[Cauldron and Candle Illo]

Cauldron and Candle
Issue #29 -- November 2002

A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
website: http://www.ecauldron.com/
message board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start

With a little help from The Witches' Thicket
website: http://www.witchesthicket.com/
message board: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start


Return to Cauldron and Candle Archive

C A U L D R O N   A N D   C A N D L E  #29 -- November 2002

           A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
                website: http://www.ecauldron.com/
  delphi forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/start
             newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/

            With a little help from A Witches' Thicket
              website: http://www.witchesthicket.com/
    delphi forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thicket/start

In this Issue:

[01] Editorial: Children & Darkness
[02] Cauldron and Thicket News
[03] Poem: Dancing with the Wild Ones
[04] Ritual: Wiccan Self-Dedication Ritual
[05] Review: The Visitants
[06] Review: Heart of Tarot
[07] Review: Mastering Reiki
[08] Review: Seasons of the Witch
[09] Review: Northern Mysteries & Magick
[10] Review: Paganism
[11] Review: American Gods
[12] Column:  TarotDeevah on the Tarot
[13] Article: Frugal Witchcraft
[14] Dragon Clan Witchcraft Course: October Lesson Index
[15] Humor: The Wiccan Bill of Rights (Fluff Bunny Version)
[16] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help
[17] Newsletter Information
              (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe)

  +++ Submission Deadline for next issue: November 25, 2002 +++
    Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php

[01]
=========
========= EDITORIAL: CHILDREN & DARKNESS
========= by Sine Silverwing
=========

Okay, this is about Halloween as a secular event, really. Sort
of. Anyway...

My favorite part of Halloween was always walking in the dark. The
candy was nice, and the costumes were fun. However, the *point*
of it, to me as a small child, was getting to go outside and walk
in places that I knew only by daylight.

Darkness transformed familiar places, such as my friends' homes,
into places of mystery and excitement. I grew up in the suburbs,
and there was no reason to be afraid (this was a long time ago!
), so I was frequently making my rounds alone.

My friends and brother would run on ahead, eager for more candy,
but I walked very slowly, watching the shadows, the stars, the
moon, and the way the darkness changed everything.

The trees' rustling in the wind became speech, and I could
sometimes hear the words.

Dried leaves blown across the sidewalk before me became mice
fleeing a hunter, probably a wild cat, too shy to let me see her.

Clouds running before the wind helped the moon play peek-a-boo.
This is when I first started saluting the moon upon first sight
each day by blowing Her a kiss.

Everything was changed. Sometimes I forgot to go up onto the
neighbors' porches for candy.

This is how I first learned that the earth was alive around me
and that we could converse. During the day, there's too much
busyness/business to do...no time to listen, too much light for
true vision.

But today Halloween is ruined. Children trick-or-treat at
shopping malls, amid bright lights, indoors, or not at all. Some
towns don't allow it at all, or require it to be over at sunset.

I can understand parents wanting their children to be safe; I
want their children to be safe, too. If there is no way for your
child to safely trick or treat, can you just take them for a walk
in the night? Don't let them grow up without ever experiencing
the night silences and the whispers that speak when we are quiet
enough to listen.


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[02]
=========
========= CAULDRON AND THICKET NEWS
========= by Cauldron and Thicket Staff
=========

=====
===== Cauldron Co-Host Out of Hospital
=====

Elspeth, who was in the hospital as our last issue went to press,
is out of the hospital. Her doctors believe they have discovered
the root cause of the problems that have plagued her this year
and have begun a treatment program. It will be a slow process,
however, so it may be some time before Elspeth is able to rejoin
us online.

=====
===== Cauldron Delphi Forum Top Poster -- October 2002
=====

The top poster on The Cauldron's Delphi Forums message board for
October 2002 was Seasons (SEASONS4). The Runner Up was Mari
(ARIANCRAIDD). There were several members hot on their heels:
Raevyn (RAEVYNXX), Mary (MARY926) and Shadow (HEARTSHADOW).
(Cauldron staff members are ineligible for this honor and so
aren't listed.)

=====
===== The Cauldron Message Board Sets Record in October
=====

5767 messages were posted to The Cauldron's Delphi message board
in October 2002, surpassing the record set just last month by
over 850 posts. Thanks to everyone who participates in The
Cauldron's Delphi message board.


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[03]
=========
========= DANCING WITH THE WILD ONES
========= A Poem by Lisa (RHEA64)
=========

Her messenger arrived on my door step

Calling me to play

Come outside beneath the bright full moon

Come dance with the wild ones

Silent secret children of the Gods

As Ravens we raced the wind

Dancing in the treetops cackling our delight

As Salmon we swam in the rivers

Flowing like silver through the moonlight

As Cranes we glided whisper soft

Landing in silent moonlit estuaries

As Stags we raced through the wood

Hearts and hooves pounding like thunder

As Hounds we barked and played

And raced with joy to the feet of the Goddess

Queen of the Land

Shining brightly in the dark

That was when I remembered my other self

Before the wild ones claimed me

Confused and nearly lost

So tempting to stay and play

With the ageless primordial ones

With gentle hands She lifted me

Shining like a star Her radiance engulfed me

With a soothing voice she called my name

And once again I am myself

And so it goes a night with the Wild Ones

Singing dancing and laughing in my sleep

I can still here them calling me beckoning me to stay

But for now I am returning to my own world

My Goddess has shown me the path home


[04]
=========
========= RITUAL: WICCAN SELF-DEDICATION RITUAL
========= by Sorita and David Rankine
=========

=====
===== Preparation
=====

When you decide that you want to do a self-dedication, plan the
date of the ritual at least a month in advance, choosing a
suitable time, perhaps consulting astrological tables, or at
least the phases of the moon. It is best done on a waxing or full
moon.

