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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #6 -- Mid-January 2001 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ mailing list/board: http://www.ecauldron.com/fregmb.php newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ With a little help from The Witches' Thicket website: http://www.cros.net/soraya/ message board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start In this Issue: [01] Editorial: Responsibility [02] Poem: Shades of Grey [03] Candlemas: The Light Returns [04] Review: When, Why... If [05] Review: Your Book of Shadows [06] Review: Silver's Spells for Protection [07] Review: Power Tarot [08] Magick: Third Eye Ritual [09] Magick: Herb Use in Magick: Part Two (M - Z) [10] The Tarot in the Comics: Promethea [11] Humor: Husband 1.0: Answers from Tech Support [12] Software: PowerPro [13] New Articles on The Cauldron's Site [14] New Web Poll [15] Support The Cauldron When You Buy at Amazon.com [16] Cauldron and Thicket Chats [17] Newsletter and Forum Info (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: January 31, 2001 +++ [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL: RESPONSIBILITY ========= by Elspeth Sapphire ========= "It's not =my= fault! It's =her= fault!" "I didn't know... didn't research... didn't think..." "You can't blame me... it wasn't against the Rede!" "Why are these bad things happening to me?? I didn't do anything bad... not really...." Do any of these sound familiar? As a mother I expected to hear them time after time. After all, one of my responsibilities as a mother was to teach my children to deal with =their= responsibilities. What has surprised and saddened me is the increasing numbers of times I hear comments like the above from people in the Pagan community. Perhaps I am a product of the old school, but I was taught early that we reap what we sow ... in this world and others. I am not talking about something as simple as following the Rede or the Law of Threes. I am talking about taking responsibility for each and every action in our lives, both mundane and magickal. My Tradition is big on responsibility. Our version of the Rede states: "Do what you will, but be aware that every action comes with a price tag. Be prepared to pay that price." It is that simple. Act as you feel the need, but be willing to stand up and accept the consequences of your action. Of course, this sounds simple, is simple, and still is sometimes very difficult to deal with. One of the examples I use with my students is a mundane one; my daughter is raped. Now there are several ways I can react, both mundanely and magickally. If I decide to go after the man who did this and track him down and shoot him dead, then I have to accept that I will probably get caught and sent to jail. That would mean that I wouldn't be available to help my family through the aftermath of the rape. I wouldn't be able to comfort my daughter and help her reach past the experience and go on with her life. But the man would be dead. Would I do it? Probably not. Taking responsibility for my actions would end up hurting my family as much as the rape. And, to me, claiming that anger and grief drove me to it would be a denial of that responsibility. And still hurt my family. I see the same things happening magickally. A good example is the growing trend of books encouraging people to use love spells. Not wanting to debate the ethics of such spells, I would like you to look at what can happen. I know one woman who used a sexual seduction spell and then was surprised and horrified when the man raped her. She had decided that she would decide when the moment would be right for them, forgetting that magick often has its own timetable. This lady-who was normally quite bright-- saw herself as a victim, and didn't see how her own actions brought forth the situation. She couldn't accept responsibility for what she set in motion. Another woman used a love spell and it worked. She got her man. However, once she had him, she realized that she didn't really want him. Two people were made miserable because she hadn't looked forward to see what could happen. Did she then take responsibility for what she had done and see what could be done to make things better? No, she ran to someone like me and expected them to fix things. After all, it wasn't really =her= fault. Sigh. I have lost track of how many times people have come to me wanting help. I don't mind helping people, but it is the whining that gets rough to deal with. I know that sounds harsh, but whining is what it is. I would much rather deal with someone that comes to me and says, "I acted like an idiot. Can you help me figure out what to do now?" Instead, I often get people that say, "Well, the spell was in a book! Surely that makes it all right to use! It must be the author's fault!" Or the website, or their teacher or anyone else. Paganism gets a bad rep in part because of the refusal to be responsible. What message does it send to non-Pagans when they listen to Sally blame her problems at work on the fact that someone must be doing a working against her? Of course, it has nothing to do with that fact that she doesn't do her job well or gossips about the people she works beside. What does it say when John claims that he can't get a date because of his bad aura or shielding? It couldn't have anything to do with the fact he is shy and doesn't bathe regularly! The coven I belonged to before I became a HPS actually had rules about getting your life in order before dealing with the magickal. Don't whine about no job when you haven't even made an attempt to go out and look for a job. Doing a spell is not enough, and blaming the spell only makes you seem like a child. Being responsible is not easy. Sometimes it is hard work. And often it is very