October 2005 Newsletter

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

Lots of stuff has been happening here at New Moon central that has kept us busy and buzzing for quite awhile now! I'm so excited about the upcoming holiday season - do remember to give us time to get your order to you so if you need something for Samhain - put that in your notes or ring your order through to us. We're happy to help you out and often can ship same or next day. We are often called by people needing something like a robe or athame at the last minute and can almost always help. The deadline for Christmas ordering is about December 21st so we can get it out to ya in time. We do our best to keep good stock levels right up to Christmas.

I have been going for regular massage which, while not an inexpensive prospect, is really doing me a lot of good. I had gotten to the point where sometimes my thumb on my right hand would go numb and my arm would be all pins and needles. This hardly ever happens anymore since doing massage. I really do recommend it. I see a professional, qualified practitioner here in Didcot who I would be happy to recommend to anyone.

I sometimes don't know why I don't carry stuff in stock that I use regularly. Take "Aches Away Bath Soak". Now, I'm cynical and sceptical but I'll try anything and these were given as part of a Christmas present. They worked so well I started hoarding them for my after aching workout times. They have a sharp smell that sometimes makes me cough but WOW do these ever work well. It's also the hot water of the bath obviously but I'll have really sore and aching muscles and take the bath last thing at night and soak for a good hour then off to bed and in the morning I'll measurably better. I've decided that because I love these that we're going to sell them. That way I have a constant supply in stock to take and use. I really highly recommend these wonderful bath sachets.

Weight loss - well, as of Sept 16th I had lost only a pound... but 6.25 inches!! WOOHOO! Who minds about not losing that much weight when you lose that many inches! YAHOO! So not much more to go 'til that size 14 - still working towards that goal slowly but surely. I went off the Atkins for 2 weeks this month and went all fruit and veggie then back on Atkins. I actually feel better on Atkins but I'd gamble that is directly related to the lack of things I'm allergic to being eaten *laughs*. I've just started using that Dove slimming shower gel because I needed more anyway so I thought I've give it a try. So far, no change but we'll see! It'll be next to impossible to make the same change this next month but it would be nice if I did.

I've put up pictures of the robes (finally) for those of you who were waiting. I know - I've had them for awhile. Actually, the black one seems to have a white dot of light on the robe hem and I didn't notice it when I took the picture but only when I went to edit it - maybe the fairies that hang around the house liked the robe too.

2) Product Spotlight
I've chosen the "Crystal Dragon" so that I get to talk about dragons!
http://www.newmoon.uk.com/jewellery/silver_dragon_pendants.htm

Crystal Dragon - Bail hidden behind an outstretched wing, this beautiful pendant is 42mm x 32mm and is wonderful to wear. Soaring across you clutching his treasured crystal, this sterling silver pendant is perfect for all dragon fans.

The Dragon, though a winged creature, is generally associated with being found in an underground lair, a cave that identifies it as an ancient creature of earth. The dragon is sometimes seen like a mythic serpent - that was a source of knowledge even in Eden. It has been suggested that the dragons of European and Mid Eastern mythology stem from the cult of snakes found in religions throughout the world. Many modern stories represent dragons as extremely intelligent creatures who can talk and are associated with or sometimes in control of, powerful magic. Dragon's blood often has magical properties: for example it let Siegfried understand the language of the Forest Bird. The typical dragon protects a cavern filled with gold and treasure and is often associated with a great hero who tries to slay it, but dragons can be written in to a story in as many ways as a human character.

We all know better though - we have authors like Anne McCaffery and Elizabeth Kerner and Barbara Hambly who have shown us the minds of dragons. We have learned through them how dragons travel inbetween and can take us with them. We have learned that dragon gold is the result of a dragons slumber when it grows and sheds its skin - it coats the area where the dragon slumbers and soothes their raw, new skin. We have learned the minds of dragons and their ethics and the code of morals they live by and how we too may be dragons reborn in human form. The music and magick of the dragon lives with us in our daily lives and so many of us are drawn to their song.

We can hear it in the earth, we can hear it in a fire, we can hear it in the wind, we can hear it in the rush of water - the song of the dragons that lives in each element. We wear dragons in our daily lives to mark us as having been touched by that dragon song - a shirt, a ring, a pendant, a tattoo. Each of us who has felt that song calling to us deep within has taken to express that feeling externally.

Next time you meet someone with a dragon, why not say hello? You may meet a kindred soul - another who has been touched by the magick of the dragon.

3) Book Review
"Symphony of Ages" books 4 and 5 by Elizabeth Haydon
"Requiem for the Sun" and "Elegy For A Lost Star"

I think I've mentioned my fondness for this "bodice ripper" series before. I've always wondered if Rhapsody, the main character, had this happen to her early on as a subtle poking of fun at the romance genre. This series, while in a fantasy setting with specific fantasy plots and everything, is also very much a romance.

Moving forward to these two books in the second trilogy, I found myself genuinely interested in the central characters and their adventures. I very much wanted to see the Bolg come in to their own as a people, see how Achmed coped with being king, see how the plot would develop as characters died and others took on their role. These two books really investigate more deeply the interpersonal relationships between many of the main and supporting characters. We see more of Anborn and discover more of his bitterness, Llauron does visit us again and yet more earth dragon lore is bestowed upon us. The sleeper has not yet arisen but we are shown that it is being disturbed.

There is much that happens that carries on from the original series without simply being a rehash of the original series. If you have read the first three, you'll likely remember how they were told from the point of view of a male character that was checking and manipulating the time line. This new series comes to us from a different viewpoint but still the same - that of the characters moving through their time lines.

If you are in the mood for light fantasy (don't read Michelle West then this - it won't work), then I do recommend this series. I did find myself wondering what was going to happen to the characters as well as wondering what would happen when a certain lady gave birth. It is a fascinating insight in to dragon lore and dragon births.

3.5 out of 5 moons

If you'd like to buy these books ("The Assassin King" is not due out until next year in hard cover), check your local independent bookstore or even local charity shops.

4) CD Review
"Turning" by Suzanne Ciani

I have to admit, I was in a dark mood when I first started listening to this so I started picking holes in it but one thing I could not pick holes in was the professional quality of both the music and production. Unlike other CDs I have reviewed, I could not find fault with the production or music - not a note seemed out of place, no background noise, nothing I could fault.

So moving on from that, I had to then grudgingly admit that I was liking it. It may not be to everyones taste including both vocals and instrumental on the first track but I did enjoy it. It lifted my mood somewhat as the music took an upwards turn and moved through various instrumental pieces with one piano solo. While not necessarily my primary choice for music, I did enjoy this and if you like real instrumental music (not created by a synth.), you will really enjoy this CD so do try it out.

3 out of 5 moons

If you'd like to know where to buy this CD, visit the artist at her website on http://www.suzanneciani.com/

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