on new meaning later. If you are not familiar with the runes nor their shapes and meanings, you can do a word search on any search engine. Enter the words "rune meanings" and go from there. Gradually, as you begin to remember this ancient bond between yourself and the trees you will spontaneously receive messages from them. Be prepared to look deeply inside yourself, for the trees bring knowledge and with it transformation. Copyright 2002 Bryanny FairRaven. Used with permission. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DONATE TO HELP SUPPORT THE CAULDRON'S WEB SITE If you like The Cauldron and have a few extra dollars, please donate via the Amazon Honor System and help us pay the web site bills. http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [05] ========= ========= REVIEW: CHARTING YOUR SPIRITUAL PATH WITH ASTROLOGY ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Charting Your Spiritual Path With Astrology Author: Stephanie Jean Clement Trade Paperback, 225 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: December 2001 ISBN: 0738701149 US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738701149/thecauldron In my experience, most people want to use astrology or other methods of divination to find our about their finances, their job, or their love life. There is, however, another side to life beyond bank accounts, work, and the bedroom. The spiritual part of life deals with the basic questions like "why am I here?" and "what is my purpose in life?" Stephanie Jean Clement's Charting Your Spiritual Path With Astrology shows how to apply astrology to the spiritual questions in life. The majority of this book discusses the planets and their effects on the spiritual side of life in the elements, signs, and houses. The interpretations given for the planets in each house and sign are short but very much to the point. I was surprised to find these short descriptions provided a more accurate view of me than the somewhat longer descriptions in other astrology books in my collection. While part of this may come from the fact that I'm more spiritually than materially oriented, a major part of it comes from the author's ability to summarize her 25 years of experience in a concise, clear, and insightful manner. Other chapters discuss the midheaven and the ascendant in the signs. The final chapter covers the various aspects, from the conjunction to the quincunx. While each possible aspect only receives two or three sentences, Clement again manages to convey a great deal of focused information in a few carefully selected words. Clement provides three case studies in this book: Saint Augustine, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, and Muhammed Ali. Although it is spread between several chapters, the case study of Ali is the most complete. It is probably also the most helpful as more readers will be familiar with Ali than with Augustine or Kubler-Ross. On the last page of this volume, Clement's publisher, Llewellyn, offers a free natal chart to readers. This will allow readers who do not have a natal chart to easily obtain one to use with this book. Charting Your Spiritual Path With Astrology does have one annoying flaw. There is no chapter on pulling all this information together and using it to address spiritual questions. Instead, Clement discusses this piecemeal (and often indirectly) throughout the book. This decentralized approach will make it harder than necessary for those without a strong background in chart interpretation to answer the spiritual questions in their lives. Despite this problem, this book is a refreshing look at what astrology can say about the spiritual side of life. If you are interested in astrology, but find the usual interpretation books -- with their focus on the material side of life -- wanting, I suggest you give Clement's new book a try. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkcyspwa.php [06] ========= ========= REVIEW: TEEN WITCH KIT ========= Reviewed by Leigh ========= Silver Ravenwolf's Teen Witch Kit: Everything You Need to Make Magick Author: Silver Ravenwolf Book and Accessories Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: August 2000 ISBN: 1567185541 US Retail Price: $24.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567185541/thecauldron This was another difficult review to write. There are an awful lot of people out there who criticize Silver Ravenwolf, and the last thing I want to do is jump on the "let's bash SRW" bandwagon. However, with the Teen Witch Kit, like with the book Teen Witch, I think the point is being missed and the wrong things are being emphasized. The kit might have potential if the contents were of better quality, and the religion was covered in better detail with better emphasis. The majority of the book is spellwork. Witchcraft is a religion that includes magick, not a magickal system that includes religion. If I had a child that was being brought up in the religion, and was already familiar with the spiritual side, I might use this as a guide to teaching spellwork. But not as a spiritual resource. The kit contains a small book (which has a nice layout and appearance from a design point of view), a rather large pentacle pendant, a bell chime pendant, a quartz of very low quality, a bag of sea salt, a "yes/no" coin, and "God/Goddess" coin, a cord, and a bag. The box converts to an altar, but I don't think it makes a very effective one -- the plastic insert has uneven indents from storing the contents and would not make a good working surface. I've been thinking in general about "kits" and "religion in a box," and while I don't find the concept offensive, and I think it can be useful, I think this kit is not effective in demonstrating what Witchcraft is and is about. The book in Teen Witch Kit is shallow in its approach to the subject, and I think it's written on a level a little below its target audience. In short, spend your dollars elsewhere if you are serious about Witchcraft as a religion. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bktwk.php [07] ========= ========= REVIEW: INSIDE A WITCHES' COVEN ========= Reviewed by Leigh ========= Inside A Witches' Coven Author: Edain McCoy Trade Paperback, 224 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: April 1997 ISBN: 1567186661 US Retail Price: $9.