Start your preparation at the new moon. Make sure that you have a
day off work for the initiation itself. You may already have
decided on a magickal or witch name. If you haven't yet decided
on your witch name, find one through meditation and pathworking
in the daily ritual leading up to the rite of self-initiation.

Begin preparing for the self-initiation by performing a daily
ritual. Start by creating a sacred space. Purify the area with
incense and sprinkling salt water. Visualize a sphere around
yourself, and call on the powers of the four quarters,
visualizing the elemental landscapes. (more...circle casting)

Call on the Goddess and the God, by whatever names you prefer to
call them. Declare to the Elements, the Goddess and the God that
you are embarking on the path of dedication, and ask for their
help in preparing you.

Spend some time in meditation on the meaning of dedication, and
opening yourself up for any messages from the Goddess and God.
Thank and say farewell to the Goddess, God, and Elements, and
close the circle.

=====
===== Closer to the time
=====

Try and spend time every day in the week leading up to the
self-dedication rite working out your vows and meditating. Make
sure that the vows you make are realistic! It is better to make
less demanding vows than to make highly demanding vows and not
live up to them.

=====
===== The Ritual
=====

Spend the day in quiet meditation and fasting. Drink only pure
water, or if you really cannot do this, allow yourself a small
quantity of apple or grape juice. Do not smoke, drink alcohol or
take drugs! If you are on prescribed medication, consult your
doctor. If the medication is short term, wait until you have
finished the course of medication before doing the ritual.

If possible, go to a sacred site or wild place and attune
yourself with nature. Communicate with the nature spirits, and
ask for their blessings.

Think about the vows that you wish to make in your initiation.
Think of a vow to yourself, one to the Goddess and God, and one
to the Earth.

Before you start the ritual, have a purification bath. You may
put essential oils, herbs or sea salt in the bath. Whilst in the
bath, meditate on purifying your aura. See your aura as grey and
dirty, but gradually becoming lighter and cleaner, until it is
brilliant.

When you emerge from the bath, allow yourself to dry naturally.
Do not use a hair dryer, or rub yourself with towels. Rub your
entire body with oil. This may be olive oil, grapeseed oil, or
other vegetable oil, scented with pure essential oils of your
choice. Perform the ritual skyclad if possible.

Have an altar set up, with an altar cloth on it, with a chalice
of wine, a piece of bread or cake on a platter, a censer, two
altar candles, some anointing oil, your athame or other tool, any
ritual jewelry which will be put on at the end of the ritual to
mark your dedication, and two small dishes containing sea salt
and water (from a spring or sacred well if possible). You may
also wish to have images or statues of the Goddess and God on the
altar.

Light the candles and the incense, and purify your ritual space.
Hold your hands over the water dish and say: "I purify you, Oh
water, in the blessed and mighty names of the Goddess and God",
visualizing it glowing with white light. Do likewise with the
salt, then tip some of the salt into the water, and mix it in
with your forefinger.

Sprinkle the salt water around your ritual space. Visualize a
circle around you (or cast a circle in your usual way). Call on
the elements, then on the Goddess and God.

Declare your intent, saying something like: "I (ordinary name) am
prepared for dedication. I have followed the path and fulfilled
my vows, and I now call upon the Goddess and the God to confer on
me wisdom and integrity. I ask for the blessings of air, fire,
water and earth".

Spend some time in meditation, and controlled breathing to gather
energy and achieve an altered state of consciousness. You may
also wish to use a mantra or chant.

Meditate for a while on finding the stillness inside yourself.
When you are ready, stand before the altar, and anoint yourself
first with oil, then with salt water and lastly wine, saying: "I
am reborn into my true and magickal self, and I take on the name
of (Witch name). I ask for the blessings of the Goddess and God
on my endeavors, and I vow (make your vows)".

When anointing yourself you may wish to anoint your chakras, or
anoint yourself with a circle, pentagram, or personal symbol. It
is good to write down your vows in your magickal diary, and sign
the entry with your witch name.

Present yourself to the quarters, stating that you are now
dedicated to the solitary path. Consecrate your ritual jewelry
with the four elements (incense, water, salt and candle flame),
and anoint it with oil for spirit before putting it on.

Consecrate your athame or other tool in the same manner, then
hold it to your heart, feeling a link with it, and filling it
with your energy. Say "I am a child of earth and starry heaven."

Hold it up to the moon and stars, and ask for the blessings of
the cosmos on it, then touch it to the ground, and ask for the
blessings of mother earth.

Lastly, consecrate the wine and cake by touching your athame to
them, and channeling energy through it. Drink and eat, earthing
yourself, then thank the Goddess, God and Elements, and close the
circle.

Remember: Write up your experiences in your magickal diary.
Refrain from ritual for at least the next week, whilst you
integrate the work.

-=-=-

Copyright (c) 2000 Sorita & David Rankine. Reprinted by
permission of the authors. For more material by David and Sorita,
visit The Avalonia web site, one of the UK's more interesting
Wiccan/Witchcraft web sites, at http://www.avalonia.co.uk.


