Isia - Zetesis and Heuresis; Hathor goes forth
Welcome to the Ancient Whispers Newsletter, a multi-cultural newsletter with a little something for everyone of any creed or religion. Here you will find inspiring quotes, irreverent jokes, crafts, and most importantly, historical and/or religious scholarship. Every Wednesday a new edition should appear on this website with reminder emails sent out the night before to those who have opted to join one of the many forums and mailing lists to which I subscribe. If you wish to share this newsletter with others, please keep it intact with the original authors' names on all the articles. Any articles or sections, to which an author or URL is not affixed, were written by Candace (with the exception of the various jokes found herein).
Questions, comments, and topical requests are encouraged and should be posted to the AskCandace open forum at yahoogroups. I'd like to start a help column for the newsletter, so if you'd like to have your problem featured in a newsletter, let me know when you post.
Some Sites of Interest
Knot Magick
Cord Magick
Halloween Recipes
Samhain Recipes
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This Pagan Week : October/November
Humor : 99 Tips for Halloween Survival
Article : Samhain
Quote : Jacob Chanowski
Craft of the Week : Cord Magick
Humor : Pagan Football
Who's Who in World Mythology : Auahi-Turoa
Quote : Alexander Hamilton
The Magi's Garden : Buckwheat
Cartoon
Poem : Samhain
Quote : Ann Landers
The Power of Stones : Axinite
Humor : Sam Hain
A Dreamer's Guide : Mascot to Mastiff
Quote : Albert Einstein
Previous Newsletters
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Some Sites of Interest
Knot Magick
http://www.sacredspiral.com/Database/knot
If you’re planning on making traditional cord spells, this website will be invaluable. In addition to sharing a wealth of folklore, there are several links to specific spells. There are also a few books offered for sale which look interesting.
Cord Magick
http://groups.msn.com/PaganHearthRecipes/cordmagick.msnw
This site gives some ideas on choosing and preparing your cord before your spellcasting as well as some basic uses of knot magick.
Halloween Recipes
http://showcase.netins.net/web/medea/hollow.html
This is an extensive list of creepy recipes for the holiday season. If you’re planning a party for the kids, you might want to check out this site for a few ideas.
Samhain Recipes
Some tradition and seasonal recipes for Samhain can be found at these sites.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7039/AshlinCC.html
http://www.morbidoutlook.com/lifestyle/askwitchhazel/2000_10_witchhazel.html
http://www.ecauldron.com/samhainfood.php
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/samhaintnrecip.htm
http://magickalmusings.net/wicca/wheel/srecipes.php
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The Pagan Month of October/November
can be found in its entirety Here. For more detailed entries, please visit the full calendar.
Isia - Zetesis and Heuresis; Hathor goes forth
Helms Amendment dropped
Isia - Zetesis and Heuresis; Bennu
Oidhche Shamhna, Samhain Eve, November Eve, the First of the Three Days of Samhain, Oidhche Alamaise, or All-Hallow Eve
Isia - Zetesis and Heuresis; Sekhmet, Bast and Ra honored
November took its name as the ninth month of the Roman calendar. As the first month of the winter quarter, November was the first month of the new year according to Celtic traditions, Samhain (La Samhna - Irish) being the first day of the new year. Cailleach had guardianship of this month.
Called Blotmonath, the month of sacrifice, by the Anglo-Saxons, the Franks called this month Herbistmanoth, " harvest month," and Fogmoon is the Asatru name. It was called Samhain or an t-Samhainn, summer's end, by the Irish, the month of the festival of Samhain.
The full moon of November is called the Beaver Moon. It is the Mourning or Frosty Moon, and it may also be referred to as the Moon When Deer Shed Antlers, the Fog Moon, or the Moon of Storms, a name it shares with February and March. Some call it the Dark Moon or Mad Moon.
Scorpio gives way to Sagittarius around November 22nd. Scorpios and other folk born in Those born to this month have the Chrysanthemum for their birth flower. November children have topaz for their stone, though one list mentions pearl as a stone for November, while the birthstone of Sagittarius is turquoise or lapis lazuli. Other stones associated with Scorpio are albite, aquamarine, emerald, garnet, green tourmaline, malachite, moonstone, obsidian, and ruby. Amethyst, azurite, labradorite, pink tourmaline, ruby, sodalite, and topaz are also linked to Sagittarius.
On the tenth day of the waning moon, Buddhists and Hindus of Nepal hold a day long festival in honor of the mother goddess Gujeswari. Devotees bring offerings to her temple built around a spring in the Katmandu Valley. They pray before a sacred water vessel made of red clay called a Kalash, and in the evening, they carry a copy of this vessel in a musical procession which winds through neighboring towns.
Isia -the Zetesis and Heuresis
Day of the Banshees
Hela and Fafnir
Aquarian Tabernacle Church
Samhain Day
Isia -the Zetesis and Heuresis, Festival of Hathor
last day of Samhain
Isia -Hilaria
St. Malachy
Gaelic New Year
Inuit tug-of-war competition
Taurids
Guy Fawkes Night
birthday of Tiamat
Raising the Djed Pillar
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| Humor: 99 Tips for Halloween Survival (because 100 would just be silly) |
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| 1. Never stand in, on, above, below, beside, or near a grave, tomb, crypt, mausoleum, etc.
