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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #24 -- June 2002 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ delphi forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start mailing list/board: http://www.ecauldron.com/fregmb.php newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ With a little help from A Witches' Thicket website: http://www.cros.net/soraya/ delphi forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start In this Issue: [01] Editorial: It's for a Good Cause (Really) [02] Cauldron and Thicket News [03] Poem: Into the Night [04] Article: Visualizing by Ear [05] Review: Invoke the Gods [06] Review: Crafting the Body Divine [07] Review: Candlemas [08] Review: Magic of Qabalah [09] Review: Wheels of Light [10] Magick: Magick for Personal Gain? [11] Magick: Incense Recipes [12] Dragonclan Witchcraft Course on Cauldron Delphi Forum [13] Humor: You Might be Giving Pagans a Bad Name If... [14] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [15] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: June 25, 2002 +++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL: IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE (REALLY) ========= by Shea Thomas ========= An interesting exchange took place not too long ago on a large Pagan email list to which I belong. A member of the list suggested the undertaking of a community service project. Initial reactions were quite positive. Several good charitable causes were suggested. It was obvious that many of the charities were personal favorites. What was interesting about this exchange was the fact that not one of the organizations mentioned in the initial rounds was Pagan. To be fair, the charitable causes that were suggested were all themselves fine organizations, and a single Pagan email list should never be considered representative of the entire Pagan community. At least, that's what I thought until I found another online resource called Pagans Donate. Pagans Donate (http://www.pagansdonate.com) is a wonderful site operated by Lorna Tedder out of (where else?) "Niceville" Florida. To promote the idea of charitable giving by Pagans, Lorna asked her site visitors to tell her what and to whom they donate. Of the 152 organizations she lists as the recipients of Pagan donations, only one could be rightly called Pagan (The Military Pagan Network). The remaining 151 are all ecumenical, secular, and (interestingly enough) Christian. While the kinds of charities that appear on Lorna's list may surprise some, I'm actually pleased to see so much diversity in Pagan philanthropy. Pagan giving (regardless of ideology) is a profound way to demonstrate a broad and unselfish commitment to the world in which we live. I also feel good work should be honored no matter what religious symbol happens to hang over the door. What I think much more odd about Lorna's site and the emails filling my inbox are not the charities listed, but those that seem to be missing. Fairly well-known organizations like The International Pagan Pride Project (IPPP), PagaNet News (PNN), The Council of Magickal Arts (CMA), The Pagan Educational Network (PEN), Witches Against Religious Discrimination (WARD), and The Witches' Voice (TWV) are all conspicuously absent. As someone who regularly volunteers for a Pagan charity, I find this somewhat disconcerting. I would never advocate the support of one kind of charity over another, but I would have thought that Pagan charities would receive at least as much mention as their non-Pagan counterparts among Pagan donors. The fact that they do not gives me pause. There is a lot of work yet to do in own community and our charities are some of the most effective tools we have for getting that work done. If we can't (or won't) find a way to support the charities tending our own gardens, than I shall begin to fear for the rosebushes. Sadly, one of our community flowers may already be gone. The Green Egg, a publication of The Church of All Worlds, is a magazine that has served our community off and on since 1968. Despite a long and rich history, including the first publication of the "Rede of the Wiccae" in 1975, The Green Egg finally ceased operations last year in part (to quote its editors) "We have not been able as yet to muster the support necessary to publish the next issue." And The Green Egg is not the only Pagan charity with funding challenges. While some may think any organization engaged in fundraising must (of course) have lots of funds, this isn't necessarily so. In the GuideStar.com directory of nonprofit organizations, most Pagan charities required to report such things list earnings of less than $25,000. In other words, if these organizations were a family of six instead of a charity trying to serve hundreds, they would easily fall below the national poverty line. And yet, the tasks and missions our charities have set for themselves continue to be identified as important. This past August in Virginia Beach, Virginia, group leaders from across the Mid-Atlantic came together in an attempt to identify the critical needs currently facing our community. An entire laundry-list of needs were named at this gathering (now called the Mid-Atlantic Pagan Leadership Conference) including community centers, libraries, prison ministries, advocacy groups, networking resources, and educational tools. What also became apparent was that many of these needs were already in the process of being addressed, in whole or in part, by existing Pagan charities. Indeed, another need identified at the conference was the desire to find ways to support those organizations already in the trenches and working to meet these community challenges. If the work done by our Pagan charities are important, than why would Pagan charities ever fall off the radar screen? If the needs they are addressing are relevant, then shouldn't they be the first charities supported by Pagans? Obviously this is not universally so, and I think the fault, to paraphrase the Bard, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves and our charities. We need to do a better job supporting our charities; and our charities need to do a better job building relationships with their donors. For those of us who work with Pagan charities, there are some great philanthropy standards promulgated by The Council of Better Business Bureau's Philanthropic Advisory Service (PAS) and the National Charities Information Bureau (NCIB). While these standards are voluntary, they do outline many of the core traits of reputable and trustworthy charities, or (to say it another way) charities with whom we might feel comfortable "trusting our worth." These standards can be retrieved from the Web for free at: http://www.ncib.org/standards/ncibstds.asp. For those of us who don't work with a charity, there are some hard questions we need to ask ourselves as well. Have we identified a charitable cause important to us and the Pagan community? Have we identified a charity serving that cause? Have we made a donation this year? Has our family? Has our group? If the answer to any these is no, then the next question should also be "Why not?" Pagan charities are some of the best engines we have for driving new Pagan community services and resources. As we motor through the country(dweller)side, would it kill us to pitch in a little