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[05]
=========
========= REVIEW: THE VISITANTS
========= Reviewed by Caroline Tully
=========

Author: William Tevelein
Hardback, 419 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Publication date: September 2002
ISBN: 0143000290

This is the first book in The Casting of the Golden Dice series
and after reading it you will be left hanging out for the next
installment ...and the next, and the next! It's not hard to see
that William Tevelein has quite a lot of experience in both the
Wiccan world and the larger New Age phenomena (which he
mercilessly lampoons). The Visitants, his first novel, hosts over
fifty characters who appear and disappear throughout the 419
pages. We meet Australian Wiccans, a megalomaniacal "Witch
Queen", reserved British "Fam Trad" witches, an Anthropologist
studying "the occult", a journalist investigating Wicca who gets
more that she bargained for, a slimy photographer, a
grandmotherly Spiritualist, ethereal Elves, a Satyr, Frost
Giants, Old Ones, all whirling through myriad events which range
from the rather usual to the extremely supernatural, bending the
laws of space and time.

Those of you who have read Katherine Kurtz' Lammas Night (about
the efforts of English Witches to repel Hitler's invasion), will
find a strange echo here in The Visitants in the person of Mavis
Huxton -- nubile teen witch who, after trying to lend an
ill-advised hand to the adults engaged in this rite, gets sucked
through a between-the-worlds vortex into an elvish realm, never
to return to middle earth. There she meets Pherel, cute and
golden, who helps Mavis in her attempts and find a passage back
to her home in England, only to be sucked out of his own land
into several others ranging from the reasonably friendly to the
downright, lets say, chilly.

Unlike a novel such as Lammas Night however, the infinitely more
contemporary and sophisticated Visitants includes a skillfully
rendered visual description of the structure of the Norse World
Tree, Yggdrasil, as well as several musings upon the nature of
other "worlds." You will probably even learn something useful
from reading this book. Not one to take himself too seriously
though, Tevelein's writing is laced throughout with a humor
reminiscent of Terry Pratchett which makes The Visitants a rather
rollicking journey betwixt and between the worlds. With an
eye-catching metallic purple cover featuring a skyclad elf (who
looks rather familiar to me), you'll find this book in the
fantasy section of all worthwhile bookstores [in Australia, at
least, as it doesn't seem to have made it to the US or the UK
yet. -- The Editor].

           This review is available on our web site at
                http://www.ecauldron.com/bktv.php


[06]
=========
========= REVIEW: HEART OF TAROT
========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire
=========

Heart of Tarot: An Intuitive Approach
Authors: Amber K & Azrael Arynn K
Trade Paperback, 272 pages
Publisher: Llewellyn
Publication date: May 2002
ISBN: 1567180086
US Retail Price: $14.95
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567180086/thecauldron

In Heart of Tarot, Amber K and Azrael Arynn K offer a new method
of Tarot reading that does not require strong psychic ability or
memorizing card meanings. This intuitive approach, called Gestalt
Tarot, was developed by one of Amber's early teachers, John
McClimans. In this approach, the cards do not have set meanings.
Instead, it relies on the subconscious of the person asking the
question to provide the meaning. It works something like those
cards with ink blots that one sees psychologists in old movies
holding up and asking their patients, "What do you see in this
card?"

The first section of the book discusses the Tarot and its history
and introduces the Gestalt Tarot system. Where a traditional
Tarot book would list the meaning of the cards, Heart of Tarot
provides examples of interpretations that might come up in a
Gestalt reading and asks the reader to list additional
possibilities. It quickly becomes obvious that this method of
Tarot reading requires cards with a well-illustrated minor
arcana. Decks that only show a number of cups, wands, coins, or
swords for their pip cards are not really appropriate for this
type of reading. The last chapter of this section describes some
card layouts which work well for a Gestalt reading.

The second section talks about the mechanics of Gestalt readings,
both when reading for oneself and when reading for others. Two
long sample readings (about 20 pages each) make the process of a
Gestalt reading very clear. This section of the book is full of
practical advice and warnings of pitfalls to avoid. It makes the
Gestalt system seem very easy. However, while easy, the Gestalt
Tarot system still takes practice to master.

The final section of the book contains information which, while
written from the point of view of the Gestalt Tarot reader, would
be useful for most Tarot readers regardless of the system they
use. The authors discuss the skills and talents needed to be a
professional Tarot reader as well as how to deal with clients who
"present special challenges," including those who more properly
might be called "troublemakers." This section includes a chapter
full of ideas for teaching classes on Tarot reading and a short
chapter on Tarot magick.

Two appendixes round out the book. The first talks about what
"Gestalt psychology" is. The second provides a step-by-step
summary guide of a Gestalt Tarot reading.

It's not often that a book presents a completely different way of
reading the Tarot, so Heart of Tarot is a bit hard to judge. Only
time will tell if the Gestalt Tarot system will catch on.
However, I can say that the authors at least present their new
system well. Both this book and the Gestalt system should be a
boon to people who would like to read the Tarot but do not
consider themselves psychic and who have trouble memorizing card
meanings - quite a few people in my personal experience. To those
people, I suggest buying a copy of this book as soon as you can.
To others interested in the Tarot, I suggest at least looking at
this book. Even if you are psychic enough to get your own TV show
and have all the major interpretive systems memorized, you may
encounter people for whom a Gestalt style reading would simply
work better.

           This review is available on our web site at
               http://www.ecauldron.com/bkhot.php


[07]
=========
========= REVIEW: MASTERING REIKI
========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire
=========

Mastering Reiki: A Practicing and Teaching Primer
Author: John Tompkins, Jr
Trade Paperback, 128 pages
Publisher: Llewellyn
Publication date: June 2002
ISBN: 0738702064
US Retail Price: $14.95
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702064/thecauldron

Reiki and Reiki training has become very popular in the last
decade, but there have been relatively few books on Reiki
published -- at least compared to other popular alternative
healing systems. As many Reiki students are given very little
actual instruction by their teachers, this dearth of books has
been a real problem. John Tompkins wrote this small book,
Mastering Reiki, as a "useful tool to help bring more blessings
in both practice and teaching."