painful. It is so much easier to blame your lover, your parents, your boss, the universe. Easier, but often untrue. When someone, even myself, asks, "Why me?", I usually tell them to think about =why= them. The truth is often there if we but take a look at it. The trick is to not look at your neighbor, instead take a good look at yourself. Be honest with yourself. Think about =why= you do the things you do, both mundane and magickal. Realize what your true motives are. Then think about what =could= happen as a result of your actions. Do you want any of that to happen? Are you prepared to deal with the results? I remember once I was prepared to do a justice spell. I had been egged on by others and I was angry enough at the individual to act. This despite the fact that I know very well that asking for someone else to be judged, holds me up to be judged also. Well, to make a long story short, on the way to do the spell, I dropped the black glass candle that we had prepared. It shattered all over the ground. This started me thinking with my brain, instead of my emotions. I postponed the working and did some serious thinking. I realized that I was doing the spell because I was pissed and not because the person deserved it. I moaned when I realized that if she and I were judged, then =I= would be most likely found wanting. Having suffered through a justice spell when I =was= in the right, I can only imagine what the gods would have in store for me. Our version of Rede dates from this experience. As does my insistence on each and every member being responsible for their actions. It has changed my life for the better. I have gotten to know myself. This wasn't always a pleasure. Some of what I saw disgusted and shamed me. Some saddened. And all of it gave me a jumping off point for changing. Now when a fight is brewing between my mate and me, I ask myself if I am refusing to talk to her because of hurt feelings or because I am trying to "punish" her for hurting me. In either case, I then ask myself if I would rather be "right" or be close to the person I love best in the world. When put that way, often the path seems rather clear. Not all issues are as clear. Some require thought, questioning, truth, and sometimes more thought. Being an adult is never easy, but I believe it has perks. If nothing else, being able to stand up for what I do with a free heart is worth the work and pain. So the next time when the world doesn't seem to be going your way, before you start to bitch and whine, or even ask why, take a moment to look at your part in what is happening. You might just find that you had a hand in your own problems. And that knowledge might be enough to help find a solution. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [02] ========= ========= SHADES OF GREY ========= A Poem by Elspeth Sapphire ========= Some come in sunshine, And gather sparkling waves. Some come in moonlight With a boon they crave. I come here in twilight Which is proper and right For greyness fogs my mind and shrouds my every Sight. The Lady whispers my name, Sends a shiver up my spine And I calmly accept Her Will -- Our purposes entwine. I am more than I was, yet, Less than I can truly be, An empty messenger of fate Kneeling by the raging sea. I stand, chilled and alone, Greyness now part of my heart. And greyness follows, warm And comforting as I depart. [03] ========= ========= CANDLEMAS: THE LIGHT RETURNS ========= by Mike Nichols ========= It seems quite impossible that the holiday of Candlemas should be considered the beginning of Spring. Here in the Heartland, February 2nd may see a blanket of snow mantling the Mother. Or, if the snows have gone, you may be sure the days are filled with drizzle, slush, and steel-grey skies -- the dreariest weather of the year. In short, the perfect time for a Pagan Festival of Lights. And as for Spring, although this may seem a tenuous beginning, all the little buds, flowers and leaves will have arrived on schedule before Spring runs its course to Beltane. 'Candlemas' is the Christianized name for the holiday, of course. The older Pagan names were Imbolc and Oimelc. 'Imbolc' means, literally, 'in the belly' (of the Mother). For in the womb of Mother Earth, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision, there are stirrings. The seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is quickening and the new year grows. 'Oimelc' means 'milk of ewes', for it is also lambing season. The holiday is also called 'Brigit's Day', in honor of the great Irish Goddess Brigit. At her shrine, the ancient Irish capitol of Kildare, a group of 19 priestesses (no men allowed) kept a perpetual flame burning in her honor. She was considered a goddess of fire, patroness of smithcraft, poetry and healing (especially the healing touch of midwifery). This tripartite symbolism was occasionally expressed by saying that Brigit had two sisters, also named Brigit. (Incidentally, another form of the name Brigit is Bride, and it is thus She bestows her special patronage on any woman about to be married or handfasted, the woman being called 'bride' in her honor.) The Roman Catholic Church could not very easily call the Great Goddess of Ireland a demon, so they canonized her instead. Henceforth, she would be 'Saint' Brigit, patron SAINT of smithcraft, poetry, and healing. They 'explained' this by telling the Irish peasants that Brigit was 'really' an early Christian missionary sent to the Emerald Isle, and that the miracles she performed there 'misled' the common people into believing that she was a goddess. For some reason, the Irish swallowed this. (There is no limit to what the Irish imagination can convince itself of. For example, they also came to believe that Brigit was the 'foster-mother' of Jesus, giving no thought to the implausibility of Jesus having spent his