Of course, the serpent still lived on with the notion that it was a life giver. In the 18th
century, it was believed that stags reversed the effects of old age and restored their youth by
feeding on vipers and serpents27.
Notes:
1 Vallely, Bernadette. 1,001 Ways to Save the Planet.
1990. Ballentine Books, New York, NY,
pg. 217.
2 Bradley, Fern, and Ellis, Barbara. The Organic Gardener's Handbook of
Natural Insect and
Disease Control. 1992. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA, pg. 458.
3 Tuttle, Merlin D. America's Neighborhood Bats. 1988. University of
Texas Press, TX, pg. 13.
4 lbid, pg. 13.
5 lbid, pg. 13.
6 Ibid, pg. 13-14.
7 lbid, pg. 39.
8 lbid, pg. 40.
9 Walker, Barbara. The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred
Objects. 1988. Harper and
Row, San Francisco, CA, pg. 362.
10 lbid, pg. 362.
11 lbid, pg. 362.
12 lbid, pg. 419-420.
13 Walker, Barbara. The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets.
1983. HarperCollins, San
Francisco, CA, pg. 958.
14 Walker, The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects,
pg. 387.
15 Ibid, pg. 387.
16 Ibid, pg. 387.
17 Walker, The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets. pg.
903.
18 lbid, pg. 903.
19 Walker, The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects,
pg. 388.
20 Ibid, pg. 387.
21 Walker, The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, pg.
903.
22 Walker, The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects,
pg. 388.
23 Ibid, pg. 388.
24 lbid, pg. 387.
25 Walker, The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, pg.
905.
26 Ibid, pg. 905.
27 Walker, The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects,
pg. 389.
ECLIPSE!
A STORY OF SHE-WHO-SAVED-THE-WORLD
by Miriam Carroll
Yii! What is changing here? I sense the stillness in the forest. Why have the winged
ones ceased their trilling? Look, the very air moves not. Something is changing. I am filled with
dread foreboding.
I must stop skinning this meat and call my small ones to me. Oh, Spirit! It grows dark at
midday! The lives will end!
Smiling Face, come to me from your gathering. Bring Buck Deer with you. Hurry, hurry
to my side. We must seek the safety of the cave. See how dark it grows? Is this the prophecy of
The Ancient Ones coming to pass? That the Beasts Which Came and Died are returning to eat
our Sun Fire? We will die with them if that is so. The darkness grows!
How still it is! The color of the air-look! Shadows are not cast. No male is here to kill
the monsters. Buck Deer, can't you go faster? Here, let me carry you. Suckle not, small male.
No, we must run. The cave is near. The monsters will not reach us, and if we must die, it wi 'II be
at our own hearth. Here we are. Under the flat rock with both of us. I will busy myself trying to
save the life of us, or our tribe will perish like the dragons. I must try! The Sky Fire is dying.
Here is the sacred stone that glitters. I lay it here with bright feathers and water creature shells.
On the wall I make a magic sign of the bigtoothed animal to help us with its strength and
fearsomeness. What magic words must be the ones to save the world? I know not, but will sit
by the fire and try.
Oh, Spirit of the Sky Fire! Hear this woman, Skin Flayer. Be brave. You are the power
of the sky. Fight back with the sharp teeth I have drawn. Bite the monster that bites your hide.
Bum his skin with your fire, that you may return to warm us and give us light. See, I hold the
magic stone that glitters. Now, it is dark like you. I clatter the shells, draw on the wall your
name. Do not desert us and make us die with you. I give you my woman power to help fight the
monster that eats you. I give! I give!
0 Spirit! You are turning the battle! Fight strongly with my strength. You are returning.
The darkness lifts a little. I, Skin Flayer, fight with you. Take courage! Make the shadows
return. Each beat of my inside-drum helps you. The dragon is dying. Come back, Fire Spirit!
Come with your life-giving warmness and light. Slay, kill, escape!
See, the land greens again. Your light returns. We have killed. My magic was good for
helping you. O Spirit, only my little ones here will know who saved all Life.
I am Woman of Power. My Words were good. The stone sparkles. Sharp teeth aided
you. Salt from my eyes comes for me to lick. The battle is won.
I would rest a while, but food is not prepared. The little ones wail in hunger. Is my
work
never done?
Little ones, I have made it safe. Shadows play in the forest again. The air moves.
Listen, the feathered ones sing for us.
This story, I tell you, children of my many children. That was long ago, when I was
strong. Heed my tale; some day Sky Fire may darken again. Do what you are in power to do.
That day, children, I changed the world. I changed my name. Thereafter, I was
She-who-Saved-The-World!
NIGHT STALKING:
STAR-WATCHING
by Stormy
Some stars can only be viewed during a certain time of the year. In the last issue of
The
Hazel Nut (Issue #10), I mentioned two asterisms; the Summer Triangle, which is
seen only in
the summer night sky, and the Autumn Equinox Triangle, which is seen in the
autumn night
sky. An example of a constellation viewed only during the winter months is Orion, the Hunter
(traditional); also known as Frigg on her Distaff (Old Norse) or Spider Woman (Hopi Indians).
Beltane marks the end of the journey of Orion and Pleiades from the lower southeastern sky at
the beginning of winter to the southwestern sky, before their disappearance for the summer.
There are a number of constellations that can be seen throughout the year, the most
well-known being the Big Dipper. This is also known as Ursa Ma or (Traditional), the Bear (Old
English) (as in Artu or King Arthur, whose name means bear), or Woden's Wagon (Old Norse).
Go outside at night and face west. Turn your head and look over your right shoulder; this is
approximately north. Unless you are at the North Pole, the Big Dipper will appear in the
northern sky. It is in the shape of a large pot or dipper with a curved handle. The two brightest
stars in the Big Dipper are Dubhe and Merak, they are in the front of the dipper part. The
two
are in a line, and point directly at the North Star, which is also called Polaris (traditional), or Tyr
(Old Norse). Norse sailors refer to it as the nail in the sky."
The Big Dipper's position as it rotates around Polaris is an indicator of the season we are
in. Look for the Dipper's fall position in the figure, and compare it to the night sky. You will
discover that its position is similar to if not the same as in the figure! Use this knowledge to
continue to track the Big Dipper's positions through the seasons. An old wives' tale says: "In the
fall, the fluid in the dipper does not spill out. Through winter, spring and summer it's difficult to
maintain the liquid in the dipper!"
Sources:
Pearce, Q. L. Stargazer's Guide to the Galaxy. 1991. Tom Doherty Assoc., Inc.,
New
York, NY.