In his introduction, the author complains about the splintering
of Reiki into many separate traditions and the lack of
instruction that many Reiki teachers give their students.
According to the author, many teachers give little more than the
attunement and a couple of sheets of instructions on how to
direct Reiki energy. The author intends his book to both be a
guide for practitioners and a sound outline for teaching Reiki.

The first chapter defines Reiki and discusses what the energy is
and why it is different from other types of "life energy." The
second chapter covers the five Reiki principles. The third
chapter discusses advancing through the Reiki degrees and the
possible effects of advancement on the Reiki practitioner. The
fourth and final introductory chapter talks about the
relationship between Reiki energy and the body.

The fifth and sixth chapters of the book are long and detailed.
The fifth chapter addresses Reiki hand positions and their
relationship to the chakras. This chapter is well-illustrated and
includes short worksheets. The sixth chapter covers the training
that the author gives his students at each degree level.

The last two chapters of the book deal with actually practicing
Reiki to help heal others. The seventh chapter addresses ethics
in some detail, while the final chapter talks about what is
involved in being a Reiki professional. Several short appendixes
follow. The first four cover incorporating sound, color, and
stones with Reiki while the last is an example of case records.

Mastering Reiki packs quite a bit of information -- and the
author's strong opinions on the way Reiki should be practiced and
taught -- into a fairly small space. It should be a useful basic
guide to those who have received a Reiki attunement from a Reiki
master who did not believe in providing much actual training, but
it may lack the depth to truly let one "master Reiki" from its
pages.

           This review is available on our web site at
             http://www.ecauldron.com/bkmrapatp.php


[08]
=========
========= REVIEW: SEASONS OF THE WITCH
========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire
=========

Seasons of the Witch
Author: Patricia Monaghan
Trade Paperback/CD, 200 pages
Publisher: Llewellyn
Publication date: May 2002
ISBN: 0738701807
US Retail Price: $19.95
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738701807/thecauldron

The first edition of Seasons of the Witch, published in 1992, was
an acclaimed book of somewhat feminist oriented Pagan poems by
Patricia Monaghan. After being out of print for some time,
Llewellyn has reprinted an expanded version of the book. Not only
are there more poems, but the second edition includes a CD with
25 of the poems set to music and sung.

The book is divided into four sections, one for each season. Each
section has a large number of poems, most only a page or so in
length, for the season. Most poems are Goddess oriented and some
are quite feminist (although not to the point of being offensive
to males as some feminist poetry I've seen). Monaghan included a
number of additional poems in this second edition. If my memories
of the original edition are accurate, the new edition has a wider
variety of poetic styles. While most of the poems stand by
themselves, there are several different cycles of poems: a
diurnal poem cycle, an agricultural poem cycle, a feminine
archetype poem cycle, etc. This makes Seasons of the Witch a
valuable ritual resource for members of goddess oriented Pagan
religions.

The major addition to the second edition, however, is the CD. It
features 25 poems from the book set to music and performed by
Patricia Monaghan, Sally Combs, Susan La Croix, James Robbins,
Claudia Blythe, Kirsten Baird Gustafson, Lili McGovern, and
others. I was surprised by the quality of this CD. I can see why
the major music labels are running scared, artists no longer need
them to get their work out to the public. The CD played just fine
on my computer. There was no sign of copy protection or other
problems. The CD is a wonderful addition to the book. Several
poems that did not interest me at all in print, were impressive
when set to music and sung.

Patricia Monaghan is a true poet whose carefully chosen words
paint large pictures in the mind of the reader. While her poetry
may not appeal to all Pagans, it is generally recognized as some
of the best poetry in the Pagan community -- especially within
the Goddess spirituality movement. The expanded edition Seasons
of the Witch is a fine addition to the library of any Goddess
oriented Pagan. Those on other paths will probably find the
volume a more questionable purchase.

           This review is available on our web site at
               http://www.ecauldron.com/bksotw.php


[09]
=========
========= REVIEW: NORTHERN MYSTERIES & MAGICK
========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire
=========

Northern Mysteries & Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers
Author: Freya Aswynn
Trade Paperback, 251 pages
Publisher: Llewellyn
Publication date: April 2002
ISBN: 1567180477
US Retail Price: $14.95
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567180477/thecauldron

Northern Mysteries & Magick is the revised second edition of
Leaves of Yggdrasil. The revision includes an expanded 6th
chapter on the feminine Mysteries of Northern Europe. The author,
Freya Aswynn, is a sometimes controversial member of the Ring of
Troth Europe. She is well-respected by my Asatruar friends,
although they warn that her information is sometimes based on
personal gnosis in spite of its academic roots.

In the introduction (which is almost a short chapter), the author
traces her personal path to the runes through Wicca to Asatru.
Knowing her personal path makes many points in the rest of the
book much easier to understand. The first chapter, a brief
attempt to put the Northern European tradition into perspective,
is shorter than the introduction.

The second chapter is the longest in the book. It's a 90 page
introduction to the runes of the Elder Futhark. Each of the 24
runes is given a three to four page description complete with
quotes from the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem, the Havamal, and other
original sources. I have several books on runes and Northern
Mysteries & Magick has no competition in the amount of detailed
information presented on each rune. This book also comes with a
very nice book listing all the runes -- which is very nice for
people who have trouble remembering them as they read. The third
chapter provides a brief discussion of runic divination. It is
complete enough to use, but as divination is not the main thrust
of this book, it is really only an introduction to the subject.