gas money? And before the ever-present cry of Pagan poverty echoes through the trees, please know that most charity sponsorships are really quite reasonable. You can become a supporting member of The Open Hearth Foundation for $30. You can become a "Silver" member of WARD (the most expensive they offer) for only $60. Their cheapest is a mere $10. I've seen Pagans spend more at a single restaurant sitting than it would cost to sponsor The Witches' Voice for two whole years. If the cause is important to you, you should also be able to find a way to support it. One of the things I've always found exciting about being a Pagan at the start of this new millennium is that so much of our future is already visible. You see it in our courtrooms. You see it in our laws. You see it in our cultural perceptions. There are still bumps along the way, of course, but I would much rather be a Pagan in 2002 than 1702 if you catch my drift. Things are much better than they were, and starting to move along much more quickly. Even more exciting, our future is already evident in our people. It's contained in all the great ideas we are just now starting to make real. Capital-intensive resources such as community centers, libraries, and land retreats (things unimaginable a few decades ago) are either here or already on the way. But, like most everything else worthwhile or worth having, these resources still require time. They still require energy. And they still require that icky green stuff we call money. These are the harsh realities of charity work. Believe me, if I could conjure a Pagan community center with feits instead of fundraisers I would have chosen that path years ago. Instead, I spend my time engaged in a completely different kind of group ritual and spellwork: "asking people to donate." For those of us who support Pagan charities, I do have some good news. What we give is coming back. Like the threefold law, donations to organizations serving our community return to us as members of that community. The services and resources these charities create are yours. They are your community centers, your online resources, your legal defense funds, your libraries, your charities. With this in mind, I would encourage all of us to identify a favorite Pagan charity (which one is entirely up to you) and to try and keep that charity in mind the next time a call is put out for community service. It's pretty good magick theory. It's excellent community activism. And that tax-deductible receipt ain't too shabby either. ===== ===== About the Author ===== Shea Thomas is the Chair of the Board of Governors for The Open Hearth Foundation, Inc. - a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Pagan charity working to create a Pagan community center in the Washington, DC region. This article first appeared in PagaNet News, Volume 9, Issue 3, Beltane 2002. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 #1 in Religion and Spirituality ===== On May 26, 2002, A Witches' Thicket (aka The Thicket) was the "most active" forum in Delphi Forums' Religion and Spirituality area. Exactly how Delphi computes these things is unknown, but the Thicket has been very active during May with between 300 and 400 messages posted most days. Congratulations to Thicket Co-Hosts Soraya and LyricFox, the staff of The Thicket, and all the members of their forum. ===== ===== New Cauldron Staff Member ===== Leigh (TX_LEIGH on Delphi Forums) has joined the staff of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. She'll be assisting The Cauldron's Delphi Forum. ===== ===== Cauldron Delphi Forum Top Poster -- May 2002 ===== The top poster on The Cauldron's Delphi Forum message board for May 2002 was SEASONS. The Runner Up was HEARTSHADOW. (Cauldron staff members are ineligible for this honor.) ===== ===== New Cauldron Web Polls ===== Here are our latest Cauldron Web Polls: === May 1st Poll: Question: How important is historical accuracy to your religion? Possible Answers: * Very Important * Important * Somewhat Important * Not Too Important * Basically Irrelevant Vote at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cldpoll40.php === May 16th Poll: Question: Ethics usually play a part in how we work towards a desired goal. Are the ethics any different if you do or do not use magick? Possible Answers: * Yes, stricter ethical rules apply if magick is used * Yes, stricter ethical rules apply if magick is not used * No, the ethics are the same whether or not magick is used * No Opinion Vote at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cldpoll41.php === Current (June 1st) Poll: Question: Is there an afterlife? Possible Answers: * Yes, everyone goes to the same afterlife * Yes, one goes to the afterlife of one's religious beliefs * Only for short intervals between incarnations * No * Not sure * No Opinion Our current polls will now appear on our main page in the narrow right column: http://www.ecauldron.com/ ===== ===== Uncertain Future for ecauldron Mailing List ===== Yahoo Groups had a survey up in late May asking all sorts of detailed questions about how much money list owners would be willing to pay for their mailing lists. This is the second survey on this subject Yahoo has done this year -- and they were far more detailed about their plans in this survey. The bad news is that what Yahoo listed as their potential free offering would not handle the ecauldron mailing list on a normal month. We simply have too many members and too many messages, hence too much traffic. For various reasons, The Cauldron will not be paying for a list On Yahoo Groups. The major reasons are: * Yahoo's poor track record on privacy and the like mean we don't trust them with credit card numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and the like. * The Cauldron can't really afford to pay any more, especially for a service that has been very unreliable. (Believe it or not, more reliable servers would be an extra cost option under the plans they had.) * Lack of customer service on Yahoo's part. Unfortunately, the reason we stayed with this service when Yahoo bought Egroups was because there really was not any other choice able to meet our needs. All the other free mailing list services were either very unreliable, sent every bounced message to the list host's account, or were just too limited for our needs. With one possible exception, this is still true today. (And paid mailing list services cost in the hundreds or even thousands every month.) Therefore, this is an early warning that the ecauldron mailing list may have to move, or even shut down, with very little notice. If Yahoo Groups moves to a pay service for Yahoo Groups AND if their free offering is as limited as the one they described about in the second survey, we'll really have no choice. Yahoo Groups tends not to give a lot of notice when moving services to pay, therefore this advance warning. Yahoo might change things next week, or nothing may happen for many months (if ever). This notice isn't meant to panic anyone, it's just a head's up. The Cauldron has other messaging options (for example, our Delphi Forums message board), even if they aren't as nice as a mailing list. Our Delphi message board has even been somewhat more active than our mailing list in 2002. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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] ========= ========= INTO THE NIGHT ========= A Poem by Elspeth Sapphire ========= Shadows haunt my days Memories asking to be forgotten As I walk the silvered paths, Moonlit paths, Tree lined paths.... My Lady beckons on. The mists caress my feet And move onward to dull my brain. I am afraid. Still, I move onward. Step by step into darkness. Or...is it the Light? Will I be swallowed whole, Spit out changed and deformed? I neither know...nor care. I will follow my Lady Into the night. [04] ========= ========= ARTICLE: VISUALIZING BY EAR (AND SOME OTHER SENSES TOO) ========= by Faerie K. ========= Originally published in Finnish in Vox Paganorum 1/02 ========= translated from the Finnish by Faerie K. ========= Visualization: the ability or skill to see something that doesn't 'really' exist in front of your eyes, either keeping your eyes closed or open. Also, forming and using a clear mental image, used in magick. Simple! Everybody can do it, if they only practice hard enough! But what if you simply aren't visually oriented and your visual imagery works better when "images" are actually heard, felt, smelt or tasted, or when they are metaphors? What if you can't see anything when you close your eyes, but your other senses or one of your other senses work quite well? When you look at basic articles dealing with visualization, almost every single one of them will concentrate on visualization as something sight-based, as if there were no other options or if the other options were quite unimportant or effective in magick or meditation. The importance given to sight can be seen in the terminology used: visualization is the general term used to cover also the practice of forming mental images with other senses than sight. When it comes to dominant senses, people who are visually oriented form the largest group, but there are still plenty of people who don't think or dream in pictures. According to some statistics, audio-oriented people are the second largest group, while people who have touch or movement as their strongest sense, or who have scent/taste as the strongest sense when it comes to dreams, memories, and mental "images" are left to form smaller minorities. When your strongest sense is something other than sight, all the talk of visualization as something connected only to seeing can cause feelings of being inadequate and even worrying if one can even use magick. This is quite understandable, as visualization is explained as something that is very important for being able to use magick, even a precondition for it. When given practices center on developing sight, trying and failing can make you doubt your own skills and make you feel like there's nowhere to go. If the instructions of your traditions tell you that you should be able to see the circle cast with your mind's eye and you can't do it, it isn't that strange you'd start doubting if you can do a ritual. What about spells? If you are supposed to see the result in order to succeed - are you doomed to failure if you simply don't function visually? Visual "visualization" isn't the only possibility there is, so you shouldn't be too worried if you can't do it. Working magick, rituals, spells, meditations and what have you are perfectly possible for 'sightless' people as well! It can require somewhat more work, as texts and instructions are written for those who function in sight, but it is possible. By modifying exercises and instructions you can make them work for other senses as well. That modifying requires a bit of (creative) application, but you can do it. By working on your strongest sense, you may with time be able to make your other senses stronger. Even if you are visually oriented, doing exercises on other senses can help you in creating a more complete visualization experience. ===== ===== Some Exercises ===== Here are some short, simple exercises to get you started: As usual, it's good to have the place where you are doing the exercises somewhat dim and peaceful. Having people buzzing about and having other disturbances around don't exactly help with concentration. Part of the preparation is to sit comfortably, as you will be staying in one position for a length of time and relaxing yourself to a light trance state. As a side note: it pays not to train yourself to be able to meditate or get into a trance only when it's perfectly peaceful. Total quiet or nearly so isn't always possible in situations where you need to work magick, nor is requiring such sensible. When you get basics in order, start doing your exercises where there are external disturbances. ===== ===== Sight ===== A basic exercise one is often given is a candle-based one. Here's one version: Light a candle and have it stand at your eye-level about two feet away. Look at the flame, inspect and study it, its movements and colors, how the flame stands out against the dark background. Concentrate all your attention to the flame until it's practically all you can see. Then close your eyes, still facing the candle, and start building up the image of the flame using your mind's eye. In the beginning you may see only a faint glimpse of the flame, but don't panic - exercises take time. If your concentration breaks and the image disappears, try building it again without opening your eyes. When you can keep the image in your mind for a long period of time, try adding the movement of the flame, then expanding your exercise later on so that you can see the whole candle. You can also start modifying the image in your mind by making the candle larger, changing the color of the candle or the flame - whatever you can think up. Clarity is more important in this exercise than the time you can keep it up. With time you won't need stimulus to start with, that is, the candle to watch. Note that some people can visualize in two dimensions, but not in three. If you're one of the two-dimensional people, work with that ability - don't feel lacking because you aren't a "three-dimensional visualizer". ===== ===== Hearing ===== If you're one of those people who has an internal jukebox playing songs and sounds out on its own initiative, or who remembers discussions down to the tones of voices, you can learn t "visualize" sound. Starting to exercise with "auralization" ("visualization by the ear") doesn't really need stimuli. However, it pays to rehearse your aural memory to work under your will, also to meditate on soundscapes. You can add concentrating on a certain sound and examining it while meditating; rehearsing single sounds, tunes, rhythms, repeated words (starting with, for example, type of mantras with no personal importance), sounds of nature, etc. If you have trouble clearing your mind of thoughts while meditating, you can try using soothing nature sounds like rainfall to "fill up your mind". One useful exercise is to transform a persistent "ear-fly" (a piece of music, often a quite unwanted one, playing as a loop in your head) to something else, like a mantric sigil. For those who are less hearing oriented, the starting point can be meditating on repeated words, mantras or simple sounds, with a stimulus to reconstruct in your mind's ear or without one. ===== ===== Touch ===== When it comes to exercising this sense, you can approach the subject through feeling touch, temperatures, air streams or presence. However, it's good to practice all of these. It is quite difficult to give any direct