Note: Vampires like virgin blood. So this is the one and only time where the "no having sex" rule doesn't apply. Have fun! 21. If you've hidden from the maniac/spirit/demon/creature and you are not found, do not peek from or decide it's safe to leave your hiding place. If you do decide to leave, scan the ground for twigs before you take a step. 22. Don't try to kill the maniac/spirit/demon/creature. Chances are good that it will never die; it's got to be around for the sequels to kill your kids, remaining family, and/or the people you sold the house to. 23. When it appears that you have killed the maniac/spirit/demon/creature, DO NOT check to see if he/she/it is really dead. Keep hacking at it until it is in pieces small enough not to be a threat to you. ** Note: If you hack it into tiny pieces, you run the risk of the pieces regenerating. Then you'll have a dozen of the buggers to deal with. 24. If you've shot at the maniac/spirit/demon/creature, shoot it again in the head, and remember, shoot till it stops moving, and then keep shooting till you're out of ammo. Then reload and shoot it some more. Then set it on fire and burn it up, this works with everything except demons and spirits. Then get the heck out of there! 25. Never get into a car without first checking the back seat for occupants. 26. If you've just finished running over the maniac/spirit/demon/creature in your car, keep going. Most certainly do not get out of the car under any circumstances to see if he/she/it is "really" dead. 27. The more people the maniac/spirit/demon/creature is distracted by, the better "your" chance of escape. 28. The more cowardly you are, the more likely you are to get eaten. Do the minimum amount to help others. 29. When you have the benefit of numbers, never, ever, pair off, or go in alone. 30. If demons begin possessing your companions, it's a good idea to leave the area as soon, and as quickly as possible. 31. If your companions start turning up dead, make yourself scarce before someone else does it for you. Worry about funerals later. 32. If the maniac/spirit/demon/creature has just finished killing your partner, don't be a hero. There is nothing more you can do for him/her. Get the hell away from there. Far away. 33. If you're running from the maniac/spirit/demon/creature, expect to trip and/or fall down at least twice, more if you are female. Do not turn to look back, if you do, you stand a good chance of tripping immediately and being killed. If you turn and look back, and you don't see the maniac/spirit/demon/creature chasing you, stop and run immediately back the way you came because the maniac/spirit/demon/ creature is now in front of you. 34. Listen to the dying person. They have the best ideas. 35. If your date falls to the ground, writhing, and tells you to "Go away," s/he means to go away, not to stand there screaming your fool head while s/he changes into a werewolf, demon, etc. Listen to her/him and vacate the premises. 36. If someone is in the water and starts screaming and is pulled under, Don't go after them or peek over the edge of the shore "to see what's wrong." If you are in a boat, head for shore. 37. If your companions exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such as hissing, thirst for blood, howling, glowing eyes, unnatural hairiness, marked resemblance to demons, excretion of ectoplasm or other forms of gelatinous goo, flaming appendages, extra appendages, etc., get as far away from them as possible. 38. If your "new friend" promises to do you a favor for the price of your soul, politely decline. 39. Never believe that your companion has truly become "dispossessed." 40. If you are the son or blood relative [no pun intended] of any maniac/spirit/demon/creature and/or homicidal mutant, go ahead and kill yourself now. Your friends will thank you in the long run. 41. If trees, TVs, or other objects try to consume your children, save as many as you can and then get out of the area. 42. Your pets can sense trouble. Check out how they are behaving. If they are going nuts, get the hell out of dodge. 43. Never follow the squeals, barking, screaming, etc, of your pet if they go into dark hole. You can do nothing to save Sparky. 44. If the animals on your farm start getting sucked into the ground, leave the premises. 45. If relatives, friends, pets, or livestock come back from the dead, don't approach them and ask "What did you come back to do?" 46. Don't play with Ouija boards. If you do and the Ouija board starts moving by itself, stop playing and leave. 47. Never read aloud from a book that summons demons. Even as a joke. 48. As a general rule, don't try to solve puzzles that open portals to Hell or Nebraska. 49. If appliances start operating by themselves, you are in danger. 50. If inanimate objects such as dolls, toys, or furniture attack you, be prudent, leave the area. 51. If a toy talks to you, and it doesn't have batteries in it at the time, there is a very good chance that you may want to get rid of it. 52. Always believe the kid. Even if the kid has lied before, even if you think that the kid has been watching too much TV, believe the kid. Do you want to take the chance that the kid might not be right? 53. The kid in the movie almost always has a way to solve any problem. No matter how strange the advice sounds, take it. The kid will almost always be a hell of a lot smarter than you. 54. If any children -- yours or others -- speak to you in Latin or any other language which they do not know, or if they speak to you using a voice which is other than their own, shoot them immediately. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. [Note: It will probably take several rounds of gunfire to incapacitate them, so be prepared.] 55. The weirdo, the person nobody believes, is always the one who saw this coming. 56. Never, ever, make fun of the "weird" kid. 57. Don't fall asleep if you have a history of homicidal/suicidal nightmares. 58. If you wake up from a particularly horrific dream and find yourself still alive, you probably aren't awake yet. 59. If you find something that appears to be alive that you cannot identify, don't pick it up or touch it, with anything. 60. Don't scold anyone for their weird habits (excluding the collectors of weird stuff). That habit could end up saving your ass. 61. If you are in the Arctic and find an alien frozen in ice, don't touch it, don't thaw it out, leave it alone. The alien should be incinerated with thermite (or preferably a thermonuclear weapon), otherwise if it thaws out, it will kill you and every living thing on earth. 62. Do not accept/take anything from the dead. 63. Never accept gifts from strangers, especially if you suspect that they are really supernatural beings. 64. Beware of strangers bearing tools of destruction such as chainsaws, staple guns, chipper/shredders, weed poppers, combines, lawnmowers, knives, flamethrowers, band saws, crossbows, napalm, grenades, high-powered rifles, gophers, wielding axes, laser pistols, Alludium Q-36 explosive space modulators or Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles. 65. Never pick up a hitchhiker or stop to aid a suspicious person, especially if he/she/it resembles Santa Claus or Satan. 66. Never speak to clowns in sewers. 67. If you see a man wearing a hockey mask and you are nowhere near an ice rink or hockey season, it is best to leave the area immediately. 