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567186661/thecauldron Edain McCoy is regarded as a poor scholar in the circles I run around in. However, Inside A Witches' Coven does not delve into a history of Witchcraft, instead focusing on the ups and downs of finding and belonging to a coven. It is chock full of common sense. Which requires a lot less work than researching the Gods of ancient times, but still is important to share with others. McCoy shines in this work. After all, we all need to be slapped with a little common sense now and then (okay, some may need slapped with a lot). The ideas in this book are so simple, but someone overwhelmed with the urge to find a coven may ignore them without a little push to remember. Anyone searching for or thinking of creating a coven should read this book. Some of the points covered are safety, trust, and organization. In this day and age, safety is something that we always can use a brush up on, and McCoy reminds us of warning signs and basic safety that could help steer away from less scrupulous individuals. Trust is also emphasized, and the concept of "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" is well explained. For those founding a coven, the organizational information is invaluable. There is an outline of what kind of decisions need to be made before problems occur, types of covens, and planning for growth. While I never thought I would say this about one of Edain McCoy's books, Inside A Witches' Coven will soon find a permanent place on my bookshelf. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkiawc.php [08] ========= ========= REVIEW: 2003 WITCHES' SPELL-A-DAY ALMANAC ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= 2003 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac Editor: Michael Fallon Trade Paperback, 264 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: August 2002 ISBN: 0738702277 US Retail Price: $7.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702277/thecauldron I reviewed Llewellyn's 2001 Spell-a-Day desk calendar a couple of years ago. It was nice, but keeping the spells provided for each day when you tear off the page the next day requires quite a bit of organization. The publisher seems to have realized this as they are publishing the 2003 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac instead of a calendar. The almanac format is far more convenient and still provides a spell or meditation for your Book of Shadows every day. Spell contributors include Karri Allrich, Elizabeth Barrette, Therese Fancis, Kristin Madden, Robert Place, Abby Willowroot, and many others. The spells in this volume cover a variety of areas of life. Health, home, protection, travel, money, and love spells each get a day of the week (Sunday through Friday). Saturday is a grab bag. This schedule is interrupted with special magick for new and full moons, the major Wiccan festivals, and certain other important days. Many of the spells directly relate to the the specific day of the year they are for. The almanac format is much easier to read and use than the old desk calendar format. The 2003 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac provides some basic astrological information for each day: the time the moon enters a new phase and when it enters a new sign. All times are in Eastern Standard Time, although this is only mentioned at the very end of the book. Llewellyn wall calendars tend to give more astrological data, but this is really enough for basic magick. Each day's entry also gives a color and incense for the day. In addition to the spell or meditation, some days have a short paragraph of "holiday lore." The Wiccan festivals and a few other holidays have this lore section. I suspect this new material will expand in future editions. On the last page of the book, the publisher requests that readers submit additional "lore" material for the 2004 edition. Future editions of this almanac could also benefit from a "spell index." When you need a spell to help get rid of a bad habit in September, you may remember that you saw one somewhere early in the book, but you'll probably have to start at the beginning and page through to find the "Release Bad Habits Spell" on March 22. An index would make finding the right spell much easier. While the spells in this almanac are generally nothing to get excited about for the well-read or the well-trained witch, they are all simple to perform, use easily available items, and present few moral issues for anyone but a Rede literalist. In other words, the 2003 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac would make a nice, affordable gift for an inexperienced Witch interested in the magickal aspect of his or her craft. If you know someone who is always asking others for spells, this might be a perfect birthday or holiday gift. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bk2003wsada.php [09] ========= ========= REVIEW: TAROT OF THE MASTER ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Tarot of the Master Artist: Giovanni Vacchetta Deck Publisher: Llewellyn (Lo Scarabeo) Publication date: April 2002 ISBN: 0738702366 US Retail Price: $19.95 View Sample Cards: http://www.ecauldron.com/images/samtrttotm.jpg Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702366/thecauldron The Tarot of the Master is an Italian deck distributed in the US by Llewellyn. First created by Giovanni Vacchetta and published under another name in 1893 in Turin, this deck was originally black and white drawings. When Lo Scarabeo decided to reprint the deck, they hired Michela Gaudenzi to color it. Gaudenzi deserves a lot of credit as his soft color scheme does not hide any of the fine detail of Vacchetta's line art. The deck itself is a fairly standard tarot deck. It is, however, an important deck in the history of tarot decks as it is one of the first tarot decks to introduce symbolism into the minor arcana. While this symbolism is not present to the extent that would become common after Smith and Waite designed the well-known "Rider-Waite" deck