Return to Cauldron and Candle Archive

C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #51 -- September 2004 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/ newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ shopping: http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php http://stores.ebay.com/Doxys-Bazaar?refid=store In this Issue: [01] Editorial Notes [02] Cauldron Challenge: September [03] Cauldron News [04] Cauldron Discussions [05] Reviews [05-1] Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft [05-2] A Witches' Bible [05-3] Drawing Down The Moon [05-4] The Triumph of the Moon [05-5] A Witch Alone [06] Received For Review (with Mini-Reviews) [07] Articles: [07-1] Beyond Troy: Hellenistic and Hellenic Pagan Fiction [07-2] September -- The Seventh Month [07-3] The Moon Mostly a Male Deity [07-4] Questions to Ask a Reiki Master [07-5] Imbolc With Barbie [08] Columns [08-1] Humor: Origins of Blessed Be [08-2] Cheap Web Hosting Report: September 2004 [09] Around the Planes: Notes from All Over [09-1] After You've Quit: Tips For Long-Term Success [09-2] Don't Let The Flu Sneak Up On You! [09-3] Packing For Fido: Pet Travel & Health Tips [09-4] Heartening News About Chocolate [09-5] USDA Educating Pet Owners About Bird Diseases [10] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help [11] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) +++September Issue Submission Deadline: September 20, 2004+++ Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php [01] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= There's not a lot to report this issue. Your editor has spent most of his spare Cauldron time working on The Cauldron's web site. When you check the "Cauldron News" section of this newsletter, you'll see some of the changes and additions we have made. More are planned in September, so watch for them. I'm way behind on book reviews, so the reviews for this month and next will be reprints. They will be reviews of the top ten readily available books I often recommend to people interested in investigating Paganism -- especially Wicca-like Paganism. Five this month and five next month. Hopefully, by then I will be back into the swing of reviewing books. Don't forget that you can submit book reviews as well! Book Review Submission Form: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestbr.php I'd also link to mention that you can get your Pagan-oriented web site listed in our expanded Web Resources section. Listings are free, although we do require a link back on your site. For more information, see our "Get Listed! page at: http://www.ecauldron.com/links/getlisted.php As always, we need your articles, reviews, poems, festival reports, etc. The article pile is just about empty, so please submit something if you can! Handy Article Submission Form: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestart.php Speaking of articles, I'd like to especially thank Rebecca Salek for her excellent series of articles on Hellenic Paganism which have been appearing in this newsletter in recent months. We are publishing her last article in this series this issue. I'd love to see similar series of articles on other Pagan religions! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SEND A PAGAN POSTCARD You can send a Pagan Postcard from the menu of any of our web pages at http://www.ecauldron.com/. If you haven't tried our postcard site, give it a try. It has quite a few nice features. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [02] ========= ========= CAULDRON CHALLENGE: SEPTEMBER ========= by Star ========= September's Challenge is to declutter your life. By that, I don't mean you need to get rid of all the physical objects that are sitting around your house gathering dust, although if you're so inclined this would be the perfect month to do so. Rather, I mean decluttering your time. Take a look at the stuff you do. See a group meeting that you attend, or a forum you visit, only because you "always have" and not because you feel any connection with it? Perhaps there's some chore you're doing more often than you need to--let's face it, unless you've got very bad allergies, you probably don't need to dust every single day. Or maybe there's some useless little habit that's taking up your time--maybe you're still sorting your glass recyclables even though the center no longer requires them to be separated. Those things are clutter. Your challenge is to identify and get rid of them. What will you do with all that free time, you ask? Well... We'll get to that part of it in October! http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1579.1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LOOKING FOR A PAGAN FRIENDLY WEB HOST? We use DreamHost because it is affordable and reliable, but mainly because its terms of service allow web sites with anything legal: our web site will not be pulled because we review a few books on sex magick or an erotic tarot deck. It's a great host for Pagan web sites. http://www.dreamhost.com/rewards.cgi?27905/shared/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [03] ========= ========= CAULDRON NEWS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== News and Opinion Section Updated ===== We have updated the Word News/Opinion section of The Cauldron's web site with many new news sources from around the world and many new columnists. The format of this section has also been improved with modern browsers showing our news sources as tabs. Give it a try, we think you will like it. http://www.ecauldron.com/newsmain.php ===== ===== Member Weblogs Page Updated ===== We have updated the Member Weblogs page of The Cauldron's web site with a new format. Modern browsers will show each member's weblog as a tab, making it easy to switch between weblogs. We also have some new member weblogs linked to this page. http://www.ecauldron.com/weblogindex.php ===== ===== Links Section Updated -- Get Your Site Listed ===== As of August 2004, we have greatly expanded links section of our web site (now called "Web Resources") with more categories and subcategories. However, we need your help to fill these fairly barren lists up. If you are the webmaster of a Pagan-related site and would link to be listed in our new and expanded section, you can find out how to suggest your site on our "Get Listed!" page. Web Resources: http://www.ecauldron.com/links.php Get Listed! http://www.ecauldron.com/links/getlisted.php ===== ===== Cauldron Cookbook Revised ===== We have revised the look of the "Cauldron Cookbook" section of our web site. In the process, we have made it possible for member recipes to be added much more easily in the future. There are some really good recipes in the Cauldron Cookbook now, and we hope to add more in the near future. BTW, the new "Search Recipes" feature is quite powerful, for example, you can type "nutmeg" in the cookbook search box to search for all the recipes which use nutmeg. Our cookbook section has a new address: http://www.ecauldron.com/cookbook.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CAULDRON AND CANDLE WEB SITE The Cauldron and Candle has its own web site where we store our back issues for easy reading. http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [04] ========= ========= CAULDRON DISCUSSIONS ========= Recent Discussion Topics on our Message Board ========= In an average month, over 150 new discussion topics are started on The Cauldron's message board. Here are a few of the more interesting discussions from the last month. It's not too late to join in. Thanks to Bloglet, you can now receive an email every night on days we post new site news items to the main page of The Cauldron's web site. These emails contain a link to the new item and the first couple of lines of the news text. You can sign up for Bloglet's free news delivery via the form at the end of the site "News and Updates" section of The Cauldron's main web page. === === A Brief Theological Biography? === I'd absolutely love to hear about your religious paths -- how you got there, why you stayed, what you believe and how you practice. You certainly don't have to answer all of those questions: any sort of information would be interesting. It needn't be long, either. Just a few notes, or as long as you want to write -- or not at all, of course! * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1619.1 === === Pre and Post Initiation === This is a question for those of you have been initiated into some kind of magical or spiritual system. What did you feel like to the build-up of being initiated as in maybe a few days before? Did you have butterflies, apprehension, extreme eagerness to get it all over and done with etc? When your incitation was complete (and yes I know that completion is a term that is misleading in certain spiritual ways) did you feel great or disappointed? Or something else? (I'm hoping most people understand what it is I'm asking - and no - not trying to extract oathbound information - not that anyone would ever give it out but I'm just interested in the emotional aspects and perhaps it would be good to reflect on "back then" to now and maybe it would help someone who is currently in the "waiting room".) * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1595.1 === === Pagan Pride === Do you go to Pagan Pride? Is there one near you? (http://paganpride.org/ will tell you, if you don't know.) Have you gone in the past? Is it something you get things out of? In more general terms, whether or not you find them useful, do you think they're useful for other people? Who would you recommend it for? Do you think they're a good thing for the Pagan community in general? I'll answer my own questions eventually, but I'll start with this - I got reminded I wanted to start this thread by getting the confirmation email for the class I'm teaching this year at the Twin Cities Pagan Pride Day (called "Better Pagan Research" which should give you an idea what it's about). It's my first class outside of teaching Seeker classes, and the first one I've had to prepare from scratch. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1583.1 === === Your Gods... They Don't Exist! === I was sitting here thinking about General Jerry Boykin and his statements about how his god was a real god and some of the other things he mentioned. That segued into a question for Randall and I decided I'd toss it out to our members... How would you react if you found out your gods didn't exist? How would it change you? Feel free to do some guessing here on these and expand on them. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1517.1 === === Do Pagan Religions Need Better Organization and Rules? === Should Pagan Religions become better organized with better rules? I know there are quite a few pagan groups with stricter rules/beliefs. But what this questions is for is... What makes someone a Wiccan... An Asatru... etc. Right now 90% of the pagan faiths have completely different deities, different names for items, different rituals, etc. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1469.1 === === What is an "Earth-Centered Religion"? === What is "earth centered religion" and what isn't? This has probably been addressed in the past, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a clear explanation. I have been hearing the term for years and am still confused. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1442.1 === === Festival Experiences === I've been reading all summer about friends going to Pagan festivals, then coming back and saying what a blast it was. I loved going to summer camp growing up, but I've never been to a Pagan festival -- my hubby and I are both college students, and it's hard to scrape up the cash for it, though we've tried I don't know how many times. It also seems to me that (especially pre-Internet) festival-going is a huge part of "the Pagan experience" (Provided there is such a thing). I get most of my interaction with fellow Pagans online, so it seems more important to meet at least a few in real life. However, some of the things I'm reading don't exactly inspire me to attend. I don't especially want to see dozens (hundreds?) of strangers naked, nor do I want to sleep with anyone I just met, or party till the wee hours. And I can wear my sarongs any day of the week, thanks. So, my questions to all -- have you been to a Pagan festival? Was it fun, and worth the time and trouble to get there? Do you go to one (or several) every year? Would you recommend a particular festival? Has a horror story stopped you from attending when you used to, or wanted to? (Something else you want to add on the subject?) * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1424.1 === === Reiki & Magic === I was reading a bit about Reiki and how it can be used to heal people, not just people who are in the healer's immediate vicinity, but also at a distance wherever the person being healed may be (this is possible apparently if you're a more advanced Reiki practitioner). Which brought to mind the healing spells you might do as a Wiccan. It seems to me, though I may be wrong, to be based on a similar idea - i.e. raising your own energy and then directing it outside your body in order to heal someone else. However in Reiki that energy is known as "ki". So my question is this: has anyone here practiced Reiki and also healing spells? What are the similarities/differences? Have you ever mixed Eastern healing practices (such as Reiki) into a Wiccan (etc) healing ritual - and with what results? Or have you found one of these types of healing to be more effective than the other? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1418.1 === === Talking to Gods? === "Talking" to Gods and spirits - I know a lot of people do, including me occasionally. How do you suppose this works? And why can't they communicate information like, for instance, if you asked a Greek Deity to tell you the Greek word for something? Things like that don't happen often. My own opinion is that it's not a voice your hearing, just some kind of energy your brain is making sense off, and definite information can't be communicated that way. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1381.1 === === Structured vs Unstructured Religions? === In another thread, someone mentioned that they thought a particular religion was too structured (based on its web page). I've never understood exactly what makes a religion structured, let alone why so many Pagans seem to also automatically see "structure" as bad. Personally, I can't see how one can have a religious group of more than two or three people without having some type of real structure to the group. Am I using "structure" in a different way than the anti-structure Pagans or is it that my world view is just very different than theirs? Help me out here: just what do you mean my structure and why do you think it is bad -- or good or neutral, for that matter? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=1312.1 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DONATE TO HELP SUPPORT THE CAULDRON'S WEB SITE If you like The Cauldron and have a few extra dollars, please donate via the Amazon Honor System or PayPal and help us pay the web site bills. Donate via PayPal http://www.ecauldron.com/donatepaypal.php Donate via Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [05] =============== ============ BOOK AND DECK REVIEWS ========= [05-1] ========= ========= REVIEW: BUCKLAND'S COMPLETE BOOK OF WITCHCRAFT ========= Reviewed by Randall ========= Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft (Second Edition) Author: Raymond Buckland Trade Paperback, 368 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publication date: May 2002 ISBN: 0875420508 US Retail Price: $17.95 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0875420508 When Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft first appeared on bookstore shelves in the middle of the 1980s, it was snapped up by eager newbies and long time Pagans alike. At the time, it quickly became a staple: a book that everyone recommended to those new to Wicca. After 31 printings, Llewellyn replaced this old standby with a slightly revised second edition in 2002. The major change to the second edition is larger type. This may not sound like much, but the larger type and more consistent formatting make the second edition much easier to read. Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft lost some of its luster in the 1990s, unfortunately in this reviewer's opinion. The more traditional forms of Wicca (which Buckland teaches in this book) went out of style and were replaced by a more sanitized and politically correct form of Wicca. Worse, while Neo-Wiccan authors of the 1990s often sound like they are trying to be a cross between the reader's kindly mother and the reader's best friend and confidant, Raymond Buckland's reserved and slightly superior writing style makes it sound at times like the reader should be ever so grateful to him for writing this book. If you read the customer reviews at this book's page at Amazon.com, you will see that its more traditional Wiccan teachings are apparently offensive to many readers accustomed to the more sanitized and politically correct Neo-Wiccan teachings which became common in the early 1990s. Many reviewers there take the first edition of this book and its author to task for talking about traditional Wiccan things like skyclad rituals or the binding and symbolic scourging of initiates and for including a page or two on sex magick. Admittedly, this book is not perfect. It tries to cover far too much and therefore often ends up spending a few pages on material that deserves a book or two of its own -- in a few cases without taking the trouble to refer you to those extra books. The history of Wicca information in the first lesson is woefully out of date. Buckland gives the now pretty much discredited idea that modern Wicca is a direct survival a pre- Christian "Old Religion" instead of being mostly the invention of Gerald Gardner. Unfortunately, this section was not revised noticeably for the second edition. Also, Buckland still suggests using one of the better herbals "such as Culpeper's" Herbal. I don't know what Buckland was thinking on this point. While Culpeper can be an excellent source of info on the magickal uses of herbs, it is hundreds of years out of date on the safe medical uses of herbs. Nevertheless, Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft is an excellent beginner book for someone interested in traditional Wicca, especially if they are interested in practicing their religion as part of a circle or coven. There is information in here that is often not covered at all in today's more popular Neo-Wiccan beginner books. The wide variety of material covered in fifteen lessons is about what would be covered in a good traditional coven's first degree training program. This book also gives you a complete set of generic, but written along traditional Wiccan lines, coven rituals. While they aren't specifically for Buckland's Seax-Wica tradition, they are obviously designed to fit it with simple changes anyone who has a copy of the Seax-Wica Book of Shadows, The Tree, could make. This volume has one feature which might make it worthwhile even for Neo-Wiccans who find traditional Wicca not to their taste. Those interested in making their own Wiccan-style working tools will find well-illustrated, clearly-written instructions in Lesson Three. Buckland is an excellent craft writer. I'd love to see a Pagan crafts book by Mr. Buckland. He writes this material well. Buckland describes the second edition changes in his introduction. The main change is the layout and arrangement of material -- which has improved the readability of the book greatly in this reviewer's opinion. Other changes include more pictures and illustrations, revised reading lists and revised information on Wiccan traditions. Buckland says he did not make major changes to the content as doing so would have been unfair to those who had purchased the first edition. Unfortunately, a few parts of this book (such as the history in the first lesson) really needed to be updated to include the results of more recent research. To Buckland's credit, however, he did not remove the small sections that so upset some in the Neo-Wiccan "political correctness" crowd. In summary, if you are looking for a good beginner book on more traditional Wicca and are willing to put up with Buckland's slightly reserved and superior attitude, you'll probably want to snap up the second edition of Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft. If you do not find traditional Wicca (with its emphasis on birth, sex, death, and both the light and dark side of the universe and life) to be your cup of tea, you'll probably want to pass on this volume. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkcbow.php [05-2] ========= ========= REVIEW: A WITCHES' BIBLE ========= Reviewed by Randall ========= A Witches' Bible Author: Janet and Stewart Farrar Trade Paperback, 550 pages Publisher: Phoenix Publishing Publication date: July 1996 ISBN: 0919345921 US Retail Price: $23.95 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0919345921 If you are tired of "Wicca 101" books aimed at the complete beginner (or worse, at "fluff bunnies"), the Farrar's A Witches' Bible might be the book for you. While some of the material seems dated and even slightly offensive in places (e.g. comments that imply there is really no place for homosexuals in Wicca), there is a wealth of information on the Alexandrian branch of British Traditional Wicca and the early history of Wicca in general. A Witches' Bible is really two books under one cover: Eight Sabbats for Witches and The Witches' Way. This is the chief problem with the book. There are two separate tables of contents and indexes. The page numbers start over from one in middle of the volume. Some information is duplicated between the two volumes included. This doesn't ruin the book, but it does make it much less convenient to use. Having to look stuff up in two separate indexes is a pain, for example. The first half of the book, originally published as Eight Sabbats for Witches, discusses each of the eight major Wiccan festivals in detail. The authors examine both the rituals in a fairly typical Gardner-derived Book of Shadows and how they fit into a wheel of the year cycle of myths. Like much of early Wiccan material, there is a somewhat embarrassing reliance on questionable source material such as Robert Graves' The White Goddess. This doesn't really ruin any of the rituals, it just calls into question some of the background material and theory. This first volume also covers in detail the opening and closing of circles, the Great Rite, and rituals for Wiccaning, handfasting, and death. The second half of the book, originally published as The Witches' Way, mainly consists of sixteen chapters on Wiccan beliefs such as reincarnation, ethics, healing, divination, magick, etc. as seen through the eyes of the Farrars. At times, some of these essays seem very dogmatic. There is useful knowledge and information in almost every one of them, even if you do not agree with all the positions the authors take. Approximately one-third of this second volume is ritual material, however, presented and explained with the same detail as the sabbats were in the first volume. You'll find initiation rituals for all three British Traditional Wiccan degrees, information on consecration rituals and various usual rituals. There's also an appendix by Doreen Valiente detailing her attempts to track down Gardner's "Old Dorothy" and the "New Forest Coven." If you are used to 1990's style Wicca 101 books, A Witches' Bible may come as something of a shock to you. It's not written in a "here's how to do this, run out and try it" style. It provides detailed information and opinion that you have to study and think about to get much out of. As one might expect from any form of British Tradition Wicca, its rituals are definitely aimed at group practice. You will not find solitary versions handed to you. With a bit of thought and effort, of course, many of the rituals presented could be adapted to solitary use. While all this material may sound dry and dull, the Farrars manage to make most of it quite interesting to read. If you are interested in the origin and history of Wicca, British Traditional Wicca, or are just tired of Wicca books obviously written so as to not strain the brain of the average "fluff- bunny," I can't recommend this book highly enough. I've had a copy of another publisher's printing for more than fifteen years. I've read it completely several times, and refer to it at least once month. If you are interested in Wicca and ready to move beyond all the "Wicca 101" books on the market, pick up a copy of A Witches' Bible as soon as you can. It's not perfect, but it is one of the few "Wicca 201" books on the market. Even if British Traditional Wicca doesn't really interest you, you'll learn a lot about Wicca by reading and studying this book. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkwbible.php [05-3] ========= ========= REVIEW: DRAWING DOWN THE MOON ========= Reviewed by Randall ========= Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today Author: Margot Adler Trade Paperback, 584 pages Publisher: Penguin USA Publication date: March 1997 ISBN: 014019536X US Retail Price: $16.95 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=014019536X Margot Adler's book is subtitled "Witches, Druids, Goddess- Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today." Unfortunately, although the book has been revised and expanded since its original publication in 1979, the majority of the book describes America Paganism as it was in the mid to late 1970s. Don't let that stop you from getting this book, however. It's still the best overview of American Paganism available and truly does belong on the bookshelf of anyone even slightly interested in Paganism. Unlike many Pagan books published today, Drawing Down the Moon is fairly scholarly, with footnotes, references, and neutral viewpoint; although it is not boring or hard to understand. It also covers a wide range of Pagan religions, not just Wicca. Therefore, this book is an excellent book for someone trying to find out what Paganism is all about. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkddtm.php [05-4] ========= ========= REVIEW: THE TRIUMPH OF THE MOON ========= Reviewed by Stryder ========= The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft Author: Ronald Hutton Trade Paper, 512 pages Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication date: May 2000 ISBN: 0192854496 US Retail Price: $17.95 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0192854496 This is an outstanding and readable scholarly book on the history of Wicca (Modern Pagan Witchcraft) by a professional historian. Ronald Hutton, Professor of History at Bristol University, has previously authored two rather successful books on the pagan religions of the British Isles (The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles) and the origins of the English folk festival cycle (The Stations of the Sun). If you are familiar with Dr. Hutton’s previous books, you know that he argues rather convincingly that there was no unbroken survival of the pre- Christian religions of the British Isles up to modern times (17th -18th century). From this, he follows the various intellectual and artistic developments that formed the fertile ground that would spring forth Modern Pagan Witchcraft. The book is divided into two halves. The first half traces various threads that led to the formation of Wicca and other neo- Pagan religions in the twentieth century. The major groups that Dr. Hutton focuses on are Freemasonry (and other fraternal organizations spilt from or inspired by them), the pastoral language and poetry of the Romantic literary movement, 19th century study of folklore (Golden Bough, and theories of Great Neolithic Goddess Cult - note that Marija Gimbutas was hardly revolutionary in this area), and the predecessors of Leland and Murray who proposed that the early modern Witch Trials were related to a real religion of the witches. From there he looks more closely at authors that most likely directly influenced Gardner. These include Margaret Murray, Robert Graves, Charles Leland, Aleister Crowley, and Dion Fortune. Dr. Hutton's training in methodology for studying history really comes through in his section on Gerald Gardner. Hutton had access to a number of private documents (The Toronto papers made infamous in Aiden Kelly's book Crafting The Art Of Magic and numerous other personal collections in Great Britain) that made his analysis even more convincing. Hutton's premise is that Gardner entered retirement and quickly began looking for an outlet to his creative energies. After growing tired of archeology (his amateur work on the history and religion of Malaysia are still rather highly regarded by scholars) and volunteering for the war effort, he began studying the occult in earnest. After a failed attempt to revive the OTO in England (with Crowley's blessings) he began working on recreating the Witch religion outlined in Murray’s books. The early work involved a lot of syncretism of existing materials from Freemasonry, the Golden Dawn, the OTO, medieval grimoires, Romantic poetry, etc., but with a new twist. From there, the inspiration of Gardner and his followers soon took the new religion in totally new directions. From here, Hutton traces Wicca's jump "across the pond." He notes that a "new and improved" Wicca made the jump back across the pond to England in the early 1980's. Hutton notes that what was essentially a politically conservative religious movement (stressing a pre-Industrial "golden age," resistance to modernity, and a hint of nature conservation) came back as a liberal/progressive movement of feminist issues, progressive social policy, and self-help/group therapy. He freely admits that he doesn't have the resources or the knowledge to adequately catalog the development of Wicca and Paganism in the US, (and hints that he hopes scholars in the US will fill in the gaps), but he does chart some of the cross-pollination of Wicca with the feminist and ecology movements. He also looks at some of the work seminal writers in these areas such as Starhawk and Z. Budapest and examines their innovations to Wicca. Dr. Hutton also describes the work of other that have preceded him into this field, from Aiden Kelly and Margot Adler to Tanya Luhrmann and others, as well as their influences and the influences of their material on neo-Paganism as a whole. All in all, Hutton maintains a balanced and objective view of the history of Wicca, and always remains respectful of neo-Pagan beliefs. While I don't completely agree with all of his conclusions, I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in the actual history of Wicca and the underlying philosophical and artistic movements that are the parents of neo-Paganism in all its forms. Where Margot Adler simply reported on the state and direction of the neo-Pagan movement in the US as a journalist, Ronald Hutton offers a thoughtful and critical analysis of the origins of the neo-Pagan movement from a historian's perspective. This book is a definite four stars. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkthetriumph.php [05-5] ========= ========= REVIEW: A WITCH ALONE ========= Reviewed by Randall ========= A Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic Author: Marian Green Trade Paperback, 192 pages Publisher: Thorsons Publication date: August 1991 ISBN: 1855381125 US Retail Price: Out of Print Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1855381125 As the number of people interested in Paganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft continues to grow, so has the number of books aimed at the new Pagan or Wiccan. In many cases, these so-called "Wicca 101" books are a waste of valuable trees. Some are poorly written. Others contain the author's opinion and outdated historical speculation presented as absolute fact. There are, however, a few truly wonderful books in the "Wicca 101" genre. Marian Green's A Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic is certainly one of this small handful of excellent books for the novice Pagan. A Witch Alone is presented as thirteen lessons in natural magick and witchcraft, one for each of the thirteen lunar months in a year. Each lesson ends with a project and a reading list. Unlike most "Wicca 101" book authors, Green doesn't just fill you with facts and opinion, she teaches you how to use and trust your own intuition. Her exercises help you build your own personal craft. If you do spend a year with this book, by year's end you'll not only have a good bit of craft training and practice under your belt but you'll have a much better sense of your spiritual self. Some more traditional Wiccans may have problems with this book as its approach is not very traditional. It glosses over -- or doesn't even mention -- some things that many very traditional Wiccans apparently consider very important. Of course, most Wiccans who will have such problems with A Witch Alone do not really believe one can train and initiate oneself to start with. I think this is the best of the "Wicca 101" books currently available. If you can only afford to buy one introductory book, Marian Green's A Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic is the one I think you should buy. You will not get the most out of it, however, if you just sit down and read it. To get the full value out of this book, you really need to work through it one moon at a time. This review is available on our web site at http://www.ecauldron.com/bkawa.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SHOP ONLINE AT THE CAULDRON MALL Shop Amazon, Catalog City, Abebooks, and other stores at The Cauldron Shopping Mall. Every purchase from our one of our mall links helps support The Cauldron and this newsletter. http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [06] ========= ========= RECEIVED FOR REVIEW ========= by Randall Sapphire ========= I've recently a few new books for review, but have not even had time to glance through them for first glance comments: Your Magickal Name by Phyllis and Debra Vega New Page Books ISBN: 1564147231 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1564147231 Past Life & Karmic Tarot by Edain McCoy Llewellyn ISBN: 073870508X Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=073870508X Alchemy at Work by Cassandra Eason The Crossing Press ISBN: 1580911587 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1580911587 Magic for Lovers by Selene Silverwind The Crossing Press ISBN: 1580911528 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1580911528 The Women's Book of Healing by Diane Stein The Crossing Press ISBN: 1580911560 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1580911560 Totem Magic by Yasmine Galenorn The Crossing Press ISBN: 1580911161 Amazon Link: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1580911161 I suspect I am not receiving review copies from some companies because they have not updated my mailing address from my old San Antonio address to my new Waco address. I have updated my address with these companies several times since I learned in late February, but it does not appear to be making it into the mailing database at some. Kudos to Ten Speed Press who seem to have managed the address update better than most. [07] =============== ============ ARTICLES ========= [07-1] ========= ========= BEYOND TROY: HELLENISTIC AND HELLENIC PAGAN FICTION ========= by Rebecca Salek ========= Over the last few months, I've drawn up several lists of books which I hope will be useful to Hellenic Pagans, Pagans in general, and the just plain curious. The lists have included works of mythology, religion, archaeology, anthropology, and psychology, plus children's picture books and assorted encyclopedias and dictionaries. (Okay, I missed comic books. Hopefully, I'll get to those at some future date.) So, now we turn to fiction. To my knowledge, there are no works of fiction written by a Hellenic Pagan author with a specifically Hellenic Pagan theme. (If anyone knows differently, *please* let me know.) All the works of fiction out there about ancient Greece or the Gods or various myths have been written by non-Pagan authors for a (primarily) non-Pagan audience. They are written as pure entertainment, not works of moving religious sentiment. Still, they are a start. And some of them are quite good -- even those about Troy (and there are a *lot* about Troy. Or Amazons. Or Troy and Amazons.) :) Here, than, are a few of the many many many fictional novels, novellas, and short stories which feature Hellenic elements. Some retell ancient myths, such as those of Heracles. Others retell historical incidents, such as the Battle of Thermopylae. Some focus on real people, like Alexander the Great, or set fictional characters in real events, such as the Peloponnesian War. My thanks to my fellow members of the HellenicPagan list at yahoogroups, for their many helpful suggestions in drawing up this list, specifically Erik, Hector, Jennifer, Joe, Kouros, and Zoe. :) Lindsey Davis -- Yeah, yeah, okay. Davis' mystery series is set in Imperial Rome, not ancient Greece. Still, you get a nice tour of the Empire, get to see how Greece influenced Rome, and (above all) the books are just good old fashioned fun. The sixteenth(!) mystery is due out in September. To get a jump on the series, check out The Jupiter Myth, A Body in the Bathhouse and One Virgin to Many. Michael Curtis Ford -- Xenophon, Cyrus and an army of battle- hardened soldiers and mercenaries come to life in Ford's novel, The Ten Thousand. When Cyrus is killed in battle near the banks of the Euphrates, the ten thousand odd Greeks (mostly Spartans) in his army want only to return to their homeland. But to reach it, they must cross burning deserts, raging rivers and mountains frozen deep by winter. Humane, thrilling and well-researched. (Ford has also written several novels set in early Imperial Rome.) Tom Holt -- Fair warning: if you can't find anything humorous about religion, well, there's something wrong with you and you should avoid Holt's books. Among those that I *do* recommend to Pagans who *do* have a sense of humor are The Divine Comedies: Here Comes the Sun, Odds and Gods (omnibus containing two comic fantasies; the latter features Thor, Odin, Frey and Osiris, among other retired Deities) and Ye Gods. Alexander at the World's End is a more serious story about two men, one a conqueror, one an ordinary man, and how they change each other's lives. Olympiad: An Historical Novel tells the story of that very first race, about which almost no real historical information survives. Valerio Massimo Manfredi -- An extremely popular