68. Familiarize yourself with the names of known homicidal maniacs. You don't want to confuse Mike Meyers with Michael Meyers. 69. Beware of sadistic dentists. 70. If you discover the place you are visiting is known for its history of mass murders, deaths, freak accidents, or supernatural occurrences, leave. 71. Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are listed here: ** Amityville 72. If you find a town which looks deserted, it is probably deserted for a good reason. Take the hint and stay away. 73. No, those crop circles were not made by pathetic nerds that can't get a date. 74. Don't go camping. 75. Don't wear high heels on a camp ground, in the woods, on the beach, etc. 76. Don't buy and take home any weird plants that the person who sold it to you can't identify. 77. If you are dumb enough to buy an unidentified plant, and it asks you for blood, take pruning shears and chop the hell out of it. 78. If you are sold a strange, furry, cute creature by a Chinese man, follow all of the directions. 79. The saying "Only the good die young" doesn't apply in a horror movie. It is usually the real bastards who go first. Be good. 80. If you have a weird habit of collecting insects, spiders, etc., well, it's been nice knowing you. You're dead. 81. Discontinue feeding your spiders anything that you describe as "spider steroids." 82. Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're really sure you know what you are doing. 83. Never question or grumble at your superiors when they ask you to bring weapons. Chances are, you are going to need them. 84. Never ever say that things couldn't get worse. They always do. 85. 911 will never believe your call, but they will believe the conspiracy theory radio D.J. Go figure. 86. Don't rely on 911. They always come after the fact. 87. If you have a cell phone, get rid of it. It will almost always go off at an inopportune time and will reveal your location. 88. If the hostile aliens are knocking constantly at the door, check for other entrances. They are smarter than you and are likely trying to distract you. 89. Try not to piss off the hostile aliens. Revenge is a bitch. 90. Always keep a new spare tire in the trunk. 91. If you are driving alone on a dark, rainy night, and three motorcycles pass you in the opposite direction, DON'T get out and follow them for help when your car breaks down. 92. Beware of transvestite doctors that sing. 93. Listen closely to the soundtrack for hints on what is going on around you. Use all resources available, especially the audience, for on the average, they are much, much more intelligent than you could ever hope to be. 94. Do not go looking for Witches in the Maryland countryside. 95. If the choice is listening to the Native America and the decrepid preacher, go with the Indian. It saves a lot of pain in the long run. 96. If you are dumb enough to give the man eating plant blood, keep some eletricity on hand. 97. Ever since the shower scene in Psycho, rarely do movies ever give the hero or the most famous person a break. Yes, famous people can die, too. You have been warned. (They do make exceptions as far as kids are concerned. If they did not, the audience would be really pissed.) 98. Get rid of all talking toys that do not seem to run on batteries. 99. Beware men who still live with their mothers. This goes double if they are somewhat charming, run an inn, and has taxidermy as a hobby. |
Article : Samhain
by Candace
Also known as: Fleadh nan Mairbh (“Feast of the Dead”), All Hallows Eve, Hallowtide, Harvest Home, Hallowmass, Hallows, The Day of the Dead, All Soul's Night, All Saints' Day, Third Harvest, Samana, Old Hallowmas, Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest (Strega), and Samhuinn, Dyedy (“Ancestors” Slavic), Vetrarkvöld (in Scandinavia)
Dividing the year in half, Samhain and Beltaine are the two most important Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year. It is called Samhain (pronounced SOW-in in Irish, SOW-een in Wales, and SAV-en in Scotland), and Sauin (Manx), meaning summer’s end. It is often pronounced "SAM-haine" in non Gaelic speaking countries, and it is the last of the three harvest festivals, often referred to as the "Last Harvest." Though some groups do not celebrate the coming of the new year until Yule, Samhain is usually considered the end of the old year in almost all Celtic based Paths. As with most Celtic holidays, Samhain begins at sundown on October 31st. This night is called Oíche Shamhna in Irish, Oidhche Shamhna in Scots Gaelic, Oie Houney in Manx, and it is the primary focus of the celebration. It is a time of fairs and festivals. Many Witches of the Old Ways actually celebrate two Samhains, and old customs had the festival extending for three days. The old date for Samhain was when the sun enters 15 degrees Scorpio. The Catholic Church made this day Martinmas however.
While individual remembrance and communion with the dead might be sought by people at any time during the year, there is no other time when such a deep communal connection could be forged than during the Samhain season. The rituals of Samhain involve a more intense union with the dead in the time-honored fashion of all communal bonding, with feasting. Sharing a solemn meal, "in the sight of gods and mortals," placed mutual responsibilities on all participants. By inviting the dead to such a feast, the living were reminded to honor their ancestors, while the dead were encouraged to take a hand in the well-being of their living kin.
Most of Samhain customs fall into two broad patterns. The dead, present as invisible entities, entered through open doors and windows to partake of the festivities. A certain amount of food was set aside exclusively for the dead. In some cases, a specific type of food, usually some kind of cake, was made solely for them. In others customs, a portion of the same food that the living would eat was put aside. The most classic example of this pattern is the boued an Anaon ("food of the hosts of the dead") custom in Brittany. The Anaon (a word related to Annwn, the Welsh Otherworld) are the gatherd hosts of ancestral spirits, usually portrayed as hungry for sustenance from the world of the living. A large amount of food was set aside for their sole use, and had to remain untouched by all human agencies for the entire feast. Eating the food of the dead, even if one was desperately hungry, was a terrible blasphemy. Anyone who did so was condemned to become a hungry ghost after death, barred from sharing the Samhain feast for all time.
The other pattern of Samhain custom encouraged the recycling of the offered food into the community. This may be seen most in the Welsh cennad y meirw, "embassy of the dead" custom. While the wealthier members of the community put together lavish Samhain feasts for their households, the cenhadon, the poor, took on the collective identity of the community's dead by going from door to door in disguise. At each house they were given a portion of the food that had been set aside for the dead. Refusing them food for any reason was sinful and retaliation in the form of destruction of property was acceptable and encouraged. This may be the true origin of the "trick" aspect of our modern Halloween, though the reasoning has been lost.
