The Ancient Whispers Newsletter

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.

Decima, the middle Fate in charge of the present, presides over December, but the month may have received its name as the tenth month of the Roman calendar. Vesta, patroness of fire also laid claim to the month of December.

Called Aerra Geola, "the month before Yule," or Wintermonat, "winter month," by the Anglo-Saxons, the Franks called it Heilagmanoth, " holy month," and Wolfmoon is the Asatru name. Míí na Nollag or an Dubhlachd is December in Ireland, the dark season.

The first Full Moon is the Moon before Yule or the Long Nights Moon. It is the Oak Moon, Big Winter Moon, or the Moon of Popping Trees. The name, Wolf Moon, is shared with January and February, and the Cold Moon may also be found in January.

Sagittarius passes into Capricorn around December 22nd. The paper white is the birth flower for those born in December, and the birthstone is ruby, turquoise, chrysoprase, bloodstone, or lapis lazuli. Ruby or garnet is also the birthstone for Capricorns, while Sagittarius claims lapis lazuli. Amethyst, azurite, labradorite, pink tourmaline, ruby, sodalite, and topaz are also linked to Sagittarius, and other stones associated with Capricorn are amber, amethyst, carnelian, fire agate, green tourmaline, labradorite, peridot, and sapphire.

last day of Saturnalia; Modraniht

set out candles at graves to light the path of ancestral spirits

birth of solar savior-gods

feast of Frau Holle

Christmas

birth of Horus

1st of the 12 days of Yule

Feast of Fools

Columbine and Pantomime

Seasonal plays

Winter Solstice; Sobek and Sekhmet

The birth of Freya

Gerina Dunwich

Halycon days end

Gwyl o Gwin a Hyfrydwch

unluckiest day of the year

Ta Chiu

Sekhmet

Hecate

Hogmanay, Hogmannay, Hogmarmay, Hogmena, Hagmena, or Hogg-night; Cake-day

The Fair Folk are quite active at this time

Hestiad

Namahage

Unless you share a Coven BOS or belong to a Family tradition, your personal Book of Shadows will be slow to grow. But like a tree, it will grow and change as you add more leaves. There are many variations on the BOS, so don’t feel that you must follow some particular format. Some even prefer to keep an electronic BOS as opposed to paper. An electronic BOS is easier to edit and does not harm to trees.

Not all Witches keep what could technically be called a Book of Shadows and some keep more than one. It may be a place to keep a calendar of events – Full and New Moons, greater and lesser Sabbats, and other holy days. Many copy down rituals and techniques for easy reference. Some use it as guide to component attributes and crafts, and it is also used as a record of experiences and as a personal diary. There is really no wrong way to make a BOS.

For many reasons, some Witches keep multiple Books of Shadows. Some will keep a public Book and a private Book if they interact with other Witches and wish to share. Some will keep multiple versions of the BOS to keep all their records in order. They may make one Book for rituals and techniques, another for component attributes, another for crafts, and so on and so forth. Some keep no book at all, but maintain a large library of books. The larger the library gets however, the more useful some kind of Index book would be. It might behoove you to create a Book filled solely with book titles, magazine articles, authors, websites, and other references just to make it easier to find them when you need them.

There is no special paper required for a BOS, and again, some Witches have moved entirely to an electronic format. Most bookstores now keep a large stock of blank books, which can be used for Books of Shadows. If you choose to have more than one Book, you can have them all of one color or multiple colors. Or you can make your own book. (See this week’s craft.) The choice is yours.

Many who do keep a Book, will write a Dedication into the front and also adorn it with protective or dedicatory symbols. These are also the choice of the Witch. There is no right or wrong way to decorate or dedicate your Book. The Dedication and the symbols all go toward giving the Book its purpose. Like any tool, it should be consecrated.

It is not necessary to start from scratch when making a BOS. You may purchase all your components from a craft store or make them yourself. There are many books on how to make natural paper or recycled paper. This is certainly a great option to try, and you can work aspects into the paper depending upon you purpose, but this is not a requirement. Naturally made paper will be thicker, more brittle, and ultimately harder to work with, but if you are patient and determined, there’s no reason you can’t use it for your BOS. The craft below will produce an open-spine book.

Several sheaves of paper
2 pieces of card board, each a little larger than half the size of the paper
2 large pieces of decorative or plain paper 2 inches longer than the cardboard
2 large pieces of decorative or plain paper 2 inches wider than the cardboard
2 pieces of plain paper half an inch smaller than the cardboard on sides
needle and thread (preferably nylon)
glue, paste, or rubber cement
an awl and twine or embroidery thread

Before you begin, you may draw whatever protective symbols or sigils on the cardboard you wish. No one will see these when you are done so don’t worry about making them aesthetically pleasing. They need only be functional and will be covered when you are done.

Place one piece of cardboard in the center of a long sheet of decorative paper. Fold the ends of the paper over and paste them to the cardboard at the top and bottom. If the paper is too thick, it may spring back up. If this happens, find something heavy, a few rocks perhaps, and place them along the edge till the glue sets. Repeat this with the other piece of cardboard.