Pennick, Nigel. Practical Magic in the Northern Tradition. 1989. The
Aquarian Press,
Hammersmith, London, England.
Raymo, Chet. 365 Starry Nights. 1982. Simon and Schuster, New York,
NY.
THOUGHTS: AUTUMNAL EQUINOX
- by Miriam Carroll
I am in the Autumn of my years
Sun in Libra
balanced between
The Woman The Crone
The fulcrum:
The Child
My emanations are crimson of the sunset
golden of the sleepy maple
Silver is my Crown like the sheen
of cool water
under the harvest moon
I gather my blessings around me
keep the chill from my bones
for winter nips playfully
at my slower footfall
My blessings are carefully polished
to set forth upon my table
for all to share
To know me:
Spirit.... Knowledge.... Silence.... Volition.... Daring....
In balance I look back fifty years
My children's children will plant the next spring
Gazing through dry cornfields ahead
Transformation waits in Summerland
There I will take my bounty
playing there in warmth
forever
by Coll
The Celtic lunar month of Gort or Negetal (Ivy or Reed in the Beth-Luis-Nion tradition)
marks the time of Samhain, the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. As the festival
of Beltane is a celebration of life marked by the rising of the Pleiades in the constellation of
Taurus, Samhain is a festival of death marked by their setting.
Our Earth Mother Goddess has come full circle, from fertile maiden, to life-giving
mother, to withering and wise crone. The harvest has been taken from Her breast. Now is the
time that She must sleep, and let the God of the Hunt rule throughout the dark times of
winter.
In one legend, the god of life, the Dagda, has intercourse with the Morrigan, a goddess of
death, while she stands astride the river Unius in Connaught, Ireland. Here she is washing the
dead of a forthcoming battle. This is an expression of the great universal forces of life and death
represented in archetypal form for human understanding.
Samhain is an in-between time, and this is recognized by those carrying on the Celtic
Pagan traditions. The veil which separates the living from the dead is at its thinnest. This is the
time when spirits can pass easily from one world into the other. In fact, one of the oldest known
spellings of Samhain is 'Samildanach' (from the Scots-Gaelic), which literally means 'the DEAD
WALK!'
In many cases, these spirits are beneficial and customs have arisen to welcome departed
ancestors who have come to warm themselves by the hearthfire. But there are also malicious
spirits who cross over, and protective measures are taken which still exist today, to confuse
spirits which are harmful.
In Ireland to this day, the old customs survive. Street signs are changed around and veils
are hung over mirrors in an effort to confuse these malevolent spirits. In our own country we
carve spooky faces into pumpkins and wear costumes in reverence of these old ways.
Since Samhain marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year, it is also
an auspicious time for divining the future. In our modem traditions as in times of old, we consult
the tarot cards, runes, or ogham sticks to see what the new year will bring. Young Irish maidens
are known to set pairs of nuts in a fire, representing the maiden and a possible future husband. If
a nut jumps, it means he will be unfaithful. If the two nuts bum together, the marriage will last a
lifetime.
In the highlands of Scotland, 'Samhnagan' fires are lit next to each person's home, and a
contest is held to see which is the biggest. When the fires die down, the ash is carefully collected
and made into a circle. Stones are placed inside the perimeter of the circle representing each
person involved (usually several families). If a stone is found disturbed the next morning, it is
believed that the person will not survive the year.
Listed here were just a few of the customs surviving from aboriginal times which
celebrate this most sacred time for Pagans, Druids, and Witches. It is interesting that these
ancient traditions are today carried on by those not even claiming such a heritage. Though they
do not understand the significance of these customs, let us remember and welcome those familiar
spirits who cross the veil, bidding them a warm "Merry Meet!"
Sources:
Frazer, Sir James George. The Golden Bough. 1922. The MacMillan Co., New
York,
NY.
Nichols, Ross Phillip. The Book of Druidery. 1975. The Aquarian Press,
Hammersmith,
London, England.
Stewart, R.J. Celtic Gods, Celtic Goddesses. 1990. Blanford, Strand, London,
England.
Coll is the Druid Priest of C. O. R. (Coven and Church of Rhiannon), which is
based
Georgia.
BACH FLOWERS:
IVY
by Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda
Kerr)
Ivy, like all the moons, has imore than one distinct energy. As there is no prepared Ivy
Remedy, we must choose an appropriate one from the 38 Bach Flower Remedies, or simply
make our own Ivy remedy from scratch (see Issue #9 for directions). As far as substitutes, there
are three Remedies that seem to fit the bill. These are Vine, Wild Oat, and Scleranthus.
Vine is the Remedy for people who are dominating, inflexible, and ambitious.
A saying
for Ivy moon is "I die where I cling," meaning a rigid, inflexible refusal to change or bend which
can lead to 'death,' or non-growth. In the last issue (#10), I covered Vine Remedy in the
Bach
Flowers: Vine article; see that issue for more details on this Remedy.
Wild Oat relates to vocation and purposefulness. The Wild Oat person is very
talented
and ambitious, but is undecided as to his true vocation, and therefore feels unfulfilled and
dissatisfied. He may try many things, and be quite successful at them, but none of them seem to
bring him happiness. After some time, formerly enjoyable work begins to pall, and colleagues
are judged rather boring, so the Wild Oat person tears down what he has built up, and moves on
to the next opportunity. "Someone who has had no experience of such things might well imagine
that such a state of creative unrest can be most stimulating, but in the long run the opposite is the
case. People in the negative Wild Oat state feel life passing them by, in spite of all their talents
and activities. They feel regret at never being able to be wholly affirmative, never being able to
really enjoy the fruits of their labours."l
Wild Oat types also want to enjoy life, sometimes in unconventional ways. "They don't
want to go with the current but steer their own craft. Unfortunately they do not know the name
of the port."2 Because of this, they find it difficult to fit into society. They are
eternal bachelors
at heart, always looking and never finding. They are still sowing their wild oats in this state of
delayed mental puberty, wasting their energies in all directions rather than finally going for a
single goal. "There is an Irish saying that describes the Wild Oat state of mind exactly: 'An
Irishman never knows what he wants, and won't be happy until he gets it.' "3
A person in the negative Wild Oat state is self-willed and self-centered. One needs to
learn to go for depth rather than breadth. "A person taking Wild Oat will feel himself gradually
growing calmer, clearer and more certain in heart and mind. Little by little he will have a clearer
picture of what it is he really wants, and will come to act intuitively rather than
impulsively."4
Wild Oat (Bromus ramosus) is prepared by the sun method. Pick the flowering
spikelets
when in full pollen, from many grasses. Wild Oat blooms in July and August, and grows in
damp woods, thickets, and by roadsides. The Wild Oat does not look like the cultivated oat, and
may be difficult to identify. If you are unsure, collect a sample and send it to a university or
college botany department for identification5.