author in his native Italy, Manfredi's works are finally being translated into English. To date, the Alexander Trilogy and The Spartan have been made available. The first tells the story of Alexander the Great (Child of a Dream, The Sands of Ammon and The Ends of the Earth) from the prophecy made before his birth to his terrible death. The Spartan follows the lives of twin brothers separated at birth, one raised to be an aristocratic warrior, the other a shepherd slave. When Sparta and the rest of Greece are threatened by Persia, the two brothers find themselves reunited, allies, yet at war with one another and themselves. (Many of Manfredi's other books, such as Chimera and The Oracle, have yet to be translated into English, but are available in Spanish.) Steven Pressfield -- Though he first came to fame as the author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Pressfield has since gone on to earn critical acclaim with his mythological/historical novels. The Gates of Fire tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae from the point of view of its sole Greek survivor, a young Spartan squire. The Tides of War chronicles the Peloponnesian War from the vantage of Athenian statesman Alcibiades' bodyguard/assassin. The Last of the Amazons explores the tragic love affair between Theseus and Queen Antiope, and the war between Athens and the Amazons, as related by a little girl raised by the last of those warrior women. The Virtues of War, about Alexander the Great, will be available in October. Burton Raffel -- An accomplished poet in his own right, Raffel has also won critical praise as the translator of some of the world's most beloved poems and plays, such as Beowulf, Don Quixote, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Perceval, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Now, Raffel turns his attention to the poets if ancient Greece: Pure Pagan collects well-known and little-known poems from famous poets, unknown poets, and anonymous poets. Beautiful, minimalist, imaginative. Jane Rawlings and Heather Hurst -- Imagine, if you could, the next chapter in the Odyssey. What happens after Odysseus gets home? In the case of The Penelopeia, it is Penelope's turn to have an adventure. Accompanied by her twin daughters (!), the loyal and patient wife sets out for the oracle at Delphi to learn what the Gods have in store for her daughters and herself, having a grand adventure of her own along the way. Mary Renault -- Author of perhaps the most well-known novels about Theseus, Renault wrote dozens of novels and nonfiction works. The Bull From the Sea and The King Must Die retell the story of Theseus, relying upon both traditional Greek myth and modern archaeological theories about Crete. Fire From Heaven, The Persian Boy, and Funeral Games comprise her Alexander the Great series. Other novels by Renault include The Mask of Apollo (an unemployed actor carries a mask of the God around Greece and eventually meets Plato); The Last of the Wine (adventures of two young friends as they journey around Greece, compete in the Olympics and battle the Persians); and The Praise Singer (the poet Simonides). Classics. No library should be without them. Fred Saberhagen -- Either fantasy or far-future science fiction, Saberhagen's Books of the Gods series is set on a post- technological Earth ... and the Gods are coming back. The series includes The Face of Apollo, Ariadne's Web, Arms of Hercules, and God of the Golden Fleece. Purists will object to Saberhagen's portrayal of Hades as an evil God and his mixture of pantheons (Loki appears, among others). Nonetheless, operatic, escapist fare, good for a summer afternoon. Dan Simmons -- If science fiction is more to your taste, than you'll love Ilium. In the far future, humans have evolved into God-like post-humans. Their only entertainment is a recreation of the Trojan War, set on the terraformed planes of Mars. Down there, below Olympus Mons, reborn ancient humans fight for the Gods' entertainment. But there is more to this conflict than even the Gods realize .... Thorne Smith -- Compared by critics to PG Wodehouse, Smith's books are rife with witty dialogue and a supreme appreciation for the absurd. In Night Life of the Gods, eccentric Hunter Hawk teams up with a nine hundred-year old leprechaun named Megaera and brings the statues in the Metropolitan Museum to life ... including Apollo, Bacchus, Diana, Hebe, Mercury, Neptune, and Perseus. Prohibition-era New York will never be the same again. Donna Tartt -- A psychological thriller, mythological exploration and philosophical treatise all rolled into one, Tartt's The Secret History follows a group of Classics students as they try to cover up one murder by committing another. Not a happy book, and not to everyone's taste. A little slow the first fifty page or so, but it picks up after that and is well worth the trip. Barry Unsworth -- One of the most recent novelizations of the Trojan War, The Songs of the Kings focuses on the days before the siege. With the Greek fleet trapped at Aulis by unfavorable winds, Agamemnon is pressured to sacrifice his teenage daughter Iphigeneia. The Greeks are portrayed as narcissistic (Achilles), lying (Odysseus), Ruthlessly ambitious (Agamemnon) racists. The only truly sympathetic characters are two slaves, outsiders from Asia. Unsworth does a fantastic job of getting inside his characters' heads and exploring their thoughts and motivations in this deglamorized, unsentimental and gritty portrayal of war. Gore Vidal -- In Julian, political commentator, historian and biographer Vidal tells the story of Rome's last Pagan Emperor. Nephew of Constantine the Great, who legalized Christianity, Julian sought to revitalize the worship of the old Gods. Had he not died at the age of thirty-two, he might have succeeded. A few other books that I recommend: John Maddox Roberts' SPQR mystery series, set in Imperial Rome; Steven Saylor's mysteries, staring Gordianus the Finder, set in late Republican Rome; and Frank Yerby's Goat Song, which sadly out of print. Additionally, keep an eye out for Sappho's Leap by Erica Jong, which explores the mind, poetry, loves and life of that ancient author. The above are just of few of the many terrific works of fiction available. For other suggestions, just stop by the bookstore or your local library. And happy reading! [07-2] ========= ========= SEPTEMBER -- THE SEVENTH MONTH ========= (Chapter IX of The Stories of the Months and Days ========= by Reginald C. Couzens [1923]) ========= The name of this month means simply "seventh", and so suggests to us neither god nor hero. We find, however, that there were several festivals held in the month, and not the least important of these was one held on the second of the month, and known as the Actian Games. On this day, in the year 31 B.C., was fought the great sea battle, off Actium in Greece, in which Augustus defeated Marcus Antonius and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. On the promontory of Actium stood a temple to Apollo, and from that time onward games in honour of Apollo were held on each anniversary of the victory. It was a common custom among the Greeks and Romans to hold games or sports in honour of a god, and the most famous of all, the Olympic Games were held every four years in Greece in honour of Zeus, the Roman Jupiter. These games lasted for five days, and consisted of foot-races, chariot-races, wrestling, boxing, throwing the quoit and the javelin. The first prize was usually a wreath made from the laurel tree, the favourite tree of Apollo. A story says that Apollo fell in love with Daphne, a beautiful wood-nymph and daughter of a river-god. Daphne, however, did not return Apollo's love, and on one occasion ran away from him. The sun-god pursued her, calling to her that he meant no harm, but just as he was within reach of her she prayed to her father for help. She at once became rooted to the ground, and found that her limbs were rapidly changing into branches and her hair into leaves. When Apollo stretched out his hands to catch her, he found nothing in his grasp but the trunk of a tree. The river-god had changed his daughter into a laurel. From that time onward Apollo took the laurel for his favourite tree, and said that prizes given to poets and musicians--for Apollo was also god of music and poetry--should be wreaths made from the leaves of that tree. Thus the laurel wreath came to be more eagerly sought after than gold or silver. The Olympic Games which we have mentioned are the origin of the Olympic Games which have been held in Europe and America every fourth year for some years past. They are held at the capital of each of the great countries in turn, and they were held in London at the Shepherd's Bush Exhibition in 1908. The chief event is the Marathon Race, which in 1908 was run from Windsor to the Stadium at the Exhibition, a distance of 25 miles. This race has its origin in an historical event of the year 490 B.C. In that year was fought the great battle of Marathon between the Greeks and the invading Persians. In spite of the far greater numbers of the Persian army, the Greeks won a glorious victory. Now, in the ranks of the Greek army was a famous runner named Pheidippides, who had won many a prize in the Games. When the Persians had been put to flight, the Greek general sent for Pheidippides and bade him run with the news of the victory to Athens (the capital of Greece), distant nearly 25 miles, where all those unable to fight were awaiting anxiously the result of the battle. Pheidippides, although tired by his share in the battle, at once set off on his long journey. In time the strain of the task began to tell upon him, and it was only by a great effort that he was able to continue his course. At last, with aching limbs and faltering step, he came in sight of the city. The Athenians, seeing him in the distance, ran eagerly to meet him; falling into the arms of the foremost of them, the runner with his last breath gasped, "Rejoice, we conquer". Even as the joyful words left his lips, Pheidippides sank lifeless in the arms that held him, and his brave spirit went forth on its last journey to meet the Heroes of the Past. "So, when Persia was dust, all cried, 'To Akropolis! Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due! "Athens is saved, thank Pan," go shout!' He flung down his shield Ran like fire once more: and the space 'twixt the Fennel-field And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through, Till in he broke: 'Rejoice, we conquer!' Like wine through clay, Joy in his blood bursting his heart, he died--the bliss!" ROBERT BROWNING--Pheidippides. Famous among the very old stories of the Greeks is that of the swift-footed Atalanta, the daughter of the King of Arcadia. This king had longed for a son who might succeed him, and on the birth of Atalanta was filled with anger and disappointment. He ordered her to be taken away while she was still a baby, and left on a mountain top at the mercy of the wild beasts. Here she was found by some hunters, who took pity on her and carried her to their home. As she grew up, they taught her to hunt, and in time she became more skilled in running and in the chase than they all. She took part with some of the great heroes in a famous hunt for a wild boar, which she finally helped to kill. Her father, hearing of her skill, welcomed her back, and since he still had no son, urged her to marry one of the many suitors who came to the court. Atalanta, however, had no desire to marry, and knowing that she could run more swiftly than any of those who sought her hand in marriage, she declared that she would only marry the man who could outrun her. She also decreed that every one who failed to win should pay for his defeat with his life. In spite of these cruel conditions, many eager youths tried to win her, but she outran them all, and their heads were exposed on the race-course in order to frighten others who might wish to marry her. At last there came to the court of the King of Arcadia a young man named Milanion, who was determined to win Atalanta for his wife. He had previously sought the help and protection of Venus, and in answer to his prayer the goddess had given him three golden apples. The proud Atalanta accepted Milanion's challenge, and once again the course was thronged with people eager to see the daring youth. The signal was given, and the runners darted forward. Atalanta soon passed Milanion, who then threw at her feet one of his golden apples. She paused a moment, tempted by the glittering object, then stooping, she quickly snatched it up and raced after Milanion, who was by this time ahead of her. She soon overtook him, when he throw down a second golden apple, and again she stopped to pick it up. A third time the swift maiden passed the youth, once more to be tempted by the golden fruit. Sure of her skill, she paused to seize the third golden apple, but before she could overtake Milanion he had reached the goal. Atalanta, bound