Also at this time, the flocks were brought in from the fields to live in sheds until spring. Some animals were slaughtered and preserved to provide food for winter, and the last of the crops was gathered from the fields. Any crops left on the field after this time were taboo. Bonfires (bone-fires) were built, and bones from the feasting were thrown in the fire as offerings for healthy and plentiful livestock in the New Year. Once the hearth fires were relit from the village bonfire, the ashes were spread over the fields to protect and bless the land. The hearthfires would burn continuously until Beltaine.
The period from Samhain to Yule, the "time which is no time," is very magickal and at the same time very dangerous. The veil between worlds is thinnest at this time. None should walk alone at night while the dead return to visit their kin and the doors to the Faery Realm open. This is the beginning of the cider season, and apples, a favorite food of the dead, are traditionally buried for their consumption. To honor spiritual visitors and gain their favor for the coming year, the Fleadh nan Mairbh is laid out or families hold a Dumb Supper. Many folks leave milk and cakes (Bannocks) outside their door on Samhain. In Belgium, small white cakes or cookies were prepared as Cakes for the Dead. A cake was eaten for each person gone beyond with the belief that the more cakes you ate, the more the dead would bless you.
The ghosts of all persons who were destined to die in the coming year would walk through the graveyard at midnight on Samhain. Going about in costume was an ancient practice. Villagers would dress as ghosts to escort the dead to the city limits and deter the angry or evil ghosts from doing any damage. People dressed in white, wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender. Many thought ghosts possessed an evil nature and so for protection, jack-o-lanterns with hideous candle-lit faces were carved out of turnips and carried as lanterns to scare away the malevolent spirits. Later pumpkins were used.
In addition to communion with the dead, divination of the future was a common practiced as people focused on the coming year. Certain traditions, such as bobbing for apples, roasting nuts in the fire, and baking cakes which contained tokens of luck, were actually ancient methods of telling fortunes. Stones were marked with names and thrown into the bonfires. In the morning, these stones were retrieved and the stone's condition foretold the person's fortune in the coming year. New Year resolutions are a common practice on Samhain, but with a magickal twist. On a piece of parchment, write down the weaknesses or bad habits you would like to loose. After meditating on your resolutions and how your life would improve by their loss, burn the parchment paper, preferably in the ritual fire. Thank your gods and continue your celebration.
Modern Halloween
When the Romans invaded Britain, they brought with them many of their festivals and customs. One of these was the festival know as Pomona Day, named for Pomona, the goddess of fruits and gardens. Celebrated around the 1st of November, the Celtic Samhain festival and the Roman Pomona Day eventually combined to form the basis of our modern Halloween.
In 800 AD, the Roman Catholic All Hallow's Day was switched from May to November 1st to coincide with the Celtic Samhain in an effort to convert the Pagan masses. The eve of All Hallow's Day became All Hallow's Even and slowly evolved into the familiar word Hallowe'en. Mexico observes a Day of the Dead on this day, as do other world cultures. Our modern celebration includes all of these influences, Pomona Day's apples, nuts, and harvest, the Festival of Samhain honoring the dead and otherworld, and skeletons and skulls from All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day.
As thousands of Irish and Scottish immigrants flowed into America, the Hallowe'en practice of Trick or treat evolved. Beginning sometime around the 1840s, the old tradition of going door to door asking for donations of money or food for the New Year's feast was carried over to the US from the British Isles. Traditionally, curses heaped on those who did not give generously; while gave from their hearts were blessed. During the 1920's, Hallowe'en antics became a way of letting off steam for the poor living in crowded conditions. Innocent acts of vandalism such as soaping windows gave way to violent, cruel acts. Organizations like the Boy Scouts in an attempt to pacify the holiday encouraged good children to visit shops and homes asking for treats to prevent criminal acts. These "beggar's nights" became very popular and evolved into what America calls Hallowe'en. From these varied origins, the term "trick or treat" was derived though this greeting was not commonly used until the 1930's. By 1910 however, American manufacturers were making or importing products just for Hallowe'en.
Samhain Associations
Plants : Broom, Calendula, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Hemlock, Mandrake, Mugwort, Mullein, Mushrooms, Nettle, all Nuts, Oak, Passionflower, Pine, Straw, Ginseng, Wormwood
Foods of Samhain : Allspice, Beef, Almond, Apple, Bay, Calendula, Garlic, Gourds, Hazelnut, Mulled Wines, Mushrooms, Nettle, Nuts, Pine, Pumpkin, Pork, Poultry, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Turnips, Sunflower, Tarragon
Incense of Samhain : Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg
Gems and Stones : All black stones, Amber, Brass, Clear and Smoky Quartz, Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Granite, Hematite, Iron, and Steel, Marble, Pyrite, Ruby, Sandstone
Colors of Samhain : Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold
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| Quote : Jacob Chanowski |
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| It is important that students bring a certain
ragamuffin, barefoot, irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. |
Craft of the Week: Cord Magick
by Candace
Because Samhain is the Pagan New Year, I thought this particular “craft” would be useful. At one time, thread was thought to link souls to the Underworld, and it was placed inside coffins so that the dead would find their way. This is probably through association with the legends of the Greek Fates who wove our destinies and cut our cords of life when the time came. So in a way, thread has a long tradition of tying us to life.
Knot magick may be one of the simplest spells you can perform, as it requires a modicum of tools. If your intent is strong, all you’ll need is a length of twine or other material. Whatever you use, you should be able to see the loops once the knot is tied so you can later untie the knot. For this reason, thread, yarn, or embroidery thread is really not the best material to use.
Knot magick is a way of making a spell in advance of when you’ll need it. You can tie anything into your cord, from weather to healing to banishment charms. Whatever purpose you can think of can be tied into a cord. You can use it to bring something to you or get rid of something. The most famous of knot magick pertains to raising the wind. Typically three knots were tied into a cord. The first would raise a wind, the second a storm, and the final knot would raise a complete squall. This was usually carried on ships bound for the ocean.