The fourth chapter begins the discussion of rune magick. This
chapter covers a very wide territory. It starts by explaining
that runic magick is traditionally more shamanistic and
individual than ritualistic and ceremonial. Then the author
launches into a description of how to use the runes in magick.
This chapter has a lot of material that many Asatruar find
controversial. For example, the author incorporates the Wheel of
the Year from Wicca in her practice. The Rune Magick chapter
covers a great deal of ground. Unfortunately, this means that
many interesting things are only touched on. The fifth chapter
discusses some of the Gods of Northern Europe in mythology and
provides correspondences for use in magick. The sixth chapter
covers the feminine mysteries. As this information is scattered
and hard to dig out of other sources, it is perhaps the most
interesting chapter in the book.

While some readers may find Northern Mysteries & Magick a heavy
read, it is a very rewarding read for anyone interested in the
runes or the magick of Northern Europe. While my Asatruar friends
warn that Aswynn entwines her personal insights strongly into her
texts, few suggest avoiding her works on that account. Therefore,
I think it is safe to recommend this book to anyone who would
like to learn more about the runes or magickal systems based on
the magick of Northern Europe.

           This review is available on our web site at
               http://www.ecauldron.com/bknmam.php


[10]
=========
========= REVIEW: PAGANISM
========= Reviewed by Randall Sapphire
=========

Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions
Authors: Joyce & River Higginbotham
Trade Paperback, 250 pages
Publisher: Llewellyn
Publication date: July 2002
ISBN: 0738702226
US Retail Price: $14.95
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738702226/thecauldron

With Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions, Joyce
and River Higginbotham have attempted to place their decade of
experience in teaching classes on Paganism into book form.
Translating classroom teaching experience into book form is
always a hard task. The Higginbothams have managed, however,
turning their classroom methods into text form quite nicely and
very readably. This book has received rave reviews from many
Pagans. Unfortunately, it will not be receiving such a review
here.

I had fairly high hopes for this book when I picked it up.
Unfortunately, they were dashed almost immediately. In the second
sentence of the first chapter, the authors state that Paganism is
an umbrella term for many different "denominations" of Paganism.
My heart froze. Paganism is indeed an umbrella term, but for many
separate religions, many of which share little in common except
being under the Pagan umbrella.  To refer to them as
denominations would be like calling Christianity and Islam
"denominations" of Judaism because they are all monotheist
religions. I continued reading, thinking to myself that perhaps
this terminology was just an aberration.

Unfortunately, it was not. The fourth page starts listing the
characteristics of Paganism with "Paganism is a religion." That's
right: one religion, not many. This fatal flaw surfaces through
the book. While Paganism occasionally mentions non-Wicca based
religions like Asatru, it still presents Paganism as a single
religion that uses the earth-centered Wheel of the Year as its
holidays, believes everything is sacred, believes in life after
death, follows a Rede-like ethics (although there is a mention of
the Nine Noble Virtues used by some Asatru), uses magick and
tools like the athame, etc. While all of this is true for most
traditions of Wicca and for Pagan religions based on Wicca, many
of the facts about Paganism listed in this book simply are not
true for other Pagan religions.

In my opinion, any introductory book on Paganism which teaches
its readers that Paganism is this single religion with basically
Wiccan-like beliefs is a book that all true beginners should be
urged to avoid. There are too many Pagans now who are shocked to
discover that not all Pagan religions are earth-centered,
Goddess-oriented, magick-using, and Rede-following. The Pagan
community does not need more introductory books that perpetuate
such myths. Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions
does and therefore I cannot recommend this book to those trying
to find out what Paganism is.

Despite this fatal problem for beginners, the Higginbothams' book
is an interesting resource for those teaching classes on
Paganism. Many of the exercises in this book are original and
useful for getting people to think about the various ideas about
deity, religion, and spirituality.  For example, the "God Map" in
the "A Pagan View of Deity" chapter would be a useful tool for
showing the different views of deity that various religions, both
Pagan and non-Pagan, have in a simplified and introductory way.
While I cannot recommend this book for its intended main audience
of those interested in finding out about Paganism, I believe that
those teaching classes on Paganism should take a look at this
book for for its many interesting teaching methods and exercises.

           This review is available on our web site at
                http://www.ecauldron.com/bkpaitecr.php


[11]
=========
========= REVIEW: AMERICAN GODS
========= Reviewed by Diane Verrochi
=========

American Gods
Author: Neil Gaiman
Paperback, 608 pages
Publisher: Harper Torch
Publication date: April 2002
ISBN: 0380789035
US Retail Price: $7.99
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0380789035/thecauldron

Have you ever wondered how the Gods of immigrants to American
handle Their worshipers in the homeland as well as the melting
pot?  Or what happens to Gods that people have forgotten? Neil
Gaiman has apparently given the matter some thought, and his
response is the 2002 Hugo Award-winning novel American Gods.

The story opens with a man named Shadow waiting to get out of
prison. We learn a bit about him, a bit about his roommate, and a
fair amount of information that seems extraneous at the time. On
his flight home, he ends up sitting next to a man who, when asked
his name, replies, "Well, seeing that today is certainly my day
-- why don't you call me Wednesday?  Mister Wednesday.  Although
given the weather, it might as well be Thursday, eh?"

Throughout the tale, we are gradually introduced to a number of
such Deities, sometimes directly, more often through clues such
as the above. While this is enjoyable for any sf/fantasy reader
with a modicum of mythology under their belts, it may be
particularly intriguing for Pagan readers to see how their
Deities are portrayed. The one Pagan person we actually get to
meet is, sadly, a rather poor specimen.