by her promise, consented to marry the victorious Milanion, and their wedding was celebrated amid great rejoicing. The Old-English name for September was "Gerstmonath", which means "barley month", since during September the barley crop was usually harvested. [07-3] ========= ========= THE MOON MOSTLY A MALE DEITY ========= (Section II, Chapter II of Moon Lore ========= by Rev. Timothy Harley [1885]) ========= We have already in part pointed out that the moon has been considered as of the masculine gender; and have therefore but to travel a little farther afield to show that in the Aryan of India, in Egyptian, Arabian, Slavonian, Latin, Lithuanian, Gothic, Teutonic, Swedish, Anglo-Saxon, and South American, the moon is a male god. To do this, in addition to former quotations, it will be sufficient to adduce a few authorities. "Moon," says Max Muller, is a very old word. It was mona in Anglo-Saxon, and was used there, not as a feminine, but as a masculine for the moon was originally a masculine, and the sun a feminine, in all Teutonic languages; and it is only through the influence of classical models that in English moon has been changed into a feminine, and sun into a masculine. It was a most unlucky assertion which Mr. Harris made in his Hermes, that all nations ascribe to the sun a masculine, and to the moon a feminine gender." Grimm says, "Down to recent times, our people were fond of calling the sun and moon frau sonne and herr mond." Sir Gardner Wilkinson writes: "Another reason that the moon in the Egyptian mythology could not be related to Bubastis is, that it was a male and not a female deity, personified in the god Thoth. This was also the case in some religions of the West. The Romans recognised the god Lunus; and the Germans, like the Arabs, to this day, consider the moon masculine, and not feminine, as were the Selene and Luna of the Greeks and Latins." Again, "The Egyptians represented their moon as a male deity, like the German mond and monat, or the Lunus of the Latins; and it is worthy of remark, that the same custom of calling it male is retained in the East to the present day, while the sun is considered female, as in the language of the Germans." "In Slavonic," Sir George Cox tells us, "as in the Teutonic mythology, the moon is male. His wedding with the sun brings on him the wrath of Perkunas [the thunder-god], as the song tells us 'The moon wedded the sun In the first spring. The sun rose early The moon departed from her. The moon wandered alone; Courted the morning star. Perkunas, greatly wroth, Cleft him with a sword. 'Wherefore dost thou depart from the sun, Wandering by night alone, Courting the morning star?'" 'In a Servian song a girl cries to the sun-- 'O brilliant sun! I am fairer than thou Than thy brother, the bright moon.' "In South Slavonian poetry the sun often figures as a radiant youth. But among the northern Slavonians, as well as the Lithuanians, the sun was regarded as a female being, the bride of the moon. 'Thou askest me of what race, of what family I am,' says the fair maiden of a song preserved in the Tambof Government-- 'My mother is--the beauteous Sun, And my father--the bright Moon.'" "Among the Mbocobis of South America the moon is a man and the sun his wife." The Ahts of North America take the same view; and we know that in Sanskrit and in Hebrew the word for moon is masculine. This may seem to many a matter of no importance; but if mythology throws much light upon ancient history and religion, its importance may be considerable, especially as it lies at the root of that sexuality which has been the most prolific parent of both good and evil in human life. The sexual relation has existed from the very birth of animated nature; and it is remarkable that a man of learning and piety in Germany has made the strange if not absurd statement that in the beginning "Adam was externally sexless." Another idea, more excusable, but equally preposterous, is, that grammatical gender has been the cause of the male and female personation of deities, when really it has been the result. The cause, no doubt, was inherent in man's constitution; and was the inevitable effect of thought and expression. The same necessity of natural language which led the Hebrew prophets to speak of their land as married, of their nation as a wife in prosperity and a widow in calamity, of their Maker as their husband, who rejoices over them as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride: this same necessity, becoming a habit like that of our own country folks in Hampshire, of whom Cobbett speaks, who call almost everything he or she; led the sensuous and imaginative ancients, as it leads simple and poetical peoples still, to call the moon a man and to worship him as a god. Objects of fear and reverence would be usually masculines; and objects of love and desire feminines. We may thus find light thrown upon the honours paid to such goddesses as Astarte and Aphrodite: which will also help us to understand the deification by a celibate priesthood of the Virgin Mary. We may, moreover, account partly for the fact that to the sailor his ship is always she; to the swain the flowers which resemble his idol, as the lily and the rose, are always feminine, and used as female names; while to the patriot the mother country is nearly always of the tender sex. Prof. Max Muller thinks that the distinction between males and females began, "not with the introduction of masculine nouns, but with the introduction of feminines, i.e. with the setting apart of certain derivative suffixes for females. By this all other words became masculine." Thus the sexual emotions of men created that grammatical gender which has contributed so powerfully to our later mythology, and has therefore been mistaken for the author of our male and female personations. What beside sexuality suggested the thought of the Chevalier Marini? "He introduces the god Pan, who boasts that the spots which are seen in the moon are impressions of the kisses he gave it." That grammar is very much younger than sexual relations is proven by the curious fact mentioned by Max Muller that pater is not a masculine, nor mater a feminine. Gender, we must not forget, is from genus, a kind or class; and that the classification in various languages has been arranged on no fixed plan. We in our modern English, with much still to do, have improved in this respect, since, in Anglo- Saxon, wif = wife, was neuter, and wif-mann = woman, was masculine. In German still die frau, the woman, is feminine; but das weib, the wife, is neuter. Dr. Farrar finds the root of gender in the imagination: which we admit if associated with sex. Otherwise, we cannot understand how an unfelt distinction of this sort could be mentally seen. But Dr. Farrar means more than imagination, for he says, "from this source is derived the whole system of genders for inanimate things, which was perhaps inevitable at that early childish stage of the human intelligence, when the actively working soul attributed to everything around it some portion of its own life. Hence, well- nigh everything is spoken of as masculine or feminine." We are surprised that Dr. Farrar seems to think German an exception, in making a masculine noun of the moon. He has failed to apply to this point his usual learned and laborious investigation. Diogenes Laertius describes the theology of the Jews as an offshoot from that of the Chaldees, and says that the former affirm of the latter "that they condemn images, and especially those persons who say that the gods are male and female." 124 Which condemnation implies the prevalence of this sexual distinction between their deities. In concluding this chapter we think that it will be granted that gender in the personification of inanimate objects was the result of sex in the animate subject: that primitive men saw the moon as a most conspicuous object, whose spots at periods had the semblance of a man's face, whose waxing and waning increased their wonder: whose coming and going amid the still and solemn night added to the mystery: until from being viewed as a man, it was feared, especially when apparently angry in a mist or an eclipse, and so reverenced and worshipped as the heaven-man, the monthly god. [07-4] ========= ========= QUESTIONS TO ASK A REIKI MASTER ========= by Merridwyn ========= If you are considering training from a Reiki Master, here are a few of questions I recommend asking: What branch of Reiki do they teach? There are many branches of Reiki today, some more legitimate than others. Traditional and Tibetan are the most common. What is their lineage? Where did they learn? Anyone who does not know, or is unwilling to reveal, their lineage is suspect. There should be an unbroken lineage from themselves back through Mrs. Takata. Ask if you can contact their upline -- you should be able to. Beware of anyone who learned long distance, over the Internet, or at a large weekend 'group seminar'. What do they charge for each Degree? Many teach by donation or trade, or pay it forward, as I do. Some charge only enough to cover costs. If anyone tells you Reiki 'has to' cost a certain amount, or is charging an unreasonable sum, run! How long did they study to become a Master? What was required? What do they require for Mastership? I used to say that anything less than 2-3 years is suspect. I'll adjust that down to a year and half for some. Training should include repetition of classes at all levels, apprenticeship teaching of same, and some considerable degree of required additional research. At a minimum. How many Degrees of Reiki do they teach? A properly trained Teaching Master will be able to take you all the way through to Teaching Master yourself. Anything less is questionable and will require you to change Masters somewhere in your training, which may involve you repeating levels of training you've already done. How many Initiations at First Degree? Traditional Reiki has 4 Initiations for first degree. Anything less (or more) is suspect. I hasten to add, Tibetan only has one longer one I believe, and some Masters do combine the first and last two into two. So this is not as hard and fast as I'd like it to be. However, if you only receive one fast Initiation in Traditional Reiki, you are probably receiving a temporary attunement and not a full Initiation. How often do they teach? What is a normal class size? A Master should teach fairly often, with a relatively small class size (no more than 5 or so). Ask if they will teach individually or if a minimum number of students are required for classes to be held. What materials are used to teach? A Master should have prepared their own original materials. Ask to see a Reiki One manual. If there are pages randomly copied from online sources without permissions, or if there is no manual but they recommend a single book, look elsewhere. If they recommend Diane Stein's "Essential Reiki" - at least without several caveats - run. What are the requirements for each Degree? There should be at least a 30-45 days between degree levels, and specific practice requirements should be met between each. Anyone teaching Levels/Degrees One and Two together should be avoided. How many symbols are taught, and at what levels? Traditional Reiki teaches the four standard symbols, three at Second Degree and the Master Symbol at Third Degree. Tibetan Reiki has added a few non-traditional symbols (which is fine, in my opinion). Anything more than 7 symbols is NOT standard in either tradition. A Master should know the origin and history of any symbol they are teaching. Be suspicious of any teacher including things like the "ohm", the pentacle, the cosmic spiral or any other 'common' symbols as Reiki -- they are NOT. Do they offer a Non-teaching Mastership? Most teachers today will offer both a Teaching Master and a Non- Teaching Master certification with different requirements for each, allowing the student to reach a personal Mastery level themselves without learning the teaching techniques and Initiations required to teach others. [07-5] ========= ========= IMBOLC WITH BARBIE ========= by Talutha Bonesinger ========= [Editor's Note: If this Article seems a bit out of season to many readers, it is not for the author who lives in the Southern Hemisphere and just celebrated Imbolc last month.] Barbie will be in attendance on my altar this year on Imbolc. I have a complicated relationship with Barbie at the best of times, but I have decided upon reflection that this year, on my Imbolc altar, Barbie will occupy prime position in the right hand corner where my Goddess usually sits. Last week I would have cringed to even consider it. Barbie? Plastic goddess of body image distortion and evil corporate postergirl Barbie? Yes, the very same. But not quite. For me, at this point in time, Barbie is the perfect image of Imbolc.   