Scleranthus is similar to Wild Oat in that it relates to indecision, but instead of
indefinite
ideas and ambitions, the Scleranthus type vacillates between two polar opposites. Scleranthus
people lack the ability to make up their minds, and thus are swayed between two choices. They
are unable to concentrate due to their constantly changing outlook. In conversation they tend to
jump from one subject to another. When ill, their symptoms come and go or move about, or
change from one extreme to another; i.e., from diarrhea to constipation, or from ravenous hunger
to no appetite. Any outside impulse is enough to get a reaction from the Scleranthus person; they
jump around like a grasshopper, first one way, then the other. This lack of inner balance may
cause various kinds of motion sickness or inner ear complaints, and outwardly, leads to nervous,
dithery gestures.
"A person in the negative Scleranthus state is like a balance that is constantly in motion,
swinging from one extreme to the other-in seventh heaven or miserable as hell, extremely active
or completely apathetic; one day enthusiastic over a new idea, the next completely disinterested.
This constant change of moods and opinions makes Scleranthus types appear unstable and
unreliable in the eyes of others."6
In the positive state, Scleranthus people have great inner strength, and make their
decisions with intuitive confidence. They are calm, unambiguous, and determined, and have a
calming effect on nervous people around them.
Scleranthus (Scleranthus annuus) is a small bushy plant which grows 2-4" high,
and is
found in wheat fields and sandy and gravelly soils. it is prepared by the sun method; pick the
flowering stems and leaves, which bloom from July to September7.
Notes:
1 Scheffer, Mechthild. Bach Flower Therapy - Theory and Practice.
1981. Munchen, West
Germany, pg. 190.
2 lbid, pg. 189.
3 Chancellor, Dr. Philip M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies.
1971. Keats Publishing,
Inc., New Canaan, CT, pg. 218.
4 Scheffer, pg. 190.
5 Weeks, Nora, and Bullen, Victor. The Bach Flower Remedies -
Illustrations and Preparation.
1964, C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd., London, England, pg. 32.
6 Scheffer, pg. 152-153.
7 Weeks and Bullen, pg. 30.
LUNAR ENERGIES &
ESOTERICA: IVY
by Imré K. Rainey
The eleventh moon of the Beth-Luis-Nion Celtic lunar calendar is Gort (Ivy). Ivy has
long symbolized rebirth and resurrection. It is one of the two sacred plants that grows spirally
(the other being Vine). The spiral, a symbol of the Goddess, gives us a visual representation of
the process of reincarnation--not only from lifetime to lifetime, but from minute to minute, day to
day. Vine was a moon of lessons; a moon of difficulty for many. Now, in Gort, we are given a
vision of continuation. The lessons learned (and unlearned) during Vine may have thrown us
asunder, losing any grasp of hope. Ivy is here to show us that all lessons and difficulties are
nothing more than transitional phases, just as death is a transition from lifetime to lifetime. The
desperation and frustration leading into Ivy becomes renewed hope once we see that there
is light
at the end of the tunnel. Life has not come to a dead end; we were simply dealing with needed
lessons, and now we move on.
Accordingly, once a trying time (all of summer and into Vine) has been survived, there's
nothing like a good nervous breakdown to release the tension. Ivy is also a time of release,
emotionally--a time to kick off your shoes, take a drink and scream at the top of your lungs in
relief Some of the strongest ales were made with Ivy (another reason that Ivy symbolized
resurrection is that its essence lives on in its wine). Ales serve as a good way to consume Ivy's
energies and to drift in relaxation for awhile (or maybe an excuse to go slightly
berzerk--responsibly, that is). Yet, while allowing yourself a time for ale, do not lose sight of the
clarity
of vision also associated with Ivy. Women's energy is at a peak, and the veil between the worlds
is at its thinnest. Remember these things as you start the new cycle. Blessed be!
BACH FLOWERS:
REED
by Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda
Kerr)
Reed moon speaks to us of terror, fear, and panic. The Bach Flower Remedies for these
states are Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, and Sweet Chestnut, each of these addressing a particular
type of fear.
Rock Rose is the Remedy to be given whenever extreme terror is experienced.
A person
in this state is under acute threat mentally, and often physically, also. These are moments of
crisis, such as accidents (or near escapes), sudden illness, and natural disasters. Things are
happening too fast, and one is unable to cope with the onrush of elemental energies. It is also
useful when the condition of the person is so grave that it affects those around him, when terror
is in the atmosphere. Rock Rose states may also "develop when one is undergoing spiritual
disciplines, and suddenly finds oneself confronted with a great amount of archetypal
darkness."1
All Rock Rose states are extreme and dramatic to the person experiencing them, even if outside
circumstances are not as threatening. Children who wake up screaming from a nightmare are a
good example. "The state has been aptly described as 'a punch in the stomach,' for the solar
plexus function has been overstrained. Too much is coming in too quickly, and the central
nervous system is unable to cope. Sensitives say that the solar plexus chakra 'freezes in a position
that is wide open.' Some then experience the solar plexus as a 'sore hole,' or a 'stone in the pit of
the stomach."2
By nature the Rock Rose state is usually only temporary, but there are some true Rock
Rose types who are nervous and delicate. The positive side of Rock Rose is seen in heroic
courage and strength, and in people who are selflessly willing to risk their lives to save
others.
Rock Rose (Helianthemum nummularium) is prepared by the sun method. Gather the
flowers,
which bloom from June to September, by the flower-stalks, a few at a time3.
Cherry Plum is a very extreme state; the person may be afraid they are heading for a
breakdown, losing their self-control, or even their minds. The nerves are stretched to the
breaking point, and they fear that they may do something terrible at any moment that they would
not normally do, either to themselves or to someone else. In the extreme Cherry Plum state there
is a real danger of suicide. "Medieval paintings such as the Temptation of St
Anthony, with the
powers of hell doing everything to get a saint to capitulate, are symbolic representations of the
negative Cherry Plum state."4
Psychologically speaking, the negative Cherry Plum state is caused by a fear to let go
inside. The person makes efforts to prevent things arising from the unconscious that she may be
unable to deal with. In this state, the personality reacts with fear. "It fails to realize that there is
a law that every mental and spiritual development means activation not only of bright,
constructive, positive forces, but also of the other side of the coin, the dark, destructive, negative
forces. Anxious efforts are made to keep those dark forces down beneath the surface; but
pressure results in counter-pressure."5
"In the positive Cherry Plum state, it is possible to enter deeply into the unconscious and
express and realize the insights gained there in terms of reality. One is able to handle great
forces spontaneously and composedly, making enormous strides in
development."6
Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) is prepared by the boiling method. Pick the
flowering
twigs with the flowers about 6" long. It blooms in early spring, February to April, before the
leaves appear.7.