in 1910, this deck is a major departure from "pips" style of minor arcana design. Unless you are a tarot historian, you probably are not excited -- and rightfully so. Most people buy tarot decks for their art or their ease of divinatory reading, not for their significance to the development of the Tarot. Vacchetta was "Master of Design" at Albertina Academy and his decorative design and embellishment skills are obvious in this deck. However, while a lot of technical skill went into this deck, it often seems to be lacking emotion. As it is a standard Tarot deck, it is very easy to read in divination. Those who prefer decks with a large amount of symbolism on each card will have problems with this deck. It may have been one of the first to include symbols in the minor arcana, but there probably are not enough of them for symbol lovers. Like every Lo Scarabeo deck I've seen, this one only comes with a small foldout flyer. The flyer for this describes the history of the deck, gives very brief descriptions of the major cards and their meanings, discusses each suit briefly and provides a single divinatory layout. As this is a standard tarot deck, this is more than enough information for those who are already familiar with the tarot. Unfortunately, it is not at all helpful for a complete beginner. A beginner will require a separate book on tarot divination just to get started. The Tarot of the Master is a fairly average tarot deck. While it has an interesting history and design style, nothing about it screams "buy me." Nothing screams "avoid me" either. If you are in the market for a new tarot deck and would like something a bit different in feel from many decks on the market, the Tarot of the Master is worthy of your consideration. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/trttotm.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ UPCOMING REVIEWS Here are a few of the books we'll be reviewing in future issues: SEASONS OF THE WITCH, HEART OF TAROT, MASTERING REIKI, COLOR MAGICK (Revised), BUCKLAND'S COMPLETE BOOK OF WITCHCRAFT (Revised). Reviews often appear on our web site first, so check there for new reviews if you can't wait for the next issue of the newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [10] ========= ========= ARTICLE: TIPS FOR LUCID DREAMING ========= by David Rankine ========= As we are back to the realm of dreams and the weird and wonderful aspects of the unconscious, I thought I would share a technique with everybody to help lucid dreaming. Many years ago when working with the Greek Titans, I was given a telesmatic image of Hypnos, God of Dreams. I suggest drawing a copy for yourself. Before going to sleep spend about 10-15 minutes gazing at the image you have drawn. Regular use of this by itself may produce lucid dream states, or you may see the figure in your dreams, in which case if you can go through him like an astral doorway you may become very lucid! You may find astral sequences of dreams occurring using this technique as well, like a story of life unfolding. Hypnos was one of the children of the primal Goddess Nox (Night), who contained all life within Herself. She gave birth from Herself to Her son Aether, and joined with Him to give birth to Hypnos (Sleep), Thanatos (Death), Lissa (Madness) and Hekate, and various others according to differing versions of the myth. Hypnos guards the twin doorways of horn and ivory, which represent "false" and "true" sleep. "False" sleep could be interpreted as sleep without dreams, or unremembered dreams, which you wish to get rid of by transforming (i.e. remembering) and "true" sleep as lucid dreaming, where you experience in a more "true" (conscious) fashion. ===== ===== Hypnos Image ===== Hypnos can be seen as a figure robed in black. The only visible parts of him are his hands and his face. His hands are black, with silver stars shining on them, and his face, visible in the cowl of the robe, is a swirl of all the colors, with his golden eyes the only constant in the swirl of colors. From his left hand shoots a ray of brown light, and from his right hand a ray of white light. The rays of light represent false and true sleep respectively. Draw up the image, edged in gold on a black background works well. When you gaze at the image, make sure you have a minimal quantity of light in the room, one candle only. -=-=- Copyright (c) 1999, 2000 David Rankine. Reprinted by permission of the author. For more material by David, visit The Avalonia web site, one of the UK's more interesting Wiccan/Witchcraft web sites, at http://www.avalonia.co.uk. [11] ========= ========= ARTICLE: HOW TO FIND A COVEN OR GROUP ========= by Sorita and David Rankine ========= If you are looking for a group then going out and meeting people and talking, asking questions and showing your intent of finding a group are the most important steps. If you stay at home and never mingle with other people then don't expect anything to happen. This is not a "spoonfed" path to walk, there is a lot of serious work involved and when you do find a group,the work doesn't stop. Joining a Coven means giving up a lot of free time, substituting social time for Coven time and spending a lot of time studying and experiencing... So which ever path you follow, and which ever type of group you are seeking -- make an effort and be patient. In big cities such as the one we live in, London (UK), there is no reason to say "But there is nothing to go to." There are online organizations such as WWL who keep their members informed of social events, workshops, training groups, conferences and open rituals. The WWL also organizes events just for their members, so that you can meet the faces behind the names. To find out more about WWL visit: http://www.avalonia.co.uk. The Witches Voice -- http://www.witchvox.com is another great resource. You can find contacts with similar interests to yourself to correspond with, but most importantly they list all the major events, conferences and festivals organized by Pagans from all over the world. They also list smaller events, such as pub moots and workshops. In parts of the world it is not that easy, and you might have to travel to attend conferences