As a witch, I tend toward darker crone energy. My usual altar goddess is a bronze statue of Kali with skulls and arms to spare. Samhain, needless to say, is a favourite time around at my house. I just feel so much more comfortable with the dark Underworld energy than with the bright hard Maiden or the earthier Mother. Imbolc presents a bit of a challenge for me to fully realize the potential of the imagery associated with the season - the Maiden, winter s end, new beginnings and bright energy etc. Who is this Maiden? I have always felt that all the aspects of the goddess are in every person, lurking somewhere in their psyche. If that was the case, where was the little lass hiding within me? I 've always felt old somehow, as a child raised by older parents. Finding the Maiden within would prove to be a difficult challenge.   Planning to write a ritual, I decided to begin to search for some kind of inspiration, divine or otherwise, to find the Imbolc Goddess and what she means to me. I began to approach the task from a different angle, thinking about the people who would be in attendance. One of the participants would be my niece, raised almost as my sister, with whom I share most of my childhood memories. Antoinette was great Barbie collector from a young age, proudly boasting multiple dream houses, convertibles and countless tiny outfits as well as many incarnations of Barbie herself. I remembered hours and hours spent crouched on the floor, playing with the dolls. In fact, the more I remembered, the more I could imagine that I was that child again. I could remember my own Barbie doll, a little tattered and the victim of more than one experimental hairstyle. But the more that I think about her now, the more she comes to symbolize my inner Maiden.   She was never a friendly doll, even to the other Barbies, and especially not to poor Ken. Sex was something that didn't enter my Barbie world until much later, when Barbie and Ken went at it like rabbits under a hankie in Western Barbie s horse trailer. But my original concept of Barbie, the child / woman through whom I enacted my desires and fears and hopes for the future, was entirely different. Cool and heedless and trapped between the present and the future, the past was not an issue for Barbie. Sex happened to other people. Barbie had breasts so that she could fill out her Malibu bathing suit, not to feed a child. Eternal and slightly aloof, death was never a concern either. Barbie knew with all the certainty of generations of small girls that she would live forever, youth incarnate with all the future at her command. And she could literally do anything with that future - rock star, babysitter, astronaut, teacher, dental hygienist, veterinarian, model, gymnast, lifeguard or, my personal favourite, fairy princess. My Barbie s bridal gown was usually teamed with homemade wings, veil discarded and feet free of plastic heels. She wasn't interested in the whys and hows of her situation, she just wanted to hang pearls in cowslip s ears.   Barbie is the eternal Maiden - forever young, forever loved and forever free of any complications wrought by adult concerns like sex and death. She holds the hopes and fears of generations of little girls in her stiff plastic fingers and faces the future with them. For me, Barbie has come to symbolize my inner Maiden. She is who I was then, and whom I can no longer be except through her. When I asked for inspiration, I was given a memory of Barbie, and I have come to understand it, both the memory and the message, a little better. That s why, come August, Barbie will be serenely surveying her kingdom from my altar, all of my past and future trapped in her plastic grin. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PAGAN SHOPPING Earth Spirit Emporium has a diverse selection of magickal and ritual supplies, including athames, books, candles, incense, essential oils, jewelry, spell kits, wind chimes, smudge sticks, tarot cards and boxes, wands, staffs, and a lot more. They have a large selection of Pagan-oriented merchandise. They've been in business for a number of years and have many satisfied customers. When you visit Earth Spirit Emporium from a link on our web site, a percentage any purchases you make while you are there comes back to The Cauldron to help support our web site. http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [08] =============== ============ COLUMNS ========= [08-1] ========= ========= Origins of Blessed Be ========= Humor by Mike (ASAHEL) ========= Actually, this phrase goes back to the ancient Celtic times. Seems one day there was a Wiccan ritual going on, and the High Priestess was just getting read to close the rite. Just then, an enormous bumble bee, perhaps attracted by the flowers with which she had draped her sky-clad form, swooped in. Apparently disappointed with the fading blossoms, it rewarded the hapless High Priestess with a walloping sting. The Priestess, due to her iron self-control, realized that she must even then embody the spirit of "harm none," and, letting the curse spell die out unspoken on her lips, instead screamed out "BLESSED BEE!" The other participants, thinking this was an awesome sentiment with which to close the ritual and not realizing it was merely the reaction to a sting, shouted back "BLESSED BE!" And a tradition was born. Because of this amazingly powerful group blessing, the bee not only survived the stinging, but went on to provide the best honey and royal jelly ever tasted for the rest of his hive. [08-2] ========= ========= Cheap Web Hosting Report: September 2004 ========= by Gridspace ========= With thousands of web hosts to choose from, it can be hard to find cheap web hosting with the quality and dependability you want. Many web hosts now advertise extremely low prices and promise more features than anyone could ever want. Unfortunately, many cheap web hosting offers turn out to be too good to be true. Either the service is poor or the fine print in the terms of service make many of the features effectively useless. Low cost web hosting with excellent service, reliability and features does exist -- if you are willing to spend many hours researching offers and user experiences. Many offer to help you select cheap web hosting by listing 10, 20 or even more cheap web hosting companies with offers they consider good. However, that's still a lot of cheap web hosting companies and plans to research. We are more selective in our Cheap Web Hosting Report. We check out the sites and the user comments and list what we believe are the current top five general purpose cheap web hosting plans. We also list several additional plans that provide special features (such as "root" access or a Windows server with ASP and an Access database). This means less work for you. ===== ===== Top Five General Purpose Cheap Web Hosts for September 2004 ===== These are the top five general purpose cheap web hosts selected for September 2004. All of the following hosting plans include a web control panel, a cgi-bin directory, php4, perl, and at least 1 mysql database. Many offer a number of additional features. The prices listed are the monthly price based on the shortest prepayment period offered (1m = one month, 3m = three months, 6m = six months) and for annual pre-payment (1y = annual rate). The setup fees we list are for the shortest prepayment period offered and for the annual pre-payment plan. === === #1 iPowerWeb === Price: 3m: $9.95 1y: $7.95 Setup: 3m: $30.00 1y: Free Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 1000 MB Mailboxes: 500 Comments: iPowerWeb is only a few years old, but it already hosts over 200,000 web sites, has won numerous awards for its service, and has successfully managed rapid growth with only a few visible customer service hiccups. The company and its offerings are not perfect, but they provide featureful, reliable, low cost web hosting -- and do so very well from the point-of-view of the average customer. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zipowerweb.php === === #2 midPhase === Price: 3m: $11.95 1y: $7.95 Setup: 3m: Free 1y: Free Bandwidth: unlimited Disk Space: 1500 MB Mailboxes: unlimited Comments: midPhase is a young hosting company (launched in late 2002). They offer a strong hosting package with many features at a reasonable, although not super-low, price. It has grown quickly -- and, thus far, without a lot of complaints from their customers over service. If they can continue to provide good service, expect them to rise on our list in the future. At the end of August, they switched to unmetered bandwidth for most sites (60 gig limit for download sites and image galleries). While unmetered bandwidth sometimes causes hosting companies problems, midPhase says that they have been planning this switch for months and do not expect any problems. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zmidphase.php === === #3 Lunarpages === Price: 3m: $9.95 1y: $7.95 Setup: 3m: $30.00 1y: Free Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 800 MB Mailboxes: Unlimited Comments: Lunarpages has over 5 years experience in shared web hosting and hosts over 50,000 web pages. While they have not pushed for the huge growth of some of the other low cost web hosting companies, Lunarpages customers seem generally very happy with their service and appear to this reviewer to be more loyal to their hosting company than the customers of other hosting companies. This speaks well for Lunarpages. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zlunarpages.php === === #4 PowWeb === Price: 3m: $7.77 1y: $7.77 Setup: 3m: $20.00 1y: Free Bandwidth: 5 GB /day Disk Space: 1000 MB Mailboxes: 650 Comments: PowWeb has been in the low cost web hosting business since 1999. They are best known for their one-size fits all web hosting plan. They have recently raised their bandwidth limits from 45 gigs a month to a whopping 5 gigs a day (but you get an email warning at 4 gigs in a day according to their policy). We have seen a few more customer complaints over performance and customer service recently, which has caused this web host to drop a bit in our rating, but they are still a good choice for many. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zpowweb.php === === #5 Dreamhost === Price: 1m: $9.95 2y: $7.95 Setup: 1m: $24.95 2y: Free Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 800 MB Mailboxes: 60 Comments: Dreamhost has long been -- and still is -- listed as the best affordable web host for unusual content (as they will host just about anything legal) in the Special Needs Hosting section of this report. Recent improvements in their plans have made them very competitive in terms of bandwidth, web space, and features offered for the price, so they have moved into our "Top Five" list. If you are looking for low cost, high quality web hosting with truly excellent tech support and very friendly people, check out Dreamhost. (This site hosts with Dreamhost.) More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zdreamhost.php === === Honorable Mention Dot5Hosting === Price: 3m: $8.00 1y: $5.00 Setup: 3m: Free 1y: Free Bandwidth: 50 GB Disk Space: 750 MB Mailboxes: unlimited Comments: In late July, one of our readers suggested we look at Dot5Hosting. We looked and are very impressed with what they offer for the price. For $60 a year, you can get a fairly powerful web site. For $120 a year, you can get 1500 megs of storage and 80 gigs of bandwidth. Although this web host has won a number of best hosting awards, we need to track it more closely for a few months before we can add it to our "Top 5" list. However, it looks like a good enough deal that we are listing Dot5Hosting as an "Honorable Mention." If you are on a very tight budget, this might be a host to strongly consider. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zdot5hosting.php ===== ===== Special Needs Cheap Web Hosting ===== If you have special hosting needs, one of the following cheap web hosting solutions may meet those needs better than one of the above plans. While the following companies generally do not offer as much bandwidth and disk space as the Top Five Cheap Web Hosts listed above, they provide more than enough of both for most sites and their special features, if you need them, will more than make up the difference. === === Fewer Content Restrictions === Dreamhost Price: 1m: $9.95 2y: $7.95 Setup: 1m: $24.95 2y: Free Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 800 MB Mailboxes: 60 Comments: In an effort to avoid arguments and complaints, most web hosting companies are fairly restrictive on questionable content -- to the point that some will terminate a site for displaying a picture of a classical (but bare breasted) statue from ancient Greece. Dreamhost not only has an excellent, cheap web hosting package but is far more liberal than most web hosts on acceptable site content. Basically, if your content is legal in the US, Dreamhost will probably have no problems hosting it. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zdreamhost.php === === Windows Hosting === Easy CGI Price: 1m: $9.95 1y: $7.96 Setup: 1m: Free 1y: Free Bandwidth: 50 GB Disk Space: 3000 MB Mailboxes: 50 Comments: Easy CGI provides Windows 2000 servers instead of the standard Unix servers. Their accounts come with ASP and one Access Database. They are one of the most affordable and most popular Windows hosting providers. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zeasycgi.php === === Virtual Dedicated Server Hosting (Root Access) === Jumpline Price: 1y: $9.95 Setup: 1y: Free Bandwidth: 5 GB Disk Space: 500 MB Mailboxes: 75 Comments: Jumpline uses special technology to provide each account with its own virtual server. You have your own Apache web server, your own email servers, your own database server, etc. and you have root access to the virtual machine running them. These types of accounts can be more stable and provide better control, but are best used by Unix experts who understand the ins and outs of running servers. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zjumpline.php === === Dedicated Server Hosting === ServerPronto Price: 1m: $29.95 Setup: $149.00 Bandwidth: 40 GB Disk Space: 200 GB Mailboxes: unlimited A dedicated server gives your site its own physical computer as a server. The upside is that you have full root access so you can install whatever software you want on it and have very few restrictions on scripts (even if they hog CPU time). The downside is that you have to maintain the system yourself. ServerPronto has some of the most affordable dedicated server prices we have seen, although there are many options that can increase the monthly price or the setup fee. Windows and Windows 2003 dedicated servers are also available at higher prices. More Information: http://www.ecauldron.com/zserverpronto.php === Notes The information in this report was checked for accuracy on August 31, 2004. Web hosting companies, however, can change their pricing and plans at any time so the information may no longer be accurate when you read this report. Gridspace is not responsible for errors nor for what use you may make of this information. Looking for even more hosting options or more information on web hosting? See the Cheap Web Hosting Report web site at http://www.cheapwebhostingreport.com/ [09] =============== ============ AROUND THE PLANES: NOTES FROM ALL OVER ========= Corporate America (and many large non-profits) keep a small army of publicists busy writing copyright-free articles that busy newspaper and newsletter editors can use in their publications. Many are nothing but shill worthy only of a cartoon version of used car salesman. Others contain useful information with only a subtle plug. Your editor has found a good online source for these and will be including a few that he feels may be of interest to Cauldron and Candle readers in issues of this newsletter. Remember that publication of an article in this newsletter is not an endorsement of the authors' position or any products and companies mentioned therein. [09-1] ========= ========= After You've Quit: Tips For Long-Term Success ========= As hard as it is to quit smoking, it can be equally challenging to stay away from cigarettes for good. Here are some tips to help you or someone you love along the road to permanent success. Smokers may not know it, but the physical craving for cigarettes may come back from time to time. One way to deal with these cravings is to be vigilant about being in places or situations that can trigger your personal urge to smoke. Think of how far you've come and how hard it was to make the journey. Then ask yourself: Is one puff really worth the cost? Giving in to that urge for just one puff can really set you back. Support is also critical, especially if you're under a lot of stress, or feel sad. So don't throw away the phone number to your support group. And, let your family and friends know that their continued support for your achievement is also important to you. As the months roll by and you start to believe you're a non- smoker, continue to reward yourself for your big achievement. Rewards don't have to be large or expensive, but they should be meaningful to you. Consider marking each smoke-free month with a treat that you really enjoy. It's good to treat yourself, especially considering the money you're saving by not buying cigarettes. Here are just a few suggestions: * Buy a special CD, magazine or book * Get a massage or a manicure * Go to a movie or rent one * Buy new exercise or sporting equipment * Call a friend or family member * Buy tickets to a concert or sporting event * Go out for dinner * Spend time doing what you really like-a hobby, staying in bed late, playing your favorite sport. You can also bolster your resolve by calculating how much money you're saving by not smoking. On www.quit.com, there is a savings calculator that helps you total your savings so you can see the impact your quitting has on your personal bottom line. All you need to do is plug in the cost of a pack of cigarettes and how many packs you used to smoke each day. The calculator then figures how much you saved in one year of not smoking. If you follow these tips and remember the reasons you quit in the first place, you'll soon be able to join the millions of Americans who are proud to call themselves nonsmokers. For more tips on long-term success, visit http://www.quit.com/ or call 1-877-U-COMMIT. [09-2] ========= ========= Don't Let The Flu Sneak Up On You! ========= The Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA), the nation's largest community providers of influenza vaccine, has joined leading health officials in urging all Americans aged 50 and older to get influenza vaccinations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults 50 and older are at increased risk for developing influenza and related complications, including pneumonia. Nearly 90 percent of all influenza-related deaths occur among adults 50 and older. Influenza, also known as "the flu," is responsible for more than 114,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Among people aged 65 and older, influenza is especially serious; the illness and its complications are ranked among the 10 leading causes of death for this population. "If you are among the 47 million Americans aged 50 and older or suffer from an underlying medical condition, such as asthma or diabetes, protect yourself and get an influenza vaccination this year," says Carolyn Markey, R.N., VNAA president and chief executive officer. "So often, adults over 50 do not consider influenza a serious illness that can lead to hospitalization or even death." In addition, it is common for adults aged 50 and older to help care for their young grandchildren who are at serious risk for contracting influenza. Recently, the CDC issued a new recommendation to vaccinate all household contacts and out-of- home caregivers of children less than 2 years of age, which can include grandparents and other family members who also may be at high risk for complications from influenza. "Adults 50 and older may not realize the dual benefit of vaccination, which helps protect them from serious influenza- related illness and stops the spread of infection to others at high risk, such as infants and young children," says Markey. "It is important for those 50 and older to understand that an annual influenza vaccination is the best way to protect themselves and their family from this very serious disease." === Who is at High Risk? The CDC recommends the following high-risk groups receive an annual influenza vaccination: * Persons aged 50 years and older * Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities * Persons with chronic medical conditions (e.g., asthma or diabetes) * Children and adolescents receiving long-term aspirin therapy * Women pregnant during influenza season * Children aged 6 through 23 months * All household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than 24 months (e.g., parents, grandparents, etc.) Anyone who wishes to decrease his or her risk of influenza infection is also encouraged to seek annual vaccination. === What are Symptoms of Influenza? Many people mistake a cold for influenza; however, influenza symptoms are more severe and last several days to weeks. Common symptoms include high fever, chills, dry cough, headache, runny nose, sore throat, extreme fatigue and muscle and joint pain. === About Influenza Vaccination The injectable influenza vaccine is safe and effective. The most common side effect is soreness at the vaccination site that can last up to two days. Some people may have mild fever or feel tired for a day or two after being immunized. The injectable vaccine is made from killed strains of the viruses predicted to be the main causes of influenza in the coming season. Because the viruses are dead, it's impossible to get influenza from the injectable vaccine. The nasal vaccine is a safe and effective alternative made from a live, "attenuated" influenza virus, and is only available for healthy children and adults 5 to 49 years of age. Ask your health care provider if this vaccine is appropriate for you and your family. === When Should You Get Vaccinated? The best time to schedule an influenza immunization is in October or November to ensure protection before the season begins. However, it is not too late to be vaccinated in December or beyond because the influenza season often does not peak until January or later. === About VNAA The VNAA is the largest community provider of influenza immunizations in the nation, and the official national association for nonprofit, community-based Visiting Nurse Agencies, who care for and treat approximately four million patients each year. The nation's network of 415+ Visiting Nurse Associations employs nearly 150,000 health care professionals, and shares a nonprofit mission to provide home health and community wellness care to some of the nation's most vulnerable individuals. The VNAA's award-winning Web site contains a wide range of home health care resources and things to ask about when considering home health care. Visit http://www.vnaa.org/ to locate a VNA nearby. [09-3] ========= ========= Packing For Fido: Pet Travel & Health Tips ========= Pet owners are hitting the road with their four-legged friends. According to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), pet travel is growing and 14 percent of all U.S. adults (29.1 million) say they have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more in the past three years. In fact, many establishments now accommodate travelers with pets. "The first step for pet owners planning an escape with their furry friend is to plan ahead," said Dr. Jeff Werber, veterinarian and award-winning pet health reporter. "Just as they prepare for vacations by packing medical necessities and mapping out activities, they'll need to do the same for their pet." To guarantee a safe trip, here are a few tips. === Pet Prescription Prior to departing, pet owners should visit their veterinarian to refill any prescriptions their pets require. Make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date and obtain a current health certificate. Additionally, pet owners must be aware of potential health risks in certain regions, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and take the proper precautions beforehand. Before traveling, pet parents should protect pets from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes with products such as Advantage flea control for cats and dogs or K9 Advantix, flea, tick and mosquito control for dogs. === Puppy Packing Pet owners should pack all pet necessities-collar, leash, comb, food, water, and a first-aid kit. IDs should be up to date, and a recent photo is helpful in case Fido wanders off. === Road Trip Never let pets stick their head out the window-sudden stops can cause injury and a seat harness or well-ventilated crate may be advisable. Also, because pets can become overheated and ill, never leave them in a parked car when the temperature is high or near freezing. === Sky Tails When traveling by plane, pet owners should check airline policies. Smaller pets often can be placed in a crate under a seat in the passenger cabin. Pet owners may be able to store larger animals as cargo, but they must indicate the upright position of their pet's crate with arrows and clearly label it "Live Animal," also noting name, home address, where they're staying and a contact number. Once the family arrives at their destination, keeping an eye on their pet is important because unfamiliar surroundings can be overwhelming. When settled, pets offer great company-they can have fun anywhere! For more travel tips visit www.petparents.com. [09-4] ========= ========= Heartening News About Chocolate ========= If you're like most chocolate lovers, one thing better than a sumptuous bite of rich chocolate is the news that it may even be good for you. A recent study suggests a link between eating certain kinds of chocolate and improved heart health. The independent study, conducted at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (JACN), suggests a potential