Dr. Bach wrote about Sweet Chestnut: "It is the one [Remedy] for that terrible, that
appalling mental despair when it seems the very soul itself is suffering destruction. [It is] the
hopeless despair of those who feel they have reached the limit of their
endurance."8 The mind has
reached the point where it feels it can bear no more; it has resisted stress as much as possible, and
now suffers total exhaustion and loneliness. The Sweet Chestnut person is convinced there is no
more hope nor help for him.
Sweet Chestnut types are people of strong character, who do not tend towards suicide as
Cherry Plum types do. They have full control of their emotions, and they keep their suffering to
themselves, which they feel with an intensity that seems beyond what can be borne. Their limits
of endurance are pushed out further and further. "This happens so that all the old fixed structures
in the personality may be broken up and abandoned, to make room for new dimensions of
consciousness. Sweet Chestnut always initiates new stages of development, e.g. release from a
destructive relationship of long standing. The Sweet Chestnut state will often also be the
Guardian of the Threshold at the beginning of genuine spiritual development ... One realizes that
everything is taken from one because one needs to go forward empty handed if one is to be able
to take hold of the new life that is coming towards one; that one has to give oneself up
completely to be totally reborn."9
The positive aspect is seen in those who, even in their anguish, are able to call out to and
trust in their Higher Self. Sweet Chestnut helps us get through difficult periods of transformation
without losing ourselves. Help is nearest when the need greatest.
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) is prepared by the boiling method. It blooms
from
June to August, after the leaves appear. Gather about 6" of the twig with leaves and male
and female flowers 10.
Notes:
1 Scheffer, Mechthild. Bach Flower Therapy - Theory and Practice.
1981. Munchen, West
Germany, pg. 145.
2 lbid, pg. 144.
3 Weeks, Nora, and Bullen, Victor. The Bach Flower Remedies -
Illustrations and Preparation.
1964, C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd., London, England, pg. 26.
4 Scheffer, pg. 60.
5 lbid, pg. 60.
6 lbid, pg. 60.
7 Weeks and Bullen, pg. 58.
8 Chancellor, Dr. Philip M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies.
1971. Keats Publishing,
Inc., New Canaan, CT, pg. 185.
9 Scheffer, pg. 162.
10 Weeks and Bullen, pg. 90.
LUNAR ENERGIES &
ESOTERICA: REED
by Brighid MoonFire
"I am the threatening noise of the sea" is the glyph of the 12th moon. And like the sea,
this can be a time of turmoil. If you have not reconciled your feelings in the last moon, now is
the time that your emotions can take over. You must find a suitable outlet for them, for
repressing them will only lead to an explosion.
The sea is a powerful and potentially deadly force, and as such this moon is known as the
Death Moon. All around us we can see images of death. The leaves are dying on the trees, the
sun goes into hiding, and we are left with many more night-time hours to think and speculate on
the meaning of our life, and our own survival. We are closer to the creatures of the night,
especially the owl, which is the bird of this moon. The owl is associated with the goddess
Hecate, the Crone, the death aspect of the Triple Goddess.
The Reed can be a powerful object. Besides reminding us of death, it was used to make
arrows, and it is said to heal the wound of an arrow. Reeds were also used for thatching the roofs
of huts and homes in preparation for the fast-approaching winter months. A new couple's home
was said not to be complete until they had done their winter thatching. While today we do not
have to worry with thatching our roofs, it is the time to make sure we, like the squirrels and the
bears, have prepared ourselves for winter and her cold chill. This is the time to make sure we
have all our firewood, unperishable storage items, and enough projects to keep us from being
bored and restless during the cold and dark months ahead.
The sea can be deadly, but she is also beautiful and fun. Likewise, the other side of this
moon is joy and music; the Reed can be used to make pipes; its music can hold at bay the terrors
of this moon. As such, the Reed moon is sacred to Pan (from whose name the word panic
is
derived) and his pipes. Remember when you feel cloistered in your protected home: the wind
through the ice-covered trees, the crunch of the snow beneath your feet, and the sound (or
silence) of snowflakes falling are all part of Nature's music. Enjoy and learn to love and respect
this part of Nature and this time on the Wheel of the Year.
WHAT TO DO WHEN GHOSTS
POP IN
by ShadowCat
To me, being without ghostly goings-on would be strange. You see, I have had ghosts
around me, in one form or another, since I was a child. Around the age of 6, I lived for a while
with my Grandpa and Grandma in a small house, a shack actually, in the country. Here life was
very different from what I had experienced earlier on an Air Force Base in Japan. Our stove ran
on wood, the heater ran on coal, and if you wanted to go to the bathroom you had to go outside to
the outhouse. Here is also where I began to get acquainted with the spirit world, mostly through
the stories my Grandma told me. The spirit world was very real to my Grandma. She was one of
those people who could 'see things,' as my Momma used to say. There was the story of a baby
that had just died appearing to my Grandma one night when she had to go to the outhouse. That
one always sent chills up my spine when I was a child.
Now, very little about the supernatural frightens me. I have had so many experiences
with spirits at my aunt's mansion in Tennessee that I began to find it amusing when other people
were frightened. My aunt's mansion consisted of nothing but antiques, including my aunt. The
mansion was at least 200 years old, complete with tower and winding staircase. Ghosts were
plentiful there, as well as stories of ghostly goings-on.
My sister woke one night to the sound of a party going on in the den. Not wanting to be
left out, she rose and went to investigate. She was shocked to find everyone in their beds and no
one, at least no one living, astir. My mother was chased back up the steps of the trailer we had in
my aunt's trailer park by the ghost of one of my dead aunts. My father, a sworn disbeliever in the
supernatural, had his hair stand on end while watching my uncle, who had been the victim of a
stroke that left him with the mind of a child, conversing with spirit of an aunt I had had recently
pass away. I was frightened into record running speed when an irritated spirit groaned in my ear
to frighten me off one day.