exercises, as the way each individual feels is rather personal. Therefore finding the way that fits you best is left to your own activities and aptitudes. It helps if you know a relaxation routine when you concentrate your thoughts on one part of your body at the time until it starts to feel warmer and it feels like a stream of air / gentle touch would be around that body part - that exercise can be modified to be used here. ===== ===== Scent and Taste ===== The basic principle with "scent visualization" is the same as with sight visualization. Light incense and breathe in its scent. Let the scent fill your whole consciousness, excluding everything else. Concentrate on the scent, examine it in your mind from all angles, studying its effects on you - what it brings to your mind, how it feels. Let the incense burn all up, keeping the scent alive in your mind as long as you can. Later on, after the scent has all but disappeared from the air around you, concentrate and strive to bring the scent back to your mind using the associations you created. There's no need to worry if you can't do that straight away - you can always practice more. In fact, you should always practice more. Let the incense burn for a shorter period each time you do this exercise, trying to keep the scent 'visualized' a little longer than before, until you are able to 'visualize' it at will without the help of the actual incense. For taste, you can work using the same principles as with scents. ===== ===== Other possibilities? ===== In the introduction to this article, I mentioned metaphors. You can use and develop 'word/verbal visualization' not only as a technique of its own right, but also in aiding and strengthening other imagery. You can use the previously described visual-visualization as the basics. Work otherwise like you did in the earlier exercise, but after closing your eyes describe - with words - the candle flame and then the whole candle as vividly as you can. Keep in your mind complete certainty of the candle's existence. Why wouldn't you be certain it is really there? After all, it does exist, even though you can't see it at the moment. If you would extend your fingers towards the flame, the flame would still burn your fingers - even though it is "visible" only as a description in your head. Take that certainty and be that certain when you are, for example, describing to yourself deities called in rituals. ===== ===== Yes, right, but ===== what about all the rituals and stuff like that? ===== Exercising different senses as such doesn't solve the original problem, that is - how to manage with a weak or totally nonexistent visual-visualizing ability while meditating and working magick, and how to enrich one's sphere of visualization. You could say that the basic idea is that of "mixing sensations". That is, observing stimuli often associated only with one sense, with other senses as well. At the same time, taking into consideration all senses if possible, finding out your own strong and weaker senses for example by using the different exercises. Even "in real life", what you experience of the world surrounding you is formed by all of the senses you have working together, not through one singular sense. So, why would things be one-sense-dimensional in the world of magick? You can start bringing down the walls separating each of the senses by, say, asking yourself what does the taste of a given feeling sound like, what a taste feels like, what does the sound of a scent look like, what does the sight of a tune scent like, etc. To put it in other words, by questioning the limits of possibilities and bending your mind to accept the idea that the possibilities of different senses are not set in stone - especially when the senses in questions are inside your own mind. Instead of concentrating on what any given object (or 'object') looks like, you can concentrate on how they sound, feel, smell, taste. You can add sensations even to quite abstract subjects, choosing the associations according to your own experiences or the 'tables of correspondences' used by your religion or tradition, searching for connections crossing the boundaries of senses. One tool to use can be, for example, Aleister Crowley's Liber 777. Discovering and writing down your own associations and correspondences is also quite a good exercise. You can expand your overall magick usage through building a network of correspondences speaking to you on a very personal level. I'd say that one big reason for exercises, instructions for rituals, and so forth concentrate so much on sight is that it's the easiest way to explain. Unfortunately, at the same time many other possible approaches get overlooked. What also can get overlooked is that no matter what approach your visualization takes, the certainty in what you are doing and experiencing is more important than whether you are able to reproduce something in your mind. This "mere reproducing" happens all the time in your normal, everyday thought processes and few would call thinking visualizing. It may not even be possible to 'cut down' a visualizing or magick working experience and even when sight is playing the major role, it is (most often) only part of the experience. With rituals, you can instead of (or in addition to) seeing symbols and other visualized parts, hear sounds associated with them, draw them as a trail of scent or feel their presence. While meditating, you can sense colors as scents, sounds or feelings. With spells, you can 'visualize' the result of the spell by hearing clearly, say, the company you applied to calling you and telling you that you got the job. Bathe in imagery, whether the images were pictures or something else. Some things you could ponder... * What does blue smell like? * What is the sound of a pentagram? * What does a magickal circle feel like? * What does a deity you are invoking (or evoking) taste like? * How would you sense the energies of magick with all your available senses? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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: INVOKE THE GODS ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Invoke The Gods: Exploring the Power of Male Archetypes Author: Kala Trobe Paperback, 232 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: November 2001 ISBN: 0738700967 US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738700967/thecauldron Invoke the Gods is a companion volume to the author's earlier work, Invoke the Goddess. Kala Trobe is an occultist in the Western Magickal Tradition and approaches the deities through this world view. Her deities are archetypes: different aspects of a single deity. One can call upon the energies of specific godforms to manifest their energies in one's own life. After a short introduction explaining the purpose of the book, Trobe moves directly to the meat of the volume, chapters on 15 Gods: five Hindu deities (Krishna, Ganesh, Siva, Hanuman, and Brahma), five Egyptian deities (Thoth, Khephri, Ra, Horus, and Anubis), and five Greek Gods (Pan, Apollo, Hermes, Zeus, and Dionysus). Each chapter contains information on the mythology associated with the deity, a section on contacting the deity, a visualization exercise drawing on the deity designed to improve some aspect of the person doing the visualization, and information on the mundane side of the archetype. Finally, the