The plot advances at a fairly constant pace, with brief
interruptions that seem at first to have little to do with the
main storyline, but eventually they start to fit in. Gaiman keeps
the reader (and Shadow) guessing as to the true nature and
motives of the Deities involved. As those natures and motives
unfold, underlying themes about the nature of Deity and worship
are subtly explored. This adds layers of depth that do not
intrude on the action, but are there if the reader chooses to
delve into them.

If you are looking for a book that will entertain a passive
reader, you may wish to skip over this book. However, if you
enjoy fiction that not only provides a certain amount of mystery
solving, but also offers fodder for philosophical and theological
musings, then I highly recommend American Gods.

           This review is available on our web site at
                http://www.ecauldron.com/bkag.php

       ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                         UPCOMING REVIEWS
       Here are a few of the books we'll be reviewing in
       future issues: SPELLCRAFT FOR TEENS, THE URBAN
       PRIMITIVE, GOTHIC GRIMOIRE, FULL CONTACT MAGICK,
       THE FOREST OF SOULS, DECAMERON TAROT, GOLDEN TAROT
       OF THE TSAR, ETRUSCAN TAROT, & THE WITCHES' CRAFT.
       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.
       ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


[12]
=========
========= COLUMN: TAROTDEEVAH ON THE TAROT
========= by TarotDeevah
=========

===
=== Angel Blessings
===

by Kimberly Marooney
Publishes by Merrill-West Publishing
Copyright 1995 by Kimberly Marooney
ISBN: 0961507985
See Cards From This Deck:
  http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/abpics.JPG
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0961507985/thecauldron

I must start by saying that this is not a true tarot deck, nor
does it claim to be.  These are cards designed to offer guidance,
inspiration, consolation and (at times) divination.  The set
consists of 44 cards, each with an angel assigned to it.  For
instance, card #13 is the angel Hadraniel, apparently the angel
of love.  #38 is Ariel, the angel of nature.  A portrait of each
angel is depicted in his/her card.  The portraits are lovely.

The cards measure about 3.75 by 5.25 inches and are very large
for my small hands.  Card stock is very good; however, the cards
are not glossy.  I guess I would call this a matte finish.  I
haven't handled my cards very often at all, and cannot comment on
their durability.

I really can't recommend or not recommend this deck, as I've
never used mine.  As a collector, I am pleased to own it.

===
=== Angel Tarot
===

by Angel Manufacturing Co. (Japan)
Published by US Games Systems, Inc.
Copyright 1980 by Stuart Kaplan
ISBN: 0913866989
See Cards From This Deck:
  http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/angelpics.JPG
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0913866989/thecauldron

Despite its name, this deck has nothing to do with angels.  It
was originally manufactured by Angel Manufacturing Company in
Japan, which is where it got its name.  This is a typical
Marseilles style deck with a ruddy color scheme.  Major arcana
and court cards are fully illustrated, but pips are not.

Cards measure 2.5 by 4.5 inches and handle well.  Card stock is
excellent, not too thick but not flimsy either.  Although my deck
has never been used, I believe them to be durable.

I recommend this deck for those who love the Marseilles style and
are looking for a more toned down version, color-wise. Also,
collectors may wish to add it to their collection.  My only
complaint is that my deck was received (still shrinkwrapped) out
of order.

===
=== The Arthurian Tarot
===

by Caitlin and John Matthews
Illustrated by Miranda Gray
Published by The Aquarian Press
Copyright 1990 by Caitlin and John Matthews
ISBN: 0850308437
See Cards From This Deck:
  http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/arthurpics.jpg
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0850308437/thecauldron

This deck is an example of a workable new system of tarot. The
system revolves around the Arthurian Legend and Mysteries. The
Matthews did an excellent job of incorporating the tarot into
Arthurian lore ... or vice versa. =) The artwork is stunning and
inspiring. It comes as a deck and book set, which is good. I
wouldn't be able to follow it without the book, as the art
doesn't generally give me a feel for the cards meanings.  One
must know the story to see it played out in the cards.

Suits are spears, grails, swords and stones. Changes have been
made to the major arcana. They are:  0, the Seeker; 1, Merlin; 2,
the Lady of the Lake; 3, Guinevere; 4, Arthur; 5, Taliesin; 6,
the White Hart; 7, Pryowen; 8, Gawain; 9, the Grail Hermit; 10,
the Round Table; 11, Sovereignty; 12, the Wounded King; 13, the
Washer at the Ford; 14, the Cauldron; 15, the Green Knight; 16,
the Spiral Tower; 17, the Star; 18, the Moon; 19, the Sun; 20,
the Sleeping Lord; and 21, the Flowering of Logres. Aces are
called "hallow," so that there is a spear hallow and a stone
hallow, etc.  Pages are called "maidens."

I recommend this deck for any Arthurian buff and any collector.
Also, if you like non-traditional systems or theme decks, you
will like this one especially, as it is a workable deck. I don't
recommend this deck for a novice tarot reader unless they intend
this to be their primary deck, since it isn't a standard deck.

===
=== Barbara Walker Tarot
===

by Barbara Walker
Published by US Games Systems, Inc.
Copyright 1986 by US Games Systems, Inc.
ISBN: 0880792922
See Cards From This Deck:
  http://angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/tarot/walkerpics.JPG
Amazon Link:
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0880792922/thecauldron

Two words came to mind when I first saw this deck:  creepy and
cheesy. This looks like a deck you'd expect to see in a 1970's
horror movie or something, especially the court cards. The courts
are represented by various gods, goddesses and mythological
figures. For instance, the queen of swords is Kali, who is eating
the intestines from the body of her victim. I can't imagine using
this deck for clients ... that card alone would scare the
daylights our of most of them.