In all these incidents one thing is clear--no one was ever harmed by the spirit that
appeared to them. I have never been harmed by any entity that has appeared to me. However,
that doesn't mean ghosts can't cause you to harm yourself. Fear can make people do lots of
things they wouldn't normally do, like running through a screen door or wetting their pants. I've
experienced both.
The sad thing about the way we usually react to ghosts is that, for the most part, the last
thing they want is for us to run away. Most spirits are lonely and afraid. It's a terrible blow to
them when we turn and flee at their approach. Once I was visiting a girlfriend of mine at an old
Methodist's Children's Home in Macon, Georgia. She was upstairs getting ready for our date and
I was downstairs waiting in a little room with a large bricked-in fireplace. As I sat on the vinyl
couch, I suddenly felt a presence in the room. As it passed by me I noticed the scent of a child's
sweat and the feeling of illness, like that of someone with a fever. I followed the feeling of a
presence with my eyes and was surprised to see the seat on the couch beside me depress as if
someone had just sat down. Suddenly my left hand became cold as ice. Someone had just taken
hold of my hand and I immediately became overwhelmed by a sense of loneliness and grief. I
then did something I regret to this day. I jumped up and ran out of tile room. I wish now I had
stayed to comfort that sad spirit of a lost child. I found out later that several children had died in
that room long ago from an outbreak of rubella.
These days, visits from the otherworld are not uncommon where I live. I even have the
honor of the watchful presence of my spirit guide, Karol. She has been a great help in my
coming to understand the people of the otherworld. I live not very far from a cemetery and am
always being visited by people recently departed. I asked Karol why this was so, and she replied
by sending me a vision of the woods in the direction of my house as seen from the cemetery.
The sky over the house was glowing as if some great fire were present there, yet out of sight. I
knew then why so many spirits had visited me; my house was simply the first thing they would
notice that would pique their curiosity when they looked in my direction, I asked her why my
house appeared to be glowing, and she gave me the impression that my house was sitting on
something like a gateway or node.
I have somewhat of an open door policy with guests at my house. All who come here say
the place makes them feel very comfortable and many of them end up wishing they didn't have to
leave when time for departure comes. Many spend the night. One of the first things I do is warn
them that strange things happen in my house and please don't scare the ghosts. Most of them
laugh, at least the ones who have never been here before. Almost all of them come away from
here with some kind of supernatural experience to tell of.
Once, a friend of mine had come by for a brief visit, bringing along her small son. This
particular person knew nothing of my spiritual guests, nor did her son. After a brief while her
son poked his head around the comer and asked, "Do you have ghosts here?" We followed him
into the other room, where he showed us how the ghost had been throwing an empty soda can
back at him whenever he placed it on the bar. He then took us to a wall where he demonstrated
that when he knocked on it a number of times the ghost would knock back accordingly. So even
people with no idea of the potential for "spiritual enlightenment" that lies waiting beyond my
front door can have surprises waiting for them.
Here are some tips on what to do when confronted by a spirit. First of all, don't
panic!
Yes, I know this one can be a little hard, especially when someone pale as death is standing there
with his head in his arms, but it can be done with practice. Try to radiate peace and good will.
Fear can feed confused or angry spirits, making things much worse. Acknowledge their
presence. Most spirits are afraid no one will respond to them. Let them know that they need to
relax and let go, letting things happen naturally. Most earthbound spirits are bound by their
strong emotions and their fears of losing control. You might think that, once dead, you would
have little to fear, but for some people, that just isn't true. They are in an entirely new
environment, one they don't really know the rules to yet. Make them feel welcome and safe.
Even though ghosts can be mostly harmless, they can become very annoying. You must
let them know what your boundaries are. It's no fun to be having sex with someone only to have
the sheet snatched off you by a ghostly presence. Remember, as practitioners of a magical art, we
have ways of dealing with unruly spirits. Don't be afraid to let them know this. It's your house,
after all!
If you have had trouble seeing ghosts, but think they might be present, try looking only
with your peripheral vision. Focusing all of your attention on a ghost can be too much of a
psychic blow to many of them and will result in them quickly vanishing. Don't dismiss things
that seem out of place. If you see a man standing in a doorway out of the comer of your eye and
look again only to find him gone, this doesn't mean you didn't see anything the first time you
looked. If you notice a glow in one comer of your room, don't blink your eyes and try to make it
go away. Pay attention!
In most cases it is very difficult for spirits to make sounds, and they prefer to
communicate through a kind telepathy. Making the air vibrate and producing sounds or
manifesting for your visual pleasure can be very draining on them. If you are visited by an entity
and feel the room go cold, you can bet they are draining the energy in order to do something. It
is unusual but not unheard of for a ghost to drain energy from you. If it does happen, it should
not become an everyday thing, and if the spirit does this without your consent, they should be
told to leave.
Many spirits communicate only to receive recognition, and will fabricate almost anything
to get your attention, but there are those with much to teach us. Keep an open mind and a sharp
eye and you may learn a lot. Happy Samhain, everyone!
- by Greg Moorcroft, 1994
Twilit, waiflike, as last week
Shrouded in meager, chilled black
Slept you? where? and this night?
Straggly runny hair
Omni eyes scattering
Focus-free, restless, fleeing
As your minimal shuffle scuttles
Escaping--what?
Surely not my sympathetic ear?
Hateful thought: I can do no thing
Can't know your need-you're not telling
I won't hear of madness--fantasy convenience!
How dimmed your Luna strength?
Who damned?
Luna substance reflecting
empty uncaring neon our blank faces
Your warm halo obscured
Your wild quarter-moon face--
half mystery-half heartbreaking luminosity
too clear to feeling eyes
Adrift through inner city space
Random crash some distant, freezing corner
You're not circling me---are you?
Leave the clouds-hiding your shadow
Embrace your earth-sing your own light
Your ecstatic erratic self
A goddess now closed to us all
regardless we see you
Some little thing--
maybe a cup of tea
could be your world now
Wait! It's not all cold!
SURVIVING A COLD-WEATHER
FESTIVAL
by Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda
Kerr)
Most Pagan festivals take place in the spring and summer, but a few are planned on
Sainhain, Winter Solstice, or Imbolc. With this in mind, and with FallFling coming up in
November in Alabama, I thought I'd offer a bit of advice on surviving a cold-weather
festival.