Next take the wider decorative paper and fold the edges over the sides of the first piece of cardboard. Use the glue again to attach the edges, weighing them down with the rocks if you need to. Repeat this step with the second piece of cardboard. Then attach the smaller, plain pieces of paper over the glued side of your cardboard. These two rectangles will be your covers.

Taking no more than five pieces of paper at a time, fold them along their center. Then sew about a centimeter above the fold. This will give you a small “book” of ten pages. Make as many of these as you wish. When you have as many small “books” as you want, place two together and sew along their spines until they are attached and your small “book” now has twenty pages. Continue to sew your “books” together until the finished bunch is as thick as you would like it to be. All this sewing will give you a very strong spine. Try to make your stitches as fine as possible.

Put your book together as you want it to appear when it is finished. Thread the awl with a long piece of twine or embroidery thread without knotting it and pierce the outside of the back cover. Work your way with the awl through your pages in the space below where you sewed them. Pierce the inside of the front cover.

At this point, you may tie the two ends of the twine together or simply go back to the back cover and begin threading your way through your book again. If you choose the second option, you will have a network of twine along the spine when you get to the very end. Alternate the ending length of thread over or under each string till you reach the original thread at the top. Tie these together. Cut off any loose ends.

At this point you can decorate the cover any way you like with symbols, sigils, or pictures. Or you can leave it blank. The dedication can go on the inside front cover or on the first page. There is no set in stone dedication to be inscribed in your book. I have seen many. It may be a statement of purpose or a poem of your own choosing or writing.

The androgynous Creator god of the Pueblo Zunis and principal figure in their creation legends is Awonawilona. He may be a she or them. It’s unclear because Awonawilona cannot be seen, but this being existed before all else and contained everything within itself. Before it created the sun, all was in darkness and it was alone. From itself, Awonawilona created everything.

After the Deluge, Awonawilona created the sun. Green scum on the surface of the water solidified and broke into two masses. These became Apoyan-Tachi (the Sky-father) and Awitelin-Tsta (the Earth-mother). From them, all life arose.

Description: The camphor tree is a member of the Laurel family. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions of China, Japan, and Taiwan at elevations between 4000 and 7000 feet above sea level. This evergreen tree reaches from fifty to one hundred feet tall, but cultivated trees are kept pruned to five or six feet. The leaves are pale green, and glaucous underneath. They are alternating, ovate-acuminate, and leathery with three distinct veins. Juvenile leaves are rosy in juvenile stages. Little, whitish-yellow flowers appear in axillary panicles. The fruit are small ovoid drupes and are dark purplish-red when ripe.

Effects: gentle
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Associated Deities:

Traditions:
Camphor has been used in some embalming rituals, especially by the Chinese. The wood is used in some ritual masks for ceremonial theater in Buddhist temples. Marco Polo mentioned it in his writings, calling it the “balsam of disease.”

Camphor has become naturalized to Australia where it is considered something of a weed plant.

Magic:
In Borneo, camphor is linked to fidelity. Men study the knots in the tree to determine if their wives have been faithful. The plant or oil may be sniffed to lessen lust or grown beside the bed.

Camphor may be added to divinatory incense, or added as a liquid to water for scrying.

Camphor is also traditional incense for rituals of death and dying and is used to cleanse the deceased of negative energies. It will purify an area of negativity and evil, and may be used before moving into new home or when cleaning a temple or ritual area.

A bag of camphor or bark around the neck is said to prevent colds and influenza.

Known Combinations:
None noted

Medical Indications: (Caution: Prolonged exposure to fumes can cause poisoning, and large doses are also poisonous.) Parts Used: oil
Camphor oil is soothing for bruises, sprains, inflammations, gout, and rheumatic joints. Internally it has been used for hysteria, epilepsy, and heart problems. The smell of camphor is healing for sufferers of asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, but be aware of the caution above.

Nutrition:
none

Mercantile Uses:
The essential oil is contained in all tissues of tree, but mostly in hollows found naturally in the wood. Once extracted from the tree by felling, the oil is now extracted from leaves and young branches, and the tree is not cut until is fifty years old or older. The leaves are harvested three to four times a year.

The oil is used in a variety of industries. It is an insecticide and moth repellant. It is also used in deodorants, disinfectants, explosives, paint solvents, perfumes, and soaps.

Camphor wood is used for chests, especially sailors', because it resists the salt air. Moths and other insects are also deterred by the wood due to the oil it contains. Camphor wood is extremely expensive however.

They hold their hands over their mouths
And stare at the stretch of water.
What can be said has been said before:
Strokes of light like heron’s legs in the cattails,
Mud underneath, frogs lying even deeper.
Therefore, the poets may keep quiet.
But the corners of their mouths grin past their hands.
They stick their elbows out into the evening,
Stoop, and begin the ancient croaking.

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Quote : Carl Sagan
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.

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The Power of Stones: Beaverite
For past articles and the bibliography, please go to the
Power of Stones Archive.