Tarot cards associated with the deity are listed. Judging by the information on the Greek deities, the mythological information in Invoke the Gods seems to be based on fairly solid research in popular mythology combined with some material from the Western Magickal Tradition. The Greek mythology given in the book, for example, while not likely to impress a Greek Reconstructionist, is unlikely to make him want to throw the book across the room. Original sources are mentioned. The author does not constantly confuse Greek and Roman versions of the deities, a failing of many books on the "New Age/Pagan" shelf in bookstores. Your reviewer is not familiar enough with Hindu or Egyptian mythology to comment, but the fact that Greek mythology was handled fairly well is probably a good sign. Those who view deities as archetypes or as faces of one God, the way Wicca and the Western Magickal Tradition generally do, will find this book an interesting and readable introduction to the masculine side of deity. Hard polytheists and reconstructionists, however, will find little of interest in this book. While I don't think this book is a "must buy," a part of me is tempted to buy a few copies to give to those people I occasionally encounter who think the masculine deities are next to useless compared to the feminine deities. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkitg.php [06] ========= ========= REVIEW: CRAFTING THE BODY DIVINE ========= Reviewed by Dianne Sylvan ========= Crafting the Body Divine: Ritual, Movement and Body Art Author: Yasmine Galenorn Paperback, 220 pages Publisher: Crossing Press Publication date: November 2001 ISBN: 1580911048 US Retail Price: $16.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580911048/thecauldron At long last, publishers are beginning to respond to the needs of those Pagans out there who have grown beyond the same old 101 fare. Yasmine Galenorn, already a strong author whose previous books were thoughtful and unique, offers something truly and delightfully different: Crafting the Body Divine, a book on the Neo-Pagan relationship to the body and how to improve self image within a spiritual context. The book begins by discussing body image and how the way we take care of ourselves reflects our spiritual values. It discusses sexuality and health in frank, open language dusted liberally with good humor. Galenorn includes chapters on exercise -- dance and yoga receiving special attention, as they have an inherent spiritual component -- and body modification from the pseudo-mainstream (tattooing, piercing) to the extreme (branding, as well as a number of ceremonies from diverse cultures that would cause more than a few winces among Westerners). Within these chapters are meditations, ritual ideas, and thought-provoking interviews. Especially enjoyable for their unpretentious honesty are Galenorn's anecdotes about her own struggles with body image, her experiences under the tattoo needle, and her recovery from injury. The most encouraging thing about this book is its tone. Galenorn is willing to step up and say, "This is who I am, and you damn well better get used to it" and nudge others toward the same attitude. Women especially will find peeking around the paragraphs a true role model for self-acceptance and courage. I would have liked this book to have been longer, including a few more meditations and exercises on body image, as it is a difficult issue for many trying to recover from Western society's Cult of the Stick Insect. While body modification is widespread in the Pagan community (and often undertaken without true contemplation of the gravity of changing your physical form permanently), the first half of the book dealing with self-esteem will probably prove the most influential for readers. People coming to the community cannot make the transition from "I'm a fat sow" to "I'm a Goddess" automatically. There are many small steps in between, and Galenorn's Crafting the Body Divine offers the tools that many of us have been missing to help get there from here. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkctbd.php [07] ========= ========= REVIEW: CANDLEMAS ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Candlemas: Feast of Flames Authors: Amber K & Azrael Arynn K Trade Paperback, 244 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: December 2001 ISBN: 0738700797 US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738700797/thecauldron Candlemas: Feast of Flames is the latest book in Llewellyn's series of books on the Wiccan sabbats. Like Lammas, but unlike some of the earlier books in this series, Candlemas contains a bit too much Wiccan oriented material (rituals and magick) to be a book some Pagans will feel comfortable putting out on the coffee table in their living rooms. While this is not a mark against this book, it is a bit of a shame as this book otherwise cries out for general public viewing. Candlemas opens with a discussion of February holidays around Europe and, to a lesser extent, around the world. The material is interesting, but too superficial to do some of the holidays justice. Readers will discover early spring holidays of the Greeks, the Romans, the Celts and the Norse, as well as more exotic holidays like Setsubun, the Japanese festival of lanterns and bean throwing. The second chapter talks about the two Brigits: the Celtic Goddess Brighid (generally spelled Brigit by the authors) and the Irish Saint Brigid. Brighid the Goddess is described through Wiccan eyes. Saint Brigit is treated honestly. There are no claims that the Christians "stole" the Goddess Brighid and turned her into Saint Brigit, only a mention that the stories may have become intermingled. The legends and myths surrounding both are given equal treatment in Candlemas. This is something that I'm happy to see. Too many Pagan authors seem to go out of their way to trivialize -- or even demonize -- Christianity. In my opinion, this is something Pagan religions can do quite well without and I'm glad to see this book avoids it. The next chapter provides about thirty pages of traditional activities and symbols associated with celebrations of Brigid and the festival of Imbolc. While the authors admit that they barely touch on the activities and symbols available, there is enough variety and choice here that most Wiccan families will be able to find several suitable activities for their family traditions. The fourth chapter is a short discussion of forms of divination appropriate to the holiday. The next chapter, "Cleansing and Purification" talks about spring cleaning, Wiccan style. This chapter suggests a number of cleaning and purification-oriented activities, some with appropriate prayers and/or rituals. The sixth chapter contains several Wiccan rituals for Imbolc. One is for individuals. The others are for larger groups. This chapter also includes additional ritual ideas and a long guided mediation. What would a book called Candlemas be without a chapter on candles? The authors don't disappoint. The seventh chapter covers candle making and candle magick. While the information on making candles is basic, it is complete enough for anyone to follow and suggests a number of ways to make exotic candles. Ice candles, anyone? The information on candle magick, however, is surprisingly sketchy. To be honest, I'm not sure there is enough information to