First of all, be prepared for the weather! Watch the weather reports for the weekend, or call
the organizer to see what the weather is forecasted to be in that area. The worst things you'll
have to
deal with are cold and rain (and possibly snow and ice), so assume it will be below freezing and
pouring rain all weekend when you pack. Unless you're traveling on a motorcycle or two-seater
sports car, it's better to carry too much than not enough.
What you pack depends on the site of the festival. Some are at nice sites with heated
cabins, but several (including FallFling) are at more primitive sites where it's camping only, and
you must carry everything you need with you. So, obviously, the more you're out in
the weather, the more concerned you'll have to be with it.
Let's assume you'll be camping outdoors all weekend. For sleeping, you'll need a
warm, high quality sleeping bag, not a cheapie slumber bag, with some kind of pad to
provide insulation from the ground. Closed-cell foam is a good choice, and you can get it at any
outdoor store, or possibly even Wal-Mart. Don't rely on an inflatable air mattress; they allow too
much cold air to circulate underneath you. Wool blankets are also a good idea; wool will retain
heat even when damp or wet, and you can blot most water out with a cotton towel, which is a big
plus if your tent leaks in the (planned for) downpour. There's also something to be said for
sleeping in your
clothes, or at least in your longjohns. Remember hearing about nightcaps? They're those
funny-looking hats people wore to bed back in the 'old days.' Well, just like when you're running
around outdoors, a hat or head-covering will conserve a lot of body heat when you're sleeping.
I've been known to pull a sheepskin over my head, but anything warm will do.
The trick with layering your clothes really works; it just makes it difficult to go to the
outhouse. But if it's 20 degrees out, I'd rather have warmth than convenience. Several thin layers
retain
heat better that one bulky layer. I wear silk longjohns (top and bottom), then cotton longjohns
(bottoms), with maybe some cotton/lycra leggins underneath, a wool/cotton blend longjohn top
available through Gander Mountain, then pants, shirt, and wool sweater. Wool is one of the best
choices as far as outer clothing goes, because it's warm and it dries quickly. There are several
new man-made fabrics available for longjohns; check the catalogs to see which suits you best. I
don't recommend wearing tight jeans over all this; for one thing, cotton wicks in moisture, and
thick cotton, like jeans, takes forever to dry. Also, tight pants will constrict you and the
underwear, making you cold. Try loose pants of a cotton/nylon blend. Toss on a down,
sheepskin or even a fake fur vest, and you're set to go.
With all this on, unless it's really cold, I don't usually need a coat or jacket until nightfall.
Make sure yours has a waterproof shell; even a canvas coat can be waterproofed with
Scotch-Guard, Camp-Dry, or Thompson's Water Seal (although this will darken it slightly and
make it a
bit stiff). If the coat's not heavy enough, go to your local Army surplus store and buy a field
jacket liner for about $15.00. This can be buttoned into your coat for cold weather and taken out
in milder weather. Keep a good pair of gloves and glove liners in the pockets. Look for a pair
that's warm, but doesn't constrict your hand's movements or circulation. Glove liners work sort
of like longjohns, offering extra wan-nth without bulk.
Don't forget a hat! Keep your head and ears covered, and you'll be amazed how much
warmer you'll be. A knit cap, or a military-style hat with ear flaps is good. My husband made a
Mongol-style hat out of an old sheepskin car seat cover; it's real funky-looking and very warm. (I
can provide pattern and instructions; write to me at The Hazel Nut.) For rain, a
wide-brimmed felt (beaver is better than wool) or leather hat is excellent for shedding water.
You don't want a
hat that's going to let the rain drip down your collar, or soak through onto your head. Another
option is to buy or make a detachable hood for your coat, and wear a brimmed cap underneath to
keep the rain from your face.
What about your feet? You want them to stay warm and dry, not cold, clammy, wet, or
sweaty. Forget tennis shoes and duck boots. Get shoes or boots made out of leather -- It
breathes,
letting moisture and sweat evaporate and escape, which would otherwise sit on your feet and
chill them; plus it's easily waterproofed. If the boots are new, break them in before the weekend.
Treat them with mink oil or neet's foot oil; this will condition the leather and waterproof them.
Gore-Tex boots are also available; they are w Waterproof and breathable. Make sure the boots or
shoes fit properly! If your shoes are too tight, your foot will be right up against the boot, which
will act as a cold sink. This means cold feet. Not only do you need room for thick socks, you
need room for a bit of air circulation around your feet.
If the boots will be for mostly winter use, and if they're not already lined, get them about
1/2 to 1 size too big so you'll have room for felt liners. Buy or make some felted wool insoles (at
least 1/4" thick), or even complete liners, to fit inside the boots. (If you can, buy the liners and
boots together so you can make sure there's room for your foot. Liners take up a bit of room in
the boot. Also have your wool socks with you when you try them on. If you mail order, ask the
phone clerk's advice on sizes.) I wear thick felt wool insoles inside my leather shoes with a pair
of wool socks, and I have toasty feet, even in 25 degree weather. Speaking of wool socks, I
found
some incredibly thick ones (I can't wear them with my wool insoles in--they don't fit!) in
Cabela's catalog that come up over the knee, and stay up, that only cost about $12.00
(cheap).
They also carry mukluks, which are boots that are completely lined with fake shearling
and have
very thick crepe rubber soles, and cost about $80.00. They're so warm I can only wear them
when it's really cold, and they look neat, too. They're leather, but they have lace-up fronts, so
don't step in puddles more than ankle deep.
Okay, you're warm, and hopefully not so bundled up you look like the kid in "A Christmas
Story." A few more hints: make sure your layers, including the socks, are done in such
a way that you can shed them easily in the daytime, and then put them back on in the evening.
Make sure you have extra clothes, socks and shoes in a plastic bag in your car in case you get
drenched in spite of all your preparations. Let your wet underclothes get completely
dry before
you put them back on, and remember, when you're drying your clothes over a campfire, wool
burns. So does leather. Be careful.
Other things to prepare for in case of rain: when you pack your tent, check to make sure
you have the rain fly! To keep your tent dry in downpours, use a groundcloth -- the sides should
not stick out past the tent, or they'll collect rain and bring it right in underneath you. Another
way to use a groundcloth is to put it inside the tent, covering the floor and the first few inches of
the walls. Bring a dining fly or tarp that you can set up to cover your camping area; that way
you're not confined to your bubble tent during the downpour. Pack things in waterproof bags or
containers. Army duffle and kit bags are already slightly waterproof, and can be made more so
with Thompson's Water Seal. Don't pack in cardboard boxes -- they seem to attract every water
puddle in the tent. if you put your cooking gear and extra stuff in a plastic storage box with a
good lid, you can leave it outside the tent, even in the rain. And bring an umbrella for each
person in the party.