link between compounds in cocoa, called flavanols, and improved blood vessel function. Blood vessel function is believed to be an important indicator of cardiovascular health, much like cholesterol levels or blood pressure. Researchers compared the effects of eating a specific type of chocolate bar (Dove Dark Chocolate; Mars, Incorporated) known to be high in flavanols with a flavanol-poor chocolate bar. Every day for two weeks, 21 healthy study participants consumed 46 grams of either the flavanol-rich bar or the flavanol-poor chocolate. First, researchers tested the participants' blood at the beginning and end of the study to track flavanol absorption and found that the flavanols in the flavanol-rich chocolate were indeed absorbed. They then examined participants' blood vessel function by measuring how well the inner lining of the blood vessel is able to relax in response to increased blood flow by using a blood pressure cuff on the forearm. The researchers found that those who ate the high-flavanol chocolate showed improved blood vessel function two hours after eating the chocolate. This kind of blood vessel elasticity is important to maintaining healthy blood flow and a healthy cardiovascular system. "The exciting news here is that blood vessel dilation increased in subjects who ate this high-flavanol, commercially available chocolate product," said head researcher, Mary B. Engler, Ph.D., RN, professor of the Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California at San Francisco. "This is consistent with previous research suggesting that certain chocolates do contain enough flavanols to support cardiovascular health." Even better news is that high-flavanol chocolate is easy to find. Not all chocolate retains flavanols because they can be lost during processing. One company developed proprietary processes to ensure that chocolate retains as many flavanols as possible. Those chocolate products are marked with the Cocoapro? logo, and it can be found on both milk and dark chocolate products. More information can be found at http://www.cocoapro.com/. [09-5] ========= ========= USDA Educating Pet Owners About Bird Diseases ========= According to the U.S. census, birds are the third most popular pet in the United States behind cats and dogs, beating out hamsters, fish, and reptiles. While most bird owners take great care to look out for the well-being of their animals, many are not aware of how susceptible their pets and backyard flocks, such as pigeons and chickens, are to illnesses such as exotic Newcastle disease (END) and avian influenza (AI). Because of this, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a campaign called Biosecurity for the Birds to inform people who raise their own poultry or who own exotic birds about the symptoms associated with these diseases. "We must be vigilant in educating people on how to better protect their birds so that future outbreaks of serious poultry diseases such as END are eliminated," said Dr. John Clifford, deputy administrator for USDA's veterinary services. "This program will help greatly in our animal disease prevention, detection, and eradication efforts." This campaign came about as a result of the outbreak of END in California and other western states in 2002 and 2003. This highly contagious and fatal disease cost the states and federal government more than $170 million to eradicate and it cost countless bird owners their livelihoods and, in some cases, their pets. Biosecurity for the Birds informs bird and poultry owners about the signs of serious poultry diseases, asks them to report sick birds and gives them information on practicing backyard biosecurity to keep their birds safe and healthy. Signs to watch out for in birds include: * Sudden death without clinical signs * Lack of energy and appetite * Decreased egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs * Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks * Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs * Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing * Lack of coordination * Watery and green diarrhea. For additional information or to report sick birds, bird and poultry owners can contact their veterinarian, a local extension agent, the state veterinarian or their federal area veterinarian toll-free at (1-866-536-7593) or visit (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs). [10] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON BY VOLUNTEERING TO HELP ========= The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum was founded in December 1997 to provide a friendly but serious discussion area for Pagans on the Internet. We've grown a bit over the years. We now have an active message area, a large web site with around 700 pages of information (including over 300 book and divination deck reviews), and a monthly email newsletter. To continue to provide and expand these services, The Cauldron needs lots of volunteer help from our members and supporters. Here are some of the things members and supporters can do to help The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum thrive: ===== ===== Actively Participate In Our Message Board ===== While our new message board welcomes readers, we encourage members to actively participate by posting their comments and views in our discussions. One of the easiest ways to help The Cauldron is to actively participate in our message board. The staff especially appreciates members who start new topics for discussion based on their own questions, opinions, or interests. http://www.ecauldron.net/ ===== ===== Articles! Essays! Tutorials! ===== We are in constant need of original, well-written and accurate articles, essays, tutorials, and other written items for both our web site and for our Cauldron and Candle newsletter. There's no real limit on length for web site articles. Here are a few areas in which we always need articles: * information on the beliefs and theology of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * information on holidays and festivals of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * recipes for oils, incenses, and food for the various Pagan holidays * magick, spells, and ritual information * herbal information * positive articles on dealing with other faiths * information on historical pagan cultures * editorial/opinion pieces Non-Wiccan material is stressed not because we don't want Wiccan material but because good non-Wiccan material has been hard to find. We have a web form you can use to submit an article for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestart.php ===== ===== Book Reviews ===== While The Cauldron receives some review copies from a couple of Pagan publishers, there are many books that can only be reviewed on our web site if a member has a copy and writes a good, objective review. The Cauldron is interested in reviews on the more academic books used by reconstructionist Pagan religions as well as on the books one finds on the Pagan/New Age shelf in the bookstore. We have a web form you can use to submit a book review for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestbr.php ===== ===== Graphic Assistance ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is purposely a low graphics site as we value page download speed over flashy graphics. However, we are always willing to talk with artists who have ideas for well-designed small graphics (small in both physical dimensions and file size) that might enhance a specific article or page. ===== ===== Invite Your Friends ===== If you have friends or acquaintances who you believe would find The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum useful, please tell them about our site. If you are active in our message board and have friends who might enjoy them or have information to contribute, please invite them. ===== ===== Link To The Cauldron ===== If you have a web site where linking to The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum would be appropriate, simply providing a link to this web site is a big help. Our Link to this Site page explains how you can do this if you need help or want some simple graphic buttons to use: http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php ===== ===== Donations ===== As The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum uses as many free services as possible, our need for money to operate our site is currently lower than our need for the many items we list above. However, if you have a few dollars to spare, we would be honored to have your help in paying for our web site. You can donate by using either PayPal or the Amazon Honor System links below (we get about 85% of what you donate). Donate via PayPal http://www.ecauldron.com/donatepaypal.php Donate via Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ===== ===== Amazon Purchases ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum also receives a small percentage (usually 5%) from most items purchased from Amazon.com when you go to Amazon.com from one of the links to Amazon on our web site. If you purchase a lot of books, CDs, and other items from Amazon.com as many members do, going to Amazon.com through one of our links when you are going to make a purchase there is a painless way to help fund this web site. http://www.ecauldron.com/amazon.php ===== ===== Have Questions or Suggestions? ===== If you have specific questions, proposals or other ideas we haven't mentioned here, please email them to rssapphire00@ecauldron.GETRIDOFEME.com. (Unfortunately, Randall has to answer general "Tell me more?" type questions with a request for a more specific question. He's not trying to be rude, he just can't think of anything general and useful to say that isn't said here.) [11] ========= ========= NEWSLETTER INFORMATION ========= (Including how to subscribe and unsubscribe) ========= Cauldron and Candle is a free publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. The Cauldron intends to publish this newsletter once a month and often actually succeeds in doing so. We tried to publish it twice a month for a while, but real life interfered too often. This issue of Cauldron and Candle as a whole is copyright (c) 2004 by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. Copyrights on individual items in this newsletter are retained by their author, please contact the editors if you need to contact an author for permission to reprint an article and the editors will do their best to put you in touch with him or her. The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of newsletter, The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum, or its staff. Publication of an article in this newsletter is not an endorsement of the authors position or any products and companies mentioned therein. No one involved in producing this newsletter has any money to speak of so suing us if you don't like something we do is a waste of time and money. ===== ===== HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE OR CHANGE EMAIL ADDRESS ===== You are receiving a copy of this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. You can subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter via your web browser at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cauldronandcandle/join Or you can unsubscribe via email by sending a blank message to cauldronandcandle-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Be sure to send this message from the email account actually subscribed to the newsletter. If you have trouble unsubscribing by email, please use the web browser method mentioned above. If you need to change your subscription to a new email address, unsubscribe your old email address and subscribe your new email address. Note that you have to make these changes yourself. Yahoo Groups does not allow the list owner to make them for you. ===== ===== NEWSLETTER WEB SITE AND BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE ===== The Cauldron and Candle web site contains information on this newsletter and an archive of back issues. http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ ===== ===== PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE ===== If you have Pagan friends who you believe would be interested in Cauldron and Candle please invite them to subscribe. You can either drop them a note yourself or -- better yet -- send them one of The Cauldron's email postcards with the information. You are also welcome to forward a copies of this newsletter to interested friends and associates provided you forward the entire newsletter. ===== ===== SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ===== Don't forget that your suggestions for this newsletter are always welcome, either posted on the message board or via email to LyricFox (lyricfox@ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com) or Randall Sapphire (rssapphire00@ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com). Typos are, as usual, courtesy of the Goddess Eris.

Return to Cauldron and Candle Archive