boyhood in Ireland!) Brigit's holiday was chiefly marked by the kindling of sacred fires, since she symbolized the fire of birth and healing, the fire of the forge, and the fire of poetic inspiration. Bonfires were lighted on the beacon tors, and chandlers celebrated their special holiday. The Roman Church was quick to confiscate this symbolism as well, using 'Candlemas' as the day to bless all the church candles that would be used for the coming liturgical year. (Catholics will be reminded that the following day, St. Blaise's Day, is remembered for using the newly-blessed candles to bless the throats of parishioners, keeping them from colds, flu, sore throats, etc.) The Catholic Church, never one to refrain from piling holiday upon holiday, also called it the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (It is surprising how many of the old Pagan holidays were converted to Maryan Feasts.) The symbol of the Purification may seem a little obscure to modern readers, but it has to do with the old custom of 'churching women'. It was believed that women were impure for six weeks after giving birth. And since Mary gave birth at the winter solstice, she wouldn't be purified until February 2nd. In Pagan symbolism, this might be re-translated as when the Great Mother once again becomes the Young Maiden Goddess. Today, this holiday is chiefly connected to weather lore. Even our American folk-calendar keeps the tradition of 'Groundhog's Day', a day to predict the coming weather, telling us that if the Groundhog sees his shadow, there will be 'six more weeks' of bad weather (i.e., until the next old holiday, Lady Day). This custom is ancient. An old British rhyme tells us that 'If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year.' Actually, all of the cross-quarter days can be used as 'inverse' weather predictors, whereas the quarter-days are used as 'direct' weather predictors. Like the other High Holidays or Great Sabbats of the Witches' year, Candlemas is sometimes celebrated on it's alternate date, astrologically determined by the sun's reaching 15-degrees Aquarius, or Candlemas Old Style (in 1988, February 3rd, at 9:03 am CST). Another holiday that gets mixed up in this is Valentine's Day. Ozark folklorist Vance Randolf makes this quite clear by noting that the old-timers used to celebrate Groundhog's Day on February 14th. This same displacement is evident in Eastern Orthodox Christianity as well. Their habit of celebrating the birth of Jesus on January 6th, with a similar post-dated shift in the six-week period that follows it, puts the Feast of the Purification of Mary on February 14th. It is amazing to think that the same confusion and lateral displacement of one of the old folk holidays can be seen from the Russian steppes to the Ozark hills, but such seems to be the case! Incidentally, there is speculation among linguistic scholars that the vary name of 'Valentine' has Pagan origins. It seems that it was customary for French peasants of the Middle Ages to pronounce a 'g' as a 'v'. Consequently, the original term may have been the French 'galantine', which yields the English word 'gallant'. The word originally refers to a dashing young man known for his 'affaires d'amour', a true galaunt. The usual associations of V(G)alantine's Day make much more sense in this light than their vague connection to a legendary 'St. Valentine' can produce. Indeed, the Church has always found it rather difficult to explain this nebulous saint's connection to the secular pleasures of flirtation and courtly love. For modern Witches, Candlemas O.S. may then be seen as the Pagan version of Valentine's Day, with a de-emphasis of 'hearts and flowers' and an appropriate re-emphasis of Pagan carnal frivolity. This also re-aligns the holiday with the ancient Roman Lupercalia, a fertility festival held at this time, in which the priests of Pan ran through the streets of Rome whacking young women with goatskin thongs to make them fertile. The women seemed to enjoy the attention and often stripped in order to afford better targets. One of the nicest folk-customs still practiced in many countries, and especially by Witches in the British Isles and parts of the U.S., is to place a lighted candle in each and every window of the house, beginning at sundown on Candlemas Eve (February 1st), allowing them to continue burning until sunrise. Make sure that such candles are well seated against tipping and guarded from nearby curtains, etc. What a cheery sight it is on this cold, bleak and dreary night to see house after house with candle-lit windows! And, of course, if you are your Coven's chandler, or if you just happen to like making candles, Candlemas Day is THE day for doing it. Some Covens hold candle-making parties and try to make and bless all the candles they'll be using for the whole year on this day. Other customs of the holiday include weaving 'Brigit's crosses' from straw or wheat to hang around the house for protection, performing rites of spiritual cleansing and purification, making 'Brigit's beds' to ensure fertility of mind and spirit (and body, if desired), and making Crowns of Light (i.e. of candles) for the High Priestess to wear for the Candlemas Circle, similar to those worn on St. Lucy's Day in Scandinavian countries. All in all, this Pagan Festival of Lights, sacred to the young Maiden Goddess, is one of the most beautiful and poetic of the year. (This file contains eight seasonal articles by Mike Nichols. They may be freely distributed provided that the following conditions are met: (1) No fee is charged for their use and distribution and no commercial use is made of them; (2) These files are not changed or edited in any way without the author's permission; (3) This notice is not removed. An article may be distributed as a separate file, provided that this notice is repeated at the beginning of each such file. These articles are periodically updated by the author; this version is current as of 9/28/88.) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [04] ========= ========= REVIEW: WHEN, WHY... IF ========= Reviewed by Elspeth Sapphire ========= When, Why...If Author: Robin Wood Trade Paperback Publisher: Livingtree Publication date: January 1997 ISBN: 096529840X US Retail Price: $12.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/096529840X/thecauldron The subtitle on the title page explains this book well: "An Ethics Workbook." Rather than a boring lecture on a personal subject, we are instead treated to a series of thought provoking questions that cause you to take a serious look at what you truly believe and even more importantly, why you believe it. For most Pagans and Wiccans, training on the subject of ethics begins and ends with such items as the Rede and the Threefold Law. We have no ten commandments to steer us around the rocks in the Path. In claiming a direct line to the deities, we have also taken onto our own shoulders the duty to act in a moral and ethical manner. However, saying and knowing that doesn't make it any easier to figure out answers to the questions that plague us all. Often ethics is a subject that many people don't want to deal with. It can make them feel uncomfortable, or perhaps the subject confuses them. Sometimes they just don't know the correct questions to ask. We all want to think of ourselves as ethical, but how many of us go through a crisis of mind, heart, and soul when life throws us a fast curve ball? The beauty of this book is it forces you to take a hard look at yourself. In this case, knowledge is a wonderful thing, giving you guidance when the waters are rough. Subjects covered include honesty, self, love, help, harm, sex, will, and ethics. The questions in the exercise part of each chapter are rarely easy and often less than comfortable to answer. Would I recommend this book? Well, my coven is currently halfway through the book, and it is now on my reading list for new students. I have been shocked, startled, amused, and deeply confused by this book. Much of what I thought I believed has been turned upside down. I definitely am looking at things in a very different manner. And I am a better person for it. I highly recommend this book. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkwwi.php [05] ========= ========= REVIEW: YOUR BOOK OF SHADOWS ========= Reviewed by Elspeth Sapphire ========= Your Book of Shadows: How to Write Your Own Magickal Spells Author: Patricia J. Telesco Trade Paperback, 160 pages Publisher: Citadel Press Publication date: May 1999 ISBN: 080652071X US Retail Price: $12.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080652071X/thecauldron One of the questions I am asked most often by students is how to create their own personal book of shadows. It seems like it should be an easy question to answer, but often it takes working with the student to create something that they will use. Now Patricia Telesco takes on the question -- with much better answers than I usually came up with. It was the author's name that caused me to first pull this book from the shelves -- I have enjoyed many of her other books. However, it was the sub-title that kept me from putting it back. "How to Write Your Own Magickal Spells." Now, that sounded truly promising. Like her many other books, Ms. Telesco writes in a clear-cut, yet not condescending, manner. She wants her readers to understand, but she doesn't treat them like children. Given the writing of certain other authors of 101 type books, her tone is indeed refreshing. Starting with the mundane subject of making your own paper, she progresses to showing you how to make the mundane magickal. From what kind of inks to use for what kind of results to how to organize your information, there is something for everyone -- newbie to third-degree. One thing that I have always loved about Ms. Telesco and her books is that she is never out to cram "her way" of doing things down your throat. In fact, she starts this book by pointing out that before you start your book, you need to sit down and look at who you are, what you believe, and where you believe you are heading. Very good advice in my opinion. Exercises, challenges, reading lists, and space for personal notes made this book very user friendly. I highly recommend this book. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkybos.php [06] ========= ========= REVIEW: SILVER'S SPELLS FOR PROTECTION ========= Reviewed by Elspeth Sapphire ========= Silver's Spells for Protection Author: Silver Ravenwolf Paperback, 252 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: March 2000 ISBN: 1567187293 US Retail Price: $7.95 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567187293/thecauldron Protection seems to be a topic ever on the mind of mankind. From ancient times to modern, we have sought to keep ourselves and our families, clans, and loved ones safe from dangers of this world and the spirit world. This book claims to make it easier to do just that. It is well known that I hold a less than favorable opinion of Ms. Ravenwolf's work. Starting about the time of Teen Witch, I have gone from recommending her writing to recommending against her work. To be honest, as I begin writing this review, I'm not sure whether or not to recommend this book. A mixed up mess of information, poorly organized, the book seems to swing back and forward between what should be common sense reminders and spiritual magickal advice and spells. I often felt that I was being talked down to -- like a child. I know that such books are often aimed at beginners, but even a beginner could resent the tone of some of her "reminders." I am a firm believer in KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). Many of these spells seem to go out of their way to break the KISS principal at every turn. There are just too many steps, too many long poems, too much to remember. Some of the spells you would need a crib sheet to do -- or the book open in front of you. Some people have no trouble with that, but I have preferred to teach my students to create spells that flow from them instead of using a "cookbook." Having to keep referring to a piece of paper can interrupt the passion of the moment. I shared a couple of spells with Ghost -- like the wolf one that calls for protection of the Clan. (For those who don't know, Ghost answers to the Great Wolf Spirit.) After she finished rolling on the floor laughing, she admitted that the spell could work, but added that if you called on the spirit of an alpha pair of wolves, you best have something for them a bit more "meaty" than sage smoke. Especially when the spell offers for them to share in the bounty of the hunt. This is a common flaw of her spells, in my opinion. Of course, I still haven't gotten over the "Frost Giants are our Friends" from Teen Witch. As Ghost says, "I call on the Frost Giants, but they sure as hell aren't my friends." Most of the book has a very heavy handed pseudo-Wiccan tone, but while irritating at times, it can be ignored. She is now using "magickal person" instead of witch in her work. For some reason it irritated me as much and sounded so fluffy. I think what bothered me most about this book -- despite the bits of useful information -- was the feeling that I was being spoken down to all the time. There were many "Mother knows Best" style of comments, and too often I felt force-fed her brand of religion/spirituality. I realize that the author considers herself "Mama Silver," but she isn't MY mama. I think that the one thing I did like about the book was the practical tips scattered through the book. Mostly they were both practical and interesting, though her tone still was a bit much. Should you buy this book? Well, I probably wouldn't have if I had to pay full price. There are much better books out there on the subject of protection. If you have cash to spare and want a cookbook of spells to use as a jumping off point, then this book might be useful. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkssfp.php [07] ========= ========= POWER TAROT ========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire ========= Power Tarot: More Than 100 Spreads That Give Specific Answers to Your Most Important Questions Author: Trish MacGregor and Phyllis Vega Trade Paperback, 288 pages Publisher: Fireside Books Publication date: June 1998 ISBN: 0684841851 US Retail Price: $12.00 Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684841851/thecauldron Power Tarot is co-written by a friend and occasional member of The Cauldron, Phyllis Vega. This makes it a hard book to review fairly. This is especially true as it is one of the better new books on the Tarot I've seen recently. As one might expect in a Tarot book designed for mass market appeal, a good portion of the book is taken up with suggested interpretations of the cards. MacGregor and Vega simplify things a bit by ignoring reversed meanings. This is a good idea as even without reversed interpretations about a page and a half is devoted the interpretation of each card. A general interpretation and interpretations for specific types of readings (relating to work, romance, finances, health, spirituality, and empowerment) are given for every card. The court cards, which are often glossed over with interpretations like "a powerful man" in other books, are given the same full treatment as the other cards in Power Tarot. As I've always had trouble interpreting the court cards when interpreting them as a person just doesn't make sense, this alone made Power Tarot a welcome addition to my library. The most interesting part of the book, however, is the one hundred Tarot spreads. Most of these spreads are original. They range from one card spreads to twenty-four card spreads. While a few do look like they were created just to round off the collection to 100, most are interesting and might be useful to answer specific types of questions. I haven't had time to try all of them, but several of these new spreads have already become favorites of mine: the Desire spread, the Ladle spread, and the Treasure Chest spread. The only problem with this section is that the explanations of various positions in each spread are often a bit sketchy. While this is not a problem for more experienced readers, it might be a bit of a problem for less experienced readers. Overall, Power Tarot is an excellent addition to the bookshelves of anyone interested in the Tarot. I haven't been this pleased with a new Tarot book since Mary K. Greer's Tarot For Your Self came out in the mid-eighties. When you see it in your bookstore, be sure to take a look. [Watch for a review of Phyllis Vega's new book, Romancing the Tarot, in a February issue of Cauldron and Candle.] This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkpt.php [08] ========= ========= MAGICK: THIRD EYE RITUAL ========= A Spell to help improve your visionary abilities ========= Perform this ritual to improve psychic powers three days before the moon is full, and preferably when it is in either the astrological sign of Cancer, Pisces or Scorpio. Begin by brewing a strong magickal tea made from yarrow or mugwort (herbs that stimulate the psychic senses) and then light thirteen purple colored votive candles to help attract psychic influences. Drink the tea and then gaze fixedly into a magick mirror, black bowl full of water, crystal ball, or crystal pyramid as you chant thrice the following incantation: I invoke thee, oh Asarial, Archangel of Neptune And ruler of clairvoyant powers. I