September 2004 Newsletter

1. Judith's Ramblings
2. Product Spotlight
3. Book Review
4. Talisman Making
5. CD Review

What a month this has been! How much fun have I had? I've done a *ton* of home shopping parties and I swear I've done over 100 free readings for people! There is one thing it did teach me though - I can't really properly do free readings and run a party so I've been considering whether or not I can continue to do them. I enjoy it and I love doing them but I then can't answer questions and help people find their tarot archetype. I might stick to tarot archetypes and no readings though I really enjoy doing them.

I'm back on the Atkins' diet with a bit of a twist - I have started on a higher carb count by simply having a huge amount of pre-made (by me) salad on hand and lots of nuts. I'm still sensitive to sugar but since Dave's dad is diabetic, I'm happy for him to be on little sugar, natural or otherwise. It's OK with me hitting 15 days now and 5lbs which I feel is a healthy weight loss. I go for my LadyPace weight and measure within the next few days so I'll know if I did manage to bring the fat down and the measurements down. I've not had any bad side effects yet and I'm careful to balance meals and vitamins and only the occasional treat so things should shape up well for me I hope.

JOIN ME for London Chocolate Week October 4th - 10th! http://www.chocolateweek.co.uk/ So I guess that is fair warning that at some point during that time we will be closed for 2 or 3 days. *grins*

DON'T FORGET - The next New Moon pub moot is Wednesday July 14th at 7:30pm and you can check the 2 maps we have at http://www.newmoon.uk.com/moot.htm - there is plenty of parking and it is a family pub with children allowed til 9pm. It is OK to get to - from the A34 take the Didcot/Milton Park turn off. Follow this road right in to Didcot going past two (I think) roundabouts, past the speed trap before the station, straight through the traffic lights and on to the next big roundabout after the construction area on your right. Take the first exit to the left and you'll quickly go under a bridge to another round about. Take the first left on to Abingdon Road at this round about and go straight on to the first left turn road called Tamar Way. This is a residential street and you simply follow it to the end where you turn left again and you will see the pub right before you. There is a *ton* of parking all around it so that will be easy. Questions? Just call 01235 819 744 for information.

Have you joined the World Science Fiction and Fantasy convention for 2005 in Glasgow Scotland? They are looking like they will break all records for attendance for a WorldCon outside the US and that means FUN FUN FUN and even more room-party hopping for me! Even though I hope to have a table and be trading, I intend to enjoy the evenings. I really recommend going to the book announcement parties as you hear about everything right away and get the benefit of knowing when your fav authors will be releasing new books (like Katherine Kurtz). If you have holiday you can take in early August in 2005, I heartily recommend attending this convention!! http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/

I turn 35 at EasterCon 2005 so why not join us and see what we get up to at this wonderful convention? It'll be tons of fun! http://www.paragon2.org.uk/

While we really don't do many sales this way anymore, please remember that I always send a portion of any US$ cash received to The Witches Voice. Since we do accept credit cards and this is the vast majority of sales to the US or other countries, we do still get the rare occasional US$ cash order and I do still send some of that cash on to The Witches Voice. We have also sent donations to them that were sent to us in the past (though why they were sent to us, I don't know...).

2) Product Spotlight
From http://www.newmoon.uk.com/divination/scrying_bowl.htm I have chosen the Triple Goddess Scrying Bowl. Triple Goddess Scrying Bowl - Quite a stunning piece made specifically to contain water to be used in scrying. The glossy black interior means no need to use anything but water gathered from the rain or dew or a river or anywhere. If you use tap water, remember to add a small pinch of sea salt and clean the bowl carefully after use. £15 or US$40

Divination through scrying in to water has a long history. Water is used in a variety of ways and one of my favourites is using it to pour melted candle wax in to and use the shapes to tell what the upcoming year will be like. Some water gazers prefer to have the light of a candle reflected on the water surface. Others take the bowl outside on a cloudless night and, capturing the moon's reflection, divine by its appearance on the water. Still others take crystals, place them in the bottom of the bowl, swish the water a bit then divine the meaning from the shapes and patterns the crystals make.

The ancient Greeks believed that nature spirits dwelled in fresh water and so I believe this is the best kind of water to use however any water will do. More traditional people feel that you should not use water from a tap and so if you do get the chance to visit a stream or sacred well, collect some water for use in your scrying.

To divine the future with your scrying bowl, pour water into it then let it settle and ask your question. Sit with your back to the light in a darkened room and gaze into but not at the water. As with a crystal ball, the water may cloud. Eventually you may begin to see symbols within its cool depths. Make note of any such symbols. When no further symbols are seen, begin the process of interpretation.

The triple goddess motif on the outside has been created with care and attention as well as thoughtfulness. Each face is different, representing the maiden, mother and the crone. Each tree between the Goddesses is different reflecting winter, spring and summer. This continual cycle can be a meditational focus for you when first learning to scry.