The deck follows the Marseilles style of order and naming, except
that the Tower is called the House of God. Unlike Marseilles
style, the pips are fully illustrated ... unfortunately.
Actually, the pips and the majors aren't that bad (although
cheesy). It's the court cards which are horrid.

Cards measure about 2.5 by 4.5 inches, which is perfect for me.
Apparently, they are durable as well. I bought this deck well
used, and it has held up well. I won't be putting it through any
more use, though.

I recommend this deck for anyone making a horror flick, or
looking for a Halloween prop. Otherwise, I don't recommend it at
all, except for the collector (who would buy 78 scraps of
notebook paper if it were called tarot).

=====
===== About This Column
=====

TarotDeevah's column will feature monthly articles or reviews
selected from her web site or written for this newsletter.
You can find TarotDeevah's web site at:
http://www.angelfire.com/la2/tarotdeevah/home.html


[13]
=========
========= FRUGAL WITCHCRAFT
========= by Greta
=========

When I first started to study and practice Wicca, I was entranced
by all of the beautiful crystals, tools, and accessories, I just
had to have them all right then! Then I became more interested in
the "Green", and had to have gardening supplies, every herb in
every kind of container, etc. I spent quite a lot of money
thinking, "My religion is new to me, I want all things associated
with it to be shiny and new as well." I am still paying for that
mistake.

The Internet is a wonderful thing as everything is right there at
the click of a mouse, however the shipping can be substantial. I
now use it only for things that I have no way of getting my hands
on locally, or that I don't feel right about substituting
something else for it.

I have also discovered that I have everything I need right here,
but do not need it all! I can always change a candle spell to
another type of spell, so why did I feel I had to have over 70
candles? Now granted it can be very hard to find black candles
except around Halloween, but white ones you can find anytime.

I suggest a simple kit for beginners, to be added to a little at
a time. My essentials would be:

* blessing incense
* banishing incense
* white candles
* black candles (optional)
* sage
* rosemary
* basil
* sandalwood essential oil
* sea salt
* olive or sweet almond carrier oil

If you can afford it a divination tool is always a great thing to
have but if you can't learn sky divination, or how to read tea
leaves.

With these few items you can create dozens of spells!

You can cut your candles into thirds if you use tapers, just trim
the wax from around the wick. Sage, rosemary and salt makes a
great ritual bath for cleansing and blessing, and sandalwood is
good for most anything, Dilute it into olive oil if you want to
really save money, it makes a wonderful candle dressing,
anointing oil and does retain the sandalwood scent. Sprinkling
basil around is a great banisher, as I am sure you have heard the
adage "where basil is no evil can reside". I am sure creatively
you can think of a lot of ways to save money, and most of the
time will see that it is a more natural process to grow your own
herbs instead of buying them, if that is possible for you.
However if it is not Walmart and the like have large containers
of dried rosemary etc. for around 50 cents. The local dollar
stores usually have great deals on candleholders and candles.

You can buy your books used, get together with like minded
friends and swap books around, find tools at flea markets
(cleanse thoroughly of course), and there are lots of great
guided meditation sites online, Desktop Meditations has several
to choose from. Also utilize your public library every chance
you get, There are some really great works on history and
philosophy out there, and some great videos as well! PBS
regularly schedules documentaries on all kinds of topics of
interest to pagans. I recently had the good fortune to stumble
across a three part series on the Celts based upon historical
facts and archaeology digs.

If you have a CD burner, put it to use! There are some really
great guided meditations, hypnosis and subliminal MP3s available
for download at places like kazaa.com and really good new age
music as well.

So before you go out and charge up your credit card, or spend a
whole day's wages on that sparkly crystal, think about layaway.
This secures the item as yours but gives you more time to pay for
it.

You can mix your own oils, bathing salts, and teas instead of
spending a fortune on that new "all natural super cleansing" tea.
Check out what wildflowers grow in your area? Is there an apiary
near by? Honey is a great substance that is full of magickal
uses, and makes a wonderful sweetener. Say you find a huge field
of mugwort, or honeysuckle, Gather enough for you and a friend
and then swap half of it to her for something she found. There is
magick aplenty in nature and harvesting herbs, or appreciating
the beauty of the flowers can be a hugely satisfying experience.

You can borrow craft items from friends, such as a wood burning
tool to make your own ouija or pentacle. Make your own wand, you
can correspond the woods to intent if you wish, and top it of
with a crystal.

Utilize color magick with your clothing, and decorate your own
Book of Shadows, a loose leaf binder will hold a lot of
information and you can choose some really beautiful pagan
artwork from the web to print out for the divider pages. The
possibilities are endless.

Make your own ritual wine, this is an art form to itself and for
a few dollars investment you can make your own mead, wine, or
ales. There are some good recipe websites for this with tips on
how to. Save the seeds from the vegetables and fruits that you
buy, and then plant them, this is a good way to ensure the plant
will be around for others to enjoy as well, and gives you
opportunities for future harvesting.

Save your eggshells to make your own chalk. Save your orange,
lemon and lime peels and dry them yourself. They make a wonderful
addition to homemade potpourris and incense, as do apple peels.
Get the maximum use out of mother nature's gifts.

These are just a few ideas, and please don't forget to recycle!
If you are lucky enough to get a few dollars reimbursement on
recycling this is a good way to keep building on your supplies
list. I hope this article sets you on the way to the art of
frugal witchery. Blessed Be!