ask thee now to open my third eye And show me the hidden light. Let me see the future. Let me see the past. Let me perceive the divine Kingdoms of the unknown. Let me understand the wisdom Of the mighty universe. So mote it be! After chanting, relax, breathe slowly and concentrate on opening your Third Eye. Do not permit any negative thought to contaminate your mind. The Third Eye, an invisible chakra located in the middle of the forehead above the space between the eyebrows, is the human body's highest source of power, supernormal sight and clairvoyant vision. [09] ========= ========= MAGICK: HERB USES IN MAGICK (Part Two: M - Z) ========= Author Unknown ========= [As usual, check with a reliable, trusted herbalist or recognized manual before ingesting herbs you aren't familiar with.] MANDRAKE: (Mercury, earth) Strong protection for home. Carried by women who want to conceive and men to cure impotency. Sleep with it in the bed for three nights under a full moon. Carry for courage. MARIGOLD: (sun, fire) Renews energy wherever vase is placed. Wear flowers to see who has stolen from you. MARJORAM: (Mercury, air) Add to love charms. Put a bit in every room. MEADOWSWEET: (Jupiter, water) Arrange fresh flowers on altar when mixing love charms or performing love spells. Wear garland at Lammas to join the essence of the Goddess. MISTLETOE: Protective, anti-lightning. MUGWORT: (Venus, air) Put into shoe for protection and to prevent fatigue. Mugwort tea induces clairvoyance. Rub fresh leaves on scrying mirrors or crystal balls to strengthen divination. Add to scrying, clairvoyance, and divination incenses. One of the strongest protectants. Hang in house to guard against lightning, place under doorstep to keep unwanted people out. Fill pillow to induce vivid dreams. MULLEIN: (Saturn, fire) Wear to develop courage and protect from wild animals. Drives away evil. MYRRH: (sun, water) Purification, protection. Used to consecrate tools. MYRTLE: (Venus, water) Sacred to Venus, used in love charms and spells. Grown indoors, brings good luck. Carry leaves to attract love, or the wood to preserve youth. Make magick charms from wood. Wear fresh leaves during love spells. NETTLE: (Mars, fire) Stuff a poppet with nettles to send bad vibrations or curses back to the sender. Carry for courage, add to protection charms. An anti-toxin. NUTMEG: (Jupiter, air) Carry one to strengthen clairvoyant powers and prevent rheumatism. OAK: (sun, fire) Sacred tree. Burn leaves for purification. Make wands from wood. Carry acorns for fertility, youth, and wellness. Hang in windows to protect house. Men can carry acorns to increase sexual attractiveness and prowess. OLIVE: Sacred to Athena. Symbol of peace and wealth, sign of safe travel. ONION: (Mars, fire) Protection, healing. Place cut onions in a room to absorb illness. Leave overnight, discard in morning. ORANGE: (sun, water) Dried peel is added to love and fertility charms and used in solar incense. Good luck. ORRIS ROOT: (Venus, water) add to love charms, baths, and incenses. PARSLEY: Symbolic of death. PATCHOULI: (sun, earth) Carry as an aphrodisiac and to attract lovers. PENNYROYAL: (Venus, earth) Put in shoe to prevent weariness, carry to prevent seasickness. Highly abortive. PEPPER: (Mars, fire) Protection PEPPERMINT: (Venus, air) Healing, good in bath. Used to cool off arguments. PERIWINKLE: (Venus, water) Hang in house for protection. PIMPERNEL: (Mercury, air) Wear to detect falsehood and to prevent others from lying to you. PINE: (Mars, earth) Burn as a winter incense. Nuts are eaten and carried for fertility. Needles can be added to healing and cleansing baths. POPPY: (moon, water) Eat seeds for fertility. Carry for prosperity. ROSE: (Venus, water) Carry to attract true love. Drink tea of petals for divinatory dreams. Add to charms for sleep, love, and healing. Drink tea to promote beauty, mix petals with regular tea to attract love. ROSEMARY: (sun, fire) Protection. Wear to aid memory and learning. Used in sea rituals and sea magick. Wash hands with infusion before magick as a substitute for a ritual bath. Drink tea to make mind alert. Linked to fidelity, love, and happy memories. Place under pillow to ward off nightmares. ROWAN: (sun, fire) Tie 2 twigs together with red thread for good luck and protection charm. Use for divining. Berries can be used in a good luck amulet. RUE: (sun, fire) Add to charms to keep illness away. A sprig can be dipped in water and used to sprinkle an area for purification. SAFFRON: (sun, fire) Prosperity and healing. SAGE: (Jupiter, earth) Prosperity and healing. Safeguards health, promotes longevity. Grows best in the gardens of the wise. ST.JOHN'S WORT: (sun, fire) Protective. Wards off fever and illness. Burn as a banishing or exorcism incense. Wear to instill courage and strengthen the will. Drink tea to cure melancholy. Hang branches over bed to prevent nightmares. SANDALWOOD: (moon, air) Use in purifying, protection, and healing incenses. SUNFLOWER: (sun, fire) Brings blessings of the Sun into the garden. Seeds can be eaten by a woman who wants to conceive. THYME: (Venus, air) Purifying incense, use in magickal cleansing baths. Sniff for refreshment and renewed energy. Wear to protect self from grief during funerals. VALERIAN: (Mercury, water) Use in love charms and spells, and in purification baths. VANILLA: (Jupiter, fire) The bean can be used in a love charm. The oil can be worn as an aphrodisiac. VERVAIN: (Venus, water) Sacred to the Druids, used for cleansing. Hang above bed to keep away nightmares. Used in love and protection charms. Incense brings good luck and inspiration. VIOLET: (Venus, water) Mix with lavender for a powerful love charm. Violet cures headaches and absorbs ill-will and evil spells. WALNUT: (sun, fire) Carry to promote fertility and strengthen heart. WILLOW: (moon, water) Make