Some sources will give a certain number of knots to be tied into a cord. Most often this is seven. When you untie the seventh knot, the spell is complete. I prefer to think untying a complicated knot is better than a certain number, though symbolically a certain number can tie into your intent if you are well versed in the numerological implications of that number. You can also use specific colored string for your spells. This isn’t necessary, but it can help you keep track of various knot cords if you make more than one. If you choose to use plain twine or uncolored string, dipping the end in some paint, marking the end with a marker, or tying a bit of ribbon to the end will help you keep track.
As I said, rather than go for a series of knots with the final one releasing the spell, I prefer to go for a more complicated knot. After all, the more effort you put into it - the more intent you put into it - the stronger your results will be. So in my mind, untying a complicated knot, or a series of them, will get you more results than untying a series of easy knots.
Another way to practice cord magick is to tie the knots and then wear the cord or leave it somewhere as a charm. These knots are never untied (unless you want to undo the spell). Some traditions also use a knotted cord to indicate levels of experience, a new knot being added with every graduation to a new level.
Think of what you’ll need in the coming your and tie your knots accordingly.
For descriptions, directions, and illustrations of different knots, try these sites:
http://www.2020site.org/knots
http://www.iland.net/~jbritton
http://www.wannalearn.com/Sports_and_Leisure/Outdoor_Activities/Wilderness_Survival/Tying_Knots
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| Humor : Pagan Football |
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| Heard one night on Between the Worlds Radio, WIKA... Bob: For those of you who have just joined us, this has been one hell of a game! The Salem Witches, led by the ferocious play of Sven Gahrinnson, a huge Asatru defensive end, have taken a 21-14 lead over the Bethany Baptists. Sam: That's right, Bob. Sven's a force, but Bethany's quarterback Paul Damascus has been throwing passes with all the zeal of an evangelist passing out tracts on Judgment Day. Leading the Baptists' Fire and Brimstone offense, Damascus has been burning the Witches' secondary all evening. Bob: Sam, now that was uncalled for... Sam: Hey, if the Witches hadn't put a spell on the referees they wouldn't even be in this game! Bob: And if the Baptists hadn't soaked the field with holy water, the Witches would still be able to use their running game, not to mention the third degree burns that Salem's tight end received. Sam: His name was Vlad! I'll bet he wasn't only a witch but a… Bob: Don't say it! Sam: But the Bible says... Bob: SAM! Let's return to the action on the field. Sam: [mumbling] Well it does... Bob: Salem's just about to kick off with 2:35 left in the fourth quarter. John-Paul is on his own five-yard line to receive for the Baptists. Here's the kick... It's a beauty! Just look at the hang time! Sam: I'd look for a penalty on that kick. Illegal summoning of air elementals, I would think. Bob: John-Paul takes the kick... he's on the ten... the fifteen… WOW! WHAT A HIT!! Sven just leveled John-Paul! I'm amazed Bethany's return man could even hold on to the ball. Uh oh... John-Paul's not moving. The trainers are coming out to the field. Sam: [chanting gleefully] Threefold law! Threefold law! Sven's going to pay! He meant to hit him hard. Bob: Sam, this is football! You're supposed to hit them hard. Besides, Sven's not Wiccan, he's Asatru! Sam: [mumbling] Well, they're all going to burn in hell. They aren't Christian, after all. The Bible says -- Bob: [cutting off Sam] It looks like John-Paul's going to be okay. He may not know what time zone he's in after that hit, but at least he's on his feet. The Witches' defense takes the field. Sven holds down the left side while Gavin Lord leads Salem's Wild Hunt defense. Listen to them howl! The Witches' fans are going wild, the pep band is leading a spiral dance while the cheerleaders are drawing down the moon. I can't imagine how Bethany can even hear the count over all this noise! Here's the snap. Damascus drops back. Here comes Sven! Damascus is scrambling, chased by the Wild Hunt. He has nowhere to run, not with the Hunt on his heels. Damascus throws the ball away, stopping the clock with 2:08 left to play. Sam: There's a flag on the play. I'll bet it's against the Witches Bob: My guess is holding on the offense, Sam. Sam: Yeah, right. You're just saying that 'cause you don't want the Baptists to win. Bob: No, I'm saying that because one of Bethany's offensive linemen is still holding someone's kilt! Sam: They should call that a foul. After all, the Bible says -- Bob: [cutting Sam off again] The refs have marked off the penalty and the players are lining up again. Damascus is calling the signals. Here's the snap. He drops back and throws. It's caught by Moses at the 30, and he's brought down immediately. That's going to bring up the two minute warning. Sam: Let's break for a word from our sponsor, New Jerusalem Witnessing Tracts. Bob: Let's not. We're back! The word on John-Paul's injury is either a slight concussion or demon possession. The team is calling in a specialist from the Vatican to be sure. It seems that Sven hit him hard enough that the Bethany return man thinks he's in a past life. He keeps saying, I was really just kidding. I like lions. Really. Good kitty! There's 1:58 left on the game clock and from the look of things on the field, I think that Bethany's starting to panic. Sam: Why do you say that? Bob: Because it looks like they're going for the Hail Mary play. Sam: And why do you say that? Bob: Just listen to the Baptists' fans. Fans: Hail Mary, Mother of God... Hail Mary, Mother of God... Bob: Here's the snap. Damascus drops back... he's under pressure... Damascus scrambles to the right, looking for an open receiver... he reverses the field, running to the left... Sven is right on his heals... He throws... Touchdown!! What an immaculate reception! Touchdown Bethany! Sam: Yes! Yes! YES!!! Bob: Let's be a little objective