enable someone completely unfamiliar with candle magick to proceed successfully. The final chapter is probably my favorite. Entitled "Preparing the Feast," the last full chapter in Candlemas has recipes for a festival feast. The authors choose to use Irish foods and divided the recipes into three periods: those using foods common in Ireland before the Crusades, between the Crusades and the discovery of the Americas, and after the discovery of the Americas. There's no sign of the infamous "Great Potato Fallacy" in this book. The authors carefully point out that potatoes and pumpkins are "New World" foods that were not available in Ireland until the 16th century. Some of the recipes look worth trying, but I think I'll definitely pass on the corned beef and cabbage. Many of the chapters contain end notes. Unfortunately, many of the sources listed are probably not the best one could find for historical and religious information. Other modern Pagan books, even ones of questionable scholarship, are listed as sources far too often for my taste -- especially when many more academically respectable sources are available at the average public library. However, Candlemas, like the other books in this series, is obviously meant to be a coffee table style book of interesting information associated with the holiday, not a scholarly tome. As such, it is a fine book -- but readers should not assume that this book is historically accurate on all points. Like the other books I've seen in Llewellyn's series on the Wiccan Sabbats, Candlemas: Feast of Flames is an enjoyable and interesting read. This book, with its many activities, is a useful addition to the library of any family who celebrates the Wiccan holidays and would like to develop family traditions that can be carried to future generations. If you fit this description, Candlemas probably belongs on your bookshelf. Even if you aren't Wiccan, you might find the book enjoyable. Your non-Wiccan reviewer did. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkcandlemas.php [08] ========= ========= REVIEW: MAGIC OF QABALAH ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Magic of Qabalah: Visions of the Tree of Life Author: Kala Trobe Paperback, 336 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: June 2001 ISBN: 0738700029 US Retail Price: $14.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738700029/thecauldron Books on the Qabalah (spelled in various ways) seem all the rage now. Many Qabalah books are confusing and impenetrable. Qabalah confusion is made worse because there are actually two Qabalahs: the original Jewish Qabalah (which requires a great deal of knowledge of Jewish religion, thought, and philosophy to even begin to understand) and the Hermetic Qabalah of the Western Magickal Tradition (which takes the "tree of life" from the Jewish Qabalah and greatly expands upon it, while generally ignoring the rest of the Jewish Qabalah). Most Pagans and non-Jewish Magicians are interested only in the Hermetic Qabalah, yet many books try to discuss both. Kala Trobe's Magic of Qabalah does not make this mistake. It limits itself to the Hermetic Qabalah. Magic of Qabalah presents the Hermetic version of the Tree of Life as a series of visualizations. As most introductory books on the Hermetic Qabalah are filled with pages of dry textual description, Trobe's book immediately stands out as different. While this book seems to present less information than many other books on the subject do, the material is probably more accessible to the average beginner, especially for a generation used to seeing things via TV and film rather than reading about them. Trobe's book is organized simply and directly. The first chapter introduces the reader to the Tree of Life and provides a brief overview of the ten sephiroth (spheres). Each of the next ten chapters covers one of those ten sephiroth in detail. Each of these chapters introduces the sphere and its associations, including its divinities. Next, the author describes the temple of the sephirah. Finally, a guided visualization leads the reader through the sphere firsthand. All sephiroth chapters except the first also discuss the path on the Tree of Life that links the previous sphere to the new one. A short chapter on Daath, an 11th sephirah used by the Golden Dawn, follows these. A chapter on the thirteen paths not covered in the chapters on spheres follows. Magic of Qabalah concludes with "A Qabalistic Tale," a short story based on the symbolism of the Tree of Life. Magic of Qabalah is a nice introduction to the Hermetic Qabalah. However, it has a noticeable flaw. While it is far more accessible to the beginner than most books on the subject, it also seems less complete. This is particularly true with respect to the twenty-two paths between the sephiroth. Trobe admits in the introduction that she concentrated on the spheres more than on the paths between them. So long as one uses this book as a readable introduction to the Hermetic Qabalah instead of the final word on this subject, this should not present a problem. In fact, if you have other dense introductory books to the Qabalah that you've never been able to wade through, you will probably find yourself much better equipped for them after reading Magic of Qabalah. While it is a good book for complete beginners, if you have read and understood other books on the subject, this book does not offer much new material or new insights. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkmoq.php [09] ========= ========= REVIEW: WHEELS OF LIGHT ========= Reviewed by Diane Verrochi ========= Wheels of Light: Chakras, Auras, and the Healing Energy of the Body Author: Rosalyn L. Bruyere Trade Paperback, 288 pages Publisher: Fireside Publication date: 1989 ISBN: 0671796240 US Retail Price: $14.00 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671796240/thecauldron Because of the similarity in titles, this book is often confused with Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith, reviewed in the April 2002 issue. Both books treat the subject of the chakras, energy centers in the auric body that can be mapped onto the human spine. Both books include some more traditional information as well as the authors' further interpretations and ideas. However, Wheels of Light makes some truly astonishing leaps that I find problematic. The chakra system comes to us through the writings on and practice of Tantric Yoga. It is certainly possible that it is even older than its earliest verifiable source (approximately 500-600 AD, with some suggestive references in older Vedic texts), and even from another culture entirely. However, Ms. Bruyere's assertions that the system can be verified as part of Southwestern Native American cultures 15,000 years ago, or of Egyptian culture some 50,000 years ago, require far more evidence than she presents. Tales of kundalini initiations as part of the Eleusinian Mysteries in Ancient Greece and pyramid initiations in Ancient Egypt can only be described as incredible leaps made in which the only "source" for these suppositions given is the author's observations and experience at the modern fields of Eleusis. There are other problems, as well, from basic translational issues to the Worldwide Mother Goddess Cult fallacy. With that said, the suppositions above which are presented as historical fact as well as other interesting hypotheses, actually do make intriguing points of comparison and speculation. Therefore, I cannot simply recommend avoiding Wheels of Light. However, if you do choose to read this book as part of exploring ideas about the chakra system, I highly recommend Wheels of Light be neither the first nor the only book you read. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkwolight.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ UPCOMING REVIEWS Here are a few of the books we'll be reviewing in future issues: CHARTING YOUR SPIRITUAL PATH WITH ASTROLOGY, MODERNWICCAN CD-ROM, SEASONS OF THE WITCH, HEART OF TAROT, MASTERING REIKI, COLOR MAGICK (Revised), BUCKLAND'S COMPLETE BOOK OF WITCHCRAFT (Revised), THE TAROT OF OZ. 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] ========= ========= MAGICK: MAGICK FOR PERSONAL GAIN? ========= by Seawitch ========= Popular words used to describe magick are black and white. The division between the two usually has to do with using magick for personal gain (i.e. prosperity and love spells), or, with malicious intent (i.e. hexes), versus the use of magick for healing purposes and the general good ("white"). Some believe magick should only be used as a last resort; I disagree. Magick is neither black nor white, and is definitely not a last resort. Magick is part of being Wiccan, and using it is one of the ways we learn. Wicca is more than just a belief in polytheism and eight seasonal holidays. It is a way of life. I believe it is more demanding than many other religions because of the freedom it gives. It is up to each individual to decide right from wrong and what they want out of life. It is then up to the individual to create it. Creation involves thought, improvisation, revision, focus and time. In a word: PRACTICE. Practice is what teaches me, keeps me connected to the energies I work with, and helps me stay focused on my goals. It allows me to make educated decisions based upon experience. Magickal experience is not gained by doing a couple spells a year out of dire need and celebrating the seasons. It is gained by performing magick to assist in reaching long-term goals, spending time in my magickal space meditating, getting to know the energies I work with, working with the lunar phases, and saying "thank you" for goals reached and blessings received. It is my life to create as I wish, so shouldn't I practice on myself? And shouldn't the changes I make be constructive? It is here that the issue lies, and it is balance. When I perform magick, the desire is to create change in order to maintain, or create, a balance. It is a constant shifting of priorities and the components that make up life. For example, working hard at a dead end job that does not pay well creates an imbalance in life. It causes emotional and physical hardship. If I do a prosperity spell or ritual to try to change that, I am working towards creating a happier, healthier, balanced environment for myself. If I go about it by doing spell work to try to take a co-worker's position, it will ultimately backfire because of the negative energy involved, and create further imbalance. The magick itself is neutral; the energy that is released, positive ("white") or negative ("black"), is the responsibility of the practitioner. I often mention trial and error as being part of the Wiccan learning experience, and it is. It is also a part of learning in general regardless of religious beliefs. I do not believe using magick to attain personal goals is wrong. I believe not practicing and learning from experience is wrong. [Editor's Note: Seawitch has additional essays on her web site located at http://www.primalx.com/seawitchsays/.] [11] ========= ========= MAGICK: INCENSE RECIPES ========= author unknown ========= Warning: Remember that you or others may suffer from allergic reactions to even the most common incenses. Use caution and common sense. === ABRAMELIN INCENSE 2 Parts Myrrh 1 Part Wood Aloe a few drops Cinnamon Oil Burn to contact spirits during rituals or as a simple consecration incense to sanctify the altar or magickal tools. === AIR INCENSE 4 parts benzoin 2 parts gum mastic 1 part lavender 1 pinch wormwood 1 pinch mistletoe Burn to invoke the powers of the element of Air, or to increase intellectual powers; to obtain travel; for communication, study and concentration, or to end drug addiction. Smolder during divinatory rituals. === ALL PURPOSE INCENSE 1 tbsp rosemary 1 tbsp cinnamon Dry peel of one lemon 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp almond extract 1 tsp lemon extract 5 drops of favorite scent (essential oil) === ALTAR INCENSE 3 parts frankincense 2 parts myrrh 1 part cinnamon General incense on altar to purify area and to promote ritual consciousness during rituals. === AMUN-RA INCENSE 4 oz. Frankincense 3 oz. Cinnamon 1 oz. Mastic 2 drops olive oil 3 drops oil of rose 3 drops tincture of myrrh Blend the three resins, and powdered them very finely. Blend the oils and add them to the resins. This should be kept in an airtight jar in the dark for three months before use. === APHRODITE INCENSE 1 Part Cinnamon 1 Part Cedar a few drops Cypress Oil Burn during rituals designed to attract love. === APOLLO INCENSE 4 Parts Frankincense 2 Parts Myrrh 2 Parts Cinnamon 1 Part Bay Burn during divination & healing rituals. === ARIES INCENSE 2 Parts Frankincense 1 Part Juniper 3 Drops Cedarwood oil Burn as a personal altar or household incense to increase your own powers. === ASTRAL TRAVEL INCENSE 3 Parts Sandalwood 3 Parts Benzoin 1 part Mugwort 1 Part Dittany of Crete Burn a small amount in the room to aid projecting the astral body. === ATTUNEMENT TO SPIRIT WORLD 1/4 tsp ground Sandalwood Or - 1/2 tsp Sandalwood chips 1/4 tsp Balm of Gilead 1/8 tsp Sage === AQUARIUS INCENSE 1 Part Sandalwood 1 Part Cypress 1 Part Pine Resin Burn as a personal altar or household incense to increase your own powers. === BABYLONIAN RITUAL INCENSE 3 Parts Cedar 2 Parts Juniper 1 Part Cypress 1 Part Tamarisk Burn during Babylonian and Sumerian magickal rituals, or when attuning with such deities as Inanna, Marduk, Enlil, Tiamat and others. === BANISHING INCENSE Bay leaves cinnamon Red wine Rose petals Myrrh Salt Eliminates all bad spirit forces. Should be burned in a ceremonial room during services. Also used in uncrossing (removes evil forces and hexes). === BAT'S BLOOD INCENSE Dragon's blood Myrrh Cinnamon Burn to cast evil spirits and to place a hex on someone you wish to get even with (for black magick and hexing). This invokes only baneful spirits. === BELTANE INCENSE 3 Parts Frankincense 2 Parts Sandalwood 1 Part Woodruff 1 Part Rose petals a few drops Jasmine oil a few drops neroli Oil Burn during Wiccan rituals on Beltane or May Day for fortune, favors and to attune with the changing of the seasons. === BORN AGAIN INCENSE 3 Parts Frankincense 1 part Mullein 1 Part Mums Burn when distraught over the passing of a friend or loved one. === BUSINESS INCENSE 2 parts benzoin 1 part cinnamon 1 part basil Burn to attract customers. [12] ========= ========= DRAGONCLAN WITCHCRAFT COURSE ========= OFFERED ON THE CAULDRON'S DELPHI FORUM ========= The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is offering an online witchcraft course in the DragonClan 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 approximately weekly. ===== ===== Introductory Message from our Delphi