wand for healing. Brings moon blessings when on your property. WORMWOOD: (Mars, air) Burn to raise spirits. Used in divinatory and clairvoyant incenses. Burn in fire on Samhain to protect against roaming spirits. Give to the dying to enable them to go in peace. YARROW: (Venus, water) Love and marriage charms,keeps a couple together for at least 7 years. Wards of negativity when worn. Drink tea to enhance the powers of perception. [10] ========= ========= THE TAROT IN THE COMICS: PROMETHEA ========= by Anne C. Moore ========= I follow a few comic books. The most recent issue of one of them, Promethea Number 12, contains a journey through the major arcana of the tarot. The main character is trying to learn approaches to magick and power and understanding, and her most recent guides take her through the major arcana as a way of seeing the history of humanity and of the universe. I thought that perhaps those interested in tarot might want to take a look. I don't know enough about tarot to be sure, and there are no explicit credits, but the text refers twice to Crowley, and a friend I talked to briefly said that at least one card interpretation that I'd never seen before was Crowley's ("Lust" instead of "Strength"). The last several cards are presented as a swing between extremes of the material and the spiritual with neither really having good results. The imagery on the "cards" appears rather crude and caricatured to me. There are a lot of symbols and symbolism on some of the cards (possibly on all, but I'm not very visually oriented and often miss that sort of thing). I wasn't particularly taken by the history as presented here. All of it was Western European and/or US. Also, I just finished an intro anthropology class so I didn't appreciate the evolutionary view of civilization. Having recently studied just how much harm those views have done in the past, I'm currently tending to react pretty negatively to them. I think that what bothered me most was seeing broad symbols presented with narrow interpretations and then pulled so that those narrow interpretations seem broad. The Tower is given as representing World War I, with the Star as the period between wars. The Moon, then, is the Second World War and is followed by the Sun representing the 1960s. None of the issues of Promethea that I've read (I've missed a couple) try to claim to present any grand universal truth. Works of fiction can play all sorts of games with how "reality" fits together without particularly upsetting me (well, that may not be strictly accurate. I get upset if I think something's overblown or takes itself too seriously). I've enjoyed watching Promethea play with ideas even when I don't agree with them or understand them. The series centers on a girl named Sophie who has somehow (I missed that issue) gained the ability to become Promethea, the avatar of imagination. She writes poetry in order to make the change. Most of the issues have focused on Sophie's efforts to understand all of the weird things that she now knows exist. She's looked into the lives of previous Prometheas and visited other levels of existence. She's also had to face powers that want to destroy her before she learns how to use the powers she has access to as Promethea. It's published by America's Best Comics, and I'd recommend the series to those who like this sort of thing. It's kind of mystical, kind of superhero, kind of... [11] ========= ========= HUMOR: HUSBAND 1.0: ANSWERS FROM TECH SUPPORT ========= Author Unknown ========= Dear Tech Support Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed that the new program began making unexpected changes to the accounting modules, limiting access to flower and jewelry applications that had operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.9 but installed undesirable programs such as NFL 5.0 and NBA 3.0. Conversation 8.0 no longer runs and HouseCleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. --Desperate *** Dear Desperate, Keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an entertainment package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Try to enter the command C:\I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME and install Tears 6.2. Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Guilty 3.0 and Flowers 7.0. But remember, overuse can cause Husband 1.0 to default to GrumpySilence 2.5, Happyhour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will create "Snoring Loudly" wave files. DO NOT install MotherInLaw 1.0 or reinstall another Boyfriend program. These are not supported applications and will crash Husband 1.0. In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. Consider buying additional software to improve performance. I personally recommend HotFood 3.0 and Lingerie 5.3 Tech Support [12] ========= ========= FREE SOFTWARE: POWERPRO ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= I've been using PowerPro (and it's predecessor, Stiletto) for many years. The ancient Win31 version was freeware. The Win9x version started life as $22 shareware, but became freeware in June 2000. PowerPro is the most useful Windows utility program on my computer. I would have a hard time living without it. On the surface, Powerpro is a small footprint toolbar you can use as a program launcher. However, that only hints at the program's power and versatility. PowerPro has many other features like hot keys, menus, timers and alarms, notes, reminders, scripts, wallpaper and sound control, virtual desktops, clipboard history, and much more. The author updates the program every two or three months with even more features. Toolbars (and menus to a lesser extent) can even be "skinned" to give them a look and feel unique to your system, although this requires far more artistic talent than I have. The current version is less than