January 2005 Newsletter

1. Judith's Ramblings
2. Product Spotlight
3. Book Review
4. Ritual Workings

Well, the holiday rush has come and gone and things can finally get back to normal. The disaster on Boxing Day was a horrible tragedy and I know many of you will have donated time or money to the relief effort. If you have not, there is a single point of donation for the relief effort at http://www.dec.org.uk should you choose to donate money to the effort.

We enter in to our buying period now and one of the things I'm looking at are wooden hollow altars which I do hope will be perfect for those of you looking for something a little less decorated than our current altars. We also have a new altar kit coming out and I hope a new book of shadows which will come with some information already in it and lots of space for you to add more to it in.

The Yule party was small but fun. It's great to be able to gather with pagans and just have chillin' fun. I'm hoping to find a private rentable space for Imbolc so that we can have a ritual. It'll be great to be indoors. Anyone is welcome to come. You don't need to know anything about wicca or rituals nor do you have to be initiated. It's really a way to experience what it's like to be a part of something like this before joining a coven or anything.

The website for witchycon is up and we have a great venue. I hope you'll all be coming - those who can - as we have some great goodies going in the "con packs" (a bag of information and stuff for all full attending members), a circlet as the prize for best costume, some great speakers and lots of fun to be had. It should be tons of fun with different kinds of speakers and so I hope you'll come join us and help us make it a great day!

I chipped a tooth over the holidays eating while reading my magazine. Silly me! It's weird what I chip my teeth on but hubby broke a tooth on a piece of bread once so I guess a fork is at least a little tougher! *grins* Other than that I had a good holiday and got a lot of great gifts including a foot spa with edom bath salts (which I love), a mini digital camera, a jewellery box from QVC (yes, I do occasionally shop with them) and holistic silk magnetic slippers. I hope you all got what you were hoping for!

So how are you all doing? The holidays can really take it out of you. Everyone in the media assaults you with images of how the holidays *should* be and trust me, it never lives up to that expectation. As I've grown a little older (though I'm still young!) I've come to treasure the more informal but close gatherings where you don't have thr pressure of a big meal and expectations - everyone simply gathers at someone's home, everyone brings a dish, someone who loves to cook and organize those things gets it all going and you just enjoy everyone's company. I think that's the real spirit of the holidays and I hope to be more organised for 2005 and have a party for Yule on the 21st (Wednesday) from around 8pm - 11pm so if you'd like to join with us in celebrating the season informally, please mark that date now.

Another date to mark is October 31st, 2006 when New Moon turns 10 years old. We'll be having a big ritual and party and everyone is invited! We'll bring all the food so just bring a bottle and we can all celebrate together - it'll be great fun!

2) Product Spotlight
n1011 - Chakra Necklace - These pieces of hand-made solid sterling silver and gemstones have been specially manufactured and created with the most high quality gemstones of garnet, amber, tigerseye, malachite, reconstituted turquoise, amethyst and moonstone and merged with solid sterling silver to create jewelry of the highest calibre. We have this beautiful silver drop necklace with each stone mounted in an individual teardrop of solid sterling silver and linked to each other with a sterling silver chain finishing off the choker. 5" wide with 18" Chain £32/$59

Energy healing (aura and chakra healing) is one of the most profound and fundamental alternative therapies in the field of alternative medicine and holistic health. It employs spiritual healing methods which expand the awareness of the energy healer and uses energy, color and light healing techniques to catalyze healing in the patient's energy field (aura and chakra system)-helping the patient break free from afflictions and limitations of body, mind and spirit. It may provide enhanced quality of life for the patient, and facilitate spiritual growth. Energy healing is often a powerful spiritual path for the practitioner, as well.