here... Sam: Time to make those sinners pay! Bob: Bethany's going for the two point conversion. The Wild Hunt is growling, you can hear it even over the roar of the crowd. This could be the game right here, folks. The Baptists are pulling out all the stops. I think that's even the Ark of the Covenant that they're parading over there. Here's the snap... It's a quarterback sneak! Damascus dives into the heart of the Wild Hunt! Look at that pile! Damascus is somewhere at the bottom. It's going to be a moment before they sort this one out, folks. One of the Baptists is in Sven's face. Uh oh... I think he's witnessing to the Asatru. Yep! There's the flag! That'll be unsportsman-like conduct on Bethany. Fifteen yards off the kick off. It looks like the Baptists have made the conversion! Bethany leads 22 to 21. Sam: That's not the only thing they converted. It looks like Sven is headed back to Bethany's sideline. Bob: No! Sven! You're a warrior! Come back! Come back! Sam: Oh... is da widdle asatwoo a kwistjun now? Bob: [ignoring Sam] Fourth quarter... 1:22 left on the clock. Bethany sends a deep booming kick into Salem's end zone. Wait... who is that returning the kick? Long hair... curves... It's Artemis! Those Bethany defenders don't know who they have coming at them! Sam: If she turns anyone into a stag and they don't call a penalty, I'll protest! Bob: Artemis fields the ball deep in her own end zone. She's bringing it out! She's at the five, at the ten... breaks a tackle… to the fifteen, the twenty... she's on the sideline with room to run... Does anyone hear trumpets? Are those angels over there? OHMIGOD WHAT WAS THAT FLASH OF LIGHT?!?!??! Sam: Where did all of Bethany's players go? Where are their fans? Bob: Looks like its the Rapture... Artemis is left with a field empty of defenders... She's at the fifty... the forty... the twenty...Touchdown!! Salem's ahead by five with Bethany nowhere in sight! Sam: Judgment Day... It can't be Judgment Day... Bob: Looks like the refs are talking this one over. The clock is stopped with fifty-eight seconds left to play. The Bethany Baptists are nowhere in sight and the Salem Witches lead 27 - 22. Here's the official ruling...That's game! The Bethany Baptists forfeit the game and the Salem Witches win, 27 - 22! Sam: [still bemoaning his fate] Judgment Day... It was Judgment Day and no one came to get me! It can't be Judgment Day! Why? Why, Bob? Why? Bob: Don't know, Sam. It's your system of belief, not mine. You're welcome to hang out with us Pagans. Sam: Dear GOD! It was Judgment Day and they sent me to Hell! This is Hell, isn't it Bob? Bob: [thinking of being the only Pagan that Sam knows] Only for me, Sam. Only for me. |
Who's Who in World Mythology : Auahi-Turoa
For past articles and the bibliography, please go to the
Who's Who Archive.
Auahi-Turoa is the son of Tama Nui-Te-Ra, a Polynesian sun god, who sent him down to earth as a comet, carrying the Seed of Fire. On earth, Auani-Turoa married Mahu-ike, the Mother of Fire. They had five sons, called the Fire-Children. Each bear the names of the fingers -Konui is the thumb, Koroa is the index finger, Mapere is the middle finger, Manawa is the ring finger, and Koiti is the little finger.
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| Quote: Alexander Hamilton |
|---|
| Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. |
The Magi's Garden: Buckwheat
For past featured foliage and the bibliography, please go to the
The Magi's Garden Archive.
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp, F. esculentum)
Description: Buckwheat is a native of north and central Asia. It is an herbaceous plant with a knotted stem one to two feet high. The stem is hollow and round; generally green though sometimes tinged with red. Lateral branches alternate from the joints. The leaves are heart to arrow shaped. From July to September, the plant produces numerous sweet-scented flowers. There are two types of flower, one with long styles and short stamens, and one with short styles and long stamens. A tough, dark-brown rind surrounds the sharply triangular nut or seed.
Effects: gentle
Planet: Venus, Mercury, Pluto
Element: Earth
Associated Deities:
Traditions:
Buckwheat is one of a few foods that may be eaten on Hindu fasting days. Buckwheat was first brought to Europe from Asia by the Crusaders, hence its nickname of Saracen Corn in France.
Magic:
Grind the seeds to flour and sprinkle around your house in a circle to keep evil out. You can also use powdered seeds to form a magic circle.
Add a few grains to any money incense, and keep some in the kitchen to guard against poverty. Buckwheat grains can be used in any money spells.
Known Combinations:
none noted
Medical Indications: (Caution: eating too much may cause dermatitis) Parts used:
Buckwheat is a source of phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin A. The stems and leaves are used in a tea for bladder trouble, and the roots and tops have been recommended as a tea for TB, colds, and diarrhea.
Nutrition:
Though buckwheat flower is occasionally used for bread, it is more often used for cakes. They make a quite popular pancake with maple syrup. Dutch children are fond of Buckwheat crumpets. The Japanese make a variety of buckwheat foods. In addition to a variety of pastas, they may steam and dry the grains and eat them boiled or make them into bread or cake called manju. They also eat the young leaves as a vegetable.
The Russian army uses buckwheat as part of the rations. The grains are cooked with butter or oil. In Germany, buckwheat is an ingredient in pottage, puddings, and other foods. I like to add the grains to my bean soup.
Beer is also brewed from the grains.
Buckwheat is comparable to wheat, but it is safe for those who suffer from wheat allergies.
Mercantile Uses:
Buckwheat is largely cultivated in the central United States, China, Russia, and Eastern countries for bees as well as for food. Bees like the flowers, and you can find buckwheat honey in most stores. Pheasants are also fond of buckwheat grains, and it is grown in preserves for them.
The flowers may be used to produce a brown dye. The stalks make a blue dye, but are also used to feed cattle. While green, buckwheat is a fit food for sheep, oxen, and horses.