a 2 megabyte download. It's well worth your download time and the time it will take you to learn to everything you can do with it. My advice on learning PowerPro is to look at the examples and to start slow. Configure it to do what will help you the most, then add more as you have the time and need. If you try to do learn everything at once, you'll be overwhelmed. You will find this free Windows program at: http://www.inforamp.net/~crs2086/index.htm [Warning: Inforamp seems to be hard to connect to at times. If you can't connect, try again a few hours later. The program itself is also available on the TUCOWS Network.] [13] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= NEW ARTICLES ON THE CAULDRON'S SITE ========= The following new articles have been added to The Cauldron's web site since our last issue. * 20 new humor items in our Pagan humor section http://www.ecauldron.com/humorindex.php The following book reviews (included in this newsletter) are new to the web site: * Silver's Spells for Protection http://www.ecauldron.com/bkssfp.php * When, Why... If http://www.ecauldron.com/bkwwi.php * Your Book of Shadows http://www.ecauldron.com/bkybos.php [14] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= NEW WEB POLL ========= Our new polls are working nicely and without all the problems we had when they were hosted offsite. You'll find them on their own web page at: http://www.ecauldron.com/pollindex.php Our newest poll, opened January 16, asks: * What effect will the Bush Presidency have on Neo-Paganism in the United States? http://www.ecauldron.com/cldpoll14.php Make your opinion known, take this poll today! [15] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON WHEN YOU BUY BOOKS AT AMAZON.COM ========= If you wish to purchase books or other items at Amazon.com, you can help fund The Cauldron's web site by using this link to access Amazon.com when you make your purchases: http://www.ecauldron.com/fradambooks.php Just use this link to go to Amazon.com via our web site and almost every purchase you make that visit will earn The Cauldron a small amount to help pay for our web page -- at no extra charge to you. You can also use the Amazon link on the menu of every Cauldron web page and not have to remember this long link. Unlike the Amazon link listed in some prior issues of this newsletter, you can simply visit this site and save the link in your bookmark list. If you then use this bookmarked link every time you wish to visit Amazon.com, any purchases you make while there will help fund The Cauldron's web site. [16] ========= ========= Cauldron and Thicket Info ========= CAULDRON AND THICKET CHATS ========= +++ +++ CAULDRON IRC CHATS: TUESDAYS, 10-11PM CT +++ Cauldron Co-Host Randall Sapphire hosts a one hour general chat almost every Tuesday evening from 10pm to 11pm Central (Daylight) Time in our channel (#thecauldron) on the PaganPaths IRC server. We usually have a pretty good turnout. Discussions cover a wide range of topics, depending on what the folks present want to discuss. You'll find all the information you need to connect to our chats either with your own IRC client or via the Java IRC client (including images of the various Java windows which pop up) on our Chats web page at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cmchats.php You can open a Java chat client directly to #thecauldron by clicking on the "IRC Chat" link in the menu of any of our web pages, but we strongly suggest you visit the above page first and read a few paragraphs on how to use it. This page is also available from the "[Info]" link right next to the "IRC Chat" link on our web page menus. If you have your own IRC client program, the address of the main PaganPaths server is: madison.wi.us.paganpaths.org (port 6667) If you'd like to host a chat for members of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum on a regular, weekly schedule, please let us know. If "Central Time" doesn't mean anything to you, there's an online time converter at http://sandbox.xerox.com/stewart/tzconvert.cgi might help. I think Central Time is listed as something like "US - Central" in the drop down box. +++ +++ THICKET DELPHI CHATS +++ The Thicket hosts several chats each week in their Delphi (Java-based) chat area. You have to be a member of Delphi and The Thicket to participate. You will find the chats by pointing your browser to The Thicket's Start Page at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start Chats are currently being held on the following days and times (all times are Central Time): * Monday at 11:30pm * Wednesday at 12:00 noon * Friday at 11:30pm If "Central Time" doesn't mean anything to you, there's an online time converter at http://sandbox.xerox.com/stewart/tzconvert.cgi might help. I think Central Time is listed as something like "US - Central" in the drop down box. [17] ========= ========= NEWSLETTER AND FORUM INFO ========= (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 twice a month and often actually succeed in doing so. 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: http://cauldronnews.listbot.com/ ++++ ++++ 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. ++++ ++++ LINK TO THE CAULDRON: A PAGAN FORUM ++++ If you like The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum please invite your friends to visit. If you have a web page, we'd really appreciate it if you put a link to The Cauldron's web site on your web pages. If you'd like some graphic buttons to use to link to our web site, check the following URL: http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php Thanks in advance. ++++ ++++ SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ++++ Don't forget that your suggestions for the forum 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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