Crown Chakra - Moonstone

Physical Location - top of head
Purposes - intuitive knowing, connection to one's spirituality, integration of the whole
Spiritual Lesson - spirituality, living in the NOW
Physical dysfunctions associated with crown Chakra - mystical depression, diseases of the muscular system, skeletal system and the skin, chronic exhaustion not associated with physical ailments, sensitivity to light, sound, environment
Mental/Emotional Issues - discovery of the divine, lack of purpose, loss of meaning or identity, trust, selflessness, humanitarianism, ability to see the bigger picture in the life stream, devotion, inspiration, values, ethics
Information stored in the crown Chakra - concept of the whole
Area of Body Governed - top center of the head, midline above the ears

Brow Chakra - Amethyst

Physical Location - center of the forehead
Purposes - action of ideas, insight, mind development
Spiritual Lesson - understanding, reality check point, detachment, open mind
Physical dysfunctions associated with brow Chakra - brain tumors, strokes, blindness, deafness, seizures, learning disabilities, spinal dysfunctions, panic, depression
Mental/Emotional Issues - fear of truth, discipline, judgment, evaluation, emotional intelligence, concept of reality, confusion
Information stored in the brow Chakra - seeing clear picture (symbolic or literal), wisdom, intuition, mental facilities, intellect
Area of Body Governed - brain, neurological system, eyes, ears, nose, pituitary, pineal glands

Throat Chakra - Turquoise

Physical Location - throat, neck region
Purposes - learning to take responsibility for one's own needs
Spiritual Lesson - confession, surrender personal will over to divine will, faith, truthfulness over deceit
Physical dysfunctions associated with throat Chakra - sore throat, mouth ulcers, scoliosis, swollen glands , thyroid dysfunctions, laryngitis, voice problems, gum or tooth problems, TMJ
Mental/Emotional Issues - personal expression, creativity, addiction, criticism, faith, decision making (choices), will, lack of authority
Information stored in the throat Chakra - self-knowledge, truth, attitudes, hearing, taste, smell
Area of Body Governed - throat, thyroid, trachea, neck vertebrae, mouth, teeth, gums, esophagus, parathyroid, hyperchalemus

Heart Chakra - Malachite

Physical Location - center of chest
Purposes - emotional empowerment
Spiritual Lesson - forgiveness, unconditional love, letting go, trust, compassion
Physical dysfunctions associated with heart Chakra - heart conditions, asthma, lung & breast cancers, thoracic spine, pneumonia, upper back, shoulder problems
Mental/Emotional Issues - love, compassion, confidence, inspiration, hope, despair, hate, envy, fear, jealousy, anger, generosity
Information stored in heart Chakra - connections or "heart strings" to those whom we love
Area of Body Governed - heart, circulatory system, blood, lungs, rib cage, diaphragm, thymus, breasts, esophagus, , shoulders, arms, hands

Solar Plexus Chakra - Tiger Eye

Physical Location - solar plexus
Purposes - mental understanding of emotional life
Spiritual Lesson - acceptance of your place in the life stream. (self-love)
Physical dysfunctions associated with solar plexus Chakra - stomach ulcers, intestinal tumors, diabetes, pancreatitis, indigestion, anorexia/bulimia, hepatitis, cirrhosis, adrenal imbalances, arthritis, colon diseases
Mental/Emotional Issues - self esteem, fear of rejection, oversensitivity to criticism, self-image fears, fears of our secrets being found out, indecisiveness
Information stored in solar plexus Chakra - personal power, personality, consciousness of self within the universe (sense of belonging), knowing
Area of Body Governed - upper abdomen, umbilicus to rib cage, liver, gallbladder, middle spine, spleen, kidney, adrenals, small intestines, stomach

Sacral Chakra - Amber

Physical Location - lower abdomen to the navel
Purposes - emotional connection
Spiritual Lesson - creativity, manifestation. honoring relationships, learning to "let go"
Physical dysfunctions associated with sacral Chakra - low back pain, sciatica, ob/gyn problems, pelvic pain, libido, urinary problems
Mental/Emotional Issues - blame, guilt, money, sex, power, control, creativity, morality
Information stored in sacral Chakra - duality, magnetism, controlling patterns, emotional feelings (joy, anger, fear)
Area of Body Governed -sexual organs, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, middle spine

Root Chakra - Garnet

Physical Location - base of the spine
Purposes - kinesthetic feelings, movement
Spiritual Lesson - material world lessons
Physical dysfunctions associated with root Chakra - lower back pain, sciatica, varicose veins, rectal tumors, depression, immune related disorders
Mental/Emotional Issues - survival, self esteem, social order, security, family
Information stored in root Chakra - familial beliefs, superstitions, loyalty, instincts, physical pleasure or pain, touch
Area of Body Governed -spinal column, kidneys, legs, feet, rectum, immune system

3) Book Review
Rhapsody, Prophecy and Destiny by Elizabeth Haydon

Well, I have a huge stack of Fantasy books to get through so I thought I'd get in to reading some of these in between my writings.