Message Board ===== by Jet ===== We all know that people learn in a variety of different ways. Some people prefer to just read and then go do, using books and articles as a method of instruction. Essentially, the Dragon Clan material *can* be used that way. I would, however, encourage you to take advantage of the online format that we're using. It will give you the chance to talk about the things that you are working on and experiencing. It will also give me the opportunity to talk to you about them since there is no way to include every detail or possibility that you might encounter. There are a number of books listed with this material that are suggested reading. They are not *required*, but if there is any way for you to read them I believe that they will enhance the work that you're doing. This course is deliberately *not* designed to be done in the more common format of "a year and a day". There are no time limits and no tests, save those that your own growth brings on or the material itself contains. It's not up to me when it is time for you to move on to the next stage. That's something that each person has to decide on their own. The last thing I'd like to comment on is Initiation. Yes,I have several that I will eventually post. Yes, Dragon Clan accepts self-initiation at the First Degree as valid. And yes, there will be guidelines on how to tell if it's time for that or if you still need more work. At the end of this material, you will have the right to call yourself an Initiate and Witch in the Dragon Clan. *IF* that is something you wish. One thing to note, however, is that there is a difference between being an Initiate and a Priest/ess.Dragon Clan does draw that distinction. So. Having said *ALL* of this....now is the time for questions. Please feel free to post whatever questions you have and I will address them as best I can. [Editor's Note: You can post questions at the following link: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6119.1] And welcome to the fun. ===== ===== Message Board Links ===== Here are some links to more message threads basic information about this course: === Introductory Comments (the above message) http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6119.1 === What is Dragon Clan Witchcraft http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6118.1 === Course Outline -- Part One http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6121.1 === Course Outline -- Part Two http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6122.1 === Course Outline -- Part Three http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=6123.1 [13] ========= ========= HUMOR: YOU MIGHT BE GIVING PAGANS A BAD NAME IF... ========= Author Unknown ========= You Might be Giving Pagans a Bad Name If... You insist that your boss call you "Rowan Starchild" because otherwise you'd sue for religious harassment. (Score double for this if you don't let that patronizing dastard call you "Mr. or Ms. Starchild.") You request Samhain, Beltaine, and Yule off and then gripe about working Christmas. You expect your employer to exempt you from the random drug testing because of your religion. You think the number of Wiccan books you own is far more important than the number you have read, regardless of the fact that most of your books are for beginners. You've won an argument by referencing "Drawing Down the Moon," knowing darned good and well they haven't read it either. You said it was bigotry when they didn't let you do that ritual in front of city hall. It had nothing to do with the skyclad bit. You picketed "The Craft" and "Hocus Pocus," but thought that the losers who picketed "The Last Temptation of Christ" needed to get lives. You've ever had to go along with someone's ludicrous story because it was twice as likely to be true than most of the nonsense you spout. You complain about how much the Native Americans copied from Eclectic Wiccan Rites. You've ever referenced the Great Rite in a pick-up line. Someone has had to point out to you that you do not enter a circle "in perfect love and perfect lust." (Score double if you argued the point.) You claim yourself as a witch because how early you were trained by the wise and powerful such-and-such of whom nobody has heard. You claim to be a famtrad (hereditary), but you're not. (Score double if you had to tell people you were adopted to pull this off.) You claim to be a descendant of one of the original Salem Witches. (Score to a lethal degree if you don't get this one.) You think it's perfectly reasonable to insist that, since every tradition is different, and no one tradition is right, there's no reason not to do things your way. You've ever been psychically attacked by someone who conveniently held a coven position you crave, and suddenly had a glimpse into their mind so you could see how evil they were. You've ever affected an Irish or Scottish accent and insisted that it was real. You think it's your Pagan Duty to support the IRA, not because of any political beliefs you might share, but because, dammit, they're IRISH. You talk to your invisible guardians in public. (Score double if you have met the Vampire Lestat or Dracula, triple if you got into a fight and escaped, or quadruple if it was no contest.) You've ever confused the Prime Directive with the Wiccan Rede. You've ever tried something you saw on "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch." You've suddenly realized in the middle of a ritual that you weren't playing D&D. You've failed to realize at any point in the ritual that you weren't playing D&D. You've suddenly realized that you are playing D&D. You hang out with people who each match at least fifteen of these traits. You recognize many of these traits in yourself, but this test isn't about you. But, boy, it's right about those other folks. [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. However, we are always willing to talk with artists who have ideas for well-designed small graphics (small in both physical dimensions and file size) that might enhance a specific article or page. ===== ===== Invite Your Friends ===== If you have friends or acquaintances who you believe would find The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum useful, please tell them about our site. If you are active in our forums and have friends who might enjoy them or have information to contribute, please invite them. ===== ===== Link To The Cauldron ===== If you have a web site where linking to The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum would be appropriate, simply providing a link to this web site is a big help. Our Link to this Site page explains how you can do this if you need help or want some simple graphic buttons to use: http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php ===== ===== Donations ===== As The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum uses as many free services as possible, our need for money to operate 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. 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 mentioned above. If you need to change your subscription to a new email address, unsubsribe your old email address and subscribe your new email address. ===== ===== 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 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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