or workshops. This might seem like a lot of work just to meet other people, but if you are serious then travel should not deter you from your path. When you do get the opportunity to meet other Pagans make an effort to ask around about open groups and other events. As the organizers of the event if they know of groups which might be taking on new trainees. It is important to note that even in big cities such as London there are very few new groups forming and the groups in existence might only take on a trainee every few years. Those who do might expect to interview you to see if you will fit in with the rest of their group. If this happens take the opportunity to interview them too! Be honest with them, but make sure that their answers also satisfy you. Ask what they will be expecting from you and what training they will be providing you with. Unfortunately there are still some dubious groups using the name of Wicca to cover other activities. Do not just join a group because they happen to be the first one which approaches you! Remember: * You should feel comfortable with your HPS & HP. * Sex should not be expected in return for training, nor should it be part of your initiation. * You should not be expected to contribute large sums of money in return for training -- although you should expect to contribute towards temple expenses. * Confidentiality is VERY important in Wiccan groups. * Expect a lot of hard work! * Finally you should enjoy being part of the group you join! -=-=- Copyright (c) 2000 Sorita & David Rankine. Reprinted by permission of the authors. For more material by David and Sorita, visit The Avalonia web site, one of the UK's more interesting Wiccan/Witchcraft web sites, at http://www.avalonia.co.uk. [12] ========= ========= DRAGON CLAN WITCHCRAFT COURSE: JULY LESSON INDEX ========= OFFERED ON THE CAULDRON'S DELPHI FORUM ========= The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is offering an online witchcraft course in the Dragon Clan tradition on our Delphi message board. This course is taught by Jet (aka Hawke). While this course formally began on Monday, May 20, 2002, interested members can join the course at any time as the course material is in numbered messages in the Online Witchcraft Course folder on our Delphi message board. You simply start with the messages with the lowest numbers in the subject line and work your way through at your own pace. New lessons will be posted to our message board every week or two. Here are links to the lessons posted in July: 2.5 Ritual Work 2.51 Making a Touchpoint http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6425.1 2.52 Circle Casting http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6426.1 2.52.1 Preparing and Casting the Circle http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6427.1 2.52.2 Guided Meditation http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6428.1 2.52.3 Casting a Formal Circle http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6429.1 2.52.4 Casting Simple Circles http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6430.1 2.52.5 Experimenting with Circles http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6431.1 2.52.6 Opening the Circle http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6432.1 2.53 Self-Blessing http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6433 2.6 Extra Readings (Optional) http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6434.1 2.7 The Ordeal http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6517.1 2.71 In the Labyrinth http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6518.1 2.72 The Wheel Measure http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6219.1 3.0 Wheel of Water http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6553.1 3.1 Meditations 3.11 Meditation on the Double Spiral http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6554.1 3.12 The Ocean, Lakes, and Rivers http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6555.1 3.13 Meditation on the Cup and Water http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6556.1 3.14 Meditation on the Cup http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6557.1 3.15 Past to Present to Future http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6558.1 3.16 The Inner and Outer World http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6559.1 3.17 As Above, So Below http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6560.1 3.18 Harming and Healing http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6561.1 [13] ========= ========= HUMOR: SOUTHERN ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS ========= Author Unknown ========= OKRA: Dec 22 -- Jan 20 Although you appear crude, you are actually very slick on the inside. Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. Stay away from Moon Pies. CHITLIN: Jan 21 -- Feb 19 Chitlins come from humble backgrounds. A chitlin, however, can make something of himself if he's motivated and has lots of seasoning. In dealing with Chitlins, be careful. They can erupt like Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with Catfish and Okra. BOLL WEEVIL: Feb 20 -- Mar 20 You have an overwhelming curiosity. You are unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very intense and driven as if you had some inner hunger. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don't worry about it. MOON PIE: Mar 21 -- April 20 You're the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. It's a cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. It's not going to be easy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not. POSSUM: April 21 -- May 21 When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don't-bother-me-about-it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy, but seems to work for you. One day, however, it won't work and you may find your problems actually running you over. CRAWFISH: May 22 -- June 21 Crawfish is a water sign. If you work in an office, you're always hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer the beach to the mountains, the pool to the golf course, the bathtub to the living room. You tend to be not particularly attractive physically, but you have very, very good heads. COLLARDS: June 22 -- July 23 Collards have a genius for communication. They love to get in the "melting pot" of life and share their essence with the essence of those around them. Collards make good social workers, psychologists, and baseball managers. As far as your personal life goes, if you are Collards, stay away from Moon Pies. It just won't work. Save yourself a lot of heartache. CATFISH: July 24 -- August 23 Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, although ones whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You catfish are never easy people to understand. You prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies. GRITS: Aug 24 -- Sept 23 Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel though, so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese or gravy or bacon or butter or eggs. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, that serves you well. BOILED PEANUTS: Sept 24 -- Oct 23 You have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best - your friends and loved ones -- may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will probably affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear. You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you. BUTTERBEAN: Oct 24 -- Nov 22 Always invite a Butterbean because Butterbeans get along well with everybody. You, as a butterbean, should be proud. You have grown on the vine of life and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you too, shouldn't have anything to do with Moon Pies. ARMADILLO: Nov 23 -- Dec 21 You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle. A good evening for you? Old friends, a fire, some roots, fruits, worms and insects. You are a throwback. You're not concerned with today's fashions and trends. You're not concerned with anything about today. You're really almost prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns. You probably want to marry another Armadillo, but Possum is another mating possibility. [14] ========= ========= 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 two active message areas, a large web site with around 700 pages of information (including well over 100 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 Forums ===== While our mailing list and Delphi Annex message board both welcome 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 one or more of our forums. The staff especially appreciates members who start new topics for discussion based on their own questions, opinions, or interests. Mailing List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ecauldron Delphi Annex: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start ===== ===== Articles! Essays! Tutorials! ===== We are in constant need of original, well-written and accurate articles, essays, tutorials, and other written items for both our web site and for our Cauldron and Candle newsletter. There's no real limit on length for web site articles. Here are a few areas in which we always need articles: * information on the beliefs and theology of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * information on holidays and festivals of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * recipes for oils, incenses, and food for the various Pagan holidays * magick, spells, and ritual information * herbal information * positive articles on dealing with other faiths * information on historical pagan cultures * editorial/opinion pieces Non-Wiccan material is stressed not because we don't want Wiccan material but because good non-Wiccan material has been hard to find. We have a web form you can use to submit an article for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestart.php ===== ===== Book Reviews ===== While The Cauldron receives some review copies from a couple of Pagan publishers, there are many books that can only be reviewed on our web site if a member has a copy and writes a good, objective review. The Cauldron is interested in reviews on the more academic books used by reconstructionist Pagan religions as well as on the books one finds on the Pagan/New Age shelf in the bookstore. We have a web form you can use to submit a book review for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestbr.php ===== ===== Graphic Assistance ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is purposely a low graphics site as we value page download speed over flashy graphics. 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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 this 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 this web site. You can donate by using the Amazon Honor System button below (we get about 85% of what you donate). http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ===== ===== Amazon Purchases ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum also receive 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/fradambooks.php ===== ===== Have Questions or Suggestions? ===== If you have specific questions, proposals or other ideas we haven't mentioned here, please email them to rssapphire@ecauldron.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.) [15] ========= ========= NEWSLETTER INFORMATION ========= (Including how to subscribe and unsubscribe) ========= Cauldron and Candle is a free publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum with assistance from our sister form, The Witches' Thicket. The Cauldron and The Thicket aim to publish this newsletter once a month and often actually succeed 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) 2002 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. 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 ===== You are receiving a copy of this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. 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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 Elspeth Sapphire (elspeth.sapphire@worldnet.att.net) or Randall Sapphire (rssapphire@ecauldron.com). Typos are, as usual, courtesy of the Goddess Eris. Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet again! |
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