These books I would place within the realm of really enjoyable fantasy. While not at the level of Michelle West in the use of the language, also not as verbose as some other authors like Mealnie Rawn, Haydon combines excellent writing with a fast-moving plot to entice the readers into a fantasy world created with a great deal of thought and imagination. Blessedly not long-winded in descriptions and political maneuvering, the story moves at a decent pace with character development worthy of the more masterful authors and yet a pace that keeps you interested.

I have found some fantasy authors too sketchy in their descriptions and action, and others too overblown however Haydon sits nicely in a comfort zone making it an easy, but mature read. The main three characters each have a past slowly revealed through each of the three books as their lives progress. Their inner thoughts, mind set and reason for being are developed thoughtfully and uniquely so that each is not simply a cookie-cutter character suitable in any fantasy environment.

Haydon blends commonly known lore and historical information about the British Isles and changes it to suit this world with a unique mythology on a par with such masters as Tolkein or Lewis. If you enjoy fantasy with well-developed plots, characters and story lines, then this is an excellent trilogy for you.

4) Ritual Workings
The next ritual celebration in the Celtic wheel calendar is Imbolc. One of the earlier celebrations, this is more of a celebration of a pastoral people - celebrating the lactation of the ewes in preparedness for the lambing season. This is the beginning of the spring. Often the ewes are moved at this time to new pastures and the land begins to slowly wake from its long slumber. In some countries, this is the day that we watch for the shadows of such deep-earth dwelling creatures as the groundhog whose prophesy fortells an early or late spring.

At this time of the year, choose to work with a diety that is of a maiden aspect to encourage the spring. I tend to work with Branwen for this holiday or Brigid because of the way I have worked with them in the past. As well, the God may still sleep but in the forest, He does stir. Depending on how you see the God and the role he plays in the cycle of life, you may choose different dieties to use for this time of the year.

I will give you some generic calls here suitable for the season. Some general incense and a general anointing oil for this festival so as to not tie you to my singular vision of the celebration. It does reflect certain beliefs so change it for your own belief system. Remember - make your own charges from the heart and they will be lifted to the ears of the Gods as worship on their own.

Goddess Call:

Spring of life hidden within
I call to thee
Dancing mother to the stars
I sing to thee
Dark moist sleeping earth
I chant to thee
Come forth from your long slumber
Join me in my call
Dance again in meadows sweet
Join me in my song
Spring forth is blossoms rare
Join me in my chant
Be blessed and welcome in my circle.
Blessed be

God Call:

Sacred God of the forest night
I call to thee
Horned hunter of the storm
I sing to thee
Lover of the sleeping earth
I chant to thee
Come forth into the light of day
Join me in my call
Moisten the earth with your sacred dance
Join me in my song
Caress your lover with joy and song
Join me in my chant
Be blessed and welcome in my circle
Blessed be

Incense for Imbolc:

blend the following fragrance oils in a bottle: lotus, poppy, lily of the valley - try not to use too much
take a wood like sanderswood or oak or some orris root powder and mix the oil in with the powder or chips and let them soak in the oil. This forms the scented base of the incense. Once it has soaked in to the chips or powder, add some dried flowers like jasmine, hysbiscus, and rose petals. The fragrance oils will create a pleasant fragrance when burned on charcoal and the flowers bring to mind the flowers of the coming spring and summer and help encourage the season forth.

Oil for Imbolc:

If you wish, use the same blend of lotus, poppy, lily of the valley for your blessing oil. Otherwise why not do a bit of research about what blooms earliest in the season and use a drop or two of that essential oil in some grapeseed oil.

Contact:
PO Box 110
DIDCOT
OX11 9YT

Tel: 01235 819 744
In'tl: 011 44 123 581 9744
Fax: 01235 812 367

Email Us
newmoon@celticmoon.net