Finally, keep your body temperature up by eating the proper foods. Meat is great
when you're outdoors (unless you're a vegetarian). Fatty and greasy foods are guilt-free in cold
weather. Eat plenty of sugars and carbohydrates; energy= warmth. And contrary to popular
belief, alcohol does not increase body temperature; rather, it lowers it and increases your
susceptibility to cold. When you're drinking and partying in cold weather, make sure you eat
plenty.
Happy camping!
Mail order sources:
Cabela's
812 13th Avenue
Sidney, NB 69160
800-237-4444
Gander Mountain, Inc.
Box 248, Hwy. W
Wilmot, WI 53192
800-558-9410
COOKING OUTDOORS AND
FAVORITE FEAST
RECIPES
by Muirghein uí Dhún Aonghasa (Linda
Kerr)
Cooking outdoors goes along with surviving cold-weather festivals, and when done right,
can go a long way towards making a cold, wet weekend more bearable, or a warm, dry weekend
wonderful.
There are two basic ways of cooking outdoors. One: you can carry dry firewood to the
site with you (never assume they'll have dry wood there), an axe to split it with, and some
charcoal starter to help things out. Actually, this is a good idea whether you plan to cook over
your fire or not; even a small fire can make you feel much warmer on a cold night. For cooking,
you'll need a trivet (a grill with legs), a grate, a tripod, or some other means of supporting
cookpot, skillet, coffee pot, steaks, or whatever. You could also build your fire in a portable grill
or hibachi, or use charcoal. Don't wait till you get to the site to figure out how to build a fire;
you should know how before. In addition to wood, you'll want dry tinder, maybe some kindlin',
and some lighter wood. Ideally, you should bring these with you. Keep your matches in a
waterproof container; wet matches won't start fires. Candles are a good way to start a fire in poor
conditions, so bring a few with you. Another good idea is to make a 'fire-starter' kit. Take
wooden kitchen matches and soak them in wax. This will seal and protect the wood and the
powder on the tip, and provide fuel. Light one with a regular match, and it will bum for about
six minutes; long enough to dry out wet wood. By the way, only cook over hardwoods or fruit
tree woods, NOT pine.
Way number two: carry a Coleman stove and extra fuel. This is easier, but doesn't
provide the warmth of a campfire. Food just tastes better cooked over a fire, anyway. However,
if you have one, bring it and use it. Make sure it works beforehand, and that vou, not
the
husband or kid or store clerk, know how to start it and refill it.
What will you cook, what will you cook in, how will you stir the pot, how will you take
the hot lid off or take the pot off the fire? Consider these things, and you'll know what to pack.
A lid on the pot makes it heat quicker. Your stirring spoon should have a long enough handle to
reach the bottom of the pot. Your skillet should not have a wooden or plastic handle that will
burn off. Don't bring your fancy copper bottom, stainless steel pot and expect it to stay shiny
new -- fire makes pots and skillets black with soot (if you coat the bottoms with liquid dish soap
first, it makes the soot much easier to wash off later). And don't forget something to wash dishes
in.
We do a lot of primitive camping, and we're getting the feel for simple, effective cooking
outdoors. Plan for 1-dish meals that don't need a lot of preparation. You can cook steaks on the
grill while boiling a pot of stew next to them or suspended from a tripod. You can grill
sandwiches over the fire. You can wrap potatoes or corn (or most anything) in heavy tin foil and
just toss in the coals. Tin foil is wonderful; slice onions, bell peppers and mushrooms, put in foil
with some butter, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce, close package, and grill for 15-20 minutes.
Serve with your grilled steak or hamburgers. Other uses for tin foil: beef stew, pot roast, roast
chicken, baked apples, mixed veggies, desserts, etc. You can even bake in a Dutch oven in the
coals, but this takes a little practice. Carry dehydrated foods, instant mixes, canned goods, etc.
Do as much of your food preparation at home beforehand as you can, and put in baggies or
tupperware. Finally, make sure you have lots of snack foods or pre-made stuff that doesn't have
to be cooked. For quick energy and warmth, bring dried fruits and trail mixes, and candy or
granola bars.
What to cook? Obviously, you can cook food straight on the grill: steaks and chicken,
hot dogs and hamburgers, etc. Or you can use your cookpot and make chili or catch-all stew.
But the purpose of this article is to get you out of the chili/stew/steak thinking mode, and present
recipes for small meals and pot-luck feasts that'll have folks wondering where your traveling
kitchen & crew is. Double or triple the following recipes for pot-luck feasts, or cut food
into
smaller portions. And if you like this idea, send me your favorite feast recipes, and we'll
print a few every issue.
Beef Burgundy
Combine in a double sheet of heavy duty foil 3 lbs. cubed beef, 4 cans mushrooms (or 2
cups fresh), 1 chopped onion, and 1 bottle burgundy wine. Close package and grill 2-3 hours till
meat is tender. Serves 6-10 people.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
At home, combine in blender or food processor: 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1 tsp. thyme, 2
tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1/2 tsp. allspice, 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, 1 Tbsp. oil.
Blend until mixture is a paste. Cut up and skin 1 frying chicken, rub paste on all sides of chicken
pieces. Place in a large zip-lock bag, seal, and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
At the campsite, place the seasoned chicken on an 18" square of heavy-duty foil. Wrap
securely, place on grill. Cook I hour or until chicken is tender and juices run clear, turning once.
Remove chicken from foil, reserving juices; place chicken on grill. Cook 10-15 min. or until
chicken is golden brown, turning once and basting occasionally with reserved juices. 4-6
servings.
Confetti Supper Combo
Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over grill till hot. Add: 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup
chopped green bell pepper, 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot, 1/2 cup uncooked regular rice, and 1/2
cup dry lentils, sorted, rinsed and drained (prepare all these at home). Cook and stir 3-4 min. or
until veggies are crisp-tender. Stir in: 1 can chicken broth, 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp.
garlic powder, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. thyme, 1/8 tsp. cayenne (combine spices at home, put in bag),
and 1 can freshly-shelled blackeye peas, drained. Bring to a boil, move away from the fire.
Cover
and simmer 15-20 min. or until veggies are tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. 4
servings.