[14]
=========
========= DRAGON CLAN WITCHCRAFT COURSE: OCTOBER LESSON INDEX
========= OFFERED ON THE CAULDRON'S DELPHI FORUM
=========

The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is offering an online witchcraft
course in the Dragon Clan tradition on our Delphi message board.
This course is taught by Jet. While this course formally began on
Monday, May 20, 2002, interested members can join the course at
any time as the course material is in numbered messages in the
Online Witchcraft Course folder on our Delphi message board. You
simply start with the messages with the lowest numbers in the
subject line and work your way through at your own pace. New
lessons will be posted to our message board every week or two.
Here are links to the lessons posted in October:

5.15 The 4 Parts of Magick
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7133.1

5.2 Ritual Work

5.21 Censing and Smudging
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7134.1

5.22 Elemental Balancing
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7135.1

5.3 Extra Reading
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7136.1

5.4 The Ordeal

5.41 Ordeal - Vigil of the Sun
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7137.1

5.42 Wheel Measure
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7138.1

6.0 Wheel of the Underworld
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7288.1

6.1 Meditations

6.11 Meditation on the Dark Moon
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7281.1

5.12 Meditation on the Solar Cross
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7282.1

6.2 Ritual Work

6.21 Elemental Banishing
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7283.1

6.22 The Ancestors
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7284.1

6.3 Extra Reading
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7285.1

6.4 The Ordeal

6.41 Ordeal - Ancestor Feast
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7286.1

6.42 Wheel Measure
   http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=7287.1


[15]
=========
========= HUMOR: THE WICCAN BILL OF RIGHTS (FLUFF BUNNY VERSION)
========= Author Unknown
=========

1. All Wiccans have the right to follow a way of sweetness and
   light, of doing only "good" and never anything difficult, of
   thinking only positive thoughts and never anything unpleasant.

2. All Wiccans have the right to a religion which requires no
   significant study or preparation, no talent or training, and
   no expenditure other than the purchase of mass market Wiccan
   book with colorful covers.

3. All Wiccans have the right to spiritual principles that are
   simple, easy to remember, and contain no exceptions or
   philosophical complexities that require judgment or critical
   thinking.

4. All Wiccans shall be secure in their faith, having the right
   to ignore reasonable criticism, historical facts, and the
   nature of the world around them, but this shall not be
   construed as granting immunity from the same.

5. All Wiccans have the right to a religion which is perfectly
   comfortable at all times and requires no personal growth or
   maturity and no confrontation of personal inadequacies.

6. All Wiccans have the right to deities of their choice, to ask
   for the fulfillment of all their desires without offering
   anything in return, but this shall not be construed to impair
   or diminish the rights of any deity.

7. All Wiccans have the right to use their imagination in place
   of reality and to base their whole worldview upon what they
   wish would be, provided they are able to avoid
   institutionalization in a mental health facility.

8. All Wiccans shall be free to ignore all of these rights to
   pursue a rich spiritual path which requires dedication, hard
   work, many years of study, a balanced outlook on life, deep
   understanding of nature, awareness of the world around them,
   passionate commitment toward and worship of the deities of the
   Wicca, and conducting their lives with honor toward their
   spiritual sisters and brothers in the Craft.


[16]
=========
========= Cauldron Info
========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON BY VOLUNTEERING TO HELP
=========

The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum was founded in December 1997 to
provide a friendly but serious discussion area for Pagans on the
Internet. We've grown a bit over the years. We now have an active
message area, a large web site with around 700 pages of
information (including well over 150 book and divination deck
reviews), and a monthly email newsletter. To continue to provide
and expand these services, The Cauldron needs lots of volunteer
help from our members and supporters.

Here are some of the things members and supporters can do to help
The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum thrive:

=====
===== Actively Participate In Our Message Board
=====

While our Delphi message board welcomes readers, we encourage
members to actively participate by posting their comments and
views in our discussions. One of the easiest ways to help The
Cauldron is to actively participate in our message board. The
staff especially appreciates members who start new topics for
discussion based on their own questions, opinions, or interests.

http://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

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* 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
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=====
===== 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,
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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
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well-designed small graphics (small in both physical dimensions
and file size) that might enhance a specific article or page.

=====
===== Invite Your Friends
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If you have friends or acquaintances who you believe would find
The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum useful, please tell them about our
site. If you are active in our message board and have friends who
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=====
===== Link To The Cauldron
=====

If you have a web site where linking to The Cauldron: A Pagan
Forum would be appropriate, simply providing a link to this web
site is a big help. Our Link to this Site page explains how you
can do this if you need help or want some simple graphic buttons
to use: http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php

=====
===== Donations
=====

As The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum uses as many free services as
possible, our need for money to operate our site is currently
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you have a few dollars to spare, we would be honored to have your
help in paying for our web site. You can donate by using the
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http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN

=====
===== Amazon Purchases
=====

The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum also receives a small percentage
(usually 5%) from most items purchased from Amazon.com when you
go to Amazon.com from one of the links to Amazon on our web site.
If you purchase a lot of books, CDs, and other items from
Amazon.com as many members do, going to Amazon.com through one of
our links when you are going to make a purchase there is a
painless way to help fund this web site.

http://www.ecauldron.com/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.)


[17]
=========
========= 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
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This issue of Cauldron and Candle as a whole is copyright (c)
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=====
===== HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE OR CHANGE EMAIL ADDRESS
=====

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=====

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=====
===== SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
=====

Don't forget that your suggestions for this newsletter are always
welcome, either posted on the message board or via email to
LyricFox (lyricfox@ont.com) 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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