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Cartoon
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Poem : Samhain
Lady Lissar
let the night fall
for I am not afraid of the dark
or of imaginary evils
or of myself
and my own power
let the night fall
let it come with its dreams
its mysteries
its wonders
let the night fall
let the goddess drape her scarves of black
around me
and clear the cauldron's surface
so that I might remember
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| Quote : Ann Landers |
|---|
| No one has the right to destroy another person's belief
by demanding empirical evidence. |
The Power of Stones: Axinite
For past articles and the bibliography, please go to the
Power of Stones Archive.
Axinite is typically lilac brown but also yellow, yellow-orange, gray, pale blue and even black and colorless varieties. It produces unique flattened spatula shaped crystals. Axinite is grounding in all situations. This stone inspires friendships and relationships, and it encourages the idea that the solution to any problem is one that will not cause harm.
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He's honored to be here, on Religious Freedoms day. This is the day each school brings in representative theologians from all the different religions in the district. Each gets their hour in the sun. It also happens to be October, so there is only one thing on people's minds.
"My name is Sam Hain. Rhymes with 'a-THAME'. That's the gizmo Witches use to slice open apples to show that there are very few really regular pentagons inside. Oh, the pentagon. People are always confusing that with that building down there in Washington -- what is it? Yes, the Pentacle. You know, where they've got that demon trapped.
"Oh, yes. Before I get too carried away with all that arcane lingo, let's touch upon some basics. The religion is Wicca. The root of 'Wicca' is 'Wic', and is derived from the word 'Witch'. And, in order to emphasize that letter 'C', the religion is often called 'Witchcraft'. Now, breaking this final word down, etymologically, we have the words 'Itch' and 'Craft'; beginning with the letter 'W'. 'W' stands for Woman, Wit, Wisdom and Woozy. Woozy, you know, like if you drink too much. So, anyhow: Witchcraft is an itchy craft or skill for women, wits, half wits, the inebriated, and the wise. Of course, we are all in the last category -- at the very least.
"Okay. The roots of Witchcraft. The roots are to be found in your grandmother's root cellar. Which is to figure. They let some gardener loose, and he either tripped over some practitioners in the woods, or he made it up out of figs and mints, or somewhere in between -- your choice. It's appropriate, though -- the phenomenal growth of a contemporary earth religion had to be instigated by a gardener."
He acknowledges a hand.
"You don't ride brooms, do you?" asks a youth with a face like a pimple.
He chuckles. "No, no. That myth was invented by the Inquisition. No brooms. Most of us don't keep clean homes, anyway. Too many grimoires, oils and incenses. And the stuff like eye of baby and wing of newt -- that went out about the time of Shakespeare. Besides, winged newts went extinct. Nowadays, we're pretty environmental.
"Speaking of the Inquisition (and we all know nobody expects it), the Inquisitors wiped out the entire population of women in Europe. Men had to come up with a kind of a temporary reverse-parthenogenesis for the race to survive. Either that, or it was space aliens. We've got some revisionists out there now who don't believe more than a handful of people were deep-fat- fried by the Inquisition, but they're crackpots. A scarce few others claim that maybe only a relative few were killed for Witchcraft -- perhaps in the tens of thousands to maybe a couple hundred thousand. But those numbers seem reasonable, so these figures probably aren't right. The one thing the human race *isn't* is reasonable, so feel free to pick an extreme in either direction.
"Anyhow, we Witches gather together in covens, or else in herds of solitaries -- otherwise known as festivals or networks. Sometimes we meet in gaggles, prides, pods or clutches. We meet once in a while, or whenever the moon is blue.
"A lot of us follow the reincarnation thing. And the truths of ancient lands which rise from the sea. As proof, consider the tales of Atlanta. It's risen from the seas, and even from the land, into a mass of skyscrapers. It's no accident that one of the nation's largest airline hubs is in Atlanta. Gotta provide transportation for all the souls to home in on. And, if you don't think lands can rise from the seas, check out the Midwest.
"Witches give honor to the elements. That's why we can be seen standing out in the rain so often. Our rituals take so long because we usually honor each and every of the 106 elements in the periodic chart, although we often leave out the man-made ones. The anti-nuke crowd leaves out all the radioactive ones as well.
"The religious part is, of course, that we have a plethora of Gods and Goddesses. It's like an herb garden -- they're many, they're hardy, some of them are no better than weeds, and most of them come back the next year. Yes, we have our dying and rising Goddesses and Gods. Most important in the Goddess department is the Maid, Mother and Crone. The Crone is the old warty one you got to watch out for, but that's all right -- she's got arthritis and might not catch you. The Mother -- well, she gives birth to everything, so she hasn't time for much else. And the Maid, hey, she's the one who does the dishes and picks up after everyone."
"What about Halloween?" asks someone else.
“Samhain Named after me." He pronounces it like his name. "Or maybe it was the other way around. I wasn't around, then. 'Halloween' means 'little hollow'. Hollows were those holes in tree trunks that were such a big deal in fairy tales. Where the Keebler cookie elves live, at least by ill repute.
"It's one of the Sabbats. There are eight of them. There are the Quarter Sabbats and the Crossed Quarters, and Samhain is a particularly cross Quarter. Almost a Susan B. Anthony Dollar of the occult world, it's that big and feisty. It's the night when the shawls between the world are thin, which is why it's usually pretty chilly. But we try to go outside anyway.
"It's the night Witches talk to their Dead. There's a reason we collect those little decals with roses and skeletons at music stores. Ever wonder why there are so *many* of those things? It's *us*, man. Anyhow, it is permissible to discuss anything you desire with the Dead. Remember, the Dead tell no tales.
"The purpose of Samhain is to prepare for winter. Those of you who are not Witches fill the same task by writing Christmas cards as well as by hiding from the Season of Advertising which begins about then. Well, since we do Yule instead of Christmas, we have other preparations. In the old days, the final crops were taken in. It's the Wiccan end-of-year, our New Year's Eve without streamers and overpriced restaurants. At Samhain, the last crop would be taken in, and that's what folks would eat until spring; mold, rodent droppings, and all.