Beaverite is a yellow stone, forming crumbly hexagonal plates. This stone assists in communication when you’re not quite sure what to say or how to say it. It aids in finding the right course of action and understanding all the variables that will affect your decision.

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Humor : Praying

In Israel to cover the fighting, a young reporter decided to look for a human-interest story. In Jerusalem, she heard about an old man who’s been going to the Wailing Wall to pray, twice a day, every day, for a long, long time. So she went to the Wailing Wall, and there he was. “Sir,” she asked, “how long have you been coming to the Wailing Wall and praying?” “For 50 years.” “What do you pray for?” “For peace between the Jews and the Arabs. For our children to grow up in safety and friendship.” “How do you feel after 50 years?” “Like I’m talking to a wall.”

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A Dreamer's Guide : Moaning to Monster

For past articles and the bibliography, please go to the
Dreamer's Guide Archive.

Moaning from pain or grief or hearing others moan is a warning to guard against untrue friends. You will have abundance if children were moaning.

Be on your guard against scams if you were Mocked by someone, and if friends mocked you, be on your guard against deceitful people. If others were mocked, you will be asked for assistance. Do not neglect your own affairs if children were mocked.

You will be invited on a pleasant visit by friends if you saw or heard a Mocking-bird. You will be disappointed by a lover or friend if you saw a bird wounded or dead.

You attempts to keep up with society will deplete your purse if you dreamed of a Model. Quarrels and regrets will follow. If you were a model or were trying to become one, you will become entangled in a love affair made more difficult by a selfish friend.

Molasses is a warning against gossip. You will be discouraged and disappointed in love if you are molasses, and smeared on your clothes predicts unwanted offers of marriage and possibly losses in business.

A Mold for shaping anything is a promise of financial improvement or good luck for someone for whom you care. If you used the mold, an important event concerning your happiness is in the offing. Beware of speculation if you dreamt of a cooking mold, and if you used one on any food but bread, someone near you is in trouble and may need money. You will inherit something from a friend if you molded bread.

Luck and prosperity is presaged by a mold for casting metals. A mold for casting frames is a warning against some treacherous friend. If you made special note of the shape of the mold, money is on its way to you.

Someone you trust is undermining your position if you dreamt of a Mole. Be discreet. If you caught or killed a mole, expect a rise in status.

A large or very dark facial Mole intensifies any interpretation, while a small or light colored mole minimizes it. An oblong mole indicates modest good fortune, while an angular shape promises both ups and downs. A hairy mole or one on the left is a sign of difficulties, while a mole with only one or a few hairs or one in a right hand position modifies the interpretation for the better.

Some mysterious event will claim your attention if you dreamt of a Mollusk. Money approaches if you caught them or sold them, but eating them is a warning not to believe everything you hear. Friends will come visiting if you cooked them.

Sever doubtful associations if something was Molting. An invitation will bring new opportunities if you saw hair molting. Feathers molting means new friends.

A Monarch means you will be deceived in love. Good fortune is promised if you went to see one, but sending a letter to a monarch is a sign of danger.

Worldly affairs will prosper if you dreamt of a Monastery. Trouble is foretold if you were in one, but entering one is a promise of many honors. If you left a monastery, you will suffer many afflictions. You will have joy and happiness if you prayed in one, and changes are presaged if you sat in one.

Giving, paying, or lending Money is a good omen, but receiving it is also good, providing it was obtained honestly. It signifies security through your own efforts. Finding money is a mixed blessing; your financial success will fail to bring you satisfaction. If you lost money, you are about to experience a windfall. Borrowing money indicates that you will soon need to dig your heels in and must guard against extravagances. Spending money foretells unexpected profit, and stealing it means an unexpected stroke of luck for you. Swallowing money means you are quite likely to become mercenary in your treatment of others.

Changing money from one form to another (coins to bills, small to large, etc) is a warning that you are about to suffer problems created by your own financial carelessness. Exchanging money for foreign currency means an increase in material wealth. Provided you did it in an unmiserly way, counting or saving money is an omen of personal happiness.

A Monk is a sign of family quarrels, and several indicate unpleasant travel. If you met a monk, you will recover from some illness, but meeting several foretells pain and grief. You must seek to control you passions if you dreamt of being one.

Monkeys mean you have deceitful friends, especially if you fed one. If they were climbing, enemies will seek your ruin. You will be flattered if you heard them chattering. Monkeys in a cage indicate opposition in love. A dead monkey means your worst enemy is soon to be removed.

Do not try to be someone you’re not if you dreamt of a Monocle. If you wore one, you will have a happy future. Others wearing a monocle indicate treason and gossip.

A Monster means good times are coming, especially on dry land. If it was in the sea, expect some minor misfortune. Sorrow will overwhelm you if you were chased, but an enemy will be neutralized if it was killed, especially if you killed it.

A Monument predicts success. You will be rewarded for your efforts if you visited one with others. The monument of a prominent person indicates honor and fame. An enemy’s destruction is foretold by a monument of yourself. Lost valuables will be discovered if you saw monuments in a cemetery.

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Quote : Napoleon
History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.

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