This bowl may also be used as a libations bowl in to which you pour your libations to the Gods before removing them outdoors to libate by a tree or this may be used instead of an altar plate to serve cakes from. It also makes an excellent Malteesers or M&M's bowl, holding a good, large amount.

3) Book Review
"Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard" By Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, with contributions and additional material from Raymond Buckland, Patricia Telesco, Raven Grimassi, Ellen Evert Hopman, Jesse Wolf Hardin, Amber K, Fred Lamond, Abbty Willowroot, Jeff McBride, Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart, and other illustrious members of The Grey Council
I have to admit that when I received this book I was expecting another hokey book published to cash in on the popularity of the current Witch Craze. Instead I found a well-researched book full of interesting, fascinating facts and essential information for anyone who is considering seriously following a path that involves witchcraft. This is not really a book of spells and how to do this and that but rather a book that explains what is going on and why when you do certain things within the Craft.
Most interesting is the actual magic tricks section included. I thought that was a great inclusion and that combined with the most excellent information contained in the book makes it well worth the investment. Don't be put off by the hokey looking cover - it hides a real gem underneath!

4 Moons

"The Religion of the Ancient Celts" by J.A. MacCulloch
I use this book constantly for information about the ancient celts. Written at the turn of the last century, this is an excellent work detailing many areas of Celtic life in a frank and anthropological way. No attempt is made to sensationalize the material nor is an attempt made to fill in gaps. The detailed information presents a balanced and excellent pre-wicca view of how the Celts might have actually lived and because it was written from an anthropological viewpoint and not in response to a sudden revival in interest of witchy things, it contains facts and not conjuncture and shoddy scholarship.
I recommend that if you don't already own this book, you find a copy fast at http://www.abebooks.com

5 Moons

4) Talisman Making
Days of the week to make your talisman on for certain outcomes
Sunday: Ruled by the Sun. Power magick, health, prosperity, exorcism
Monday: Ruled by the Moon. Intuition, dreams, psychic ability, female fertility
Tuesday: Ruled by Mars. Courage, energy, breaking negativity, physical strength
Wednesday: Ruled by Mercury. Divination, communications, knowledge, wisdom
Thursday: Ruled by Jupiter. Happiness, luck, wealth, healing, male fertility, legal matters
Friday: Ruled by Venus. Love,sexual matters, marriage, friendship
Saturday: Ruled by Saturn. Psychic ability, meditation, defense, communicating with spirits

Elemental Correspondences for making your own talisman
Earth: A Feminine element. North. Green. Rules spells dealing with fertility, jobs, money, business, health, ecology, stability
Air: A Masculine element. East. Yellow. Rules memory, intellect, tests, divination, psychic powers, travel, drug addiction spells
Fire: A Masculine element. South. Red. Rules success, sex, banishing illness, protection, legal matters, competitions, strength, energy and health spells
Water: A Feminine element. West. Blue. Rules love, friendship, meditation, healing, dream, childbirth, clairvoyance and purification spells.

5) CD Review
"Weight Loss Without Dieting" A Personal Therapy CD by DJ Searle
Well, I'd say it is interesting. The new agey kind of beginning of thrumming did give me a bit of a headache and the latter part was supposed to be silence but since I work while listening to CDs for review I didn't really get the full benefit of the silence I guess. It was interesting and I didn't lose any weight but I didn't get to use it the way indicated which was to repeat the performance several times - once a week with twice in the first 48 hours. It might also be better if you used headphones and set aside an hour to listen to the thrumming and the silence which I believe isn't silence but another part of the therapeutic process. All in all, I'd say it is an interesting CD but I like the other one we have from Brain Sync better.

3 Moons

"Asana - The Awakening" A "Moods of Yoga" CD by Pandit Satish Vyas-Santoor and Mukundraj Deo-Tabla
This is a CD which has been designed to work with a Yoga workout routing. As someone who has done a smidgen of yoga and mainly as part of Body Balance, I found this CD very interesting. I have a penchant for the more oriental sounds this CD brings although I find it jarring at times. I am unsure which system of Yoga this is meant for but just as a CD purchased for enjoyment, this is well work it. The purely instrumental tracks (there are four) break into two sections with the first easing you in to a more vigorous beat and the second maintaining an uplifting sound. I really enjoyed listening to these tracks and I think that you don't have to be doing yoga to them in order to enjoy the music they bring.

4 Moons

I still spend a *lot* of my time listening to "Healing Massage" which I just love. I feel like I've had a massage after listening to it and take it with me when I go for massages. It is a really great CD and I just wish I could let you all listen to it so you could get an idea for how wonderfully soothing and relaxing the CD is. There is a special quality brought to it by the artists specifically to help induce this relaxation I feel but I genuinely think that if you're looking for a relaxing CD or a virtual massage, you need to get this CD. Just pop in to the Herbal Gardens section and check in the Therapeutic music section and I know you'll love it.

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