"The Celtic kids used to knock on doors, just like kids do today. Only then, it was "Trick *AND* Treat". You were supposed to give the kid something tasty like pudding wrapped in boar's stomach lining, and you were supposed to pull some kind of nasty trick on the kid as well. Think of a drop floor under your welcome mat -- the Celts played tricks for keeps. Hardy and lusty sons of guns, they were. If you failed to do a trick of your own, the kid was perfectly justified in thinking something up on his or her own. Note that toilet paper, shaving cream, and rotten eggs are for pikers. Fortunately, we've come a long way since then. However, remember that there is a precedent for that razor in your candied apple. It's a gift from a reincarnated Celt. Witches are too busy partying to do anything like that.
"In fact, we'll party all night long at the slightest provocation. On Samhain our excuse is that midnight is the most magical of the hours. And once one is up that late, one may as well continue. There's a certain somberness about this particular occasion, but we take it in stride. We'll even bob for apples -- the game's symbolic meaning is Futility, except for those bobbers with big mouths. We'll wear costumes, so long as they are black. Black's just a Witchy thing: you wouldn't understand. Its meaning is absence, since black is technically the absence of all colors. People who always wear a lot of black wish to bring this sense of the Void into themselves. At Samhain black is highly appropriate: we often seek to void out the past year like a bad check."
He takes a long pause for air. Attention still seems to be with him, he notes gratefully.
"Okay, so what are we Witches doing today? Well, there's a certain type of politics. You know the old Craft saying, 'If that which you seek, you cannot find it within, you'll never find it without -- unless you push.' So we have lots of fun boycotting movies people wouldn't have gone to see in the first place if we hadn't made a stink about them. Darn shame cigars are out of fashion, even if Broomhilda still smokes one..." He fades into a reverie of musing.
"Oh, yes, as I was saying. Witchcraft today. It isn't as picturesque as in the old days. The succubae, incubi and abaci are all down in Club Med, where the rest of us can't afford to go. Glad they can afford it. If they head far enough south, maybe they'll transform the rainforests -- 'Make Love, Not Cattle'. Yeah, Witchcraft can be pretty transformative. Not many religions let you bang on rawhide all night and plunk a computer keyboard by day."
He concludes his talk, and leaves to applause, feeling good about having clarified the Craft like drawn butter. Students follow him outside, as he straddles his ElectroLux. They laugh, as he makes verbal vroom-vroom- vroom noises. Nothing happens.
"Drat", he says. "Anyone got a car? And jumper cables?"
Ten minutes later, Mr. Hain and his vacuum cleaner are skybound, circling up and into the clouds. A Dreamer's Guide : Mascot to Mastiff
For past articles and the bibliography, please go to the
A dream of a Mascot foretells unexpected news which will change your prospects. Present danger will fade away if you had a mascot. Important and beneficial news approaches if you saw the mascot of a ship. A mascot in the home augurs good luck in family affairs, and one in the car means you will have a long life.
A Mask is a warning to beware rivals. If you wore one, you will make plenty of money, but if you saw someone else wearing one, beware deceitful neighbors. If a known enemy wore a mask, be careful of treachery.
Distinction in your work is indicated after a dream of a Mason, but if you were one, it was a warning of trouble. You will be guilty of foolishness if you saw a mason at work, however several building a house is a sign of dignity for your family. If you employed several masons, you may face losses due to illness.
Someone will trick you if you saw a Masquerade party. If you were there alone, you will have prosperity, and attending with a loved one promises success. If you were the queen of the masquerade, enemies are seeking your downfall.
Wealth approaches if you dreamed of Mass. You will be well satisfied in the future if you were in attendance, but if you went alone, you have a dirty conscience. There will be happiness in the family if you attended with your family. You will receive what you desire if you dreamt of attending every week. A musical mass is an augury of joy. You will be free from oppression if a priest was telling mass. An outdoor mass is a good omen of things to come.
A Mass of things is a sign that some friend will soon visit.
Loss of personal belongings and wealth is foretold by a Massacre. You will make money if you heard of a massacre, but if you were massacred, damages will occur in your affairs.
A Massage means a pleasant life for you. Your efforts will be rewarded if it was in private. Giving a massage to a woman indicates unexpected money; while giving one to a man hints that you will need to overcome some difficulties. Someone will do you a kindness if you gave a massage to a sick person.
The Mast of a ship is a symbol of some important journey, the longer the mast, the longer and more pleasant the journey. If you climbed a mast, you will have control over many matters, and seeing sailors climb one means a change in your surroundings. Danger lies in wait for your enemies if you saw them climbing a mast, but relatives climbing on a mast are a sign of a ripe and happy old age.
Good times approach if you saw the Master of a ship, and being one augurs impending money. Prosperity is also foretold if you were the master of your home, and happiness will be yours if you were the master of your business. Being the master of a dog is a contrary sign. It means your friends are unfaithful. You can also not trust your friends if you were a fencing master. Good times are coming if you had a master though. Being a dancing master is a symbol of frivolity, while acting as schoolmaster is a sign that your earnings will increase. You are being deceived if you were a master of languages. You will have trouble in love if you were the master of a chapel.
Beware false suspicions if you dreamt of a Mastiff, but if you were bitten, you will have trouble in love. The death of a friend is augured if you saw two mastiffs fighting, but if they were only playing, you will probably eat too much.
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Ancient Whispers Newsletter Archive
Humor : Sam Hain
"Will you stop calling me 'Sow', all right? That's a female pig. The name is Sam. Sam, as in SAM". He whispers that lowly to the woman who has just announced his talk. He clears his throat, and steps forward to address the students, leaving the well-meaning facilitator behind. Someone always ends up slaughtering his name, he ruefully reminds himself.
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Dreamer's Guide Archive.
Quote : Albert Einstein
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt.
He has been given a large brain by mistake,
since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
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