Dilled Alaskan Garden Medley
Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in large skillet. Add 4 cups coarsely chopped cabbage, 1 cup chopped
onions, 1 cup chopped green or firm red tomatoes, and 1 cup coarsely shredded carrots. Cook
and
stir 8-10 min. or until veggies are crisp-tender, stir in 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill or 1 tsp. dried
dill weed, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Move away from fire, cover and cook 2-3 min, or till veggies are
tender. 7 servings.
Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms
1 lb. very large mushrooms, about 2 1/2" in diameter
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh or
2 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 Tbsp. grated Pan-nesan cheese
1 Tbsp. olive or vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
dash of salt
Grease square aluminum foil pan, 8x8x2". Remove stems from mushrooms. Place
mushroom tops, stem sides up, in pan. Chop mushroom stems. Mix chopped mushroom stems
and remaining ingredients; spoon onto mushroom tops. Cover with aluminum foil, sealing edges
securely. Grill pan over medium coals 15-20 min. or until mushrooms are tender. 4 servings.
Zucchini Stuffed with Corn and Cheese
3 medium zucchini
vegetable oil
2/3 cup canned corn with red and green peppers, drained
1/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Cut zucchini lengthwise in half. Scoop centers from zucchini; discard. Brush outside of
zucchini shells with oil. Mix corn and cheese; spoon into zucchini shells. Cover and grill
zucchini, cut sides up, over medium coals 10-12 min. 6 servings.
Caribbean Curried Bananas
2 Tbsp. margarine or butter, melted
1 tsp. curry powder
3 large firm ripe bananas lime juice
Mix margarine and curry powder in large square of heavy-duty foil. Peel bananas; cut
each crosswise in half. Roll bananas in mixture. Squeeze a few drops of lime juice over
bananas. Close foil package, sealing securely. Grill 12-15 min., turning bananas once, until they
are golden brown and tender. 3 servings. (I know this one sounds weird, but it really is good!
I've had several people try it and like it.)
Grilled Pears with Raspberry Sauce
3 large fin-n ripe pears (about 1 1/2 lbs.)
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 package (10 oz.) frozen raspberries in 'lite' syrup, thawed
1 tsp. lemon juice
3 Tbsp. hot fudge sauce, heated, if desired
At home, place raspberries and lemon juice in blender or food processor. Cover and
blend on medium speed, stopping blender occasionally to scrape sides, or process about 30 sec.,
until smooth. Strain to remove seeds if desired. Store in a ziplock bag in fridge. Peel pears; cut
lengthwise in half and remove cores. Brush lightly with oil. Cover and grill pears, cut sides up,
for 5 min., turn. Cover and grill about 5 min. longer or until tender. Serve hot pears with
raspberry sauce. Drizzle with hot fudge (put a bit in a foil packet on grill to heat). 6 servings.
Happy cooking!
Greetings,
I have enclosed another piece of artwork that I thought you might want to include in the
next issue of THE HAZEL NUT. Again, I enjoyed the Hazel and Vine moon issue. I thought the
article by Brighid MoonFire on responsible camping was excellent. My wife and I really enjoy
camping. But I hate to get into a beautiful place in the woods only to find old plastic bags, beer
cans, and other nasty debris left by other campers. I only wish that other non-pagan campers
would show the respect for the Earth Mother that pagans do! I think that this type of education
would not only help to keep nature more beautiful, but would also help to show pagans' great
love for the environment. Perhaps a pamphlet with an article like Brighid's would be a good thing
to pass out at festivals and other gatherings.
Sincerely Yours in
the Ancient Grove,
Les Martin
Dresden, ME
Hi Muirghein!
I'm enclosing this diskette with three more submissions of my writings to THE HAZEL
NUT. I was delighted to see that you enjoyed my untitled piece enough to include it in the
June/July (#9) issue. Actually, I didn't even notice that I had not titled it until I saw it in print! I
hope other readers felt the empowerment that I believe the piece embodies. I appreciate the
artwork with which it was embellished at the bottom of the page. Thanks for including my work
in THE HAZEL NUT.
Bright blessings,
Lee Webb
Marietta, GA
Greetings!
I just finished reading your newsletter. It is a true gem; informative, thoughtful, well
written. (Enclosed is payment for my subscription, in case you haven't guessed!)
I'm new to the Auburn area. Fearing Alabama to be the buckle of the Bible Belt, I
wondered if there were any other Pagans nearby. Thank Goddess!!!
I am basically a solitary Gardnerian (a slight contradiction in terms) Wiccan, who has
drawn a lot of inspiration from the writer Starhawk. The Celtic tree calendar isn't exactly foreign
to me, but I have much to learn about it.
Maiden Bless,
Chrisailes
LaFayette, AL
BUBBLES FROM THE
CAULDRON
BOOK REVIEWS, ETC.
EarthDance, FDR State Park, Pine Mountain, Georgia, September 9-11,
1994.
- Reviewed by Muirghein
It looks like this first festival, organized by ShadowCat, was successful enough to be
repeated next year. There were about 60 people there, and if you weren't one of them, you really
missed out. The people were great, the energies were good, and the whole atmosphere was happy
and laid-back.
There was a Pagan film fest on Friday night, and on Saturday several well-attended
classes, a wonderful pot-luck feast, a full-moon earth-healing ritual, and great music,
thanks to
Lord Senthor and his band.
Congratulations and thanks to ShadowCat for a wonderful festival; we'll see you there
next year!
Catmagic, a novel by Whitley Strieber. 1986. Tom Doherty Associates, Inc., New
York, NY.
Softcover, $4.95.
- Reviewed by Muirghein
I'm sure most of you have heard of or read Communion, Strieber's account of
alien
visitors and their abductions of him. But how many of you have heard of Catmagic?
Strieber
says, "I wrote Catmagic in 1984, well before I was consciously aware of the visitors
who figure
in Communion.
"Communion is the story of how it felt to have personal contact with the
visitors. The
mysterious small beings that figure prominently in Catmagic seem to be an
unconscious
rendering of them, created before I was aware that they may be real." (Author's Foreword)
Catmagic centers around a coven of witches in a small town. These are not your
typical
Hollywood witches, but real, Pagan/Wiccans. He met with some Witches while doing research
for the book, and has nothing but good things to say about them and the Wicca path, and even
refers readers to Circle for more info on the "old religion."
The book has lots of good witchy things in it, such as the fairies on the hill, the wild hunt,
a really nasty fundamentalist preacher, and a journey of intense personal transformation for the
main character, who has to enter death, then try to return.
The story is not only entertaining, it's enlightening. Don't let the fact that this is a novel
fool you; there's a lot of wisdom to be gleaned from it, if you know how to look.
